i cant see many decks playing mission briefing over snap. UW is a possibility.
so playable, but probably not that impactful.
Lazav, the Multifarious UB
Creature — Shapeshifter {MR}
When Lazav, the Multifarious enters the battlefield, surveil 1.
X: Lazav, the Multifarious becomes a copy of target creature card in your graveyard with converted mana cost X, except its name is Lazav, the Multifarious, it's legendary in addition to its other types, and it has this ability.
1/3
i think this card has some potential. not sure if its value or some combo-esque interaction, but its priced to move.
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Modern: UWGSnow-Bant Control BURGrixis Death's Shadow GWBCoCo Elves WCDeath and Taxes (sold)
Yeah at 2 mana...thats a decent card too. I'm tempted to make the mistake of building another UB deck. A mistake because any time I've built anything not red, I lose a game with my opponent at 3 life, and rage about how I dont have a Bolt in my hand...
yeah gonna need better brewers than i to dive deep into the jank tank and see if there is anything broken to be had.
im just like 'yeah it could be extra copies of death shadow', which doesnt even sound that great. or copy Dryad Arbor, which im not sure even turns him into a land. great a 2 mana build-your-own mana dork!
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Modern: UWGSnow-Bant Control BURGrixis Death's Shadow GWBCoCo Elves WCDeath and Taxes (sold)
Lazav is best used to bypass detrimental ETB triggers, e.g. Hunted Horror. If you're using him as Raise Dead, well, Raise Dead costs 1 mana. You can pay 2 mana to cast Lazav, then X to copy the creature in your graveyard. Or you can pay 1 mana for Raise Dead, then cast the creature from your hand. The second option costs 1 less mana.
That said, even copying a Hunted Horror requires a lot of mana and setup. Let's say you loot Hunted Horror (1 mana), then cast Lazav (2 mana), and copy Horror (2 mana). End result: you spent a total of 5 mana for a 7/7 trample. Slapping auras on a Bogle pays better.
I could see it in some type of Soulflayer or Heartless Summoning deck. Maybe Black devotion. Not sure what current competitive decks could utilize it however.
Mission Briefing vs Snapcaster Mage:
- Briefing is not a creature, can't be Commanded (Kolaghan's/Cryptic) back to hand
- Briefing costs UU, Snapcaster costs 1U
- Briefing is an instant, triggers Pyromancer Ascension, Thing in the Ice, etc
- Briefing surveils 2 and bins itself
- Briefing doesn't target
Overall Snapcaster is probably better due to its less color-intensive mana cost, and that it's a 2-for-1 whereas Briefing is a 1-for-1 with selection.
Does Briefing allow cards to be casted for alternate costs? edit: yes it does. Holy *****, instant mill staple
I think the thing many people were missing about the importance of Mission Briefing not targeting a spell: opponents need to react (scooze/surgical/etc) before the spells resolves. So similar to a Meddling Mage or Vial activation. Once the spell resolves, you get to cast your chosen GY spell (as part of the resolution of this spell) and the opponent can't stop you.
IMO, it's not going to replace Snap, but it's going to be lovely as Snap #5-8, as needed.
Mission Briefing vs Snapcaster Mage:
- Briefing is not a creature, can't be Commanded (Kolaghan's/Cryptic) back to hand
- Briefing costs UU, Snapcaster costs 1U
- Briefing is an instant, triggers Pyromancer Ascension, Thing in the Ice, etc
- Briefing surveils 2 and bins itself
- Briefing doesn't target
Overall Snapcaster is probably better due to its less color-intensive mana cost, and that it's a 2-for-1 whereas Briefing is a 1-for-1 with selection.
Does Briefing allow cards to be casted for alternate costs? edit: yes it does. Holy *****, instant mill staple
I think the thing many people were missing about the importance of Mission Briefing not targeting a spell: opponents need to react (scooze/surgical/etc) before the spells resolves. So similar to a Meddling Mage or Vial activation. Once the spell resolves, you get to cast your chosen GY spell (as part of the resolution of this spell) and the opponent can't stop you.
IMO, it's not going to replace Snap, but it's going to be lovely as Snap #5-8, as needed.
Mission Briefing vs Snapcaster Mage:
- Briefing is not a creature, can't be Commanded (Kolaghan's/Cryptic) back to hand
- Briefing costs UU, Snapcaster costs 1U
- Briefing is an instant, triggers Pyromancer Ascension, Thing in the Ice, etc
- Briefing surveils 2 and bins itself
- Briefing doesn't target
Overall Snapcaster is probably better due to its less color-intensive mana cost, and that it's a 2-for-1 whereas Briefing is a 1-for-1 with selection.
Does Briefing allow cards to be casted for alternate costs? edit: yes it does. Holy *****, instant mill staple
I think the thing many people were missing about the importance of Mission Briefing not targeting a spell: opponents need to react (scooze/surgical/etc) before the spells resolves. So similar to a Meddling Mage or Vial activation. Once the spell resolves, you get to cast your chosen GY spell (as part of the resolution of this spell) and the opponent can't stop you.
IMO, it's not going to replace Snap, but it's going to be lovely as Snap #5-8, as needed.
So... Knight of Autumn? Seems like a great card in CoCo, for sideboard atleast.
Heck yes! If Reclamation Sage is occasionally maindeckable, then this is way more maindeckable. An anti-artifact/-enchantment guy who gains life against aggro or gets fat against control/combo instead? Sign me up!
Also, Mission Briefing not targeting actually doesn't help that much against Scavenging Ooze because opponents will be fairly likely to suck up all your best spells in response, and then you'll rely on the luck of the draw Surveil to save you. OK, any such opponents can't afford to be pinpoint conservative (unlike with Snapcaster), but I suspect they'll often be determined enough.
I'm going to be frank: This feels like RTR 2.0 as far as how the prices are going to settle on cards. We're looking at some pretty weak planeswalkers, a strong land cycle, and a couple of good utility spells shining in a pile of draft fodder and standard playable cards. Core 2019 feels by far much stronger than Guilds of Rav, and Dominaria looks to be stronger than Guilds as well unless they spoil something really crazy.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Well Teferi and Karn alone do that...Opt is good as well.
Difference from DOM and Rav is power is not in the Walkers at 4-5...its in lower curve stuff at 2-3...
I thought they push the power more quite frankly going back to DOM and RAV but that so far does not seem to be the case.
Well Teferi and Karn alone do that...Opt is good as well.
Difference from DOM and Rav is power is not in the Walkers at 4-5...its in lower curve stuff at 2-3...
I thought they push the power more quite frankly going back to DOM and RAV but that so far does not seem to be the case.
I feel like we are looking at a new age of MtG going forward from Ixalan. Even core 2019, which I feel is the strongest set in the new meta coming in standard, doesn't have the broken power of the top end in Kaladesh -> Amonkhet blocks. Heck, the tribes in Ixalan felt horribly nerfed compared to the true tribal blocks of Lorwyn -> Shadowmoor, and the best I can say is that Dominaria didn't turn into Kamigawa block all over again.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Well Teferi and Karn alone do that...Opt is good as well.
Difference from DOM and Rav is power is not in the Walkers at 4-5...its in lower curve stuff at 2-3...
I thought they push the power more quite frankly going back to DOM and RAV but that so far does not seem to be the case.
I feel like we are looking at a new age of MtG going forward from Ixalan. Even core 2019, which I feel is the strongest set in the new meta coming in standard, doesn't have the broken power of the top end in Kaladesh -> Amonkhet blocks. Heck, the tribes in Ixalan felt horribly nerfed compared to the true tribal blocks of Lorwyn -> Shadowmoor, and the best I can say is that Dominaria didn't turn into Kamigawa block all over again.
Come on Colt, you've been around long enough you know there is an ebb and flow to power across sets.
Well Teferi and Karn alone do that...Opt is good as well.
Difference from DOM and Rav is power is not in the Walkers at 4-5...its in lower curve stuff at 2-3...
I thought they push the power more quite frankly going back to DOM and RAV but that so far does not seem to be the case.
I feel like we are looking at a new age of MtG going forward from Ixalan. Even core 2019, which I feel is the strongest set in the new meta coming in standard, doesn't have the broken power of the top end in Kaladesh -> Amonkhet blocks. Heck, the tribes in Ixalan felt horribly nerfed compared to the true tribal blocks of Lorwyn -> Shadowmoor, and the best I can say is that Dominaria didn't turn into Kamigawa block all over again.
Come on Colt, you've been around long enough you know there is an ebb and flow to power across sets.
Sure but you figure the two most iconic planes would get real power...I mean DOM I guess overlaps with Kaladesh but still first return in 10 Years. But Ravnica doesn't maybe the final Ravnica set for the End of the Bolas Arc will bring real power.
I mean two of my favorite Oldwalkers got strong cards so I guess cannot complain too much but poor Jaya Fans and overall the cards plus story didnt do it for me.
i have to admit my first instinct is some sort of TiTi delver deck though, add 2 copies of young pyromancer, possibly slot in a pair of blood moon, and voila
Knight of Autumn is a winner. Remember when Company decks had to use Harmonic Sliver because Reclamation Sage didn't exist? (Well, not really. They were Pod decks back then.) Now you can have your choice of 4/3 beater, Reclamation Sage, or once-dead Kitchen Finks in one card. Maindecking Reclamation Sage used to be a meta call, now you can do that confidently.
Hunted Witness is another 1-mana death trigger creature to play alongside Doomed Traveler. This makes the mana in Aristocrats decks slightly better (instead of needing W+B+G for Traveler/Viscera Seer/Blisterpod on turn 1, you only need W+B). The token having lifelink also means that +1/+1 counters from Abzan Ascendancy swing life totals twice as much.
Knight of Autumn is a winner. Remember when Company decks had to use Harmonic Sliver because Reclamation Sage didn't exist? (Well, not really. They were Pod decks back then.) Now you can have your choice of 4/3 beater, Reclamation Sage, or once-dead Kitchen Finks in one card. Maindecking Reclamation Sage used to be a meta call, now you can do that confidently.
Yeah Knight of Autumn is a slam-dunk for Company decks. It also gets hit by Militia Bugler which is just icing on the cake. I can see cutting the Kataki, Reclamation Sage, and Qasali Pridemage I usually play in the board for 3 of these. It's so flexible, and kinda feels like we're starting to see the Birthing Pod horizon where they have to be careful about every <3cmc creature they print or else one day it'll hit critical mass. There are many more restrictions than Pod for sure, but the deck has been getting much much better in just the last 2 years.
I want to live the dream of T2-T3 Tasigur/Angler into T4 Ritual against an aggressive deck. Quickly reviewing aggressive strategies in Modern, this hits all non-manland creatures in Humans, Infect, Affinity, Bant/UW Spirits, Hardened Scales, Elves, and others. Unfortunately, it has notable misses in Bridgevine and Hollow One, doesn't fully deal with Dredge and recurring creatures, and can't be played by most of the black-based decks that might want asymmetrical wraths that aren't Damnation. For instance, GDS maybe plays this when DS isn't on-board, but Damnation hits everything and Consume the Meek wasn't remotely playable at +1 mana and instant-speed. I expect this will be a miss, which is too bad because I appreciate Wizards exploring this design space. If this had EXILED creatures instead, that would have been sweet.
Ritual of Soot - surprised they printed a smother that hits all. Not really good though.. might add one to sideboard if Humans become half the meta in our FNM.
i cant see many decks playing mission briefing over snap. UW is a possibility.
so playable, but probably not that impactful.
Lazav, the Multifarious UB
Creature — Shapeshifter {MR}
When Lazav, the Multifarious enters the battlefield, surveil 1.
X: Lazav, the Multifarious becomes a copy of target creature card in your graveyard with converted mana cost X, except its name is Lazav, the Multifarious, it's legendary in addition to its other types, and it has this ability.
1/3
i think this card has some potential. not sure if its value or some combo-esque interaction, but its priced to move.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)Spirits
im just like 'yeah it could be extra copies of death shadow', which doesnt even sound that great. or copy Dryad Arbor, which im not sure even turns him into a land. great a 2 mana build-your-own mana dork!
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)That said, even copying a Hunted Horror requires a lot of mana and setup. Let's say you loot Hunted Horror (1 mana), then cast Lazav (2 mana), and copy Horror (2 mana). End result: you spent a total of 5 mana for a 7/7 trample. Slapping auras on a Bogle pays better.
| Ad Nauseam
| Infect
Big Johnny.
It might even be better to play Mission Briefing in UW as it gives a way to set up Miracle better with Surveil, but that might be too cute
I could see it in some type of Soulflayer or Heartless Summoning deck. Maybe Black devotion. Not sure what current competitive decks could utilize it however.
I think the thing many people were missing about the importance of Mission Briefing not targeting a spell: opponents need to react (scooze/surgical/etc) before the spells resolves. So similar to a Meddling Mage or Vial activation. Once the spell resolves, you get to cast your chosen GY spell (as part of the resolution of this spell) and the opponent can't stop you.
IMO, it's not going to replace Snap, but it's going to be lovely as Snap #5-8, as needed.
You can also add that it makes Young Pyromancer tokens and flips Delver of Secrets... something Snapcaster Mage cannot do....
UR ....... WUBR ........... WB ............. RGW ........ UBR ....... WUB .... BGU
Spells / Blink & Combo / Token Grind / Dino Tribal / Draw Cards / Zombies / Reanimate
Its good to be Green in Ravnica. Reclamation Sage + only downside is really not an Elf.
At least its not a human.
Spirits
probably wouldnt come up much, but its noteworthy that remand actually returns the spell to hand instead of exiling it.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)Lol that is not funny.
That means it interacts very nicely with both Storm and Buyback but yeah not sure how much of a use case there is.
Heck yes! If Reclamation Sage is occasionally maindeckable, then this is way more maindeckable. An anti-artifact/-enchantment guy who gains life against aggro or gets fat against control/combo instead? Sign me up!
Also, Mission Briefing not targeting actually doesn't help that much against Scavenging Ooze because opponents will be fairly likely to suck up all your best spells in response, and then you'll rely on the luck of the
drawSurveil to save you. OK, any such opponents can't afford to be pinpoint conservative (unlike with Snapcaster), but I suspect they'll often be determined enough.1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Difference from DOM and Rav is power is not in the Walkers at 4-5...its in lower curve stuff at 2-3...
I thought they push the power more quite frankly going back to DOM and RAV but that so far does not seem to be the case.
I feel like we are looking at a new age of MtG going forward from Ixalan. Even core 2019, which I feel is the strongest set in the new meta coming in standard, doesn't have the broken power of the top end in Kaladesh -> Amonkhet blocks. Heck, the tribes in Ixalan felt horribly nerfed compared to the true tribal blocks of Lorwyn -> Shadowmoor, and the best I can say is that Dominaria didn't turn into Kamigawa block all over again.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Come on Colt, you've been around long enough you know there is an ebb and flow to power across sets.
Spirits
Sure but you figure the two most iconic planes would get real power...I mean DOM I guess overlaps with Kaladesh but still first return in 10 Years. But Ravnica doesn't maybe the final Ravnica set for the End of the Bolas Arc will bring real power.
I mean two of my favorite Oldwalkers got strong cards so I guess cannot complain too much but poor Jaya Fans and overall the cards plus story didnt do it for me.
i have to admit my first instinct is some sort of TiTi delver deck though, add 2 copies of young pyromancer, possibly slot in a pair of blood moon, and voila
UBRGrixis ControlUBR | URPhoenixUR | UWMiraclesUW |GBRJundGBR | UBFaeriesUB | UBWAd NauseumUBW |GBRWBlueless ShadowGBRW |
MTGA
UBRGrixis ControlUBR | UTempoU
Hunted Witness is another 1-mana death trigger creature to play alongside Doomed Traveler. This makes the mana in Aristocrats decks slightly better (instead of needing W+B+G for Traveler/Viscera Seer/Blisterpod on turn 1, you only need W+B). The token having lifelink also means that +1/+1 counters from Abzan Ascendancy swing life totals twice as much.
| Ad Nauseam
| Infect
Big Johnny.
MTGO/MTGA: Tyclone
My Primers ~ GWx Vizier Company ~ Knightfall ~ RG Eldrazi ~ Green's Sun's Zenith
More Brews ~ Modern Four Horsemen ~ Gitrog Dredge
https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-preview/ritual-soot-2018-09-14
I want to live the dream of T2-T3 Tasigur/Angler into T4 Ritual against an aggressive deck. Quickly reviewing aggressive strategies in Modern, this hits all non-manland creatures in Humans, Infect, Affinity, Bant/UW Spirits, Hardened Scales, Elves, and others. Unfortunately, it has notable misses in Bridgevine and Hollow One, doesn't fully deal with Dredge and recurring creatures, and can't be played by most of the black-based decks that might want asymmetrical wraths that aren't Damnation. For instance, GDS maybe plays this when DS isn't on-board, but Damnation hits everything and Consume the Meek wasn't remotely playable at +1 mana and instant-speed. I expect this will be a miss, which is too bad because I appreciate Wizards exploring this design space. If this had EXILED creatures instead, that would have been sweet.
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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