MTG Salvation

Ashiok is solid, but it is in a weird spot where it's both matchup dependent and board dependent for value. It needs to be activated against decks that have a high enough creature count that you can reliably hit one, but not so many creatures that he'll be under regular pressure. It's ideal against slower midrange decks, and wants to be IN decks that can defend it on the board. Ashiok therefore tends to shine in midrange mirrors, and can struggle in situations where the theater play is more diverse. It's been far better in the legacy cubes online than I've ever seen it perform in paper cube play, largely for that reason. Solid card, and I can't fault people for running it, but it never shined for us.

I have several recurring "nightmares" of either being late for something, or falling just short of having classes/credits needed to graduate. Even though I'm an overly-punctual person in real life, and already graduated...

Biggest problem with Ashiok is that Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas is a much stronger PW while supporting a stronger strategy.

I recently replaced Dragonlord Silumgar with Ashiok. As good as the dragon is, there is no shortage of quality top end available in both blue and black, so it just wasn't seeing enough play to justify a gold slot. So far, I've found that Ashiok plays better than (s)he looks on paper. The turn you play Ashiok, it's true that you don't have any option besides a +2 that doesn't affect the board. Once you do, though, the opponent ignores Ashiok at their peril. Ashiok represents a real clock that cannot be ignored, and will often be able to steal blockers or even wincons for 0 mana, freeing you to play removal, your own threats, and hold up countermagic. So far, so good, and Dimir isn't a particularly deep guild.

Biggest problem with Ashiok is that Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas is a much stronger PW while supporting a stronger strategy.

This is probably true if you're running a powered cube, but the artifact deck is way harder to support in an unpowered cube, so Ashiok isn't really competing with them as far as I'm concerned. Psychatog, Baleful Strix, and Tasigur, the Golden Fang bring up the rest of my Dimir section.

Aesthetically, this is the one card I'm tempted to run a Korean edition of since the entire original print run of Ashiok was misprinted with +1 for its first ability instead of a +2. However, Ashiok has now become obscure enough that I really need a version that all of my players can actually read.

The only nightmare I've ever had that had me waking up in a cold sweat was when I was in middle school. I dreamed that one of my heavy metal records summoned the devil who killed my father in front of me. Sounds very silly, and very '80s, but it was terrifying to me at the time.

Quote from steve_man »

Quote from Metamind »

She happens to be in a weak guild

Dimir can be pretty shallow if you don't support the artifact package and aren't a fan of Psychatog. Baleful Strix and Dragonlord Silumgar have universal appeal, but everything else is very dependent on what your cube supports / personal taste.

I want to refer to a few point:
1) I cube Silumgar but I don't really like him. He does not pass the Vindicate test (unless you have a sac outlet I guess) so I do not like him against control. Against aggro he will usually steal only tapped guys so it only blocks one body the turn you play him. The Dragonlord is even worse against token decks. It is very strong against midrange usually, but blue control decks have so many better cards around that mana cost for that matchup. Mono black and Mono blue six drops are not lacking in numbers either. I prefer fatties that play well with cheat strategies, Silumgar is too situational and slow to shine at that role.
2) I support the artifact package, but Ashiok is just a universal bomb. I'd play her before any artifact support card for power level. Like, you'd play Dack Fayden over Stormchaser Mage even if you support the spells matters archetype.
3) Psychatog is not a card I'd play in a cube of any size that is not heavily combo oriented or restricted in other ways, but it also has no nostalgia value for me.

Quote from JohnnyDegenerate »

Biggest problem with Ashiok is that Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas is a much stronger PW while supporting a stronger strategy.

I might pick up AoB over Ashiok in booster 2 or 3 if I am already drafting an artifacts deck, but even then in the matchups where Ashiok excels it outperforms Tezzeret. She's like Tezzeret in powerlevel but without the build around requirement.

Ashiok actually scales reasonably well with power, as a turn 2 Ashiok with a mox is disproportionately better than a turn 3 one.

Quote from Spike Rogue »

As good as the dragon is, there is no shortage of quality top end available in both blue and black, so it just wasn't seeing enough play to justify a gold slot.

I actually find the competition at the 6cc slot to be far more shallow than the competition at the 3cc slot. Especially in the color combination.

Three drops are pretty stacked in both blue and black, but you also need a lot more 3-drops than 6-drops in any given deck. Ashiok brings something unique to the table at half the price, and Silumgar wasn't seeing play for me, so I think this switch is worth trying.

How does this card sound to you?

Tormenting Voice



BONUS QUESTION

What celebrity's voice bothers you the most?

I really like Tormenting Voice. This type of effect is useful in red. Adds more graveyard support too.

It is obviously crippling when this meets a counterspell though, so it can be risky. That's in flavor for red though, so all around winner in my book.

It's not bad; a card that performs fine in certain match ups since you're drawing into cube cards so that's always good, but is easily and imaginably replaceable.

Our ******* president.

Not bad, but ultimately filler and significantly worse than Firestorm and Faithless Looting for red decks looking for discard outlets.

Geddy Lee. Love and respect Rush's instrumental prowess (including the fact that Neil Peart is arguably the best living drummer) but I can't enjoy the music because Lee's vocals are like nails on a chalkboard to me.

I thought I was the only one who felt that way about Rush. Can I just buy the instrumental tracks?

Agree with wtwlf about the card, but not about Rush.

The voice I can't stand is Tom Waits. I know he's brilliant. I know I should get over it. But, whenever I hear a Tom Waits song, I just cringe. I love it when other people cover his stuff so I can access his talent without dealing with his voice.

Cheers,
rant

I know I'm in the minority when it comes to Rush, and I really want to like 'em. I just don't. Can't help it.

Quote from wtwlf123 »

I know I'm in the minority when it comes to Rush, and I really want to like 'em. I just don't. Can't help it.

The way you describe Rush is how I feel about Abba but in reverse. I don't want to like Abba, I just do. A lot

I think tormenting voice has always been right on the cusp of my cube but never quite good enough to go in. I'm trying Cathartic Reunion out at the moment just cuz it's better at getting cards in the yard. No feedback on it yet though as it was a recent addition.

Other than Faithless Looting I don't really run anything in my Red section that'll help you get cards in your yard. My Red cards are all about the burn and beats, so Tormenting Voice doesn't really have a place in my cube. You'll find plenty of GY enablers in blue, black, and green.

I've gotta say, I'm a bit shocked by the Rush hate coming out of the woodwork, I've always been a fan. What I'm nog a fan of is K-Pop, and easily my least favorite is the pretty but shrill Hyuna. Listen if you dare:https://youtu.be/wcLNteez3c4.

When I first build my cube ten years ago, reanimator decks were almost purely UB. I am quite glad that we now got some decent red options that help to enable non-blue reanimator decks. Tormenting Voice is such a decent option. It is not great, but it is completely ok if you are looking for a cubable red discard outlet.

Mark Rosewater.

This is probably more successful in combat than this cobra....

Lotus Cobra



BONUS QUESTION

Were you playing Magic during the original Zendikar block? If so, what did you think of it at the time?

wasn't playing during zendikar unfortunately! also haven't tried cobra out in my cube. looking forward to peoples opinions!

seems great with fetches/crucible/loam... what other interactions are there with this card?

Lotus Cobra is sweet. One of my favorite 2s in cube, it opens up so many insane plays and possibilities. Absolute staple.

I was just getting back into magic around Zendikar, so anything magic-related was exciting to me. This was also not too long after Time Spiral came out, so it was cool not only seeing the new stuff but to go in and explore Time Spiral and all the old call backs. It's amazing how deep they go in that block, the longer I'm involved with the game the more stuff I get and understand through the references.

I think Lotus Cobra is a tad overrated honestly. Making free mana for land drops is nice obviously, but the body on this is pretty useless in combat (especially in this color with jack for removal options). Landfall deck shenanigans aside, Lotus Cobra tends to play a bit like an expensive mana elf that only has a few rounds in the chamber. A decent splash I guess, but not a card I reach for unless I have other reasons to be in green.

Quote from steve_man »

I was playing Magic actively during the original Zendikar but strictly only played Legacy. My Stax deck was actually at its peak during the Survival Vengevine days because Moat / Humility / Ghostly Prison shut it down so hard and I was able to beat other viable combo decks with Chalice / 3sphere effects. It took me a while to acknowledge the power of Jace, the Mindsculptor, which lead me to permanently maindecking O-Ring from that point on.

Have you replaced it with Council's Judgment since? Do you have a current list?