Keldor vs gargoyle, hear me out.

[Montanx]

So I've always had 4 gargoyle in my Logan deck as it seems Hoyle is the sacred cow or something. Sure he's basically a 2/5 for 3. But lately I've been looking at keldor...he's still a sturdy 2/4 for 3 but his ability to hit for 4 is pretty big. It makes him an absolute must deal with or he will beat you to death by himself threat. Goyle doesn't even draw crippled blow while keldor attracts it like a magnet. Worst case scenario keldor still beats for the same 2 that goyle does.

I replaced goyle with keldor and haven't missed him. Keldor unchecked just crushes them while goyle was always mostly ignored. Keldor on t3, then jewel, kill their ally, activate and bash for 4 on t4 is a strong play.

I'm pretty happy with this decision so far and any thoughts are welcome.

[Raphael Majere]

In the early game, u need resources and sometimes you simply don't have enough.

For example, I rather cast another ally out on t4 then to pump keldor.

Also, amber t3 can kill the keldor with rls. Jas/aldon combo will also kill keldor if going second.

Garg cannot be affected by dagger of unmaking.

[Ternega]

Gargoyle isnt 2 5 its 2 4 (+1) so u need to do that +1 damage every time u want to hurt her so ull need 5 Damage 1 hit 6 damage 2 hits and so on. While Keldor is good for damage and maintaining board control Gargoyle is one of the best 3 drops for board presence. I think T3 u want to drop gargoyle T4 JB and later on there are PBs, depends on deck still i dont think gargoyle is inferior to keldor overall.

[Helio]

In the early game, u need resources and sometimes you simply don't have enough.

For example, I rather cast another ally out on t4 then to pump keldor.

Also, amber t3 can kill the keldor with rls. Jas/aldon combo will also kill keldor if going second.

Garg cannot be affected by dagger of unmaking.

But just to be the devil's advocate, keldor can kill jasmine on turn 4 if going 1st.

Also I would rather have amber kill keldor vs hitting me when playing mages. Same with jas/aldon combo.

And later in game, say turn 6, I would rather cast 2 keldor vs 2 gargs (depending on opponent).

BUT of course garg can survive fireballs, and EA, and can wear down weapons better.

So in the end, it's really up to you

[Montanx]

I said he's "basically" a 2/5, with his ability. @rm, I went through those exact evaluations while debating them and they are good points. I mentioned that you don't need to activate him and stall your board every time, he still beats for the same 2. But also you can hold board with less cards with just keldor attacking for 4. He lets you not extend and still keep the heat on. I'm just saying he's a beast, I've seen some 300 warriors secretly running him.

@ helio- Good points. about fireball, yes it kills keldor but that's a fireball not aimed at your face isn't it? Mage ignores goyle completely and is happy they don't need to waste a fireball, whereas keldor will kill them unless precious burn spells are used.

[MattOG]

He's a good meat shield. Agreed. Mainly I agree with what Raph said. The resource cost is usually not worth it early game, and then, I'd probably rather have gargoyle for staying-around-ness

[Preybird]

For me in the current meta, it's Gargoyle. The two resources for Keldor's pump is just too expensive IMO. Playing a warrior, that can be offset with JD, but I'd be more inclined to use that extra two for Blood Frenzy, Crippling Blow or another two drop. And Gargoyle's damage reduction is just too good to ignore.

That being said, there are some decks where Keldor can really work. I always did well with him in my Gravebone deck.

I find Keldor is a more specialised card, whereas Gargoyle is just all round goodness.

[Junk Style]

Its a shame that so many shadow allies are just generally not as good to have in a deck than Infernal Gargoyle. IG is just so much harder to kill that it creates much more board presence than any other 3cc drop. Keldor however does have a place in shadow decks. Sometimes i like to use him instead of brutalis and just not run 2cc mobs.

Its a shame, but IG and Plasma Behemoth and to a lesser extent death mage, are the only cards that maintain any sense of balance between human and shadow allies as far as i'm concerned. There are a lot more viable human allies and therefor more options on the human side of things.

[Montanx]

Its a shame that so many shadow allies are just generally not as good to have in a deck than Infernal Gargoyle. IG is just so much harder to kill that it creates much more board presence than any other 3cc drop. Keldor however does have a place in shadow decks. Sometimes i like to use him instead of brutalis and just not run 2cc mobs.

Its a shame, but IG and Plasma Behemoth and to a lesser extent death mage, are the only cards that maintain any sense of balance between human and shadow allies as far as i'm concerned. There are a lot more viable human allies and therefor more options on the human side of things.

I agree about the limited shadow allies that compare. But after a few weeks of using keldor in my Logan in place of gargoyle I have decided to stick with keldor. I don't want to clo the 3cc spot and use both, and I'm just ruining jasmines and Aldons and life totals with keldor. They must spend a card to deal with it or it will be big damage. I'm able to hold onto behemoths more and draw out removal to where I win with behemoths in hand a lot more. Rather than needing them to push the Dmg thru.

I'm not trying to say keldor is Better than gargoyle, but hes just better for me in my Logan deck based on my experience with both.

I could stir the pot even further and talk about the merits of fire snake, but I don't want anymore controversy so I'll keep that to myself

[Junk Style]

I agree about the limited shadow allies that compare. But after a few weeks of using keldor in my Logan in place of gargoyle I have decided to stick with keldor. I don't want to clo the 3cc spot and use both, and I'm just ruining jasmines and Aldons and life totals with keldor. They must spend a card to deal with it or it will be big damage. I'm able to hold onto behemoths more and draw out removal to where I win with behemoths in hand a lot more. Rather than needing them to push the Dmg thru.

I'm not trying to say keldor is Better than gargoyle, but hes just better for me in my Logan deck based on my experience with both.

I could stir the pot even further and talk about the merits of fire snake, but I don't want anymore controversy so I'll keep that to myself

Nah, nothing wrong with discussion. Fire snake is in my mind a pre-emptive counter to kris Bridgett and kurt, in particular kris. Beyond that i see no use for him unless you are running an elemental decks.

And in certain match ups i can see keldor being really strong. I don't mind trying swapping out IG for keldor to try it out, but i doubt it will come through in the same way. Humans have a really easy time killing him in the current meta without losing much momentum for it. I'm am sincerely glad he works for you though.