Isn't this card insane? Venser is to this as Mystic Snake is to Counterspell (assuming you can cast Snake, of course). Even when Mystic Snake was played in Standard, it was usually alongside Venser, so their power levels in a UG deck are similar, and Counterspell is insane. This thing can't bounce noncreature permanents, which makes it worse than Venser's ETB, but I don't see any reason why 2 mana is a better spot for a hard counter vs a bounce spell than turn 4 - if anything, cheaper is better for the tempo effect, so I think the analogy at its core is valid. This isn't Counterspell, but history would suggest it's not nearly as far off as some are saying. The one weakness of counterspells is their inability to affect the board, and this changes that.
What's not to love about this card? For control decks it's a decent analogue of Remand that can double as bounce, and it should also shine in aggro-control decks, maybe some UR Prowess concoction or Bant humans. One of the best spoiled cards so far.
What's not to love about this card? For control decks it's a decent analogue of Remand that can double as bounce, and it should also shine in aggro-control decks, maybe some UR Prowess concoction or Bant humans. One of the best spoiled cards so far.
Without the cantrip, it is a HUGE downgrade. I doubt this will see play in control. Maybe if there's an applicable tempo deck. But, like all the new "reprints", this isn't in the original's league.
This can't have a cantrip on it. Put one on it in it's current state and you have a strictly better Remand (one that now gets past uncounterability and can also bounce creatures). Even if you were to take away the bounce ability it would still be far superior to Remand which is way too strong. Remand is one of the most powerful counter spells ever printed and I guarantee you it would not be printed in a standard set right now, let alone a better version of it. And that's for good reason.
The card is well balanced and reasonably strong. It offers a versatile and powerful effect but doesn't push itself over the edge by replacing itself.
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"Pop in, find a dragon, roast a dragon."
-Chandra Nalaar
Here's why cantrip makes Remand a better spell both spells delay a spell a turn but because remand has cantrip there is a good chance if you don't have a hard counter or removal in hand you'll draw one. In control decks it's all about surviving the early turns stabilize and accumulate cards. Remand does 2 things in the early game Delay without reducing cards in hand cards.
This can't have a cantrip on it. Put one on it in it's current state and you have a strictly better Remand (one that now gets past uncounterability and can also bounce creatures).
The card is well balanced and reasonably strong. It offers a versatile and powerful effect but doesn't push itself over the edge by replacing itself.
Hey, good point, I had overlooked the fact that this gets around uncounterable spells, putting a cantrip on it may well be a too much. I'd be VERY surprised if this card doesn't end up an MVP in Standard.
Unsubstantiate can be used on your own spells or creatures. In this set, as well as in last block, we have several impressive cast triggers (which was not the case during Remand's time in Standard). While returning your creature could already be done at instant speed with Just the Wind, returning the spell is new. Let's say I've played Thought-Knot Seer, so I know my opponent has Anguished Unmaking that they're saving for my Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger which I just grabbed with From Beyond. Then I can cast Ulamog, exile two permanents, and return him to my hand without him ever being in a place where Anguished Unmaking can touch him.
I'm not saying this is even close to the best use for Unsubstantiate, since often you could bounce your opponent's spell to achieve similar effects. I'm just saying that this let's you do something weird: replaying your cards without them touching the battlefield. And yes, Remand does a better job, but it isn't in Standard. It's probably nothing huge, but it's a strange enough to at least notice.
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90% of White's current good stuff is from BFZ to SOI, White is going to be fine for the next year or more.
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Standard Deck:
BUPirates
Modern Deck:
B8-Rack
Why handicap when you can balance out?
Without the cantrip, it is a HUGE downgrade. I doubt this will see play in control. Maybe if there's an applicable tempo deck. But, like all the new "reprints", this isn't in the original's league.
The card is well balanced and reasonably strong. It offers a versatile and powerful effect but doesn't push itself over the edge by replacing itself.
-Chandra Nalaar
Hey, good point, I had overlooked the fact that this gets around uncounterable spells, putting a cantrip on it may well be a too much. I'd be VERY surprised if this card doesn't end up an MVP in Standard.
Unsubstantiate can be used on your own spells or creatures. In this set, as well as in last block, we have several impressive cast triggers (which was not the case during Remand's time in Standard). While returning your creature could already be done at instant speed with Just the Wind, returning the spell is new. Let's say I've played Thought-Knot Seer, so I know my opponent has Anguished Unmaking that they're saving for my Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger which I just grabbed with From Beyond. Then I can cast Ulamog, exile two permanents, and return him to my hand without him ever being in a place where Anguished Unmaking can touch him.
I'm not saying this is even close to the best use for Unsubstantiate, since often you could bounce your opponent's spell to achieve similar effects. I'm just saying that this let's you do something weird: replaying your cards without them touching the battlefield. And yes, Remand does a better job, but it isn't in Standard. It's probably nothing huge, but it's a strange enough to at least notice.