This is a list of spells that players using Sunforger may find useful. It is current up to M14. Not all of these cards will be powerful, but some of them will be neat little surprises.
Why isn't ***** on the list?
Pick one:
The spell is largely irrelevant to the EDH format (examples include About Face, Scar, and Volcanic Fallout).
The spell is an X spell, and thus incompatible with Sunforger.
The spell is considerably inferior to another spell on the list (Burn the Impure VS Incinerate VS Searing Blaze, for example).
How many of these should I be playing if I'm playing Sunforger?
About 10, as appropriate for your colors. Because Sunforger needs a minimum of RW, you may have a lot of comptetition between the colors. In general, try pick cards that are useful without Sunforger to capitalize on times when you won't have it on the board..
Sunforger is a very versatile card, capable of tutoring up dozens of spells in a single game, and can easily give you a win even by equipping it to your general so you can bash face.
Keep the following in mind when playing with Sunforger:
Casting spells with Sunforger triggers Storm, but not Rebound.
You can pay Kicker, Entwine, Replicate, and Buyback costs when casting spells with Sunforger.
You must pay all additional costs when casting with Sunforger.
You cannot activate Sunforger unless it is equiped.
Spells cast with Sunforger can still be countered unless otherwise stated.
If one side of a split card qualifies for Sunforger, then you can cast either side of it (but not both).
You cannot use the Overload version of any spell with that ability if you are casting it with Sunforger (as you aren't paying the mana cost).
Spells cast with Sunforger trigger Extort.
You cannot use Fuse abilities of spells cast via Sunforger (since they aren't cast from your hand).
I think the biggest direct damage instant spell in magic, aside from infinite mana combos that pump into X burns, is probably Fling. I've seen Serra Avatar, Taurean Mauler, and Hamletback Goliath all flung straight to the face for lethal.
Also useful as spot removal in a pinch.
This is really good. I hope you might add mono colored spells to the list (example is I'm playing a 3 colored deck RWB. ) and id love to find some good black instants to use.
I thought about it, but Swerve and Shunt ended up being more powerful. I can still add it to the list, but it isn't as reliable as those two (though the burn is nice).
Orim's Thunder and Unmake are pretty boss SF targets.
Unmake is all ready on there, but I forgot about Thunder. Adding.
I thought Sunforger's best options were Grab the Reins and Blind with Anger....though I don't plan on using it anytime soon.
They are good cards fo SF, but both of them have pretty stupid drawbacks (GtR can't untap creatures and BwA can't hit generals). In the end, I decided against putting them on here. I'll think about putting them back on here.
excellent thread, sunforger is the greatest card of all time.
Not sure if it's before for black or blue...blue has counters and can abuse it better, but black has more ways to fetch it reliably. Depends if you want it to be stronger, or be easier to find.
only card I see missing is magnetic theft. Seems silly, but it's really strong tbh...you can switch sunforger onto another (unblocked?) creature for surprise damage (even an opponents creature, depending on the situation). It's also really techy if your opponent tries to wipe out your creatures and alpha strike you...in response move sunforger onto one of his creatures, then use it to fetch odds/ends when he swings. Plus, in hand, it can make sunforger available when your opponents weren't expecting it to be.
I just started building a RWU deck in anticipation of the new RWU generals coming out. My deck runs Sunforger so this thread helps a lot! Thanks!
A card that I did not see on the list is Brand. It is very limited, but it can cycle if you ever draw it. It also has synergy with Zedruu since we know that he has some kind of Donate effect. I agree with Albatross that Smash is better than Smash to Smithereens. I also like Shattering Pulse way better than Smash to Smithereens. I'd much rather have a card or the option to buyback than dealing three. ...Unless my opponent is at three or less life of course.
If they're going to print old flavor bad cards, I think they should reprint Yawgmoth's Bargain. It wouldn't even see play, since at 6 mana, you want to affect the board immediatly and play a super good Titan that taps permanent down. And I mean, wth? It makes you lose life and your free draw each turn. It would just be another junk mythic with all the morons saying "bad in constructed, but will fit right in my X edh deck."
Dawn Charm is my fog of choice because it can also regenerate creatures or counter lethal commet storms, but other options exist. Angelsong is probably the next best since you can cycle it if you draw into it unneeded.
I agree that Mistveil Plains bears special mention for it's interactions with Sunforger. I can't count the number of games I've won solely because it allowed me to Sunforge spells repeatedly.
This is a list of spells that players using Sunforger may find useful. It is current up to M14. Not all of these cards will be powerful, but some of them will be neat little surprises.
Why isn't ***** on the list?
Pick one:
How many of these should I be playing if I'm playing Sunforger?
About 10, as appropriate for your colors. Because Sunforger needs a minimum of RW, you may have a lot of comptetition between the colors. In general, try pick cards that are useful without Sunforger to capitalize on times when you won't have it on the board..
For reference: Sunforger.
Keep the following in mind when playing with Sunforger:
Driving Stick with Isochron Scepter.
Trinkets and Treasure: An Artificer's Toolbox.
Proc Drops: Playing with One Drops.
Deck Primer: Toshiro Umezawa
Dralnu
Isperia
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
I think the biggest direct damage instant spell in magic, aside from infinite mana combos that pump into X burns, is probably Fling. I've seen Serra Avatar, Taurean Mauler, and Hamletback Goliath all flung straight to the face for lethal.
