In Commander, in decks with GBU like Muldrotha or Atraxa, being able to Growth Spiral and then drop in a Bojuka Bog at instant speed is awesome. Sure you can just Crop Rotation instead, but where's the fun (or ramp) in that?
Growth Spiral is neither definitely better nor worse than Explore, but the instant speed is a huge plus.
You just contradicted yourself. It's okay because you see its merit.
The fact that it is instant speed makes it better than Explore even with the extra colored mana restriction in my estimation. Getting to play a land during the opponents turn could be highly valuable.
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Playing since 1994: Currently MAGS (HomeBrew),Standard & Pauper (Pioneer and Modern are degenerate trash formats)
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Well this is interesting, but sort of concerning.
Simic Ascendancy implies a cycle of Ascendancies for each guild.
Uh... no it doesn't? One previous data point about how the word "ascendancy" is used in Magic doesn't imply a trend. Plus, the only strict gold cycles at rare in GRN were the champions and the split cards. I would be surprised if we deviate heavily from that.
Also, pretty sure The Haunt of Hightower is the buy-a-box. Which sucks, because I have a few EDH decks that would love to get acquainted with it.
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EDH/Commander
(W/U)(W/U)Raff Capashen, Ship's Mage: The New da Vinci (historic control)
(W/B)(W/B)Teysa Karlov: Death Be Not Kind (aristocrats)
(R/G)(R/G)Hallar, the Firefletcher: Yavimaya Burning (kicker and counters)
(B/G)(G/U)Sidisi, Brood Tyrant: Queen of the Damned (dredge)
Maybe Build
(W/U)(U/B)Aminatou, the Fateshifter: And a Child Shall Lead Them (superfriends)
growth spiral seems cool and that mortify art looks really nice. it's interesting to see an ascendancy in this set but not Guilds. Unless not all are getting one or it's story specific
edit: I was already tempted to rebuild my old vorel of the hull clade edh but the ascendancy really makes me want to now
Growth Spiral is neither definitely better nor worse than Explore, but the instant speed is a huge plus.
You just contradicted yourself. It's okay because you see its merit.
The fact that it is instant speed makes it better than Explore even with the extra colored mana restriction in my estimation. Getting to play a land during the opponents turn could be highly valuable.
True, what I meant was that it's not strictly better or worse, since sometimes the fact that on your turn you have to put out a land directly instead of gaining the ability to do so later on during your turn might be important. I meant though that the instant speed is a huge plus for me personally^^
growth spiral seems cool and that mortify art looks really nice. it's interesting to see an ascendancy in this set but not Guilds. Unless not all are getting one or it's story specific
edit: I was already tempted to rebuild my old vorel of the hull clade edh but the ascendancy really makes me want to now
Too bad Vorel doesn't interact with it directly.
I'll give it a try in Atraxa, Praetors' Voice +1/+1.
Both simic cards look like they have a place in my deck ideas for standard and EDH.
Ascendancy is going straight into many an Atraxa deck. Atraxa will be able to win ridiculously fast with it, and she has the colors to tutor it.
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MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
So some of the guilds are getting ascendancy (which looks immediately intimidating in Pyr/Toothy commander decks). The mortify looks amazing, growth spiral seems perfect and fun, and that vampire is a solid casual pick (potentially even constructed depending on meta). Now we just need to know what spectacle does before we think that shenanigans through lol
*edit* also think the rakdos uncommon is an absolute bomb.
I guess the Camaraderie as many have especulated was suposed to be a part of a ascendancy cycle
So some of the guilds are getting ascendancy (which looks immediately intimidating in Pyr/Toothy commander decks). The mortify looks amazing, growth spiral seems perfect and fun, and that vampire is a solid casual pick (potentially even constructed depending on meta). Now we just need to know what spectacle does before we think that shenanigans through lol
*edit* also think the rakdos uncommon is an absolute bomb.
Just think of Simic Ascendancy in Bant tokens. Cathars' Crusade means that now Raise the Alarm adds at least four counters, since you're, at a minimum, triggering Raise twice with two creatures out. Toss in Doubling Sesaon and you're triggering Raise four times with four creatures out at a minimum, and those counters are doubled as well. Another way you can win instantly with it is Increasing Devotion or something like that: Now you trigger it five times with five creatures out.
