I like that people are really going to bat for the Inciter, so I'll try not to be too negative: no, it's really not better than or equal to Jackal Pup as a late draw. Two power will always be better than one, and Pup doesn't have to rely on cards off the top or in your hand to become better than abysmal
I'm one of those who think Branching Bolt is a good card, and deserves a Gruul Slot.
The reason for that, is that flying is common enough to make it a 2-for-1 most games.
Now, for the very same reason, doesn't stinging shot deserve a slot in green? 1 mana cost flying removal, that can be cycled when it isn't of any help.
Am I too carried away by the cycling hype train?
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Holiday Armadillo... Cloak
My 490 Pauper Cube
Modern frame only- Common on paper only - no functional copies, no strictly-betters - no subtype-matters
I have been on Stinging Shot since the reveal. It does everything I want a anti-flying card to do, and more. It is maindeckable which is big in Game 1, you don't see a juiy target, cycle it, then side it out instead of not having it and needing it for Games 2 and 3.
It is the same reason I am as high on Wander and some of the others, it allows for decent flexibility in Game 1, or more importantly to me, Sealed Deck environments where the pools are much more varied.
Yes. Stinging Shot is a lovely design and probably the best green flyer removal card yet, but there is no room in cube for sideboard cards with cycling (Forsake the Worldly looking good though!). You basically answered your own question - Branching Bolt is almost always going to hit and is occasionally a 2-for-1, neither of which the Stinging Shot can claim
Even something like Forsake the Worldly is not great, because you lose so much on mana efficiency. The average cost of artifacts in your cube is probably 1 or 2.something - most players have a set of signets, a bunch of creatures or equipment at 2 mana or less, and a handful of artifacts at 3 or greater. The dream would be to hit something like Phyrexian War Beast, Cathodion or Serrated Arrows, but your average target is probably going to look more like a Signet or Perilous Myr. In between those extremes you have equipment, whose repeated value and mana investment on the part of the controller means you're closer to parity when you take it out with a more expensive spell.
Crushing Vines was my overcosted, flex slot for green. Loved it. But, Pyre is correct about efficiency.
I however have eschewed a few bits of efficiency to increade flexibility and variety, as well as trying to sneak in some synergies that feel more "quant". This is in direct conflict with an optimal setup.
Edit: I need to choose now on wheteher to trade out or keep running Claws of Wirewood with S. Sbot. While efficent in very rare circumstances, it tends to be more of a Flame Rift than a Hurricane
I like that people are really going to bat for the Inciter, so I'll try not to be too negative: no, it's really not better than or equal to Jackal Pup as a late draw. Two power will always be better than one, and Pup doesn't have to rely on cards off the top or in your hand to become better than abysmal
You probably never played the Pup, right? Lategame it will stuck on your hand, because its sucide to play it.
Stinging Shot is never a Branching Bolt and I dont see any reason to play such cards in green. Green has enough reliable and good creatures with Reach, if you need more protection against flyer. Otherwise 90% of the time you will have access to removal from other colors.
One issue this set poses for me is the addition of 2 solid 1R 2/1's: Pathmaker's Initiate and Nef-Crop Entangler. It is making my red section overload the 2cc slot and I am cutting good cards for either more variety in my 2cc or just laugh at the number of almost-Cubeable 2cc creatures red has that cannot make the cut.
@Theme
...meh... We play pauper. Seldom does it lose with @Theme. And literally the only reason I keep a cube over other, imo better, draftable card game is the near universal acceptance of rules and mechanics by a larger majority. So long as they give me solid cards, and every now & then return to other themes/mechanics, I will keep up
there is a reason why i stopped playing every other format except cubing. The flavor and design of the game is on the decline for years now. It basically started with the mirrodin frame and many years later with the introduction of planeswalker and rulechanges like abandon manaburn.
Lately its very noticable the game went full profit maximization. They kinda standarized their set formulas and designs. Although we got good cards recently they also were uninspired and unsurpisingly and the sets limited formats look like they always play the same.
The game had such an incredible fundament of flavor and game mechanics that it survived until today, but it has lost its soul. And I blame MaRo for most of that.
Anyways, thanks to cubing we can design our own environment and the pure mass of cards allows for nice flavorcubes as well.
Pathmaker Initiate is a strictly better Goblin Tunneler, but I also dislke, that it is a Human. I like Goblins, so probably I will keep the Tunneler.
I am not convinced of Nef-Crop Entangler. I played him as a 2-of, but mostly, because I didn't have any other. He was - average. Did his job, but wasn't exiting.
Cradle I see as an underperforming cards. Almost anyone Who has posted thoughts basically cites the ineffectiveness of a 2/2 for '4 mana' especially at Sorcery
Soulstinger My interest in this card has gone up a wee bit after seeing some drafts. It is definitely a lot more versatile than the other black 2/2 drop -2-2 when they die creatures. You can just junk some creature that is nothing more than a chump blocker and you get a 4/5 for 3B which seems like a good deal. I'm not saying the card is amazing or even anything more than borderline, but it seems useful in a few situations which I always value to some degree.
