So: question about Padeem, Consul of Innovation
Is it worth it? I've been play testing it alot in the last week. I love the hex-proof... but I am finding the draw-a-card function is really hit or miss. It's either fantastic or terrible. I'm not sure we want a card-draw engine... so I am really on the fence about it. Thoughts?
So: question about Padeem, Consul of Innovation
Is it worth it? I've been play testing it alot in the last week. I love the hex-proof... but I am finding the draw-a-card function is really hit or miss. It's either fantastic or terrible. I'm not sure we want a card-draw engine... so I am really on the fence about it. Thoughts?
If you want Padeem without the card draw, there is always Leonin Abunas
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern Decks: UBG Lantern Control GBU BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
So: question about Padeem, Consul of Innovation
Is it worth it? I've been play testing it alot in the last week. I love the hex-proof... but I am finding the draw-a-card function is really hit or miss. It's either fantastic or terrible. I'm not sure we want a card-draw engine... so I am really on the fence about it. Thoughts?
If you want Padeem without the card draw, there is always Leonin Abunas
I guess... is the card draw worth it?
The card draw feels nice... but if my opponent has a way to restrict how many spells I can cast (blood moon, retoric, etc.) it feels really bad.
Plus there are times where I've had three lands ontop in a row... which if I don't have enough mill-rocks really really stinks.
I like the card... but I'm so torn.
Well I mean you were complaining about Padeem's card draw, so I gave you the previously printed card that has the exact same text and Padeem but without the card draw (but with added power and toughness)
Honestly I have never been hurt by the card draw on Padeem, but it's also never helped me either. You get enough card selection with the lock in place that drawing extra cards has more of a chance of hindering you via drawing 2 lands, than it does at helping you. But those are my personal opinions on the matter.
In the end, it is up to you.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern Decks: UBG Lantern Control GBU BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
Well I mean you were complaining about Padeem's card draw, so I gave you the previously printed card that has the exact same text and Padeem but without the card draw (but with added power and toughness)
Honestly I have never been hurt by the card draw on Padeem, but it's also never helped me either. You get enough card selection with the lock in place that drawing extra cards has more of a chance of hindering you via drawing 2 lands, than it does at helping you. But those are my personal opinions on the matter.
In the end, it is up to you.
Yea I have been experimenting with one of padeem instead of tezz. Not sure which is correct. Keep flip-flopping lol.
I personally run both Padeem and Leonin Abunas in my sideboard. The extra card draw usually matters in matchups I bring Padeem in for, allowing me to dig to try to either set or keep the lock (Gx Tron, Jund, etc.). I wouldn't bring Padeem in against Tokens or anything, of course. The reason I run the split is so that I'm essentially running two Padeem, but they back eachother up rather than one dying to the legendary rule.
I personally run both Padeem and Leonin Abunas in my sideboard. The extra card draw usually matters in matchups I bring Padeem in for, allowing me to dig to try to either set or keep the lock (Gx Tron, Jund, etc.). I wouldn't bring Padeem in against Tokens or anything, of course. The reason I run the split is so that I'm essentially running two Padeem, but they back eachother up rather than one dying to the legendary rule.
Do you run Tezz in your SB?
An interesting idea: Padeem actually helps vs tron too in theory (turns of their Eldrazi cast triggers).
I don't run Tezz, no. And ya, that's one of the major reasons I run Padeem. She also helps a good amount against all that artifact removal running around.
I don't run Tezz, no. And ya, that's one of the major reasons I run Padeem. She also helps a good amount against all that artifact removal running around.
I just went 5-0 in a friendly league yesterday! Beat burn, two hallowed one decks, Blue Moon (traditional non breech version), and Merfolk.
This time I opted for a more traditional build. Decided to go back to two Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas zero Padeems.
As much as I like the concept of Padeem, Consul of Innovation, I feel like in most cases I would just rather have Tez. The only exception is if I play against Jund. Against other decks such as Tron, Control, etc. Tez is just better. I could see side-boarding it as a meta choice if Jund is really represented well. But I probably would only sleeve it up if I expected to play against 2-3 Jund in a day.
