My first favorite black card in the game back in the day. Looking back on it, it isn't that great compared to today's standards, but was a fun card to play with when I first started playing Magic. I always thought it had one of the more "demonic" artworks in the game, pretty cool.

  -- By John from Indiana on January 14, 2009

Not the best landkill method, but it did see tournament play in the early days. Slap one of these with an Instill Energy or two and blast away. Now, Army Ants, Avalanch Riders, and the like end up being better in most decks. Still, a solid three star card - especially in mid-to-late game "waiting games," where this card can break the tie, both with its ability and it's 5/5. Great for casual play.

  -- By Matthew from MN on August 28, 2007

Land destruction is one of my favourite elements of the game. It's a shame this card has a nasty drawback (pay BBB or tap and loose a land), but can work well in an land destruction theme deck along with sinkhole and stripmine, later on in the game. One of my favourite cards due to its awesome picture!

  -- By Roy from Eindhoven, The Netherlands on May 23, 2006

the first good deck i built had two of these in it. looking back now , well, that deck wasn't very good. but knowing the local scene allowed me to cobble together a half decent mono black deck that included this card. it was a tap, untap deck with 'icy manipulator' and 'puppet strings' and also included 'royal assassin' and 'winter orb.' of course this was back in the 'tempest' block days. wow. i had so much fun. its hard to get the feeling back, knowing you know so little but feeling you'll get there if you keep plugging away. anyway, this card brings back the memories although i'm pretty sure its for the casual player only........

  -- By Anonymous from gainesville, FL USA on February 05, 2005