I wish I was still a noob so I would enjoy cards like Tavern Swindler.
EDIT: This sounds condescending. Now, here's the thing: Even if I liked coin flipper cards more than I do, this cards effects cancels its own effect most of the time, unless in Goblin Bookie builds or similar. The card is cool, but it's just not for me when I know the probable outcome of the effect - it's a hard sell for me to play a card from my hand to do nothing.
We're all a bit jaded. Just a few weeks ago my brothers brought over a friend who is exuberant about a lot of nerd things, and he had just bought his first cards and was joyous over every crap common in every pack. It was kinda nice to see, considering most of the people I know just jump to the back looking for the rare, chance foil, and maybe uncommons.
Magic was best at kitchen table level. I miss the sense of exploration and the weird cards that stand out as well as the amazing excitement of getting each new booster.
She's marginal with effects that care about life gain, like Sanguine Bond or doubling effects. She goes from being "on average, does nothing" to "on average, gain 3" or "on average, target opponent loses 3". Not good by any means, but interesting for a weird build.
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The Meaning of Life: "M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations"
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Whether its blue players countering your spells, red players burning you out, or combo, if you have a problem with an aspect of Magic's gameplay, you can fix it!
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
I suppose it can be good in a lifegain deck, though you probably have more efficient ways to gain life. Or chanceencounter.dec
It's kinda better than Walking Corpse, though I have more to work with in zombie tribal than human or rogue. Not that Walking Corpse is particularly playable in EDH, or something I'd pick over Diregraf Ghoul (also not playable in EDH).
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
You can rig the odds in your favor with Rhox Faithmender, but even then you're not really actually accomplishing anything.
It's funny how this card ends up being worse than Spineless thug just because of tribal interactions (zombie, mercenary) even though her ability is a net positive over a black bear.
I suppose it can be good in a lifegain deck, though you probably have more efficient ways to gain life. Or chanceencounter.dec
It's kinda better than Walking Corpse, though I have more to work with in zombie tribal than human or rogue. Not that Walking Corpse is particularly playable in EDH, or something I'd pick over Diregraf Ghoul (also not playable in EDH).
I dunno about you guys, but I think i often overvalue abilities on creatures than just use them to beat face - as in i'd rather use the ability even if i knew my opponent has no blockers and probably doesn't have tricks (but i know what you mean. in a vacuum, it probably is better).
I actually traded for one a while back, 'cuz i thought she seemed cool. No idea why, actually, cuz its not like she'd fit in many of my decks. Maybe its time to fish out some rhox faithmender/sanguine bond/krark's thumboloro janky life-gain deck or something.
Playable in a Spirits tribal deck with a few auras? I actually think that's a somewhat viable deck with UWx as the basis. Just a shame they don't have a lot of actually interesting multi-colored generals.
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My Commander decks:
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Tavern Swindler is a card I pulled once, exactly enough, and relegated it to the freaks 'n' curiosities binder. Although now that I see it again here, I am turning over the possibility of slotting it into Ayli, Eternal Pilgrim just for the spare lifegain trigger. But even there, it would just be to say I made it useful for something.
Nevertheless, I'd support a mandate that Wizards includes one 'just for fun' card in every set. The world just needs more Goblin Kaboomist and Goblin Test Pilot.
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Pretty unlikely niche to fill in EDH. spirit tribal AND auras? Doesn't help that he's in white, which is not the home of tutoring for creatures, so you'd really need to want both things unless you're GW or WB.
This is probably the best card in my Tivadar of Thorn deck. To be clear its a deck I designed to play against newer players so its primary purpose isn't to "win" games per say, but to try and tutor up Shields of Velis Vel so Tivadar of Thorn can kill himself some goblins (I mark every goblin kill he gets on his card and he's at ~15ish).
If I actually manage to win a game with my deck it's usually on the back of recurring Shields of Velis Vel or Crib Swap with Angel of Flight Alabaster alongside tallowisp to tutor up angelic destiny/Armored Ascension and then getting there with general damage while also finding answers like Faith's Fetters after my opponents blow their answers on other decks because mine is obviously pretty trash. I actually have a bit of an aura package in my deck specifically for tallowisp and have stopped myself from cutting several spirit/arcane cards just to keep my density high enough for tallowisp. Looks incredibly weak, but can net incredibly amounts of value if your opponents don't respect it.
I also played this deck in a meta-game overrun with mono-red decks. Not really a deck I'd recommend building. Although I must say playing against Krenko, Mob Boss and slamming Tivadar's Crusade was one of my favorite moments playing the game ever.
This could have some use in Karador spirit tribal, especially with auras that work as removal, or perhaps some weird Bant spirit enchantress deck? Okay, that's really not saying much.
