Yes, it is a Sacrifice type effect. It also costs more than Sacrifice and isn't targetable, but as you say, you get a champ out of it.
I literally mulligan for it every time. I don't even feel bad about it I mean, at what point should I feel bad?
Screecher will be going to 57 nora. SPD will be 6 base, DMG reduced to 10 and HP reduced to 40. Initiative removed from base and replaces Empowered: Speed in U2. This makes the champ more expensive, but will keep its SPD after 3 attacks. Relay will goto 30 nora and/or have the CD reduction reduced/removed. Rumbler will lose Initiative 2 in favor of Initiative 1 and loses 2 base DMG. No cost change. I think that should cover it.
Incidentally, Skywings actually have a couple options for a relatively cheap early deploy, tho they aren't quite as cheap as Screecher they do have a bit more lasting power and other utility. I like the cheap Neodrak build. The Agitator is interesting, tho I was wondering with Flamestrike maybe it should being 1-2 does push it above 60.
60 nora neodraks are pretty sexy I'm not currently running the agitator though, i don't feel like it adds more than other dragons do
I run one currently, and only really deploy it early, or never at all. I do like the Flamestrike for standoff situations, but there's Imperators and Vinny for that.
For the price range screechers and neodraks just offer way more. No range though, but now that flamestrike is cd3 you might as well invest some extra nora into an eminent. Other than that most of my dragons are a little costier, but very efficient. I mean there's rumblers, but you don't really wanna get those out early.