I'm thinking this card even has potential in legacy, which gets cards into the grave much faster than standard. Possibly even some vintage beatdown decks.
As for standard, which I don't really play too much of, I'm not sure, but with thought scour it seems pretty good.
Basically it's a one mana 5/5 flying during late game, you dont even need to mill your opponent for it. Now you can sneak a 5/5/ into play and have all the countermagic mana to protect it.
Why not run with delver? These two can smash face together for the low low cost of running a deck with instants and sorceries that mill a bit. Perhaps some hand disruption to further your agenda.
Slow control decks now have a decent finisher!
Runechanter's Pike Delver decks have another option! Unless there is a banning though it will probably remain benched in favor of Delver and company, since none of Delver's creatures are gone with rotation. But honestly a 1/1 flyer for U is pretty good as is... maybe Lord of the Unreal will make a little comeback?
@ baldersmashed - Why would "slow control decks" want a one mana finisher when it can easy shell out four, five, six or even seven mana?
The thing is that he's good enough to not have to build around him. You just run him in a Delver shell, maybe UR or UB. Late game he's a vastly superior to Delver, early you just usually don't drop him, but he can carry a pike better than an unflipped delver, and there's no more gut shots post rotation so he may become a real card.
It's weird how there have been so many "cheap fat" Blue creatures. I've never thought of it as a trait of the color, but here we are with Phantasmal Bear, Delver of Secrets, and now Jace's Phantasm.
I don't like the direction for the color. I don't care if Jace's Phantasm is overpowered (it certainly doesn't seem powerful to me), but Blue is supposed to be the non-creature color, and lately it's been pushed towards creatures.
EDIT: I'm an idiot. I forgot Runechanter's Pike said "your graveyard."
It is at LEAST fringe playable as a 1/1 flier for 1. Vault skirge had those stats and saw play (with the upside of tempered steel, vs +4/+4 at some point).
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If the store owner says that I can't trade in the premises, I'll just go outside. If he says that I can't trade within 10m of his premises, I'll go to 11 meters. If he says that he doesn't want to see me trading, I will put a basket over his head and continue trading.
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If the store owner says that I can't trade in the premises, I'll just go outside. If he says that I can't trade within 10m of his premises, I'll go to 11 meters. If he says that he doesn't want to see me trading, I will put a basket over his head and continue trading.
Yes, he's a local legend. He's only known to take his clothes off before he goes into the Ladies' Lockerroom. Nobody knows what he does in there because he's invisible, but it's almost certainly tons of masturbating.
You guys realize that it's 10 cards in opponent's graveyard right?
This doesn't go well with runechanter's pike, won't see legacy or vintage ( come on ) play, and just to remind you guys, a 1/1 flyer for 1 hasn't been playable for a looooooong time ( Flying Men, anybody? )
You guys realize that it's 10 cards in opponent's graveyard right?
This doesn't go well with runechanter's pike, won't see legacy or vintage ( come on ) play, and just to remind you guys, a 1/1 flyer for 1 hasn't been playable for a looooooong time ( Flying Men, anybody? )
When was the last time you played a game against control at least in which they did not end the game with 10+ cards in their GY, let alone tempo. If nothing else, this card is boardable as a good beater against some decks and should be regarded as a late game 3 drop you back up with counter magic. I don't know if this will see play, the upcoming environment isn't really a thing in my mind yet, but the question of whether or not this card is good is one I answer with a yes, and happily so.
Why would this thing see legacy/modern play? Even if it does go online, Relic of Progenitus ruins its day big time.
Not everyone plays relic, and those who do might not want to board it in vs. a delver/phantasm deck. That's like saying delver is bad because lightning bolt exists.
You guys realize that it's 10 cards in opponent's graveyard right?
This doesn't go well with runechanter's pike, won't see legacy or vintage ( come on ) play, and just to remind you guys, a 1/1 flyer for 1 hasn't been playable for a looooooong time ( Flying Men, anybody? )
I'd say in legacy/vintage it's almost rare for a grave to have less than 10 cards in it mid/late game. Why do you think nimble mongoose is so powerful?
Hey look, it's strictly better Flying Men (unless you care about Humans).
Tribal Illusions will love this guy because it's a 1-drop not named Phantasmal Bear.
This could end up being mono-blue's Nimble Mongoose (Delver will eternally be the one and unique Delver--almost like mono-blue's tiny flying Goyf or, better, flying Wild Nacatl). Granted, splashing black makes it easier for opponents to dump cards in the graveyard (see discard spells and Sinkhole), but this could be another cheap finisher in blue-based tempo decks.
It has potential in legacy. Probably, not a 4-of, but potential. Fetches and Wastelands fill graveyards pretty quickly. That is most decks, then you build your deck to maximize its usefulness.
It's interesting that its like a reverse Threshold, so Snapcaster can actually help fuel it. Imagine U/b/x with Jace's Phantasm, Hymn to Tourach, Inquisition of Kozilek, Removal, Snapcaster, etc. Possibly even Tombstalker, despite its non-bo with Snacaster Mage.
I swear I first read it as Wingbonger...something tells me that "As Long as Wingbonger is paired with another creature, both creatures have weed." wouldn't be as good. Seems solid for limited.
It will see play in legacy in control decks. A one threat that is easy to protect late game is unbelievably good.
On a side note: Blue creatures are becoming too good for their mana cost. Blue is heavy creeping into greens color pie. Some blue decks will leave green for only sideboard at this rate soon.
Creature - Illusion
Flying
~ gets +4/+4 as long as an opponent has ten or more cards in his or her graveyard.
Anyone else think this card is a little crazy?
This w/o +4/+4 is better than unflipped delver. With +4/+4 it's better than flipped Delver.
10 cards is not that hard to do. People run Thought Scour for consistency anyway.
This is a good turn 1 play and a good topdeck in a drawn out game. I think it will see moderate to extensive play in constructed formats.
I'm thinking this card even has potential in legacy, which gets cards into the grave much faster than standard. Possibly even some vintage beatdown decks.
As for standard, which I don't really play too much of, I'm not sure, but with thought scour it seems pretty good.
Slow control decks now have a decent finisher!
@ baldersmashed - Why would "slow control decks" want a one mana finisher when it can easy shell out four, five, six or even seven mana?
My EDH Decks!
BUGDamia, Combo-Control QueenBUG
RGWort, the RampmotherRG
WWWKemba, Voltron ExtraordinaireWWW
UBDralnu, Pure ControlUB
URHail to the DracogeniusUR
UWU/W BlinkUW
BMono-Black ControlB
Commander:
GWUJenaraGWU
BGeth MBCB
RGXenagosRG
WUBSharuumWUB (retired)
Modern:
xAffinityx (starting)
Standard:
Ha! That's a good one.
I know. I'm reminded of a certain Devil that was quite Vexing from Avacyn Restored...
I don't like the direction for the color. I don't care if Jace's Phantasm is overpowered (it certainly doesn't seem powerful to me), but Blue is supposed to be the non-creature color, and lately it's been pushed towards creatures.
EDIT: I'm an idiot. I forgot Runechanter's Pike said "your graveyard."
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It's a 1/1 most of the time. That's a huge drawback.
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It can be a 5/5 easily in legacy and modern with fetches & tempo spells.
This doesn't go well with runechanter's pike, won't see legacy or vintage ( come on ) play, and just to remind you guys, a 1/1 flyer for 1 hasn't been playable for a looooooong time ( Flying Men, anybody? )
When was the last time you played a game against control at least in which they did not end the game with 10+ cards in their GY, let alone tempo. If nothing else, this card is boardable as a good beater against some decks and should be regarded as a late game 3 drop you back up with counter magic. I don't know if this will see play, the upcoming environment isn't really a thing in my mind yet, but the question of whether or not this card is good is one I answer with a yes, and happily so.
My EDH Decks!
BUGDamia, Combo-Control QueenBUG
RGWort, the RampmotherRG
WWWKemba, Voltron ExtraordinaireWWW
UBDralnu, Pure ControlUB
URHail to the DracogeniusUR
Not everyone plays relic, and those who do might not want to board it in vs. a delver/phantasm deck. That's like saying delver is bad because lightning bolt exists.
I'd say in legacy/vintage it's almost rare for a grave to have less than 10 cards in it mid/late game. Why do you think nimble mongoose is so powerful?
Tribal Illusions will love this guy because it's a 1-drop not named Phantasmal Bear.
This could end up being mono-blue's Nimble Mongoose (Delver will eternally be the one and unique Delver--almost like mono-blue's tiny flying Goyf or, better, flying Wild Nacatl). Granted, splashing black makes it easier for opponents to dump cards in the graveyard (see discard spells and Sinkhole), but this could be another cheap finisher in blue-based tempo decks.
It's interesting that its like a reverse Threshold, so Snapcaster can actually help fuel it. Imagine U/b/x with Jace's Phantasm, Hymn to Tourach, Inquisition of Kozilek, Removal, Snapcaster, etc. Possibly even Tombstalker, despite its non-bo with Snacaster Mage.
It is interesting though that it gives mill a possible second win condition, something that it usually lacks.
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Legacy
GG Aggro Elves GG
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On a side note: Blue creatures are becoming too good for their mana cost. Blue is heavy creeping into greens color pie. Some blue decks will leave green for only sideboard at this rate soon.
What GradStudentGuy said.