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
Playable in a Spirits tribal deck with a few auras? I actually think that's a somewhat viable deck with UWx as the basis. Just a shame they don't have a lot of actually interesting multi-colored generals.
A staple in my Karador deck, using Pattern of Rebirth, Animate Dead, and other useful aura to continuously bring out utilities.
This is a perfect example of a card that is narrowly powerful. Geist and a few strong auras (which being in white gives you plenty) makes this a strong card, even with only a light spirit theme. Wisp into geist into armored ascension.
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The Meaning of Life: "M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations"
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Whether its blue players countering your spells, red players burning you out, or combo, if you have a problem with an aspect of Magic's gameplay, you can fix it!
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
This is one of those cards that is technically fairly costed but ends up being overcosted. Compared to Overgrowth it should cost more, but maybe it should have costed 1GG instead.
The tradeoff between this and something like Explosive Vegetation is that something like Garruk Wildspeaker will net you a lot more mana, at the cost of making single target land destruction super powerful against you, and with such a strategy this card is certainly playable. Since many playgroups think LD isn't fun, that makes this kind of strategy an abuse of those people's kindnesses. Or, perhaps, this kind of strategy (or just Gaea's Cradle/Cabal coffers) justifies land destruction.
I'm not fond of opening my land up as a value removal target, and I also don't want to invest four mana into something that can put me down both a land and a card, just whoof.
Now, that said, are there any good ways to cheat out/reanimate a four mana enchantment? Because I'm much more into this if only I could Sun Titan it back for value.
A staple in my Karador deck, using Pattern of Rebirth, Animate Dead, and other useful aura to continuously bring out utilities.
I know we've moved on to a new card, but it's worth addressing that "Enchant creature" != "Enchant creature card in a graveyard" and Tallowisp can't tutor for Animate Dead.
Market Festival is ok in dedicated enchantress lists and that's about it. It has all the usual weakness of auras to removal and green can already ramp 2 at 4 CMC. Adding the possibility of a cantrip or other enchantment synergy makes it better but still borderline.
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[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
I know we've moved on to a new card, but it's worth addressing that "Enchant creature" != "Enchant creature card in a graveyard" and Tallowisp can't tutor for Animate Dead.
One of the most frustrating things about Tallowisp during Ravnica Standard was being unable to tutor up Faith's Fetters, because even though it could technically enchant a creature, it wasn't strictly "enchant creature".
This is one of those cards that is technically fairly costed but ends up being overcosted. Compared to Overgrowth it should cost more, but maybe it should have costed 1GG instead.
The tradeoff between this and something like Explosive Vegetation is that something like Garruk Wildspeaker will net you a lot more mana, at the cost of making single target land destruction super powerful against you, and with such a strategy this card is certainly playable. Since many playgroups think LD isn't fun, that makes this kind of strategy an abuse of those people's kindnesses. Or, perhaps, this kind of strategy (or just Gaea's Cradle/Cabal coffers) justifies land destruction.
I personally don't mind land destruction because I know broken lands exist. But if your playgroup does, a good compromise rule is that Armageddon and friends (Global Ruin, Jokulhaups) are bad, and Tsunami, Conversion, and Flashfires are just the worst. (But this causes its own issues, since Wave of Vitriol hurts Hermit Druid. Of course, if you're playing Hermit Druid and an opponent drops Wave of Vitriol, things aren't going in your favor anyway. And hating MLD means all the other uses for Parallax Tide have to be considered, such as Tunnel Ignus or exiling your own lands for landfall value.)
Anyway, I like these land auras like this. They really help break Earthcraft besides the usual Squirrel Nest. But, as has been said, it becomes a value removal target.
@Fenrir Rex: Replenish? Though it's kind of "If you play this, you're already winning."
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
This aint your girlfriends meta! This is a man's meta! TURBO META.
Magic was best at kitchen table level. I miss the sense of exploration and the weird cards that stand out as well as the amazing excitement of getting each new booster.
A friend of mine told me Tavern Swindler looks like me. One of these days I'm going to put together that cosplay.
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
It's kinda better than Walking Corpse, though I have more to work with in zombie tribal than human or rogue. Not that Walking Corpse is particularly playable in EDH, or something I'd pick over Diregraf Ghoul (also not playable in EDH).
On phasing:
It's funny how this card ends up being worse than Spineless thug just because of tribal interactions (zombie, mercenary) even though her ability is a net positive over a black bear.
I dunno about you guys, but I think i often overvalue abilities on creatures than just use them to beat face - as in i'd rather use the ability even if i knew my opponent has no blockers and probably doesn't have tricks (but i know what you mean. in a vacuum, it probably is better).
