Lagrella, the Magpie - Golden Age Showcase (SNC)

Lagrella, the Magpie
Casting Cost: {G}{W}{U}
Card Type: Legendary Creature - Human Soldier
Power/Toughness: 2/3
Card Text:

• When Lagrella, the Magpie enters the battlefield, exile any number of other target creatures controlled by different players until Lagrella leaves the battlefield. When an exiled card enters the battlefield under your control this way, put two +1/+1 counters on it.
  Artist: Serena Maylon

Strengths:

• Exile and Power Gain: Lagrella has the ability to temporarily exile creatures controlled by different players when it enters the battlefield. When those exiled creatures return under your control, they receive a significant boost with two +1/+1 counters. This can potentially turn small creatures into formidable threats.
• Multiplayer Utility: Lagrella's ability to exile creatures from different players can be particularly potent in multiplayer games, disrupting your opponents' board states and enhancing your own.
• Color Combination: Lagrella requires Green, White, and Blue mana, making it suitable for decks that can generate these colors, often associated with control and versatility.

Weaknesses:

• Limited to Different Players: Lagrella's ability requires targeting creatures controlled by different players. In single-player games or in situations where there are fewer opponents, its effectiveness may be limited.
• Temporary Exile: The exile effect is temporary and lasts only as long as Lagrella remains on the battlefield. If Lagrella is removed or destroyed, the exiled creatures will return to their owners.
• Requires Mana: The mana cost of {G}{W}{U} can be demanding, so you'll need access to mana sources that produce those colors.

Deck Considerations:

• Control Decks: Lagrella is a strong fit for control-oriented decks that aim to disrupt opponents' strategies by exiling their creatures and enhancing your own.
• Blink and Flicker Effects: Cards that can repeatedly exile and return creatures, such as "Eldrazi Displacer" or "Flickerwisp," can synergize well with Lagrella, allowing you to repeatedly place +1/+1 counters on exiled creatures.
• Token Decks: If you have a strategy that generates tokens, you can potentially exile and return token creatures with Lagrella, boosting their power and toughness.
• Multiplayer Games: Lagrella's ability is most impactful in multiplayer settings where there are more opponents and, therefore, more diverse targets for exile.

Flavor and Art:

• Art: The art depicts Lagrella as a human soldier with a feathered cloak, emphasizing the "Magpie" aspect of the card's name. The card art conveys a sense of collecting and enhancement.
• Flavor: The card's flavor aligns with the idea of Lagrella collecting and enhancing creatures, much like a magpie collecting shiny objects. It creates a thematic link between the card's mechanics and its name.

Overall Impression:

Lagrella, the Magpie is a versatile card that can disrupt opponents' boards while simultaneously strengthening your own creatures. Its ability to exile creatures from different players adds a unique dynamic to multiplayer games and can be a valuable addition to control decks or strategies that benefit from +1/+1 counters.