Once again, I am disappointed in a R manland. Slightly more playable than the insipid design RW always gets lumped with, but that really took no effort.
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Eternal Masters 2015 Legacy Champion. Has an unnatural love towards perfectly reasonable respect for Lightning Bolt.
Great UR manland, you shouldn't have expected it to be overpowered. Allied fixing is always stronger in eternal formats, and even standard, so there is much more to compete with, while enemy fixing has less strong options. It will see tons of play.
It's fine that green has a good cantrip-like effect. Blue's share of the pie is obnoxious and is the more unique aspect of the whole game. This card isn't something green can't have access to, it's just a bit pushed since Nissa is the central pw of the block and this cycle is supposed to be high profile. It may see some modern play but nothing overpowered.
Plus putting the Oath part at the beginning helps point it out as part of a cycle, and it lines up with Oath of the Gatewatch aesthetically.
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MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
Oath of Nissa is unplayable in tron. And is nothing like ponder. Ponder never misses, this card will miss a lot in many of the decks people are suggesting putting it in. The second ability is nearly irrelevant, as your deck needs to be able to function when you don't have the card in play.
I agree that it is bad in RG tron as we know. But it opens space to a new tron archetype (superfriends tron).
Also, things like GW Ajani, Sorin Markov and Ob Nixis can make the cut. Also Doubling Season.
The rest of the lands will use a composite of Mana Confluence/Gemstone Mine/Tendo Ice Bridge and some dual of the second best color (since it's primary green), probably to some premium non-planeswalker card (other than Oath and Sylvan Scrying, probably to cut out twin)
It may not be as good or may be a new T1 deck. The power is there it just need the right build, and this card can provide the last piece in the puzzle.
Also, monogreen builds (like nixwave) can use this as a turn 1 devotion+card selection (you will not miss in that deck). It's a great cantrip in this type of deck.
I somehow find it tragic when an attacking Traveling Philosopher gets blocked by another Traveling Philosopher, which normally results in two dead philosophers. Shouldn't they just sit aside and start discussing?
"This is really exciting, so much to find out about, so much to look forward to, I'm quite dizzy with anticipation . . . Or is it the wind? There really is a lot of that now, isn't there? And wow! Hey! What's this thing suddenly coming toward me very fast? Very, very fast. So big and flat and round, it needs a big wide-sounding name like . . . ow . . . ound . . . round . . . ground! That's it! That's a good name- ground! I wonder if it will be friends with me? Hello Ground!"
Curiously enough, the only thing that went through the mind of the Sprouting Phytohydra as it fell was Oh no, not again.
Oath of Nissa is unplayable in tron. And is nothing like ponder. Ponder never misses, this card will miss a lot in many of the decks people are suggesting putting it in. The second ability is nearly irrelevant, as your deck needs to be able to function when you don't have the card in play.
I agree that it is bad in RG tron as we know. But it opens space to a new tron archetype (superfriends tron).
Also, things like GW Ajani, Sorin Markov and Ob Nixis can make the cut. Also Doubling Season.
The rest of the lands will use a composite of Mana Confluence/Gemstone Mine/Tendo Ice Bridge and some dual of the second best color (since it's primary green), probably to some premium non-planeswalker card (other than Oath and Sylvan Scrying, probably to cut out twin)
It may not be as good or may be a new T1 deck. The power is there it just need the right build, and this card can provide the last piece in the puzzle.
Also, monogreen builds (like nixwave) can use this as a turn 1 devotion+card selection (you will not miss in that deck). It's a great cantrip in this type of deck.
And you can't cast any of your spells if you don't draw this card? I don't think the second ability by itself is going to enable anything because of how inherently inconsistent relying on this card in a deck like tron. The first ability is where all of the power of this card is, the second ability is just gravy, or like enable Sarkhan Unbroken in a Jund deck, rather than Nicol Bolas in Tron.
Also the first ability is being overstated anyways. This isn't a green Ponder or Serum Visions because it does not set up your draws in the future. It's much more similar to Anticipate, since its only powerful card selection. Which doesn't mean its bad, it just means its not crap-my-pants bananas.
