Hostage Taker seems horribly broken. If you have some way to abuse etbs, it instantly wins the game. This guy + Purphoros, God of the Forge is a really easy win. Typically, with this type of card, it says "another target permanent" like Oblivion Ring, but this one does not, allowing you to have Hostage Taker target itself, an infinite amount of times in a single turn.
Even without being able to do this, it seems like a solid card to play in this deck.
Scuttlebutt is that they're going to change how Exile works so that a card can't Exile itself with an ETB because R&D is unable to make certain cards because of the necessary text of "another permanent" in other languages. My guess is German. The translation of rules to German is has been a headache for R&D because of how long words get; in fact, it's what made R&D decide that the Theros Gods would be Gods. God was the only word that could fit on a German Legendary Enchantment Creature. Look at the German line on Erebos. There's a hardcap on how small they'll make the text so that's why we got Gods instead of Spirits or something else.
@Tev: Not sure what you mean by this. I mean, plenty of cards can exile themselves, they just can't typically do it infinitely with no other cards. Aetherling, Brago, King Eternal, and Norin the Wary are a few examples.
@Tev: Not sure what you mean by this. I mean, plenty of cards can exile themselves, they just can't typically do it infinitely with no other cards. Aetherling, Brago, King Eternal, and Norin the Wary are a few examples.
I think what he means by this (though he can correct me if I'm wrong (as always)) is that, this card has one change above the ones that you listed. The ones that you listed only trigger once a turn due to when they reenter the battlefield or when they can trigger the exile effect. Hostage Taker on the other hand, due to the wording on it, can be used (when triggers being stacked correctly) to bounce itself however many times you want in one step, thus abusing any ETB/LTB effects that are there. It's that one thing that makes it broken as *****balls (as written). It's "fair" to have cards that bounce themselves once a turn by themselves. When it gets broken is when a card can bounce itself over and over whenever it wants, however many times it wants. In someways, this card is more broken then DEN. DEN and (insert usual combo piece) means GG with a third card to abuse it. This card triggers any ETB/LTB effect by itself for usually less mana then DEN. Things like this is why Marath got a pre-release errata because it could spawn a 0/0 token...
So it turns out that the Herald of Secret Streams is a 4-drop rather than a 3-drop, but I still think it makes the cut.
Also Angrath's Marauders costs 7 mana, not 5... But maybe it's still good enough? The effect is really strong.
And Eli Shiffrin, the rules manager, now errata'd Hostage Taker to exile another target creature or artifact. Here's the tweet about it.
So it turns out that the Herald of Secret Streams is a 4-drop rather than a 3-drop, but I still think it makes the cut.
Also Angrath's Marauders costs 7 mana, not 5... But maybe it's still good enough? The effect is really strong.
And Eli Shiffrin, the rules manager, now errata'd Hostage Taker to exile another target creature or artifact. Here's the tweet about it.
Herald was definitely a no brainer at 3. At 4 now I really have to consider whether his effect is something I need. I've never really had too much of an issue with blockers, it's when the oloro player plays Ghostly Prison that I have more serious issues.
Angrath's Marauders is out. 7 is way too expensive, not interested. Especially for something that also requires a strong board state to win.
I'm very disappointed with wizards over hostage taker, prerelease errata is ridiculous. Doesn't change my opinion of the card though, I evaluated as if he said "another" already since that's the only way the card makes sense. I still like it. I kind of like more then any of the others now truth be told.
I'm very disappointed with wizards over hostage taker, prerelease errata is ridiculous. Doesn't change my opinion of the card though, I evaluated as if he said "another" already since that's the only way the card makes sense. I still like it. I kind of like more then any of the others now truth be told.
I agree with the disappointment, too. It's a huge oversight that they printed something that creates a draw by itself on an empty board. It's worse than Saheeli-Cat, which is an interaction with something else. They shouldn't be missing cards that break the game on their own. I would assume the rules folks who finalize the wording of cards got read the riot act in a meeting over it.