The deck has a narrower gameplan in the lack of alternate winconditions like Pyrite Spellbomb (even if Mechanized Production lets you win in four turns, in the best case scenario), but I found myself navigating nicely even with the lack of discard spells (until now.)
I faced a B/R discard midrange deck, and even through 2 Inquisition of Kozilek and one Thoughtseize I managed to lock him out.
The most satisfying moments are with commandeer, tho. Stealing a Karn, Liberated turn four and using it against tron is so far what is selling me the variant! Whir of Invention is amazing, and set adrift is also one of the shining stars of the deck.
I am still playtesting it, but I intend to bring this deck to one of the next FNM, and see the results!
The deck has a narrower gameplan in the lack of alternate winconditions like Pyrite Spellbomb (even if Mechanized Production lets you win in four turns, in the best case scenario), but I found myself navigating nicely even with the lack of discard spells (until now.)
I faced a B/R discard midrange deck, and even through 2 Inquisition of Kozilek and one Thoughtseize I managed to lock him out.
The most satisfying moments are with commandeer, tho. Stealing a Karn, Liberated turn four and using it against tron is so far what is selling me the variant! Whir of Invention is amazing, and set adrift is also one of the shining stars of the deck.
I am still playtesting it, but I intend to bring this deck to one of the next FNM, and see the results!
One problem I see with this deck: not sure how it beats hate. I don't see this deck beating a stony silence or RIP ever.
Additionally - sure [Commandeer]ing a Karn Liberated is "cool" but what happens when the follow it up with a Oblivion Stone, Another Karn, or am Ulamog? I think its too cute to be consistently good. But maybe I'm wrong.
One problem I see with this deck: not sure how it beats hate. I don't see this deck beating a stony silence or RIP ever.
Additionally - sure [Commandeer]ing a Karn Liberated is "cool" but what happens when the follow it up with a Oblivion Stone, Another Karn, or am Ulamog? I think its too cute to be consistently good. But maybe I'm wrong.
Thanks for the feedback!
Stony Silence Can be as easy to remove as tapping U in main phase, thanks to Set Adrift. Or it can be just Negated, or, if it doesn't land turn 2, dealt with Stoic Rebuttal. Same can be done with that Tron Scenario. I mean, is not granted, but we are still talking about a card game, so that's the potential part.
About consistency, I have to agree. Sometimes the alternative cost of Commandeer is not as easy to pay. I am experimenting with this payoff tho.
It can also turn a Abrupt Decay or critical Thoughtseize, any planeswalker, any crucial enchantment... "noncreature" is quite intriguing restriction, if your deck is focussed to deal with creatures through ensnaring bridge. Reality Shift also is supersweet. The split between it and Negate is still flexible.
One problem I see with this deck: not sure how it beats hate. I don't see this deck beating a stony silence or RIP ever.
Additionally - sure [Commandeer]ing a Karn Liberated is "cool" but what happens when the follow it up with a Oblivion Stone, Another Karn, or am Ulamog? I think its too cute to be consistently good. But maybe I'm wrong.
Thanks for the feedback!
Stony Silence Can be as easy to remove as tapping U in main phase, thanks to Set Adrift. Or it can be just Negated, or, if it doesn't land turn 2, dealt with Stoic Rebuttal. Same can be done with that Tron Scenario. I mean, is not granted, but we are still talking about a card game, so that's the potential part.
About consistency, I have to agree. Sometimes the alternative cost of Commandeer is not as easy to pay. I am experimenting with this payoff tho.
It can also turn a Abrupt Decay or critical Thoughtseize, any planeswalker, any crucial enchantment... "noncreature" is quite intriguing restriction, if your deck is focussed to deal with creatures through ensnaring bridge. Reality Shift also is supersweet. The split between it and Negate is still flexible.
