I was curious to know other's opinions on this card. Apart from it's application as a combo piece with Ad Nauseam, I have actually been trying it out as a sideboard card. The reason being: it is a combo shutdown card.
Play it after an Ad Nauseam player combos = near instant win, they just drew their whole deck
Play it after a Scapeshift player combos with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle = they've wasted all their ammo
Play it after a Grapeshot player combos = good luck getting that storm count again!
Play it after a Jeskai Ascendancy player builds it's triggers = yeah, those creature buffs don't last
The downside is perhaps that it leaves you at only 1 life left, but the upside is that there is absolutely no way for it to be countered or played around. After you stifle their combo, you have a minimum of one turn to come back for the win. This card should be played in conjunction with other combo-stoppers, but does anyone else think this card be played more if combo decks become played? I'm looking for reasons as to why it might be a bad choice or if maybe it is actually a good one.
All those decks can actually just ping you for one with some nonsensical creature or burn spell. Hell, you could die to a sakura tribe elder from scapeshift
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Currently Playing:
Modern: RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy: UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander: UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
I've admittedly toyed with the idea of trying one in esper control for the sideboard. The problem is it's not a 1-of card--It really demands you play multiple copies in order to access it reliably. And it's not an effect I WANT to draw multiples of most of the time.
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Yes, I am a local area mod. WELP. GOOD LIFE CHANGES ALL HAPPEN AT ONCE AND SOME ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE
Primary Decks:
Modern: Esper Draw-Go
Legacy: RUG Lands
EDH: Sidisi turn-3 storm
Play it after an Ad Nauseam player combos = near instant win, they just drew their whole deck
This is really the only viable one. This often makes Ad Nauseam players sideboard in alt win conditions if they see an Angel's Grace on the opposite side of the field.
Play it after a Scapeshift player combos with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle = they've wasted all their ammo
If they have a Sakura Tribe Elder, Bolt or another Mountain, you're dead. Being at 1 against a deck with Red is bad.
Play it after a Grapeshot player combos = good luck getting that storm count again!
Why on earth would I need to get my Storm count back up? Next turn Grapeshot from the hand is a kill, as is Past in Flames -> Grapeshot and Bolt after sideboard.
TL;DR Angel's Grace is really bad if you're not using it to combo.
Yeah okay, all your points are fair.
1 life against red is likely death and it's not worth running just to screw over ad nauseam combo.
I don't really see anything left to discuss here. Thanks everyone!
I've actually sideboarded it when I was playing GW Hatebears, as were several others in that thread. The key point (as others have mentioned) is that stalling them for a turn is pointless unless you can win the next turn. Our thinking in the Hatebears thread was that we often could kill them that next turn. If your deck creates pressure, the combo player will likely be waiting until the last possible turn to combo off; if you hold up Grace and keep them from winning, then you kill them next turn.
As an ad nauseam player who has used it in all of the situations you've posted, this is what happened in each one.
Ad nauseam: Hit me in the face with a spirit guide.
Scapeshift: Bolt/Electrolyze/Crack a fetch for a mountain at my upkeep.
Storm: I'm at one life, they can either flashback the grapeshot their next turn or kill me with electromancer.
Jeskai Ascendancy: Bolt me at my upkeep.
That's not to say this happens every time. But if I have angel's grace I want to be casting it where I can win. If I have phyrexian unlife too then it's viable, because it fogs an attack and I'm still sitting at 10 life after going to 1. Every time I've casted angel's grace from a losing position, I still usually lose. The only exception being angel's gracing through like three pact triggers from amulet bloom. that feels so good to do.
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Come watch me stream over at my twitch channel. I play Loam Pox, Ad Nauseam, and jank in modern on MTGO.
As an ad nauseam player who has used it in all of the situations you've posted, this is what happened in each one.
Ad nauseam: Hit me in the face with a spirit guide.
Scapeshift: Bolt/Electrolyze/Crack a fetch for a mountain at my upkeep.
Storm: I'm at one life, they can either flashback the grapeshot their next turn or kill me with electromancer.
Jeskai Ascendancy: Bolt me at my upkeep.
That's not to say this happens every time. But if I have angel's grace I want to be casting it where I can win. If I have phyrexian unlife too then it's viable, because it fogs an attack and I'm still sitting at 10 life after going to 1. Every time I've casted angel's grace from a losing position, I still usually lose. The only exception being angel's gracing through like three pact triggers from amulet bloom. that feels so good to do.
Confirming that casting Angel's Grace to pay for Pacts is hilarious, especially when the opponent has a grip full of counters.
As an ad nauseam player who has used it in all of the situations you've posted, this is what happened in each one.
Ad nauseam: Hit me in the face with a spirit guide.
Scapeshift: Bolt/Electrolyze/Crack a fetch for a mountain at my upkeep.
