How does this interact with storm? If it can exile copies of spells (as with gigadrowse) then it can exile every copy of a storm spell. I'm very surprised you didn't mention this -- it seems like an easy way to get a million counters. Spell, exile it, spell, exile it, grapeshot, storm, exile all storm copies and the original ... 10 counters!
How does this interact with storm? If it can exile copies of spells (as with gigadrowse) then it can exile every copy of a storm spell. I'm very surprised you didn't mention this -- it seems like an easy way to get a million counters. Spell, exile
The creativity and thought-provoking nature of the fun ability was spoiled for me by the 1/2 base power/toughness on a blue/red one drop. What the hell is up with the power creep, Wizards? I thought the color pie was supposed to be a big deal nowadays. Neither blue nor red are supposed to get better than 1/1 for one without a drawback.
You've stated in your own articles that, with the exception of Masques, indications over the past decade-plus are that less-powered blocks are actually more fun for players. You've stated that the Titans were something of a mistake. C'mon guys, there's no need to push P/T when the abilities can hold their own as it is.
The creativity and thought-provoking nature of the fun ability was spoiled for me by the 1/2 base power/toughness on a blue/red one drop. What the hell is up with the power creep, Wizards? I thought the color pie was supposed to be a big deal nowaday
How does this interact with storm? If it can exile copies of spells (as with gigadrowse) then it can exile every copy of a storm spell. I'm very surprised you didn't mention this -- it seems like an easy way to get a million counters. Spell, exile it, spell, exile it, grapeshot, storm, exile all storm copies and the original ... 10 counters!
Pointing out that this is insane with storm would matter more if storm weren't already insane by itself. I mean, if you're already using storm it's more an issuing of finding a way to win that isn't broken.
Pointing out that this is insane with storm would matter more if storm weren't already insane by itself. I mean, if you're already using storm it's more an issuing of finding a way to win that isn't broken.
This is really good if you are expecting all your spells to be countered. Because it slides under everything on turn 1, then you eat all your spells as your opponent counters them.
Oh, that's right, counterspells don't exist in Magic anymore.
Well, I guess I can just eat a handful of Pacts on turn 1?
This is really good if you are expecting all your spells to be countered. Because it slides under everything on turn 1, then you eat all your spells as your opponent counters them.Oh, that's right, counterspells don't exist in Magic anymore.Well, I g
The creativity and thought-provoking nature of the fun ability was spoiled for me by the 1/2 base power/toughness on a blue/red one drop. What the hell is up with the power creep, Wizards? I thought the color pie was supposed to be a big deal nowadays. Neither blue nor red are supposed to get better than 1/1 for one without a drawback.
I would be more concerned if it were a 2/1. Does it really matter that it has a slightly bigger ass on it? I mean we've seen 1/1 flyers and 1/1 Haste in U and R before. Were those power creep?
I would be more concerned if it were a 2/1. Does it really matter that it has a slightly bigger ass on it? I mean we've seen 1/1 flyers and 1/1 Haste in U and R before. Were those power creep?
I'd have been happier if this had cost an extra hybrid mana to cast, had been a 1/1, and had gained three counters for each spell it ate. Even if that was too good (and it may well have been), adding an extra colorless or two to the cost should make it fair enough.
Three counters a spell is much more exciting than two. At three counters, I'd be quite interested in building around this guy, and I like the idea of a Giant Growth being a permanent +3/+3. But turning my spells into half a Travel Preparations doesn't excite me nearly as much. The spells I like to play should be doing way more for me than adding a couple of +1/+1 counters.
That being said, the card actually seems reasonably good as it is. Just not as exciting.
I'd have been happier if this had cost an extra hybrid mana to cast, had been a 1/1, and had gained three counters for each spell it ate. Even if that was too good (and it may well have been), adding an extra colorless or two to the cost should make
The creativity and thought-provoking nature of the fun ability was spoiled for me by the 1/2 base power/toughness on a blue/red one drop. What the hell is up with the power creep, Wizards? I thought the color pie was supposed to be a big deal nowadays. Neither blue nor red are supposed to get better than 1/1 for one without a drawback.
You've stated in your own articles that, with the exception of Masques, indications over the past decade-plus are that less-powered blocks are actually more fun for players. You've stated that the Titans were something of a mistake. C'mon guys, there's no need to push P/T when the abilities can hold their own as it is.
You're forgetting that it can be more powerful if it's rare these days.
You're forgetting that it can be more powerful if it's rare these days.
The creativity and thought-provoking nature of the fun ability was spoiled for me by the 1/2 base power/toughness on a blue/red one drop. What the hell is up with the power creep, Wizards? I thought the color pie was supposed to be a big deal nowadays. Neither blue nor red are supposed to get better than 1/1 for one without a drawback.
I would be more concerned if it were a 2/1. Does it really matter that it has a slightly bigger ass on it? I mean we've seen 1/1 flyers and 1/1 Haste in U and R before. Were those power creep?