The problem I think with the first point: decks that run Stony Silence are almost always bringing in RIP/Relic as well (which would turn off your delve game plan of dealing with stony silence). Also - those decks also typically play counter spells as well. Meaning you need your own counter spells to make sure you can actually resolve the set adrift.
Holy smokes, we got an artifact to Whir for that hates on both Tron and Storm.
Damping Sphere
2
Artifact
If a land is tapped for two or more mana, it produces C instead of any other type and amount.
Each spell a player casts costs 1 more to cast for each other spell that player has cast this turn.
Holy smokes, we got an artifact to Whir for that hates on both Tron and Storm.
Damping Sphere
2
Artifact
If a land is tapped for two or more mana, it produces C instead of any other type and amount.
Each spell a player casts costs 1 more to cast for each other spell that player has cast this turn.
Is this real life? Is this really happening?
On a more serious note: that artifact is amazing. It could even be good vs control. Snapcaster + bolt would not cost 4 mana.
Holy smokes, we got an artifact to Whir for that hates on both Tron and Storm.
Damping Sphere
2
Artifact
If a land is tapped for two or more mana, it produces C instead of any other type and amount.
Each spell a player casts costs 1 more to cast for each other spell that player has cast this turn.
So, we're running 1 of these mainboard right? I don't see any downside to doing with this what we do with Cage. 1 main, and 1 side for the specific match ups where it is needed.
This card better have damn good art lol
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern Decks: UBG Lantern Control GBU BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
Holy smokes, we got an artifact to Whir for that hates on both Tron and Storm.
Damping Sphere
2
Artifact
If a land is tapped for two or more mana, it produces C instead of any other type and amount.
Each spell a player casts costs 1 more to cast for each other spell that player has cast this turn.
So, we're running 1 of these mainboard right? I don't see any downside to doing with this what we do with Cage. 1 main, and 1 side for the specific match ups where it is needed.
This card better have damn good art lol
What do we cut for it though?
I'm not 100% sold that it is main-decked... but maybe. It is very very good.
What do we cut for it though?
I'm not 100% sold that it is main-decked... but maybe. It is very very good.
The question is, does it do a job better than any specific card already in the main board?
I know in my version of Lantern, I've been running 3 Opals instead of 4, so I have the slot for it. However in the more traditional lists running 4 Opals, I think the card you'd cut for it may actually be Grafdigger's Cage.
From my experience, Cage's main advantage in the mainboard is it stopping Snapcaster Mage and Past in Flames in the mainboard. And while both of these are very good effects to stop, I think Sphere may be able to do a better job. Hear me out.
First and foremost we'll address Past in Flames. Now Storm is a deck, that can still win with you having a Cage in play. All they need to do is to have a bunch of Cantrips, a bunch of mana, and to not brick on all their draws. I have lost plenty of times to Storm with a Cage in play, wherein the match would be completely over if that Cage was a Sphere. Being unable to gain mana from their rituals hurts the deck so much it isn't even funny.
Then we have Snapcaster Mage. Against Control, using trying to Thoughtseize Cryptic Commands is pretty important, as they help us keep our Bridges in play. Stopping an opponent from going Snap Cryptic is pretty important in these match ups. However, just as Whirring for Cage in response to Snapcaster is a great way to deal with it, so is Whirring for Sphere, at least when they only leave the 4 mana open for Cryptic. Arguably Sphere is definitely worse than Cage in these situations, but it'll take testing I feel to see how much worse.
Finally, Cage stops other graveyard shenanigans, which Sphere does not. I don't know about your experience, but in most instances, Bridge is enough for me against most graveyard decks, I don't need Cage. At least not for Game 1. I think Sphere helps match-ups like Storm and Tron much more than Cage helps us against graveyard decks. The wild card are Snapcaster decks. Maybe we want both Cage and Sphere, and the cut is something like a Bauble, I am not sure. Obviously all of this will need to be tested.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern Decks: UBG Lantern Control GBU BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
What do we cut for it though?
