Looks nice for limited… if expend 4 is easy and reliable.
I think since it counts for all spells it is doable, but since it doesn’t count abilities it might not trigger when you need it all the time.
I had totally missed that it only worked for spells… I’m now much less happy with this mechanic.
Yeah. Unlike city’s blessing these are not static abilities, so if this racoon is part of your 4th mana spent on spells a turn it will not be on board for the triggered ability. You’d have to wait for the next turn to spend your 4th mana on a spell.
This one being only two mana, that’s not much of an issue here. For all the 4 and 5 mana racoons, I’m a little more skeptical. Maybe if there is enough ramp that you can skip 2 or 3 drops and play a 4 on 3 consistently… Rabbits and mice both look fairly aggressive, plus big things is a good way to 1 for 1 and end up falling behind.
It is not a major concern for me, but with red impulse draw you might get a scenario where you pay 2-3 to get a card you have to use or lose it, and when you cast a two drop racoon with expend 4 you miss the trigger.
So this guy doesn’t gain indestructible till end of turn and that is not a big deal. If you cast Brambleguard Veteran, Muerra, Trash Tactician, or Wandertale Mentor that would be the difference between abuff to your board, three life, or a +1/+1 counter.
We’ve seen RG typal strategies like werewolves have to play around timing, so this is just another thing to keep track of when it comes to timing your spells.
![[BLB] Bark-Knuckle Boxer](https://cards.scryfall.io/large/front/5/8/582637a9-6aa0-4824-bed7-d5fc91bda35e.jpg){kind=link}