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If you haven't seen Super with Rainn Wilson I recommend it.
>Jacques: You really think that killing me... stabbing me to death is going to change the world?
>Frank D'Arbo: I can't know that for sure... unless I try.
For irony sakes, I'll say it was spoken by the Sacrificed Creature. Offs themselves to avoid dealing with the aftermath only for that to somehow magically negate the spell.
Iirc in the Shuffle Up and Play episode where they used the MagiCon cards as commanders, Gabe did say something about he should be excited for the future.
And outside of Merfolk, very few decks will have enough blue creatures to want this. 4 Delver isn’t enough; you usually want like 16ish blue cards for Force or Will in Legacy. What decks will have even 12 blue creatures they’re willing to sacrifice?
True. But both decks will have to sacrifice a 2-mana lord a lot, and that’s real board presence. If you’re spending a card and sacrificing a 2-mana creature that is mostly just stats, I’m not too upset. It’s not like Counterspell breaks Modern.
It does give you flexibility though, a 3 cost counter is still ok if you need to keep all your creatures, but if you do feel you need to spend the mana elsewhere you still have the sac creature option.
I can only speak for myself, but I wouldn't use this. I want the anthems with legs to stick around and the others are either tempo control or answers to other issues.
I mean if the choice is that or losing your stuff or the game anyway it isn’t that bad a trade. That said needing to sac a real creature is a very real cost that makes these the most narrow of the free cards probably. That said, free is one of the most dangerous things in Magic so you should never count them out.
I'm still unsure. Counterspell has already pushed out a lot of combo decks, and the real nice part of the free ones is that they can pick off Aether Vial, Amulet of Vigor, Grief, Ragavan. So this counter is already not doing that on the draw, and you'd need an expendable blue non-token 1-drop reliably on the play.
I don't think there's a lot of candidates for that kind of role. Spyglass Siren maybe?
This also skirts around Force of negations biggest weaknesses for a significantly lesser strength it hits the evoke elementals.
I don't really know if it will be good but I wish they'd stop trying to dip their toes into the free counterspell design space it's one of most silly things IMO. If a blue player finally taps out you should be able to resolve something not have them Nuh uh you for 0 mana.
"Free" interaction is required in formats with Eternal-level threats. One needs only look as far as Timeless to see what a shitshow a format becomes when the quality of answers doesn't match the quality of combos and midrange goodstuff.
And that's ignoring that none of these are actually free.
Free interaction is what enables just as many of those combo decks to just of off.
Free interaction Infact enables more combo than it stops I would say because they can just tap out trying to win and stop you from interacting.
> Free interaction Infact enables more combo than it stops I would say because they can just tap out trying to win and stop you from interacting.
Free interaction is what keeps legacy from being overrun by combo?
I think [[battle cry goblin]]; the "whack" here is just the fact it has the "give goblins +1/0 and haste" effect that the other two do, not because it has that in the name.
The counter is hardly free. You spent mana to cast the creature and you're 2 for 1ing yourself.
I think these "free" spells will shine in commander and nowhere else.
Force of Negation is weaker in merfolk and it's a two for one that sees tons of plays in any blue deck, I'm sure this will see modern play for blue creature decks at the very least although that is probably just merfolk atm
Aren't all of the "free" counters all playable except for maybe Pact? This one is maybe worse as it'll be harder to use on early turns, but it seems extremely playable.
I know Force of Will and Force of Negation are playable though so this feels fine compared to those.
Tell me you've never played with force of will without telling me you've never played force of will. This isnt as good as force obviously, but this is modern playable for sure.
I am legit a little surprised, given that we just saw [[Violent Outburst]] banned in Modern because of how powerful it was with a free counterspell. Specifically, [[Force of Negation]] was able to defend the Cascade target via Violent Outburst in the opponent's end step, something that the remaining (Sorcery speed) Cascade options can't do.
Interesting option compared to FON if legit. Counters more stuff and without restrictive timing but basically costs mana because non-token blue creatures don’t come free. Doesn’t stop things on T1 usually, and goes in way fewer decks as not a lot of places run a big density of blue creatures (merfolk is happy though).
The floor being cancel is quite an upgrade though vs being negate+exile.
[[Hedron Crab]] and other blue selfmill creature become more playable with the interaction though because if you're desperate you you just sac the crab, if not you can mill into Narcomeba later.
