I think the question is what you want to replace it for. Personally I want to have more possibilites of killing Bridges, Expedition Map or O-Stone from Tron for example.
If you want to continue playing Abrupt Decay, continue to do so. I'm still playing one obviously. I'm just saying I haven't missed it since going down to one. It's more like a multi-role removal spell when what I really want is generally something like Kolaghan's Command (can remove something and get me something back). Between discard spells and my other answers for specific matches, I end up sideboarding out Abrupt Decay a lot. For instance, if you're trying to catch Oblivion Stone with Abrupt Decay, I would argue that you're wasting your time. I would rather have Fulminator Mage there even on the draw.
As far as random other things, I agree. That's where Abrupt Decay shines. My point is how often do these come up for you? For instance, I brought up Kira, Great Glass-Spinner. Even though there are two Merfolk players (sometimes a third) at my LGS specifically, I generally wish Abrupt Decay were something else when I draw it against them. It's not a bad card. It will get something for sure, but I generally want something else whether it's a more efficient removal spell or something that generates value, like Kolaghan's Command. From what I've learned about Merfolk, Kira is a one- or two-of at best in some decks. Some Merfolk don't even play it. Some would rather run Thassa, God of the Sea instead or other fun-of's. UW Control has Detention Sphere, and I know that there are many other examples. I just find Abrupt Decay to be generally a "meh" card.
Well overall, it's a strong, versatile card. I guess I should've started with that. This current metagame is kinda all over the place though. Since we don't have a specific archetype that we're attacking (like aggro wants combo or control matches), we generally need to outvalue our opponents or have silver bullets. It's one of the reasons I think Damnation and Fatal Push are really strong right now. Damnation crushes some of the aggro-ish midrange decks and Fatal Push picks apart anything playing non-Delve creatures. Even in the latter case, I have found it to be really good against Grixis Death's Shadow. Our discard and Liliana tend to handle the rest of our matches.
I just find that it gets outclassed by many other cards for the variety of matches that pop up online and on paper. That's all.
Well overall, it's a strong, versatile card. I guess I should've started with that. This current metagame is kinda all over the place though. Since we don't have a specific archetype that we're attacking (like aggro wants combo or control matches), we generally need to outvalue our opponents or have silver bullets. It's one of the reasons I think Damnation and Fatal Push are really strong right now. Damnation crushes some of the aggro-ish midrange decks and Fatal Push picks apart anything playing non-Delve creatures. Even in the latter case, I have found it to be really good against Grixis Death's Shadow. Our discard and Liliana tend to handle the rest of our matches.
I just find that it gets outclassed by many other cards for the variety of matches that pop up online and on paper. That's all.
Alright, I can see that!
Pretty much all Gods are really bad atm, but what really caught my attention was Harsh Mentor:
I don't know if its good enough right now, but I really like the design behind it. It is a blowout to Affinity and Lantern at first glance. But I think those are not the main problems we have right now. Obviously fetchland get more pricey with it as well. But I am not sure whether we want the card or not.
But I do think the card is really good against Eldrazi decks, which could be in our interest.
I think Burn could use this in the sideboard but I can't imagine them bringing it in against us because we have so much removal. I also don't think we need it in the matchups where it's good. We have the removal to control Affinity and then takeover, same with Abzan Company. Against Lantern I'd much rather drop a Goyf and go to town. If it gets to the point that Mentor would be good, we probably aren't drawing it anyways.
Its weird that it requires white for its activated ability. But I also think, if this were 4 CMC, it would been really good. On the other hand, its fatal push proof...
I think it can be tested in sideboards for grindy matchups. When thinking about it, the mana cost might not be the biggest problem, but I do think its sad that this card doesn't match well with any TKS, Smasher or Tasigur/Gurmag/Rhino. It just trades with these cards, nothing more.
If it would deal 5 dmg for two mana we could think about it. But as it is, it doesn't kill anything problematic. The difference between 4 and 5 thoughness is quite big in Modern. Generally, damage based removal are quite bad atm so I think you give up a lot for this.
As far as random other things, I agree. That's where Abrupt Decay shines. My point is how often do these come up for you? For instance, I brought up Kira, Great Glass-Spinner. Even though there are two Merfolk players (sometimes a third) at my LGS specifically, I generally wish Abrupt Decay were something else when I draw it against them. It's not a bad card. It will get something for sure, but I generally want something else whether it's a more efficient removal spell or something that generates value, like Kolaghan's Command. From what I've learned about Merfolk, Kira is a one- or two-of at best in some decks. Some Merfolk don't even play it. Some would rather run Thassa, God of the Sea instead or other fun-of's. UW Control has Detention Sphere, and I know that there are many other examples. I just find Abrupt Decay to be generally a "meh" card.
I just find that it gets outclassed by many other cards for the variety of matches that pop up online and on paper. That's all.
Alright, I can see that!
Pretty much all Gods are really bad atm, but what really caught my attention was Harsh Mentor:
I don't know if its good enough right now, but I really like the design behind it. It is a blowout to Affinity and Lantern at first glance. But I think those are not the main problems we have right now. Obviously fetchland get more pricey with it as well. But I am not sure whether we want the card or not.
But I do think the card is really good against Eldrazi decks, which could be in our interest.
Harsh Mentor is a non-bo with Raging Ravine or any other man-land. Scavenging Ooze won't like him either.Nevermind.
Frenzy-Affinity-Ghost Quarter-Rock-Tokens- RGWPhyrexian Zoo- WVial KnightsStandard:
BW Knights(Rotated)Pioneer: RW Knights - BW Rally Zombies - UW Heroes
Commander:WUG
Jenara, Asura of War- WGSigarda, Host of HeronsCasualties of economicsLegacy: Good-night, sweet prince. Mono-R Burn
Abzan Traverse / Traverse Shadow / UR Kiki
It would be so much better if it were 2RG but even then I don't think we have the creature count to make it worth it.
Abzan Traverse / Traverse Shadow / UR Kiki
Abzan Traverse / Traverse Shadow / UR Kiki
But so is Hellkite.
Abzan Traverse / Traverse Shadow / UR Kiki
you trade at the beginning and when the dust settles its a lava axe. how many times did you lost a topdeck war? the card helps in that sense