For an in-depth retrospective and analysis into McKinnons MTG art style, check out this video: Thalia, Guardian of Thraben by Steve Argyle Thalia, Guardian of Thraben has been redrawn so many times, partly because its been reprinted recently in the Secret Lair drops
While in control decks like the ever-popular Ruby/Sapphire deck starting out strong with a character on the field isnt necessary to victory, decks that play fast often need to hit that first character in order to stay ahead of the game
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Still, once it resolves, you can choose how to kill your opponent slowly by either casting spells from the top of their library without paying mana, shrinking their hand, killing their creatures, and, if they've survived long enough, exiling all their non-land permanents with the ultimate
Khalni Hydra Unfortunately for Khalni Hydra, Ghalta, Primal Hunger exists
That means it might not net you that much mana and you might not have much to spend it on when it does, and, as mentioned, two mana is an enormous amount to hold up