. The statement, that it's the best common red onedrop might be true, but doesn't say too much about the powerlevel of the card, due to a lack of competition.
thats all im saying. its a onedrop after all, not jace tms
Some of the exert creatures seem like they're good enough to be at least be considered. I think some of them are better than they may look at first glance. I do like Gust Walker a fair amount and its ability to keep attacking in the air when the ground gets clogged up is sweet. Also, a 3/3 body seems like a nice size for an attacking flyer. Green has a fair amount of good green 3 drops already but Hooded Brawler seems cubeable. I like that it can get bigger after exerting to push through as a 5/4. I don't think it would hurt taking out Ulvenwald Bear to try it out. These two seem like the best of the common exert creatures. None of the other look as good although Tah-Crop Elite might have some potential.
Also, even though you take a turn off after exerting you're still getting in an average of 1.5 (for Gust Walker) and 2.5 (for Hooded Brawler) damage per turn which is only slightly less than their normal power. It's kind of a pseudo evasion in that they're harder to block when exerted compare to their normal stats. You're not missing out on too much damage although they still can't block afterwards though it is more of an aggressive mechanic anyways.
Colossapede is a 5/5 for 5. When is that not ever a solid pick in a draft environment? Thornhide Wolves was a fine card in Eldritch Moon and also brought back memories of one of my earliest cards: Blanchwood Treefolk.
Well sometimes things (read:principals) of Limited do not carry over from set to aet. Vanilla, price-efficent, beef is notalways what the doctor orders. Amonkhet looked to be a variable apeed format versus the lightning fast Zendikar or ultra slow Eldrazi.
With how fast they're busting out new sets and cards nowadays it seems that they're simply out of creativity, because apparently we just make 98% of creatures stupid Humans with uninteresting artwork and with convoluted names that basically just say what the card does. And with less time for the artists to actually create awesome creatures they now basically just draw the same generic human and give him different clothes. I mean hey, let's make a dude that makes other dudes unblockable, and let's creatively name it pathmaker... cause you know... making paths... and unblockable? And it's just a 2-drop so it better be an initiate, because we haven't used that word enough yet (disclaimer: they have)
Sorry to necro this point, but I just realized how off-base it is when watching another draft.
To the first point, uh... no. Magic doesn't just fill sets "nowadays" with humans.
I went back to a few old sets and checked the ratio of humans to nonhumans. Here are these sets and their percentage of humans
Visions 20.5
Ice age: 25.4
Urza's saga: 24.7
Tempest: 14.2
Weatherlight: 19.6
Nemesis: 25.7
Invasion: 21.1
Timespiral: 24.2 Kaladesh: 19.2
Aether Revolt: 25.7
Amonkhet: 23.7
So, this a complaint with no historical backing whatsoever. These figures are remarkably consistent, and at most we're averaging something like... 3 extra humans on average per set.
Next
"Initiate" is a word they use to represent a story element in Amonkhet. Is it overused? Well, it's on 6 cards in this set and literally nothing else in standard. Its on 13 cards in modern total, 5 of which are a cycle from almost 10 years ago.
And 2 of the 5 initiates in AKH are more than 2 mana. 6 may be a bit much but it's not like they didn't use "rath" "rathi" or "volrath" 10 times in tempest. Exposure is how you remember themes, I suppose.
Lastly, when we get a set full of names that don't have any connection to the mechanics of the card, you end up with Kamigawa where learning the cards is a nightmare. I'd much rather have to do little mental work in seeing "binding mummy is a zombie that taps things" than to have a set full of "ahn-crop neer-do-well"s or "Baleful ammit"s and 4 weeks in I'm still learning card names.
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
The reason for that, is that flying is common enough to make it a 2-for-1 most games.
Now, for the very same reason, doesn't stinging shot deserve a slot in green? 1 mana cost flying removal, that can be cycled when it isn't of any help.
Am I too carried away by the cycling hype train?
My 490 Pauper Cube
Modern frame only- Common on paper only - no functional copies, no strictly-betters - no subtype-matters
It is the same reason I am as high on Wander and some of the others, it allows for decent flexibility in Game 1, or more importantly to me, Sealed Deck environments where the pools are much more varied.
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
Even something like Forsake the Worldly is not great, because you lose so much on mana efficiency. The average cost of artifacts in your cube is probably 1 or 2.something - most players have a set of signets, a bunch of creatures or equipment at 2 mana or less, and a handful of artifacts at 3 or greater. The dream would be to hit something like Phyrexian War Beast, Cathodion or Serrated Arrows, but your average target is probably going to look more like a Signet or Perilous Myr. In between those extremes you have equipment, whose repeated value and mana investment on the part of the controller means you're closer to parity when you take it out with a more expensive spell.
