Now that we have all the charms, which one will have the most impact on Standard?
Golgari CharmBG
Instant
Choose one - all creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn; or destroy target enchantment; or regenerate each creature you control.
Azorius CharmWU
Instant
Choose one - Creatures you control gain lifelink until end of turn; or draw a card; or put target attacking or blocking creature on top of its owner's library.
Izzet CharmUR
Instant
Choose One - Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays 2; or Izzet Charm deals 2 damage to target creature; or draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Rakdos CharmBR
Instant
Choose one: exile all cards from target player's graveyard; or destroy target artifact; or each creature deals 1 damage to its controller.
Selesnya CharmGW
Instant
Choose one - Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains trample until end of turn; or exile target creature with power 5 or greater; or put a 2/2 white Knight creature token with vigilance onto the battlefield.
Izzet charm will be the best for standard, followed by Radkos charm in sideboards. the others each have one nice ability, but i don't think that will be enough to make them see huge play.
Selesnya Charm. Yes, I am biased toward Selesnya, but I honestly think it's the best of the bunch. You can always use a 2/2 flash vigilance guy, if your opponent has a creature too big, you can pump your guy to kill it, if the creature is still too big to be killed by a pumped creature, you can exile it.
Selesnya Charm is amazing because it has an ability that is maybe not very powerful, but never dead, one ability that is a little more narrow but can turn the tide, and one ability that is narrow, but can completely screw your opponent. It's good early, good in the midgame, and good in the lategame.
Then, Izzet Charm. It's nice to have both a counter and an instant-speed card drawing (or looting) spell if your opponent doesn't play a spell you can counter. The burn can also kill their small creatures they played and can't be countered by the charm. Every option is decent and work well together, but it isn't very good in the lategame.
Third, Azorius Charm. The third ability is very good, but the other two are pretty meh. Still, playing it for the third option and being able to cycle it is good enough for maindeck play.
Fourth, Golgari Charm. It feels a bit like a better Rakdos Charm (as in, a sideboard card.) But at least, the abilities have uses for a little more than what you are siding them in for. Very good in limited, though.
Last, but least, Rakdos Charm. I think most people that aren't die-hard Rakdos fans will agree that this charm is the weakest. A strictly sideboard card that might not even cut it in a limited RB deck...
My order, from best to worst...
Izzit Charm
Azorius Charm
Selesny Charm
Rakdos Charm
Golgari Charm
Izzit charm has the best three options out of all the charm (counter, removal, good draw).
I prefer azorius charm over selesny charm because it can often act like a time walk if you hit the right creature (sending a creature to the top of the library for 2? yes please).
redthirst is redthirst, fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse. He was the leader of the Fires of Salvation, the only clan I'm aware of to get modded off the forums so hard they made their own forums.
Degenerate? Sure. Loudmouth? You bet. Law abiding? No ****ing way.
I just did some playtesting and Selesnya Charm fits in so many places in so many different builds. It's great. Instant speed 2/2 vigilant knights are bomb.
2 damage from Izzet charm being directed only at creatures is a major drawback folks - it won't hit a 1 loyalty Sorin, Lord if Innistrad, or a 7 loyalty Tammy for example.
I just did some playtesting and Selesnya Charm fits in so many places in so many different builds. It's great. Instant speed 2/2 vigilant knights are bomb.
2 damage from Izzet charm being directed only at creatures is a major drawback folks - it won't hit a 1 loyalty Sorin, Lord if Innistrad, or a 7 loyalty Tammy for example.
except izzit charm can counter those spells which is what makes it better.
It has creature removal, spell removal, and draw all in one.
EDIT: If izzit could deal damage to players as well... it would be broken.
The best is clearly Rakdos Charm, because it beats Snapcaster Mage.
I'd say Izzet Charm is the best in a vacuum; countering instants is good, killing utility creatures is good, filtering is good, filtering and damaging at instant speed is really good.
However, I think Azorius Charm, Selesnya Charm, and especially Golgari Charm will all have more influence on standard, just because they can slot neatly into archetypes that will most likely be present. Golgari Charm is a support card, but it actually is pretty good against most of the potential big guns of standard; it can perform a limited sweep of Zombies, save your guys from a wrath, or blow up any hate or O-Ring style removal.
