Actually it might. This new standard format is going to have shocks AND checklands. Maybe WOTC doesn't want insane four color manabases a/k/a Khans-Oath standard.
Eh seems unlikely and preempetive strike 4 color requires easy mana base and great cards spread across colors doesn't seem a major worry until at least Allegiance on both fronts.
RtR standard didnt feature any 4 color decks if i remember correctly, so im not sure why they would be particularly worried now. khans was a whole different story with fetches and buddy lands or w/e.
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RtR standard didnt feature any 4 color decks if i remember correctly
I remember most of the decks being 2 or 3 colors, with 2 colors being more common after Burning Earth was printed. Still, a few prominent 4-color decks come to mind immediately: Wolf Run Bant, Dark Naya, and Nightshade Peddler-Izzet Staticaster combo.
Well that is some power hopefully other guilds get some good stuff as well lol.
I find it funny though that this is just fine for GB...but a 2 CMC unconditional counter is simply too good and just isn't fair.
Given that they've been on such a "the opponent searches for a basic land and puts it into play" kick lately (Field of Ruin, Old-Growth Dryad, and now this) I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in the near future they print a 2-mana unconditional counterspell that has the opponent search out a basic land.
Well that is some power hopefully other guilds get some good stuff as well lol.
I find it funny though that this is just fine for GB...but a 2 CMC unconditional counter is simply too good and just isn't fair.
Given that they've been on such a "the opponent searches for a basic land and puts it into play" kick lately (Field of Ruin, Old-Growth Dryad, and now this) I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in the near future they print a 2-mana unconditional counterspell that has the opponent search out a basic land.
Or something like a 1 cmc counterspell that only hits opponent cmc 4 or less spells that gives the opponent a basic land, if they decide to do something like give the opponent the land untapped.
Next Set maybe then... Azorious seems most likely to get such a spell. Maro did say they thought about it for DOM so here is hoping.
Now on GBx I don't think this will make it Tier 0 mostly guess BGx Decks are Tier 2 at best right now and I find it unlikely one card even a card this good will make it Tier 0, maybe if Vraska is 4 Ability Super Pushed Walker. Raise Golgari, Jund, Sultai or Abzan to Tier 1 sure though that seems likely.
That Assassin's Trophy outright kills Tron when combined with Ghost Quarter etc. is obvious, I guess.
Now Wizard of the Coast killed like every Tournament Deck I have in any format.
Doh!
Edit: Adding Counterspell to Modern would just be the nail in the coffin.
That Assassin's Trophy outright kills Tron when combined with Ghost Quarter etc. is obvious, I guess.
Now Wizard of the Coast killed like every Tournament Deck I have in any format.
Doh!
Edit: Adding Counterspell to Modern would just be the nail in the coffin.
Signed off
Well, it wouldn't be so bad if WoTC wasn't owned by a big company like hasbro and actually had the breathing room to print the cards people actually need into lower cost sets. The only reason they aren't is because Hasbro would never let them leave money on the table. We're never seeing another Masters 2013 again, that is for sure.
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1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Disclaimer: It's only my opinion and I've been out of the loop for quite some time.
I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I personally feel like Assassin's Trophy isn't exactly an all-star 4-of staple in BGx decks. Those decks are spoiled for choices (Push, Decay, Bolt/Path) and there's still only so much space for removal you can squeeze in without upsetting the threat balance the deck provides for itself.
I see it more as the actual Tron-Answer for those decks. All those "tron-hate" cards they've printed recently turned out to be way more narrow than most people liked, and this is the proper flexible answer for it. In a tron-infested meta, no doubt this is prime mainboard material, but if the format ever turns towards traditional control, I wouldn't be surprised that abrupt decay makes a return over trophy instead.
I only played Affinity and while I do recognize that it's a great answer to the fallback-plan of planting counters onto the (Bl)Inkmoths, it's also pretty much an inferior removal choice for everything else in the deck compared to the other removal options (basically overcosted Path if you think about it and against a fast deck like Affinity that overcost of 1 can be a lot of difference). Even using it against Plating (which was Decay's job before) now yields me the basic in the deck, which Path can attest has occasionally made a difference, but I suppose the land-removal potential might be the counterbalance.