Oath of Nissa will make waves in modern. The interesting thing about the card is that it is much better in decks that do not play blue, such as Jund and Abzan, precisely because it has a greater chance to hit relevant things (while in blue you would have lots of instants and sorceries). It will no enter in every deck, but it will be particularly strong in the decks that it will be put in, especially helping the goyf to grow a little bit larger with enchantment type.
The UR manland is definitely okay, I think people are too stuck in the 'bolt test' to evaluate the card. It is a manland that can hit your opponent for four. Yes, raging ravine is leagues better, but what did you expect? Another cycle as good as the first one? These times are gone.
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Would you like to read Commander stories? Check my latest stories, coming from Lorwyn and Innistrad: Ghoulcaller Gisa and Doran, The Siege Tower! If you like my writing, ask me to write something for your commander as well!
Like, Urza's Saga level good.
It will absolutely enable Superfriends in Standard,
possibly in Modern and EDH as well.
Wandering Fumarole is unexpected,
but likely more powerful than it initially appears.
It seems like it would be good in Modern Jeskai Control.
It looks like Blue gets the best Manlands of the cycle (again!)
Modern jeskai control has colonnade which is way better. Colonnade has evasion, is aggressive while being bolt-proof, effectively costs the same because it has vigilance. Colonnade was already enough imo. I don't think it'll make it into the deck and if it did, a one of for those people that are too insecure about win cons.
I'm unsure about how good the land is, but I'll be trying it out in twin all the same.
As everyone has already said, the oath is sweet, but I like it for a different reason than most. I like to stuff every planeswalker I can into any edh I build, so I look forward to trying it there
But, there are some green decks that will love this card and its first ability a lot more than others. Plus, for this set in standard, this a great green enabler for Surge.
Oath of Nissa - This is amazing green card selection. It's not a green Ponder but instead a green Anticipate (which is usually a better thing). Some people keep saying that this will miss way more often than you think and to them I say - what kind of stupid deck are you trying to use this in where you can't find a land, creature or planeswalker in the top 3 cards? Even control decks usually have more than half their cards split amongst those types (IE. 26+ lands 4 Jace/Snapcaster 2-4 creature/planeswalker finishers) and aggro/midrange decks usually have at least 2/3 of their cards split amongst those types. Obviously it can miss but the chances in any reasonable deck are very very low. Real drawbacks for the card include - having to take a land/creature instead of a removal spell you needed, the inability to chain Oaths (cantrip into a cantrip is not a thing with Oath), the fact that the 1st copy doesn't go to the graveyard (doesn't add to delve/goyf etc.) and the fact that Oath is an enchantment (occasionally nice for goyf etc. but no synergy with things like Delver, Snapcaster, Jace etc.). None of those drawbacks however are big enough to stop it seeing play but unlike the "it'll miss" one they are realistic concerns.
UR Manland - it's okay, the whole bolt in response thing really hurts it though, as does the 4 cost, it'll probably see a bit of play mainly in standard (where we have no real options) but in modern unless i'm playing Izzet twin i'd much rather be using Colonnade or Tarpit (and jeskai/grixis are better decks for the most part anyway).
Once ppl figure out how it works though, it will not be able to take a lightning bolt.
P1: pays 0 to switch power and toughness
P2: in response casts Electrolyze, 1 damage to the land, 1 to player
At this point P1 can switch in response as they please, but at some point the land is going to take the 1 damage and then switch its power and toughness.
If it was 4/1, it would die from the damage, if it was 1/4 it would take 1 then switch to 4/1 and die.
But, there are some green decks that will love this card and its first ability a lot more than others. Plus, for this set in standard, this a great green enabler for Surge.
Yeah, Oath of Nissa isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, I hope my comments didn't come across like that. It's just not Green Ponder, and it isn't enabling 5c super friends on its own.
