RCotD #23

Random Card of the Day #23:

Beacon of Destiny - 1W

Creature - Human Cleric

{T}: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you this turn, that damage is dealt to Beacon of Destiny instead.

1/3

Initial thoughts:

I like this card, though probably for different reasons than you would think. I used to play a card called Hallowed Healer. It's not a particularly powerful card but I enjoyed playing it. It was a card that was especially powerful without a lot of removal, which was most of my games before I started drafting/playing seriously.

The one thing I don't like about this card is it doesn't prevent the damage, it redirects it. Hallowed Healer would prevent the damage. However, it is important to note that Beacon of Destiny's effect doesn't target a creature, it is your "choice" so you can "target" creatures with shroud/hex-proof.

Not a game-breaking card, but it does cause some additional thought when your opponent throws spell at you or attacks. If I wanted to make this card really powerful I would do this:

Fixed Beacon of Destiny - WW

Creature - Human Cleric

Flash

If Fixed Beacon of Destiny was cast on an opponent's turn, it gains haste.

{T}: The next time a source of your choice would deal damage to you or a creature you control this turn, that damage is dealt to Beacon of Destiny instead.

1/3

Now this card is a huge wow factor and would most certainly be in a lot of decks, even if just to sideboard against red, especially in standard right now. But this fixed card is borderline overpowered, but definitely seems like the kind of card that could be printed and comparable in today's magic scene to Phyrexian Obliterator or Snapcaster Mage.

But as the way the card was printed, it's just another 3/5, part of me wants to make it a 4/5 but your opponent can see the trick coming and it can't tap the turn it comes out.