Powerful card for sure, but even with ultimate flexibility, the potential sub-effectiveness of each option alongside that BGx decks are packed to the brim with removal options fighting for deck space makes me think it's presence will still be heavily affected by meta changes.
From my experience, Path to Exile's drawback didn't matter most of the time (I suspect it mattered 10% of the time or less--white-splashing decks can often withstand a free mid-game ramp spell for the opponent), and Assassin's Trophy's drawback is pretty similar.
Assassin's Trophy hits lands, costs BG, and is an instant. In comparison, Terminate cannot hit non-creatures but costs BR instead (which might save your butt if you draw it late against a Blood Moon deck) and ignores regeneration (which is relevant only against Elves). Abrupt Decay cannot hit lands and cannot hit stuff that's 4 cmc or more but cannot be countered (which is more relevant--cue Spirits being unable to pseudo-redirect it with Mausoleum Wanderer, Merfolk being unable to tax it with Cursecatcher, Kira, Great Glass-Spinner being unable to stop the first one, U/x decks being unable to use counterspells to stop it, and Chalice of the Void on 2 being unable to stop it as a bonus). Maelstrom Pulse cannot hit lands, costs 1BG, and is a sorcery but can hit stuff with the same name (which is dandy against Empty the Warrens, Lingering Souls, Secure the Wastes, and Bridge from Below Zombie tokens but bites in BGx Midrange mirrors).
both jund and abzan typically have 3 or 4 slots where they have a mixture of 1 or 2-of removal spells. those slots will probably just converge on trophy. for example take a stock jund list:
that leaves 9 slots for removal spells. even with a 3/3 split of bolts/push you have 3 spots left for trophy; which were previously filled by decay/terminates.
abzan has fallen off for quite a while, with only the traverse version showing up recently (other than reid jamming it). however the traditional abzan build works out similarly.
its also important to note that with more 'destroy' anything effects around in the main deck it effectively frees up sideboard space.
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both jund and abzan typically have 3 or 4 slots where they have a mixture of 1 or 2-of removal spells. those slots will probably just converge on trophy. for example take a stock jund list:
that leaves 9 slots for removal spells. even with a 3/3 split of bolts/push you have 3 spots left for trophy; which were previously filled by decay/terminates.
abzan has fallen off for quite a while, with only the traverse version showing up recently (other than reid jamming it). however the traditional abzan build works out similarly.
its also important to note that with more 'destroy' anything effects around in the main deck it effectively frees up sideboard space.
Totally agreed, at least at the beginning. Also, the 1 pulse you list will likely also become a Trophy. I'll probably be on 3 k-command, 3 bolt, 2 push, 4 Trophy to start. As your last point indicates, I also get to ditch 2 or 3 of my sideboard slots - there are currently 2 Ancient Grudge, 1 Shatterstorm and 1 Damnation/Anger (depending on expected meta).
That said, I recall that many people felt the same way when Abrupt Decay was first spoiled. And it happened that way for a while. It eventually tapered off to just be another option. Trophy MAY become "just another option" but the unconditionality of it is so danged enticing.
EDIT: Holy Spaghetti-lord, I forgot about the 3x Fulminator Mage in my board. Thanks Khaosknight69 (below)
GB Rock ft. Lingering Souls is looking like it might be the best shell that profits from this. Sure Jund and Abzan can be good but GB has a leg up in most matchups with Field of Ruin. I wouldn't wanna be the jund/k player going against GB ft. trophy/field for example. Hell, I don't even think I would wanna be on UW right now unless I was on the Miracles/Crucible main plan.
its also important to note that with more 'destroy' anything effects around in the main deck it effectively frees up sideboard space.
This point cannot be overstated. BGx lists typically run 3-4 sideboard slots dedicated solely to *****ty cards like fulminator mage. This safely lets them ditch him entirely, as well as any other anti-tron tech they had. Frees up considerable space to improve the other matchups that need improvement.
Well that is some power hopefully other guilds get some good stuff as well lol.
I find it funny though that this is just fine for GB...but a 2 CMC unconditional counter is simply too good and just isn't fair.
Given that they've been on such a "the opponent searches for a basic land and puts it into play" kick lately (Field of Ruin, Old-Growth Dryad, and now this) I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in the near future they print a 2-mana unconditional counterspell that has the opponent search out a basic land.
Or something like a 1 cmc counterspell that only hits opponent cmc 4 or less spells that gives the opponent a basic land, if they decide to do something like give the opponent the land untapped.
We all know WotC will just reprint Spell Snare and call it a day.
Granted I want to state for the record that GB is my second favorite color pairing after UW with my third being WB and GW at 4th so I am not biased against GB in particular. I just think the printing of this card represents a major shift in the balance of power and other color pairings should get similarly rewarded.
That said, I recall that many people felt the same way when Abrupt Decay was first spoiled. And it happened that way for a while. It eventually tapered off to just be another option. Trophy MAY become "just another option" but the unconditionality of it is so danged enticing.
EDIT: Holy Spaghetti-lord, I forgot about the 3x Fulminator Mage in my board. Thanks Khaosknight69 (below)
yeah the unconditional part makes all the difference. the format can get to spots where abrupt decay sits dead in your hand too often. and lets be real, the 'cannot be countered' clause hasnt mattered since twin was around.
also, i dunno if id be so quick to ditch all the fulminators if you are in jund or abzan. trophy may be good against tron, but i think a certain density of hate in your 75 will still be warranted to keep the matchup close.
GB Rock ft. Lingering Souls is looking like it might be the best shell that profits from this. Sure Jund and Abzan can be good but GB has a leg up in most matchups with Field of Ruin. I wouldn't wanna be the jund/k player going against GB ft. trophy/field for example. Hell, I don't even think I would wanna be on UW right now unless I was on the Miracles/Crucible main plan.
eh, i think you are underselling the closing speed of jund. without countermagic midrange decks cant give the opponent too much time.
im sure the options will be thoroughly explored, but i think its a bit early to determine whats best.
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Granted I want to state for the record that GB is my second favorite color pairing after UW with my third being WB and GW at 4th so I am not biased against GB in particular. I just think the printing of this card represents a major shift in the balance of power and other color pairings should get similarly rewarded.
First off, people should just let the pendulum swing around from deck to deck and strategy to strategy. Plenty of Modern decks have gotten powerful toys in the past 2 years. This is likely to continue and there's no reason to say anything remotely negative about a powerful new card in a color that isn't one's preference. ESPECIALLY when it's a generic answer.
Second, the other color that you are implicitly/explicitly referencing (blue), just got three significant additions to Modern in Opt, Search, and Teferi. Hence why UW Control is an unquestionable Tier 1 powerhouse right now.
The doom and gloom I'm seeing here, various Deck Threads, Twitter...way too much.
Even if BGx comes back swinging...so? Its a non-entity right now. People complain about their deck taking a hit. Did a piece get banned? Then adapt. If someone is going to tell me a card removing a land is 'back breaking' I'm going to laugh in their face.
If BGx comes back, I welcome it, and will adapt my deck to it, if its even warranted. (aka, 3-4 Snares for the first week or 2 its live!)
yeah uncertainty elicits some pretty strange responses from people. like people on reddit bringing up the future of UWx control. what?
the future of UWx control is it does the same thing it has been doing, but gets to play against bgx more. sounds like a plus in my book. guess i should just burn my teferis cause gbx can 2-for-1 themselves while giving me a land!
the worry from tron players is at least understandable, albeit unfounded.
i dunno, maybe it stems from the mentality people have of chasing whats best. that and the mountains of salt mined by those who sold out of bgx.
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That reminds me, I need to replace my Abrupt Decay in Lantern Control. Gosh knows it junks up my Ensnaring Bridge a bit too often. The opportunity for my opponent to shuffle and ramp can be a double-edged sword, but I can use it to my advantage, just like Ghost Quarter.
I also playtested with Assassin's Trophy in Jund last night (against Mardu Midrange), and Trophy makes playing Bloodbraid Elf into an empty board even better (because you can hit opposing lands with it, at the very least). I did that once already last night, and the drawback was irrelevant all night.
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Thats what pushed it to 'omg what' levels.
Spirits
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)I remember most of the decks being 2 or 3 colors, with 2 colors being more common after Burning Earth was printed. Still, a few prominent 4-color decks come to mind immediately: Wolf Run Bant, Dark Naya, and Nightshade Peddler-Izzet Staticaster combo.
WURUWr Stoneblade
Modern
WRGNaya Zoo Company
Or something like a 1 cmc counterspell that only hits opponent cmc 4 or less spells that gives the opponent a basic land, if they decide to do something like give the opponent the land untapped.
Now on GBx I don't think this will make it Tier 0 mostly guess BGx Decks are Tier 2 at best right now and I find it unlikely one card even a card this good will make it Tier 0, maybe if Vraska is 4 Ability Super Pushed Walker. Raise Golgari, Jund, Sultai or Abzan to Tier 1 sure though that seems likely.
Now Wizard of the Coast killed like every Tournament Deck I have in any format.
Doh!
Edit: Adding Counterspell to Modern would just be the nail in the coffin.
Signed off
Well, it wouldn't be so bad if WoTC wasn't owned by a big company like hasbro and actually had the breathing room to print the cards people actually need into lower cost sets. The only reason they aren't is because Hasbro would never let them leave money on the table. We're never seeing another Masters 2013 again, that is for sure.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I personally feel like Assassin's Trophy isn't exactly an all-star 4-of staple in BGx decks. Those decks are spoiled for choices (Push, Decay, Bolt/Path) and there's still only so much space for removal you can squeeze in without upsetting the threat balance the deck provides for itself.
I see it more as the actual Tron-Answer for those decks. All those "tron-hate" cards they've printed recently turned out to be way more narrow than most people liked, and this is the proper flexible answer for it. In a tron-infested meta, no doubt this is prime mainboard material, but if the format ever turns towards traditional control, I wouldn't be surprised that abrupt decay makes a return over trophy instead.
I only played Affinity and while I do recognize that it's a great answer to the fallback-plan of planting counters onto the (Bl)Inkmoths, it's also pretty much an inferior removal choice for everything else in the deck compared to the other removal options (basically overcosted Path if you think about it and against a fast deck like Affinity that overcost of 1 can be a lot of difference). Even using it against Plating (which was Decay's job before) now yields me the basic in the deck, which Path can attest has occasionally made a difference, but I suppose the land-removal potential might be the counterbalance.
Powerful card for sure, but even with ultimate flexibility, the potential sub-effectiveness of each option alongside that BGx decks are packed to the brim with removal options fighting for deck space makes me think it's presence will still be heavily affected by meta changes.
From my experience, Path to Exile's drawback didn't matter most of the time (I suspect it mattered 10% of the time or less--white-splashing decks can often withstand a free mid-game ramp spell for the opponent), and Assassin's Trophy's drawback is pretty similar.
Assassin's Trophy hits lands, costs BG, and is an instant. In comparison, Terminate cannot hit non-creatures but costs BR instead (which might save your butt if you draw it late against a Blood Moon deck) and ignores regeneration (which is relevant only against Elves). Abrupt Decay cannot hit lands and cannot hit stuff that's 4 cmc or more but cannot be countered (which is more relevant--cue Spirits being unable to pseudo-redirect it with Mausoleum Wanderer, Merfolk being unable to tax it with Cursecatcher, Kira, Great Glass-Spinner being unable to stop the first one, U/x decks being unable to use counterspells to stop it, and Chalice of the Void on 2 being unable to stop it as a bonus). Maelstrom Pulse cannot hit lands, costs 1BG, and is a sorcery but can hit stuff with the same name (which is dandy against Empty the Warrens, Lingering Souls, Secure the Wastes, and Bridge from Below Zombie tokens but bites in BGx Midrange mirrors).
But eh, I like being able to hit Goblin Electromancer, Primeval Titan, Teferi, Hero of Dominaria--especially while they're tapped out--and Tron lands with the same card.
And if ramping opponents early-game is too unsavoury, there's always Bolt and Fatal Push.