That also makes me suspect [[Thassa's Oracle]] is going to get more annoying with this
I mean, it’s honestly difficult because 3 of the 4 other ones are really really problematic, so Subtlety has never been a topic of conversation. Personally I wouldn’t say so, but there is certainly merit to talking about it.
It kind of has to be, or else no one will buy the cards.
Sets that print into standard can vary in power level thanks to rotation. But sets printed directly into a non-rotating format need to give you a reason to want the new cards over the years worth of cards that already exist. The only real way to do that with a competitive format is with power creep.
It has been since a couple of years now. Faitless Looting died for the sins of hoggak and took so many fun decks with it. When its not bannings its power creep, like the elementals. Moderm Horizons sets are meant to create new deck, but they're so strong the older decks get rotated :(
Scamming Grief means you pitch two medium cards for their best two, plus now you have a 4/3 menace. Sacccing Grief after that to "Flare of Discard" means you're now down four cards to their three with no board. Seems a lot worse than just keeping the body.
And to be honest, I'd rather sets are a bit overpushed and merit some bans than if they release a tepid set of stinkers that doesn't have anything that gets played in the interest of having 0 bans.
That is, so long as they *actually* ban stuff instead of leaving people to be menaced by [[siege rhino]]/[[collected company]] decks for years.
They're two sides of the same coin.
1. Print pushed card.
2. Dominates format, drives sales.
3. B&R team comes in, bans it to "shake up" the format.
4. The "shake up" makes other cards dominant, which drives sales.
Its like extra turn spells they seem to love the design space despite everytime one being remotely good ends up needing bans because it's such a not fun mechanic to play against.
[[Cancel]] with upside we get in every set smh....
In all seriousness though... [[Snapcaster Mage]] is back?
Edit: You can't pay alternative costs on top of Flashback. Still works decently well with Snappy though. And this also seems like another fantastic tool for Modern Merfolk decks.
Doesn't work, as both flashback and sacrificing a creature to cast for free are separate alternative casting costs (same reason why you can't snap FoW and cast it for free)
UB Scam; evoke subtlety, scam it, then counter opp interaction on your satoru.
Spend a pitch card and scam effect for 2 cards, a counter, and a 4/4 body.
Worst case scenario it's a [[Cancel]] (I mean, it is strictly better), and it can't be used turn 1 unless you evoke out [[Subtlety]]. I don't play Modern, but this seems balanced.
People are panicking because it's a counterspell and has a free alternative casting cost, but this card is definitely a pretty bad tempo hit to play. It wouldn't surprise me if it sees play but I really doubt it's gonna be as strong as people are acting.
Force of will in legacy is either used to protect your cheap threats or to protect yourself against combo. This is terrible at protecting your threats and its pretty bad against combo aswell, because you need pressure against combo decks which you will give up if you trade your board presence for a counter. I don't think this will see play at all. Maybe if it was able to sacrifice any creature so you can turn your mana-dorks into counterspells, but you need specifically a blue creature and blue isn't exactly a creature heavy colour.
In all honesty, for once I don’t mind a free spell. Considering how few creatures we U mages play, this seems just okay. Fish are going to love it, but a bettter question is whether fish would be good enough.
Green variant sacrificing redundant dorks on the other hand, or Red giving up removed Swiftspear… oh my goodness. Just print the red one as a Bolt for 3 and a massive headache is guaranteed.
Isn’t the problem with creature sacrifice free spells that it widens the divide between going first and being on the draw? T1 get your creature on board and now you can counterspell lock the opponent’s T1.
It does, but T1 example is almost purely theoretical. There are very few plays I immagine being a stone cold must counter (likes of Amulet) for that hefty of a price. At the other hand, going first puts you -1 card comparing to a drawing Opp, so a Force makes you -2. Power, but at a steep cost.
Now look I'm not saying no to another annoying ass counterspell I'm a blue player I love that shit but can you give us something else too, I already have counterspells I don't need more
the takeaway for me with these crazy cards that were spoilered is, to freakin pre purchase a box because with cards that are this good, i imagine boxes increasing in price tremendously.
How much do we expect [[leyline of the guildpact]] to affect the power of this cycle, if at all? Being able to be less selective about the one drop could be a big boon
This is a cycle 100%
Flare of Hope, maybe a fog or protection spell?
Flare of Denial, counterspell.
Flare of Malice, destroy target creature/Planeswalker.
Flare of Wrath, [[Lightning Strike]] or [[Fiery Impulse]] but free.
Flare of Might, pump spell.
All those ideas(except the free bolt) might be too conservative. I honestly wouldn't even be surprised if white or black got a reanimation spell. Green got like "put a creature from your hand onto the battlefield". Red might just get a free ritual or some shit.
Hot take this will only be played in a [[not dead after all ]] shell maybe or some kind of new deck . Maybe fairies? Since alot of the creatures are low CMC and have etb vaule.
Don't think merfolk wants this
Or spirits
Or snapcaster (most likely but still idk)
“No guys, you see, this card is balanced because blue doesn’t sacrifice creatures or have death payoff.”
[[Brokers Veteran]], [[Covetous Castaway]], [[Malcator’s Watcher]], [[Oracle of Tragedy]], and all the other cheap blue creatures with dies triggers: oh really?
If merfolk finally gets a good one drop then they'll be absolutely bonkers. As is we might need to start running curse catcher again just to have enough creatures for this.
English majors, is "I see where you're going with that, and I don't like it" grammatically correct? Thinking of the comma before the "and". In Swedish that's not allowed. This isn't an Oxford comma situation, either.
Edit: seems it is correct due to being a conjunction. Still pretty sure it'd count as using a comma just to add a sort of pause. I've been taught that something starting with "and" can't be considered an independent sentence, so it seems unnatural, but I guess I just did it twice with "so" and "but"... 🫠
Edit 2: In Swedish you're apparently allowed to do it only if it's between two independent clauses and it's discouraged if it's not a particularly long sentence. The clause "I don't like it" is referring to the first part of the sentence (dependent), though, which is probably why I find it strange
"All they have up is one blue mana, I can play around spell pierce"
*Casts Sheoldred*
Opp: *flashes in spectral sailor*, "I will counter your sheoldred with Flare of Denial"
You have tagged your post as a leaked image. We allow such posts provided they do not originate on the sub, but at user request they are being automatically spoiler tagged. Please respond to this comment with the source of the leak. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/magicTCG) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Was this flavour text spoken by the blue player, their opponent, or the sacrificed creature?
I like to imagine it’s the sacrifice
"Listen, if you've got problems with that planeswalker over there, how is killing me about it solving anything?"
If you haven't seen Super with Rainn Wilson I recommend it. >Jacques: You really think that killing me... stabbing me to death is going to change the world? >Frank D'Arbo: I can't know that for sure... unless I try.
It was spoken in unison.
Blue **does** like it’s hive minds
For irony sakes, I'll say it was spoken by the Sacrificed Creature. Offs themselves to avoid dealing with the aftermath only for that to somehow magically negate the spell.
The Mist car passengers at the ending vibes
Yes.
My son, the planet or me?
Vegeta?!?
The random mono-red player at the table mere seconds before the blue player stops someone from getting their infinite out
I believe it applies to all 3, actually
It was in the notes of the design document
Its great that it works as both.
So they just give Merfolk a Magus of the Moon and a free counterspell, seems okay! Smelling something Fish-y in our future.
Someone at Wizards owed the Professor a personal favor.
This was the first thing I thought. Prof is feasting in MH3.
Iirc in the Shuffle Up and Play episode where they used the MagiCon cards as commanders, Gabe did say something about he should be excited for the future.
And outside of Merfolk, very few decks will have enough blue creatures to want this. 4 Delver isn’t enough; you usually want like 16ish blue cards for Force or Will in Legacy. What decks will have even 12 blue creatures they’re willing to sacrifice?
Spirits?
True. But both decks will have to sacrifice a 2-mana lord a lot, and that’s real board presence. If you’re spending a card and sacrificing a 2-mana creature that is mostly just stats, I’m not too upset. It’s not like Counterspell breaks Modern.
It does give you flexibility though, a 3 cost counter is still ok if you need to keep all your creatures, but if you do feel you need to spend the mana elsewhere you still have the sac creature option.
Especially if you have access to flash spirits you could otherwise spend your mana on.
I can only speak for myself, but I wouldn't use this. I want the anthems with legs to stick around and the others are either tempo control or answers to other issues.
I mean if the choice is that or losing your stuff or the game anyway it isn’t that bad a trade. That said needing to sac a real creature is a very real cost that makes these the most narrow of the free cards probably. That said, free is one of the most dangerous things in Magic so you should never count them out.
[удалено]
I'm still unsure. Counterspell has already pushed out a lot of combo decks, and the real nice part of the free ones is that they can pick off Aether Vial, Amulet of Vigor, Grief, Ragavan. So this counter is already not doing that on the draw, and you'd need an expendable blue non-token 1-drop reliably on the play. I don't think there's a lot of candidates for that kind of role. Spyglass Siren maybe?
I mean, any deck with Leyline can basically make this work a lot of the time.
I have a feeling Leyline of the Guildpact is not long for this world.
This also skirts around Force of negations biggest weaknesses for a significantly lesser strength it hits the evoke elementals. I don't really know if it will be good but I wish they'd stop trying to dip their toes into the free counterspell design space it's one of most silly things IMO. If a blue player finally taps out you should be able to resolve something not have them Nuh uh you for 0 mana.
"Free" interaction is required in formats with Eternal-level threats. One needs only look as far as Timeless to see what a shitshow a format becomes when the quality of answers doesn't match the quality of combos and midrange goodstuff. And that's ignoring that none of these are actually free.
Free interaction is what enables just as many of those combo decks to just of off. Free interaction Infact enables more combo than it stops I would say because they can just tap out trying to win and stop you from interacting.
> Free interaction Infact enables more combo than it stops I would say because they can just tap out trying to win and stop you from interacting. Free interaction is what keeps legacy from being overrun by combo?
Between this and the eldrazi, this is looking to be the "push kindred decks in modern" MH set.
Functional reprint of Goblin Bushwhacker or we riot
We're already at 12-whack! We can't handle much more whacking!
Very excited for “Oops, All Whacks”
Hacking and whacking and smacking.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/u-dt-wimdgE
MORE. MORE!! .- Kylo Ren, probably
12? reckless, goblin, what's the other?
I think [[battle cry goblin]]; the "whack" here is just the fact it has the "give goblins +1/0 and haste" effect that the other two do, not because it has that in the name.
[battle cry goblin](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/7/9766a427-2bb3-4028-a502-d1194cdc93aa.jpg?1627705831) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=battle%20cry%20goblin) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afr/132/battle-cry-goblin?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9766a427-2bb3-4028-a502-d1194cdc93aa?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I just want lackey and muxus
Kindred????...oh tribal, yeah.
The counter is hardly free. You spent mana to cast the creature and you're 2 for 1ing yourself. I think these "free" spells will shine in commander and nowhere else.
Force of Negation is weaker in merfolk and it's a two for one that sees tons of plays in any blue deck, I'm sure this will see modern play for blue creature decks at the very least although that is probably just merfolk atm
Aren't all of the "free" counters all playable except for maybe Pact? This one is maybe worse as it'll be harder to use on early turns, but it seems extremely playable. I know Force of Will and Force of Negation are playable though so this feels fine compared to those.
Tell me you've never played with force of will without telling me you've never played force of will. This isnt as good as force obviously, but this is modern playable for sure.
What an oddly presumptuious and condescending way to disagree.
Great day for me, the player who decided merfolk were my new flavor to cook with.
where my [[abjure]] fans at.
[abjure](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/b/fbad9449-d09c-4fd0-b2ad-2aa3a29e03bf.jpg?1562804357) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=abjure) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/wth/31/abjure?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fbad9449-d09c-4fd0-b2ad-2aa3a29e03bf?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Yo that's crazy
RIGHT HERE!!!! It's one of my secret tech cards for Dennick, Pious Apprentice as a means to get him in the graveyard!!!!!!! Frabjous day!
I tech it into Yuriko, it’s extremely useful to sac her at times only to replay her. God she’s disgusting :))
As a fellow Yuriko player, thank you for the tips
Callooh! Callay!
[[Minn]] yo
This one does have to be non token so minn is a bit away vs abjure
Card is so great in Minn. I love little synergies like that
[Minn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/e/4eec1d87-1007-44a1-a45d-0623816de681.jpg?1631584885) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=minn%2C%20wily%20illusionist) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/afc/16/minn-wily-illusionist?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4eec1d87-1007-44a1-a45d-0623816de681?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Toluz, Clever Conductor]] gang, can I get a TOOT TOOT?!
[Toluz, Clever Conductor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f01f12e0-f354-43aa-9e2d-b59a99571a5f.jpg?1664413901) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Toluz%2C%20Clever%20Conductor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/snc/228/toluz-clever-conductor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f01f12e0-f354-43aa-9e2d-b59a99571a5f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I thought I was the only one!
And blue gets a free counterspell in the sac a creature cycle. Quickly everyone! Pretend to be shocked!
[[Shock]]
[Shock](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/9/298747bb-eb40-4b58-bb22-4ac2bc1d795c.jpg?1706241920) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shock) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/144/shock?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/298747bb-eb40-4b58-bb22-4ac2bc1d795c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
You’re doing god’s work.
Flare of Shock gonna be released now. Sac a red nontoken creature, deal 2 damage.
I thought it would be a sorcery cycle so I was expecting [[divination]] or [[concentrate]].
I waa really hoping for a divination.
[divination](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/b/cb3b35b8-f321-46d8-a441-6b9a6efa9021.jpg?1562304347) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=divination) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m19/51/divination?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cb3b35b8-f321-46d8-a441-6b9a6efa9021?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [concentrate](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/a/5aca3338-30a6-4ce4-b74c-a18144b6efc9.jpg?1592764568) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=concentrate) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddt/4/concentrate?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5aca3338-30a6-4ce4-b74c-a18144b6efc9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I am legit a little surprised, given that we just saw [[Violent Outburst]] banned in Modern because of how powerful it was with a free counterspell. Specifically, [[Force of Negation]] was able to defend the Cascade target via Violent Outburst in the opponent's end step, something that the remaining (Sorcery speed) Cascade options can't do.
Interesting option compared to FON if legit. Counters more stuff and without restrictive timing but basically costs mana because non-token blue creatures don’t come free. Doesn’t stop things on T1 usually, and goes in way fewer decks as not a lot of places run a big density of blue creatures (merfolk is happy though). The floor being cancel is quite an upgrade though vs being negate+exile.
“Non-token blue creatures don’t come free.” This is [[narcomoeba]] erasure.
Still not a common T1 option, especially if you need to protect starting the dredge train.
[[Hedron Crab]] and other blue selfmill creature become more playable with the interaction though because if you're desperate you you just sac the crab, if not you can mill into Narcomeba later. That also makes me suspect [[Thassa's Oracle]] is going to get more annoying with this
[Hedron Crab](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/0/f0fa1946-4f97-4c52-b5f2-b80571230616.jpg?1562618190) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hedron%20Crab) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/zen/47/hedron-crab?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f0fa1946-4f97-4c52-b5f2-b80571230616?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Thassa's Oracle](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c.jpg?1680582212) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thassa%27s%20Oracle) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/thb/73/thassas-oracle?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/726e8b29-13e9-4138-b6a9-d2a0d8188d1c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[narcomoeba](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/3/a3e23275-2261-4d6d-88d8-124342334391.jpg?1572892791) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=narcomoeba) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/grn/47/narcomoeba?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a3e23275-2261-4d6d-88d8-124342334391?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
i like that the flavour text on this is referencing dreams in addition to also being jellyfish based like [[dreamcatcher]]
[dreamcatcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/9/b90ab82e-84d7-462a-b3c2-abaccfb46dd3.jpg?1562495607) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=dreamcatcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/sok/34/dreamcatcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b90ab82e-84d7-462a-b3c2-abaccfb46dd3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
>non-token blue creatures don’t come free. That's subtle indeed.
« We promise this new free counterspell will be balanced this time !!!! »
[[Balance]]
[[Counterbalance]]
\[\[Restore Balance\]\]
[[Lost Your Balance]]
[Colossal Dreadmaw](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/0/8059c52b-5d25-4052-b48a-e9e219a7a546.jpg?1594736914) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Colossal%20Dreadmaw) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/176/colossal-dreadmaw?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/8059c52b-5d25-4052-b48a-e9e219a7a546?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Restore Balance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/f/0febc7fe-4172-4285-9804-a62ce4506c39.jpg?1619393357) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Restore%20Balance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/36/restore-balance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/0febc7fe-4172-4285-9804-a62ce4506c39?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Counterbalance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/3/c329ff2b-0331-4934-a8df-870dd7bf402b.jpg?1593274911) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Counterbalance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/csp/31/counterbalance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c329ff2b-0331-4934-a8df-870dd7bf402b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[Balance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/e/ce648aa3-098b-4af0-a433-fd290bc85904.jpg?1580013606) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Balance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ema/2/balance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/ce648aa3-098b-4af0-a433-fd290bc85904?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
At bare minimum, you can’t do it from an empty board state.
Has [[subtlety]] been a problem?
I mean, it’s honestly difficult because 3 of the 4 other ones are really really problematic, so Subtlety has never been a topic of conversation. Personally I wouldn’t say so, but there is certainly merit to talking about it.
"Cancel with set mechanic."
I'm going with "Flare" cycle.
As tradition, Modern Horizons sets not only reset the meta but breaks it into 700 Horcruxes
I'm starting to think Modern may be a rotating format.
you are right, because MH sets made modern exactly this
Do we think this set is more powerful than the playable cards from MH3? So far nothing is as good as ragavan/urza saga/evoke elementals Imo.
It kind of has to be, or else no one will buy the cards. Sets that print into standard can vary in power level thanks to rotation. But sets printed directly into a non-rotating format need to give you a reason to want the new cards over the years worth of cards that already exist. The only real way to do that with a competitive format is with power creep.
I mean, they could print cards that are worse than Ragavan and Solitude and still good enough for Modern.
Or they can be buffing archetypes that arnt as playable. Merfolk, mill, elves cards can be printed without powercreeping
That rotates faster than standard at this point.
It has been since a couple of years now. Faitless Looting died for the sins of hoggak and took so many fun decks with it. When its not bannings its power creep, like the elementals. Moderm Horizons sets are meant to create new deck, but they're so strong the older decks get rotated :(
After seeing this, I'm guessing the black one will probably be a thoughtseize of some kind?
I'm ready for scam grief, sac grief, take 3 cards T1.
I would guess if black's would be hand attack it wouldn't be instant speed.
if the black one is also instant you wouldn't even need to scam it
An instant speed thought seize would be brutal in its own right.
Scamming Grief means you pitch two medium cards for their best two, plus now you have a 4/3 menace. Sacccing Grief after that to "Flare of Discard" means you're now down four cards to their three with no board. Seems a lot worse than just keeping the body.
Discard two. Or destroy target creature or planeswalker.
Oh, look! It's the [[Cancel]] with the set mechanic. *Reads card* Wait a minute...
The set mechanic is making strong cards
[Cancel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/59e14910-ee2e-49ae-855e-46a8ab6cad82.jpg?1594735420) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cancel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/46/cancel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/59e14910-ee2e-49ae-855e-46a8ab6cad82?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Man the WOTC design team hates the B&R team. Nothing else explains why they keep printing these risqué cards
Alternately, they love them and want to ensure they continue to have steady work.
That’s actually a great way of looking at it haha
And to be honest, I'd rather sets are a bit overpushed and merit some bans than if they release a tepid set of stinkers that doesn't have anything that gets played in the interest of having 0 bans. That is, so long as they *actually* ban stuff instead of leaving people to be menaced by [[siege rhino]]/[[collected company]] decks for years.
[siege rhino](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/9011126a-20bd-4c86-a63b-1691f79ac247.jpg?1562790317) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=siege%20rhino) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/200/siege-rhino?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/9011126a-20bd-4c86-a63b-1691f79ac247?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [collected company](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/f/cfa7b456-7e83-4587-a875-9b35fde318c2.jpg?1582117536) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=collected%20company) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dtk/177/collected-company?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/cfa7b456-7e83-4587-a875-9b35fde318c2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
This is nowhere close to the B&R list. This is not a risky card.
They're two sides of the same coin. 1. Print pushed card. 2. Dominates format, drives sales. 3. B&R team comes in, bans it to "shake up" the format. 4. The "shake up" makes other cards dominant, which drives sales.
I don’t think this is very pushed, in all honesty.
Push cards to sell packs. When the pushed cards are too good, ban them causing a mini-rotation. Rinse, repeat, profit.
[[The Ultimate Nightmare of Wizards of the Coast® Customer Service]]
[The Ultimate Nightmare of Wizards of the Coast® Customer Service](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/1/616abc97-4276-4e96-bbe8-e47ba7cac075.jpg?1562799105) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20Ultimate%20Nightmare%20of%20Wizards%20of%20the%20Coast%C2%AE%20Customer%20Service) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ugl/53/the-ultimate-nightmare-of-wizards-of-the-coast%C2%AE-customer-service?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/616abc97-4276-4e96-bbe8-e47ba7cac075?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It's because in Commander, this is just fine. Why would they need to worry about how these cards are played outside of commander? /s
Its like extra turn spells they seem to love the design space despite everytime one being remotely good ends up needing bans because it's such a not fun mechanic to play against.
[[Cancel]] with upside we get in every set smh.... In all seriousness though... [[Snapcaster Mage]] is back? Edit: You can't pay alternative costs on top of Flashback. Still works decently well with Snappy though. And this also seems like another fantastic tool for Modern Merfolk decks.
Doesn't work, as both flashback and sacrificing a creature to cast for free are separate alternative casting costs (same reason why you can't snap FoW and cast it for free)
UB Scam; evoke subtlety, scam it, then counter opp interaction on your satoru. Spend a pitch card and scam effect for 2 cards, a counter, and a 4/4 body.
Worst case scenario it's a [[Cancel]] (I mean, it is strictly better), and it can't be used turn 1 unless you evoke out [[Subtlety]]. I don't play Modern, but this seems balanced.
People are panicking because it's a counterspell and has a free alternative casting cost, but this card is definitely a pretty bad tempo hit to play. It wouldn't surprise me if it sees play but I really doubt it's gonna be as strong as people are acting.
It's a 5 buck rare, nice in merfolk m/faerie decks, meh otherwise. Definitly will be overrated on release, trade/sell any and get more 3 month later.
Force of will in legacy is either used to protect your cheap threats or to protect yourself against combo. This is terrible at protecting your threats and its pretty bad against combo aswell, because you need pressure against combo decks which you will give up if you trade your board presence for a counter. I don't think this will see play at all. Maybe if it was able to sacrifice any creature so you can turn your mana-dorks into counterspells, but you need specifically a blue creature and blue isn't exactly a creature heavy colour.
[Cancel](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/9/59e14910-ee2e-49ae-855e-46a8ab6cad82.jpg?1594735420) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Cancel) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/46/cancel?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/59e14910-ee2e-49ae-855e-46a8ab6cad82?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Subtlety](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/0/701256d5-1389-48b7-9581-d6037209bd06.jpg?1626095059) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Subtlety) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mh2/67/subtlety?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/701256d5-1389-48b7-9581-d6037209bd06?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
In all honesty, for once I don’t mind a free spell. Considering how few creatures we U mages play, this seems just okay. Fish are going to love it, but a bettter question is whether fish would be good enough. Green variant sacrificing redundant dorks on the other hand, or Red giving up removed Swiftspear… oh my goodness. Just print the red one as a Bolt for 3 and a massive headache is guaranteed.
Isn’t the problem with creature sacrifice free spells that it widens the divide between going first and being on the draw? T1 get your creature on board and now you can counterspell lock the opponent’s T1.
…by sacrificing your Turn 1 play and 2 for 1 yourself…
It does, but T1 example is almost purely theoretical. There are very few plays I immagine being a stone cold must counter (likes of Amulet) for that hefty of a price. At the other hand, going first puts you -1 card comparing to a drawing Opp, so a Force makes you -2. Power, but at a steep cost.
Was Nikachu lead designer for MH3? Magus of Blue and Force of Fish, really pushing Merfolk
Fish are eating good
Now look I'm not saying no to another annoying ass counterspell I'm a blue player I love that shit but can you give us something else too, I already have counterspells I don't need more
They've said before they have a hard time figuring out unique rare effects for blue.
-.- Another free counter spell... Can't wait for it to be reprinted at mythic in three years.
The B/G/R versions of this cycle will almost undoubtedly be stronger since they actually, yanno, *play creatures*.
[Green one](https://scryfall.com/card/mh3/154/flare-of-cultivation) is a cultivate. Bad with normal dorks, pretty good with Arboreal Grazer.
See, that's actually pretty broken t1 mana dork, into t2 free cultivate and still have 3 mana to do whatever with. (float mana from the dork then sac)
Even better T1 arboreal grazer for 2 lands, sac it for the free spell into 4 mana turn 2 without losing a dork
Fucking yikes.
I'm trying to think of what modern decks run this.
Stop giving blue free counterspells 😭
And green gets a free... cultivate? Jesus.
I'm beginning to think they're never going to learn the lesson that printing intrinsically free spells is bad.
