Soulfire Grand Masters lifelink ability will be crazy is standard and id imagine modern as well but what I really want to see is some of the crazyness that second ability is going to cause in EDH.
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SonofaBith - Wizards was so excited about making the packaging for Modern Masters 2 recyclable, they decided to make most of the rares and all but 1 of the UC's recycle-bin ready too. Convenient!
The ability is kinda cool with Silence and potentially Orim's Chant in older formats, backed with counterspells, it can be a pretty nice lock (ofcourse it needs some tuning, its just an initial idea to start some brews).
Then we have it in Solidarity Legacy, yes, splash white in the mono blue build and you get a way to copy your Reset which goes infinited during the opponents turn.
On later stages of the game you can use the 2UU to "buyback" your Force of Will, which is also not totally bad and keep pitching your blue cards. Having buyback on Stifle is also usefull in legacy.
As its hybrid red, we can totally use it in delver/pyromancer like builds, buyback the Pyroblast you sideboarded, or just lategame chain some cantrips, while it gives your bolts some lifelink.
Type 2 it might simply be too much text for too little gain, but i can see potential for older formats.
Soulfire Grandmaster is useful in both the early and late game, and that's why it is going to be an expensive card to buy as a single. If it only had one of the last two abilities, it wouldn't be busted and it would probably be a rare.
I'm astonished to see how many people believe that Soulfire Grand Master is a future cash rare. She's good, no doubt, but come on, how many creatures with powerful effects do we have even in the actual Standard format that are only worth some bucks? Just look at Sidisi, Brood Tyrant, and she wins the game by herself much sooner than this one.
Giving lifelink to spells is almost irrelevant out of a burn strategy, and in this case she will surely be dead the very moment she touches the battlefield, before you have the chance to cast all your relevant burn spells; and if we go out of Standard, playing her on turn 2 is just giving a timewalk to the opponent, since you're losing an entire turn without throwing damage to the opponent. I see her very useful in a control strategy, though, thanks to that buyback ability, but even this is useful only in Standard. Modern has Snapcaster Mage to use again good spells, and we don't need to be a genious to understand that he's more surprising and Snappy + Bolt/Helix/Mana Leak/Remand etc. costs less than spell + Grandmaster's buyback.
Unfortunately, if the hype goes up so high without even having had the possibility to test this card, her price will skyrocket without any real reason, just like the king of nothingness, unplayed for an entire season and only barely played right now...
I guess tiny cards like Delver of Secrets and Young Pyromancer and Dark Confidant see zero modern play because if you cast them turn 2, you'll time walk yourself.
Good to know. Also, what color is the sky in the world where that modern exists?
In the real world, there is not enough removal EVERY SINGLE TIME to stop every single creature. You could try and run a deck of 20 lands and 40 pieces of removal, but I don't think you'd do well at the end of the day.
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Yes, Grandmaster could die the instant you drop it. SO COULD EVERY OTHER CREATURE EVER, WHAT'S YOUR POINT? You evaluate based on what happens if they don't immediately answer it.
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You don't call "dying to removal" if the removal is more expensive in resources than the creature. If you have to spend BG (Abrupt Decay), or W + basic land (PtE) to remove a 1G, that is not "dying to removal". Strictly speaking Goyf dies to removal, but actually your removal is dying to Goyf.
How could anyone in their right mind say that seeker is better than the grandmaster in Jeskai?? Even without his own lifelink or the buyback ability it's still ridiculously absurd that He turns all of your burn spells into lifegain.
BTW, with the Grandmaster, 3 tokens, 4 lands and a stoke and this is a very easy setup, you will gain 4 life every turn.
It seems some people are only seeing it for the hybrid buyback ability. Instead of seeing how it will be mostly be used in aggro burn decks with no real need to use its hybrid ability. While I do understand that this isn't currently overpowered in block, its brutal in Standard and Modern. Especially Modern. This is going to be a power trio with Swiftspear and Seeker backed up by lots of cheap burn.
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And the trend of demons with no actual drawback continues...
