@Scumbling1: I don't often agree with your evaluations; I'm much more likely to enjoy a card for sentimental reasons that are not universally relevant for deckbuilding. Having said that, I would readily tell anyone to go and read your comments on the original printing. I think it's very valuable for people to realize (or be reminded of the fact) that putting decisions into your opponents' hands makes any spell less reliable, simply for the fact that you don't have control over the result. Neither result is "bad" - it's just that, as you keep pointing out, you'll always get the one you want less.
Anyway, I like this card! Even while recognizing that it's not as good as a flat-out burn spell (or Tezzeret's Gambit), I really only play multiplayer, and watching my friends debate about who gets to take the 5 damage this time makes me grin every time. It's the same reason that I like autocard multiverseid="35164... (see all)
Posted By:
Leshrac_Nightwalker
(10/20/2011 1:58:08 PM)
I like to target my opponent with Browbeat say "whoops :/" then cast runeflare trap when they draw.
Do you want to know how to really get some value out of this card? No? Cool. Reverberate it.
Posted By:
lorendorky
(12/3/2011 12:30:39 PM)
It's situational card draw in red, and the drawback is 1/4 of your opponent's life (which should be down by T3 anyway).
How is that bad?
Posted By:
infernox10
(5/31/2011 4:47:52 AM)
I'm not sure which is more intimidating: the large man with his hands over my throat, of the middle-aged woman wielding a rolled-up newspaper.
Posted By:
DlCK
(11/3/2012 11:05:52 PM)
This card is amazing in a straight burn deck, either they take 5 which is what you are trying to do anyway or you draw three and burn them with whatever you draw.
Posted By:
Neolexus
(4/7/2011 1:41:22 PM)
This is probably one of the best burn cards out there. It is good because whichever happens you benefit. Red decks don't often have much draw power and dealing 5 damage for 3 CMC is always a good deal.
Posted By:
TheMaskedWanderer
(9/25/2011 1:50:53 PM)
Love it. Have a foil FNM version, and the art looks like it's from Saw. In my Brion Stoutarm EDH deck, it's flat out amazing. 5/5.
Posted By:
Shadoflaam
(2/12/2011 8:38:57 AM)
Can't think of a time I wouldn't want either of these things. One of my favorite red cards ever.
Posted By:
ROBRAM89
(1/4/2011 9:09:57 AM)
For three mana, you get a Lava Axe or a Concentrate. Either case is pretty acceptable. You might get hurt by an opponent choosing the wrong option for you when you NEED to draw (or cause damage), but the other option is still good.
Posted By:
Detonativity
(11/20/2010 2:49:35 PM)
a win win situation even when you need the card draw, taking away 1/4 of original life total for 3 mana is still hefty.
Posted By:
Richard_Hawk
(12/7/2010 11:23:06 PM)