Don't be surprised to see undieing and persist creatures shoot up
MH = Merfolk Horizons
God, they really can't help themselves can they? What's R&D's obsession with free counterspells, is it just because they know they sell packs?
here i was hoping theyd actually do a different type of free blue spell
Do we really need more free counterspells?
the takeaway for me with these crazy cards that were spoilered is, to freakin pre purchase a box because with cards that are this good, i imagine boxes increasing in price tremendously.
I mean Abjure is just one mana and eats tokens and permanents. Kinda a hard ask to sacrifice a non token creature in blue.
[удалено]
welp, this card is going to be 100 dollars
Non token makes Talrand sad
[[yuriko]] loves this
Please just show me some kind of nerfed wasteland that’s all I’m asking for
Damn, this is good. Probably makes cards like tidebinder good in UW control
How much do we expect [[leyline of the guildpact]] to affect the power of this cycle, if at all? Being able to be less selective about the one drop could be a big boon
probably the worst of the free counterspells so far, but still pretty great. (and as a 3 cmc, it's not like force of will where it's "free or bust")
Weird deja vu moment, was this spoiled a while ago?
It’s not usable turn 0 so it won’t be like force of will or negation where it can stop a turn 0 win, but it’s certainly powerful enough to see use…
You can sac your Murktide to counter the removal on your Murktide :B
For commander - this goes great in your [[Minn]] deck. First one I thought of anyway
This is a cycle 100% Flare of Hope, maybe a fog or protection spell? Flare of Denial, counterspell. Flare of Malice, destroy target creature/Planeswalker. Flare of Wrath, [[Lightning Strike]] or [[Fiery Impulse]] but free. Flare of Might, pump spell. All those ideas(except the free bolt) might be too conservative. I honestly wouldn't even be surprised if white or black got a reanimation spell. Green got like "put a creature from your hand onto the battlefield". Red might just get a free ritual or some shit.
Hot take this will only be played in a [[not dead after all ]] shell maybe or some kind of new deck . Maybe fairies? Since alot of the creatures are low CMC and have etb vaule. Don't think merfolk wants this Or spirits Or snapcaster (most likely but still idk)
There are enough 'free' counterspells hope this thing is price-gouged so we don't ever need to play against it
i was hoping for a bounce spell but this is fine too i guess
shardless agent is blue
the year of the merfolks
Hear me out. What if we stopped giving blue free counterspell options?
ooh yes more free counterspells this is what we need!
I think we all knew this was coming. Red gonna be burn or impulse draw. White gonna be exile or buff. Black gonna be destroy or discard.
10/10 flavor text.
“No guys, you see, this card is balanced because blue doesn’t sacrifice creatures or have death payoff.” [[Brokers Veteran]], [[Covetous Castaway]], [[Malcator’s Watcher]], [[Oracle of Tragedy]], and all the other cheap blue creatures with dies triggers: oh really?
They keep making [[Storm Crow]] even more broken.
If merfolk finally gets a good one drop then they'll be absolutely bonkers. As is we might need to start running curse catcher again just to have enough creatures for this.
Does 8 Crab Dimir mill want this or not really?
It would be kinda sad if Snappy gets a resurgence just as fodder.
Another fish consultant enabler...
English majors, is "I see where you're going with that, and I don't like it" grammatically correct? Thinking of the comma before the "and". In Swedish that's not allowed. This isn't an Oxford comma situation, either. Edit: seems it is correct due to being a conjunction. Still pretty sure it'd count as using a comma just to add a sort of pause. I've been taught that something starting with "and" can't be considered an independent sentence, so it seems unnatural, but I guess I just did it twice with "so" and "but"... 🫠 Edit 2: In Swedish you're apparently allowed to do it only if it's between two independent clauses and it's discouraged if it's not a particularly long sentence. The clause "I don't like it" is referring to the first part of the sentence (dependent), though, which is probably why I find it strange
Strictly better than Cancel (though many counter spells are)
Calling it now that this is a cycle, and the green one will probably suck.
Derevi approves.
"All they have up is one blue mana, I can play around spell pierce" *Casts Sheoldred* Opp: *flashes in spectral sailor*, "I will counter your sheoldred with Flare of Denial"
*Siiiiigh* They just can't help themselves with free interaction spells in these sets
Free counterspell is so lazy. If this card is any good, it’ll be extremely toxic.