This also will get counters for any Shocklands that enter the battlefield untapped
As far as Commander is concerned, this will very easily stack up counters with regular Black staples in the format. Necropotence, Razaketh, the Foulblooded, Erebos, God of the Dead, Fetchlands, Shocklands, many, many more Whether this comes down Turn 1 or Turn 7, Black decks are always paying life for the best effects and it'll remain relevant all game.
well thats good, I was worried the last ability sacrificed itself (stuff like this usually doe). Glad to see it does not. (this will be great in my Athreos)
If you want to get any value from this you need to destroy 2+ creatures with its engine. Otherwise you might as well slot in any 2-3 cmc black removal spell like murder or cast down for better effect. The only output on this card is destroying creatures. And if its 2B to destroy 1 creature only after you've paid 4 life somehow, that's terrible. But if you're destroying 2+ creatures, that means you're both paying 8+ life in a game and facing a creature matchup where you need to destroy enemy threats- where paying 8 life is suicidal.
That's some spooky art, but I think this won't make it in constructed.
With Adanto Vanguard? I dunno, 4 life and 1B to repeatedly destroy creatures seems pretty powerful to me. And you can have it all set up by turn three.
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 red gets a 7cmc enchantment that has the potential to literally do nothing for multiple turns. And black gets this. Seems fair.
Jokes aside, as an edh player I love this card. "that many" makes it so easy to add counters.
Just continuing Red's long history of expensive, useless Enchantments like Haphazard Bombardment But yes, this is a very sweet design!
Can we stop for a moment, and be completely surprised that The Shadows over Innistrad block did not have an overcosted Red Enchantment that made Madness costs 0
If you want to get any value from this you need to destroy 2+ creatures with its engine. Otherwise you might as well slot in any 2-3 cmc black removal spell like murder or cast down for better effect. The only output on this card is destroying creatures. And if its 2B to destroy 1 creature only after you've paid 4 life somehow, that's terrible. But if you're destroying 2+ creatures, that means you're both paying 8+ life in a game and facing a creature matchup where you need to destroy enemy threats- where paying 8 life is suicidal.
Modern Death's Shadow decks already want to go below 10 life, so they end up paying life quite a lot. May as well convert that into destroying (often evasive, as they bypass large ground blockers such as Death's Shadow) creatures.
Admittedly, I'm having a tough time getting this card to destroy 3 creatures. Paying 8 life is reasonable; paying 12 life is often a stretch. (Thoughtseize incurs life loss, there's such a thing as taking damage from opposing creatures...)
If you want to get any value from this you need to destroy 2+ creatures with its engine. Otherwise you might as well slot in any 2-3 cmc black removal spell like murder or cast down for better effect. The only output on this card is destroying creatures. And if its 2B to destroy 1 creature only after you've paid 4 life somehow, that's terrible. But if you're destroying 2+ creatures, that means you're both paying 8+ life in a game and facing a creature matchup where you need to destroy enemy threats- where paying 8 life is suicidal.
I agree with your evaluation, but want to point out that this card could be played against control (e.g. wincons like Niv-mizzet), where Font of Agonies slips past counterspells and where the life loss is less important.
Imagine this in a format with all 10 Shocklands available for your mana base:
(Also known as Xenphire)
As far as Commander is concerned, this will very easily stack up counters with regular Black staples in the format. Necropotence, Razaketh, the Foulblooded, Erebos, God of the Dead, Fetchlands, Shocklands, many, many more
(Also known as Xenphire)
And also Adanto Vanguard.
none
Modern
UBG B/U/G control
BBB MBC
WUR Control
WWW Prison
RRR Goblins
Legacy
BBB Pox
UBG B/U/G Control
UWU StoneBlade
UW Miracle Control
BAfter the lights go out on you, after your worthless life is through. I will remember how you scream...B
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StaffIn standard you could use Underrealm Lich, and gain random chunks of life with Vraska's Contempt and Moment of Craving. I mean, it's a start. Splash white and you get Revitalize, and March of the Multitudes. Abzan, maybe?
Jokes aside, as an edh player I love this card. "that many" makes it so easy to add counters.
Just continuing Red's long history of expensive, useless Enchantments like Haphazard Bombardment
(Also known as Xenphire)
-Chandra Nalaar
Modern: WUBRG Humans - GBW Traverse - GWU Knightfall - GRW
With Adanto Vanguard? I dunno, 4 life and 1B to repeatedly destroy creatures seems pretty powerful to me. And you can have it all set up by turn three.
4 Adanto Vanguard
4 Legion Lieutenant
4 Pitiless Pontiff
3 Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle
3 Elenda, the Dusk Rose
2 Vona, Butcher of Magan
4 Legion's Landing
4 Font of Agonies
4 Arguel's Blood Fast
Instants
4 Mortify
4 Godless Shrine
4 Isolated Chapel
9 Plains
7 Swamp
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.
Can we stop for a moment, and be completely surprised that The Shadows over Innistrad block did not have an overcosted Red Enchantment that made Madness costs 0
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
Modern Death's Shadow decks already want to go below 10 life, so they end up paying life quite a lot. May as well convert that into destroying (often evasive, as they bypass large ground blockers such as Death's Shadow) creatures.
Admittedly, I'm having a tough time getting this card to destroy 3 creatures. Paying 8 life is reasonable; paying 12 life is often a stretch. (Thoughtseize incurs life loss, there's such a thing as taking damage from opposing creatures...)
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Want to play a UW control deck in modern, but don't have jace or snaps?
Please come visit us at the Emeria Titan control thread
I agree with your evaluation, but want to point out that this card could be played against control (e.g. wincons like Niv-mizzet), where Font of Agonies slips past counterspells and where the life loss is less important.
...I suppose it depends on the format.
"Reveal a Dragon"