Counters placed by effects are doubled. The counter placed by using a + loyalty ability is part of paying a cost, not part of an "effect." The game's rules make that distinction.
I would just like to remind people that in most games, she shouldn't get to Pulse multiple times. The first Pulse leaves her wide open (no more +1 protection), which means you can safely attack and hopefully kill her. And if she's well protected... then her +1 ability is more or less pointless, and you basically have a Lux Cannon.
She's not a bad planeswalker. Her ultimate is the easiest I can remember, and against the right deck/with the right support can be devastating, but I think some people are exaggerating her usefulness.
All of these feels.....I was so excited by a Gorgon 'Walker but her +1 is nothing and her ultimate is total garbage. If you can connect with 1/1s at that point in the game than more power to you, but I'm personally not gonna go for that. +1 and -3 all day erry day...
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you can generally tell the easiest road to victory by how many players congregate on it; and the road of counterspells/control has been the freeway of choice in magic for quite some time.
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What I find offensive is not that Wizards is endeavoring to make the game more accessible, but the attitudes of elitists who act as though no one of any age should show their face in the Magic public without first having mastery over the complexities of the game.
When I first read that I thought the +1 had the Lure ability too. Now, on rereading, I'm not sure how good it is. The +1 is meh. Clearly the -3 is good but potential kills her. And the ultimate... Well, I feel there's too much board wipe for that to work. The other two cards are essentially vanilla for the purposes of previews. Nothing interesting here to see (tho the Justicar is OK).
Deathtouch Planeswalker looks pretty good. Sadly, I don't think Divine Deflection shenanigans are possible. (Though as Tabak said on Twitter, Harm's Way should work just fine.)
The other two cards looks like good Limited cards, probably not more than that.
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Level 2 Judge
Currently playing:
Standard: Superfriends!
Legacy: Nic Fit / Pod
Pauper: Delvar; Tron; Flicker Stuff
Commander: Riku ("Some weird doubple spell thing happened"); Keranos ("I did a Gatherer search for 'random' and 'flip a coin.'"); Superfriends!
<Character wanders into closet, shuts door behind him. Outside can be heard much enlivened chatter about the fantastic new Gorgon PW>
Oh man, I am developing such a craving to be deploying some of the sweet new Rakdos cards in some RtR limited. That libidinous guild seems to foster the strategy of what is some of the most enjoyable Magic for me. Potent aggro that doesn't lend itself to application through some simple algorithm. Cerebral aggro, but with some real teeth.
Just wanted to commend you on your vocabulary. It is both enriching and mind expanding.
Most PWs "die" to Oblivion Ring too, but that didn't stop players from playing them, either, and paying :2mana::symw: is usually easier than paying :symb::symr:.
Btw, a removal spell is almost mandatory for an advantageous trade with Vraska, should she use her +1; there aren't many fatties out there who can deal 6+ damage to her in combat AND cost less than her, and swarming her generates card disadvantage.
Vraska also plays in the colors that can provide the tools she needs to succeed: :symb::symg: provides mana acceleration/fixing, creatures, discard, removal, graveyard recursion and, in the rare event she gets to use her Ultimate, occasional pumping/evasion/protection for her assassins.
I see Vraska as a good addition to any midrange/control deck that runs :symb::symg: as their main colors.
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The card nearly every spoiled Magic player dreams of:
Jace's Trolling ---
Instant
Split Second
Exile target spell, then return Jace's Trolling to its owner's hand.
"Yeah, sure... when pigs fly."
-Mark Rosewater about printing this card
All of these feels.....I was so excited by a Gorgon 'Walker but her +1 is nothing and her ultimate is total garbage. If you can connect with 1/1s at that point in the game than more power to you, but I'm personally not gonna go for that. +1 and -3 all day erry day...
If you have the new Golgari guild mage out it becomes a different story.
Didn't read the article...but why couldn't this have been Ludmilla?! Clearly, Wizards doesn't care at all about story continuity...although any Vorthos knew this already.
I think Wizards missed a HUGE opportunity here to relate to the Ravnica block -- which is basically what they claim the 5th basic land is for.
