Now that the Vivds are gone, I'd make the switch to the 'walker. Even without Vivids, I'd still play the 'walker. UUBBBRR is a disgusting mana cost. I don't care what the spell does if I can't cast it.
I've never had a problem casting it when playing grixis. And it's rare that I can't cast it once I hit 7 mana.
The vivids are being replaced by other non-basics, so I don't expect that to change. It's really a question of whether I want to allow the more splashable card.
I've never had a problem casting it when playing grixis. And it's rare that I can't cast it once I hit 7 mana.
I find it totally incredulous that every time you hit 7 mana, you have exactlyUUBBBRR. I just can't buy it. Decks in standard had to jump through hoops with Vivids, filters and Reflecting Pools to achieve that. Not to mention that just one or two colourless lands in your deck will totally shaft you, and I'm not excluding Volrath's Stronghold or Strip Mine to include a card that I may or may not be able to play at some late point in the game. Statisically speaking, you are probably far more likely to reach 4UBBR before you reach the Ultimatum's cost. But if you insist that you no have trouble playing it, then I'll take your word for it.
In any case, the card is a total bomb, but so is Bolas. I wouldn't expect to lose a game where I landed either of those guys
Nicol Bolas, PW has been light years better than Cruel Ultimatum has been in my Grixis slot. The mana cost was so bad on Cruel, and it is so much easier on NBPW. Thing is, I never felt like the game was over when someone cast it...
...but facing down NBPW is a daunting task. Which is what I want out of an expensive, 3-color card.
Nicol Bolas, PW has been light years better than Cruel Ultimatum has been in my Grixis slot. The mana cost was so bad on Cruel, and it is so much easier on NBPW. Thing is, I never felt like the game was over when someone cast it...
...but facing down NBPW is a daunting task. Which is what I want out of an expensive, 3-color card.
-AA
The only shard/5c cards I run at this point is Who/What/Where/When/Why. I found shards cards to be a little too niche for me.
The way I describe NBPW and Karn is that they are "Hilariously Game-Ending". The problem with Bolas is that his mana cost makes him nigh-unplayable in my cube.
The way I describe NBPW and Karn is that they are "Hilariously Game-Ending". The problem with Bolas is that his mana cost makes him nigh-unplayable in my cube.
That is a great way to describe them. NBPW is reallly expensive and can be difficult to get down, but I think what he does when he hits is worth that challenge.
If they last that long, they certainly didn't do it by 'holding out' until turn 8, but by taking control of the game much earlier. (Also if you manage to cast an 8-drop on turn 8 you have drawn too many lands 8/15 cards = more than 50%). You can't expect to land an 8-drop until turns 11-13 or so unless you have accelerants of some kind.
Karn is playable because ramp and decks with fast artifact mana can ramp up to him by turns 3-4. Those decks have a much harder time finding Bolas mana (since they are typically green or making mostly colorless mana).
If they last that long, they certainly didn't do it by 'holding out' until turn 8, but by taking control of the game much earlier. (Also if you manage to cast an 8-drop on turn 8 you have drawn too many lands 8/15 cards = more than 50%). You can't expect to land an 8-drop until turns 11-13 or so unless you have accelerants of some kind.
Karn is playable because ramp and decks with fast artifact mana can ramp up to him by turns 3-4. Those decks have a much harder time finding Bolas mana (since they are typically green or making mostly colorless mana).
I've won more games with a Nicol Bolas on the opponent's side of the table than any other planeswalker (by turn 8 the nicol bolas player is really really low on life and you can just ignore him and swing through). I still like him a lot though, he's just so awesome.
I mean, he's a planeswalker AND a dragon. How cool is that?
OK, so your control decks play out a bit differently I guess.
Around here control decks (especially blue-based) WANT to make land drops every turn, and the blue decks draw extra cards in some form meaning that your 50% number is significantly off. They also often play few finishers, so there is no guarantee that you have one stick by then (draw it, resolve it, have it survive) either, so I'm always thankful to have a powerful one that isn't easily dealt with. If you have any acceleration (which control decks should be prioritizing as well), then turn 8 can also be a bit off as a rule.
There is also a big difference between 'taking control of the game' (which I read to mean 'stabilized') and winning the game. NBPW is a finisher that can also protect itself (and you) by dealing with problem permanents.
Karn is playable because he is usable in any sort of deck that plans on having 7 mana. Also, turn 3-4 Karn is a PRETTY tall order for a non-powered Cube...it is hard with my constructed Tron deck sometimes!
-AA
P.S. AND he's Nicol Bolas. AS A PLANESWALKER. A PLANESWALKING DRAGON FOR CRISSAKE.
Me too. I think both cards are so fun and so awesome. I can't imagine cutting them, especially upheaval.
I've never had a problem casting it when playing grixis. And it's rare that I can't cast it once I hit 7 mana.
The vivids are being replaced by other non-basics, so I don't expect that to change. It's really a question of whether I want to allow the more splashable card.
Unpowered 540 Cube
About Me
I find it totally incredulous that every time you hit 7 mana, you have exactly UUBBBRR. I just can't buy it. Decks in standard had to jump through hoops with Vivids, filters and Reflecting Pools to achieve that. Not to mention that just one or two colourless lands in your deck will totally shaft you, and I'm not excluding Volrath's Stronghold or Strip Mine to include a card that I may or may not be able to play at some late point in the game. Statisically speaking, you are probably far more likely to reach 4UBBR before you reach the Ultimatum's cost. But if you insist that you no have trouble playing it, then I'll take your word for it.
In any case, the card is a total bomb, but so is Bolas. I wouldn't expect to lose a game where I landed either of those guys
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...but facing down NBPW is a daunting task. Which is what I want out of an expensive, 3-color card.
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029
The only shard/5c cards I run at this point is Who/What/Where/When/Why. I found shards cards to be a little too niche for me.
http://hgcube.blogspot.com/ (help me Make my Custom CUBE!)
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=382498
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Redit Proxy Article "current gallery"
MY LEGACY ALTERS
[Remixes] - [The Brutal Cube - 360 Powered] - [My Cube Article] - ['Print-This' Wishlist]
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
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My 630 Card Powered Cube
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That is a great way to describe them. NBPW is reallly expensive and can be difficult to get down, but I think what he does when he hits is worth that challenge.
If they last that long, they certainly didn't do it by 'holding out' until turn 8, but by taking control of the game much earlier. (Also if you manage to cast an 8-drop on turn 8 you have drawn too many lands 8/15 cards = more than 50%). You can't expect to land an 8-drop until turns 11-13 or so unless you have accelerants of some kind.
Karn is playable because ramp and decks with fast artifact mana can ramp up to him by turns 3-4. Those decks have a much harder time finding Bolas mana (since they are typically green or making mostly colorless mana).
[Remixes] - [The Brutal Cube - 360 Powered] - [My Cube Article] - ['Print-This' Wishlist]
this ^
http://hgcube.blogspot.com/ (help me Make my Custom CUBE!)
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=382498
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Redit Proxy Article "current gallery"
MY LEGACY ALTERS
I mean, he's a planeswalker AND a dragon. How cool is that?
Blimpy's Aggro-Focused Cube (powered 360)
I'm always open to suggestions on how to improve my cube. Take a look and ask a question, or give a constructive critique whenever you can.
Around here control decks (especially blue-based) WANT to make land drops every turn, and the blue decks draw extra cards in some form meaning that your 50% number is significantly off. They also often play few finishers, so there is no guarantee that you have one stick by then (draw it, resolve it, have it survive) either, so I'm always thankful to have a powerful one that isn't easily dealt with. If you have any acceleration (which control decks should be prioritizing as well), then turn 8 can also be a bit off as a rule.
There is also a big difference between 'taking control of the game' (which I read to mean 'stabilized') and winning the game. NBPW is a finisher that can also protect itself (and you) by dealing with problem permanents.
Karn is playable because he is usable in any sort of deck that plans on having 7 mana. Also, turn 3-4 Karn is a PRETTY tall order for a non-powered Cube...it is hard with my constructed Tron deck sometimes!
-AA
P.S. AND he's Nicol Bolas. AS A PLANESWALKER. A PLANESWALKING DRAGON FOR CRISSAKE.
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029