The card is totally playable in modern, it's just that no one has been doing serious brews with it because...
1) It's a vehicle, which is a type of artifact embodying a self contained mechanic of one set.
2) The price on the card was insanely expensive and most people who play modern tend to like to wait for the prices to drop on rotation to pick them up.
3) It really isn't that interesting of a card. It's just super efficient at what it does so it gets lost in the deluge of 2 cmc aggressive cards that go back through moderns history.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I would imagine it would be good in some form of GBX shell as you can dig for your abrupt deckay, malestorm pulse, or discard spells depending on what your opponent is running.
Also those colours can fight trhough stony silence, the biggest downfall for the card.
Ekstra bonus for any deck that can use the graveyard. Snapcast mage or lingering souls.
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I have dyslexia, no I am not going to spell check for you, yes you have to live with the horrors of it.
It dies to bolt, push and path. But then many cards do. It does have some synergi with lingering souls, tarmagoyf, delve and many others.
I would love to hear your feedback from actually playing it.
I believe Young Pyro builds and fae had success with it. I also had success with it in my madness deck. But that deck is bad, so basically young pyro and fae builds.
Truth is, its very easy to answer in modern. Aside from bolt push and bolt, aka the least bit of interaction everyone is using, there is also a ton of good artifact kill in peoples sideboard for affinity. So you really need to make all of the abilities that thing offers to justify it. The loot, the aggressiveness, and the ability to crew easily. Fae does this with bitter blossom, and loots for better control cards, while young pyro builds do this for better aggressive cards.
I'd been thinking of a Mardu build that uses it alongside Lingering Souls and Young Pyromancer. I'm just waiting to see where the price settles. But yeah, anything that can field a bunch of tokens easily can make good use of it. I'd be running it in Fae if I got up the gumption to get a set of Bitterblossoms.
However, it's one of those cards I don't think you want 4 of most times. A hand of 2 Copters and a bunch of lands and removal sucks big time.
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WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
It makes sense with playing it faeries because that tribe needs more playable offensive cards. Faeries can also steal a winn vs anyone if they get 'perfect draw' and copter helps shape those cards.
The problem with the card is that it does not pass the 'bolt- path- pushtest'. Also most decks will runn some form of artifact hate out of the sideboard. Stony silence is probably a 1 for 1, but ancient grudge will be more of a problem. I am unsure if you want the full playsett of them because of that.
There are some creatures that does not pass those tests, but who are good enough to take over the game if unawsered. BoB being the posterchild. I think if you can protect the topter with discard can be very good for the topter, like you do with bob. Turn 1 Inquesition, turn 2 toper, turn 3 snapcast mage, flasback inquesition and activate chopter could be a good sequence.
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I have dyslexia, no I am not going to spell check for you, yes you have to live with the horrors of it.
It makes sense with playing it faeries because that tribe needs more playable offensive cards. Faeries can also steal a winn vs anyone if they get 'perfect draw' and copter helps shape those cards.
The problem with the card is that it does not pass the 'bolt- path- pushtest'. Also most decks will runn some form of artifact hate out of the sideboard. Stony silence is probably a 1 for 1, but ancient grudge will be more of a problem. I am unsure if you want the full playsett of them because of that.
There are some creatures that does not pass those tests, but who are good enough to take over the game if unawsered. BoB being the posterchild. I think if you can protect the topter with discard can be very good for the topter, like you do with bob. Turn 1 Inquesition, turn 2 toper, turn 3 snapcast mage, flasback inquesition and activate chopter could be a good sequence.
Sounds reasonable to me. I agree that Snapcaster runs well with Copter, as does IMO Bob (I'm brewing with those exact cards right now) because they can crew Copter while giving you card advantage/protecting Copter while Bob also demands removal.
The bigger worry than sideboard hate IMO is Kolaghan's Command. But that card's almost never not a 2-for-1, so eh.