The power creep here is because not only does it survives all the handy one damage spells and abilities that are running around, but when you stick counters on it suddenly it becomes 3/4, 5/6, etc. - each time avoiding another relevant removal spell (such as Lighting Bolt and Dismember).
There are a lot fewer now that Gut Shot and Fume Spitter and so on are rotating out, but being a 1/2 IS relevant. If, for example, Delver's flipped side was 3/1 or 2/2, the decks featuring it would be noticeably less powerful.
It may turn out that the ability isn't powerful enough for it to matter...but then why bother making it a 1/2?
I would be more concerned if it were a 2/1. Does it really matter that it has a slightly bigger ass on it? I mean we've seen 1/1 flyers and 1/1 Haste in U and R before. Were those power creep?[/quote]The power creep here is because not only does i
Wow, at first I was like Eew! But then I pondered on it for a bit an realized that this guy is a nuts sideboard card vs counter control/tempo decks. Get him out on first turn and then freely play your instants n sorceries, it'll drive your opponent nuts knowing they can't get full advantage out of countering your spells an may make them think twice! I love it!
Also to the comment about the 1/2 being power creep. Were people not around for Shadowmoor / Eventide? Hybrid cards are just naturally more powerful (which I'll admit is odd cause they're already flexible) This is not power creep, when compared to other hybrid cards.
Wow, at first I was like Eew! But then I pondered on it for a bit an realized that this guy is a nuts sideboard card vs counter control/tempo decks. Get him out on first turn and then freely play your instants n sorceries, it'll drive your opponent n
Which ones are you thinking of? Things like the lieges and avatars had very intensive costs, even though they were still hybrid.
Hell, even Rhys the Redeemed was a 1/1, and he was both legendary AND green/white.
Which ones are you thinking of? Things like the lieges and avatars had very intensive costs, even though they were still hybrid.Hell, even Rhys the Redeemed was a 1/1, and he was both legendary AND green/white.
I'm worried that Wizards might regret this one. This looks like a better card than Delver of Secrets (and it fits in the same deck!). A closer analogy might be Psychatog ... except that the P/T boost is doubled and DOESN'T WEAR OFF EOT. Oh, and it costs two fewer mana.
The ability to turn all of your spells into mini-permanent-Giant Growths is insane, as well. Any deck running this card can now maindeck narrow, powerful cards much more easily (Ancient Grudge, Faith's Shield, Celestial Purge, etc.) ... knowing that it can be cycled into a very reasonable P/T boost.
It also gives you a huge edge in any instant wars. You'll never get 2-for-1-ed by having a removal spell cast on a creature you just pumped. You'll never have a removal spell nullified by Restoration Angle or Faith's Shield. And anything that your opponent counters just becomes a +2/+2 for this guy instead.
So in addition to this being one of the most aggressively costed 1-drops ever (and certainly one of the two most aggressive BLUE one-drops ever) it increases your resilience to ... everything that interacts with your spells.
Yeah.
I'm worried that Wizards might regret this one. This looks like a better card than Delver of Secrets (and it fits in the same deck!). A closer analogy might be Psychatog ... except that the P/T boost is doubled and DOESN'T WEAR OFF EOT. Oh, and it co
The ability to turn all of your spells into mini-permanent-Giant Growths is insane, as well. Any deck running this card can now maindeck narrow, powerful cards much more easily (Ancient Grudge, Faith's Shield, Celestial Purge, etc.) ... knowing that it can be cycled into a very reasonable P/T boost.
Doesn't work. Not with ancient Grudge at least, cause you still need to cast it to be able to eat it, and if the opponent is not playing artifacts then it gets stuck in your hand.
Have fun wasting sideboard slots to fight decks that do not exist anymore.Doesn't work. Not with ancient Grudge at least, cause you still need to cast it to be able to eat it, and if the opponent is not playing artifacts then it gets stuck in your ha
Either this guy will be the next Psychatog, or he'll be weird sideboard fodder vs counterspell decks. I'd love to try him in a shell full of cascade/replicate/storm/phyrexian mana/rebound shenanigans.
Either this guy will be the next Psychatog, or he'll be weird sideboard fodder vs counterspell decks. I'd love to try him in a shell full of cascade/replicate/storm/phyrexian mana/rebound shenanigans.
I seem to find myself looking forward to this set a little bit less. Kind of defeats the point of a preview really... Was the design ethos for this set to just ram it full of stupid rares and watch the secondary market go cray cray?
I seem to find myself looking forward to this set a little bit less. Kind of defeats the point of a preview really... Was the design ethos for this set to just ram it full of stupid rares and watch the secondary market go cray cray?
I seem to find myself looking forward to this set a little bit less. Kind of defeats the point of a preview really... Was the design ethos for this set to just ram it full of stupid rares and watch the secondary market go cray cray?
Crazy? I don't see any Dark Confidants or Snapcaster Mages. . . yet. Really the best cards so far are all the hatebears. And I welcome the shocklands back. Sure, there will be a price hike in lands for standard, but there will be a general price fall for eternal format lands. I'm looking at you, Modern.
