Mana Flare is such a silly design, I love it. As with all symmetrical effects, the goal is to benefit the most. But the kind of deck that's going to win off of mana flare is so splashy, playing this and passing is like staring down the table and saying "you have 1 turn. do your worst."
I'd never run it myself, but I'm always glad when someone else does. That's just the sort of card it is.
Being a 3drop mana double is always on my radar for random combo decks that need fast mana. If you have 6 lands in play then it pays for itself, but is ideally cast off mana rocks.
Mana Flare - the perfect card to cast if you want the guy next to you to win.
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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.
Its a potentially powerful late game ritual effect in addition to being classic group hug. One way to break the synergy is with mana sinks and cards designed to keep everyone's hand empty, or with big spells and cards like Arcane Laboratory to ensure everyone sticks to one spell a turn.
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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 really like playing this card paired with Green or Blue (or both) in order to take advantage of the big X spells that are available in the format. Additionally, things can get even more interesting when you play this card with a grip of cards and some card giving you "Flash" for all of your spells, as you can watch your opponents scratch their heads trying to figure out what you have in your hand.
Mana Flare is such a silly design, I love it. As with all symmetrical effects, the goal is to benefit the most. But the kind of deck that's going to win off of mana flare is so splashy, playing this and passing is like staring down the table and saying "you have 1 turn. do your worst."
It may have been symmetrical but I doubt the intent was to benefit. In many early Magic matchups, this would've been an hinderance against the opponent.
This card was originally designed with mana burn in mind so if the player didn't have any way to sink the extra mana, they got burned. This card was the sole reason I ever included Body Armor and Blessing in my first White Weenie deck.
Today, it's still a mana doubler, but it's unlikely to see any serious use. Mirari's Wake was a nail in this card's coffin. Mana Reflection, Gauntlet of Power, and Caged Sun, to say nothing of all the black mana doublers...
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!
Thing is though, all the examples you provide hyalapaterouslemur, are 5 or more, which can be problematic(though the anthem boosts on Sun, Gauntlet and Wake are worthwhile bonuses, and as you say, Dictate can be used on your turn). Flare being only 3 is pretty significant...whether that's a significant crater to your face, or a trampling horde leading you to victory...eh, that depends on the one who plays it.
Cards like this do remind me that I miss mana burn, though...
This card was originally designed with mana burn in mind so if the player didn't have any way to sink the extra mana, they got burned.
Generally, with Mana Falre in play, each land is tapping for 2 instead of 1. That means if you're going to cast an even-costed spell, you get to use all the extra mana it provides, and if you can only cast an odd-costed spell (and not an even number of odd-costed spells, at that), you get burned for 1 life.
I would happily take 1 damage per phase in which I cast an odd number of odd-costed spells if it meant getting double mana. That's huge benefit for almost zero downside.
Mana Flare is such a silly design, I love it. As with all symmetrical effects, the goal is to benefit the most. But the kind of deck that's going to win off of mana flare is so splashy, playing this and passing is like staring down the table and saying "you have 1 turn. do your worst."
I'd never run it myself, but I'm always glad when someone else does. That's just the sort of card it is.
Symmetrical effect is the best effect, it motivates people to think instead of taking benefits for granted.
Unblockable is nice in a world full of lethal threats and damage triggers, but I've grown to value haste over any other evergreen ability in a multiplayer setting. This gives both, and there are a few generals that can play this card with valuable attack or combat damage triggers on their own.
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Zedruu: "This deck is not only able to go crazy - it also needs to do so."
Off-topic but echoing a sentiment and from the same set: Dack's Duplicate is my favorite clone. Yes, cheaper and more versatile ones exist, but that haste can be KEY.
He does also have the dethrone ability, which you have to appreciate with any variation of "can't be blocked". Not as likely to matter, since most Felidar Sovereign-style lifegain decks are likely to use Propaganda to protect themselves, like any sensible despot.
And yeah, never underestimate haste in multiplayer. Wrath effects are everywhere, and even if your card isn't a huge threat, there are other cards that are huge threats (engines, cards that make things free, creatures with infect, Eldrazi especially It That Betrays) and I'm willing to give up everything to keep those away (especially if everyone else is giving up everything too).
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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!
I have so much trouble finding a home for this. I like the card a lot, but you can't afford to load a deck down with the things that make it most effective without having some terrible draws. I could go for smaller value creatures, but I wouldn't get to live the dream of chaining Colossus into Colossus into Colossus.
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[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
I have so much trouble finding a home for this. I like the card a lot, but you can't afford to load a deck down with the things that make it most effective without having some terrible draws. I could go for smaller value creatures, but I wouldn't get to live the dream of chaining Colossus into Colossus into Colossus.