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Card advantage is not the same thing as card draw. Something for 2B cannot be strictly worse than something for BBB or 3BB. If you're taking out Swords to Plowshares for Plummet, you're a fool. Stop doing these things!
I think it's pretty unlikely that we won't see four more ascendencies. Simic Ascendency is clearly bred in a lab for EDH. Atraxa annoys me, because it's almost a well designed card, but it's not. All those extra keywords overpush and ruin it. The card wouldn't be so dominant if it were better balanced. But that's neither here nor there.
Atraxa is the most supported commander on EDHREC because she supports an awful lot of different strategies.
I'm obviously biassed, but i run a pretty focussed "fair" battlecruiser deck based on Atraxa which can absolutely use an alternate wincon. Simic Ascendancy looks to be that card. So i'm excited
I get how people feel Atraxa can be unfun though! I'm actively trying not to build my deck like that.
I doubt it, but would simic ascendancy have a place in hardened scales affinity? It's kind of scary tbh.
Also, while I dig mortify, it almost definitely means that there won't be a "fixed" vindicate in this set, which is a bummer since bw really needs that for modern.
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If MTG is a part of your life, the formats are like relationships:
Standard/Block = The on-again, off-again holiday fling
Modern/Vintage/Legacy = Stable, homely. A ***** after absence/misreading
Limited/Sealed = Heart breaking free spirit
Commander/Cube = Agreeable, needy and expensive
Pauper/Peasant = Sweet, kind, practical, but shy and boring
*bangs fists on desk* Where. Is. Gruul. Where. Is. Gruul.
ME WANTS MY GRUUL! *bangs on desk*
Dinousaurs are probably impossible at this point, so just something with haste and some harsh punishment for control players...:D
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The "Crazy One", playing casual magic and occasionally dipping his toes into regular play since 1994.
Currently focusing on Pre-Modern (Mono-Black Discard Control) and Modern (Azorious Control, Temur Rhinos).
Find me at the Wizard's Tower in Ottawa every second Saturday afternoons.
I had a weird idea using a hyper-ramped Heroes Remembered and a Cradle of Vitality which would place the +1/+1 counters on Triskelion and poke until they can't take it no more. I may have to revise that deck now
As for the promos...that's one way of getting our attention. Simic is actually looking pretty good and we only have like 2 cards from it (excluding Breeding Pool). I was skeptical at first but if they get more of the type of power we've seen so far then I may have to reconsider my guild allegiance.
'buster
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
The only place Simic Ascendancy is going to be getting the alt-win is standard and even then it going to be very rare. Unless proliferate is used as the Simic Keyword. And even then its not going to be that often.
In Modern- To much efficient enchantment removal/ disruption. Takes to long to pull off and even if you get close you’d already be winning.
In Vintage/Legacy- To much efficient enchantment removal/disruption...still. Games less likely to even last long enough to get any where with it.
In Commander- Only one copy in a 100 card deck. Board wipes of all types easily see play here. 3+ opponents to disrupt/remove it. If you’ve gotten to the point that 3+ opponents couldn’t stop your board, then this wasn’t really doing much work to help you win.
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WOut of the ground,I rise to grace...W BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B
Mentor complements Ascendancy quite well under a WUG build with sufficient counters and what not. Depending on what Azorius gets it could be a formidable deck, if not then at least for the surprise factor.
'buster
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'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset. Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
You just contradicted yourself. It's okay because you see its merit.
The fact that it is instant speed makes it better than Explore even with the extra colored mana restriction in my estimation. Getting to play a land during the opponents turn could be highly valuable.
STOP using "dude/bro" as a pejorative or insult. Grow up.
Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”
Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Martin Luther King Jr.: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Uh... no it doesn't? One previous data point about how the word "ascendancy" is used in Magic doesn't imply a trend. Plus, the only strict gold cycles at rare in GRN were the champions and the split cards. I would be surprised if we deviate heavily from that.
Also, pretty sure The Haunt of Hightower is the buy-a-box. Which sucks, because I have a few EDH decks that would love to get acquainted with it.
edit: I was already tempted to rebuild my old vorel of the hull clade edh but the ascendancy really makes me want to now
True, what I meant was that it's not strictly better or worse, since sometimes the fact that on your turn you have to put out a land directly instead of gaining the ability to do so later on during your turn might be important. I meant though that the instant speed is a huge plus for me personally^^
I'll just assume either we'll know more later or Simic getting one plays more of a story role
What is wrong with you guys that’s so easy to get it twenty
You literatly can just use Cathars' Crusade to fill it up faster than a water balloon
Don’t get me started on deepglow skate either
The dimir creature is actually very good! Anyone who has faced it in limited will know. There just isn't a home for it in constructed yet.
Too bad Vorel doesn't interact with it directly.
I'll give it a try in Atraxa, Praetors' Voice +1/+1.
Both simic cards look like they have a place in my deck ideas for standard and EDH.
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW Bushwhacker Zoo -
Ascendancy is going straight into many an Atraxa deck. Atraxa will be able to win ridiculously fast with it, and she has the colors to tutor it.
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
Undercity Uprising definitely had "ascendancy-style" art too.
Just think of Simic Ascendancy in Bant tokens. Cathars' Crusade means that now Raise the Alarm adds at least four counters, since you're, at a minimum, triggering Raise twice with two creatures out. Toss in Doubling Sesaon and you're triggering Raise four times with four creatures out at a minimum, and those counters are doubled as well. Another way you can win instantly with it is Increasing Devotion or something like that: Now you trigger it five times with five creatures out.
On phasing:
Low-power cube enthusiast!
My 1570 card cube (no longer updated)
My 415 Peasant+ Artifact and Enchantment Cube
Ever-Expanding "Just throw it in" cube.
You wont even have to try to get 20 counters on it.
I'm obviously biassed, but i run a pretty focussed "fair" battlecruiser deck based on Atraxa which can absolutely use an alternate wincon.
Simic Ascendancy looks to be that card. So i'm excited
I get how people feel Atraxa can be unfun though! I'm actively trying not to build my deck like that.
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW Bushwhacker Zoo -
-Chandra Nalaar
Also, while I dig mortify, it almost definitely means that there won't be a "fixed" vindicate in this set, which is a bummer since bw really needs that for modern.
Standard/Block = The on-again, off-again holiday fling
Modern/Vintage/Legacy = Stable, homely. A ***** after absence/misreading
Limited/Sealed = Heart breaking free spirit
Commander/Cube = Agreeable, needy and expensive
Pauper/Peasant = Sweet, kind, practical, but shy and boring
ME WANTS MY GRUUL! *bangs on desk*
Dinousaurs are probably impossible at this point, so just something with haste and some harsh punishment for control players...:D
Currently focusing on Pre-Modern (Mono-Black Discard Control) and Modern (Azorious Control, Temur Rhinos).
Find me at the Wizard's Tower in Ottawa every second Saturday afternoons.
Yay someone else who likes Biovisionary!
I had a weird idea using a hyper-ramped Heroes Remembered and a Cradle of Vitality which would place the +1/+1 counters on Triskelion and poke until they can't take it no more. I may have to revise that deck now
As for the promos...that's one way of getting our attention. Simic is actually looking pretty good and we only have like 2 cards from it (excluding Breeding Pool). I was skeptical at first but if they get more of the type of power we've seen so far then I may have to reconsider my guild allegiance.
'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
In Modern- To much efficient enchantment removal/ disruption. Takes to long to pull off and even if you get close you’d already be winning.
In Vintage/Legacy- To much efficient enchantment removal/disruption...still. Games less likely to even last long enough to get any where with it.
In Commander- Only one copy in a 100 card deck. Board wipes of all types easily see play here. 3+ opponents to disrupt/remove it. If you’ve gotten to the point that 3+ opponents couldn’t stop your board, then this wasn’t really doing much work to help you win.
BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B
'buster
HR Analyst. Gamer. Activist | Fearless, and forthright | Aggro-control is a mindset.
Elspeth and Jhoira rock my world.
You never played against that thing in Limited did you?
Dragons of Legend, Lead by Scion of the UR-Dragon
The Gitrog Monster
Gonti, Lord of Luxury
Shogun Saskia
Hive World
Atraxa hates fun
Abzan