The only exception will be what I am calling the "Nadu contingency," which is if a new or unbanned card begins to become generally reviled and people just want it gone as soon as possible, we can break that seal and act earlier
Again, for only three mana, you draw two cards, you gain a life, an opponent loses a life, and you are 25% of the way to transforming Sephiroth
The -1/-1 counters and +1/+1 counters cancel each other out in a 1:1 ratio as a state-based action
Whenever the monarch casts an instant or sorcery spell, that spell gains cascade
Aside from the Charizard tax and the card's excellent illustration, the value of this card skyrockets because it's playable, and it's a great card to play on any Fire-type-themed deck thanks to its ability, Infernal Reign, which supplies Fire Energy Cards to any Pokemon you like