Also useful as spot removal in a pinch.
Modern
RBig RedR
GMean GreenG
WWW AlliesW
BGScavengeBG
WUVenser SilenceWU
EDH
RWAurelia 1 vs 1RW
GWURoonGWU
GWSaffiGW
Also, for new users of Sunforger, it's worth noting that it combos nicely with Mistveil Plains.
URNiv-Mizzet, Burn
UW Geist, Pillow Fort
WBGGhave, Tokens
BR Olivia, Tribal
I'd vote for U as that allows Sunforger to act as a pocket counterspell. There's quite a few UR and UW ones.
Steel Sabotage'ng Orbs of Mellowness since 2011.
whoops. Never played with it as you can tell
As stated, Numot is capable of making excellent use of it due to Blue having counterspells.
And Scroll Rack+things with Buyback/Pollen Lullaby.
I thought about it, but Swerve and Shunt ended up being more powerful. I can still add it to the list, but it isn't as reliable as those two (though the burn is nice).
Unmake is all ready on there, but I forgot about Thunder. Adding.
They are good cards fo SF, but both of them have pretty stupid drawbacks (GtR can't untap creatures and BwA can't hit generals). In the end, I decided against putting them on here. I'll think about putting them back on here.
This is really good. I hope you might add mono colored spells to the list (example is I'm playing a 3 colored deck RWB. ) and id love to find some good black instants to use.
The mono-colored lists are all ready up.
You can also use things like Whim of Volrath to alter the color on Sunforger, but you pretty much have to be playing 5-Colors at that point.
Driving Stick with Isochron Scepter.
Trinkets and Treasure: An Artificer's Toolbox.
Proc Drops: Playing with One Drops.
Deck Primer: Toshiro Umezawa
Not sure if it's before for black or blue...blue has counters and can abuse it better, but black has more ways to fetch it reliably. Depends if you want it to be stronger, or be easier to find.
only card I see missing is magnetic theft. Seems silly, but it's really strong tbh...you can switch sunforger onto another (unblocked?) creature for surprise damage (even an opponents creature, depending on the situation). It's also really techy if your opponent tries to wipe out your creatures and alpha strike you...in response move sunforger onto one of his creatures, then use it to fetch odds/ends when he swings. Plus, in hand, it can make sunforger available when your opponents weren't expecting it to be.
WUB Merieke Ri Berit BUW
GWU Phelddagrif 1 2 3 4 UWG
BR Kaervek the Merciless RB
B Chainer, Dementia Master B
WUB Sen Triplets BUW
BG Sisters of Stone Death GB
WUBRG Scion of the Ur-Dragon GRBUW
GWU Angus Mackenzie UWG
R Kumano, Master Yamabushi R
WB Teysa BW
U Higure U
B Geth B
WUBRG Child of Alara 1 2GRBUW
R Zirilan R
U Arcum U
UR Nin RU
BRG Sek'Kuar GRB
U Teferi U
G Melira G
GU Edric UG
BG Glissa GB
Casual
GUB Knacksaw Clique BUG
RWU Sunforger UWR
Sunforger can't find it. CMC is too high.
I wouldn't discount Volcanic Fallout too quickly. It's generally not good, but it's one of the few forger targets that deals with token decks.
A card that I did not see on the list is Brand. It is very limited, but it can cycle if you ever draw it. It also has synergy with Zedruu since we know that he has some kind of Donate effect. I agree with Albatross that Smash is better than Smash to Smithereens. I also like Shattering Pulse way better than Smash to Smithereens. I'd much rather have a card or the option to buyback than dealing three. ...Unless my opponent is at three or less life of course.
Standard: B/r Vampires
EDH: Momir Vig
Commander/EDH:
WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator WU
GW Saffi Eriksdotter GW
BW Selenia, Dark Angel BW
W Heliod, God of Sun W
Retired:
Jenara, Asura of War Thada Adel, Acquisitor Jaya Ballard, Task Mage Lin Sivvi, Defiant Hero Lyzolda, the Blood Witch Akroma, Angel of Wrath Nath of the Gilt-Leaf Tajic, Blade of the Legion Selvala, Explorer Returned Maga, Traitor to Mortals
Tiny Leaders:
W Mangara of Corondor W
Wing Shards is an excellent Sunforger target. It can hit shroudy targets like Uril and often dodges counterspells through storm count.
Shattering Pulse is awesome reusable artifact destruction.
Dawn Charm is my fog of choice because it can also regenerate creatures or counter lethal commet storms, but other options exist. Angelsong is probably the next best since you can cycle it if you draw into it unneeded.
I agree that Mistveil Plains bears special mention for it's interactions with Sunforger. I can't count the number of games I've won solely because it allowed me to Sunforge spells repeatedly.
WUBRGPauper Battle BoxWUBRG ... and why I am not a fan of Wayne Reynolds' Illustrations.
EDH:
UBGThe MimeoplasmUBG
Driving Stick with Isochron Scepter.
Trinkets and Treasure: An Artificer's Toolbox.
Proc Drops: Playing with One Drops.
Deck Primer: Toshiro Umezawa