So...legendary enchantment cycle that you will enjoy playing multiples of? Hopefully the entire cycle has etbs. So glad they changed how the legendary rule works. If this had been back in my day people wouldn't had been as excited about these things.
The manland is pretty nice for control, especially in a grixis build where you can make sure the opponent doesn't have an answer waiting in their hand. Really just depends on how reliably you can actually keep a board and hands clear, as well as having 5+ mana to spend on your turn. Tar Pit is most likely best.
Does anyone else find zero mana instant speed activated abilities tacky? It reminds me of old magic cards where they didn't really know how design cards. When was the last time we had an ability like this?
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My favorite flavor text: Time of Heroes
Feel free to tell me yours!
Does anyone else find zero mana instant speed activated abilities tacky? It reminds me of old magic cards where they didn't really know how design cards. When was the last time we had an ability like this?
Do Planeswalker +0 abilities count? Otherwise, we had one in M15 in the form of Haunted Plate mail. Timespiral block had a bunch of them, but I don't think we've really seen it much since then.
Does anyone else find zero mana instant speed activated abilities tacky? It reminds me of old magic cards where they didn't really know how design cards. When was the last time we had an ability like this?
Doesn't bother me nearly as much as "You may only use this ability any time you can play a sorcery" or "You may play this ability once per turn." O: is elegantly short and gets right to the point that this thing flips around.
Does anyone else find zero mana instant speed activated abilities tacky? It reminds me of old magic cards where they didn't really know how design cards. When was the last time we had an ability like this?
I love abilities like this because I love old cards.
Using Rares to enable Mythics - bravo Wizards you've done it again!
If this Standard season is expensive I can only imagine how expensive a "stuporfriends" deck will be
To be fair, these oaths will be played regardless of their ability to use their planeswalker buffs. Superfriends decks are always pretty damn expensive, simply because they are mythic heavy to begin with. The are hardly format deining. The super-friends cards are cards that honesty will see play on their own in most cases.
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an unnatural love towardsperfectly reasonable respect for Lightning Bolt.The Kiwi third of The Salt Mine Podcast: An Australian Legacy Podcast
It's fine that green has a good cantrip-like effect. Blue's share of the pie is obnoxious and is the more unique aspect of the whole game. This card isn't something green can't have access to, it's just a bit pushed since Nissa is the central pw of the block and this cycle is supposed to be high profile. It may see some modern play but nothing overpowered.
Oath of Nissa...HNNG. My Super Friends EDH deck is already lacking in deck slots and now Wizards gives me something this amazing for it?!
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Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
I agree that it is bad in RG tron as we know. But it opens space to a new tron archetype (superfriends tron).
Just think, Oath of Nissa replaces Ancient Stirrings. Then put some "overpriced" planeswalkers. You have turn 3 Karn Liberted, Elspeth, Sun's Champion and Garruk, Apex Pretador (any of who can finish the game buy itself. And turn 4 Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker and Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
Also, things like GW Ajani, Sorin Markov and Ob Nixis can make the cut. Also Doubling Season.
The rest of the lands will use a composite of Mana Confluence/Gemstone Mine/Tendo Ice Bridge and some dual of the second best color (since it's primary green), probably to some premium non-planeswalker card (other than Oath and Sylvan Scrying, probably to cut out twin)
It may not be as good or may be a new T1 deck. The power is there it just need the right build, and this card can provide the last piece in the puzzle.
Also, monogreen builds (like nixwave) can use this as a turn 1 devotion+card selection (you will not miss in that deck). It's a great cantrip in this type of deck.
And you can't cast any of your spells if you don't draw this card? I don't think the second ability by itself is going to enable anything because of how inherently inconsistent relying on this card in a deck like tron. The first ability is where all of the power of this card is, the second ability is just gravy, or like enable Sarkhan Unbroken in a Jund deck, rather than Nicol Bolas in Tron.
Also the first ability is being overstated anyways. This isn't a green Ponder or Serum Visions because it does not set up your draws in the future. It's much more similar to Anticipate, since its only powerful card selection. Which doesn't mean its bad, it just means its not crap-my-pants bananas.