LOVE the card. She's even kinda EPIC. But just extremely disappointed that she isn't the last surviving member of the Sisters of Stone Death -- easily one of my most favourite cards.
Ftr, I feel Wizards blew Xathrid Gorgon's ability in M13, too. To be petrified is to be frozen; a stone statue, i.e.; UNABLE TO BLOCK. Xathrid Gorgon should've rendered every card in play it petrified useless (Arrest comes to mind!). But, I get it, in Magic, stone statues are living artifacts, etc...whatever. Gorgons are STILL my favourite creature, but seriously, NO MORE MISTAKES, WIZARDS!
P.S. - Don't even get me started on Worldspine Wurm and how it strikingly resembles Spinebiter inside a much larger Spinebiter AND that it looks like no other Selesnyan wurm on Ravnica! Gah.
Btw, a removal spell is almost mandatory for an advantageous trade with Vraska, should she use her +1; there aren't many fatties out there who can deal 6+ damage to her in combat AND cost less than her, and swarming her generates card disadvantage.
It's understandable blue control players would be shocked and in denial at the notion of this card, since their decks have been dominating multiple formats for an eternity yet they've curiously never once had to deal with any counter-hosers that weren't ineffectual, narrow CRAP.
so you are gonne let you Geist Die to this then, you both missed an attack where you could have dealt 6 damage and your Geist just died, kinda feels like you wasted your attack then....
I thought the same thing.
Also, I recall seeing quite a number of players who really care for their Geists, often Angel-blinking them in order to save them from blockers; wasting a Geist and a combat phase to kill Vraska when she's "not doing anything" sounds like a bad trade to me.
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The card nearly every spoiled Magic player dreams of:
Jace's Trolling ---
Instant
Split Second
Exile target spell, then return Jace's Trolling to its owner's hand.
"Yeah, sure... when pigs fly."
-Mark Rosewater about printing this card
Vraska is a wonderful design, really love the card, but i don't know if constructed playable.
The problem is that at the actual state of super aggro standard her +1 ability is not going to do anything if you're already behind and low of life. An horde of zombies or a geist of saint traft are just going to ignore her and finish you off, and turn five may be a little late for a mini-pulse to have impact on aggro decks.
She could have a role in some kind of junk superfriends controllish list maybe? Or SB vs other walkers?
Maybe she could work with liliana of the veil + mutilate/barter in blood? Keep the board 'clean enough', so they do have to worry about her when u play her.
I can already think of a Selesnya way to kill the gorgon 'walker. I am surprised she's not blue, since all of the crimes were done without notice.
The best way, I feel, to play Rakdos is to use some Innistrad cards. Until the rest of the set is disclosed that is. The Unleash mechanic requires more strategy than Hellbent. Still not seeing the synergy. But Reveler looks fun.
The Justiciar is gonna be hard to cast. Definitely Azorius flavor in weak creature, strong mechanic. Again, not seeing the synergy with Forecast. But may the flavor text is the link.
"Your potential to commit a crime warrants further investigation."
Vraska seems very good, and I'm excited to play with her if I can make a strategy work. But, here are things I'd watch out for when playing with her:
1) Rancor. Opponents kill some random dude with a rancor by attacking her and then get the rancor back and go on beating you.
2) Zealous Conscripts. This one scares me. You spend two turns ticking up Vraska while the opponent ignores you. Then they drop Zealous Conscripts with a Cavern of Souls and you can't do anything about it. Torpor Orb, Spellskite? Nope, both are rotating out of standard. Then the opponent gets the mini-Phages.
3) Dreadbore, of course.
With these concerns, especially number 2, will it really be a viable plan to win with Vraska? Red uses Zealous Conscripts and blue can use counter magic to keep her off the table or just ignore her and continue to bash you with Geist of Saint Traft.
Actually she is doing something, because you need to deal with the threat she represents. Otherwise she remains at 6 counters, and one turn away from her ultimate. Also, you're forgetting that you can block Geist or the Angel token incoming. It's not a sure bet to take out Vraska.
Also, her assassins may only be 1/1, but pumped with Rancor, which gives one of them trample, Titanic Growth, or Ranger's Guile. If you already got the 5 mana to cast Vraska, those spells are dirt cheap. They only need to deal combat damage in any way shape or form. If Mortarpods were still around? This would be extremely deadly.
