"My
power is as vast as the plains, my strength is that of mountains. Each
wave that crashes upon the shore thunders like blood in my veins."
—Dakkon Blackblade, Memoirs
Hands down, my favorite legend in the ENTIRE GAME (not just old school) is the French Vanilla badass Dakkon "Motherfucking" Blackblade. Why? He's just a big nightmare that doesn't fly, but he's a big nightmare that doesn't fly with badass art, awesome flavor text, even more badass backstory, and who doesn't like Dakkon smacking down lesser creatures and planeswalkers?
Its strange to think, the first time I ever actually seen this card, was in the book that came with the Anthologies play set. I remember thinking "Oh shit, this guy must be a badass!" I wasn't entirely wrong, and he's been a main stay for me for sometime since then. Even now, whenever I go into an esper build, I always include him, unless, of course, he isn't legal in the format.
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| That's also Sol'kanar |
He's pretty damn awesome, and at one time, was fairly popular. Even getting his own comic, something only a few other characters could make the claim to. So how well does Blackblade hold up to other creatures in the format? Well let's take a look down memory lane.
Playability: At 6 mana, across three colors, he comes in expensive. However, you can get alot of power at that. Assuming on average he will come into play as a 5/5, and only get bigger the longer the game goes on as long as you don't encounter Armageddon. He gets an additional point for being black, making him immune to the likes of Terror. Throw in an Equinox or Consecrate Land, and boom! You have yourself a winning strategy!
Playability: At 6 mana, across three colors, he comes in expensive. However, you can get alot of power at that. Assuming on average he will come into play as a 5/5, and only get bigger the longer the game goes on as long as you don't encounter Armageddon. He gets an additional point for being black, making him immune to the likes of Terror. Throw in an Equinox or Consecrate Land, and boom! You have yourself a winning strategy!
Though he admittedly lacks any form of evasion, you can always give him Flight or Invisibility (both easily within his color) or if you want to be cheeky, Fear or Seeker.
In reality, Dakkon is just an imposing, but rather cool, beater. Sure, there are other, much better beaters at the same cost, but few that can gain as big.
Playability 3/5.
Art: Man, this is the thing that sells the card. The art on the Legends legends is rather hit or miss, but each piece by RKF stands out. However, Dakkon stands out most in my opinion. First, you have the man himself. Enough distinct visuals to capture him to the imagination, with an equal amount of vagueness to leave a taste for the imagination. The previous legend by RKF I reviewed was Kasimir, and I explained how his piece was largely blurry. No Dakkon, for the most part looks distict, and stands out from the alien background behind him. Everything outside his face is well detailed, but most importantly, his sword. Which is both extremely imposing looking, but not to the point of ridiculousness.
The alien background is just icing, making it seem like he belongs to a planet we can't entirely comprehend. The piece looks even better when blown up to it's original size, just look.
In reality, Dakkon is just an imposing, but rather cool, beater. Sure, there are other, much better beaters at the same cost, but few that can gain as big.
Playability 3/5.
Art: Man, this is the thing that sells the card. The art on the Legends legends is rather hit or miss, but each piece by RKF stands out. However, Dakkon stands out most in my opinion. First, you have the man himself. Enough distinct visuals to capture him to the imagination, with an equal amount of vagueness to leave a taste for the imagination. The previous legend by RKF I reviewed was Kasimir, and I explained how his piece was largely blurry. No Dakkon, for the most part looks distict, and stands out from the alien background behind him. Everything outside his face is well detailed, but most importantly, his sword. Which is both extremely imposing looking, but not to the point of ridiculousness.
The alien background is just icing, making it seem like he belongs to a planet we can't entirely comprehend. The piece looks even better when blown up to it's original size, just look.
See that? Are they clouds? Probably, and the wind, unlike Jedit, the wind is consistent in this piece.This whole piece looks like he's on fucking Venus.
Art 5/5.
Flavor: To get into this, you must understand Dakkon's backstory.
Dakkon was originally a blacksmith, and warrior, who was commissioned by the Planeswalker Geyadrone Dihada, to make a "soul drinking sword". Dakkon agreed, and every night, killed a slave, as part of the ritual to make the sword. When he realized the power of the weapon, he refused to return the blade, so Dihada took it, and stabbed Dakkon's shadow, absorbing his soul, but unleashing a Planeswalker spark in the process. Dakkon would wander the planes, searching for her, and wondering why he would be giving so much power by her, just to turn him into her enemy.
He eventually got the sword back with "The Son of Carth", and according to the blog Multiverse in Review, was involved in the Planeswalker war. The Sword would come back to relevance in the story, where it would be attempted to kill a second (Dakkon killed Chromium) Elder Dragon, Nicol Bolas.
However, the card, as printed, doesn't seem to absord souls, but it does absorb power from the land, which is where his apparent power comes from. Judging from this, and his flavor text, it can be summarized he has ultimate physical strength and endurance. While it might not match the lore very well, it works the flavor on this well enough.
Flavor 4/5.
Final Verdict 12/15. He's exactly the type of legend early magic needed. Amazing art, unique effect, and the cusp of play-ability, enough so that you would want to try it out.
As a bonus! Here are a few other official depictions of my favorite legend.
Art 5/5.
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| The holy grail itself |
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| I declare March 25th Dakkon Blackblade Day! |
He eventually got the sword back with "The Son of Carth", and according to the blog Multiverse in Review, was involved in the Planeswalker war. The Sword would come back to relevance in the story, where it would be attempted to kill a second (Dakkon killed Chromium) Elder Dragon, Nicol Bolas.
However, the card, as printed, doesn't seem to absord souls, but it does absorb power from the land, which is where his apparent power comes from. Judging from this, and his flavor text, it can be summarized he has ultimate physical strength and endurance. While it might not match the lore very well, it works the flavor on this well enough.
Flavor 4/5.
Final Verdict 12/15. He's exactly the type of legend early magic needed. Amazing art, unique effect, and the cusp of play-ability, enough so that you would want to try it out.
As a bonus! Here are a few other official depictions of my favorite legend.
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| Mtg:O Avatar |
Comic Poster 1
Comic Poster 2
Blackblade Reforged, by RKF.
Official WotC Dakkon Blackblade statue.
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