Actually, this might be the very best of all worlds of a Control-Magic variant:
think of it this way-
A) if your opponent doesn't play around it and just lets you have the creature, it is "Control Magic if you control a Swamp.", which is nice and probably a good way to balance that card.
B) if your opponent is savvy to playing around this card- then it is "{4 mana}: Control Magic or you draw 4 cards, your opponent chooses." This is technically the worst it can be, but the Hymn to Tourach-stapled-to-Divination for just 4 mana is probably the cheapest bargain you can get Draw and Discard for, and Discarding is SLIGHTLY better than just Drawing if your opponent loses a really important card from their hand. (disruption) You also have the chance of just Drawing lands, which is less than beautiful after you've hit this much mana, but "Control Magic or Discard 2 + Draw 2" is still a good enough card. It's the worst mode and how most people have... (see all)
Posted By:
DarthParallax
(3/19/2013 12:56:06 PM)
I'm shocked this isn't rated higher. It's all upsides; Either your opponent destroys the creature or enchantment which is a plus to you or they take the damage or they give up mass card advantage to you. Awesome card.
Posted By:
Drewskithelegend
(5/3/2013 7:52:52 PM)
If you are playing B/U, what is the chance of your opponent actually having cards in hand to deal with the sac effect? And even if they do, they are using two cards to remove one, and you gain two cards in return.
And remember Oona's Prowler? I wouldn't play Soul Ransom for pure control function, I'd use it as a lure, see if my opponent is foolish enough to do exactly that.
Also, Quest for the Nihil Stone and Bloodchief Ascension have great synergy with Soul Ransom. And counter spells such as Squelch is surprisingly punishing when your opponent wants to remove it via discard.
Posted By:
Cyberium
(5/17/2013 4:36:34 PM)
@Drewskithelegend
'All upsides' and 'has no drawbacks' are the worst de***ions for cards.
Hill giant has no drawbacks. Even chimney imp has no drawbacks.
Picture a 1/1 for 20 mana. It has no drawbacks except that it's horrendously bad.
This card may seem like all upsides, but keep in mind that the second ability there is actually worse than not being there. If mind control gained that second ability, it would be worse than it is without it.
All that said, I still like it. I think it's better than some people make it out to be. The real problem with it is that almost all creatures that are good are only good because when they enter the battlefield, they do crazy things.
Posted By:
SAUS3
(7/18/2013 10:06:34 AM)
So I played this on my opponents Erebos when it was a creature. Because of a Shrieking Affliction and Agent of the Fates, it is still a creature only on my side. My opponent decides to discard two cards so I cast Disperse on the Soul Ransom after the activation cost is paid. Priceless..
Posted By:
effrimal
(12/4/2013 11:46:18 AM)