The UR manland is definitely okay, I think people are too stuck in the 'bolt test' to evaluate the card. It is a manland that can hit your opponent for four. Yes, raging ravine is leagues better, but what did you expect? Another cycle as good as the first one? These times are gone.
Read my other stories as well (some ongoing):
Reaper King (a horror story), Kaalia of the Vast (an origin story), Sequels for Innistrad (Alternative sequels for Inn), Grey Areas (Odric's fanfic), Royal Succession (goblins),The Tracker's Message (eldrazi on Innistrad) and Ugin and his Eye (the end of OGW).
Modern jeskai control has colonnade which is way better. Colonnade has evasion, is aggressive while being bolt-proof, effectively costs the same because it has vigilance. Colonnade was already enough imo. I don't think it'll make it into the deck and if it did, a one of for those people that are too insecure about win cons.
As everyone has already said, the oath is sweet, but I like it for a different reason than most. I like to stuff every planeswalker I can into any edh I build, so I look forward to trying it there
Jund
Kiki Chord
EDH:
Maelstrom Wanderer
Pauper:
Kuldotha Jeskai
"For the life of every plane, I will keep watch. Oh sweet, an eldrazi! I think I'm gonna cast that."
UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU's prison: blue is the new orange is the new black.
Mizzix Of The Izmagnus : wheels on fire... rolling down the road...
BSidisi, Undead VizierB: Bis zum Erbrechen
GTitiania, Protector Of ArgothG: Protecting Argoth, by blowing it up!
GYisan, The Wanderer BardG: Gradus Ad Elfball.
Duel EDH: Yisan & Titania.
In Progress: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV duel; Grenzo, Dungeon Warden Doomsday.
But, there are some green decks that will love this card and its first ability a lot more than others. Plus, for this set in standard, this a great green enabler for Surge.
UR Manland - it's okay, the whole bolt in response thing really hurts it though, as does the 4 cost, it'll probably see a bit of play mainly in standard (where we have no real options) but in modern unless i'm playing Izzet twin i'd much rather be using Colonnade or Tarpit (and jeskai/grixis are better decks for the most part anyway).
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Too bad the art is just embarrassingly bad. The Fumarole art is gorgeous.
Once ppl figure out how it works though, it will not be able to take a lightning bolt.
P1: pays 0 to switch power and toughness
P2: in response casts Electrolyze, 1 damage to the land, 1 to player
At this point P1 can switch in response as they please, but at some point the land is going to take the 1 damage and then switch its power and toughness.
If it was 4/1, it would die from the damage, if it was 1/4 it would take 1 then switch to 4/1 and die.
Yeah, Oath of Nissa isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, I hope my comments didn't come across like that. It's just not Green Ponder, and it isn't enabling 5c super friends on its own.
The manland is pretty nice for control, especially in a grixis build where you can make sure the opponent doesn't have an answer waiting in their hand. Really just depends on how reliably you can actually keep a board and hands clear, as well as having 5+ mana to spend on your turn. Tar Pit is most likely best.
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WBGKaradorWBG
If this Standard season is expensive I can only imagine how expensive a "stuporfriends" deck will be
Feel free to tell me yours!
Do Planeswalker +0 abilities count? Otherwise, we had one in M15 in the form of Haunted Plate mail. Timespiral block had a bunch of them, but I don't think we've really seen it much since then.
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Doesn't bother me nearly as much as "You may only use this ability any time you can play a sorcery" or "You may play this ability once per turn." O: is elegantly short and gets right to the point that this thing flips around.
WUBRGPauper Battle BoxWUBRG ... and why I am not a fan of Wayne Reynolds' Illustrations.
I love abilities like this because I love old cards.
To be fair, these oaths will be played regardless of their ability to use their planeswalker buffs. Superfriends decks are always pretty damn expensive, simply because they are mythic heavy to begin with. The are hardly format deining. The super-friends cards are cards that honesty will see play on their own in most cases.