[mtgnexus] Random Card of the Day - Jetfire, Ingenious Scientist
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- toctheyounger
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Seems decent, although not busted, in commander. I can see how it's disgusting in 1v1. Interestingly, it's a $50 card rn just on the back of typal relevance to Eldraine. Pretty wild, idk that it's $50 worth.
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3drinks Kaalia's Personal Liaison
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Tuesday, September 26th, 2023; Wood Elemental
The most infamously bad card, I knew when it came up I had to pick it so we could all come together in some hearty laughs. It's the holiday season after all!
The most infamously bad card, I knew when it came up I had to pick it so we could all come together in some hearty laughs. It's the holiday season after all!
Kaalia HQ Kellan, the Fae-Blooded // Birthright Boon Torbran, Thane of Red Fell Alesha, Who Smiles at Death (Slivers) Trynn, Champion of Freedom & Silvar, Devourer of the Free
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3drinks Kaalia's Personal Liaison
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Well *** me, that damn thing spiked like a sonavadog.toctheyounger wrote: ↑8 months agoSeems decent, although not busted, in commander. I can see how it's disgusting in 1v1. Interestingly, it's a $50 card rn just on the back of typal relevance to Eldraine. Pretty wild, idk that it's $50 worth.
Kaalia HQ Kellan, the Fae-Blooded // Birthright Boon Torbran, Thane of Red Fell Alesha, Who Smiles at Death (Slivers) Trynn, Champion of Freedom & Silvar, Devourer of the Free
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TheAmericanSpirit Supreme Dumb Guy
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I don't always sacrifice forests, but when I do, I prefer Primeval Force.
There's no biscuits and gravy in New Zealand.
(Except when DirkGently makes them!)
(Except when DirkGently makes them!)
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TheGildedGoose HONK HONK
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Dark Heart of the Wood fan personally.TheAmericanSpirit wrote: ↑8 months agoI don't always sacrifice forests, but when I do, I prefer Primeval Force.
Bad card is bad, more at eleven.
I've always been confused about why it's so infamous though, there are plenty of laughably bad cards out there, what makes this one special? Is it just that this one is so old?
I've always been confused about why it's so infamous though, there are plenty of laughably bad cards out there, what makes this one special? Is it just that this one is so old?
All cards are bad if you try hard enough.
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
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TheGildedGoose HONK HONK
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It's been notoriously bad for a long, long time, yes, but "untapped" gets me every time.
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materpillar the caterpillar
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I mean it's got to be one of the top 5 worst cards ever printed. It's best rate is like plus sac an untapped forest for a 1/1
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TessaMTG Arbiter of +1/+1 Counters
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I love Tchotchke Elemental. And as always: wear your seatbelt, tear up your friend's mill deck, and buh-bye. (Please don't actually tear up your friend's mill deck, no matter how annoying it is.)
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My Custom Planeswalkers
Custom Horizons 1
Good Kid (really good indie rock band also they play MTG)
Check out the LGBTAPQ+ People Place!
My Custom Planeswalkers
Custom Horizons 1
Good Kid (really good indie rock band also they play MTG)
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DirkGently My wins are unconditional
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As a connoisseur of bad cards, Wood Elemental is truly a glorious vintage. It's honestly shocking how bad the rate is. All the other classic horrible creatures - Bog Hoodlums, Chimney Imp, Aven Trooper, Numai Outcast...all of them crush this thing. And most of those have decent abilities! This thing costs 6 mana to be a Grizzly Bears!
And that's setting aside the massive elephant in the room, which is that you aren't merely spending the mana but permanently losing it. The ostensible upside to a flexible cost like this is that, when it's super late game, you can dump in a ton of mana and have a big threat, but you get the hedge of a cheaper, if inefficient, creature for the early game. This utterly fails on both counts - early-game it's strictly uncastable, and super late game it might be large enough to be relevant, but you have to completely sacrifice your manabase, so you're toasted if it gets removed.
Comparing this to a decent modern card, Endless One costs 4 less mana, has no color requirement, and merely requires tapping the lands instead of sacrificing them. The difference in power is absolutely insane.
ALL THAT SAID, it's actually nowhere near the worst cards ever printed because it does, however badly, still attack and block. It's not really possible for a creature to top the worst card list against contenders like Break Open, Great Wall, Rapid Fire, Deep Water, North Star etc. If I was playing an average game of limited, and had one of those cards magically get added to my hand for free, it wouldn't change my winrate whatsoever (unless I needed discard fodder). Wood elemental, if the game has gone long and I just need to topdeck SOMETHING, it does technically do something, whereas those other worst-ever cards do actual nothing.
@Hermes_ It's purely because of the rarity. Hardly any Legends rares are less than ~$20. Despite its infamy, the price is exactly in line with the rest of the set.