I think there's bigger things we have to worry about here than demons without drawbacks. We just got a completely nutty Bear in the colors that are shaping up to be the most powerful, and you're worried about a demon with no drawbacks?
Interesting about Grandmaster Soul. She's obviously quite powerful, but she will need some careful deck construction to unlock that power. She certainly won't fit in the average Jeskai Tokens or Tempo build, certainly not as we see her today. I expect her best fit will be some kind of Jeskai Counter/Burn build. Any deck that features her will need a critical mass of spells for her to be useful because otherwise why not use Seeker of the Way instead? But such a deck with so few creatures will also ensure that your opponent will have removal when you cast her. Another possible fit is some form of UW Heroic.
I'm astonished to see how many people believe that Soulfire Grand Master is a future cash rare. She's good, no doubt, but come on, how many creatures with powerful effects do we have even in the actual Standard format that are only worth some bucks? Just look at Sidisi, Brood Tyrant, and she wins the game by herself much sooner than this one.
The economics of small sets are different. They're opened a lot less and are the 'new' set for a much shorter time. By the time Fate is released we'll have had 17 weeks worth of Khans drafts at 3 packs. When Fate hits we'll get 8 weeks of Fate drafts with only one of the packs being Fate Reforged. Ignoring other incentives like the fetch lands and some older format playables that encouraged opening Khans, there's still going to be a much, much larger supply of Khans cards to Fate cards. Playability and access to supply is what drives card prices.
The economics of small sets are different. They're opened a lot less and are the 'new' set for a much shorter time. By the time Fate is released we'll have had 17 weeks worth of Khans drafts at 3 packs. When Fate hits we'll get 8 weeks of Fate drafts with only one of the packs being Fate Reforged. Ignoring other incentives like the fetch lands and some older format playables that encouraged opening Khans, there's still going to be a much, much larger supply of Khans cards to Fate cards. Playability and access to supply is what drives card prices.
Note that we will continue opening a Fate Reforged pack in drafts once Dragons of Tarkir hits.
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So depressed that Grand Master isn't a legend! I've been wanting a RUW EDH deck forever but I don't like any of the commanders! Grand Master would have made for a super fun and unique general!
Actually, the existence of Grand Master, legendary or non, just depresses me. I hate mythics that are just instantly-effecient creatures/spells.
Yes, I get that from a flavor standpoint it makes sense. They are malicious beings and dealing with them could and mostly likely would bite you in the behind but to be honest I prefer to actually be able to play with those cards.
Considering that these are the iconic creatures of black and other iconic tribes(Hydras, Angels, Dragons) don't come with such drawbacks.
Soulfire isn't a chase mythic, not even close. It's a bear with lifelink, that if you play in a control deck potentially gives your spells buyback.
1. Soulfire + counterspell isn't the end all, it costs six to counter one spell, in formats where people can go bolt, bolt, treasure cruise? Nah.
2. I again repeat the fact that this is basically a shiny 2/2, in a set where your opponent is probably gonna have an ungodly number of 2/2 manifests.
Yea man splashable 2 mana creatures that reward you for playing spells you'd play anyway NEVER see play. That's why pyromancer isn't a thing in modern and seeker of the way isn't a thing in standard. Very astute of you.
Soulfire isn't a chase mythic, not even close. It's a bear with lifelink, that if you play in a control deck potentially gives your spells buyback.
1. Soulfire + counterspell isn't the end all, it costs six to counter one spell, in formats where people can go bolt, bolt, treasure cruise? Nah.
2. I again repeat the fact that this is basically a shiny 2/2, in a set where your opponent is probably gonna have an ungodly number of 2/2 manifests.
Yea man splashable 2 mana creatures that reward you for playing spells you'd play anyway NEVER see play. That's why pyromancer isn't a thing in modern and seeker of the way isn't a thing in standard. Very astute of you.
You're comparing a 2 mana creature that puts more creatures on the board, compared to one that gains you life. One affects the board, one doesn't.
