After a few days of using Grappling Hook, I’ve come to the conclusion it is better than Embercleave.
In Grappling Hook’s favor: It’s cheaper. It’s not color-restricted. You can take down fliers even if your first creature is not a flier. EDITS: Optional trigger can get a win or save a creature.
In Embercleave’s favor: Berserker doesn’t care about hexproof (Grappling Hook can’t target hexproof creatures). Trample is relevant. EDITS: Creature buff (+2/+2). Better with Narset’s 2nd ability. Flying creature with berserker will attack first creature even if it doesn’t have flying.
What do you think? What did I omit in this comparison?
Grappling Hook vs. Embercleave
I will normally play Grappling Hook over Embercleave
I will normlaly play Embercleave over Grappling Hook
Besides not owning Grappling Hook the only downside I see is it requires an interaction with the screen on each attack. That alone would be enough for me to not play it. The +2/+2 from Embercleave is not insignificant, but a trade off for the reduced cost of Grappling Hook. The one other highly specific situation to pick Embercleave over Grappling Hook is Narset’s 2nd ability. The higher cost of Embercleave is a bonus in that instance.
I think Grappling Hook is good, but I prefer having trample since that adds up to a non-neglible amount of extra attacks/damage. Though, to be honest, I stray away from expensive equipment in general.
New pro in Ember’s favor (or con against Grappling Hook): If your first creature has flying, Grappling Hook will only let it attack a creature with flying (and defender)