Cloudshift along with "good" creatures like Snapcaster Mage, Coiling Oracle, Restoration Angel and the likes.
A well-timed Cloudshift can give such a boost in attrition matchups (for example Shifting one of the aboves or, say, a Wall of Omens or even Mulldrifter) that the other player won't catch up easily. I think this card may give life to an archetype with a good shot at being successul if players can find the right colour combinations and the key creatures for this metagame.
Cloudshifting a Thragtusk is hot as well.
Agreed. I am currently running it as a 2 of in an Azorius Midrange deck that I am running. It works really well with Blade Splicer.
Great card to play on turn 2 or 3 IMO, destroying a land early in the game to mess up your opponents tempo. And versatile in late game situations as well.
Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. 4 cmc makes him playable in modern, he immediately stabilizes the board if you're behind with a life link chump blocker, or pumps your board if you're ahead. Weaving the first two abilities makes him a powerful long term force, and games that involve 2+ emblems usually end in Sorin's favour (at the very least, with two emblems, you get a "free" 3/1 lifelink each turn; and its easy to get two when he is creating blockers each turn to stay alive).
I've never played against him, but as far as I can tell he's a must-be-answered card for my opponents.
And he's BW, so by the time your casting him you've likely already broken their hand with thoughtseize, ravens crime, Lilliana otv, or tidehollow sculler, etc.
<blockquote class="source-quote">I wish someone would find a way to make Vinelasher Kudzu good. Naya landfall zoo with Lotus Cobra, Steppe Lynx, Plated Geopede maybe?</blockquote>
Some cards that I disagree with- Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is a good card, but has nothing for control. He cost 4 mana and there are so many good cards that cost that amount. The tokens can't block creatures with flying, and he's good in certain matchups but certainly nothing special.
I'd say Grim Lavamancer is underrated simply because with the banning of deathrite shaman, it's the best one drop in modern. Yeah, everyone agrees it's a good card but it doesn't see much play. Lightning Bolt is the best card in modern and this card allows you to cast a diet-lightning bolt every turn if you play it right.
I'd also say Tragic Slip is underrated. It can kill Grim Lavamancer, Bob, Snap, Thalia, ect without the Morbid, and almost every creature with the morbid, which is easy with creatures dying and Lily being the most played planeswalker in the format. It also takes out indestructable creatures which is nice.
Auriok Champion is a very good card. Does the opponent really want to use a path on turn 2, letting you play a 4 drop turn 3 or 2 2 drops? If not, you will gain a ton of life, especially if you play with bitterblossom, or souls. It gains you life back from fetch lands, shock lands, thoughtseize, bob, and bitterblossom. It wins games by itself agaisnt aggro decks, is a pain for UWR control, and can help you grind against Jund.
Edit: I'd have to say that Phyrexian Arena is also underrated. Sure, Bob cost 1 less and gives you a 2/1, but he dies to all removal and can cost you more life. Also, if you have enough lifegain and are a more control oriented deck, you could run a split of them.
the card itself really isn't worth the card board its printed on...does it serve a purpose? Sure its a blue 1 drop that might not be a 1/1. I would not put it in a list and expect to win a PTQ or GP though.
For me it's Blood Baron of Vizkopa. I don't think most people think about how much removal he dodges. He cant be bolted, electrolyzed, Path to Exiled, Dismembered, Victim of Nighted, Doom Bladed, Slaughter Pacted and a lot of other lesser played removal spells dont kill him either. In fact, the ONLY widely played removal spells that kill the Blood Baron is Liliana down tick, Supreme Verdict (or wrath), or Flame Slaash. All of those kill just about anything anyways though, and the amount of removal it dodges makes it an ideal finisher for any controlly B/W shell in modern. The downside is that he is a bit slow, so he won't fit into just anything. I still think he's one of the most underated cards in Modern, simply because of how well he does his job at providing inevitability. Another really under rated card....Mimic Vat. It was my secret tech against Melira Pod with my Jeskai Control deck and its absolutely incredible. Turns off all persist triggers, lets you play with their creatures, and if snapcaster dies its an absolute blowout.