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WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
Smuggler's Copter overperforms in fewer decks than you'd think. Be_lakor has a decent WR Death and Taxes-like brew with 4 Copters, and thanks to the Copter, Thraben Inspector, and Veteran Motorist, it's surprisingly consistent (and my variant build runs enough Thalia, Heretic Cathar to kick the Saheeli Felidar combo in the nuts). But, I've tested Copter the most extensively in Affinity, and even though looting away extra mana was pretty dang good and happened surprisingly often, it was awkward to Crew in that creature-heavy deck (to the point that I Crewed it with manlands and equipped 0-base-power creatures). Put it this way--it performed badly enough in Affinity that I took it down from a 2-of to a 1-of, then I got rid of it completely (along with a bunch of other pet test cards) for Hope of Ghirapur (which is deceptively good as a 1/1 artifact flier for 1 mana and has a surprisingly useless hoser ability pre-board, so I'm keeping it).
Smuggler's Copter overperforms in fewer decks than you'd think. Be_lakor has a decent WR Death and Taxes-like brew with 4 Copters, and thanks to the Copter, Thraben Inspector, and Veteran Motorist, it's surprisingly consistent (and my variant build runs enough Thalia, Heretic Cathar to kick the Saheeli Felidar combo in the nuts). But, I've tested Copter the most extensively in Affinity, and even though looting away extra mana was pretty dang good and happened surprisingly often, it was awkward to Crew in that creature-heavy deck (to the point that I Crewed it with manlands and equipped 0-base-power creatures). Put it this way--it performed badly enough in Affinity that I took it down from a 2-of to a 1-of, then I got rid of it completely (along with a bunch of other pet test cards) for Hope of Ghirapur (which is deceptively good as a 1/1 artifact flier for 1 mana and has a surprisingly useless hoser ability pre-board, so I'm keeping it).
In my limited brewing, it really takes a dedicated build to make it good worth running. I wouldn't just toss it into any old deck. I've had a lot more success with it in an aggro-control version of Esper Delver (MD discard, SB Ancestral Vision, fewer counters, Bob, etc.) than in the more traditional Tempo Delver lists I tried it out in.
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WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
I really like it in my mono white humans modern list. Multiple advantages, which I 'll list now.
Flying. Sometimes I can get chumped on the ground and need to get in some extra damage. Flying takes care of that. But also flying helps against inkmoth nexus. I don't care if they have to use a pump spell on the inkkmoth to kill the copter, it saves me plenty of infect damage and loots, which brings me to my next point.
Looting. White does not have many ways to draw cards easily. Looting in a color which normally doesn't get access to it is great. Pitch lands late game, dig for answers or even more threats. And because its on attack or block you might hit a removal spell or something that you need to win the game.
Because you can activate it whenever you want to you can play around the opponents removal and also survive sweepers.
Colorless: This is a small point, but the game is not immediately over if they ugin and wipe your board.
I have a friend testing it in merfolk and he also enjoys it. I believe any deck with a lot of small guys would benefit from it, so mostly tribal decks. If you were interested in playing it I would say try it, especially because its banned in standard and therefore much cheaper.
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-My approach to building decks. Sometimes it works.
I think a few decks want it, but you have to be in the market for an aggressive 2 drop that loots. Some of the less midrangey builds D&T like it for the ability to toss the cards that are bad in any given matchup, but its a bit slow if you are digging for answers. Basically agrro-control decks with enough creatures to crew it like it and pretty much every thing else just packs their deck with more powerful cards instead. Unlike last standard modern has good instant speed removal.
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I'm running 2 in my Norin's Sisters deck. It's a decent source of cards, and it gives Norin something to do during combat, instead of sitting every combat step out.
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No one spoke. There was no need. The threat of the Eldrazi presented a simple choice: lay down your arms and die for nothing, or hold them fast and die for something.
I just don't think its a good card for modern. It's one thing when its in standard and their best "efficient" creature removal is Shock. Looter Scooter seems to be setting yourself up to get 2 for 1'd by a lightning bolt.
After testing a bit in various Esper Lingering Souls lists, I've found that the fact that it's a vehicle is actually a huge plus. Artifact removal is a lot less common (especially game 1) than creature removal, so being able to crew when you're ready with protection is great. Also nice that it plays well with the Delve cards you'll usually run alongside it. If they bring in hate, that's fine; I wouldn't run more than 2 Copter anyways so they're really just trading brick for brick in that case.
Still not convinced it's a great Modern card, but it's surprisingly resilient.
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Could find a home in BW Tokens, a deck that has always seemed to struggle drawing cards. You'll probably want to side it out against BGx though. Between Kommand and Decay, Copter would have a hard time.
After testing a bit in various Esper Lingering Souls lists, I've found that the fact that it's a vehicle is actually a huge plus. Artifact removal is a lot less common (especially game 1) than creature removal, so being able to crew when you're ready with protection is great. Also nice that it plays well with the Delve cards you'll usually run alongside it. If they bring in hate, that's fine; I wouldn't run more than 2 Copter anyways so they're really just trading brick for brick in that case.
Still not convinced it's a great Modern card, but it's surprisingly resilient.
I've actually been tinkering with this myself. Something with Lingering Souls, Bitterblossom, Tasigur, Spell Queller, Path, Push, Thoughtseize, Inquisition, and Snapcaster. I feel mixed so far, but it doesn't feel totally terrible. It's basically like a BW Tokens list that can sideboard into low-curve Esper Control. Looter Scooter seems to fit very nicely with a bunch of random summoning sick 1/1s.
After testing a bit in various Esper Lingering Souls lists, I've found that the fact that it's a vehicle is actually a huge plus. Artifact removal is a lot less common (especially game 1) than creature removal, so being able to crew when you're ready with protection is great. Also nice that it plays well with the Delve cards you'll usually run alongside it. If they bring in hate, that's fine; I wouldn't run more than 2 Copter anyways so they're really just trading brick for brick in that case.
Still not convinced it's a great Modern card, but it's surprisingly resilient.
I've actually been tinkering with this myself. Something with Lingering Souls, Bitterblossom, Tasigur, Spell Queller, Path, Push, Thoughtseize, Inquisition, and Snapcaster. I feel mixed so far, but it doesn't feel totally terrible. It's basically like a BW Tokens list that can sideboard into low-curve Esper Control. Looter Scooter seems to fit very nicely with a bunch of random summoning sick 1/1s.
Indeed! Haven't tried with Blossom just because I don't have them, but I can see them working well together. It does curve out kind of awkwardly, though.
Still waiting for the blowout play of Snapcaster Mage - Blessed Alliance edict – crew Copter – surprise block – kill attacker – loot.
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WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
I think any tribal deck benefits from Copter simply because of the sheer number of creatures they run. Copter is a really good card, it's just vulnerable. Vulnerability isn't really an issue in tribal decks because the sheer number of creatures pressures the opponent's removal as is. It also turns any top-decks underpowered tribe member into a hasty threat.
There are a few underexplored interactions with instant speed crew members such as:
- with Dryad Arbor and fetchlands.
- with Bloodghast and fetchlands.
- with Orzhov charm and 1cmc creatures (currently trying Esper zombies).
There is definitely a place for it. The esper zombies deck I'm working on has been promising for Copter - fits all the criteria:
- lots of creatures/is aggressive
- use of discard outlet (lingering souls, Gravecrawler, Gurmag Angler, Tasigur, snapcaster)
- instant speed crew (orhov charm, Snapcaster)
- underwhelming/vulnerable tribe members (Tidehollow can crew instead of attack, Gravecrawler can't block, Cryptbreaker only 1 power)
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It dies to bolt, push and path. But then many cards do. It does have some synergi with lingering souls, tarmagoyf, delve and many others.
I would love to hear your feedback from actually playing it.
1) It's a vehicle, which is a type of artifact embodying a self contained mechanic of one set.
2) The price on the card was insanely expensive and most people who play modern tend to like to wait for the prices to drop on rotation to pick them up.
3) It really isn't that interesting of a card. It's just super efficient at what it does so it gets lost in the deluge of 2 cmc aggressive cards that go back through moderns history.
In the end, I think we will see more modern brewing with Paradox Engine, Panharmonicon, Metallic Mimic, and maybe Torrential Gearhulk if control ever manages to take off and they want a snapcaster mage that doubles as a late game beatstick.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Also those colours can fight trhough stony silence, the biggest downfall for the card.
Ekstra bonus for any deck that can use the graveyard. Snapcast mage or lingering souls.
I believe Young Pyro builds and fae had success with it. I also had success with it in my madness deck. But that deck is bad, so basically young pyro and fae builds.
Truth is, its very easy to answer in modern. Aside from bolt push and bolt, aka the least bit of interaction everyone is using, there is also a ton of good artifact kill in peoples sideboard for affinity. So you really need to make all of the abilities that thing offers to justify it. The loot, the aggressiveness, and the ability to crew easily. Fae does this with bitter blossom, and loots for better control cards, while young pyro builds do this for better aggressive cards.
However, it's one of those cards I don't think you want 4 of most times. A hand of 2 Copters and a bunch of lands and removal sucks big time.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
It makes sense with playing it faeries because that tribe needs more playable offensive cards. Faeries can also steal a winn vs anyone if they get 'perfect draw' and copter helps shape those cards.
The problem with the card is that it does not pass the 'bolt- path- pushtest'. Also most decks will runn some form of artifact hate out of the sideboard. Stony silence is probably a 1 for 1, but ancient grudge will be more of a problem. I am unsure if you want the full playsett of them because of that.
There are some creatures that does not pass those tests, but who are good enough to take over the game if unawsered. BoB being the posterchild. I think if you can protect the topter with discard can be very good for the topter, like you do with bob. Turn 1 Inquesition, turn 2 toper, turn 3 snapcast mage, flasback inquesition and activate chopter could be a good sequence.
Sounds reasonable to me. I agree that Snapcaster runs well with Copter, as does IMO Bob (I'm brewing with those exact cards right now) because they can crew Copter while giving you card advantage/protecting Copter while Bob also demands removal.
The bigger worry than sideboard hate IMO is Kolaghan's Command. But that card's almost never not a 2-for-1, so eh.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I also think copter could be good with Glissa, the Traitor in GB. But goyf and bob mostly will take up the space.
Problem is, there is a LOT of removal for it to face down across any number of splash hate cards.
Spirits
In my limited brewing, it really takes a dedicated build to make it good worth running. I wouldn't just toss it into any old deck. I've had a lot more success with it in an aggro-control version of Esper Delver (MD discard, SB Ancestral Vision, fewer counters, Bob, etc.) than in the more traditional Tempo Delver lists I tried it out in.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I love it. Don't know that I'd play it, but I do love it.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I have a friend testing it in merfolk and he also enjoys it. I believe any deck with a lot of small guys would benefit from it, so mostly tribal decks. If you were interested in playing it I would say try it, especially because its banned in standard and therefore much cheaper.
—Dr. Doom
-My approach to building decks. Sometimes it works.
BG Rock
Modern:
RW Sun & Moon
RBG Dredge
RWG Burn
Legacy:
W Death & Taxes
It's not like aura where you lose both the creature and the aura.
Still not convinced it's a great Modern card, but it's surprisingly resilient.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
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I've actually been tinkering with this myself. Something with Lingering Souls, Bitterblossom, Tasigur, Spell Queller, Path, Push, Thoughtseize, Inquisition, and Snapcaster. I feel mixed so far, but it doesn't feel totally terrible. It's basically like a BW Tokens list that can sideboard into low-curve Esper Control. Looter Scooter seems to fit very nicely with a bunch of random summoning sick 1/1s.
UR ....... WUBR ........... WB ............. RGW ........ UBR ....... WUB .... BGU
Spells / Blink & Combo / Token Grind / Dino Tribal / Draw Cards / Zombies / Reanimate
Indeed! Haven't tried with Blossom just because I don't have them, but I can see them working well together. It does curve out kind of awkwardly, though.
Still waiting for the blowout play of Snapcaster Mage - Blessed Alliance edict – crew Copter – surprise block – kill attacker – loot.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
There are a few underexplored interactions with instant speed crew members such as:
- with Dryad Arbor and fetchlands.
- with Bloodghast and fetchlands.
- with Orzhov charm and 1cmc creatures (currently trying Esper zombies).
There is definitely a place for it. The esper zombies deck I'm working on has been promising for Copter - fits all the criteria:
- lots of creatures/is aggressive
- use of discard outlet (lingering souls, Gravecrawler, Gurmag Angler, Tasigur, snapcaster)
- instant speed crew (orhov charm, Snapcaster)
- underwhelming/vulnerable tribe members (Tidehollow can crew instead of attack, Gravecrawler can't block, Cryptbreaker only 1 power)