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I run Seeker's in my Mardu deck and the card is fantastic. I can only imagine what replacing it with this will do (if I understand it correctly, it will make my read the bones gain me life, thoughtseize gain me life, crackling doom gain me life.. i mean heck this is fantastic).
I run Seeker's in my Mardu deck and the card is fantastic. I can only imagine what replacing it with this will do (if I understand it correctly, it will make my read the bones gain me life, thoughtseize gain me life, crackling doom gain me life.. i mean heck this is fantastic).
I don't think that works. Lifelink gains life based on damage that's dealt. Thoughtseize and Read the Bones don't do damage, they let you loose life. That seems like a minor but is a huge difference.
I run Seeker's in my Mardu deck and the card is fantastic. I can only imagine what replacing it with this will do (if I understand it correctly, it will make my read the bones gain me life, thoughtseize gain me life, crackling doom gain me life.. i mean heck this is fantastic).
I don't think that works. Lifelink gains life based on damage that's dealt. Thoughtseize and Read the Bones don't do damage, they let you loose life. That seems like a minor but is a huge difference.
This.
Besides even if those spells would deal damage you wouldn't gain any life. You just wouldn't lose any. Crackling Doom will gain you life though.
Soulfire isn't a chase mythic, not even close. It's a bear with lifelink, that if you play in a control deck potentially gives your spells buyback.
1. Soulfire + counterspell isn't the end all, it costs six to counter one spell, in formats where people can go bolt, bolt, treasure cruise? Nah.
2. I again repeat the fact that this is basically a shiny 2/2, in a set where your opponent is probably gonna have an ungodly number of 2/2 manifests.
Yea man splashable 2 mana creatures that reward you for playing spells you'd play anyway NEVER see play. That's why pyromancer isn't a thing in modern and seeker of the way isn't a thing in standard. Very astute of you.
You're comparing a 2 mana creature that puts more creatures on the board, compared to one that gains you life. One affects the board, one doesn't.
I also compared to seeker of the way. Which gains you life. This card will definitely find a standard home, and possibly a modern one as well.
Soulfire isn't a chase mythic, not even close. It's a bear with lifelink, that if you play in a control deck potentially gives your spells buyback.
1. Soulfire + counterspell isn't the end all, it costs six to counter one spell, in formats where people can go bolt, bolt, treasure cruise? Nah.
2. I again repeat the fact that this is basically a shiny 2/2, in a set where your opponent is probably gonna have an ungodly number of 2/2 manifests.
Yea man splashable 2 mana creatures that reward you for playing spells you'd play anyway NEVER see play. That's why pyromancer isn't a thing in modern and seeker of the way isn't a thing in standard. Very astute of you.
You're comparing a 2 mana creature that puts more creatures on the board, compared to one that gains you life. One affects the board, one doesn't.
I also compared to seeker of the way. Which gains you life. This card will definitely find a standard home, and possibly a modern one as well.
Seeker of the Way will still have some homes, though. I plan to continue making use of Mardu Warriors, regardless if it's a top tier deck after all the spoilers or not. He has a home with me
I run Seeker's in my Mardu deck and the card is fantastic. I can only imagine what replacing it with this will do (if I understand it correctly, it will make my read the bones gain me life, thoughtseize gain me life, crackling doom gain me life.. i mean heck this is fantastic).
Your spells gain lifelink, which means DAMAGE will make you gain life. Read the Bones and Thoughtseize don't deal damage, they cause life loss. Only crackling doom and burn will gain you life.
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Then we have it in Solidarity Legacy, yes, splash white in the mono blue build and you get a way to copy your Reset which goes infinited during the opponents turn.
On later stages of the game you can use the 2UU to "buyback" your Force of Will, which is also not totally bad and keep pitching your blue cards. Having buyback on Stifle is also usefull in legacy.
As its hybrid red, we can totally use it in delver/pyromancer like builds, buyback the Pyroblast you sideboarded, or just lategame chain some cantrips, while it gives your bolts some lifelink.
Type 2 it might simply be too much text for too little gain, but i can see potential for older formats.
