A cheap Lava Axe strapped to a creature. The stats + renew ability makes this pretty strong for black aggro since it hits hard and then the renew is a pseudo removal spell / sweeper that also sets up for an alpha strike since decayed creatures can't block. This is good on its own as a pure black aggro card, but what really makes this interesting to me is that it's recurrable with Lurrus / Unearth / Pre-War Formalwear type cards. Being able to repeatedly swing for 5 and then alpha strike them with the renew gives this a lot of unique options for its mana cost. Might give this a test just because this is a pretty unique card that can do a lot of different things.
IMO the difference between this card and Vexing Devil are day and night. This seems MUCH BETTER to me for several reasons:
- You're not giving your opponent any choice on ETB.
- This has trample.
- Is much harder to remove since 5 damage keeps it out of burn range and being black means it's immune to Snuff Out / Shriekmaw.
- Has value in the graveyard with the renew effect, which can easily win games on its own just by removing your opponent's blocking options.
I would argue the opponent is still given the choice on the ETB.
- If the opponent doesn't block, remove, etc. the opponent in essence choose the "take 5 damage" option of Vexing Devil
- If the opponent interacts, then in essence choose the "give the opponent the creature".
Suppose it's turn 1 against a burn deck, if I had a removal spell, let's suppose Fatal Push and I would like to use it on Vexing Devil, I would give them the creature and then remove it. Otherwise, I would opt to take the damage.
Same thing with this, if I had a removal spell that I would like to use, I would remove Rot-Cursed. Otherwise, I wouldn't block, interact etc. and take the 5 damage.
I also would prefer a 1 mana 4/3 rather than a 2 mana 5/5 out of efficient.
In comparison to Vexing Devil though, the renew ability is what makes this much stronger. In both decks your trying to whittle down the opponents life, vexing devil can be chump blocked in a pinch, this cannot. But the renew ability, being able to permanently turn X creatures into non blockers is massive for aggro. On turn 5 turning 3 of their creatures into non blockers might be all it takes to finish them off.
This one is definitely interesting. I will think about trying this.
I'm interested. This is also a good card to just pitch for value by discarding. The mass decayed effect is really going to be useful in aggro mirrors as well as preventing blockers in the mid range match up. Might test.
- If the opponent doesn't block, remove, etc. the opponent in essence choose the "take 5 damage" option of Vexing Devil
It still always gives you the option to attack a planeswalker or attempt to steal monarch / initiative. Can't pay 4 life to defend your planeswalker / monarch / initiative.
If your opponent has a removal spell for it, then they were forced to use a card on it rather than just pay 4 life.
Alan, Steve_man is right here, ur opponent spending a card on this is way better than them losing some life. Think about it like StP, the life gain is irrelevant.
If your opponent has a removal spell for it, then they were forced to use a card on it rather than just pay 4 life.
Alan, Steve_man is right here, ur opponent spending a card on this is way better than them losing some life. Think about it like StP, the life gain is irrelevant.
What I was saying was I was saying this card's template feels very close to Vexing Devil. What I was saying is if I was playing against burn and the opponent had a turn 1 vexing Devil, the times I would give him the creature is if I had a Bolt in hand OR it was late in the game and I had a sweeper/ blocker or I was about to combo off etc.
- If the opponent doesn't block, remove, etc. the opponent in essence choose the "take 5 damage" option of Vexing Devil
It still always gives you the option to attack a planeswalker or attempt to steal monarch / initiative. Can't pay 4 life to defend your planeswalker / monarch / initiative.
I think this needs to have haste for this to be effective. My other problem is if you play this as a 2-drop and it dies after dealing 5 damage, you lost a lot of tempo.
Cool and weird take on a Ball Lightning creature. Thanks Wizards for the reminder text on decayed!
Graveyard decks love this, and mass blanking blockers is pretty scary even with just threat of activation. X=1 or 2 are also pretty great early in the game. This looks super fun! But it never blocks, so not every deck wants it. Loves a Tortured Existence type deck.
The Renew ability really breaks board stalls effectively - cast it targeting their largest creatures, attack with your largest creatures, leave your small creatures to chump block decayed creatures.
The creature is actually the drawback to the “spell”. Without any additional interactions (discard or sac), it will take 2 turns before you can activate Renew.
I think it’ll be hard to overestimate the Renew ability without playing. It’s so impactful.
Headliner Scarlett continues to win seemingly lost games for aggro. This ability is typically more mana-intensive without adding power to the board, but it’s flexible, and when racing, it gives your opponent only 1 swing before they fall far behind in damage.
The sorcery clause sucks, of course. Entomb -> Renew before attacks would have been NASTY. But after Scarlett, I know not to ignore built-in falter effects on aggro bodies. Gonna test.
