hahaha it took me a moment to see that Fated Infatuation was really crossed out on my post from earlier. Oh MTGS, will your card evaluation skills never improve?
Nyxborn Rollicker has my vote for sleeper common of the set. Every heroic deck has been waiting for a 2 CMC bestow creature. This guy is a 2nd or 3rd pick in limited and might help a red/white heroic deck break into Standard tournaments.
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Breaking // Entering along with a few others could really ruin your day with the oracle. I think he was a very well made tribute card and wish the others were this way. It really makes the person consider their options before just paying or not paying the tribute. Not a great draft pick but still a good card.
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first turn
Nick: I lay a swamp, tap, dark ritual...
Me: If you cast a hypnotic specter I'll punch you in the face
Nick:...ahh I take 3 points of mana burn
The reason I play black according to CrovaxtheCursed:
LOL at the article writer at Wizards who claims any of these Nyx born are high draft picks. Does he even draft at all? These are pick 12-15 chaff for the most part, except maybe the green one who could go in the P6-9 range.
Nyxborn Rollicker has my vote for sleeper common of the set. Every heroic deck has been waiting for a 2 CMC bestow creature. This guy is a 2nd or 3rd pick in limited and might help a red/white heroic deck break into Standard tournaments.
I am with you 100% there!
I'm actually surprised to see comments saying a 1/1 for 1 is unplayable. Sure, that may be true, but you'll never cast him as a creature, Limited or otherwise. As an Aura, he's a very powerful common, especially with Heroic and Hero of Iroas around. You have to read him as an Aura that gives someone +1/+1 for 2 and puts a 1/1 dork onto the battlefield when enchanted creature dies, which is good.
Also, I always like it when a Common proves to be my favorite card on any preview day
LOL at the article writer at Wizards who claims any of these Nyx born are high draft picks. Does he even draft at all? These are pick 12-15 chaff for the most part, except maybe the green one who could go in the P6-9 range.
ORACLE OF BONES was made for Tribute! This WILL be paid if you have cards in hand! An amazing card for Red, and rare worthy of first pick. This card will enable a lot of overcosted spells, or it will give you a Beater....
Every single card you mention above are better than these commons. The thing to remember about bestow is that the creature has to be playable on its own, which is not the case for these new ones.
ORACLE OF BONES was made for Tribute! This WILL be paid if you have cards in hand! An amazing card for Red, and rare worthy of first pick. This card will enable a lot of overcosted spells, or it will give you a Beater....
I will generally let them have that spell rather than pay tribute. The reason being is fairly simple, particularly in constructed:
Generally speaking you are going to want to play spells that you would normally want to play without the Oracle anyway. If you are playing to a single card interaction, you will have miserable experiences where you have one or the other, but not both.
If played in a straight RDW style deck, the absolute worst I can envision getting hit with is Lightning Strike. Meaning that at most on the turn it is played is 6 damage. Woo-hoo. If you are bluffing, it falls short. The next turn is a swing for 3, totally 9. Now imagine if you paid tribute. That's a swing for 5 this turn and a swing for 5 more the next; a total of 10 damage. Already you are ahead of the curve damage wise than if they didn't pay tribute. So why would I pay tribute? A 5/3 haster is a much larger threat in RDW than a 3/1 that *might* be able to cast something. Certainly it gives the option of removal, but you need that burn in hand. If I've seen the opponent has already cast 2-3 burn spells, which isn't unreasonable with BTE in the format, I'm willing to give them that 3/1 and just take a small lick this turn.
In a burn heavy deck it has a bit more applications, but I really have to wonder if it's better than just playing more burn. Those decks much prefer evasion to get through some points of damage than the ground game, as that can be disrupted more easily. Considering that in order to play it you have to take something else out, I'm not sure it really fits. While straight burn isn't nearly as "potent", it is far more consistent.
So really, I would almost always just let them cast the spell. It has the potential to bite me in the ass, but due to the inconsistent nature of the card, it's almost equally likely to be a better trade-off.
Honestly, this is the one card where paying tribute will likely hurt you more than be the worst option. I'm willing to roll the dice on it usually, with few exceptions.
i can't think of any situation where my opponent would rather let me cast a card with the Oracle of Bones (risking a Cruel Ultimatum) over giving him +1/+1s, but a 5/3 for 4 with haste is okay in itself i guess. the rest look pretty meh, heroic dude seems pretty good though.
In the current standard there simply aren't many maindeckable high-impact spells that you would want to play without Oracle on the board, which is important to consider.
If this were a standard where Miracle was still around(Where you aren't sure if they drew into the Miracle card at an inopportune time and are holding onto it), I would be more hesitant. But in a standard where red's most common spells to play are Magma Jet and Lightning Strike, and generally only 10 or so in the main at best at that, it's a bit less relevant.
Cruel Ultimatum style cards not being in standard *really* harm this creature's playability.
Every single card you mention above are better than these commons. The thing to remember about bestow is that the creature has to be playable on its own, which is not the case for these new ones.
The blue one is playable on its own. A 2/3 for 3 isn't the worst thing in the world to have, particularly when it is all upside.
The red one also isn't particularly horrible; Bestowing a Satyr Rambler with it is a good way to get damage through early and it can suffice as a 1-drop, maybe. The black one is one I would play if in a pinch for 2 cmc creatures. It is, after all, almost a bear. The white one is "meh", but serviceable sideboard material. The green on is trash, and saying it passes the vanilla test is laughable. If it were a 3/2 it'd be a solid mid-pick in the color. Being Spark Joltable by itself keeps it from being considered.
Every single card you mention above are better than these commons. The thing to remember about bestow is that the creature has to be playable on its own, which is not the case for these new ones.
I don't think Hopeful Eidolon is playable as a 1/1 lifelink for 1. It's almost entirely because of bestow that it was any good.
These guys are mostly fine. 2/3 and 3/1 for 3 aren't terrible by themselves, and certainly are playable on curve. 2/1 for 2 is also on curve. The only ones that are iffy are the red and white ones (1/2 and 1/1 for 1), but they also have extremely cheap bestow costs as well to match with heroic.
A wingsteed rider with the 1/2 bestow puts you basically out of most removal range already, outside of blue.
I don't think Hopeful Eidolon is playable as a 1/1 lifelink for 1. It's almost entirely because of bestow that it was any good.
These guys are mostly fine. 2/3 and 3/1 for 3 aren't terrible by themselves, and certainly are playable on curve. 2/1 for 2 is also on curve. The only ones that are iffy are the red and white ones (1/2 and 1/1 for 1), but they also have extremely cheap bestow costs as well to match with heroic.
A wingsteed rider with the 1/2 bestow puts you basically out of most removal range already, outside of blue.
Hopeful eidolon was the exception from Theros, it was the lifelink that made it playable, and even then I still wouldn't draft it higher than P6. The black green and blue Nyx born maybe be used if you are really desperate I guess, but they are low picks and the author's statement about drafting them high is assinine.
Every single card you mention above are better than these commons. The thing to remember about bestow is that the creature has to be playable on its own, which is not the case for these new ones.
The creature has to be playable on its own? That's not even remotely true.
First off, the red one is actually really good and will likely be a high draft pick. A +1/+1 Aura for two mana that gives you a 1/1 when enchanted creature leaves play (heck, even if it's killed in response) is VERY playable in a set full of heroic and inspired. The ability to cast it as a 1/1 for 1 is just an emergency option... it's not meant to be used often, and the card would be 100% playable even if it had no mana cost and couldn't be cast as a creature at all.
And the other ones are pretty good too. Though neither side of the green or blue ones are what you want on it's own, both sides are things you'd frequently end up playing as a 23rd card. Giving you the option between the late game pump and the early game on-curve creature makes them quite playable, and easily worth a middle pick in draft.
The black one is pretty subpar, since neither side is anything you really want, but even that one will often end up as a 22ed or 23rd card, though it's certainly a late pick.
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5/3 haste is reasonable; time it when they have downed blockers (casual) and keep uncastable cards in hand. For instance, Restore Balance hitting you because you didn't give him +2/+2 is a pretty big deal.
The Ultimatum idea is pretty good too. I like Wheel of Fate for this, as then it becomes a Wheel of Fortune for 4 mana that dumps a body on the field for ya.
Yeah, guys; those of you who were pointing out that the cards listed were good because they weren't actually "just" those things... that was exactly my point.
Each of those cards, taken by itself and out of context, is underwhelming. When in a tribal deck, however, their power is increased significantly.
Now, WotC is making it very clear that they're wanting to make a minotaur tribal deck an actual thing, and in such a deck, Oracle of Bones goes from "interesting" to "terrifying".
I think oracle is being vastly overestimated by some here. Let's say I'm playing against the player who is casting oracle.
I can counter (this card is far worse than bloodbraid's cascade)
I can allow tribute and then play removal
I can allow tribute and then trade it with my creature
I can ask how many cards are in their hand and assess the risk of a cast (how many cards in hand will they have on turn 4+)
Most importantly, if they're playing a normal R/x deck, the biggest sorcery they can land is 3-4 damage to the face or hit a creature. I'd rather take a lightning strike to the face than take 2 damage on the spot and even more damage later.
Overall, oracle strikes me as a worse vexing devil.
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I like the minotaur. Seems good for Red burn or something similar. You either let me a cast a good spell free or you take 5 damage
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You cast oracle and you declare your attackers I cast lightning strike ...
Nick: I lay a swamp, tap, dark ritual...
Me: If you cast a hypnotic specter I'll punch you in the face
Nick:...ahh I take 3 points of mana burn
The reason I play black according to CrovaxtheCursed:
"Dies to removal" prize goes to ......... :drums: for you , @volrathy
If the card has Fuse then yes ( cause you re casting it from your hand) in spells with x , X will always be 0.
Thanks, I'm assuming this won't work with overload though?
I am with you 100% there!
I'm actually surprised to see comments saying a 1/1 for 1 is unplayable. Sure, that may be true, but you'll never cast him as a creature, Limited or otherwise. As an Aura, he's a very powerful common, especially with Heroic and Hero of Iroas around. You have to read him as an Aura that gives someone +1/+1 for 2 and puts a 1/1 dork onto the battlefield when enchanted creature dies, which is good.
Also, I always like it when a Common proves to be my favorite card on any preview day
Bestow are already 7th and early picks ( Baleful Eidolon , Erebos's Emissary , Heliod's Emissary, Hopeful Eidolon , Nimbus Naiad , Nylea's Emissary , Leafcrown Dryad , Observant Alseid , Purphoros's Emissary , Spearpoint Oread , Thassa's Emissary) as these are common in a small set and easy to splash i say they will be 6th or early picks
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH_UXXKRzlM
Every single card you mention above are better than these commons. The thing to remember about bestow is that the creature has to be playable on its own, which is not the case for these new ones.
I will generally let them have that spell rather than pay tribute. The reason being is fairly simple, particularly in constructed:
Generally speaking you are going to want to play spells that you would normally want to play without the Oracle anyway. If you are playing to a single card interaction, you will have miserable experiences where you have one or the other, but not both.
If played in a straight RDW style deck, the absolute worst I can envision getting hit with is Lightning Strike. Meaning that at most on the turn it is played is 6 damage. Woo-hoo. If you are bluffing, it falls short. The next turn is a swing for 3, totally 9. Now imagine if you paid tribute. That's a swing for 5 this turn and a swing for 5 more the next; a total of 10 damage. Already you are ahead of the curve damage wise than if they didn't pay tribute. So why would I pay tribute? A 5/3 haster is a much larger threat in RDW than a 3/1 that *might* be able to cast something. Certainly it gives the option of removal, but you need that burn in hand. If I've seen the opponent has already cast 2-3 burn spells, which isn't unreasonable with BTE in the format, I'm willing to give them that 3/1 and just take a small lick this turn.
In a burn heavy deck it has a bit more applications, but I really have to wonder if it's better than just playing more burn. Those decks much prefer evasion to get through some points of damage than the ground game, as that can be disrupted more easily. Considering that in order to play it you have to take something else out, I'm not sure it really fits. While straight burn isn't nearly as "potent", it is far more consistent.
