I'll go ahead and say it, I've had Invocation of Saint Traft twice. I put it in my deck both times against the better judgement of Pro's and amateurs because i was either U/W flyers or it was a shiny rare that has upside. but truth to the masses is it was the worst card in my deck. even just slightly on the back foot it was a dead card in my hand and i died with it in my hand. I've also had it in a 6Pk sealed pool play test session recently. The card has never been good in many many games where it had been drawn. Statistically I know this isn't the norm because i know there will be games where it will win a race or steal a game. However those scenario's never presented itself. It feels more like an Ethereal Guidance or Equestrian Skill type of card.

You may
Yes
No
I wouldn't
So we agree
Good to know
Until
Standard Deviation
Thank you

Equestrian Skill is actually playable. The problem with Invocation is that it does not enhance the target, so it usually dies on first attack, even if all else goes right. Skill grants a significant bonus, usually hits at least once, and presents a must-remove threat.

I didn't say it was better than Dauntless Cathar (although it's pretty close), I said it was better than Intrepid Provisioner.

Zieht, your logic seems a little off when complaining about Veteran. It only looks at half the argument. Its like saying you should never play a card over 5 CMC because it prevents you from playing two smaller costed cards. In some scenarios that is true, in other its wildly inaccurate.

The key thing about the ability IS its threat. Making combat difficult for your opponent isn't do-nothing, even if the ability is never activated. All of your analysis assumes your opponent has a full hand and you have nothing but Veteran and a playable board enabler in your hand. In what scenario will a player launch Veteran into a 2/3 rather than progressing the board? (only two that I can think of: You need to remove that 2/3 or you hope to sneak two damage through, both of which are only available options because of the ability). Veteran provides significant options. It even makes them hesitant to attack because defense heavily favors you.

Its quite a bit more than "ability costs 4 gross". I've even had a single white mana in a deck with Veteran because being a bear was enough and Veteran turned one white mana into one or more combat tricks.

As for Invocation...yeah, I've only seen it useful on fliers (in which case it was win more) or 1 power skulkers. Most of the time its a "Deal 4 damage to target player" that costs you two cards.

I've been afraid to try out Equestrian Skill and I haven't seen it used either.

You are completely correct about the Cathar. And that makes it a fine card, but nothing special. There are a lot of much better limited cards in Shadows, the best commons are an easy pick over it, and it's very far in power level from the best uncommons, something like Lightning Axe or Accursed Witch.

It doesn't seem much worse than accursed witch at all. I have certainly been in board states where witch did nothing (vs. Ulvenwald Mysteries, or a 1/5)