Yeah, it looks great on paper but seems like it'd be best as a combo piece in some sort of Daretti or Saheeli Paradox Engine thing or something. Which isn't really my jam. I like artifacts, not combos.
I really want to try it in Breya. Never pay more than WUBR for Breya again. (And of course, Paradox Engine combo.)
By the way, I love the Evangelionesque art. Consider it foreshadowing.
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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!
I'd never run it myself, but I'm always glad when someone else does. That's just the sort of card it is.
It has other 3cmc versions in heartbeat of spring and overabundance
Links to my most current deck lists;
Primary EDH; Rakka Mar Token Perfection, Crosis Mnemonic Betrayal, Cromat Villainous, Judith Gravestorm, Rakdos Empty Storm, Exava Artifacts, Bant Trash, & Fumiko Voltron!
EDH kept at home; Ruzzian Isset & Rakdos LoR!
EDH (nostalgic/pimp/retired) in storage;
Latulla Burns, Akroma Smash, Jeska Voltron, Rakdos Storm, Bladewing Darghans, Lyzolda Worldgorger, Xantcha Steals your Heart, Jori Storm, Wydwen Permission, Gwendlyn Paradox, Jeleva Warps, & Sigarda Brick!
Legacy Showanimator and High Tide!
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.
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 may have been symmetrical but I doubt the intent was to benefit. In many early Magic matchups, this would've been an hinderance against the opponent.
This card was originally designed with mana burn in mind so if the player didn't have any way to sink the extra mana, they got burned. This card was the sole reason I ever included Body Armor and Blessing in my first White Weenie deck.
It used to be used with Power Surge, but the end of mana burn basically castrated Power Surge (and Citadel of Pain). The anti-Braid of Fire.
Today, it's still a mana doubler, but it's unlikely to see any serious use. Mirari's Wake was a nail in this card's coffin. Mana Reflection, Gauntlet of Power, and Caged Sun, to say nothing of all the black mana doublers...
Actually, even Dictate of Karametra lets you use it on your turn.
On phasing:
Cards like this do remind me that I miss mana burn, though...
EDH decks: 1. RGWMayael's Big BeatsRETIRED!
2. BUWMerieke Ri Berit and the 40 Thieves
3. URNiv's Wheeling and Dealing!
4. BURThe Walking Dead
5. GWSisay's Legends of Tomorrow
6. RWBRise of Markov
7. GElvez and stuffz(W)
8. RCrush your enemies(W)
9. BSign right here...(W)
Because unless someone at the table is playing some hardcore discard or stax, you're just not going to get another turn.
- Rabid Wombat
Generally, with Mana Falre in play, each land is tapping for 2 instead of 1. That means if you're going to cast an even-costed spell, you get to use all the extra mana it provides, and if you can only cast an odd-costed spell (and not an even number of odd-costed spells, at that), you get burned for 1 life.
I would happily take 1 damage per phase in which I cast an odd number of odd-costed spells if it meant getting double mana. That's huge benefit for almost zero downside.
Two Score, Minus Two or: A Stargate Tail
(Image by totallynotabrony)
Symmetrical effect is the best effect, it motivates people to think instead of taking benefits for granted.
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
Unblockable is nice in a world full of lethal threats and damage triggers, but I've grown to value haste over any other evergreen ability in a multiplayer setting. This gives both, and there are a few generals that can play this card with valuable attack or combat damage triggers on their own.
Off-topic but echoing a sentiment and from the same set: Dack's Duplicate is my favorite clone. Yes, cheaper and more versatile ones exist, but that haste can be KEY.
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
Does this ever block? LOL
He does also have the dethrone ability, which you have to appreciate with any variation of "can't be blocked". Not as likely to matter, since most Felidar Sovereign-style lifegain decks are likely to use Propaganda to protect themselves, like any sensible despot.
And yeah, never underestimate haste in multiplayer. Wrath effects are everywhere, and even if your card isn't a huge threat, there are other cards that are huge threats (engines, cards that make things free, creatures with infect, Eldrazi especially It That Betrays) and I'm willing to give up everything to keep those away (especially if everyone else is giving up everything too).
On phasing:
Yo dawg, I heard you like affinity...
Colossally Colossus
The Unidentified Fantastic Flying Girl.
EDH
Xenagos, the God of Stompy
The Gitrog Monster: Oppressive Value.
Marchesa, Marionette Master - Undying Robots
Yuriko, the Hydra Omnivore
I make dolls as a hobby.
By the way, I love the Evangelionesque art. Consider it foreshadowing.
On phasing: