Arno Dorian

Strategy & Gameplay

This legendary creature from the Assassin's Creed set brings a unique blend of evasion and aggression to black-red strategies in multiple formats. At three mana for a 3/3 with deathtouch, Arno Dorian presents immediate value as a threat that demands removal while punishing combat favorably through its deathtouch ability. The card's true strength lies in its lord effect, granting all other Assassins you control +2/0, making it a cornerstone for dedicated Assassin-focused decks that can leverage multiple creatures with the typing. The disguise mechanic adds tremendous flexibility to the card's deployment strategy, allowing you to cast it face-down for three generic mana as a 2/2 with ward 2, which provides protection during vulnerable early turns and enables tricky combat tricks when you flip it face-up for the black-red cost. This versatility makes Arno Dorian particularly valuable in formats like Modern, Legacy, and especially Commander, where adapting your strategy to the table is crucial. Players building aggressive Assassin decks in Standard or Pioneer formats will find this card essential for pumping their team while providing a reasonable body on its own. The combination of evasive gameplay through disguise, damage amplification via the lord ability, and inherent card quality makes this a strong inclusion for anyone pursuing a black-red Assassin strategy across multiple constructed formats.