I doubt Rakdos Charm's sideboard potential (Two of its effects are not particularly punishing against the decks it counters), but I'm not that good at predicting this sort of thing anyway. For all I know, it could see more sideboard use than the other charms see mainboard use.
Overall undecided, like I usually am.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
Selesnya's the only one that I'd have a hard time running fewer than 4 of. The other ones (other than Rakdos) can give consistent value or at least cantrip/loot, but you don't want to draw into too many cycling cards so too many can be a liability if the situation to use them never comes up. So in a way, Selesnya's got the best in that you could have 4 in your opening 7 and be happy as long as the other 3 were lands. Plus, it fits into the colors' gameplan as an enabler (token) or a tempo play (exile).
That said, I'm not quite sure it's the stronges of the cycle just in terms of the effects. Golgari has some serious blowout potential to it, and countering a Nicol Bolas is better than getting a centaur. So I guess I'd say Selesnya's may not be the most powerful, but it's probably the best. Big difference between those two sometimes.
Also worth noting that three of the five deal with the sticky Falkenrath Aristocrat in some way. Put it up to 5/2 and Selesnya exiles it. Azorius puts it back on top for half the cost. And Golgari shrinks it to 3/0 if it doesn't have a human to nom.
I actually like a card that instantly stops Scavenge (or reanimate/dredge) and Populate (or other token decks) in one and can remove artifacts (guild key ramp) if needed.
Plus the damage ability can instantly win casual games. 6 creatures? Ok, I'll hit you with a flyer then pop off an instant 12 damage on you with 2 Rakdos charms for the game.
It's Izzet first by a longshot and Rakdos last by a longshot
Izzet counters non-creatures, burns small creatures, and digs 2 deep, which is straight-forward goodness
Selesnya can make a flash dude which is really good for blocking, rancoring, or populating the next turn, it can remove giant creatures and also do some sweet combat tricks
Golgari can sweep tokens and x/1's, destroy that o-ring or sphere, and regenerate in response to bonfire, mortars or verdict.
Azorius cycles (meh), lifelinks your team (better then most people think), and gets rids of an attacking/blocking creature, which is decent
Selesnya Charm
probably most powerful of them, can make a 2/2 token at instant speed to mess up combat; or pump a creature and give trample to put in that last damage; or get rid of this big creature (removal in GW is pretty bad, especially at instant speed). Very versatile and easily maindeckable.
Izzet Charm
close competitior; mildly controlish cards with added versatility; opponent is casting inst/sorc? counter it; opponent is casting a creature? burn it; need an answer / opponent is not doing anything? dig. Maindeckable in any UR deck, though not as 4-of.
Golgari Charm
this is pretty much control hoser; -1-1 mode won't be useful I guess, unless in a weird Jund/BUG control; killing enchantments is what black needs and we will have some targets for this (RIP, Detention Sphere); regeneration mode is just... I mean this card would be playable even if it had only this regeneration mode. It is good against both aggro (combat trick) and control (sweeper counter). It is goood. Very close competitor to Izzet and Selesnya.
That would be it for good charms. Now there is a biiiiiiiiiig empty space. And at the bottom we have
Azorius Charm
Rakdos Charm (this one is a joke compared to the rest)
Why wouldn't izzit charm be an instant 4 of?
I mean... early in ISD control decks ran 4 think twice, and this is marginally better.
Now if you're playing URx midrange or tempo, then yes I could see izzit charm being a three of. But if you're playing control... you want the four.
I actually like a card that instantly stops Scavenge (or reanimate/dredge) and Populate (or other token decks) in one and can remove artifacts (guild key ramp) if needed.
Populate decks are unlikely to be relying on quantity over quality with how expensive the effect is.
Cards that are generally good are usually better than cards that are specifically good. It's like the phrase, "you can't have wrong threats, just wrong answers."
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
I actually like a card that instantly stops Scavenge (or reanimate/dredge) and Populate (or other token decks) in one and can remove artifacts (guild key ramp) if needed.
Plus the damage ability can instantly win casual games. 6 creatures? Ok, I'll hit you with a flyer then pop off an instant 12 damage on you with 2 Rakdos charms for the game.
It's not really that it's bad - it can come in to deal with Pike or Scavenge or something. And it may occasionally win for you. But as part of this cycle, which is full of maindeckable goodness, "occasionally all right" just doesn't stack up favorably. And since the question is just asking us to evaluate them against one another, it makes sense that Rakdos Charm is getting hated on.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing UX Mana Denial until Modern gets the answers it needs.
WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
Selesnya followed Izzet. They are the ones that have good effects in the widest range of situations. The other three will sometimes be (mostly) dead cards depending on the board state.
I'd give the edge to Selesnya in Limited and the edge to Izzet in constructed.
Azorius Charm is actually the nutter-butters if a tempo deck exists (hint: there probably will be). The last ability is deceptively mundane, but in a world where unsummon is a premier removal card, this cards is way more tempo loss.
The lifelink ability is relevant is fewer situations, but consider how often Delver squeaked out wins with dangerously low life. In a tempo mirror, this card could give you a full turn which can win a race and change combat math.
The draw a card ability is fine, keeps card parity, and is useful against a control matchup.
Verdict: chronically underrated charm, will see a ton of play
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Golgari Charm BG
Instant
Choose one - all creatures get -1/-1 until end of turn; or destroy target enchantment; or regenerate each creature you control.
Azorius Charm WU
Instant
Choose one - Creatures you control gain lifelink until end of turn; or draw a card; or put target attacking or blocking creature on top of its owner's library.
Izzet Charm UR
Instant
Choose One - Counter target noncreature spell unless its controller pays 2; or Izzet Charm deals 2 damage to target creature; or draw two cards, then discard two cards.
Rakdos Charm BR
Instant
Choose one: exile all cards from target player's graveyard; or destroy target artifact; or each creature deals 1 damage to its controller.
Selesnya Charm GW
Instant
Choose one - Target creature gets +2/+2 and gains trample until end of turn; or exile target creature with power 5 or greater; or put a 2/2 white Knight creature token with vigilance onto the battlefield.
On a side note though, Rakdos charm is funny against Vraska's tokens
This aint your girlfriends meta! This is a man's meta! TURBO META.
2. Azorius, Selesnya
3. Golgari
4. Rakdos
Vraska's tokens only instakill on combat damage.
Selesnya
Izzet
Azorius
Golgari
Rakdos
In that order.
WUBRGWBGURW
UBRGWURWBGU
BRGWUBGURWB
RGWUBRWBGUR
GWUBRGURWBG
So close...
This aint your girlfriends meta! This is a man's meta! TURBO META.
I'm not particularly wowed by the Azorious or Golgari charms, but they're good cards as well.
Selesnya Charm is amazing because it has an ability that is maybe not very powerful, but never dead, one ability that is a little more narrow but can turn the tide, and one ability that is narrow, but can completely screw your opponent. It's good early, good in the midgame, and good in the lategame.
Then, Izzet Charm. It's nice to have both a counter and an instant-speed card drawing (or looting) spell if your opponent doesn't play a spell you can counter. The burn can also kill their small creatures they played and can't be countered by the charm. Every option is decent and work well together, but it isn't very good in the lategame.
Third, Azorius Charm. The third ability is very good, but the other two are pretty meh. Still, playing it for the third option and being able to cycle it is good enough for maindeck play.
Fourth, Golgari Charm. It feels a bit like a better Rakdos Charm (as in, a sideboard card.) But at least, the abilities have uses for a little more than what you are siding them in for. Very good in limited, though.
Last, but least, Rakdos Charm. I think most people that aren't die-hard Rakdos fans will agree that this charm is the weakest. A strictly sideboard card that might not even cut it in a limited RB deck...
Izzit Charm
Azorius Charm
Selesny Charm
Rakdos Charm
Golgari Charm
Izzit charm has the best three options out of all the charm (counter, removal, good draw).
I prefer azorius charm over selesny charm because it can often act like a time walk if you hit the right creature (sending a creature to the top of the library for 2? yes please).
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
That + two combat tricks seals it for me.
Izzet's a close second.
—Jaya Ballard, task mage
2 damage from Izzet charm being directed only at creatures is a major drawback folks - it won't hit a 1 loyalty Sorin, Lord if Innistrad, or a 7 loyalty Tammy for example.
except izzit charm can counter those spells which is what makes it better.
It has creature removal, spell removal, and draw all in one.
EDIT: If izzit could deal damage to players as well... it would be broken.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
And if not, it digs you two deep at instant speed so you can find an answer. Or a win condition.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I'd say Izzet Charm is the best in a vacuum; countering instants is good, killing utility creatures is good, filtering is good, filtering and damaging at instant speed is really good.
However, I think Azorius Charm, Selesnya Charm, and especially Golgari Charm will all have more influence on standard, just because they can slot neatly into archetypes that will most likely be present. Golgari Charm is a support card, but it actually is pretty good against most of the potential big guns of standard; it can perform a limited sweep of Zombies, save your guys from a wrath, or blow up any hate or O-Ring style removal.
I doubt Rakdos Charm's sideboard potential (Two of its effects are not particularly punishing against the decks it counters), but I'm not that good at predicting this sort of thing anyway. For all I know, it could see more sideboard use than the other charms see mainboard use.
Overall undecided, like I usually am.
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Selesnya's the only one that I'd have a hard time running fewer than 4 of. The other ones (other than Rakdos) can give consistent value or at least cantrip/loot, but you don't want to draw into too many cycling cards so too many can be a liability if the situation to use them never comes up. So in a way, Selesnya's got the best in that you could have 4 in your opening 7 and be happy as long as the other 3 were lands. Plus, it fits into the colors' gameplan as an enabler (token) or a tempo play (exile).
That said, I'm not quite sure it's the stronges of the cycle just in terms of the effects. Golgari has some serious blowout potential to it, and countering a Nicol Bolas is better than getting a centaur. So I guess I'd say Selesnya's may not be the most powerful, but it's probably the best. Big difference between those two sometimes.
Also worth noting that three of the five deal with the sticky Falkenrath Aristocrat in some way. Put it up to 5/2 and Selesnya exiles it. Azorius puts it back on top for half the cost. And Golgari shrinks it to 3/0 if it doesn't have a human to nom.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
+2/+2 trample.
Selesnya.
I actually like a card that instantly stops Scavenge (or reanimate/dredge) and Populate (or other token decks) in one and can remove artifacts (guild key ramp) if needed.
Plus the damage ability can instantly win casual games. 6 creatures? Ok, I'll hit you with a flyer then pop off an instant 12 damage on you with 2 Rakdos charms for the game.
RoblinTheGoblin's Pro M15 Template:
RoblinTheGoblin's Pro M15 Template v1.3
Also includes M15+ real god stars, promo template, super art template, planeswalker template
2. Selesnya
3. Golgari
4. Azorius
5. Rakdos
It's Izzet first by a longshot and Rakdos last by a longshot
Izzet counters non-creatures, burns small creatures, and digs 2 deep, which is straight-forward goodness
Selesnya can make a flash dude which is really good for blocking, rancoring, or populating the next turn, it can remove giant creatures and also do some sweet combat tricks
Golgari can sweep tokens and x/1's, destroy that o-ring or sphere, and regenerate in response to bonfire, mortars or verdict.
Azorius cycles (meh), lifelinks your team (better then most people think), and gets rids of an attacking/blocking creature, which is decent
Rakdos can destroy artifacts and stuff, yeah
Why wouldn't izzit charm be an instant 4 of?
I mean... early in ISD control decks ran 4 think twice, and this is marginally better.
Now if you're playing URx midrange or tempo, then yes I could see izzit charm being a three of. But if you're playing control... you want the four.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Populate decks are unlikely to be relying on quantity over quality with how expensive the effect is.
Cards that are generally good are usually better than cards that are specifically good. It's like the phrase, "you can't have wrong threats, just wrong answers."
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
It's not really that it's bad - it can come in to deal with Pike or Scavenge or something. And it may occasionally win for you. But as part of this cycle, which is full of maindeckable goodness, "occasionally all right" just doesn't stack up favorably. And since the question is just asking us to evaluate them against one another, it makes sense that Rakdos Charm is getting hated on.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I'd give the edge to Selesnya in Limited and the edge to Izzet in constructed.
I think Azorius Charm is mainable as a 2-3 of. At worst its a think twice without flashback. At best its a time walk.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
The lifelink ability is relevant is fewer situations, but consider how often Delver squeaked out wins with dangerously low life. In a tempo mirror, this card could give you a full turn which can win a race and change combat math.
The draw a card ability is fine, keeps card parity, and is useful against a control matchup.
Verdict: chronically underrated charm, will see a ton of play