I'm not 100% sold that it is main-decked... but maybe. It is very very good.
The question is, does it do a job better than any specific card already in the main board?
I know in my version of Lantern, I've been running 3 Opals instead of 4, so I have the slot for it. However in the more traditional lists running 4 Opals, I think the card you'd cut for it may actually be Grafdigger's Cage.
From my experience, Cage's main advantage in the mainboard is it stopping Snapcaster Mage and Past in Flames in the mainboard. And while both of these are very good effects to stop, I think Sphere may be able to do a better job. Hear me out.
First and foremost we'll address Past in Flames. Now Storm is a deck, that can still win with you having a Cage in play. All they need to do is to have a bunch of Cantrips, a bunch of mana, and to not brick on all their draws. I have lost plenty of times to Storm with a Cage in play, wherein the match would be completely over if that Cage was a Sphere. Being unable to gain mana from their rituals hurts the deck so much it isn't even funny.
Then we have Snapcaster Mage. Against Control, using trying to Thoughtseize Cryptic Commands is pretty important, as they help us keep our Bridges in play. Stopping an opponent from going Snap Cryptic is pretty important in these match ups. However, just as Whirring for Cage in response to Snapcaster is a great way to deal with it, so is Whirring for Sphere, at least when they only leave the 4 mana open for Cryptic. Arguably Sphere is definitely worse than Cage in these situations, but it'll take testing I feel to see how much worse.
Finally, Cage stops other graveyard shenanigans, which Sphere does not. I don't know about your experience, but in most instances, Bridge is enough for me against most graveyard decks, I don't need Cage. At least not for Game 1. I think Sphere helps match-ups like Storm and Tron much more than Cage helps us against graveyard decks. The wild card are Snapcaster decks. Maybe we want both Cage and Sphere, and the cut is something like a Bauble, I am not sure. Obviously all of this will need to be tested.
I'm super... super excited for this card. Tron has been the most annoying match-up for me regardless what deck I play.
Mostly because the anti-tron cards are not really good vs anything else. This is the first multi-use sideboard card that is also good vs multiple decks (hallow one, storm, tron, etc.)
Is it worth it? I've been play testing it alot in the last week. I love the hex-proof... but I am finding the draw-a-card function is really hit or miss. It's either fantastic or terrible. I'm not sure we want a card-draw engine... so I am really on the fence about it. Thoughts?
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
If you want Padeem without the card draw, there is always Leonin Abunas
Modern Decks:
UBG Lantern Control GBU
BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks
UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU
BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
I guess... is the card draw worth it?
The card draw feels nice... but if my opponent has a way to restrict how many spells I can cast (blood moon, retoric, etc.) it feels really bad.
Plus there are times where I've had three lands ontop in a row... which if I don't have enough mill-rocks really really stinks.
I like the card... but I'm so torn.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Honestly I have never been hurt by the card draw on Padeem, but it's also never helped me either. You get enough card selection with the lock in place that drawing extra cards has more of a chance of hindering you via drawing 2 lands, than it does at helping you. But those are my personal opinions on the matter.
In the end, it is up to you.
Modern Decks:
UBG Lantern Control GBU
BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks
UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU
BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
Yea I have been experimenting with one of padeem instead of tezz. Not sure which is correct. Keep flip-flopping lol.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
I think padeem might be worth it after all.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Lantern Control
(with videos)
Uc Tron
Netdecking explained
Netdecking explained, Part 2
On speculators and counterfeits
On Interaction
Every single competitive deck in existence is designed to limit the opponent's ability to interact in a meaningful way.
Record number of exclamation points on SCG homepage: 71 (6 January, 2018)
"I don't want to believe, I want to know."
-Carl Sagan
Do you run Tezz in your SB?
An interesting idea: Padeem actually helps vs tron too in theory (turns of their Eldrazi cast triggers).
