I have a feeling that as long as you have cards in your hand that they don't know what they are, they'll pay the tribute. I think a 5/3 haste is pretty decent for 4. A 3/1 that let's you cast an instant or sorcery for free is pretty great, but I wouldn't bank on that happening.
In this standard format no one is ever going to pay the tribute, because there just aren't enough strong spells anymore. A two-mana discount on your Lightning Strike or Magma Jet is hardly busted, Burning Tree can already do that and it's fine.
Oh, I thought he was talking about playing a spell that is countering a spell with counters on it as it comes into play, but I see you guys were just discussing whether he was flashing a creature with flash in order to flash a flashback or just flashing a creature with flash but not needing flash in order to flashback a spell without flash.
It's pretty much a poker card. Unlike most Tributes where you know the options, this is one where you have no idea which one your opponent wants you to do. And there are plenty of ways this can blow up if they are splashing a second color.
I mean, as far as 'unlikely Christmasland situations' not paying Tribute and seeing a Rise of the Dark Realms show up would kinda suck.
I like the card (in fact, I wish more of the Tribute creatures had this sort of effect), but:
If you make a deck for him, your opponent will always pay the Tribute. Leaving you with a 5/3 Haste (which is good), but an overall substandard deck.
If you play him in a normal red deck, he'll be a less versatile Burning Tree Emissary with twice the cost most of the time. And the cost is particularly important because you could realistically be topdecking the turn you play him (or just out of spells you WANT to play), even if he appears in your starting hand.
In this standard format no one is ever going to pay the tribute, because there just aren't enough strong spells anymore. A two-mana discount on your Lightning Strike or Magma Jet is hardly busted, Burning Tree can already do that and it's fine.
None of those are playable on their own in Standard.
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Known as Inanimate at Goblin Artisans, and TyrRev at /r/custommagic!
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!
The point is that playing a bad creature to enable bad spells is just bad, but if your deck's ok with a 3/1 haste creature with marginal upside then he's fine.
Oh, I thought he was talking about playing a spell that is countering a spell with counters on it as it comes into play, but I see you guys were just discussing whether he was flashing a creature with flash in order to flash a flashback or just flashing a creature with flash but not needing flash in order to flashback a spell without flash.
See, you're all missing a wonderful time to make use of a Dirty Harry parody.
I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking "did he fire six spells or only five?" Now to tell you the truth I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being this is a card in my hand, the most powerful card in the world and will blow your lifepints clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?
Anyway, I think this card has some potential. I don't want to play a Spike Jester for 4, but against an unappealing board state, a free magma jet is nothing to scoff at. The possibility that you're running Toil/Trouble could potentially make this decision very difficult for your opponents as well, especially control players.
By the way, are there any rules buffs here who could tell me if fusing split cards is allowed with this? Even running a mono-red deck, you would still have the option of drawing two card with toil/trouble.
Anyway, I think this card has some potential. I don't want to play a Spike Jester for 4, but against an unappealing board state, a free magma jet is nothing to scoff at. The possibility that you're running Toil/Trouble could potentially make this decision very difficult for your opponents as well, especially control players.
By the way, are there any rules buffs here who could tell me if fusing split cards is allowed with this? Even running a mono-red deck, you would still have the option of drawing two card with toil/trouble.
4/15/2013: If you cast a split card with fuse from your hand without paying its mana cost, you can choose to use its fuse ability and cast both halves without paying their mana costs.
Aww, this is a rare moment: I can't remember the last time a card made me wish Blightning was in Standard.
Cards I would want to cast with this in Standard: Steam Augury, Blast of Genius, Goblin Rally, Slaughter Games, and cheap removal. So ya, not many. It's too bad, otherwise it'd feel like a really underpowered Bloodbraid Elf (so, okay).
4/15/2013: If you cast a split card with fuse from your hand without paying its mana cost, you can choose to use its fuse ability and cast both halves without paying their mana costs.
He works very well with the so-far spoiled "Fated" cycle. Fated Infatuation in particular. You don't want my guy to be big? All right then. I'll copy him and make you choose again, while scrying 2! Or I'll blow up the board with Fated Retribution!
I wouldn't sleep on this guy. I see a lot of potential.
It's pretty much a poker card. Unlike most Tributes where you know the options, this is one where you have no idea which one your opponent wants you to do.
Yes, precisely. The best utilization of this mechanic (in terms of functional playability) is going to be on cards that are either
A) Good enough regardless of the mechanic slapped onto it (Fanatic of Xenagos)
or
B) Unique enough that your opponent doesn't know which option is worse (Oracle)
All that said, I don't see red decks packing Warleader's Helix just to have something reasonable to cheat into play. But we're getting close to the whole set so we'll ese.
It is pretty mediocre since there isn't really much worth cheating out for free. You are still using the card.
If instead of allowing you to cast a spell in your hand, it allowed you to *copy* a spell in your hand for free (so you don't lose it) then it might change things. In that case it would be a 5/3 almost always, which still probably isn't good enough, but at least the decisions would be tougher.
I think he fits best in GR where you're able to run pump-spells to make his haste-position a real brain-wrecker. Enlarge suddenly turns a bit more attractive - probably not enough to make it very playable but... start brewing :P. The dangerous portion is the space for opponents to respond to a pump-spell or alike. 1 toughness until improved is not very good.
I'm a bit in conflict about it's maximum 3 toughness. Boros Reckoner, Lightning Strike.
As PVDDR said punisher card is as good as it's worst option.
3/1 haste + free big spell for 4 is one of the most broken things in mtg.
3/1 haste + free small spell for 4 is bad. See priest of urabrask.
5/3 haste for 4 is bad because it dies to a lot of cheap things. It needs to be at least 5/4 to be good.