She's a good Planeswalker, especially in a BUG build (Which would be Golgari and Dimir guilds which I am btw). She's balanced, good casting cost for her abilities and her abilities are useful right off the bat. She's not a 1 turn Edict like Lilliana is. She's at least a 2 or possible 3 turn Murder, and can take out other Planeswalkers. Her ultimate may be a little hard to trigger, but if it does there are ways to get that damage in.
I can foresee (pun intended) some ramp decks trying to build around her already. Arbor Elves to start, and if you add Avacyn's Pilgrim to the mix that gives you white for Faith's Shield to protect her assassins from blockers. A turn 3 Vraska would be devastating. Also, team her with Sigarda for some real fun.
Still waiting for an Unleash creature on par with Ashenmoor Gouger or Shambling Remains. Would be so easy to do, too....3/x with unleash for RBB.
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Quote from Nirvava »
you can generally tell the easiest road to victory by how many players congregate on it; and the road of counterspells/control has been the freeway of choice in magic for quite some time.
Quote from photodyer »
What I find offensive is not that Wizards is endeavoring to make the game more accessible, but the attitudes of elitists who act as though no one of any age should show their face in the Magic public without first having mastery over the complexities of the game.
Vraska seems very good, and I'm excited to play with her if I can make a strategy work. But, here are things I'd watch out for when playing with her:
1) Rancor. Opponents kill some random dude with a rancor by attacking her and then get the rancor back and go on beating you.
2) Zealous Conscripts. This one scares me. You spend two turns ticking up Vraska while the opponent ignores you. Then they drop Zealous Conscripts with a Cavern of Souls and you can't do anything about it. Torpor Orb, Spellskite? Nope, both are rotating out of standard. Then the opponent gets the mini-Phages.
3) Dreadbore, of course.
With these concerns, especially number 2, will it really be a viable plan to win with Vraska? Red uses Zealous Conscripts and blue can use counter magic to keep her off the table or just ignore her and continue to bash you with Geist of Saint Traft.
Counters placed by effects are doubled. The counter placed by using a + loyalty ability is part of paying a cost, not part of an "effect." The game's rules make that distinction.
R Citizen Cane (Feldon of the Third Path)
She's not a bad planeswalker. Her ultimate is the easiest I can remember, and against the right deck/with the right support can be devastating, but I think some people are exaggerating her usefulness.
Standard | [under construction]
Just the two
It's expected to have another 2 in GateCrash and a last one in Third set.
Its usually 2 per Large set and 1 per small set.
...I think I've got my avatar pun for the block.
The other two cards looks like good Limited cards, probably not more than that.
Currently playing:
Standard:
Legacy:
Pauper:
Commander:
She dies to Dreadbore.
Just wanted to commend you on your vocabulary. It is both enriching and mind expanding.
It was bound to happen, expect Planeswalkers to suck till Dreadbore rotates out.
I Stream MTGO on Twitch: broodwarjc
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Standard Deck:
BUPirates
Modern Deck:
B8-Rack
Most PWs "die" to Oblivion Ring too, but that didn't stop players from playing them, either, and paying :2mana::symw: is usually easier than paying :symb::symr:.
Btw, a removal spell is almost mandatory for an advantageous trade with Vraska, should she use her +1; there aren't many fatties out there who can deal 6+ damage to her in combat AND cost less than her, and swarming her generates card disadvantage.
Vraska also plays in the colors that can provide the tools she needs to succeed: :symb::symg: provides mana acceleration/fixing, creatures, discard, removal, graveyard recursion and, in the rare event she gets to use her Ultimate, occasional pumping/evasion/protection for her assassins.
I see Vraska as a good addition to any midrange/control deck that runs :symb::symg: as their main colors.
Jace's Trolling ---
Instant
Split Second
Exile target spell, then return Jace's Trolling to its owner's hand.
"Yeah, sure... when pigs fly."
-Mark Rosewater about printing this card
If you have the new Golgari guild mage out it becomes a different story.
I think Wizards missed a HUGE opportunity here to relate to the Ravnica block -- which is basically what they claim the 5th basic land is for.
