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Jul 31, 2012 -- 7:35AM, Flopfoot wrote:

Jul 31, 2012 -- 4:30AM, GreenBuster wrote:

I would really like to know why the Galvanic Blast s are on the original list.  That whole deck has only 4 artifacts.  It is no different than Shock about 99% of the time in the deck so why not just use shocks?

Because Galvanic Blast is strictly better than shock. What advantage would you ever get from using shock instead?

While it is "strictly better" in the sense that you "could" potentally get enough artifacts out for it to do 4 damage, the fact of the matter is that you would need 3 of the 4 artifacts in the deck to get it to work.  The odds of that happening are practically zero before counting removal and use of the artifact.

Also, I mentioned Pillar of Flame.  Galvanic Blast may have the fact that it is an instant and the "potental" 4 damage over it but the fact that PoF exiles the creature can give some advantage.

Another thing I said is that what I am pointing out is very minor.

Jul 31, 2012 -- 7:46PM, Amarsir wrote:

Jul 31, 2012 -- 4:30AM, GreenBuster wrote:

I would really like to know why the Galvanic Blast s are on the original list.  That whole deck has only 4 artifacts.  It is no different than Shock about 99% of the time in the deck so why not just use shocks?  There also could have been another couple of Pillar of Flame s if you don't want shocks.

You mean like the 4 Sphere of the Suns in the deck Brian Kibler used to win Pro Tour Dark Ascension after burning out Jon Finkel?  (I'm being unfair, Kibler also had Inkmoth Nexus to help.)  Even if it's only better 1% of the time, why wouldn't you want that 1%?  If you're trying to win 19 rounds of a Pro Tour, you need every bit you can get.  And even if you're just playing at your kitchen table it can make for a really dramatic ending.

So put Shock aside.   Pillar of Flames is probably a better option what with Undying and other graveyard tricks around.  You could make a case for why it's preferable to G. Blast.  But don't take any advantage for granted and just throw it away because it's "unlikely".

I agree that mentioning Shock was wrong as Galvanic Blast is in fact superior.  However, as you pointed out yourself, Brian Kibler had up to 8 artifacts which makes it much more likely to be able to use the 4 damage of Galvanic Blast.  Not to mention that Sphere of the Suns and Inkmoth Nexus remain on the field as long as the opponent doesn't destroy them.  Shrine of Burning Rage is meant to be used up, is quite a removal magnet, and you have to get 3/4s of them for GB to work compared to 3/8 for Kibler's deck. 

I don't throw an advantage away when opportunities to use it are "unlikely", I throw an advantage away when the chances are "nigh impossible" and there is a better option available.   As far as I am concerned, PoF is a better option than GB in the deck.  The only case I can make for GB is that it is an instant but so is Brimstone Volly along with SoBR and Spikeshot Elder that can be activated at instant speed.