I kinda like this card. Like all these lands, the opportunity cost is very low, and this seems like a good way for go-wide aggro decks and token decks to squeeze extra damage in without dedicating a card to a mediocre red anthem. And unlike effects like Battle Cry and Goblin Oriflamme, this can allow an army of goblin tokens or whatever to be formidable on defense too ...if the need should ever arise.
I might test this out in my cube and see how it does.
I'm a fan of this card. The threat of activation can be quite strong, even when you don't use it, and this card helps you a lot when your board is all 1/1s or you want to avoid having to overextend into a sweeper. Activating this could easily provide you 4+ damage in a red aggressive deck.
Not sure if it's worth an entire card from my red section, but I'm intrigued.
This is the one that I think is most likely to make it in for me, if any of them (other than possibly the unrevealed white one). The blue and black ones are very cool, but I'm not sure that I have the space to make room in those colors. I can maybe make room for this one, although I'm not sure what the cut for this would be either. I'll have to think on that for a bit.
This definitely looks to be the best of the land cycle so far. Red has consistently seen more and more token generators but few anthems to work along side them. It's also the only color in my Cube that doesn't have a land designated to it. I think I'll try this castle.
This is definitely not my favorite of the cycle, but the red utility lands have generally been weaker than other colors. Instant speed can make the threat of activation very dangerous. Attack with your mana up, they make cautious blocks, and you use the mana to burn something instead.
I think red is less of a go-wide color for me than for others. The card is definitely good, and I'd definitely play it, but it doesn't excite me as much as other castles.
Am I crazy to be considering cutting Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker for this? I don't really want to cut a creature but also don't want to trim down on burn spells too much, so that doesn't leave too many options. It's pretty much Sarkhan, Experimental Frenzy, or Through the Breach.
Somewhat sad if that's the case, because I'm also axing Sarkhan Vol for Grumgully, the Generous. Removing both Sarkhans in the same update is feelbad.
EDIT: I forgot that Sarkhan was supposed to be removed for Chandra, Acolyte of Flame (I never actually picked one up), so...oops.
It isn't great but it is the best utility land red has gotten so far IMO and for those who would like to run a cycle of these (including myself) this would be the Red one I would run for the time being....
Gavony Township comes to mind and looks much better on paper.
Nevertheless, Kher Keep would be and most likely will be my cut. 0/1 token are just too limited in their usefulness and this land provides a nice option to improve combat stats.
I really want more on color lands but I can't see myself making room for this. I really want a Ghitu Encampment type card that has a chance to come into play untapped. Four mana, essentially 3 of it red, is really costly for this and I have a hard time having lots of extra mana in my red heavy decks unless there has been a wrath or something
This isn't exciting to run, but probably the best red utility land. I think the decision to include this is probably very cube dependent. If your heavy red decks tend to have a lower than 50% win rate (even 45% or so) this is probably worth running, becase the difference between running this in a deck vs another mountain is a big upgrade. It may not be exciting, but it will make decks better.
This is a very small drawback for a land that adds mana of a color and has a useful ability. Can give the final push for aggro and token decks once you run low on cards to cast.
I had trouble finding a red entry for my utility land cycle for a long time. This is finally a worthy inclusion.
Castle Embereth
I kinda like this card. Like all these lands, the opportunity cost is very low, and this seems like a good way for go-wide aggro decks and token decks to squeeze extra damage in without dedicating a card to a mediocre red anthem. And unlike effects like Battle Cry and Goblin Oriflamme, this can allow an army of goblin tokens or whatever to be formidable on defense too ...if the need should ever arise.
I might test this out in my cube and see how it does.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!
Not sure if it's worth an entire card from my red section, but I'm intrigued.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
I think red is less of a go-wide color for me than for others. The card is definitely good, and I'd definitely play it, but it doesn't excite me as much as other castles.
Low-power cube enthusiast!
My 1570 card cube (no longer updated)
My 415 Peasant+ Artifact and Enchantment Cube
Ever-Expanding "Just throw it in" cube.
Somewhat sad if that's the case, because I'm also axing Sarkhan Vol for Grumgully, the Generous. Removing both Sarkhans in the same update is feelbad.
EDIT: I forgot that Sarkhan was supposed to be removed for Chandra, Acolyte of Flame (I never actually picked one up), so...oops.
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Nevertheless, Kher Keep would be and most likely will be my cut. 0/1 token are just too limited in their usefulness and this land provides a nice option to improve combat stats.
I will miss melding battlements with garrison but I think this does more for red overall.
http://www.cubetutor.com/cubeblog/63569
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=484979
I had trouble finding a red entry for my utility land cycle for a long time. This is finally a worthy inclusion.
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
I cut Experimental Frenzy for it but have not gotten a chance to see it in action much and have found myself missing frenzy...
My 36+ Commander Decks: TAPPEDOUT