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Lantern Control
(with videos)
Uc Tron
Netdecking explained
Netdecking explained, Part 2
On speculators and counterfeits
On Interaction
Every single competitive deck in existence is designed to limit the opponent's ability to interact in a meaningful way.
Record number of exclamation points on SCG homepage: 71 (6 January, 2018)
"I don't want to believe, I want to know."
-Carl Sagan
I just went 5-0 in a friendly league yesterday! Beat burn, two hallowed one decks, Blue Moon (traditional non breech version), and Merfolk.
This time I opted for a more traditional build. Decided to go back to two Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas zero Padeems.
As much as I like the concept of Padeem, Consul of Innovation, I feel like in most cases I would just rather have Tez. The only exception is if I play against Jund. Against other decks such as Tron, Control, etc. Tez is just better. I could see side-boarding it as a meta choice if Jund is really represented well. But I probably would only sleeve it up if I expected to play against 2-3 Jund in a day.
4 Ancient Stirrings
4 Inquisition of Kozilek
3 Thoughtseize
Instant (5)
1 Abrupt Decay
4 Whir of Invention
Artifact (26)
4 Codex Shredder
3 Ensnaring Bridge
1 Grafdigger's Cage
4 Lantern of Insight
4 Mishra's Bauble
4 Mox Opal
2 Pithing Needle
1 Pyrite Spellbomb
2 Pyxis of Pandemonium
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Academy Ruins
3 Botanical Sanctum
3 Darkslick Shores
4 Glimmervoid
1 Inventors' Fair
1 Island
1 River of Tears
4 Spire of Industry
1 Collective Brutality
2 Leyline of Sanctity
1 Maelstrom Pulse
1 Nature's Claim
1 Pyroclasm
1 Ancient Grudge
1 Search for Azcanta
2 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
2 Welding Jar
1 Surgical Extraction
1 Abrupt Decay
1 Pithing Needle
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
So, I love this archetype, and I am an odd one.
For this reason I decided to share my list of the deck, fairly newborn, but so far good performing.
4 Codex Shredder
3 Lantern of Insight
3 Ensnaring Bridge
4 Whir of invention
1 Pyxis of Pandemonium
3 Ghoulcaller's Bell
Support, Redundancy and Control
2 Noxious Revival
3 Commandeer
4 Set Adrift
2 Pithing Needle
4 Stoic Rebuttal
2 Negate
2 Reality Shift
1 Insidious Will
1 Spellskite
1 Witchbane Orb
1 Mechanized Production
1 Fraying Sanity
Lands
1 Academy Ruins
2 Inventors' Fair
2 Buried Ruin
13 Island
The deck has a narrower gameplan in the lack of alternate winconditions like Pyrite Spellbomb (even if Mechanized Production lets you win in four turns, in the best case scenario), but I found myself navigating nicely even with the lack of discard spells (until now.)
I faced a B/R discard midrange deck, and even through 2 Inquisition of Kozilek and one Thoughtseize I managed to lock him out.
The most satisfying moments are with commandeer, tho. Stealing a Karn, Liberated turn four and using it against tron is so far what is selling me the variant!
Whir of Invention is amazing, and set adrift is also one of the shining stars of the deck.
I am still playtesting it, but I intend to bring this deck to one of the next FNM, and see the results!
One problem I see with this deck: not sure how it beats hate. I don't see this deck beating a stony silence or RIP ever.
Additionally - sure [Commandeer]ing a Karn Liberated is "cool" but what happens when the follow it up with a Oblivion Stone, Another Karn, or am Ulamog? I think its too cute to be consistently good. But maybe I'm wrong.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Thanks for the feedback!
Stony Silence Can be as easy to remove as tapping U in main phase, thanks to Set Adrift. Or it can be just Negated, or, if it doesn't land turn 2, dealt with Stoic Rebuttal. Same can be done with that Tron Scenario. I mean, is not granted, but we are still talking about a card game, so that's the potential part.
About consistency, I have to agree. Sometimes the alternative cost of Commandeer is not as easy to pay. I am experimenting with this payoff tho.
