I would like to point out that this can swing on a 3 turn clock. Prowess is a thing.
Yes, it can swing on a 3 turn clock assuming you can cast a non-creature spell on at least 2 of those turns, which is not trivial. Ling is always a 3 turn clock.
Some horror scenarios just rushed through my mind mostly all about not being able to cast this when it's utterly necessary.
Yeah, it's really bad against aggro as the control deck. But I think how phenomenal it is in decks that are trading resources or cards early (rakdos aggro, suicide black, even UB tempo, etc) make up for that. I mean, at 3 cards in the yard it is a strict upgrade to GFTT, and 3 seems like a very easy number to obtain just from playing magic. Obviously nonbo scenarios with snapcaster and other cubable delve cards (if any get printed) are something to keep in mind too. All in all, though, I think this cards ACS is something like 1.5B destroy target creature. I like that, and I really like occasionally being able to kill for just B and have all my other mana to drop another threat or hold up countermagic.
Do we really like this more than atherling? It can't get unblockable, can't hit for more than 6 (ling can hit for 8 - 3 turn clock versus 4), the bounce effect loses you a turn of attacking due to summoning sickness (unless you STILL have 5UU after returning 3 lands and can cast it again), and prowess is probably...pretty irrelevant on a 6/7.
Does the uncounterability and flash make up for those deficits, especially when the uncounterability would be most relevant against the deck that wants to be playing this card and aetherling (Ux control) so it probably won't matter too often since you'll be in that deck, and is the ability to ambush an attacker/flash in end of turn to have mana up (which you don't really need with this guy, and atherling only asks that you leave 1-2 mana up depending on your opponent) worth losing unblockable and pumpable? I don't think it is, but I've been wrong before.
Easy to splash, no restrictions, and pretty easy to get down to 2B, 1B or even just B. It's worse against aggro than go for the throat, but can be so much better mid to late game and can kill artifact creatures. What do we think? I am for sure going to push for testing this at 450, does it make it in 360 for testing?
With regards to this card, I really like all the modes, but not enough to make me add this card unless I'm trying to do one card from each wedge. I do like that it's almost 3 versions of removal.
But I may swap out the Zealot for the Aspirant if she tests well.
I too like this guy better than chainwalker and marauder, as I think the unblockable clause is a lot more relevant than it first appears. Obviously testing will determine if it actually is, but I think this guys good case scenario more than makes up for the times he's just a hard to block piker.
I kind of want to have this format exist as a sanctioned format, at least on MODO. There would likely be an actual metagame, although only a handful of cards would see play. I guess it could be one of those Momir Basic-style formats.
Any deck that can combo kill at instant speed beats the dross deck, since it's a triggered ability and you can respond with the trigger on the stack. The ripple spirit guide deck, for instance, beats it if it goes off, as would any combo deck that dropped the blue leyline.
If you are getting less than 8 zombies out of this card, you are doing it wrong.
It doesn't matter how many black mana you have or how many cards are in your graveyard on turn six. You'll never want to use that card this early. Psychatog isn't a 20/21 on turn six, either. Empty the Pits is a lategame control finisher, mostly for UB control decks. It is probably good at this role, but it is also too narrow for cubes.
Tog is a bad comparison to make to this card. If all tog could do was be a lategame control finisher that attacked for 20 in one turn, it would be awful. Tog is so good (and let's leave aside that it's not good enough to be a shoe in for most smaller lists nowadays) because it is so flexible. It stonewalls attacks against aggro, dodges burn removal, can trade up by ditching cards from your yard, and then can go on the warpath when it needs to. This card is the opposite of flexible. It fits in one color for one archetype, and is middling even in that archetype.
I don't think it's a 6 drop. I think it's like a turn 9 or 10 play that kills in two swings and allows you coutner back up. Now that's a narrow card, but it's exactly what a lot of my U/B control cards in cube want. Probably too narrow for most lists, but it definitely has the power level if that's what you're looking for.
Sure, it's a good t10 play in UB control, but I don't want a card that narrow I guess.
Yes, it can swing on a 3 turn clock assuming you can cast a non-creature spell on at least 2 of those turns, which is not trivial. Ling is always a 3 turn clock.
Yeah, it's really bad against aggro as the control deck. But I think how phenomenal it is in decks that are trading resources or cards early (rakdos aggro, suicide black, even UB tempo, etc) make up for that. I mean, at 3 cards in the yard it is a strict upgrade to GFTT, and 3 seems like a very easy number to obtain just from playing magic. Obviously nonbo scenarios with snapcaster and other cubable delve cards (if any get printed) are something to keep in mind too. All in all, though, I think this cards ACS is something like 1.5B destroy target creature. I like that, and I really like occasionally being able to kill for just B and have all my other mana to drop another threat or hold up countermagic.
So does the wizard's article, bizarrely.
Oops! Yup. Got too exited. Fixed.
Does the uncounterability and flash make up for those deficits, especially when the uncounterability would be most relevant against the deck that wants to be playing this card and aetherling (Ux control) so it probably won't matter too often since you'll be in that deck, and is the ability to ambush an attacker/flash in end of turn to have mana up (which you don't really need with this guy, and atherling only asks that you leave 1-2 mana up depending on your opponent) worth losing unblockable and pumpable? I don't think it is, but I've been wrong before.
Murderous Cut
4B
Instant
Delve
Destroy target Creature
Easy to splash, no restrictions, and pretty easy to get down to 2B, 1B or even just B. It's worse against aggro than go for the throat, but can be so much better mid to late game and can kill artifact creatures. What do we think? I am for sure going to push for testing this at 450, does it make it in 360 for testing?
With regards to this card, I really like all the modes, but not enough to make me add this card unless I'm trying to do one card from each wedge. I do like that it's almost 3 versions of removal.
Edit - You missed Venarian Glimmer
Yeah. I thought it was bad before I even noticed that. With that....
Bad (for cube) card is bad (for cube)
I too like this guy better than chainwalker and marauder, as I think the unblockable clause is a lot more relevant than it first appears. Obviously testing will determine if it actually is, but I think this guys good case scenario more than makes up for the times he's just a hard to block piker.
Any deck that can combo kill at instant speed beats the dross deck, since it's a triggered ability and you can respond with the trigger on the stack. The ripple spirit guide deck, for instance, beats it if it goes off, as would any combo deck that dropped the blue leyline.
Tog is a bad comparison to make to this card. If all tog could do was be a lategame control finisher that attacked for 20 in one turn, it would be awful. Tog is so good (and let's leave aside that it's not good enough to be a shoe in for most smaller lists nowadays) because it is so flexible. It stonewalls attacks against aggro, dodges burn removal, can trade up by ditching cards from your yard, and then can go on the warpath when it needs to. This card is the opposite of flexible. It fits in one color for one archetype, and is middling even in that archetype.
If it bothers you, don't write so many posts that just beg to be insulted.
Yeah, I was short-cutting "you gain 2 life when they both attack" to "they both gain you life." I should have been more clear.
Sure, it's a good t10 play in UB control, but I don't want a card that narrow I guess.