"Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -2/-2 until end of turn."
"Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -3/-3 until end of turn."
Generally, these two card would be useless. Token sweepers at best.
But, with persist, and with counters blocked, every copy of the creature gets the deadly -2 or -3 until end of turn, thereby going infinite.
They are both instants and cmc 2, so triggering the combo turn seems easy enough. There being 8 copies of each needed effect is helpful.
Glistening Oil this may be very effective to ensure the EOT triggers. Returning to hand is very helpful. Its not just trigger insurance, its recurring removal.
It adds an infect beatdown path.
Wide removal range of interactive cards: Near-universal permanent hate with Vanishing Verse and Rite of Oblivion. Exile overcoming Indestructible threats etc
Screams from Within is as recurring as it gets, is free after the first, is not a counter and is modern legal.
After the first time that you cast it, can it even be countered?
Virulent Plague was just so close.
Heartless summoning and plague engineer are weak
Solemnity and Melira, Sylvok Outcast are well known cards that block counters.
Murderous Redcap and Geralf's Messenger are well known win conditions for infinite combos.
Echoing Decay and Bile Blight appear to be obscure and their wording potential unrealized.
"Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -2/-2 until end of turn."
"Target creature and all other creatures with the same name as that creature get -3/-3 until end of turn."
Generally, these two card would be useless. Token sweepers at best.
But, with persist, and with counters blocked, every copy of the creature gets the deadly -2 or -3 until end of turn, thereby going infinite.
They are both instants and cmc 2, so triggering the combo turn seems easy enough. There being 8 copies of each needed effect is helpful.
(EDIT: May need to run kitchen finks instead of Geralf's Messenger as it does not combo with Melira, Sylvok Outcast...)
It adds an infect beatdown path.
Glistening Oil + Dreadhorde Invasion army = card drawback broken lol
Cauldron Haze could have unpredictable results with sac outlets / life gain.
4x Dreadhorde Invasion
4x Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia
4x Cathar's Call
4x Hidden Stockpile
4x Fleshtaker
4x Lunarch Veteran
4x Rite of Oblivion
4x Vanishing Verse
4x Vault of the Archangel
4x Marsh Flats
4x Arid Mesa
2x Swamps
(4x godless shrine arent showing up correctly.)
Grindy tokens every turn.
High per turn life gain potential.
Wide removal range of interactive cards: Near-universal permanent hate with Vanishing Verse and Rite of Oblivion. Exile overcoming Indestructible threats etc
Card advantage from scry sac outlets: Hidden Stockpile, Fleshtaker, Rite of Oblivion.
(Some triggers need something to leave the battlefield)
Lifelink Options via Dreadhorde Invasion and Vault of the Archangel
Vanishing Verse should perhaps be path to exile for another sac outlet, but being able to hit a land is nice. Unclear.
Aggro Wincon: a big Dreadhorde Invasion or a pumped Fleshtaker beatdown. Vault of the Archangel activations every turn if creatures went wide instead of tall.
Basri Ket the abilities are on theme.
Griffin Aerie exists but the trigger conditions make it feel winmore rather than a real threat.
Retract doesnt do the work but Repeal does. Hurkyl's Recall and Leave // Chance and Paradoxical Outcome do too.
1. Break symmetry
2. ???
3. Profit
Mmmmmmmmhmmmm!
(Better for the Colossus Hammer decks but whatever)
lol SaffonOlive did it better