I disagree entirely. An aura that can be hurled around different creatures has a variety of applications. Fugitive Druid turns into "1W: Draw a card," to name one example. Being able to switch at instant speed and granting lifelink allows for some emergency saves or some neat tricks (Play Winds of Rath, reequip Umbra to a creature in response, let it resolve.) It's also a nice Sun Titan target.
Your Fugitive Druid trick doesn't work because it's an aura ability targeting it, not an aura spell.
Well, I have been playing since Ice Age so I know what I am talking about as far as my experience in MTG goes. I never said Dark Ritual is on the same level of Black Lotus. Read my posts. I haven't read a single argument why you personally think Black Lotus should stay on the ban list. All you said was that Dark Ritual costs one mana, and Black Lotus costs zero. That doesn't explain much to me. When I say people argue just to argue on here, it is because nearly everything anyone says on these forums someone has to disagree with them just to make drama. I could make a post and say keep Kokusho banned and everyone would say unban it just for opposites sake. Then those same people will turn around and say Kokusho is OP keep it banned a week later. I have seen this happen multiple times and it is seriously annoyying.
If you really can't see one mana making a big difference, try this experiment. Play a couple games, but let your opponent(s) cast all their spells for one mana cheaper. You'll quickly see that one mana is significant.
I would say it mostly depends on your meta. If you play lots of slow, grind-it-out games where it's usually won through attrition, genesis will probably win you a couple games. If your games are fast and combo-filled, it'll be a dead card most of the time.
I would also consider all the outlets to get it in you GY (Fauna Shaman, Survival, Greater Good) and the prevalence of GY hate in your playgroup.
The game was getting really long. It was already going on for an hour or so, we all wanted to end it. Kresh was at 50 something life. He used Bonds of Agony and paid 40 life. Jhoira countered with a Scattering Stroke and won the clash. We had a little debate on weather Jhoira would float 41 mana. And yes, during his next main phase, he did float 41 generic mana.
The game went on a little more. To simply put, Jhoira was already playing with a dead mouse. Three dead mice, I mean.
I hope you realize that with Bond of Agony the caster has to pay x mana AND x life. It wasn't clear in your post considering you said there was a discussion on whether the Jhoira player would float 41 mana. If the guy only paid life, it throws your story way off.
I have sort of mixed feelings towards it for commander. Generally speaking there aren't a lot of turns where I am going to topdeck a wrath and want to cast it on the spot. As far as casting it from hand it costs one more than Hallowed Burial so I am inclined to say it is worse than Hallowed Burial all in all as most wraths don't tend to get cast on the spot.
I guess it is a second option to have another tuck wrath but as of right now I am sort of viewing it as a worse second copy of Hallowed Burial.
I think just for the fact that there's the rare opportunity to rip this during an opponent's turn and instant speed the board away makes it at least as good as Hallowed Burial. Plus, there's not a huge difference 5 and 6 mana when it comes to board wipes, in my opinion.
Scythe of the Wretched has great synergy with Kaervek. Besides the obvious, you can use it to dodge 4 and 5 CMC removal by having Kaervek shoot himself, then letting the scythe recur him when he dies.
IMO I would rather have a 100% foiled deck than worry about tutors, fetches, or ABUR duals. To suggest that a deck isn't worth pimping unless it has the most optimal card choices is kinda farfetched. Not using those cards for personal reasons is not uncommon. Actually I see it occur quite often. Also original duals can't be foiled, so if I was pimping my deck I wouldn't run them for that very reason.
It's just strange to see someone spend ten extra dollars to make something SHINIER instead of BETTER. There's nothing wrong with it (I guess), but it's definitely unexpected.
+ Capsize.
Your Fugitive Druid trick doesn't work because it's an aura ability targeting it, not an aura spell.
If you really can't see one mana making a big difference, try this experiment. Play a couple games, but let your opponent(s) cast all their spells for one mana cheaper. You'll quickly see that one mana is significant.
Sorry to be Mr. Bubbleburster, but it's a UB bear, not UG.
I would also consider all the outlets to get it in you GY (Fauna Shaman, Survival, Greater Good) and the prevalence of GY hate in your playgroup.
Good luck trying to kill Geist when he has three creatures.
See, that is the danger of a definitive statement. Personally, I like Ashes to Ashes in more situations.
I hope you realize that with Bond of Agony the caster has to pay x mana AND x life. It wasn't clear in your post considering you said there was a discussion on whether the Jhoira player would float 41 mana. If the guy only paid life, it throws your story way off.
I think just for the fact that there's the rare opportunity to rip this during an opponent's turn and instant speed the board away makes it at least as good as Hallowed Burial. Plus, there's not a huge difference 5 and 6 mana when it comes to board wipes, in my opinion.
But then you'll lose the Blightsteel if they die.
It's just strange to see someone spend ten extra dollars to make something SHINIER instead of BETTER. There's nothing wrong with it (I guess), but it's definitely unexpected.
I'm pretty sure Ambition's Cost and Ancient Craving only take up one spot because they're functional reprints.