This is very playable. The 3cmc mana leak is not great, but will be active a good part of the game. That coupled with the fact that you can counter their t3 or 4 play (depending on play or draw) and then un-tap to Mistbind Clique them which is pretty much a Time walk, makes this solid.
Not sure what you mean by "chump duty" as he has trample...
Either way, he is a 6/6, which is twice the power of Prog Sphinx. While Sphinx might not be blocked as easily, it is still possible to do so. I don't think that flying is strictly better than trample.
He also has Hexproof 100% of the time, while Sphinx can gain it if you pitch a card, but that also taps it. At PT Theros, you would see BUG trying to stabilize a decent amount of the time from a specific threat just to have them downfall/silence/b light/Kiora the sphinx and swing for lethal. This guy does not have those problems. He comes down, and stays there unless you wrath him away, or your opponent does (and if that is the case, he is not super in the mirror I would imagine initially).
I like Sphinx, but he also only deals 3 damage a swing and is easier to kill than Mauler, while being card DISADVANTAGE if we have to give him hexproof. Seeing as most control decks play seldom few creatures or permanents in general, typically there is always at least 1 removal spell waiting for him.
Plus this dude can technically be played on T3 against a hyper aggressive deck to trade if need be.
Would control pay +1 for a non exiling syncopate that also burns to the face?
Probably not, generally the more mana before the X the weaker the counter spell is, especially since it will usually only deal 1-3 damage. Think about it this way, what you would rather pay 3 mana for, a hard counter like Cancel or Dissolve, or "counter target spell unless its controller pays 1, that spell's controller takes 1 damage", or even "counter target spell unless your opponent plays 2"?
UX counters like Syncopate are played because they are lesser versions of Mana Leak, which can counter your opponents 2 drops if you're on the play and 3 drops if you're on the draw. The only format this is marginally good in is Commander, where you have the time to generate the mana needed to make this card effectively UR4 "counter target spell unless its controller pays 4, that spell's controller takes 4 damage." Even then, that's not as good as it initially sounds.
This is EXACTLY the case. Thank you.
Control does not need another 3+cmc removal spell, counterspell or enchantment etc. The 3 drop spot is so clogged in the current state of control decks it is absurd.
Hero's Downfall
B Light
Dissolve
Dissipate
Anger of the Gods
Ashiok
Drown in Sorrow
Sultai Charm
The other 4 Charms
Now control decks might not play all of those, but this card in a true control shell is IMO strictly worse that Dissolve 1-4 and even Dissipate. You are always going to be paying 3 or more for it and I don't really care if it does damage to my opponent. When I drop my wincon as a control deck, the game should be over. I do not want to rely on a counterspell to do so. This is not like Nephalia Drownyard where it is a wincon built into an answer (or in drownyards case, land) it is just a counterspell with a cool upside.
What control really needs now is a solid 2cmc removals spell or counterspell. Last Breath is kills courser, Grey merchant and a slew of others, but is dead late game. Bile Blight cant kill courser, Brimaz or merchant. That IMO is the biggest problem that needs to be addressed. I would love a Terminate reprint, seeing as there are 10 unspoiled lands, it could potentially work in a 4+ color control deck.
At first, I thought it dealt X to creature or player and I thought it was amazing. Then I decided to read the card again. A pretty big letdown for a rare.
8-1 with R/W aggro. Midnight Guard was actually VERY surprising, much better than he was in ISD. Cone of Flame was super, even better than I thought. It was a 2 or 3-1 so many times. EASY first pick material..
Font seems like it is going to be very painful for us to play, manabase wise. We are 4 colors already and shocking every turn until t3 or so is not really what we want to be doing I don't think. I take it most everyone is playing a BUG shell Splashing white for Debt only? If so, how are you staying alive against aggro with only 4 Dimir Charms?
To be honest, I have thought about this long and hard. Here is what I think it could be...
