The "target player" clauses on this are really strange.
Is there a scenario where you would give zombies to someone else?
Giving the spell two targets means it won't be countered if the creature becomes an invalid target. If it only targeted the creature, then your opponent could counter the entire spell by sacrificing or bouncing that creature. But as long as it has at least one legal target on resolution, the spell will do as much as it can.
Spell Queller is absolutely insane! Stronger than Reflector Mage, probably the best card they've printed since Collected Company. This will see tons of play in Standard and Modern, and probably Legacy too. Relatively cheap, instant speed, effective 2 for 1 as long as you stay ahead on tempo. Works great in multiples, as additional copies can protect the earlier ones you had cast. People will end up hating this more than Snapcaster Mage. Oh, and it happens to work incredibly well with aforementioned Collected Company, in a color trio that's already one of the best decks in Standard.
I love the idea of the Sealed Leagues, but the way they are set up now is terrible, if not outright crooked. Twice each league you are given an option of buying an extra pack for your deck, and even if you don't you still have to play opponents who have 1 or 2 more boosters in their pool than you. It's totally outrageous.
So turn 2 Vessel of Volatility then turn 3 Goldnight Castigator, yes? Sounds good, especially if you follow it up with a turn 4 Goldnight Castigator. Caveat: sure, by the time your turn 4 second main phase occurs you have done 12 damage to your opponent but you have to be very careful that they don't have 5 damage being presented next turn or you are dead. If they don't, then you truly are a red player who likes to Act on Impulse and you will deal lethal on turn 5. Truthfully, that sounds like an excellent plan for game 1, especially if they aren't boarding Ultimate Price or Clip Wings. Play a little more cautiously on game 2 and hold back mana for something like Encircling Fissure or Vine Snare.
Why do people see only the negatives when they see new cards?
Look, its a bad card, this isn't Sin Prodded where you have an AMAZING card for 3 cmc with no drawnback. This is an ok at best card that will never see play outside of standard. That drawback is HUGE and will cost you the game. You basically can't play it unless your eithor going to win that turn or your opponent has an atrocious board position. The pros < the cons. Outside of standard it is outclassed by cards like Archwing Dragon, Falconrath Aristocrat, Hellrider or Hero of Oxid Ridge.
Just want to leave a comment for posterity - Goldnight Castigator will see way more play in all constructed formats than Sin Prodder. Someday I'll go back and look at my old comments to see whether I was right.
No, for this card you can only choose possible actions. You cannot choose to discard two cards if you don't have them in hand, and you cannot choose to sacrifice a creature unless you have one.
Supposed I play a Fertile Thicket and reveal a Swamp to put on top of my library. May I just leave the swamp face up as a play shortcut, assuming my opponent doesn't object?
Maybe something like:
Note that the trigger is not optional, so it doesn't actually combo with Displacer (unless you add some processors into the mix).
- Player A has Spectral Shepherd in play and five mana up.
- Player B casts Read the Bones.
- Player A responds with Spell Queller.
- Spell Queller's ETB trigger goes on the stack targeting Read the Bones.
- Player A responds by activating Spectral Shepherd
- Player A returns Spell Queller to their hand.
- Spell Queller's 'leave' ability triggers. It resolves and does nothing, since no spell has been exiled yet.
- Spell Queller's ETB ability finally resolves. Read the Bones is exiled.
- Spell Queller is once again in Player A's hand, so that the whole process can repeat next turn.
Giving the spell two targets means it won't be countered if the creature becomes an invalid target. If it only targeted the creature, then your opponent could counter the entire spell by sacrificing or bouncing that creature. But as long as it has at least one legal target on resolution, the spell will do as much as it can.
2) While the ability is on the stack, hit it with Turn to Frog.
3) Spell resolves. Ability resolves, dropping your opponent to 1 life.
4) Finish them off with a Collective Brutality or Retreat to Hagra.
Just want to leave a comment for posterity - Goldnight Castigator will see way more play in all constructed formats than Sin Prodder. Someday I'll go back and look at my old comments to see whether I was right.