For the counters part, does that mean you don't have to remove counters to pay costs ? Or that you can't pay those kinds of costs at all ?
I is confused !
It's referring to the rules such as when you have +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on the same permanent (as one example). Normally, state-based actions would have them annihilate each other and be removed. They stay put while this is out instead.
And because this is a card named Rules Lawyer, here's some rules lawyering. You still can't pay - costs for loyalty abilities on your planeswalkers (or impersonators) if you don't have enough counters. This card just keeps them out pretty much forever, barring a destruction/exile/sacrifice effect.
@Skios -- They're worded those ways because they're technically special actions you're doing (interfering with an action while it's happening, in this case). Thus, they get unusual templating instead of the standard tap-symbol, colon, text. See also the wording on suspend and (mega)morph, as those are also special actions when you suspend or turn a card face up while paying its (mega)morph cost.
Special actions don't really get spelled out and fanfared when it concerns rules text.
Am I wrong in thinking the Crew is going to be an absurd bomb in Limited? 4/3 that gets their best blocker(s) out of the way and/or hits them with them?
My MVP had to be Prepare // Fight, with Cartouche-Trial synergy right behind it, as both halves of that card did so much work for me I don't even know where to start. I'm certainly not against it being rare (for Limited's sake) now. People also seemed to forget that just because I can gain two life off their Compulsory Rest doesn't mean I'm going to when my pacified 4-power creature is keeping Rhonas active. That alone saved my bacon a few times. I also really wanted Destined // Lead like Caranthir got, because I'm just picturing it with Rhonas.
In hindsight, I think I should've played Cradle of the Accursed over the Dunes, as the Dunes really didn't hit much from my perspective. I didn't have a way to maximize the sole -1/-1 counter, in short.
Other random stuff would be how awesome Unwavering Initiate with Cartouche was; vigilance felt extremely relevant in this set, for some reason, at least to me. Those Who Serve also was a very nice roadblock against some of the early aggressive drops like Exemplar of Strength. Greater Sandwurm was a very nice finisher to have as well, forcing them to use their more valuable/fatty critters (assuming no Gods) to prevent getting murdered.
Phenax couldn't mill you, but he gives other creatures the ability, as well, and those abilities have the source of the creature they're on, so Runed Halo didn't really help too much anyways.
Fun card, might be worth a consideration in an Enduring Ideals sideboard.
Except this card doesn't grant protection; it's strictly preventing damage and Phenax doesn't have anything to do with damage unless he's attacking you.
It should've been "unless a creature died this turn".
No, no it shouldn't, not in the color that can get things out of the way very easily. Every removal spell being "target opponent loses 4 life" in addition to its other effect(s)? NOPE.
Source: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/card-preview/its-just-too-good-be-true-2017-11-14
I just noticed the shirt saying NOPE with a blue mana symbol. lol
And because this is a card named Rules Lawyer, here's some rules lawyering. You still can't pay - costs for loyalty abilities on your planeswalkers (or impersonators) if you don't have enough counters. This card just keeps them out pretty much forever, barring a destruction/exile/sacrifice effect.
I cackled a LOT when I read it. The token art is the cherry on top.
Special actions don't really get spelled out and fanfared when it concerns rules text.
I'm not gonna lie, this is seriously making me consider ordering Unstable for the lands alone, and I haven't bought a box in years (finances).
Source: Blogatog 8/30/2017
1x Fan Bearer
1x Oashra Cultivator
1x Trueheart Duelist
1x Those Who Serve
2x Unwavering Initiate
1x Hooded Brawler
1x Rhonas the Indomitable
1x Sparring Mummy
2x Giant Spider
1x Winged Shepherd
1x Seraph of the Suns
1x Greater Sandwurm
2x Cartouche of Solidarity
1x Impeccable Timing
1x Forsake the Worldly
1x Synchronized Strike
1x Trial of Strength
1x Final Reward
1x Prepare // Fight (promo)
1x Start // Finish
1x Scattered Groves
1x Grasping Dunes
1x Evolving Wilds
6x Forest
7x Plains
1x Swamp
My MVP had to be Prepare // Fight, with Cartouche-Trial synergy right behind it, as both halves of that card did so much work for me I don't even know where to start. I'm certainly not against it being rare (for Limited's sake) now. People also seemed to forget that just because I can gain two life off their Compulsory Rest doesn't mean I'm going to when my pacified 4-power creature is keeping Rhonas active. That alone saved my bacon a few times. I also really wanted Destined // Lead like Caranthir got, because I'm just picturing it with Rhonas.
I also played against TWO people who literally opened the Zombie tribal decks, complete with Liliana's Mastery, Wayward Servant, AND Lord of the Accursed each. The first just ran me over with zombies; the second just ran me over with Bontu, courtesy of Doomed Dissenter + Devoted Crop-Mate helping out.
In hindsight, I think I should've played Cradle of the Accursed over the Dunes, as the Dunes really didn't hit much from my perspective. I didn't have a way to maximize the sole -1/-1 counter, in short.
Other random stuff would be how awesome Unwavering Initiate with Cartouche was; vigilance felt extremely relevant in this set, for some reason, at least to me. Those Who Serve also was a very nice roadblock against some of the early aggressive drops like Exemplar of Strength. Greater Sandwurm was a very nice finisher to have as well, forcing them to use their more valuable/fatty critters (assuming no Gods) to prevent getting murdered.
Prize packs contained: Rags // Riches, Curator of Mysteries, and Honored Hydra, the last of which was a REAL PAIN IN THE ARSE to deal with in Limited.