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Current standard decks:
Gruul Aggro
EDH General:
Sydri, Galvanic Genius
Modern
Jeskai Control
Jeskai Midrange
Affinity
Esper Teachings
Tribal Zoo
Well, this thread is kind of an invitation to ride your favorite hobby horse. I know other people don't like Dash Hopes; I have won games at Modern FNM by strategically using that card and will continue to do so.
Yes, there's plenty of reasons to keep 2 mana open in black: Instant-speed spot removal. The thing that black has a problem dealing with is non-creature threats, such as enchantments, artifacts, and non-permanents. Dash Hopes gives me a snowball's chance, better than no chance at all.
And people who think black shouldn't play a burn strategy are forgetting about Bump in the Night, Geralf's Messenger, Geth's Verdict, Consume Spirit, Profane Command, Sign in Blood, Shrieking Affliction, and Gray Merchant of Asphodel. Black has plenty of direct damage to the dome. In fact, black burn spells have an advantage over red burn, in that they frequently allow you to add the same life points to your own total while reducing your opponent's. This helps you in the race, and also helps you buy back time you lost from playing Thoughtseize and Sign in Blood, and whatever else you paid life for playing.
Judging from the amount of time I spend explaining black, I think people just misunderstand this color. If I'm so out of my mind for playing black, I'd sure like to know why the cards in my deck are the most expensive cards in Modern after Tarmogoyf. Nobody disagrees that Thoughtseize, Liliana, and Dark Confidant are some of the most powerful and popular cards in Modern. Mono-black in Modern is good enough for Tom Ross. But it's always "What? You run black? What a scrub!"
Good on you for defending your card choices, but I'm going to have to disagree as well. The punisher mechanic cards in magic are almost always a trap, and I really don't see dash hopes any differently. The card's two modes serve very, very different purposes, and I have trouble seeing a decklist that would benefit from both equally. It's not as though mono black decks can't be successful (to be honest, I'm not really sure where you're getting that opinion), but counterspell and lava axe are playing polar opposite ends of the spectrum.
While we're at it, hornet sting will never see play as long as gut shot is legal. Just saying.
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currently playing---
Legacy: B currently brewing... W
EDH: RRosheen Meanderer G
The foolish wish for that which they desire. The cunning wish for that which they require.
The card's two modes serve very, very different purposes
I should have my head examined for even humoring this troll carnival, but here goes:
On the board: I have 2 2/2 random bears and a Geralf's messenger with a counter on it so it's a 4/3. Opponent has no permanents. Opponent is at 8 life. It is their turn. They play Pyroclasm. I respond with Dash Hopes.
If they take the counter spell, I can swing for lethal -1 next turn. Given that I might draw a pump or other direct burn, I win next turn or almost definitely the turn after that.
If they take the five life, I'm out 2 2/2s, but still have a 4/3 and they'll be down to 3 life. I win next turn.
Had I not sided in Dash Hopes - WHAT could I have POSSIBLY played in its place? You tell me. Without a life tax against board wipes, I'm stuck with one 4/3 who has to survive two full turns without getting bolted by a red deck. With countering, I have 3 creatures instead of one, and the opponent is top-decking at this stage.
If you don't understand now, don't bother replying any further.
This is very situational and requires certain scenarios to be effective. In most cases, cards that give your opponent a choice are not good enough for the competitive environment.
OK, show me a board state where an opponent is down to 8 life and it's a bad play to cast Dash Hopes against their spell over any other 2-drop in black.
This is very situational and requires certain scenarios to be effective. In most cases, cards that give your opponent a choice are not good enough for the competitive environment.
Vampire Nighthawk this is seriously one of the most versatile creatures ever and fo some reason it is not a 4-of in every deck that so much as splashes black and can hit mana no trouble. Jund should run it, everything should. black has ways to put it out of Bolt range and it does everything[/u]!
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The card's two modes serve very, very different purposes
I should have my head examined for even humoring this troll carnival, but here goes:
On the board: I have 2 2/2 random bears and a Geralf's messenger with a counter on it so it's a 4/3. Opponent has no permanents. Opponent is at 8 life. It is their turn. They play Pyroclasm. I respond with Dash Hopes.