LOVE the card. She's even kinda EPIC. But just extremely disappointed that she isn't the last surviving member of the Sisters of Stone Death -- easily one of my most favourite cards.
Ftr, I feel Wizards blew Xathrid Gorgon's ability in M13, too. To be petrified is to be frozen; a stone statue, i.e.; UNABLE TO BLOCK. Xathrid Gorgon should've rendered every card in play it petrified useless (Arrest comes to mind!). But, I get it, in Magic, stone statues are living artifacts, etc...whatever. Gorgons are STILL my favourite creature, but seriously, NO MORE MISTAKES, WIZARDS!
P.S. - Don't even get me started on Worldspine Wurm and how it strikingly resembles Spinebiter inside a much larger Spinebiter AND that it looks like no other Selesnyan wurm on Ravnica! Gah.
If she's using her +1, she isn't doing anything.
And there is a cheap, widely played creature that deals 6 points of damage with one swing.
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Doesnt get much better.
I thought the same thing.
Also, I recall seeing quite a number of players who really care for their Geists, often Angel-blinking them in order to save them from blockers; wasting a Geist and a combat phase to kill Vraska when she's "not doing anything" sounds like a bad trade to me.
Jace's Trolling ---
Instant
Split Second
Exile target spell, then return Jace's Trolling to its owner's hand.
"Yeah, sure... when pigs fly."
-Mark Rosewater about printing this card
Maybe she could work with liliana of the veil + mutilate/barter in blood? Keep the board 'clean enough', so they do have to worry about her when u play her.
The best way, I feel, to play Rakdos is to use some Innistrad cards. Until the rest of the set is disclosed that is. The Unleash mechanic requires more strategy than Hellbent. Still not seeing the synergy. But Reveler looks fun.
The Justiciar is gonna be hard to cast. Definitely Azorius flavor in weak creature, strong mechanic. Again, not seeing the synergy with Forecast. But may the flavor text is the link.
1) Rancor. Opponents kill some random dude with a rancor by attacking her and then get the rancor back and go on beating you.
2) Zealous Conscripts. This one scares me. You spend two turns ticking up Vraska while the opponent ignores you. Then they drop Zealous Conscripts with a Cavern of Souls and you can't do anything about it. Torpor Orb, Spellskite? Nope, both are rotating out of standard. Then the opponent gets the mini-Phages.
3) Dreadbore, of course.
With these concerns, especially number 2, will it really be a viable plan to win with Vraska? Red uses Zealous Conscripts and blue can use counter magic to keep her off the table or just ignore her and continue to bash you with Geist of Saint Traft.
Love the flavor and the art though.
Actually she is doing something, because you need to deal with the threat she represents. Otherwise she remains at 6 counters, and one turn away from her ultimate. Also, you're forgetting that you can block Geist or the Angel token incoming. It's not a sure bet to take out Vraska.
Also, her assassins may only be 1/1, but pumped with Rancor, which gives one of them trample, Titanic Growth, or Ranger's Guile. If you already got the 5 mana to cast Vraska, those spells are dirt cheap. They only need to deal combat damage in any way shape or form. If Mortarpods were still around? This would be extremely deadly.
She's a good Planeswalker, especially in a BUG build (Which would be Golgari and Dimir guilds which I am btw). She's balanced, good casting cost for her abilities and her abilities are useful right off the bat. She's not a 1 turn Edict like Lilliana is. She's at least a 2 or possible 3 turn Murder, and can take out other Planeswalkers. Her ultimate may be a little hard to trigger, but if it does there are ways to get that damage in.
I can foresee (pun intended) some ramp decks trying to build around her already. Arbor Elves to start, and if you add Avacyn's Pilgrim to the mix that gives you white for Faith's Shield to protect her assassins from blockers. A turn 3 Vraska would be devastating. Also, team her with Sigarda for some real fun.
UR can run Zealous Conscripts and Ghostform
Not to mention the Selesnya Grove of the Guardian and any populate spell such as Eyes in the Skies and especially Rootborn Defenses.
WB also has Sorin, Lord of Innistrad.
So yes. This Vraska has many threats.