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We better. All this lifegain is pretty hurtful to Standard aggro decks.
I guess tiny cards like Delver of Secrets and Young Pyromancer and Dark Confidant see zero modern play because if you cast them turn 2, you'll time walk yourself.
Good to know. Also, what color is the sky in the world where that modern exists?
In the real world, there is not enough removal EVERY SINGLE TIME to stop every single creature. You could try and run a deck of 20 lands and 40 pieces of removal, but I don't think you'd do well at the end of the day.
Reminder to everyone of what is traditionally called "The Doom Blade Rule"
"THERE ARE 7622 CREATURES, 509 LANDS, 1963 ENCHANTMENTS, 1546 ARTIFACTS, and 56 PLANESWALKERS. THEY ALL DIE TO REMOVAL."
Yes, Grandmaster could die the instant you drop it. SO COULD EVERY OTHER CREATURE EVER, WHAT'S YOUR POINT? You evaluate based on what happens if they don't immediately answer it.
"I hope to have such a death... lying in triumph atop the broken bodies of those who slew me..."
It seems some people are only seeing it for the hybrid buyback ability. Instead of seeing how it will be mostly be used in aggro burn decks with no real need to use its hybrid ability. While I do understand that this isn't currently overpowered in block, its brutal in Standard and Modern. Especially Modern. This is going to be a power trio with Swiftspear and Seeker backed up by lots of cheap burn.
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I think there's bigger things we have to worry about here than demons without drawbacks. We just got a completely nutty Bear in the colors that are shaping up to be the most powerful, and you're worried about a demon with no drawbacks?
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Actually, the existence of Grand Master, legendary or non, just depresses me. I hate mythics that are just instantly-effecient creatures/spells.
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1. Soulfire + counterspell isn't the end all, it costs six to counter one spell, in formats where people can go bolt, bolt, treasure cruise? Nah.
2. I again repeat the fact that this is basically a shiny 2/2, in a set where your opponent is probably gonna have an ungodly number of 2/2 manifests.
And that is a good thing. I really can't be the only one who found it stupid that Angels were all upside(Baneslayer Angel, Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Archangel of Thune, Restoration Angel and so many more that I would spend hours listing them all) while Demons were ridiculously expensive and/or came with serious drawbacks(Ravenous Demon/Archdemon of Greed, Demonlord of Ashmouth, Lord of the Pit, Kuro, PitLord, Liege of the Pit and again many more that I don't want to list.)
Yes, I get that from a flavor standpoint it makes sense. They are malicious beings and dealing with them could and mostly likely would bite you in the behind but to be honest I prefer to actually be able to play with those cards.
Considering that these are the iconic creatures of black and other iconic tribes(Hydras, Angels, Dragons) don't come with such drawbacks.
Yea man splashable 2 mana creatures that reward you for playing spells you'd play anyway NEVER see play. That's why pyromancer isn't a thing in modern and seeker of the way isn't a thing in standard. Very astute of you.
You're comparing a 2 mana creature that puts more creatures on the board, compared to one that gains you life. One affects the board, one doesn't.
I'm positively *thrilled* to see Lifelink on Sorceries and Instants (finally!)
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I don't think that works. Lifelink gains life based on damage that's dealt. Thoughtseize and Read the Bones don't do damage, they let you loose life. That seems like a minor but is a huge difference.
This.
Besides even if those spells would deal damage you wouldn't gain any life. You just wouldn't lose any.
Crackling Doom will gain you life though.
I also compared to seeker of the way. Which gains you life. This card will definitely find a standard home, and possibly a modern one as well.
Well Tamanoa kinda did that allready.
Better as it can potentially stack (but its a legend, so screw that).
Overall, lifelink is way cleaner.
Would like to see that more often used on the black form of life drain.
Like Essence Drain just deal 3 damage with lifelink, would feel cleaner to me.
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Seeker of the Way will still have some homes, though. I plan to continue making use of Mardu Warriors, regardless if it's a top tier deck after all the spoilers or not. He has a home with me
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