Been thinking about it recently for a few of my decks, specifically one that has a life gain theme. So, what's the verdict? Great, good, ok, bad? Discuss!
Been thinking about it recently for a few of my decks, specifically one that has a life gain theme. So, what's the verdict? Great, good, ok, bad? Discuss!
I once paid 30+ life into it to draw 4 cards and then died when my opponent could get around my planned protection. A+ card, would play again.
It's fine when you're either reasonably sure you're going to win the bidding or can capitalize on an opponent paying more than you, typically by being aggressive enough for the large life payment to matter. It has the potential to be a terrible topdeck when you're behind, which is not where I like my card draw to be. I would personally rate it below Ambition's Cost and Ancient Craving most of the time, behind Night's Whisper/Sign in Blood/Read the Bones almost all the time, and would sometimes even consider Infernal Contract/Cruel Bargain before it if I was sure my manabase could support it and I didn't think the large life payment would matter (for context, I can be reasonably sure that at least a couple people in my group would try and push the life payment on Pain's Reward about that high when possible anyways). I'd have to be very deep into black card draw to play this most of the time.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
Things that let you pick exactly what life you will have at the end of its resolution is cool with dumb stuff like Repay in Kind and other things like this.
Been thinking about it recently for a few of my decks, specifically one that has a life gain theme. So, what's the verdict? Great, good, ok, bad? Discuss!
It's fine when you're either reasonably sure you're going to win the bidding or can capitalize on an opponent paying more than you, typically by being aggressive enough for the large life payment to matter. It has the potential to be a terrible topdeck when you're behind, which is not where I like my card draw to be. I would personally rate it below Ambition's Cost and Ancient Craving most of the time, behind Night's Whisper/Sign in Blood/Read the Bones almost all the time, and would sometimes even consider Infernal Contract/Cruel Bargain before it if I was sure my manabase could support it and I didn't think the large life payment would matter (for context, I can be reasonably sure that at least a couple people in my group would try and push the life payment on Pain's Reward about that high when possible anyways). I'd have to be very deep into black card draw to play this most of the time.
Unless you're asking if it will actually help you win? Maybe, but Yawgmoth's Will is obviously better if that's your goal.
- Rabid Wombat