Mono-green devotion is a contender in modern, Master of Waves and Thassa have both contributed to Merfolk in that same format, and Theros cards are dictating many of the strategies in Standard. Theros block hasn't been weak, but it makes sense to me that it isn't everyone's cup of tea. To call the block bad so far is a bit unfair though.
Yeah, there's a mono-black discard deck that's actually viable right now that runs a full playset of ensnaring bridges right now. That would account for the price jump.
I'm thinking it probably depends on who's throwing it. If Goku learned how to throw a hadouken it would probably be a lot stronger than Ryu's version. We've seen Ryu throw beam supers in MvC games that look nearly identical to smaller versions of the kamehameha.
If someone saw Bertoncini's stream and perceived that this kind of mocking, bullying and hateful behavior would be something he'd be subject to at a Magic: The Gathering tournament and decided not to go to a tournament then Wizards of the Coast has lost money because of Bertoncini's behavior. Wizards is well within their right to protect their business. I agree one hundred percent with the extended suspension.
Edit: In fact if I ever saw Bertoncini at a tournament I would exercise my freedom of speech by calling him out for being one of the biggest scumbags in the United States, outline the reasons why and proceed to let him respond however he sees fit.
The one time I made a mistake that resulted in me gaining an extra advantage in a tournament, I accidentally drew an extra card due to fast play and my opponent distracting me at the beginning of my turn, I immediately called a judge on myself, explained what happened and took fault for drawing the card and accepted my game loss and moved on. I have absolutely no sympathy for this guy because he had an opportunity to make things right and didn't.
edit: I believe that he realized he had picked up the extra card after examining his hand by the way. You could tell by his actions on camera.
Just some of the design space that can be explored with the mechanic.
Unleash Guy #1 1BB
Unleash
As long as Unleash Guy #1 does not have a plus +1/+1 counter on it, it gains. "When this creature deals damage to a player, that player discards a card."
2/1
Or they could be used like spellshapers where the creature removes a +1/+1 counter for an effect. Not to mention comes into play abilities dependent on if it's unleashed or not. There is a lot of stuff that can be done with unleash.
I am with the people that say this mechanic is somehow dull.
Pros:
I. It's simple - even a complete beginner can understand it. Normal version or buffed version that can't block.
II. It's flavourful - all in this mechanic says Rakdos. Hit them hard and kill them fast.
III. It allows for choice - thus increasing the weight of tactical thinking during game. A R 1/1 unleash, in its simplicity, is much more tactical that a Goblin Guide.
Cons:
I. As already said, it can only appear on creatures. This feels somewhat limiting.
II. Just like with hellbent, the advantage feels kind of low if compared to the disadvantage.
III. Seems hard to work with. Some creatures might have bonus effects if unleashed, but there's no marker between an unleashed creature and a creature with a +1/+1 counter on it. If synergistic cards work on creatures having counters... well, that feels more Simic than Rakdos.
In regards to your third point in the Con section. I assume that as long as a creature with unleash has a +1/+1 counter on it, it is "unleashed". The counter itself is the distinguishing factor.
Looking at any mechanic in a vacuum is a fools game. Morph is a great and flavorful mechanic. Is it being shown to it's full potential on Spined Basher? No, it really isn't.
Undying is a great and flavorful mechanic but in the end it's simple and completely dependent on the other abilities of the creature it's placed on. Every keyworded creature mechanic ever envisioned has to be judged on the individual cards it's placed on, not the mechanic itself.
If anything unleash is more interesting than undying, but undeniably less powerful, simply because it actually offers a choice to the player using the mechanic, and choices are almost never a bad thing in Magic.
I already run Crypt Creeper as a two-of in my sideboard to help out in the mirror a bit (Siding out Geth's Verdict is pretty standard). This is just simply a better option. I approve.
Increasing Despair XB
Sorcery
Target player sacrifices a creature unless he or she plays X. If increasing Despair was cast from a graveyard that player sacrifices a creature unless he or she pays two times X.
Flashback XB
Seems simple.
Car chases on TV is a SoCal tradition. We get them all the time down here in San Diego and it's always great fun watching and speculating on how they'll end.
Edit: In fact if I ever saw Bertoncini at a tournament I would exercise my freedom of speech by calling him out for being one of the biggest scumbags in the United States, outline the reasons why and proceed to let him respond however he sees fit.
edit: I believe that he realized he had picked up the extra card after examining his hand by the way. You could tell by his actions on camera.
Unleash Guy #1 1BB
Unleash
As long as Unleash Guy #1 does not have a plus +1/+1 counter on it, it gains. "When this creature deals damage to a player, that player discards a card."
2/1
Or they could be used like spellshapers where the creature removes a +1/+1 counter for an effect. Not to mention comes into play abilities dependent on if it's unleashed or not. There is a lot of stuff that can be done with unleash.
In regards to your third point in the Con section. I assume that as long as a creature with unleash has a +1/+1 counter on it, it is "unleashed". The counter itself is the distinguishing factor.
Looking at any mechanic in a vacuum is a fools game. Morph is a great and flavorful mechanic. Is it being shown to it's full potential on Spined Basher? No, it really isn't.
Undying is a great and flavorful mechanic but in the end it's simple and completely dependent on the other abilities of the creature it's placed on. Every keyworded creature mechanic ever envisioned has to be judged on the individual cards it's placed on, not the mechanic itself.
If anything unleash is more interesting than undying, but undeniably less powerful, simply because it actually offers a choice to the player using the mechanic, and choices are almost never a bad thing in Magic.
Sorcery
Target player sacrifices a creature unless he or she plays X. If increasing Despair was cast from a graveyard that player sacrifices a creature unless he or she pays two times X.
Flashback XB
Seems simple.
But in all seriousness, a nice girl that's relatively good looking and who's open-minded about certain hobbies. (Magic and Videogames namely)
Warning issued for NSFW language.