I actually like this a lot. It seems to heavily enforce the idea that these cards were intended for EDH. This means that WotC clearly wants to still have influence in the format.
This gives credence to the idea that EDH will be around for some time. To EDH players, like myself, this is surely good news.
I like him as a checks and balances in multiplayer games against players who like to go infinite, whether through cards or creatures. Tibalt serves well as a perfect information, two - mana, two - pronged attack.
As he sits on the field, with one player in a group of 4 focusing on infinite draw, the other players regard Tibalt as a threat to that player only. They won't attack him, unless they themselves are playing infinite draw.
The assumptions of this are that there are less infinite - style players than non - infinite, and that he lives long enough to have enough loyalty counters to activate his latter two abilities.
I personally do not care for "tuck" effects when the general is sent to the deck, and agree that they are against this so - called "spirit of EDH." "Tuck" effects that put creatures into their owner's hand can be a detriment (think Vendilion Clique). In addition, bouncing effects can be a technical counterspell to any form of control magic.
That being said, I believe that it's a necessary evil, and they won't ever go away (just like how there will always be THAT guy who plays Armageddon or Luminarch Ascension).
I think everyone is just waiting on Innistrad. If it's as heavily a graveyard set as been hinted, he may not be as useful. That is, if we're stuck with only the artifacts we have now, and Innistrad doesn't have many good ones, then I believe he'll lower.
I think it really depends on the people you have the opportunity to trade with.
If you are near people who know the value of cards, what they're worth, and trade frequently, I think the Grim Tutor would be a better keep, given that it is worth more.
However, everyone knows Maze of Ith, and the Judge Foil is rarer, and so newer / more casual players may trade much higher than what it's worth (ideally higher than what the Grim Tutor is worth).
Boros, RDW, Goblins, Kuldotha, Vampires (arguably) have all had tournament wins over the past year.
Always at least once will an aggro deck win a major tournament per season. I say this because the usual trend seems to be that aggro decks win when their opponent has an unprepared / poor sideboard for the deck. Everyone remember the first time Kuldotha Red won a major tournament? Nobody had a sideboard to counter it. However, following that, it's presence in the meta is recognized and sideboards are prepared (remember, there was a time when Kor Firewalker was NOT being played, even in sideboards).
There are many options, and far more terrifying cards than something that makes your life total equal to 10. EDH was created to be a casual format, meaning that "broken" or "overpowered" things ought to happen on occasion. The only good response is to do something just as powerful.
This gives credence to the idea that EDH will be around for some time. To EDH players, like myself, this is surely good news.
Alternatively, you can make a mill strategy. Usually a single Oona can be devastating.
As he sits on the field, with one player in a group of 4 focusing on infinite draw, the other players regard Tibalt as a threat to that player only. They won't attack him, unless they themselves are playing infinite draw.
The assumptions of this are that there are less infinite - style players than non - infinite, and that he lives long enough to have enough loyalty counters to activate his latter two abilities.
That being said, I believe that it's a necessary evil, and they won't ever go away (just like how there will always be THAT guy who plays Armageddon or Luminarch Ascension).
It all depends on Innistrad.
If wanting for use, Pile A. Lots of good Commander cards.
If you are near people who know the value of cards, what they're worth, and trade frequently, I think the Grim Tutor would be a better keep, given that it is worth more.
However, everyone knows Maze of Ith, and the Judge Foil is rarer, and so newer / more casual players may trade much higher than what it's worth (ideally higher than what the Grim Tutor is worth).
All this assuming that both cards are NM.
And the best one (Painter's Servant) being banned.
The 2x Creeping Tar Pit and 4x Drowned Catacomb seems real loose though. He must've had some great draws.
Always at least once will an aggro deck win a major tournament per season. I say this because the usual trend seems to be that aggro decks win when their opponent has an unprepared / poor sideboard for the deck. Everyone remember the first time Kuldotha Red won a major tournament? Nobody had a sideboard to counter it. However, following that, it's presence in the meta is recognized and sideboards are prepared (remember, there was a time when Kor Firewalker was NOT being played, even in sideboards).
Plus, they're more fun (in my opinion).
And the only thing to really GIVE your opponent lands would be Oath of Lieges, which doesn't seem practical.
For white, Arbiter of Knollridge, or Leyline of Sanctity (prior).
For blue, Willbender.
For multicolor, Tainted Sigil.
There are many options, and far more terrifying cards than something that makes your life total equal to 10. EDH was created to be a casual format, meaning that "broken" or "overpowered" things ought to happen on occasion. The only good response is to do something just as powerful.