Article at a Glance

• A Necessary Replacement
• Potential Lizard Synergies

With Bloomburrow's imminent release, fans of MTG can look forward to new typal synergies and adorable creatures. Although this set may appear more subdued compared to previous sets like Modern Horizons 3, it still offers some strong additions to Standard.

One standout card for aggro decks is the red one-drop Hired Claw. This card may not have garnered much discussion yet, but it fills a crucial role in post-rotation Standard.

A Necessary Replacement

Hired Claw is a red one-drop with promising potential for Standard. Here are its key features:

• Mana Value: R
  
• Rarity: Rare
• Stats: 1/2
• Text: Whenever you attack with one or more Lizards, Hired Claw deals 1 damage to target opponent. 1R: Put a +1/+1 counter on Hired Claw. Activate only if an opponent lost life this turn and only once each turn.

Post-rotation Standard has seen significant shifts, with notable mono-red aggro staples like Kumano Faces Kakkazan and Play with Fire rotating out. Hired Claw steps in to fill this void effectively. Similar to Scorch Spitter, which saw past Standard play, Hired Claw deals damage when attacking and has high upside potential with its ability to grow during combat. This makes it a strong fit for aggro decks, ensuring consistent damage output and offering strategic flexibility.

Potential Lizard Synergies

Beyond its individual merits, Hired Claw synergizes well with other Lizard-themed cards:

• Gev, Scaled Scorch: Ensures opponents lose life, allowing creatures to enter with additional +1/+1 counters.

• Iridescent Vinelasher: Another potent Lizard one-drop that complements

• Hired Claw in reducing opponents' life totals.

While the current Standard may lack extensive Lizard support, Hired Claw and these synergistic cards present a foundation for a potentially viable archetype. Given the gap between Hired Claw and other red one-drops, this card is poised to become a staple in aggressive strategies.