Second-Rate Bruiser

Maybe not by turn three, but it lets you get some cheap defense out against the totem brigade. It’s less of an early tempo play and more just a way to like, drop it and clear the board with another spell for a less significant amount of mana. Say your opponent has a Flame Imp, a Knife Juggler and a Dark Peddler on the board on turn 7. You’re a Paladin, you might just have a 1/1. You get to play this guy then Consecration, wiping their board and developing a pretty beefy taunt. Obviously it’s nothing absolutely insane, but I’d hardly say it’s bad. It’s a nicely sized taunt you can develop alongside other defenses. Also, against certain decks, you can totally play it on three. Cards like Mirror Image, which can often just get jammed into a play on turn 2 to buff and protect a Mana Wyrm and a Sorcerer’s Apprentice, can give it value super early.