And that's setting aside the massive elephant in the room, which is that you aren't merely spending the mana but permanently losing it. The ostensible upside to a flexible cost like this is that, when it's super late game, you can dump in a ton of mana and have a big threat, but you get the hedge of a cheaper, if inefficient, creature for the early game. This utterly fails on both counts - early-game it's strictly uncastable, and super late game it might be large enough to be relevant, but you have to completely sacrifice your manabase, so you're toasted if it gets removed.
Comparing this to a decent modern card, Endless One costs 4 less mana, has no color requirement, and merely requires tapping the lands instead of sacrificing them. The difference in power is absolutely insane.
ALL THAT SAID, it's actually nowhere near the worst cards ever printed because it does, however badly, still attack and block. It's not really possible for a creature to top the worst card list against contenders like Break Open, Great Wall, Rapid Fire, Deep Water, North Star etc. If I was playing an average game of limited, and had one of those cards magically get added to my hand for free, it wouldn't change my winrate whatsoever (unless I needed discard fodder). Wood elemental, if the game has gone long and I just need to topdeck SOMETHING, it does technically do something, whereas those other worst-ever cards do actual nothing.
@Hermes_ It's purely because of the rarity. Hardly any Legends rares are less than ~$20. Despite its infamy, the price is exactly in line with the rest of the set.
Perm Decks
Phelddagrif - Kaervek - Golos - Zirilan
Flux Decks
Gollum - Lobelia - Minthara - Plargg2 - Solphim - Otharri - Graaz - Ratchet - Soundwave - Slicer - Gale - Rootha - Kagemaro - Blorpityblorpboop - Kayla - SliverQueen - Ivy - Falco - Gluntch - Charlatan/Wilson - Garth - Kros - Anthousa - Shigeki - Light-Paws - Lukka - Sefris - Ebondeath - Rokiric - Garth - Nixilis - Grist - Mavinda - Kumano - Nezahal - Mavinda - Plargg - Plargg - Extus - Plargg - Oracle - Kardur - Halvar - Tergrid - Egon - Cosima - Halana+Livio - Jeska+Falthis+Obosh - Yeva - Akiri+Zirda - Lady Sun - Nahiri - Korlash - Overlord+Zirda - Chisei - Athreos2 - Akim - Cazur+Ukkima - Otrimi - Otrimi - Kalamax - Ayli+Lurrus - Clamilton - Gonti - Heliod2 - Ayula - Thassa2 - Gallia - Purphoros2 - Rankle - Uro - Rayami - Gargos - Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa - Ashling1 - Angus - Arcum - Talrand - Chainer - Higure - Kumano - Scion - Teferi1 - Uyo - Sisters
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote
Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena
Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
Phelddagrif - Kaervek - Golos - Zirilan
Flux Decks
Gollum - Lobelia - Minthara - Plargg2 - Solphim - Otharri - Graaz - Ratchet - Soundwave - Slicer - Gale - Rootha - Kagemaro - Blorpityblorpboop - Kayla - SliverQueen - Ivy - Falco - Gluntch - Charlatan/Wilson - Garth - Kros - Anthousa - Shigeki - Light-Paws - Lukka - Sefris - Ebondeath - Rokiric - Garth - Nixilis - Grist - Mavinda - Kumano - Nezahal - Mavinda - Plargg - Plargg - Extus - Plargg - Oracle - Kardur - Halvar - Tergrid - Egon - Cosima - Halana+Livio - Jeska+Falthis+Obosh - Yeva - Akiri+Zirda - Lady Sun - Nahiri - Korlash - Overlord+Zirda - Chisei - Athreos2 - Akim - Cazur+Ukkima - Otrimi - Otrimi - Kalamax - Ayli+Lurrus - Clamilton - Gonti - Heliod2 - Ayula - Thassa2 - Gallia - Purphoros2 - Rankle - Uro - Rayami - Gargos - Thrasios+Bruse - Pang - Sasaya - Wydwen - Feather - Rona - Toshiro - Sylvia+Khorvath - Geth - QMarchesa - Firesong - Athreos - Arixmethes - Isperia - Etali - Silas+Sidar - Saskia - Virtus+Gorm - Kynaios - Naban - Aryel - Mizzix - Kazuul - Tymna+Kraum - Sidar+Tymna - Ayli - Gwendlyn - Phelddagrif - Liliana - Kaervek - Phelddagrif - Mairsil - Scarab - Child - Phenax - Shirei - Thada - Depala - Circu - Kytheon - GrenzoHR - Phelddagrif - Reyhan+Kraum - Toshiro - Varolz - Nin - Ojutai - Tasigur - Zedruu - Uril - Edric - Wort - Zurgo - Nahiri - Grenzo - Kozilek - Yisan - Ink-Treader - Yisan - Brago - Sidisi - Toshiro - Alexi - Sygg - Brimaz - Sek'Kuar - Marchesa - Vish Kal - Iroas - Phelddagrif - Ephara - Derevi - Glissa - Wanderer - Saffi - Melek - Xiahou Dun - Lazav - Lin Sivvi - Zirilan - Glissa - Ashling1 - Angus - Arcum - Talrand - Chainer - Higure - Kumano - Scion - Teferi1 - Uyo - Sisters
PDH - Drake - Graverobber - Izzet GM - Tallowisp - Symbiote
Brawl - Feather - Ugin - Jace - Scarab - Angrath - Vraska - Kumena
Oathbreaker - Wrenn&6
Combos with Titania, Protector of Argoth! Also Titania, Nature's Force and Titania, Voice of Gaea, albeit a bit less directly.
- toctheyounger
- Posts: 4003
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What more can be said about the mechanics than that it's terrible? It's been covered.
That art, though. The facial expression makes it look like a tree taking a constipated %$#%.
That art, though. The facial expression makes it look like a tree taking a constipated %$#%.
Back in the 90s, one FLGS in CA used to have "bad card challenge tournaments." Cards were written on slips of paper and drawn randomly. You had one week to build your (normal 60-card) deck and it had to use four copies of your Challenge card, which had to factor into your deck plan (if it was not part of winning, the win was forfeit). My friend had this (I received Okk). He did manage to win his first round, since he focused on Anthem effects so he never had to sac a Forest (IIRC some combination of Castle, Equipoise and/or Gerrard's Battle Cry)
Bad card, but surprisingly fun memory. . .
Bad card, but surprisingly fun memory. . .
V/R
Treamayne
Treamayne
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TheAmericanSpirit Supreme Dumb Guy
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Card is terrible. Thie abilities are weak and the payoff is decidedly mediocre. If I'm gonna invest time into a big flying beater, I'd prefer to not have all my work undone by a simple Flicker.
There's no biscuits and gravy in New Zealand.
(Except when DirkGently makes them!)
(Except when DirkGently makes them!)
- BeneTleilax
- Posts: 1340
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Yeah, I'd put this in the bad-but-playable camp. It's not worth running but if someone especially likes it for whatever reason, they're not gonna be substantially hurt by sticking it in a deck. I feel like that niche contributes substantially to the diversity of decks.
There are so many planeswalker that turn into creatures, I kind of want to make a deck that wins exclusively with planeswalker beat down.
All cards are bad if you try hard enough.
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
Monk of the Open Hand, for reference.
Grand Master of Flowers seems pretty meh. The 'ultimate' is interesting, but the payoff (a 7/7 indestructible flyer) is weaker than more traditional ultimates. Meanwhile, the incremental value from the +1's conditional Pacifism seems... unexciting. I'm not sure what decks would want it.
Grand Master of Flowers seems pretty meh. The 'ultimate' is interesting, but the payoff (a 7/7 indestructible flyer) is weaker than more traditional ultimates. Meanwhile, the incremental value from the +1's conditional Pacifism seems... unexciting. I'm not sure what decks would want it.
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May I introduce you to the woodimals of Knotts Berry Farms?toctheyounger wrote: ↑7 months agoWhat more can be said about the mechanics than that it's terrible? It's been covered.
That art, though. The facial expression makes it look like a tree taking a constipated %$#%.
https://www.markeades.com/wp-content/up ... wampus.jpg
- toctheyounger
- Posts: 4003
- Joined: 4 years ago
- Pronoun: he / him
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
I have....no words.Chromaticus wrote: ↑7 months agoMay I introduce you to the woodimals of Knotts Berry Farms?toctheyounger wrote: ↑7 months agoWhat more can be said about the mechanics than that it's terrible? It's been covered.
That art, though. The facial expression makes it look like a tree taking a constipated %$#%.
https://www.markeades.com/wp-content/up ... wampus.jpg
I prefer me a Universal Solvent, but the mama discount can't be denied.
All cards are bad if you try hard enough.
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
Important decks: Ebondeath, Dracolich, Emiel, The Blessed, Phelddagriff
Other: Ruhan, Zask, Kellan, Liesa, Galadriel, Orca, Sauron, Thantis, Rukarumel, Sisay, Stickfingers, Safana, Thantis, Dihada
Help me complete my JumpStart Cube!
Brittle Effigy is okay if you're willing to splurge on mana for unconditional exile - five is a lot, but when you need it, you need it. If you have access to black, I prefer Executioner's Capsule for its cheaper activation cost, even if it is more conditional. If you have access to blue, I'd probably lean towards Aether Spellbomb. Both can be fetched by Trinket Mage and recurred by Emry, Lurker of the Loch and Salvaging Station, although I suppose the fact that you can't fetch Executioner's Capsule off Urza's Saga may be relevant in some decks.
...I guess it's reasonable in pure colorless decks? There aren't a lot of colorless options for spot removal, although I suppose new stuff like Desecrate Reality helps.
...I guess it's reasonable in pure colorless decks? There aren't a lot of colorless options for spot removal, although I suppose new stuff like Desecrate Reality helps.