Forlorn Pseudamma - A Magic the Gathering (MTG) Born of the Gods Card Review

by  R.A. Rowell; Co-Owner of Intent-sive Nature & the Brand Shamans network

Forlorn Pseudamma is one of many cards from the Born of the Gods set that features the Inspired mechanic. Inspired is a neat little ability that gives creatures with it a special effect whenever they untap. In this case, the Inspired ability allows the Pseudamma to create 2/2 Black Zombie enchantment creature tokens.  But you have to pay 2B each time it untaps to get this ability. Honestly, in a Limited environment, such as draft and sealed deck, this isn't a bad ability. But is it worth it for Constructed?
 
Also, the Pseudamma is a little on the brittle side, being a 2/1 for 3B (3 colorless, Black). On the plus side, it does have Intimidate, which allows it to attack unblocked as long as the opponent doesn't control any Black or artifact creatures.  This is good, as having Intimidate will allow this creature to attack often enough to make the Inspired ability relevant.
 
Unfortunately, even in Limited, a 2/1 probably won't last all that long. It's certainly too fragile for most Constructed formats, and even Zombie Commander decks don't really want it. It's not very efficient, although it's a good effect. Even being an Enchantment Creature, there isn't really any way to abuse this untap ability.
 
There are, however, a couple ways to make this ability cheaper. The artifact Heartstone from years back makes activated abilities cost 1 colorless mana less to activate, This means you can get a zombie token for only 2 mana. That's still pretty fair, so not quite good enough to be worth playing it. There's also Training Grounds from Rise of the Eldrazi which makes activated abilities cost 2 mana less. That's a 2/2 Zombie for only a single Black mana. That sounds really good on paper, but keep in mind, you still have to untap the Pseudamma to get the effect in the first place.
 
While there are some nice ways to make this guy better, there are just far more efficient and reliable ways to get Zombie tokens. So, it likely sits languishing in bulk boxes for the rest of its life.

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