th33l3x wrote: ↑4 years ago
In my opinion, this "threats vs answers: threats should be better/have to be better" is a gross over-simplification of the matter. Some removal spells are "better" than some creatures, i.e. they trade up with them in value/tempo (e.g. Push with revolt, Kommand with artifacts etc). The power relationship between creatures and removal is different in every single case. Stuff like Path or Trophy exchange some (though less useful) value in lands for efficiency/consistently having relevant targets. Bolt is narrower in its "removal" mode, but goes upstairs and to PWs which is a HUGE bonus.
Also, I think its fair to say most interactive spells are on average more mana-efficient than the threats they can potentially answer.
Another thing is that most interactive spells are instants, and most threats are not.
All in all, I think modern is full of really really good, sufficiently broad answers.
I wanted to touch on this. Fatal Push does not effectively trade very often, even if it "trades up" on mana. To illustrate this, I looked at every one of the top 50 played creatures in Modern based on MTGGoldfish's current list. I know, I know. MTGGoldfish's list may not be the best snapshot of the format, but it does capture a good portion of the heavily played creatures. I took every creature that can be removed by Fatal Push:
Eidolon of the Great Revel – Gives the opponent a free shock when you cast Fatal Push.
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben – Forces Fatal Push to cost 2, making it an equal trade with Thalia.
Snapcaster Mage – Has ETB effect that nets the opponent a spell from the grave.
Collector Ouphe – Effectively trades up.
Plague Engineer – Has a sweeper effect attached to the body.
Tarmogoyf – Effectively trades up.
Bloodbraid Elf – Gives the opponent a free spell of the top of their library upon cast.
Narcomoeba - This card's primary purpose is to drag free Prized Amalgams from the grave, so it effectively gives the opponent more bodies for free.
Prized Amalgam – Has recursion, so a Fatal Push this turn won't keep it off of the battle during the next turn.
Fulminator Mage – Can be sacrificed in response to destroy an opponent's land.
Meddling Mage – Has an effect on cast that lets you create dead cards in your opponent's hand.
Reflector Mage – Has an ETB bounce effect that prevents opponent from casting it the next turn.
Scavenging Ooze – Effectively trades up if you ignore the activated the ability. With ability included, you can get 2 grave exiles fo 4 mana.
Stoneforge Mystic – Puts a card from your library into your hand on ETB.
Sakura-Tribe Elder – Turns into a Rampant Growth if targeted.
Bonecrusher Giant – Can be used as a removal spell before it is even cast. Then, if targeted, opponent gets a free shock.
Phantasmal Image – It all depends on what it copies.
Mantis Rider – Has haste, so it often gets a free attack in before you can remove it. Effectively trades up if it doesn't get an attack in.
Thalia's Lieutenant – Gives an anthem on ETB to human creatures.
Stinkweed Imp – Let's be honest, this card WANTS to be the grave, but yes, Push effectively trades up.
Bloodghast – Has recursion. It's coming back with the next land drop.
Simian Spirit Guide – Push trades up… but if your opponent is casting this, they're already in trouble.
Runaway Steam-Kin – Effectively trades up.
Kor Firewalker – Effectively trades up, but this is a mirror-breaker card anyways.
Tireless Tracker – Trades up if played on curve. If played as a pseudo 4 drop, gives you a Clue Token (maybe 2).
Goblin Electromancer – Trades up if played on curve. If played with mana open, watch out!
Baral, Chief of Compliance – See Goblin Electromancer.
Phyrexian Revoker - Has cast effect that creates dead cards in opponents hand.
Spell Queller – Counters spell on ETB.
Obstinate Baloth – Gains life on ETB. Also acts as discard protection against certain decks.
Flickerwisp - Has flicker effect on ETB.
Kitesail Freebooter - Has Duress on ETB.
Dark Confidant – Trades up if killed immediately. If it lives for a turn, replaces itself with a card.
Merchant of the Vale – Has a spell stapled to it. The creature part is really just icing on the cake.
Azusa, Lost But Seeking – Opponent has the chance to play an additional land before you have priority to remove it.
Gaddock Teeg – Effectively trades up… but will rarely be sided in versus a deck with Fatal Push.
And he wasn't in the list, but thought it good to include him:
Urza, Lord High Artificer - Gives an additional body on ETB. Also has a mana ability that can be used before Urza dies to Fatal Push.
It's tough for any creature to get played. It must have some sort of spell or card advantage stapled to the body. So, you might trade up on mana in some cases, but they often effectively get a free spell out of the trade. The only thing that compares in the form of answers is... sweepers? They allow you to trade one spell for multiple creatures (which often had an ETB effect).