Crazy? I don't see any Dark Confidants or Snapcaster Mages. . . yet. Really the best cards so far are all the hatebears. And I welcome the shocklands back. Sure, there will be a price hike in lands for standard, but there will be a general price fall
I'm worried that Wizards might regret this one. This looks like a better card than Delver of Secrets (and it fits in the same deck!). A closer analogy might be Psychatog ... except that the P/T boost is doubled and DOESN'T WEAR OFF EOT. Oh, and it costs two fewer mana.
The ability to turn all of your spells into mini-permanent-Giant Growths is insane, as well. Any deck running this card can now maindeck narrow, powerful cards much more easily (Ancient Grudge, Faith's Shield, Celestial Purge, etc.) ... knowing that it can be cycled into a very reasonable P/T boost.
It also gives you a huge edge in any instant wars. You'll never get 2-for-1-ed by having a removal spell cast on a creature you just pumped. You'll never have a removal spell nullified by Restoration Angle or Faith's Shield. And anything that your opponent counters just becomes a +2/+2 for this guy instead.
So in addition to this being one of the most aggressively costed 1-drops ever (and certainly one of the two most aggressive BLUE one-drops ever) it increases your resilience to ... everything that interacts with your spells.
Yeah.
You are for the most part right. The elemental can still bite the dust to a black removal spell or get bounced. Just because Vapor Snag is rotating doesn't mean typical Snapcaster decks won't have Unsummon or Silent Departure. This is by no means a bad creature. A 1/2 in hybrid Blue/Red is still decent, and the ability to eat useless flashback spells like Artful Dodge does give him a role. He will also be good against Syncopate. As far as casual formats go, he'll destroy spells like Condescend and Power Sink. He may even be excellent against Mana Drain in Vintage. This man is also decent against affects like Mindbreak Trap. But I don't think he'll be as removal-demanding as a flipped Delver. He reminds me of a backwards Spellskite.
You are for the most part right. The elemental can still bite the dust to a black removal spell or get bounced. Just because Vapor Snag is rotating doesn't mean typical Snapcaster decks won't have Unsummon or Silent Departure. This is by no means a b
Not convinced that this is better than Quirion Dryad in matches where your opponent isn't trying to counter everything you do. Time will tell, but if you feed this thing a bunch of your spells and then it gets Unsummoned or Abrubtly Decayed, you're pretty much screwed.
Not convinced that this is better than Quirion Dryad in matches where your opponent isn't trying to counter everything you do. Time will tell, but if you feed this thing a bunch of your spells and then it gets Unsummoned or Abrubtly Decayed, you're p
Why couldn't it say "counter" the spell instead of exile as the cost? Then Guile could sit an' watch an' laugh through the whole thing.
Oh right, counterspells don't exist any more. We miss them. At least that's one way of removing the ambiguous nature of the term "counter", so only the sense used in the ability's effect continues to exist.
Why couldn't it say "counter" the spell instead of exile as the cost? Then Guile could sit an' watch an' laugh through the whole thing.Oh right, counterspells don't exist any more. We miss them. At least that's one
Why couldn't it say "counter" the spell instead of exile as the cost? Then Guile could sit an' watch an' laugh through the whole thing.
Oh right, counterspells don't exist any more. We miss them. At least that's one way of removing the ambiguous nature of the term "counter", so only the sense used in the ability's effect continues to exist.
because they don't want to still let te spell after be played from graveyard with flashback
because they don't want to still let te spell after be played from graveyard with flashback
How does this interact with storm? If it can exile copies of spells (as with gigadrowse) then it can exile every copy of a storm spell. I'm very surprised you didn't mention this -- it seems like an easy way to get a million counters. Spell, exile it, spell, exile it, grapeshot, storm, exile all storm copies and the original ... 10 counters!
Pointing out that this is insane with storm would matter more if storm weren't already insane by itself. I mean, if you're already using storm it's more an issuing of finding a way to win that isn't broken.
what about eye of the storm? is that equally pointless to point out that this guy is hilarious with? play every spell on the eye every time, then eat the ones that are bad for you at the moment, or just eat every spell that's been cast so far in the game.
Pointing out that this is insane with storm would matter more if storm weren't already insane by itself. I mean, if you're already using storm it's more an issuing of finding a way to win that isn't broken.[/quote]what about eye of the storm? is th
Why couldn't it say "counter" the spell instead of exile as the cost? Then Guile could sit an' watch an' laugh through the whole thing.
Oh right, counterspells don't exist any more. We miss them. At least that's one way of removing the ambiguous nature of the term "counter", so only the sense used in the ability's effect continues to exist.
because they don't want to still let te spell after be played from graveyard with flashback
Plus, there are quite a few spells floating around now that can't be countered, so that wouldn't be cool...
because they don't want to still let te spell after be played from graveyard with flashback[/quote]Plus, there are quite a few spells floating around now that can't be countered, so that wouldn't be cool...
