MTGNexus

Bloodbond Rite is really nice.

Krishnath wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Black is secondary in "can't be blocked/is unblockable"

Fully agree, it just usually doesn't get to do "can't be blocked" on its own unconditionally and without drawback riders—that's blue's domain. I'm not counting "didn't get a tribute" as a drawback condition, but maybe that's a difference here.

spacemonaut wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Bloodbond Rite is really nice.

Krishnath wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Black is secondary in "can't be blocked/is unblockable"

Fully agree, it just usually doesn't get to do "can't be blocked" on its own unconditionally and without drawback riders—that's blue's domain. I'm not counting "didn't get a tribute" as a drawback condition, but maybe that's a difference here.

At most it is a bend, not a break. Bends are acceptable, particularly on hybrid cards or if the set needs it or the flavor demands it.

Card of the Day 2019-08-21: >

Card of the Day 2019-08-22: >

Cytogenesis is interesting. Hunger of the Howlpack says green can get, pfft, call it 2 counters for G on average? Not entirely sure on it in mono U though. It's not a huge hoop, but still a hoop.

Again, not sure on hybrid.

Occo wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Cytogenesis is interesting. Hunger of the Howlpack says green can get, pfft, call it 2 counters for G on average? Not entirely sure on it in mono U though. It's not a huge hoop, but still a hoop.

Again, not sure on hybrid.

Green and blue are both the primary +1/+1 counter colors, it is at most a bend for blue. As such the card is fine.

It is my position as well that blue can get this simply due to its connection to +1/+1 counters. Conceptually this was initiating graft, but mechanically we've more recently seen Essence Capture and Stealth Mission affirming this effect.

Card of the Day 2019-08-23: >

I like Phantom Scholar. It's quite strong in Limited obviously, and if you're bringing cumulative upkeep back for a set one good thing to do is definitely to give CU cards ETB abilities so they have immediately impact even before you pay an extra cost/even if you don't.

Card of the Day 2019-08-24: >

Good in Sui-black decks, or with things that trigger upon creatures dying. Possibly a bomb in limited. What is not to like?

I don't like Phantom Scholar the way it is. Granted it's just my opinion, however if you look at Vexing Sphinx as a guide I would suggest having the Enter the battlefield switched to a leaves the battlefield effect. Having it reference the age counters is just a plus. Like when Phantom Scholar leaves the battlefield draw cards equil to the number of age counters on it.

Vexing Sphinx is entirely different on a fundamental level with a desire to somewhat balance the discard against the card draw. I don't disagree with the possibility of a LTB trigger, but see no inherent benefit to generalizing from that card. My reference is from considering cumulative upkeep a more severe variant of echo and looking at cards similar to Raven Familiar.

For the environment of this card there are also plenty of cards that can interact with a permanent with cumulative upkeep on the battlefield, so from that perspective it would be nice to be able to draw into such a card before you have to sacrifice the creature.

Card of the Day 2019-08-25: >

I have been fond of cards that make token versions of other cards for a long time. Gifted Stonecutter is no exception, I love it.

Just looking at the most recent page because there's a lot of other stuff back there and it probably feels "too late" if you're doing one card a day, these are all pretty solid, although I do worry that Armory Looter is really strong for a (hybrid) 1-drop with a (hybrid) 1-cost ability that can be activated at instant speed, at common. In a vacuum it's probably acceptable, but it exists around a lot of cheap equipment with expensive equip abilities that could easily get locked onto it pretty abruptly -- Colossus Hammer is the obvious one. But again, I suppose that depends what other equipment it's hanging out around.

re: Cytogenesis: I figure that's probably okay for one counter as a thing for mono-blue. One +1/+1 counter is not worth a whole ton for either color (a negligible but nonzero cost that could get away with being 0 if you meet certain conditions).

Lastly, Phantom Scholar: this one absolutely stunned me at first. 3 for draw 3 and a 2/2 seems sick, but for 1UU, you can probably get a little more than Divination, and an unblockable 2/2 that doesn't last forever is probably okay. It's a little more aggressive than the norm for blue, I guess, but not necessarily stronger.

Card of the Day 2019-08-26: >

Card of the Day 2019-08-27: >

I like Dispersing Herd, it's a fun creature concept.

Dispersing Herd IS nice. Lots of value. Very strong in Limited.

void_nothing wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Dispersing Herd IS nice. Lots of value. Very strong in Limited.

Could be strong in some constructed formats as well. It would be nice backup insurance against wrath effects.

I'm happy the recent batch got so positive reactions. : )

Card of the Day 2019-08-28: >

Good stuff is Raging Ontak. Lots of value and the flavor fills me with such curiosity and joy. Is this some sort of Indonesian myth-themed plane?

I like it, partially because the Ape tribe needs more red members, partially because I feel that both the Rebel subtype and the Mercenary subtype needs to make a comeback, and partially because it is a good card, particularly for limited and commander.

Your choices of creature type are very good.

Glorious Archangel is a really smart but really odd design. Very flexible. I like stuff like that. Raging Ontak is simple but solid.

If you like creature types, then you are in the right place. I wish that Ape had some better tribal identity than "likes to shatter stuff".

void_nothing wrote: ↑

4 years ago

Good stuff is Raging Ontak. Lots of value and the flavor fills me with such curiosity and joy. Is this some sort of Indonesian myth-themed plane?

I couldn't claim to have developed this concept enough to tell you about the plane. On the other hand Indonesian myth is easily diverse and interesting enough to fuel one or two planes, and I am kind of curious about Bandar Utan myself. It's not referencing a particular myth though. : )

Card of the Day 2019-08-29: >

Ok, Firebolt Courser is cool. I love it.