Oblivion Ring- It is LSV's iconic card! Yes we do have D Sphere but other non uw deck do not have anything like it really. They were both legal together a bit last format, so I don't think it would be anything to be afraid of.
Wall of Denial/Wall of Omens- LSV was a big proponent of Wall of Denial when it was around, and they both were very impactful during their times in standard.
Remand- Remand did not see a reprint in MM, so it is up near the top of my list. I think it would be fine in this current format.
Preordain/Serum Visions- My money would be on Serum Visions if anything, but I am doubtful of either reprint.
2 cmc ramp spell- Something like a rampant growth or explore. Heck maybe even Cultivate
My money is on some kind of O-Ring or Wall reprint. Potentially Earthquake as well.
I don't think that Kruphix will see play to be honest, barring something else broken being printed. I do like this card a lot however. It seems like it could fit very nicely into the old Makahito Mihara RG Nythos shell.
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Either way, he is a 6/6, which is twice the power of Prog Sphinx. While Sphinx might not be blocked as easily, it is still possible to do so. I don't think that flying is strictly better than trample.
He also has Hexproof 100% of the time, while Sphinx can gain it if you pitch a card, but that also taps it. At PT Theros, you would see BUG trying to stabilize a decent amount of the time from a specific threat just to have them downfall/silence/b light/Kiora the sphinx and swing for lethal. This guy does not have those problems. He comes down, and stays there unless you wrath him away, or your opponent does (and if that is the case, he is not super in the mirror I would imagine initially).
I like Sphinx, but he also only deals 3 damage a swing and is easier to kill than Mauler, while being card DISADVANTAGE if we have to give him hexproof. Seeing as most control decks play seldom few creatures or permanents in general, typically there is always at least 1 removal spell waiting for him.
Plus this dude can technically be played on T3 against a hyper aggressive deck to trade if need be.
This is EXACTLY the case. Thank you.
Control does not need another 3+cmc removal spell, counterspell or enchantment etc. The 3 drop spot is so clogged in the current state of control decks it is absurd.
Hero's Downfall
B Light
Dissolve
Dissipate
Anger of the Gods
Ashiok
Drown in Sorrow
Sultai Charm
The other 4 Charms
Now control decks might not play all of those, but this card in a true control shell is IMO strictly worse that Dissolve 1-4 and even Dissipate. You are always going to be paying 3 or more for it and I don't really care if it does damage to my opponent. When I drop my wincon as a control deck, the game should be over. I do not want to rely on a counterspell to do so. This is not like Nephalia Drownyard where it is a wincon built into an answer (or in drownyards case, land) it is just a counterspell with a cool upside.
What control really needs now is a solid 2cmc removals spell or counterspell. Last Breath is kills courser, Grey merchant and a slew of others, but is dead late game. Bile Blight cant kill courser, Brimaz or merchant. That IMO is the biggest problem that needs to be addressed. I would love a Terminate reprint, seeing as there are 10 unspoiled lands, it could potentially work in a 4+ color control deck.
At first, I thought it dealt X to creature or player and I thought it was amazing. Then I decided to read the card again. A pretty big letdown for a rare.
Placed first, opened all junk though.
Am I discussing any new card? No...
Get off your high horse
Oblivion Ring- It is LSV's iconic card! Yes we do have D Sphere but other non uw deck do not have anything like it really. They were both legal together a bit last format, so I don't think it would be anything to be afraid of.
Wall of Denial/Wall of Omens- LSV was a big proponent of Wall of Denial when it was around, and they both were very impactful during their times in standard.
Remand- Remand did not see a reprint in MM, so it is up near the top of my list. I think it would be fine in this current format.
Preordain/Serum Visions- My money would be on Serum Visions if anything, but I am doubtful of either reprint.
2 cmc ramp spell- Something like a rampant growth or explore. Heck maybe even Cultivate
My money is on some kind of O-Ring or Wall reprint. Potentially Earthquake as well.