24 lands
14 creatures (goyfs, bob, bbe, scooze)
4 walkers
6 discard
2 k-command
1 pulse
that leaves 9 slots for removal spells. even with a 3/3 split of bolts/push you have 3 spots left for trophy; which were previously filled by decay/terminates.
abzan has fallen off for quite a while, with only the traverse version showing up recently (other than reid jamming it). however the traditional abzan build works out similarly.
its also important to note that with more 'destroy' anything effects around in the main deck it effectively frees up sideboard space.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)That said, I recall that many people felt the same way when Abrupt Decay was first spoiled. And it happened that way for a while. It eventually tapered off to just be another option. Trophy MAY become "just another option" but the unconditionality of it is so danged enticing.
EDIT: Holy Spaghetti-lord, I forgot about the 3x Fulminator Mage in my board. Thanks Khaosknight69 (below)
Standard: lol no
Modern: BG/x, UR/x, Burn, Merfolk, Zoo, Storm
Legacy: Shardless BUG, Delver (BUG, RUG, Grixis), Landstill, Depths Combo, Merfolk
Vintage: Dark Times, BUG Fish, Merfolk
EDH: Teysa, Orzhov Scion / Krenko, Mob Boss / Stonebrow, Krosan Hero
RG BBE Ponza
UX Eldrazi Tron
UR Jace Breach
This point cannot be overstated. BGx lists typically run 3-4 sideboard slots dedicated solely to *****ty cards like fulminator mage. This safely lets them ditch him entirely, as well as any other anti-tron tech they had. Frees up considerable space to improve the other matchups that need improvement.
BG Rock
Modern:
RW Sun & Moon
RBG Dredge
RWG Burn
Legacy:
W Death & Taxes
We all know WotC will just reprint Spell Snare and call it a day.
yeah the unconditional part makes all the difference. the format can get to spots where abrupt decay sits dead in your hand too often. and lets be real, the 'cannot be countered' clause hasnt mattered since twin was around.
also, i dunno if id be so quick to ditch all the fulminators if you are in jund or abzan. trophy may be good against tron, but i think a certain density of hate in your 75 will still be warranted to keep the matchup close.
eh, i think you are underselling the closing speed of jund. without countermagic midrange decks cant give the opponent too much time.
im sure the options will be thoroughly explored, but i think its a bit early to determine whats best.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)First off, people should just let the pendulum swing around from deck to deck and strategy to strategy. Plenty of Modern decks have gotten powerful toys in the past 2 years. This is likely to continue and there's no reason to say anything remotely negative about a powerful new card in a color that isn't one's preference. ESPECIALLY when it's a generic answer.
Second, the other color that you are implicitly/explicitly referencing (blue), just got three significant additions to Modern in Opt, Search, and Teferi. Hence why UW Control is an unquestionable Tier 1 powerhouse right now.
Even if BGx comes back swinging...so? Its a non-entity right now. People complain about their deck taking a hit. Did a piece get banned? Then adapt. If someone is going to tell me a card removing a land is 'back breaking' I'm going to laugh in their face.
If BGx comes back, I welcome it, and will adapt my deck to it, if its even warranted. (aka, 3-4 Snares for the first week or 2 its live!)
Spirits
the future of UWx control is it does the same thing it has been doing, but gets to play against bgx more. sounds like a plus in my book. guess i should just burn my teferis cause gbx can 2-for-1 themselves while giving me a land!
the worry from tron players is at least understandable, albeit unfounded.
i dunno, maybe it stems from the mentality people have of chasing whats best. that and the mountains of salt mined by those who sold out of bgx.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)That reminds me, I need to replace my Abrupt Decay in Lantern Control. Gosh knows it junks up my Ensnaring Bridge a bit too often. The opportunity for my opponent to shuffle and ramp can be a double-edged sword, but I can use it to my advantage, just like Ghost Quarter.
I also playtested with Assassin's Trophy in Jund last night (against Mardu Midrange), and Trophy makes playing Bloodbraid Elf into an empty board even better (because you can hit opposing lands with it, at the very least). I did that once already last night, and the drawback was irrelevant all night.