IMO the comparison between this and cards like Vexing Devil doesn't work because of its renew ability. Would likely be much closer to that if the added depth via Renew wasn't there.
IMO the comparison between this and cards like Vexing Devil doesn't work because of its renew ability. Would likely be much closer to that if the added depth via Renew wasn't there.
Fair - I think I underestimated the Renew ability.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
StaffA cheap Lava Axe strapped to a creature. The stats + renew ability makes this pretty strong for black aggro since it hits hard and then the renew is a pseudo removal spell / sweeper that also sets up for an alpha strike since decayed creatures can't block. This is good on its own as a pure black aggro card, but what really makes this interesting to me is that it's recurrable with Lurrus / Unearth / Pre-War Formalwear type cards. Being able to repeatedly swing for 5 and then alpha strike them with the renew gives this a lot of unique options for its mana cost. Might give this a test just because this is a pretty unique card that can do a lot of different things.
Join our Online Cube Draft Discord Group!
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
- The opponent could opt to take 5 damage on the next turn -> No Blocker, no removal etc. (Take 4 damage mode)
- The opponent could opt to respond by removing the creature, blocking the creature, sweeping the board etc. (Opponent gets the creature mode).
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
StaffIMO the difference between this card and Vexing Devil are day and night. This seems MUCH BETTER to me for several reasons:
- You're not giving your opponent any choice on ETB.
- This has trample.
- Is much harder to remove since 5 damage keeps it out of burn range and being black means it's immune to Snuff Out / Shriekmaw.
- Has value in the graveyard with the renew effect, which can easily win games on its own just by removing your opponent's blocking options.
Join our Online Cube Draft Discord Group!
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
I would argue the opponent is still given the choice on the ETB.
- If the opponent doesn't block, remove, etc. the opponent in essence choose the "take 5 damage" option of Vexing Devil
- If the opponent interacts, then in essence choose the "give the opponent the creature".
Suppose it's turn 1 against a burn deck, if I had a removal spell, let's suppose Fatal Push and I would like to use it on Vexing Devil, I would give them the creature and then remove it. Otherwise, I would opt to take the damage.
Same thing with this, if I had a removal spell that I would like to use, I would remove Rot-Cursed. Otherwise, I wouldn't block, interact etc. and take the 5 damage.
I also would prefer a 1 mana 4/3 rather than a 2 mana 5/5 out of efficient.
This one is definitely interesting. I will think about trying this.
On spoiled card wishlisting and 'should-have-had'-isms:
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
StaffIt still always gives you the option to attack a planeswalker or attempt to steal monarch / initiative. Can't pay 4 life to defend your planeswalker / monarch / initiative.
If your opponent has a removal spell for it, then they were forced to use a card on it rather than just pay 4 life.
Join our Online Cube Draft Discord Group!
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Alan, Steve_man is right here, ur opponent spending a card on this is way better than them losing some life. Think about it like StP, the life gain is irrelevant.
What I was saying was I was saying this card's template feels very close to Vexing Devil. What I was saying is if I was playing against burn and the opponent had a turn 1 vexing Devil, the times I would give him the creature is if I had a Bolt in hand OR it was late in the game and I had a sweeper/ blocker or I was about to combo off etc.
I think this needs to have haste for this to be effective. My other problem is if you play this as a 2-drop and it dies after dealing 5 damage, you lost a lot of tempo.
Graveyard decks love this, and mass blanking blockers is pretty scary even with just threat of activation. X=1 or 2 are also pretty great early in the game. This looks super fun! But it never blocks, so not every deck wants it. Loves a Tortured Existence type deck.
Low-power cube enthusiast!
My 1570 card cube (no longer updated)
My 415 Peasant+ Artifact and Enchantment Cube
Ever-Expanding "Just throw it in" cube.
The creature is actually the drawback to the “spell”. Without any additional interactions (discard or sac), it will take 2 turns before you can activate Renew.
Headliner Scarlett continues to win seemingly lost games for aggro. This ability is typically more mana-intensive without adding power to the board, but it’s flexible, and when racing, it gives your opponent only 1 swing before they fall far behind in damage.
The sorcery clause sucks, of course. Entomb -> Renew before attacks would have been NASTY. But after Scarlett, I know not to ignore built-in falter effects on aggro bodies. Gonna test.
This is still the best place for high-power-level cube chat & debate.
Here's to many more years at MTGS *clink*
My set reviews over the past ~14 years.
My cube design articles that I've written.
Linktree with links to my cube(s) and socials.
One of the people that helps with the MTGO Cube. Hit me up via MTGS PM or any of my socials with feedback or thoughts!
Fair - I think I underestimated the Renew ability.