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
I however have eschewed a few bits of efficiency to increade flexibility and variety, as well as trying to sneak in some synergies that feel more "quant". This is in direct conflict with an optimal setup.
Edit: I need to choose now on wheteher to trade out or keep running Claws of Wirewood with S. Sbot. While efficent in very rare circumstances, it tends to be more of a Flame Rift than a Hurricane
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
You probably never played the Pup, right? Lategame it will stuck on your hand, because its sucide to play it.
Stinging Shot is never a Branching Bolt and I dont see any reason to play such cards in green. Green has enough reliable and good creatures with Reach, if you need more protection against flyer. Otherwise 90% of the time you will have access to removal from other colors.
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
This is kinda like what Innistrad did for Blue.
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
...meh... We play pauper. Seldom does it lose with @Theme. And literally the only reason I keep a cube over other, imo better, draftable card game is the near universal acceptance of rules and mechanics by a larger majority. So long as they give me solid cards, and every now & then return to other themes/mechanics, I will keep up
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
Lately its very noticable the game went full profit maximization. They kinda standarized their set formulas and designs. Although we got good cards recently they also were uninspired and unsurpisingly and the sets limited formats look like they always play the same.
The game had such an incredible fundament of flavor and game mechanics that it survived until today, but it has lost its soul. And I blame MaRo for most of that.
Anyways, thanks to cubing we can design our own environment and the pure mass of cards allows for nice flavorcubes as well.
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
I am not convinced of Nef-Crop Entangler. I played him as a 2-of, but mostly, because I didn't have any other. He was - average. Did his job, but wasn't exiting.
Or are you interested in a Fiora flavor cube? Conspire and win!
Level 2 Judge
Unwavering Initiate
Cursed Minotaur
Bloodlust Inciter
Cradle of the Accursed
Honed Khopesh
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
My singleton Masters Cube
thats all im saying. its a onedrop after all, not jace tms
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Some of the exert creatures seem like they're good enough to be at least be considered. I think some of them are better than they may look at first glance. I do like Gust Walker a fair amount and its ability to keep attacking in the air when the ground gets clogged up is sweet. Also, a 3/3 body seems like a nice size for an attacking flyer. Green has a fair amount of good green 3 drops already but Hooded Brawler seems cubeable. I like that it can get bigger after exerting to push through as a 5/4. I don't think it would hurt taking out Ulvenwald Bear to try it out. These two seem like the best of the common exert creatures. None of the other look as good although Tah-Crop Elite might have some potential.
Also, even though you take a turn off after exerting you're still getting in an average of 1.5 (for Gust Walker) and 2.5 (for Hooded Brawler) damage per turn which is only slightly less than their normal power. It's kind of a pseudo evasion in that they're harder to block when exerted compare to their normal stats. You're not missing out on too much damage although they still can't block afterwards though it is more of an aggressive mechanic anyways.
It's a work in progress
https://www.channelfireball.com/articles/the-7-most-underrated-cards-in-amonkhet-draft/
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Or are you interested in a Fiora flavor cube? Conspire and win!
Level 2 Judge
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Inciter "take backies" made me laugh
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
My singleton Masters Cube
Loose Change Pauper Cube-cast
Pauper Cube Article #1
Pauper Cube Article #2
Personal Enjoyment Cube
Oo excuuse me for making an off the cuff remark.
Just saw something I thought was interesting
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
ENough people. More than once, this thing came to me as 6th or 7th pick.
Or are you interested in a Fiora flavor cube? Conspire and win!
Level 2 Judge
Sorry to necro this point, but I just realized how off-base it is when watching another draft.
To the first point, uh... no. Magic doesn't just fill sets "nowadays" with humans.
I went back to a few old sets and checked the ratio of humans to nonhumans. Here are these sets and their percentage of humans
Visions 20.5
Ice age: 25.4
Urza's saga: 24.7
Tempest: 14.2
Weatherlight: 19.6
Nemesis: 25.7
Invasion: 21.1
Timespiral: 24.2
Kaladesh: 19.2
Aether Revolt: 25.7
Amonkhet: 23.7
So, this a complaint with no historical backing whatsoever. These figures are remarkably consistent, and at most we're averaging something like... 3 extra humans on average per set.
Next
"Initiate" is a word they use to represent a story element in Amonkhet. Is it overused? Well, it's on 6 cards in this set and literally nothing else in standard. Its on 13 cards in modern total, 5 of which are a cycle from almost 10 years ago.
And 2 of the 5 initiates in AKH are more than 2 mana. 6 may be a bit much but it's not like they didn't use "rath" "rathi" or "volrath" 10 times in tempest. Exposure is how you remember themes, I suppose.
Lastly, when we get a set full of names that don't have any connection to the mechanics of the card, you end up with Kamigawa where learning the cards is a nightmare. I'd much rather have to do little mental work in seeing "binding mummy is a zombie that taps things" than to have a set full of "ahn-crop neer-do-well"s or "Baleful ammit"s and 4 weeks in I'm still learning card names.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article