Hearthpwn

A 4/4 taunt for 4 mana, 2/4 buffer for 4 mana, and 4/2 charger for 4 mana are all bad choices. 4 mana is too expensive to play those cards, even with the choice included.

I agree that the flexibility does make it stronger, but flexibility is only good when the choices are also good. Take Druid of the Flame for example. Either you get an Ice Rager or Carrion Grub. It's no wonder it rarely got played. A 4/6 taunt for 5 mana is still a good card while the charge is mediocre and just for emergencies. IMO the card is played more for its good attack/health ratio which lets it at least 2-for-1 most early cards. A 4/4 taunt, on the other hand, isn't worthwhile for 4 mana since you want more health on a taunt. A 4/2 charger is okay but only for the most aggressive decks where you wouldn't care about the flexibility anyway. A 2/4 attack buffer for 4 would never get played as the decks that flood the board and rely on buffs would prefer Defender of Argus likely.

Ofc it would be better than Animal Companion at 3 mana. What I'm saying is that giving discover is not worth the extra mana. At 3 mana, Animal Companion is really strong no matter which minion you get (although they all have situations in which they're better). At 4 mana, none of them hold up really. Look at something like Spirit Claws: It was absolutely broken at 1 mana and completely sucked at 2. 1 mana makes a big difference.

Quote from WhatAChamp >>

I agree that the flexibility does make it stronger, but flexibility is only good when the choices are also good. Take Druid of the Flame for example. Either you get an Ice Rager or Carrion Grub. It's no wonder it rarely got played. A 4/6 taunt for 5 mana is still a good card while the charge is mediocre and just for emergencies. IMO the card is played more for its good attack/health ratio which lets it at least 2-for-1 most early cards. A 4/4 taunt, on the other hand, isn't worthwhile for 4 mana since you want more health on a taunt. A 4/2 charger is okay but only for the most aggressive decks where you wouldn't care about the flexibility anyway. A 2/4 attack buffer for 4 would never get played as the decks that flood the board and rely on buffs would prefer Defender of Argus likely.

Ofc it would be better than Animal Companion at 3 mana. What I'm saying is that giving discover is not worth the extra mana. At 3 mana, Animal Companion is really strong no matter which minion you get (although they all have situations in which they're better). At 4 mana, none of them hold up really. Look at something like Spirit Claws: It was absolutely broken at 1 mana and completely sucked at 2. 1 mana makes a big difference.

Yeah, it's one of those tweeners in terms of mana cost. Seems like it'd have to have a second minor effect to be worthwhile. "...It gains +1 health"? Or is that too much?

I would prefer a 5 cost that says "Summon your choice of animal companion, give it Battlecry: adapt"

Edit for double post. I'm sure there is a functional way to template the idea.