So really, I would almost always just let them cast the spell. It has the potential to bite me in the ass, but due to the inconsistent nature of the card, it's almost equally likely to be a better trade-off.
Honestly, this is the one card where paying tribute will likely hurt you more than be the worst option. I'm willing to roll the dice on it usually, with few exceptions.
In the current standard there simply aren't many maindeckable high-impact spells that you would want to play without Oracle on the board, which is important to consider.
If this were a standard where Miracle was still around(Where you aren't sure if they drew into the Miracle card at an inopportune time and are holding onto it), I would be more hesitant. But in a standard where red's most common spells to play are Magma Jet and Lightning Strike, and generally only 10 or so in the main at best at that, it's a bit less relevant.
Cruel Ultimatum style cards not being in standard *really* harm this creature's playability.
The blue one is playable on its own. A 2/3 for 3 isn't the worst thing in the world to have, particularly when it is all upside.
The red one also isn't particularly horrible; Bestowing a Satyr Rambler with it is a good way to get damage through early and it can suffice as a 1-drop, maybe. The black one is one I would play if in a pinch for 2 cmc creatures. It is, after all, almost a bear. The white one is "meh", but serviceable sideboard material. The green on is trash, and saying it passes the vanilla test is laughable. If it were a 3/2 it'd be a solid mid-pick in the color. Being Spark Joltable by itself keeps it from being considered.
I don't think Hopeful Eidolon is playable as a 1/1 lifelink for 1. It's almost entirely because of bestow that it was any good.
These guys are mostly fine. 2/3 and 3/1 for 3 aren't terrible by themselves, and certainly are playable on curve. 2/1 for 2 is also on curve. The only ones that are iffy are the red and white ones (1/2 and 1/1 for 1), but they also have extremely cheap bestow costs as well to match with heroic.
A wingsteed rider with the 1/2 bestow puts you basically out of most removal range already, outside of blue.
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Hopeful eidolon was the exception from Theros, it was the lifelink that made it playable, and even then I still wouldn't draft it higher than P6. The black green and blue Nyx born maybe be used if you are really desperate I guess, but they are low picks and the author's statement about drafting them high is assinine.
The creature has to be playable on its own? That's not even remotely true.
First off, the red one is actually really good and will likely be a high draft pick. A +1/+1 Aura for two mana that gives you a 1/1 when enchanted creature leaves play (heck, even if it's killed in response) is VERY playable in a set full of heroic and inspired. The ability to cast it as a 1/1 for 1 is just an emergency option... it's not meant to be used often, and the card would be 100% playable even if it had no mana cost and couldn't be cast as a creature at all.
And the other ones are pretty good too. Though neither side of the green or blue ones are what you want on it's own, both sides are things you'd frequently end up playing as a 23rd card. Giving you the option between the late game pump and the early game on-curve creature makes them quite playable, and easily worth a middle pick in draft.
The black one is pretty subpar, since neither side is anything you really want, but even that one will often end up as a 22ed or 23rd card, though it's certainly a late pick.
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The Ultimatum idea is pretty good too. I like Wheel of Fate for this, as then it becomes a Wheel of Fortune for 4 mana that dumps a body on the field for ya.
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Yeah, guys; those of you who were pointing out that the cards listed were good because they weren't actually "just" those things... that was exactly my point.
Each of those cards, taken by itself and out of context, is underwhelming. When in a tribal deck, however, their power is increased significantly.
Now, WotC is making it very clear that they're wanting to make a minotaur tribal deck an actual thing, and in such a deck, Oracle of Bones goes from "interesting" to "terrifying".
WotC, please hire me already.
I can counter (this card is far worse than bloodbraid's cascade)
I can allow tribute and then play removal
I can allow tribute and then trade it with my creature
I can ask how many cards are in their hand and assess the risk of a cast (how many cards in hand will they have on turn 4+)
Most importantly, if they're playing a normal R/x deck, the biggest sorcery they can land is 3-4 damage to the face or hit a creature. I'd rather take a lightning strike to the face than take 2 damage on the spot and even more damage later.
Overall, oracle strikes me as a worse vexing devil.