Storm: I'm at one life, they can either flashback the grapeshot their next turn or kill me with electromancer.
Jeskai Ascendancy: Bolt me at my upkeep.
That's not to say this happens every time. But if I have angel's grace I want to be casting it where I can win. If I have phyrexian unlife too then it's viable, because it fogs an attack and I'm still sitting at 10 life after going to 1. Every time I've casted angel's grace from a losing position, I still usually lose. The only exception being angel's gracing through like three pact triggers from amulet bloom. that feels so good to do.
Confirming that casting Angel's Grace to pay for Pacts is hilarious, especially when the opponent has a grip full of counters.
I haven't got to do it yet, but I can imagine that it feels great. I may have to resume sideboarding it...because gosh do I hate that deck.
I was curious to know other's opinions on this card. Apart from it's application as a combo piece with Ad Nauseam, I have actually been trying it out as a sideboard card. The reason being: it is a combo shutdown card.
Play it after an Ad Nauseam player combos = near instant win, they just drew their whole deck
Play it after a Scapeshift player combos with Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle = they've wasted all their ammo
Play it after a Grapeshot player combos = good luck getting that storm count again!
Play it after a Jeskai Ascendancy player builds it's triggers = yeah, those creature buffs don't last
The downside is perhaps that it leaves you at only 1 life left, but the upside is that there is absolutely no way for it to be countered or played around. After you stifle their combo, you have a minimum of one turn to come back for the win. This card should be played in conjunction with other combo-stoppers, but does anyone else think this card be played more if combo decks become played? I'm looking for reasons as to why it might be a bad choice or if maybe it is actually a good one.
"Play it after a Grapeshot player combos = good luck getting that storm count again!"
You said it yourself, you are at one. Why would they need a storm count????
Modern:
RUGScapeshift[RUG...Occasionally with goyfs
RUGTarmotwinRUG(RIP)
Legacy:
UWxuwr miracles and stonebladeUWx
Commander:
UWRShu Yun/Ruhan SmashUWR
Yes, I am a local area mod.WELP. GOOD LIFE CHANGES ALL HAPPEN AT ONCE AND SOME ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVEPrimary Decks:
Modern: Esper Draw-Go
Legacy: RUG Lands
EDH: Sidisi turn-3 storm
This is really the only viable one. This often makes Ad Nauseam players sideboard in alt win conditions if they see an Angel's Grace on the opposite side of the field.
If they have a Sakura Tribe Elder, Bolt or another Mountain, you're dead. Being at 1 against a deck with Red is bad.
Why on earth would I need to get my Storm count back up? Next turn Grapeshot from the hand is a kill, as is Past in Flames -> Grapeshot and Bolt after sideboard.
TL;DR Angel's Grace is really bad if you're not using it to combo.
URW Control
WBG Abzan
GRW Burn
EDH
GR Rosheen Meanderer
1 life against red is likely death and it's not worth running just to screw over ad nauseam combo.
I don't really see anything left to discuss here. Thanks everyone!
I've actually sideboarded it when I was playing GW Hatebears, as were several others in that thread. The key point (as others have mentioned) is that stalling them for a turn is pointless unless you can win the next turn. Our thinking in the Hatebears thread was that we often could kill them that next turn. If your deck creates pressure, the combo player will likely be waiting until the last possible turn to combo off; if you hold up Grace and keep them from winning, then you kill them next turn.
Modern: GW Hatebears/midrange, WGU Knightfall/evolution midrange stuff
Standard: nope
Legacy: W Death & Taxes
EDH (not Commander!): W Avacyn, Angel of Hope, GR Ruric Thar, the Unbowed, WGB Anafenza, the Foremost, WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator
Ad nauseam: Hit me in the face with a spirit guide.
Scapeshift: Bolt/Electrolyze/Crack a fetch for a mountain at my upkeep.
Storm: I'm at one life, they can either flashback the grapeshot their next turn or kill me with electromancer.
Jeskai Ascendancy: Bolt me at my upkeep.
That's not to say this happens every time. But if I have angel's grace I want to be casting it where I can win. If I have phyrexian unlife too then it's viable, because it fogs an attack and I'm still sitting at 10 life after going to 1. Every time I've casted angel's grace from a losing position, I still usually lose. The only exception being angel's gracing through like three pact triggers from amulet bloom. that feels so good to do.
Confirming that casting Angel's Grace to pay for Pacts is hilarious, especially when the opponent has a grip full of counters.
I haven't got to do it yet, but I can imagine that it feels great. I may have to resume sideboarding it...because gosh do I hate that deck.
Modern: GW Hatebears/midrange, WGU Knightfall/evolution midrange stuff
Standard: nope
Legacy: W Death & Taxes
EDH (not Commander!): W Avacyn, Angel of Hope, GR Ruric Thar, the Unbowed, WGB Anafenza, the Foremost, WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator