Absorb is a reprint. It's pretty sweet for a three mana counterspell, but it is a three mana counterspell with a restrictive mana cost. I think it's really about exactly as good as Undermine.
It's definitely a playable card, but it's not near the top.
For those that weren't managing cubes in 2007-2009, you missed the epic debate/endless discussion surrounding Absorb. Creating this thread was a joke meant to get a laugh out of the folks that remember the struggle.
I still think it's a playable card, just not the strongest. I didn't build my cube until like 2011, and I didn't join the online cube community until like 2016, so I'm unfamiliar with the debate.
I was very much in the pro-Absorb camp, but that was in an era where there weren't ...good... cards. Literally every card in the top 10 list of WU cards now has been printed since Absorb was commonly played in cube.
FWIW, the card is okay because it's powerful in control's worst matchup, but it can't realistically compete nowadays. I think it's miles better than Undermine though. The lifegain is a relevant upside when you're on the defensive, which white/blue decks often are. It's a reasonable tempo bump.
For those that weren't managing cubes in 2007-2009, you missed the epic debate/endless discussion surrounding Absorb. Creating this thread was a joke meant to get a laugh out of the folks that remember the struggle.
Ah, yes. I certainly recall those days, though I was more of an observer than a participant in that particular debate. Now Rude Awakening on the other hand....
I mean, a harder to cast Cancel was good back then, but now that we have less competition, especially in Azorius, and the cube has gotten much slower with higher curves, it's even better. Also, being gold is always a bonus. 10/10, would splash blue in my white deck for it
For those that weren't managing cubes in 2007-2009, you missed the epic debate/endless discussion surrounding Absorb. Creating this thread was a joke meant to get a laugh out of the folks that remember the struggle.
This was an awesome thread. I assumed someone who didn't know it was a reprint made it, so your opening post was a pleasant and amusing surprise.
I don't know guys... this looks pretty good to me. Care to open up a discussion?
edit: Merry Christmas!
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It's definitely a playable card, but it's not near the top.
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FWIW, the card is okay because it's powerful in control's worst matchup, but it can't realistically compete nowadays. I think it's miles better than Undermine though. The lifegain is a relevant upside when you're on the defensive, which white/blue decks often are. It's a reasonable tempo bump.
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Jokes aside, the reprint of Absorb pretty much guarantees we won’t get some 2-CMC UW counterspell variant.
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This was an awesome thread. I assumed someone who didn't know it was a reprint made it, so your opening post was a pleasant and amusing surprise.
Cheers,
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I remember absorb and arcane denial causing a ruckus on the forums, as well as mill strategies in general.
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For reference my UW section in my first cube back in 07 was Absorb, Iridescent Angel, Teferi's Moat, Azorius Guildmage, and Court Hussar.
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As one that remembers the discussion fondly, and was in the Absorb-love camp back then.
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