Marauding Looter looks like another way to draw cards in an aggro shell. I don't think I would run it, but I can easily this is in a more combo oriented version where card selection is important or budget.
Modern: UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy: UWBMiracles
Edh: UUUThassa Control WWWHokori Stax GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy BBBGriselbrand French List RBGShattergang(Super Villians) RWGHazezon Flicker UBRMarchesa Aggro URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Perhaps if I made my deck spikier or if my playgroup shifted more towards spot removal.
Also, I must absolutely do a PSA on Spellshock. In 3/3 games it was played, people used spot removal on it. We want to count to 120 while riding the fine line where our life total doesn't dip. This has made me change my deck to remove all combos and play strictly as a classic aggro deck where I play threats on curve. Most Commanders and decks wouldn't be able to do that, but Marchesa can because she mitigates the weakness of Wraths which is why you can't play threats on curve. Anyway, Spellshock is part of my 'deal 120' package; it also stops decks from comboing off in fear of killing themselves and it helps manage Dethrone when you Shock yourself. If you're playing an aggro game, try out Spellshock.
Siren Stormtamer is a great card, but you have to think about keeping a blue available at all times. Dropping threats on curve cannot happen. Now it becomes a midgame card or your decks speed is severely hampered. Still will try it out as a one drop 1/1 flier with a great ability is hard to pass up.
That blue mana doesn't change anything... it has the same activation cost as the card they're talking about replacing (Glen Elendra Archmage) but has a lower mana cost to play.
I still personally prefer glen elendra though as the siren can only counter stuff targeting you or a creature you control whereas archmage is less situational.
Thoughts on Kitesail Freebooter? Its a Brain Maggot/Mesmeric Fiend with flying that can't hit creatures. On my first readthrough I thought it said each opponent and got excited, but as is, its probably meh.
Wily Goblin seems ok, but RR on t2 is rough, even if it helps you fix later. I don't think it beats out any of the existing 2 drops.
Stormfleet Arsonist would be cool if it said each opponent. 5 mana is alot for this effect, especially since we already don't play Rishadan Brigand.
Ok, so nothing good in the last few days. I will try out Siren Stormtamer, but I don't have high hopes for it. It is definitely going into my Tymna the Weaver flying men deck though.
So now we have Captivating Crew. Our four drop spot is getting increasingly crowded, but a repeatable Threaten for one less and some sizable stats is something I want around.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
I think what he means by this (though he can correct me if I'm wrong (as always)) is that, this card has one change above the ones that you listed. The ones that you listed only trigger once a turn due to when they reenter the battlefield or when they can trigger the exile effect. Hostage Taker on the other hand, due to the wording on it, can be used (when triggers being stacked correctly) to bounce itself however many times you want in one step, thus abusing any ETB/LTB effects that are there. It's that one thing that makes it broken as *****balls (as written). It's "fair" to have cards that bounce themselves once a turn by themselves. When it gets broken is when a card can bounce itself over and over whenever it wants, however many times it wants. In someways, this card is more broken then DEN. DEN and (insert usual combo piece) means GG with a third card to abuse it. This card triggers any ETB/LTB effect by itself for usually less mana then DEN. Things like this is why Marath got a pre-release errata because it could spawn a 0/0 token...
Goblin Green Acres
RGWMayael the AnimaRGW
UBRMarchesa, the Black RoseUBR
Modern Decks
RGWNaya BurnRGW
Also Angrath's Marauders costs 7 mana, not 5... But maybe it's still good enough? The effect is really strong.
And Eli Shiffrin, the rules manager, now errata'd Hostage Taker to exile another target creature or artifact. Here's the tweet about it.
RGWMayael the AnimaRGW
UBRMarchesa, the Black RoseUBR
Modern Decks
RGWNaya BurnRGW
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Herald was definitely a no brainer at 3. At 4 now I really have to consider whether his effect is something I need. I've never really had too much of an issue with blockers, it's when the oloro player plays Ghostly Prison that I have more serious issues.
Angrath's Marauders is out. 7 is way too expensive, not interested. Especially for something that also requires a strong board state to win.
I'm very disappointed with wizards over hostage taker, prerelease errata is ridiculous. Doesn't change my opinion of the card though, I evaluated as if he said "another" already since that's the only way the card makes sense. I still like it. I kind of like more then any of the others now truth be told.
BChainer, Dementia Master(Big Mana/Reanimator)
BRRakdos, The Showstopper (Mass Life Loss/Ramp)
BUThe Scarab God (Zombie Tribal/Control)
BWKarlov of the Ghost Council (Life Gain)
BGJarad, Golgari Lich Lord (Stompy/Dredge)
BRGProssh, Skyraider of Kher (Tokens/Non-infinite Combo)
I agree with the disappointment, too. It's a huge oversight that they printed something that creates a draw by itself on an empty board. It's worse than Saheeli-Cat, which is an interaction with something else. They shouldn't be missing cards that break the game on their own. I would assume the rules folks who finalize the wording of cards got read the riot act in a meeting over it.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
For combo versions I'd just run more tutoring instead.
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.
Draft it Here!
UUUBlue Man Group
Legacy:
UWBMiracles
Edh:
UUUThassa Control
WWWHokori Stax
GGGJolrael, Empress of Land Stompy
BBBGriselbrand French List
RBGShattergang(Super Villians)
RWGHazezon Flicker
UBRMarchesa Aggro
URGMaelstom Wanderer (Maelstorm)
Perhaps if I made my deck spikier or if my playgroup shifted more towards spot removal.
Also, I must absolutely do a PSA on Spellshock. In 3/3 games it was played, people used spot removal on it. We want to count to 120 while riding the fine line where our life total doesn't dip. This has made me change my deck to remove all combos and play strictly as a classic aggro deck where I play threats on curve. Most Commanders and decks wouldn't be able to do that, but Marchesa can because she mitigates the weakness of Wraths which is why you can't play threats on curve. Anyway, Spellshock is part of my 'deal 120' package; it also stops decks from comboing off in fear of killing themselves and it helps manage Dethrone when you Shock yourself. If you're playing an aggro game, try out Spellshock.
Mid-Tier: Marchesa Aggro Rose Asmadi Get Dire Tymna Ikra Woke Women Tiana Aura Angel Ruric Thar SMASH Smasher Kraum Mana Positivity Zur Slides
Filthy Casual: WUBRG Jodah WUBRG WUBRG Fatties WUBRG Gahiji Vigilant Vengeance Ezuri Mysterious Morphs
BChainer, Dementia Master(Big Mana/Reanimator)
BRRakdos, The Showstopper (Mass Life Loss/Ramp)
BUThe Scarab God (Zombie Tribal/Control)
BWKarlov of the Ghost Council (Life Gain)
BGJarad, Golgari Lich Lord (Stompy/Dredge)
BRGProssh, Skyraider of Kher (Tokens/Non-infinite Combo)
Good call on that card. I always thought Glen Elendra Archmage was way too expensive, but the Siren is a good fit for an aggro deck.
I still personally prefer glen elendra though as the siren can only counter stuff targeting you or a creature you control whereas archmage is less situational.
Wily Goblin seems ok, but RR on t2 is rough, even if it helps you fix later. I don't think it beats out any of the existing 2 drops.
Stormfleet Arsonist would be cool if it said each opponent. 5 mana is alot for this effect, especially since we already don't play Rishadan Brigand.
Ok, so nothing good in the last few days. I will try out Siren Stormtamer, but I don't have high hopes for it. It is definitely going into my Tymna the Weaver flying men deck though.
RGWMayael the AnimaRGW
UBRMarchesa, the Black RoseUBR
Modern Decks
RGWNaya BurnRGW