I actually traded for one a while back, 'cuz i thought she seemed cool. No idea why, actually, cuz its not like she'd fit in many of my decks. Maybe its time to fish out some rhox faithmender/sanguine bond/krark's thumboloro janky life-gain deck or something.
Legacy - Solidarity - mono U aggro - burn - Imperial Painter - Strawberry Shortcake - Bluuzards - bom
/joke
Playable in a Spirits tribal deck with a few auras? I actually think that's a somewhat viable deck with UWx as the basis. Just a shame they don't have a lot of actually interesting multi-colored generals.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Nevertheless, I'd support a mandate that Wizards includes one 'just for fun' card in every set. The world just needs more Goblin Kaboomist and Goblin Test Pilot.
Pretty unlikely niche to fill in EDH. spirit tribal AND auras? Doesn't help that he's in white, which is not the home of tutoring for creatures, so you'd really need to want both things unless you're GW or WB.
EDH Primers
Phelddagrif - Zirilan
EDH
Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif 4 - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif 3 - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
It could be good in some kind of Karador deck, maybe? With Pattern of Rebirth?
If I actually manage to win a game with my deck it's usually on the back of recurring Shields of Velis Vel or Crib Swap with Angel of Flight Alabaster alongside tallowisp to tutor up angelic destiny/Armored Ascension and then getting there with general damage while also finding answers like Faith's Fetters after my opponents blow their answers on other decks because mine is obviously pretty trash. I actually have a bit of an aura package in my deck specifically for tallowisp and have stopped myself from cutting several spirit/arcane cards just to keep my density high enough for tallowisp. Looks incredibly weak, but can net incredibly amounts of value if your opponents don't respect it.
I also played this deck in a meta-game overrun with mono-red decks. Not really a deck I'd recommend building. Although I must say playing against Krenko, Mob Boss and slamming Tivadar's Crusade was one of my favorite moments playing the game ever.
The Ur-Dragon (WUBRG) - Changeling Combo Tribal
Chromium (WUB) - Artifact Beats
Progenitus (WUBRG) - Dredge
Damia, Sage of Stone (GBU) - Elf-storm Tendrils
My Cube Unpowered
My Peasant-ish/Tribal-ish Cube
Current Decks
GTitania midrange
RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal
GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron
U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher
RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
On phasing:
A staple in my Karador deck, using Pattern of Rebirth, Animate Dead, and other useful aura to continuously bring out utilities.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
This is a perfect example of a card that is narrowly powerful. Geist and a few strong auras (which being in white gives you plenty) makes this a strong card, even with only a light spirit theme. Wisp into geist into armored ascension.
Onering's 4 simple steps that let you solve any problem with Magic's gameplay
Step 1: Identify the problem. What aspect of Magic don't you like? Step 2: Find out how others deal with the problem. How do players deal with this aspect of the game when they run into it? Step 3: Do what those players do. Step 4: No more problem. Bonus: You are now better at Magic. Enjoy those extra wins!
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
The tradeoff between this and something like Explosive Vegetation is that something like Garruk Wildspeaker will net you a lot more mana, at the cost of making single target land destruction super powerful against you, and with such a strategy this card is certainly playable. Since many playgroups think LD isn't fun, that makes this kind of strategy an abuse of those people's kindnesses. Or, perhaps, this kind of strategy (or just Gaea's Cradle/Cabal coffers) justifies land destruction.
Now, that said, are there any good ways to cheat out/reanimate a four mana enchantment? Because I'm much more into this if only I could Sun Titan it back for value.
Market Festival is ok in dedicated enchantress lists and that's about it. It has all the usual weakness of auras to removal and green can already ramp 2 at 4 CMC. Adding the possibility of a cantrip or other enchantment synergy makes it better but still borderline.
One of the most frustrating things about Tallowisp during Ravnica Standard was being unable to tutor up Faith's Fetters, because even though it could technically enchant a creature, it wasn't strictly "enchant creature".
I personally don't mind land destruction because I know broken lands exist. But if your playgroup does, a good compromise rule is that Armageddon and friends (Global Ruin, Jokulhaups) are bad, and Tsunami, Conversion, and Flashfires are just the worst. (But this causes its own issues, since Wave of Vitriol hurts Hermit Druid. Of course, if you're playing Hermit Druid and an opponent drops Wave of Vitriol, things aren't going in your favor anyway. And hating MLD means all the other uses for Parallax Tide have to be considered, such as Tunnel Ignus or exiling your own lands for landfall value.)
Anyway, I like these land auras like this. They really help break Earthcraft besides the usual Squirrel Nest. But, as has been said, it becomes a value removal target.
@Fenrir Rex: Replenish? Though it's kind of "If you play this, you're already winning."
On phasing: