@ bowlofgumbo:
Specifically, the camp that favors Ponder is also the same camp that also runs fetchlands because they desire the shuffle effect for their Brainstorms. When you have additional opportunities to shuffle, the three cards that Ponder allows you to see are the main attraction. However, in a vacuum, Preordain is a stronger card. In Modern, both are powerful enough to be on the ban list.
Posted By:
DacenOctavio
(6/19/2012 10:06:46 PM)
Brainstorm, Ponder, Preordain
Each card does something very similar, and very very useful.
Between the three cards though, I believe that Preordain is the most universally useful. That is to say, while each of the three cards shines in different decks for different reasons, I believe this card is the best choice for the most decks. It is very potent, and it's almost impossible to not be a great card. Ponder can be a problem if you find one great card and two useless cards, and brainstorm might not get you to your combo pieces any faster, but this card can't really have a result any worse than getting three useless cards off the top of your deck (while refilling your hand).
I would probably say Brainstorm has the most potential, as it's wording (saying you draw three cards) allows it to synergize with a crazy number of blue cards. Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind loves it the most, Thought Reflection lo... (see all)
Posted By:
SevesDariku
(4/27/2014 10:03:49 AM)
"Hmm, who's going to win the World Cup this year?"
Posted By:
RJDroid
(4/8/2012 8:08:17 PM)
I Like the use of yellow and red to contrast with the blue border. This is a phenomenal alternate art.
Posted By:
lorendorky
(4/8/2012 7:04:50 PM)
My only complaint with this is that it looks so far off from Venser.. I mean, he's missing those chops!
Posted By:
BastianQoU
(4/10/2012 5:42:23 PM)
I really, really wish I didn't have to drop $20 just to get this and the emblem, but, good job Wizards, for making such a cool, flavorful duel-deck.
Posted By:
Trufant233
(5/17/2012 6:17:18 PM)
I don't know why people say a double-edged sword is bad. It's a sword. With two edges.
Posted By:
ICEFANG13
(5/16/2012 2:17:49 PM)
But is it really better than Ponder? Actually most of the time, the answer is yes. You gain access to fewer cards, but have complete and total control of those cards. Specifically, you can:
keep neither
keep the first
keep the second
keep them both
Ordering as you choose. On the other hand, Ponder allows
keep none
keep them all
All things considered, Preordain is more useful because it allows complete filtration - take exactly what you want when you want it - which is almost ubiquitously relevant. Typically when you Ponder, at least one of your three cards will be undesirable - so you're stuck with the "bad card," or forced to chuck the "good cards" on a shuffle gamble. In this regard, Preordain is more reliable, more consistent, gives you more control and is less volatile. There's no risk of keeping cards you don't want or losing cards you do.
There are certainly decks for which Ponder is a better option, but if you absolutely had to choose between these two awesome spells... (see all)
Posted By:
bowlofgumbo
(6/2/2012 12:03:08 AM)
I wish they'd make an all foil Duel Deck, just so we could get this in foil. Of course, that would probably double the price, so it's a double edged sword.
Posted By:
swords_to_exile
(5/14/2012 10:37:10 PM)
If Venser could preordain, would he have died in QfK? Hmm.
Posted By:
gongshowninja
(4/5/2012 8:45:07 PM)