The jump from 6 to 9 mana is still pretty large, and the face that you can cash it in for cards if you need to just makes it sweeter.
But you spend a whole turn doing this. I'm more likely going to be playing spells that do something when I have six mana, vs 1-3 with most of the other mana rocks. Gilded Lotus is similar to the Hedron except it produces color and comes down a turn faster, which usually makes it get the nod if I'm even going to include it in a deck. More often than not when I've had it in a deck I will draw it and wish it was instead a Braingeyser, 'cause all I want to do is draw the cards, don't really want the ramp. It's not terrible, it's just never stayed in any of my decks too long.
I've become a big fan of Worn Powerstone recently. It's fantastic in my opening hand and I'm never unhappy to take to turn it into per turn down the road.
But you spend a whole turn doing this. I'm more likely going to be playing spells that do something when I have six mana, vs 1-3 with most of the other mana rocks. Gilded Lotus is similar to the Hedron except it produces color and comes down a turn faster, which usually makes it get the nod if I'm even going to include it in a deck. More often than not when I've had it in a deck I will draw it and wish it was instead a Braingeyser, 'cause all I want to do is draw the cards, don't really want the ramp. It's not terrible, it's just never stayed in any of my decks too long.
I'm not going to say its better than gilded lotus or thran dynamo, rather it really shines in the kind of decks that would rather run all three. It stands to reason, if your strategy is to simply load up on mana, you will likely have plenty of spare mana sitting around that would let you go Hedron -> something else in the late game, or wouldn't mind keeping a virtual six mana open in case a sweeper is coming.
Usually the term Mana Rock refers to artifacts that tap for mana themselves. While these can generate mana, they are not, by casual definition, mana rocks.
But you spend a whole turn doing this. I'm more likely going to be playing spells that do something when I have six mana, vs 1-3 with most of the other mana rocks. Gilded Lotus is similar to the Hedron except it produces color and comes down a turn faster, which usually makes it get the nod if I'm even going to include it in a deck. More often than not when I've had it in a deck I will draw it and wish it was instead a Braingeyser, 'cause all I want to do is draw the cards, don't really want the ramp. It's not terrible, it's just never stayed in any of my decks too long.
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Thada Adel Stax WIP
1. Sol Ring
2. Mana Crypt
<large break>
3.
Mana Vault / Grim Monolith if you run a blue-based deck.
Coalition Relic if you have 3+ colors.
or Darksteel Ingot for its resiliency.
4. Thran Dynamo in general
but Everflowing Chalice with a counter themed/proliferate deck.
or Basalt Monolith if you run Rings
5. Worn Powerstone
6. Gilded Lotus
7. Mind Stone or
Coldsteel Heart / Signets/Talismans if you have 3+ colors.
I'm not going to say its better than gilded lotus or thran dynamo, rather it really shines in the kind of decks that would rather run all three. It stands to reason, if your strategy is to simply load up on mana, you will likely have plenty of spare mana sitting around that would let you go Hedron -> something else in the late game, or wouldn't mind keeping a virtual six mana open in case a sweeper is coming.
Sol Ring
Gilded Lotus
Thran Dynamo
Worn Powerstone
Coalition Relic
Dreamstone Hedron
If it's more Spikey, add Mana Vault. I'm unwilling to get mana crypts.
Cheers
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:symb:Endrek Sahr:symb:
Usually the term Mana Rock refers to artifacts that tap for mana themselves. While these can generate mana, they are not, by casual definition, mana rocks.
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