If the original poster is still about, add a poll?
I used to think it's too expensive — and that only the upped cost 2
while the unupped cost 1
. To a lesser degree, I agree that it's weak, and I very rarely see him in PvP1 unless I'm fighting someone's starter deck. However if he only cost 1
I think he might become
too playable, and could become a real bi**h for early-game CC (you could shoot one, but not two).
But I think upped vs unupped is a different story. It's all well and good to say "stick him with Eclipse" like Incarnate does, but in unupped play he will never be that aggressive. The difference between 5|2 and 2|2 needs no explaining. If his usefulness is limited to his ability then (strong, but hindered by its speed and his fragility) then I could still suggest he needs a buff.
Unupped Comparisons:
Chrysaora has a similar ability, yet he costs 1
less to play. He does not have Parasite's 1ATK, and 2HP hardly protects him from anything, yet while Parasite's puny offense is negated by most shields, Chrysaora is effectively immune to them — including Procrastination, Thorn Carapace, and Fire Shield.
Lycanthrope: Very different kinds of creatures, but given the choice between the two I think most players would rather have Lycanthrope. Even if the Parasite was played first, by the time it could kill a Lycanthrope the player would have taken 19 damage (1+6+6+6). It would take 9 turns for the parasite to equal that damage even with Nightfall. The total cost would be 2
+ 3
, which is actually more than the Lycanthrope's total 4
. The parasite is also easy pickings for any damage CC, while the Lycanthrope — providing he can get past turn 1 — is a very sturdy hitter.
Having said all this, Fire Spirit seems pretty equal and Antlion is certainly worse. It's a critter that costs 2 — you can't expect much. If you're running him in a deck, the best thing I could think of is not to base your strategy on him surviving, but sadly — this being a game where you're allowed a 30-card deck and up to 6 of each card — you're probably just better off without him.
