Discard getting a new toy which is always good, would like to see if this can finally make Painful Quandary playable.
Like how it depletes your opponent's hand regardless - worst case scenario the sword is destroyed, otherwise you either pull a removal spell or a card of your opponent's choice, long term you can't lose (if they dump a Vengevine, you have a */3 speed bump or better).
The extra mana seems like it would work great with mechanics like level up and multikicker, or just to pay the equip costs of any other equipment you happen to be running (Nim Deathmantle for me, thanks).
The Spine also makes for a darned decent Tezzeret animation target. Pretty much the only thing it has going against it is its 7-mana price tag. Semblance Anvil, perhaps?
First card I thought of, you can imprint the Spire if you draw multiples, and play Palladium Myr for 1 or mana myrs for [MANA]0[/MANA] to help with the CC.
Based on the Glissa spoiler, seems more likely to be a graveyard mechanic.
Compared to the Mirran mechanics which has a more military flavor (Metalcraft feels like a swarm strategy, same with Battle Cry), the Phyrexian mechanic are more disease-inspired. Probably not Unearth, maybe something similar to Recover from Coldsnap or the Lord of Extinction mechanic?
I feel this card is capable of doing ridiculous things in the right deck, though so far nothing has popped up - seems particularly evil with his mate the Lodestone Golem...
The risk seems justified given the affinity-like effect.
yes, but those are both viable win conditions without electropotence. why weaken the deck?
at the sword comment, you don't get a wolf, unless you mean you have an equipped creature that deals combat damage and you do 2 more with electropotence trigger.
I think the general consensus is that the cards are just not there yet for this to be truly broken, but it's fun to fill in the gaps in the mean time.
Electropotence wants creatures entering the battlefield at minimal to no mana investment, and SoBaM wolf tokens fill that role somewhat. SoBaM is also a little more durable than most creature-based token generator.
Granted, 2 dmg for 3 mana is not the sexiest play, so some kind of massive global pump (Coat of Arms?) would have to be around for this to even approach decent.
The only way to abuse the card seems to be with free creatures and/or token generators, ideally with some kind of power boast, since you will need your mana open to pay for the triggered ability.
Either ways, the deck would needs lot of ramp to get out Electropotence early and to feed the 3 mana activation cost.
Over at PureMTGO, there was a whole series of articles by Flippers Giraffe titled "You win the game", all based on alternate win cons - might want to check it out for some interesting ideas
Also was taking a look at it, Yavimaya Granger or Multani's Acolyte both sacrifice themselves if I don't pay the Echo cost, which is an added benefit.
Although I understanding the reasoning, the echo creatures just seem rather sub-par, since you have no control over the timing of the sacrifice (you sorta do, but paying 2 or 3 mana for a 2/X is hardly ideal). I would just go with Elvish Visionary if you want the card draw.
As johnjust suggested, why not try creatures that sac for free? Spawn generators (with ETB effects) would also be good since you are already in green, and play-sets look fairly reasonable price-wise.
Throw in Grand Architect to accelerate this out or pay for the activation, seems good in UB with Clasp/Engine.
Love the flavour too
Discard getting a new toy which is always good, would like to see if this can finally make Painful Quandary playable.
Like how it depletes your opponent's hand regardless - worst case scenario the sword is destroyed, otherwise you either pull a removal spell or a card of your opponent's choice, long term you can't lose (if they dump a Vengevine, you have a */3 speed bump or better).
The extra mana seems like it would work great with mechanics like level up and multikicker, or just to pay the equip costs of any other equipment you happen to be running (Nim Deathmantle for me, thanks).
First card I thought of, you can imprint the Spire if you draw multiples, and play Palladium Myr for 1 or mana myrs for [MANA]0[/MANA] to help with the CC.
Compared to the Mirran mechanics which has a more military flavor (Metalcraft feels like a swarm strategy, same with Battle Cry), the Phyrexian mechanic are more disease-inspired. Probably not Unearth, maybe something similar to Recover from Coldsnap or the Lord of Extinction mechanic?
Unless there is a SIGNIFICANT payoff, you are better off just playing Trinket Mage.
I feel this card is capable of doing ridiculous things in the right deck, though so far nothing has popped up - seems particularly evil with his mate the Lodestone Golem...
The risk seems justified given the affinity-like effect.
Actually the article said the card is from the ZEN block, so Stirrings is fair game.
I was away during Lorwyn block, so not sure if the Stag would be enough of a roadblock for faeries. Perhaps in conjunction with lifegain?
Bought my play set, though, just in case
I think the general consensus is that the cards are just not there yet for this to be truly broken, but it's fun to fill in the gaps in the mean time.
Electropotence wants creatures entering the battlefield at minimal to no mana investment, and SoBaM wolf tokens fill that role somewhat. SoBaM is also a little more durable than most creature-based token generator.
Granted, 2 dmg for 3 mana is not the sexiest play, so some kind of massive global pump (Coat of Arms?) would have to be around for this to even approach decent.
Though not standard legal, it led me to thinking about Sword of Body and Mind, which has good synergy with Electropotence.
Lord of Extinction ftw, anyone?
As for those not on-color, there are: Kazandu Tuskcaller, Garruk Wildspeaker, Luminarch Ascension, Wurmcoil Engine and Semblance Anvil.
The only way to abuse the card seems to be with free creatures and/or token generators, ideally with some kind of power boast, since you will need your mana open to pay for the triggered ability.
Either ways, the deck would needs lot of ramp to get out Electropotence early and to feed the 3 mana activation cost.
http://puremtgo.com/articles/budgeted-resources-you-win-game-part-9
Although I understanding the reasoning, the echo creatures just seem rather sub-par, since you have no control over the timing of the sacrifice (you sorta do, but paying 2 or 3 mana for a 2/X is hardly ideal). I would just go with Elvish Visionary if you want the card draw.
As johnjust suggested, why not try creatures that sac for free? Spawn generators (with ETB effects) would also be good since you are already in green, and play-sets look fairly reasonable price-wise.