If they take the counter spell, I can swing for lethal -1 next turn. Given that I might draw a pump or other direct burn, I win next turn or almost definitely the turn after that.
If they take the five life, I'm out 2 2/2s, but still have a 4/3 and they'll be down to 3 life. I win next turn.
Had I not sided in Dash Hopes - WHAT could I have POSSIBLY played in its place? You tell me. Without a life tax against board wipes, I'm stuck with one 4/3 who has to survive two full turns without getting bolted by a red deck. With countering, I have 3 creatures instead of one, and the opponent is top-decking at this stage.
If you don't understand now, don't bother replying any further.
I don't really see why you assumed I was trolling or something, I thought my response was respectful enough. Hell man, I started it by complimenting you, no need to get so defensive...
To answer your question, yes, in that scenario dash hopes is a good play. However, you're presenting a situation where your opponent is dead on board with no permanents, and lots of cards look good there. For example, Fate Transfer kills too, and you're not about to sleeve those up. A better card choice here would to have your generic 2/2 be bloodghast (which would be pretty reasonable in black aggro), in that case a land drop would be all you need.
My point is that its never going to be lava axe when you need it to be lava axe, and its never going to be counterspell when you need it to be counterspell. The situation you presented gives you a win when either side resolves, but I'd advise against relying on that kind of scenario to evaluate cards. If you think it's going to come up enough, go for it, but I'm skeptical.
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currently playing---
Legacy: B currently brewing... W
EDH: RRosheen Meanderer G
The foolish wish for that which they desire. The cunning wish for that which they require.
1. No one should be on a witch hunt to prove a card sucks. An assumption of this thread is that the card is underused and, potentially, suboptimal. Work together to figure that out in a constructive way.
2. That said, it is fine to talk about how a card doesn't have what it takes in the format. As long as you are being constructive and respectful, that's not a problem. We only have a problem when things get personal and people start criticizing people and not ideas.
3. If you see someone breaking the rules, report them. Do not respond. When you respond to a post, it makes it much harder to moderate effectively without (likely) infracting both the reporter and the original offender. Just don't get involved and let staff handle it.
Life from the Loam, it's one of the strongest engine cards in the format and hardly ever sees play.
Agreed, a Ghost Quarter soft lock can be really frustrating if you don't run a lot of basics. If reanimator were stronger I think it would more play, or if GGT were given back to us....
GWBoglesGW///URDelverUR WVial-knightsW
Agreed. I am currently running it as a 2 of in an Azorius Midrange deck that I am running. It works really well with Blade Splicer.
Also agreed. Everyone is too afraid of Abrupt Decay.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
you're my hero.
Modern:
Affinity
EDH:
Rhys (Tokens)
Karrthus (Dragons)
Bruna (Auras OP)
Great card to play on turn 2 or 3 IMO, destroying a land early in the game to mess up your opponents tempo. And versatile in late game situations as well.
UBRGrixis ControlUBR | URPhoenixUR | UWMiraclesUW |GBRJundGBR | UBFaeriesUB | UBWAd NauseumUBW |GBRWBlueless ShadowGBRW |
MTGA
UBRGrixis ControlUBR | UTempoU
I've never played against him, but as far as I can tell he's a must-be-answered card for my opponents.
And he's BW, so by the time your casting him you've likely already broken their hand with thoughtseize, ravens crime, Lilliana otv, or tidehollow sculler, etc.
Courser of Kruphix and Coiling Oralce make Vinelasher Kudzu good.
Some cards that I disagree with- Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is a good card, but has nothing for control. He cost 4 mana and there are so many good cards that cost that amount. The tokens can't block creatures with flying, and he's good in certain matchups but certainly nothing special.
Sigarda, Host of Heirons is a very good card, but Thrun is better.
I'd say Grim Lavamancer is underrated simply because with the banning of deathrite shaman, it's the best one drop in modern. Yeah, everyone agrees it's a good card but it doesn't see much play. Lightning Bolt is the best card in modern and this card allows you to cast a diet-lightning bolt every turn if you play it right.
I'd also say Tragic Slip is underrated. It can kill Grim Lavamancer, Bob, Snap, Thalia, ect without the Morbid, and almost every creature with the morbid, which is easy with creatures dying and Lily being the most played planeswalker in the format. It also takes out indestructable creatures which is nice.
Auriok Champion is a very good card. Does the opponent really want to use a path on turn 2, letting you play a 4 drop turn 3 or 2 2 drops? If not, you will gain a ton of life, especially if you play with bitterblossom, or souls. It gains you life back from fetch lands, shock lands, thoughtseize, bob, and bitterblossom. It wins games by itself agaisnt aggro decks, is a pain for UWR control, and can help you grind against Jund.
Edit: I'd have to say that Phyrexian Arena is also underrated. Sure, Bob cost 1 less and gives you a 2/1, but he dies to all removal and can cost you more life. Also, if you have enough lifegain and are a more control oriented deck, you could run a split of them.
JundBGR
RW Blood MoonRW
Pauper
Delver U
Elves G
Control B
Commander
Edgar Markov BRW
Captain Sisay GW
Niv-Mizzet, Parun UR
Tymna and Ravos WB
Counter-Cat
Colorless Eldrazi Stompy
Gruul Aggro
EDH General:
Sydri, Galvanic Genius
Modern
Jeskai Control
Jeskai Midrange
Affinity
Esper Teachings
Tribal Zoo
Dash Hopes would fit in with Countersquall, Vapor Snag, and Psychic Barrier.
Good on you for defending your card choices, but I'm going to have to disagree as well. The punisher mechanic cards in magic are almost always a trap, and I really don't see dash hopes any differently. The card's two modes serve very, very different purposes, and I have trouble seeing a decklist that would benefit from both equally. It's not as though mono black decks can't be successful (to be honest, I'm not really sure where you're getting that opinion), but counterspell and lava axe are playing polar opposite ends of the spectrum.
While we're at it, hornet sting will never see play as long as gut shot is legal. Just saying.
Legacy: B currently brewing... W
EDH: RRosheen Meanderer G
This is very situational and requires certain scenarios to be effective. In most cases, cards that give your opponent a choice are not good enough for the competitive environment.
You literally just gave me a situation.
I don't really see why you assumed I was trolling or something, I thought my response was respectful enough. Hell man, I started it by complimenting you, no need to get so defensive...
To answer your question, yes, in that scenario dash hopes is a good play. However, you're presenting a situation where your opponent is dead on board with no permanents, and lots of cards look good there. For example, Fate Transfer kills too, and you're not about to sleeve those up. A better card choice here would to have your generic 2/2 be bloodghast (which would be pretty reasonable in black aggro), in that case a land drop would be all you need.
My point is that its never going to be lava axe when you need it to be lava axe, and its never going to be counterspell when you need it to be counterspell. The situation you presented gives you a win when either side resolves, but I'd advise against relying on that kind of scenario to evaluate cards. If you think it's going to come up enough, go for it, but I'm skeptical.
Legacy: B currently brewing... W
EDH: RRosheen Meanderer G
The card that does the most work that people don't see coming is definitely Surgical Extraction. That guy with the $2K Pod deck was soooooo mad...
1. No one should be on a witch hunt to prove a card sucks. An assumption of this thread is that the card is underused and, potentially, suboptimal. Work together to figure that out in a constructive way.
2. That said, it is fine to talk about how a card doesn't have what it takes in the format. As long as you are being constructive and respectful, that's not a problem. We only have a problem when things get personal and people start criticizing people and not ideas.
3. If you see someone breaking the rules, report them. Do not respond. When you respond to a post, it makes it much harder to moderate effectively without (likely) infracting both the reporter and the original offender. Just don't get involved and let staff handle it.
Carry on!
Edge of Autumn. Ramp early game, easily filtered later.
Agreed, a Ghost Quarter soft lock can be really frustrating if you don't run a lot of basics. If reanimator were stronger I think it would more play, or if GGT were given back to us....
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