It can also turn a Abrupt Decay or critical Thoughtseize, any planeswalker, any crucial enchantment... "noncreature" is quite intriguing restriction, if your deck is focussed to deal with creatures through ensnaring bridge. Reality Shift also is supersweet. The split between it and Negate is still flexible.
The problem I think with the first point: decks that run Stony Silence are almost always bringing in RIP/Relic as well (which would turn off your delve game plan of dealing with stony silence). Also - those decks also typically play counter spells as well. Meaning you need your own counter spells to make sure you can actually resolve the set adrift.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
Lantern Control
(with videos)
Uc Tron
Netdecking explained
Netdecking explained, Part 2
On speculators and counterfeits
On Interaction
Every single competitive deck in existence is designed to limit the opponent's ability to interact in a meaningful way.
Record number of exclamation points on SCG homepage: 71 (6 January, 2018)
"I don't want to believe, I want to know."
-Carl Sagan
Is this real life? Is this really happening?
On a more serious note: that artifact is amazing. It could even be good vs control. Snapcaster + bolt would not cost 4 mana.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
So, we're running 1 of these mainboard right? I don't see any downside to doing with this what we do with Cage. 1 main, and 1 side for the specific match ups where it is needed.
This card better have damn good art lol
Modern Decks:
UBG Lantern Control GBU
BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks
UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU
BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
What do we cut for it though?
I'm not 100% sold that it is main-decked... but maybe. It is very very good.
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA
The question is, does it do a job better than any specific card already in the main board?
I know in my version of Lantern, I've been running 3 Opals instead of 4, so I have the slot for it. However in the more traditional lists running 4 Opals, I think the card you'd cut for it may actually be Grafdigger's Cage.
From my experience, Cage's main advantage in the mainboard is it stopping Snapcaster Mage and Past in Flames in the mainboard. And while both of these are very good effects to stop, I think Sphere may be able to do a better job. Hear me out.
First and foremost we'll address Past in Flames. Now Storm is a deck, that can still win with you having a Cage in play. All they need to do is to have a bunch of Cantrips, a bunch of mana, and to not brick on all their draws. I have lost plenty of times to Storm with a Cage in play, wherein the match would be completely over if that Cage was a Sphere. Being unable to gain mana from their rituals hurts the deck so much it isn't even funny.
Then we have Snapcaster Mage. Against Control, using trying to Thoughtseize Cryptic Commands is pretty important, as they help us keep our Bridges in play. Stopping an opponent from going Snap Cryptic is pretty important in these match ups. However, just as Whirring for Cage in response to Snapcaster is a great way to deal with it, so is Whirring for Sphere, at least when they only leave the 4 mana open for Cryptic. Arguably Sphere is definitely worse than Cage in these situations, but it'll take testing I feel to see how much worse.
Finally, Cage stops other graveyard shenanigans, which Sphere does not. I don't know about your experience, but in most instances, Bridge is enough for me against most graveyard decks, I don't need Cage. At least not for Game 1. I think Sphere helps match-ups like Storm and Tron much more than Cage helps us against graveyard decks. The wild card are Snapcaster decks. Maybe we want both Cage and Sphere, and the cut is something like a Bauble, I am not sure. Obviously all of this will need to be tested.
Modern Decks:
UBG Lantern Control GBU
BRG Bridge-Vine GRB
Commander Decks
UBG Muldrotha, Value Elemental GBU
BRG Windgrace Real-Estate Ltd. GRB
#PayThePros
I'm super... super excited for this card. Tron has been the most annoying match-up for me regardless what deck I play.
Mostly because the anti-tron cards are not really good vs anything else. This is the first multi-use sideboard card that is also good vs multiple decks (hallow one, storm, tron, etc.)
Twitter: twitter.com/axmanonline
Stream: twitch.tv/axman
Current Decks
Modern: Affinity
Standard: BW Control
Legacy: Death and Taxes :symw::symr:
Vintage: NA