Erik's Random card 6/27/2011
When design handed this set over, this card was
1U
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1 mana and 1 life.
However there was also
P (U or 2 life)
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 1.
Those were too similar, so this card became
UU
Instant
Counter target creature spell. Its controller loses 1 life.
That, of course, is the final rules text.
But wait, we never printed the force spike variant. That card was crazy strong, and was replaced by the Mental Misstep.
So why didn't we go back the 1 mana and 1 life version? The development team liked this card better. That's the funny part about being forced to replace cards; your new card is often better than the old card, even when you can go back.
Posted By:
ErikLauer
(6/28/2011 12:02:50 AM)
You will appreciate this card because the dragon requires it.
I expect to hear no arguments.
Posted By:
DeathDark
(5/10/2011 8:56:19 PM)
When I read that flavor text, I think about the interesting relationship between Tezzeret and Nicol Bolas. First Tezzeret tries to kill the dragon, then Bolas is all like ''shut up b*tch and get back to work'' then Tezzeret is like ''...okay...'' just so later he can hatch another killing plan. How odd.
Posted By:
VarteDod
(5/13/2011 4:50:58 PM)
I can't wait to Vapor Snag a creature, only to counter it with this when they try and put it back down.
Posted By:
poprockmonster
(5/16/2011 2:09:25 PM)
Saved me more then once in the pre release, so its good in my books.
Posted By:
WateryMind
(5/7/2011 1:48:44 AM)
@ majinara - Wizards didn't run out of ideas, this was exactly the idea they were going for. It fits the more brutal theme of Phyrexia very well, and is a griefer counterspell in a griefer set. The whole cycle flavorfully falls in to what they call the "Phyrexian Blood Tax" theme - read about it somewhere on the New Phyrexia information page or FAQ, one of the two.
Posted By:
Magnor_Criol
(5/8/2011 11:03:41 PM)
This is a darker, meaner Essence Scatter and whileCounterspell may be more versatile, you can only run four of it...
And, frankly, four just doesn't cover it nowadays.
Posted By:
Worldwalker1
(5/16/2011 11:51:02 PM)
Sweet, we have a hard critter counter in standard again. And it bleeds them for 1.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(6/6/2011 12:59:22 AM)
This card made me do something stupid. I had 1 life left and could have won had I not decided to play a creature card. And I thought I was creating a backup plan in case one of my creatures was unsummoned or diminished during my attack.
Posted By:
bonebroke87
(5/23/2011 6:29:47 PM)
Oh my God, you're such dumbasses. Sure, it's not nearly as splashable as Remove Soul/Essence Scatter, but within mono-blue, it is in all ways simply BETTER than those cards. For mono-blue players, this is a fine addition.
Posted By:
Tiggurix
(6/3/2011 4:55:18 AM)