When hexproof became a keyword, I thought it was pretty cool. However, on the other hand, it seems to have replaced Shroud completely.
The last time we saw Shroud in a core set was in Magic 2011 with Whispersilk Cloak. Then the last time we saw it in an expansion was in Scars Block.
While I like hexproof, I feel like shroud is the more balanced of keywords, and I don't want the latter to disappear completely. Now, in this set, we've seen Lasav get Hexproof and a Hexproof-hosing artifact. I also think the common-ness of Hexproof is a subtle expression of creature power creep.
I decided to look Hexproof up, and I've seen that before this set, no black creature has gotten Hexproof before. I also personally think it would be more flavorful for Lasav to have shroud too, so I do have a gripe with that.
Do you think the direction we're moving in with hexproof vs shroud is good?
When hexproof became a keyword, I thought it was pretty cool. However, on the other hand, it seems to have replaced Shroud completely.
The last time we saw Shroud in a core set was in Magic 2011 with Whispersilk Cloak. Then the last time we saw it in an expansion was in Scars Block.
While I like hexproof, I feel like shroud is the more balanced of keywords, and I don't want the latter to disappear completely. Now, in this set, we've seen Lasav get Hexproof and a Hexproof-hosing artifact. I also think the common-ness of Hexproof is a subtle expression of creature power creep.
I decided to look Hexproof up, and I've seen that before this set, no black creature has gotten Hexproof before. I also personally think it would be more flavorful for Lasav to have shroud too, so I do have a gripe with that.
Do you think the direction we're moving in with hexproof vs shroud is good?
I'd rather see Shroud personally, but I've grown to like Hexproof. As long as its not on an unblockable creature, and with this new hoser at least there's answers to it.
I had issues with it before massively when it was super prevalent (UW Spirits with Drogskol at my local FNM was annoying as hell back with DKA, only real answer was DOJ), but there's been a lot of good AOE spells printed recently that allow people to answer it in all colors.
I prefer Legendaries get Hexproof instead of Shroud though, it severely limits their useability if they have Shroud (no artifacts, no auras, etc.).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Proud Member of the "Help Fblthp Get Home in DGM" Society
I love Shroud because it's a blessing and a curse. You have to be smart about it, and you have to realize that if you're not smart/careful, it can bite you. That makes for some well-balanced cards that are skill-testing and fun.
Hexproof, in contrast, just seems lazy. When it was just "the thing Mirrodin Trolls do," a.k.a. "Troll Shroud," I was OK with it because it was pretty much restricted to one tribe on one plane. But now with it being tossed around much more liberally, and in circumstances where there's a lot more room for abuse, it's just annoying. Particularly because it restricts interactivity, and because it can really warp formats with how it interacts with some cards (enchantments) or not (removal). I can see that design probably meant to make them frail so creatures would be counters to them (more focus on creatures, when creature interactivity was the buzzword at Wizards), but in grossly underestimating the power of tempo, they kind of kept that from being the counterbalance it was probably meant to be.
So yeah. Not a fan. Bring back Shroud please. That was a fun keyword because it was all about tradeoffs; it made both players re-evaluate the way they approached the creature.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing UX Mana Denial until Modern gets the answers it needs.
WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
I really don't like hexproof, it's too much strenght.
While with shroud the resilience come with a cost, hexproof is only win.
I would prefer that they used hexproof only when really relevant, and don't simply slap it in any kind of creature, replacing shroud. It would be far more healthy if the rate of shroud/hexproof creatures was something like 3/1 (for each 3 shroud creature, one with hexproof)
I think shroud should have been hexproof in the first place, because shroud sounds cooler. The idea is to have a keyword that can force an opponent to interact on the creature combat level instead of always bouncing or removing a creature for less cost then the creature itself. This is an important component especially for green that likes to tap out for big things. You'll notice since thrun pretty much every set has included a green midrange hexproof creature at common or uncommon; lumberknot, primal huntbeast, rubbleback rhino. The problem with shroud was that the already questionable utility of auras and pump spells that are supposed to give creature combat more flavor goes even lower. So they changed shroud to hexproof.
So as a keyword, i love hexproof, and to me it is the same keyword as shroud, simply updated to be better at what it's purpose is. I do however have some qualms about the kind of creatures they have been putting it on (I'm looking at you, geist).
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A scrupulous writer, in every sentence that he writes, will ask himself at least four questions, thus: 1. What am I trying to say? 2. What words will express it? 3. What image or idiom will make it clearer? 4. Is this image fresh enough to have an effect? And he will probably ask himself two more: 1. Could I put it more shortly? 2. Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?"
I really like Hexproof and don't think it's too powerful: there are a lot of ways to get around it
That being said I agree that Shroud is cooler and more interesting.
I agree that Hexproof really feels legendary and I would have no qualms if it was reserved for legendary creatures while shroud was the more common one; in fact I really really like that idea.
Lazav is a both a blue and black creature and blue has hexproof in its arsenal. I'm not sure what the problem is there?
Anyway, Hexproof has certainly been more prominent in recent sets but the ability is OLD AS HELL. Nobody was throwing fits when Silhana Ledgewalker was around and I remember Troll Ascetic was much loved. Shroud really has no place in today's Magic environment. When creature on creature combat is so much more prevalent, Shroud is a huge hindrance. In fact the only creatures with Shroud that were ever any good were either much larger than they should be for their cost (Blastoderm) or were both large (but with appropriate high CMC) but had evasion (Morphling, Sphinx of Jwar Isle, Simic Sky Swallower). 1-2 creature wincon, mono-counterspell/pinpoint removal.deck hasn't been a thing in years. Ergo, Shroud is more drawback than bonus.
Geist of Saint Traft was clearly a psuhed card but it certainly isn't broken and while Invisible Stalker is annoying (hexproof + UNBLOCKABLE for so cheap is kind of derpy) it can't really hurt you without auras or equipment which are easy to attack if you plan of it. The whole hexproof outcry smells of whiners gonna whine.
Hexproof, in contrast, just seems lazy. When it was just "the thing Mirrodin Trolls do," a.k.a. "Troll Shroud," I was OK with it because it was pretty much restricted to one tribe on one plane. But now with it being tossed around much more liberally, and in circumstances where there's a lot more room for abuse, it's just annoying. Particularly because it restricts interactivity, and because it can really warp formats with how it interacts with some cards (enchantments) or not (removal). I can see that design probably meant to make them frail so creatures would be counters to them (more focus on creatures, when creature interactivity was the buzzword at Wizards), but in grossly underestimating the power of tempo, they kind of kept that from being the counterbalance it was probably meant to be.
Que? Hexproof has been around since like Portal Three Kingdoms and has appeared outside of Mirrodin and on non-trolls before M12 when it was keyworded.
Que? Hexproof has been around since like Portal Three Kingdoms and has appeared outside of Mirrodin and on non-trolls before M12 when it was keyworded.
Oh come on, someone who obviously knows enough about the complete and utter history of hexproof (TM) knows why it's pet name was troll-shroud and why he made that connotation.
I'm in the "bring back shroud" camp. Hexproof is just silly and I think it leads to derp playstyles. Herr... I'm going to throw 5 auras on my Invisible Stalker and just in case you want to boardwipe, I'll Fling it at you. Look how good I am!
It seems like Hexproof is being printed more because it's really the only way to make a creature viable without giving them an ETB ability. Players are so afraid of removal that anything after turn two that either doesn't give you something when comes into or leaves play or doesn't have Hexproof/indestructible/etc. is considered junk, because it mostly is (at least in standard).
Hellkite, Aristocrat, Hellrider, Geralf's Messanger, Gravecrawler, Thragtusk, Angel of Serenity, Centaur Healer, Restoration Angel, Snapcaster Mage, Hunmaster, Sublime Archangel, Wolfir Silverheart, Silverblade Paladin...there's a reason why all of these are played and almost literally nothing else is. Obzedat is really the only amazing creature revealed so far in Gatecrash. Why? Because he drains for 2 when you get him out and he dodges sorcery speed removal.
I don't think Hexproof is very overpowered in a standard with ~three playable sweepers, so I don't really think it becoming more common is a bad thing. I wouldn't mind if they had to go back to Shroud. I'd prefer it, even, if it meant they didn't have to waste their time as well as mine on cards like Glaring Spotlight.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
#define ALWAYS SOMETIMES
#define NEVER RARELY
#define ALL MANY
-=GIVE US SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN=-
I'm nerd enough to link my WoW Armory Though I'll put it in a small font.
I think Hexproof is fine, it's one of those abilities that makes creature cards relevant and on par with the spot removal spells we've had the past couple of years.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Going back to Europe Tonight. will say goodbye to you all.
It seems like Hexproof is being printed more because it's really the only way to make a creature viable without giving them an ETB ability. Players are so afraid of removal that anything after turn two that either doesn't give you something when comes into or leaves play or doesn't have Hexproof/indestructible/etc. is considered junk, because it mostly is (at least in standard).
I think you're getting it backwards. In my opinion, it works like this: because we have cheap and powerful hexproof/hasty/CIP creatures, therefore other cards aren't seeing play. If those went away, we'd realize that cards like Hero of Bladehold are actually really good.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing UX Mana Denial until Modern gets the answers it needs.
WUBRG Humans BRW Mardu Pyromancer UW UW "Control" UR Blue Moon
Oh come on, someone who obviously knows enough about the complete and utter history of hexproof (TM) knows why it's pet name was troll-shroud and why he made that connotation.
I know where the term "Troll-shroud" comes from and why it was popular. I was objecting to his statement that it was a mechanic that originate or was exclusive to Mirrodin. (Of course he could have just been joking, it's hard to tell on the internet.)
I'm in the "bring back shroud" camp. Hexproof is just silly and I think it leads to derp playstyles. Herr... I'm going to throw 5 auras on my Invisible Stalker and just in case you want to boardwipe, I'll Fling it at you. Look how good I am!
This.
IMO Hexproof is a dumb bad design. Hell to deal with a single Invisible Stalker enchanted to the teeth i need to wipe my board?
There is many better evasion designs that aren't just plain "you can't. period".
Persist, Imortal, color protection.
I think that Hexproof should never had existed as a Keyword. They should have split it into two:
- can't be target of spells controled by your opponents
- can't be target of abilities controled by your opponents
then we could have 3 abilities:
- Shroud, the most protective, but also restrictive.
- The other 2 variant.
Also some cards with protection against sorceries and instantes would be cool. So they're only partially immune to removal.
I know where the term "Troll-shroud" comes from and why it was popular. I was objecting to his statement that it was a mechanic that originate or was exclusive to Mirrodin. (Of course he could have just been joking, it's hard to tell on the internet.)
Indeed, both Shroud and Hexproof (functionally, anyway) started with Autumn Willow.
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
I see no problem with hexproof, or the spotlight. As long as there is an ability that rains on parades, ppl will cry about it. Tbh it's about as lame as ppl complaining about counterspells when those were super popular. Shroud has been replaced, true, but are you same naysayers on a soapbox over intimidate? What about doublestrike? Of course not, because they dont make "answer to everything" removal cards useless while allowing you to interact with the creature yourself. Heaven forbid you have to block.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
Oh yeah, blocking! But I'd have to play creatures to do that. Everyone know that spellz rule!
Seriously though, Hexproof isn't a terrible ability, but it has been a touch overdone. Shroud is nice because it's got upside/downside tension. GoST is an OP turd, and I'm looking forward to seeing one eat a Pillar of Flame.
...not only is the total number of players expanding very quickly, but at the same time a greater and greater number of those players are being pushed to only desire a small subset of the available cards. These combined forces drastically increase demand for those cards and cause the values of just those specific cards to often balloon out of proportion.
Hexproof is fine, because it doesn't seem overpowered it all. Some argue that it escalates the power curb, but shroud may not have been enough to handle the power curb. Also, putting hexproof and shroud in sets would get boring and redundant, and WOTC has clearly picked a favorite. There's no going back.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sig by the amazing Rivenor
Avatar by the one and only DOLZero
What you are about to read the absolute truth about the deck that once nearly killed WotC's revenue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DallasM
Caw Blade is based on the ancient powerful strategy of equipping Storm Crow with Worldslayer, blowing everything up, punching your opponent in the face, stealing his cards, and running away. This new deck is a mere shell of the original caw blade's power.
I see no problem with hexproof, or the spotlight. As long as there is an ability that rains on parades, ppl will cry about it. Tbh it's about as lame as ppl complaining about counterspells when those were super popular. Shroud has been replaced, true, but are you same naysayers on a soapbox over intimidate? What about doublestrike? Of course not, because they dont make "answer to everything" removal cards useless while allowing you to interact with the creature yourself. Heaven forbid you have to block.
Older hex'd guys weren't houses by themselves. They gave the piece of mind that you actually had to help them out a bit with their bodies or their threat level to actually be relevant threats.
Troll Ascetic was fairly sized and just an ol' reliable dude, but wasn't a game winning thundersledge. Uril was the first time I realized the terror of a voltron'd hex, but even he wasn't all that scary without support.
Geist and Sigarda, meanwhile, are the beginning of the hex guy who can just outright kill you if you let them. Geist is buff enough with the angel roids, and Sigs has a four clock plus evasion. I'm not sure that's a sign of terrible things to come, but it is a little unsettling given their success (Sigs hasn't really had her time yet, but she is very scary still).
I think Hexproof would be less relevant if Wizards wouldn't print such cheap and useful removal cards. Things like Abrupt Decay, even Dismember are extremely efficient at removing threats. This means that Hexproof becomes a completely viable way for Wizards to print cheap, powerful removal and have their creatures too.
Then you get decks that center around hexproof enchant, because the drawback to enchanting your creature has largely been eliminated. And many of the auras that are printed with the assumption that while the aura may give a large P/T boost, it is a 2-for-1. This means the aura decks are very efficient at creating big nasty creatures that cannot be killed via creature damage or via removal spells.
Shroud should be reserved for 1 and 2 drops because of this, with Hexproof at higher CMC. This forces those aura decks to slow down and thus fixes the "imbalance." But this all doesn't matter too much because the cat is already out of the bag so to speak.
Hexproof is a terrible mechanic which takes away interaction. Shroud was perfectly good and a perfectly strong mechanic. The fact that the new Spotlight card EXISTS, proves that the Hexproof mechanic is flawed. I enjoyed it when it was on Troll Ascetic and Thrun, because it was a mechanic used every now and then and it was a powerful rarity.
I don't mind hexproof as long as the creatures they're on aren't cheap. I really think Invisible Stalker and Geist of Saint Traft should have had shroud.
Oh yeah, blocking! But I'd have to play creatures to do that. Everyone know that spellz rule!
Seriously though, Hexproof isn't a terrible ability, but it has been a touch overdone. Shroud is nice because it's got upside/downside tension. GoST is an OP turd, and I'm looking forward to seeing one eat a Pillar of Flame.
Playing that artifact (I assume this is what you were referencing) to deal with Geist seems really bad.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Standard:
Bident Layers B Devotion RG Devotion UW Control Modern:
Jund
UW Control
Combo Pod Legacy: DeathBlade RUG Delver BUG Control
Hexproof is a terrible mechanic which takes away interaction. Shroud was perfectly good and a perfectly strong mechanic. The fact that the new Spotlight card EXISTS, proves that the Hexproof mechanic is flawed. I enjoyed it when it was on Troll Ascetic and Thrun, because it was a mechanic used every now and then and it was a powerful rarity.
How on earth does a hoser for a mechanic prove the mechanic is flawed? Does Tsabo's Web prove utility lands are flawed?
The last time we saw Shroud in a core set was in Magic 2011 with Whispersilk Cloak. Then the last time we saw it in an expansion was in Scars Block.
While I like hexproof, I feel like shroud is the more balanced of keywords, and I don't want the latter to disappear completely. Now, in this set, we've seen Lasav get Hexproof and a Hexproof-hosing artifact. I also think the common-ness of Hexproof is a subtle expression of creature power creep.
I decided to look Hexproof up, and I've seen that before this set, no black creature has gotten Hexproof before. I also personally think it would be more flavorful for Lasav to have shroud too, so I do have a gripe with that.
Do you think the direction we're moving in with hexproof vs shroud is good?
For all of your Magic art needs, check out my tumblr The Art of Magic.
I'd rather see Shroud personally, but I've grown to like Hexproof. As long as its not on an unblockable creature, and with this new hoser at least there's answers to it.
I had issues with it before massively when it was super prevalent (UW Spirits with Drogskol at my local FNM was annoying as hell back with DKA, only real answer was DOJ), but there's been a lot of good AOE spells printed recently that allow people to answer it in all colors.
I prefer Legendaries get Hexproof instead of Shroud though, it severely limits their useability if they have Shroud (no artifacts, no auras, etc.).
RRR Khorenthos - The Red Block (Feedback needed!) RRR
Hexproof, in contrast, just seems lazy. When it was just "the thing Mirrodin Trolls do," a.k.a. "Troll Shroud," I was OK with it because it was pretty much restricted to one tribe on one plane. But now with it being tossed around much more liberally, and in circumstances where there's a lot more room for abuse, it's just annoying. Particularly because it restricts interactivity, and because it can really warp formats with how it interacts with some cards (enchantments) or not (removal). I can see that design probably meant to make them frail so creatures would be counters to them (more focus on creatures, when creature interactivity was the buzzword at Wizards), but in grossly underestimating the power of tempo, they kind of kept that from being the counterbalance it was probably meant to be.
So yeah. Not a fan. Bring back Shroud please. That was a fun keyword because it was all about tradeoffs; it made both players re-evaluate the way they approached the creature.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
While with shroud the resilience come with a cost, hexproof is only win.
I would prefer that they used hexproof only when really relevant, and don't simply slap it in any kind of creature, replacing shroud. It would be far more healthy if the rate of shroud/hexproof creatures was something like 3/1 (for each 3 shroud creature, one with hexproof)
So as a keyword, i love hexproof, and to me it is the same keyword as shroud, simply updated to be better at what it's purpose is. I do however have some qualms about the kind of creatures they have been putting it on (I'm looking at you, geist).
That being said I agree that Shroud is cooler and more interesting.
I agree that Hexproof really feels legendary and I would have no qualms if it was reserved for legendary creatures while shroud was the more common one; in fact I really really like that idea.
Anyway, Hexproof has certainly been more prominent in recent sets but the ability is OLD AS HELL. Nobody was throwing fits when Silhana Ledgewalker was around and I remember Troll Ascetic was much loved. Shroud really has no place in today's Magic environment. When creature on creature combat is so much more prevalent, Shroud is a huge hindrance. In fact the only creatures with Shroud that were ever any good were either much larger than they should be for their cost (Blastoderm) or were both large (but with appropriate high CMC) but had evasion (Morphling, Sphinx of Jwar Isle, Simic Sky Swallower). 1-2 creature wincon, mono-counterspell/pinpoint removal.deck hasn't been a thing in years. Ergo, Shroud is more drawback than bonus.
Geist of Saint Traft was clearly a psuhed card but it certainly isn't broken and while Invisible Stalker is annoying (hexproof + UNBLOCKABLE for so cheap is kind of derpy) it can't really hurt you without auras or equipment which are easy to attack if you plan of it. The whole hexproof outcry smells of whiners gonna whine.
Que? Hexproof has been around since like Portal Three Kingdoms and has appeared outside of Mirrodin and on non-trolls before M12 when it was keyworded.
Oh come on, someone who obviously knows enough about the complete and utter history of hexproof (TM) knows why it's pet name was troll-shroud and why he made that connotation.
That is because hexproof IS the replacement for shroud. And this has been the case for almost 2 years.
http://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/7578463866/did-you-just-say-hexproof-has-completely-replaced
Humble Budoka!
Hellkite, Aristocrat, Hellrider, Geralf's Messanger, Gravecrawler, Thragtusk, Angel of Serenity, Centaur Healer, Restoration Angel, Snapcaster Mage, Hunmaster, Sublime Archangel, Wolfir Silverheart, Silverblade Paladin...there's a reason why all of these are played and almost literally nothing else is. Obzedat is really the only amazing creature revealed so far in Gatecrash. Why? Because he drains for 2 when you get him out and he dodges sorcery speed removal.
I don't think Hexproof is very overpowered in a standard with ~three playable sweepers, so I don't really think it becoming more common is a bad thing. I wouldn't mind if they had to go back to Shroud. I'd prefer it, even, if it meant they didn't have to waste their time as well as mine on cards like Glaring Spotlight.
Though I'll put it in a small font.
Please stop hijacking my reply box.
I think you're getting it backwards. In my opinion, it works like this: because we have cheap and powerful hexproof/hasty/CIP creatures, therefore other cards aren't seeing play. If those went away, we'd realize that cards like Hero of Bladehold are actually really good.
WUBRG Humans
BRW Mardu Pyromancer
UW UW "Control"
UR Blue Moon
I know where the term "Troll-shroud" comes from and why it was popular. I was objecting to his statement that it was a mechanic that originate or was exclusive to Mirrodin. (Of course he could have just been joking, it's hard to tell on the internet.)
This.
IMO Hexproof is a dumb bad design. Hell to deal with a single Invisible Stalker enchanted to the teeth i need to wipe my board?
There is many better evasion designs that aren't just plain "you can't. period".
Persist, Imortal, color protection.
I think that Hexproof should never had existed as a Keyword. They should have split it into two:
- can't be target of spells controled by your opponents
- can't be target of abilities controled by your opponents
then we could have 3 abilities:
- Shroud, the most protective, but also restrictive.
- The other 2 variant.
Also some cards with protection against sorceries and instantes would be cool. So they're only partially immune to removal.
Indeed, both Shroud and Hexproof (functionally, anyway) started with Autumn Willow.
Reprint Stasis!
Control needs more love.
EDH:
Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Melek, Izzet Paragon
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Bruna, Light of Alabaster
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight
Rhys the Redeemed
Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Sen Triplets
The Mimeoplasm
WUBRGSliver OverlordGRBUW
WUBRGSliver Hivelord(Superfriends)GRBUW
There is buried treasure everywhere...in a graveyard.
Block?
Oh yeah, blocking! But I'd have to play creatures to do that. Everyone know that spellz rule!
Seriously though, Hexproof isn't a terrible ability, but it has been a touch overdone. Shroud is nice because it's got upside/downside tension. GoST is an OP turd, and I'm looking forward to seeing one eat a Pillar of Flame.
Sig by the amazing Rivenor
Avatar by the one and only DOLZero
What you are about to read the absolute truth about the deck that once nearly killed WotC's revenue.
Originally Posted by DallasM
Caw Blade is based on the ancient powerful strategy of equipping Storm Crow with Worldslayer, blowing everything up, punching your opponent in the face, stealing his cards, and running away. This new deck is a mere shell of the original caw blade's power.
Older hex'd guys weren't houses by themselves. They gave the piece of mind that you actually had to help them out a bit with their bodies or their threat level to actually be relevant threats.
Troll Ascetic was fairly sized and just an ol' reliable dude, but wasn't a game winning thundersledge. Uril was the first time I realized the terror of a voltron'd hex, but even he wasn't all that scary without support.
Geist and Sigarda, meanwhile, are the beginning of the hex guy who can just outright kill you if you let them. Geist is buff enough with the angel roids, and Sigs has a four clock plus evasion. I'm not sure that's a sign of terrible things to come, but it is a little unsettling given their success (Sigs hasn't really had her time yet, but she is very scary still).
Then you get decks that center around hexproof enchant, because the drawback to enchanting your creature has largely been eliminated. And many of the auras that are printed with the assumption that while the aura may give a large P/T boost, it is a 2-for-1. This means the aura decks are very efficient at creating big nasty creatures that cannot be killed via creature damage or via removal spells.
Shroud should be reserved for 1 and 2 drops because of this, with Hexproof at higher CMC. This forces those aura decks to slow down and thus fixes the "imbalance." But this all doesn't matter too much because the cat is already out of the bag so to speak.
BGStandard Green AggroGB
UWRGModern Saheeli CobraGRWU
UBRGLegacy StormGRBU
Wizards Certified Rules Advisor
Playing that artifact (I assume this is what you were referencing) to deal with Geist seems really bad.
Bident Layers
B Devotion
RG Devotion
UW Control
Modern:
Jund
UW Control
Combo Pod
Legacy:
DeathBlade
RUG Delver
BUG Control
How on earth does a hoser for a mechanic prove the mechanic is flawed? Does Tsabo's Web prove utility lands are flawed?
Standard: W/R Aggro