Well, the problem is, Ritual without constraints is very broken. It doesn't really have any major opposing force, and accelerates black too much without some reliable method of dealing with it's end product.
Ritual requires the other colors to have reasonable ways of dealing with what it does. Bolt for red, Counterspell for Blue, White really needs Swords to Plowshares, Green never lost it's growth.
It's only in the presence of those other cards that Ritual isn't horridly overpowering, because those other cards give the other colors some manner of dealing with it's end product.
Further, if Combo is allowed to rise again, Blue requires Counterspell, and White needs Disenchant back.
It's really one of WOTC's earlier mistakes. Pulling StP and Bolt made Ritual stronger, allowing black to get out of hand by Exodus and into Urza's*. Pulling Ritual started making Counterspell look out of place, especially once Disenchant was pulled.
*If Bolt and StP had remained, Suicide Black likely would've been less dominating. This is where Black and Ritual started looking overpowered, without considering the problem was that it was putting critters in that the opponent had little to no way of dealing with.
Meaning, black was dropping shadow critters, but red had only Shock, Blue of course had countermagic and could handle it, White and Green had no answers at all(That early and quickly). Had Bolt and StP been in, White would've had answers and Red would've been more reliable. In short, Ritual wouldn't have been as overpowered.
Since everyone is choosing powerful cards, I'll pick personal favorites that just are fun.
1: Draco - Cause who doesn't love a big lumpy hard to cast dragon!??
2: Sabertooth Nishoba - Loves me some pro blue and red
3: Phantom Nishoba - A ghost with a beatdown mentality problem
4: Any of the other elder dragons besides bolas.
Currently Playing Casual:
BG Death March Deluxe,R Red Bull Elementals,G Garruk's Quillspikes,B Demigod's Hallowe'en,U Classic Fae,W Kithkin
Well, the problem is, Ritual without constraints is very broken. It doesn't really have any major opposing force, and accelerates black too much without some reliable method of dealing with it's end product.
Ritual requires the other colors to have reasonable ways of dealing with what it does. Bolt for red, Counterspell for Blue, White really needs Swords to Plowshares, Green never lost it's growth.
It's only in the presence of those other cards that Ritual isn't horridly overpowering, because those other cards give the other colors some manner of dealing with it's end product.
Further, if Combo is allowed to rise again, Blue requires Counterspell, and White needs Disenchant back.
It's really one of WOTC's earlier mistakes. Pulling StP and Bolt made Ritual stronger, allowing black to get out of hand by Exodus and into Urza's*. Pulling Ritual started making Counterspell look out of place, especially once Disenchant was pulled.
*If Bolt and StP had remained, Suicide Black likely would've been less dominating. This is where Black and Ritual started looking overpowered, without considering the problem was that it was putting critters in that the opponent had little to no way of dealing with.
Meaning, black was dropping shadow critters, but red had only Shock, Blue of course had countermagic and could handle it, White and Green had no answers at all(That early and quickly). Had Bolt and StP been in, White would've had answers and Red would've been more reliable. In short, Ritual wouldn't have been as overpowered.
Hehehehe
1: Draco - Cause who doesn't love a big lumpy hard to cast dragon!??
2: Sabertooth Nishoba - Loves me some pro blue and red
3: Phantom Nishoba - A ghost with a beatdown mentality problem
4: Any of the other elder dragons besides bolas.
You forgot vivid lands
Always loved that card.
[[b]B]DCI Level 2 Judge[/B][/b]Sucks to be you.
Pauper Cube
I cube, I play EDH, and I can't afford Legacy. The other formats can suck it.
Standard:
:symu::symb::symw:Solar Flare:symw::symb::symu:
Commander:
:symb::symw:Ghost Council of Orzhova:symw::symb:
Linger on death's door and risk being invited in.