Arodach, the Undying

[Nibble]

Arodach, the Undying
{B}
Legendary Creature -- Shade
1/1

When Arodach, the Undying is put into a graveyard from play, if you control no creatures, you may pay {B}. If you do, return Arodach to play under your control.

: Arodach gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

Now that we know for sure they're telling lies
When they say no one gets hurt and therefore nobody dies



So, quite randomly, I decided there should be a creature that could evade a Wrath effect. Originally I thought about a creature that returned to play if all other creatures you control died as well, but that seemed clunky and hardly useful. Then came this, which I really like. Why is it a Shade, you ask? Originally it wasn't legendary, and I was trying to think of a name, and Undying Shade or somesuch was an idea. I decided to go Legendary, but kept the Shade part.

I almost didn't catch it, but I had to add the cost for returning to play, because I realized if it was all you had out, it's too easy to infinite combo. It makes it less elegant, but it's a necessary evil. The other options I can see are a life payment, probably 2 or 3, or have it return to play at end of turn, though that one I don't like much. I'd like to know what you all think is best, though.

The flavor text, obviously, is just a placeholder. For now I want to work out the kinks in the mechanics.

Extra thoughts:
-Haste. Pretty useless on a Shade, but it has decent synergy with the recursion ability, especially if you have an Abyss-like effect in play. Possibility?
-The pump ability. I keep looking at it and thinking it seems a little plain for a legend, and I'm wondering if +1/+1 to all Shades might be interesting at all. Either the cost on the dude could go up, or the activation could become 1B or B + 1 life. Kind of conflicts with the whole solitary feel of his other ability, however.

[Nibble]

Current Wording:


Arodach, the Undying
{3}{B}{B}
Legendary Creature -- Shade Wizard
1/1

When Arodach, the Undying is put into a graveyard from play, if you control no creatures, you may pay 3 life. If you do, return Arodach to play under your control.

{B}: Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.




Changes:
- Ability targets, Wizard type, life payment

[Ephraim]

There are a couple of variations on the undying ability that you could pursue. A mana payment is fine, but I do like life payments and don't forget about discarding cards. As far as the pump ability, it could read : Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. That definitely feels like a Legendary ability. Nor is it too powerful, since the toughness bonus makes this only nominally better than [card]Ghitu War Cry[/card].

I'm not sure I like the flavour text. I don't necessarily have anything better to offer, but here's what I'd like to see:
Arodach's body lies incorruptible in the catacombs of the necropolis. One day, when he tires, he will return there to seek his eternal rest.

[Nibble]

I'm not sure I like the flavour text.

Psssssst... I mentioned it wasn't really what I expect to use. Those are just a couple lines from a song I was listening to at the moment. Your suggestion is pretty nice, though.

As far as the pump ability, it could read : Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. That definitely feels like a Legendary ability. Nor is it too powerful, since the toughness bonus makes this only nominally better than [card]Ghitu War Cry[/card].

Hm, target creature? I don't like the fact that it means Arodach himself will likely be sitting at 1/1 while he pumps your other guys who have combat abilities, but it's worth considering. I'm picturing him as a beatstick himself, not just a supporter.

There are a couple of variations on the undying ability that you could pursue. A mana payment is fine, but I do like life payments and don't forget about discarding cards.

Ah, discarding, I forgot about that. There's also permanent-sacrificing, which could be doable, but seems more Lich-like. Also, another random thought: if it was life-pay, discard, or sacrifice, what about making the payment mandatory? I've always liked things that can be both boons and drawbacks at the same time.

And it's moving from what I originally made the card for, but what if the trigger happened any time it went to the 'yard, but with a heftier drawback? Something like 'When Arodach is put into a graveyard from play, sacrifice two Swamps/lands/permanents. If you do, return Arodach to play under your control.' This gives it more a flavor of something uncontrollable, that can either win you the game or lead you into a self-destructive downward spiral.

[combo_dude]

As far as the ability goes, "target creature" gives it more versatility, as it can still target itself; more importantly, you aren't going to get a beatstick out of a 1/1 for 5. I'd like this as a "pay 3 life" to return it, and pumping target creature rather than only itself - it puts a limit on the number of times you can use it for the purposes of Standard and Standard-like formats (as this would be a beast against a control deck). I like this.

[Nibble]

Okay, I think I'm convinced on the 'target creature' ability. However, this makes me want to change it to a Shade Wizard because it makes a little more sense to me. Normal Shades can't share their power, but I could definitely see a Wizard being able to.

Also going to go ahead and make it a life payment, because it better prevents overall longevity but also means you'll never have to worry about being caught tapped out. Also still considering making it a mandatory trigger with a loss of life, so you can't just decide to ditch him when you're in trouble life-wise.

[Matt]

This reminds me of that white guy in...Torment I think? Reborn Hero.

[Nibble]

True to his name, Arodach is not to be killed by a mere trip to the bottom of the fourth page. Unless, of course, nobody's interested at all anymore, in which case I'll leave him be.

[Matt]

While this isn't bad per se, black already has a million guys who evade a wrath. It's not very special. I guess if we need a recurring guy this could work but there's a lot of variations on that theme, many more exciting than this, which is just your standard recurring effect. :/