It's bad.
No one will let you play free spell unless they are 100% sure that you are not casting time stretch or something via seeing your hand or knowing your deck list.
On the other hand in commander you can make your buddy not pay a tribute and receive one of the most broken cards in mtg.
A hasty 5/3 for 2RR is probably not playable in this meta, and Oracle of Bones is strictly worse. I don't see this getting any serious play. Oh, and it should definitely have been uncommon, it does not belong at rare.
My favorite Tribute card from a design perspective. Tying the mechanic in with hidden information like this is perfect.
But unfortunately this guy isn't quite pushed enough to be playable in Standard, at least atm. The 5/3 just isn't big enough. Make the base body a 4/2 (so the big version is 6/4) and you have something. Or make him cost 3 cmc instead of 4. Too bad, because he is really cool.
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2RR
Creature
Haste tribute 2
If it is not tributed play an instant/sorcery from your hand without paying its mana cost
Kinda cool but I think it's a little too weak for this meta, only if worldfire was standard, could make a fun modern deck with it
If you have a budget, you shouldn't play magic competitively
Main Deck: What's left
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/standard-type-2/standard-deck-creation/602378-kolaghan-dragons
trade me:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/trading-post/details/1277-almost-done
Follow the link for nice cheap clothing.
Playing:
Death's Shadow Jund
Played:
Kiki Chord, Zoo variants, Goblins, Burn
-regarding Snapcaster Mage.
I mean, as far as 'unlikely Christmasland situations' not paying Tribute and seeing a Rise of the Dark Realms show up would kinda suck.
If you make a deck for him, your opponent will always pay the Tribute. Leaving you with a 5/3 Haste (which is good), but an overall substandard deck.
If you play him in a normal red deck, he'll be a less versatile Burning Tree Emissary with twice the cost most of the time. And the cost is particularly important because you could realistically be topdecking the turn you play him (or just out of spells you WANT to play), even if he appears in your starting hand.
- Boulderfall
- Entering
- Explosive Impact
- Liturgy of Blood
- Morgue Burst
- Rescue from the Underworld
- Rise of the Dark Realms
- Shadow Slice
- Skull Rend
- Undercity Plague
ha ha ok a joke for the last oneNone of those are playable on their own in Standard.
Lead Tesla, a community set designed by everyone and led by me, over at Goblin Artisans. Index of articles here!
Fixed.
The point is that playing a bad creature to enable bad spells is just bad, but if your deck's ok with a 3/1 haste creature with marginal upside then he's fine.
-regarding Snapcaster Mage.
I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking "did he fire six spells or only five?" Now to tell you the truth I forgot myself in all this excitement. But being this is a card in my hand, the most powerful card in the world and will blow your lifepints clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?
Anyway, I think this card has some potential. I don't want to play a Spike Jester for 4, but against an unappealing board state, a free magma jet is nothing to scoff at. The possibility that you're running Toil/Trouble could potentially make this decision very difficult for your opponents as well, especially control players.
By the way, are there any rules buffs here who could tell me if fusing split cards is allowed with this? Even running a mono-red deck, you would still have the option of drawing two card with toil/trouble.
4/15/2013: If you cast a split card with fuse from your hand without paying its mana cost, you can choose to use its fuse ability and cast both halves without paying their mana costs.
Cards I would want to cast with this in Standard: Steam Augury, Blast of Genius, Goblin Rally, Slaughter Games, and cheap removal. So ya, not many. It's too bad, otherwise it'd feel like a really underpowered Bloodbraid Elf (so, okay).
Awesome, thanks.
I wouldn't sleep on this guy. I see a lot of potential.
Oooh! Hunter's Prowess too. I'm liking this more and more.
Yes, precisely. The best utilization of this mechanic (in terms of functional playability) is going to be on cards that are either
A) Good enough regardless of the mechanic slapped onto it (Fanatic of Xenagos)
or
B) Unique enough that your opponent doesn't know which option is worse (Oracle)
All that said, I don't see red decks packing Warleader's Helix just to have something reasonable to cheat into play. But we're getting close to the whole set so we'll ese.
If instead of allowing you to cast a spell in your hand, it allowed you to *copy* a spell in your hand for free (so you don't lose it) then it might change things. In that case it would be a 5/3 almost always, which still probably isn't good enough, but at least the decisions would be tougher.
URU/R TempoRU
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/ur-counterburn-26-10-13-1/
Standard:
RBB/R MadnessBR
http://tappedout.net/mtg-decks/21-07-16-imI-br-vampires/
Caleb Durward:
I'm a bit in conflict about it's maximum 3 toughness. Boros Reckoner, Lightning Strike.
3/1 haste + free big spell for 4 is one of the most broken things in mtg.
3/1 haste + free small spell for 4 is bad. See priest of urabrask.
5/3 haste for 4 is bad because it dies to a lot of cheap things. It needs to be at least 5/4 to be good.
It's bad.
No one will let you play free spell unless they are 100% sure that you are not casting time stretch or something via seeing your hand or knowing your deck list.
On the other hand in commander you can make your buddy not pay a tribute and receive one of the most broken cards in mtg.
How am I an Ascended Mage? I only play tabletop casual, and I dont even know if I'm playing the game correctly
Modern
GStompyG/UBNinjasUB
Legacy
UPhasenoughtU
EDH
RNorin the WaryR
UBRThraximundarUBR
But unfortunately this guy isn't quite pushed enough to be playable in Standard, at least atm. The 5/3 just isn't big enough. Make the base body a 4/2 (so the big version is 6/4) and you have something. Or make him cost 3 cmc instead of 4. Too bad, because he is really cool.