This is an incredibly useful card. I first playtested it by using only two instances in my deck, but I switched to a playset of four in the very next game. The thing about it is that even an average green deck can often cast it as early as turn three and, especially if you're playing first, make a significant tempo advantage by targeting an opponent's land with its second ability. Then you simply tutor a six-mana monster for you to play the next turn, just as to keep the card advantage in check.
The life gain ability is useful in tight spots, especially against all-burn red decks that attempt to make the kill by turn four, but probably the least effective when compared to other abilities the command has. Library shuffle protects you from mill, and incapacitates dredge. You could also shuffle your own graveyard, and then tutor a creature that was in your graveyard the moment before in conjunction. Yes, you also could put a card on top of your opponent's library, and then force him to s... (see all)
Posted By:
KillerWhiskey
(3/17/2011 4:49:08 AM)
: BuffJittePLZ
Unfortunately, you can ONLY shuffle in a noncreature permanent: a fair setback.
Otherwise, like all of the Commands, this one is an amazing EDH support spell. It's kind of fun to mix and match what you'd like to do, although I'd usually shuffle my deck, then search for a creature, preferably one that was in the graveyard.
One way or another, I'm going to find you Primeval Titan, I'm going to getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha...
Posted By:
Ferlord
(8/2/2012 6:13:45 AM)
Not bad card.
7 lifes is never bad.
Putting target noncreature permanent on top is library is not the best ability, but can save you some tight spots. Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker anyone?
Shuffing your graveyrd in to your deck is always very good.
Tutoring creature card?? Thats maybe this cards best ability.
Posted By:
Bursama
(12/7/2010 10:56:30 AM)
"I put your (insert favorite permanent here) on top of your library."
"LOL, okay. I'll just cast it again."
"Then you shuffle your graveyard into your library."
"FFFOOOOOOOORRRSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHHHH!"
Posted By:
Thaxan_Number_14
(2/2/2011 7:36:56 AM)
Comparable to the tempo gained with Plow Under. Essentially: tutor/draw a guy, bounce their stuff to top deck next draw, gain a "turn's worth" of life or stop graveyard interactions like dredge or Crucible of Worlds with fetch lands, or Knight of the Reliquary, etc.
Posted By:
MattLynn
(4/9/2013 6:27:38 PM)
"Life is irrelevant unless you're dead. "
~KarmasPayment
Not at all. Lightning Helix, Timely reinforcements, and Kitchen Finks. These are all strong and powerful cards. Both popular as well. Why? Because they give you life and do something else. (lightning helix controls creatures or burns while timely reinforcements gives you creatures to stall for a few more turns)
Why is lifegain important? If I say "the zoo" and you don't know what I am talking about, there is no point in continuing this conversation.
Posted By:
Wisdomseyes
(4/5/2012 11:16:39 AM)
I love playing this on the third or fourth turn with some mana acceleration to put a land or early creature/artifact (whatever hurts most) and go get a Primeval Titan.
This is probably the most balanced of the commands, and it id pretty fun to play with.
Posted By:
BuffJittePLZ
(4/19/2011 8:02:11 AM)
KarmasPayment is right. The only life point that counts is your last.
Question. If I put there guy on top of the library and shuffle the graveyard in, is it shuffled, or still on top because it resolves second?
Posted By:
Belgarath123
(12/8/2013 5:48:06 PM)
"Not bad card.
7 lifes is never bad.
Putting target noncreature permanent on top is library is not the best ability, but can save you some tight spots. Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker anyone?
Shuffing your graveyrd in to your deck is always very good.
Tutoring creature card?? Thats maybe this cards best ability."
~Bursama
Life is irrelevant unless you're dead.
Putting something on top of their library is a huge setback, such as re-drawing a land (specially those bad comes into play tapped ones) or having to waste another turn drawing and casting their plainswalker of choice, if this goes off, of course.
And shuffling your own graveyard isn't as useful as shuffling an opponents, unless you're low on cards in your library. Shuffling away your opponents Life from the loam or other such graveyard recurrence is always good. Despite being sorcery speed.
But, yes, grabbing a creature that has relevance to your current game situation can be quite handy.
Posted By:
KarmasPayment
(12/9/2010 8:56:18 PM)
I'm planning on running this is my Wort, Boggart Auntie EDH deck. I mean you can gain 14 life life, Plow Under their lands or annoying cards, shuffle in multiple graveyards, and best of all, tutor for any 2 creatures and put them in my hand. All the modes are relevant to an EDH deck. Combos very well with cards like Eternal Witness or Anarchist that you can tutor up to let you recast this over and over.
Posted By:
Ligerman30
(7/9/2013 1:30:04 AM)