For the record, there's a reason for both the comes-into-play-tapped clause (which the Adarkar Wastes cycle didn't have) and the damage dealt in exchange for colored mana (which the Coastal Tower cycle wouldn't have). When Tempest was printed, the view of the design team was that getting opposed colors to cooperate, at least without the auspices of their common ally, should be more difficult than getting allied colors to cooperate. Not for game balance reasons, though (at least, not entirely). It was mostly for flavor, a concession to Vorthos. That's also why the earliest opposed-color cards typically required a sacrifice or had some other drawback. Dark Heart of the Wood and Circle of Despair required sacrifices, Malignant Growth gave the opponent extra cards as its damage output grew, etc. This didn't always manifest, though, as Reflect Damage indicates.
Give... (see all)
Posted By:
SkyknightXi
(6/22/2012 4:57:00 PM)
Only it is outclassed by Caves of Koilos.
Posted By:
Rainyday2012
(8/19/2009 3:01:07 PM)
Also outclassed by Murmuring Bosk, which sometimes comes in untapped, can be tapped for yet a third color without any pain, and has a basic land type.
Posted By:
sonorhC
(6/23/2011 4:04:10 PM)
"Someday, I'll get that kind of respect." muttered Salt Flats as he wistfully observes his dual land cousin, Scrubland being the center of attention and surrounded by all the other nonbasic lands in the room.
Posted By:
Claytoon
(2/21/2013 12:16:43 PM)
Good if you can't afford Cave of Koilos. But then, you'd be best served using Orzhov Basilicas.
Posted By:
Champion_Kitsune
(10/15/2009 8:09:20 PM)
Sure, you lose one life, but it does more good than bad.
Posted By:
hunthell
(7/15/2009 9:22:20 PM)
Garbage. Even Arcane Sanctum is better than this now.
Posted By:
ScissorsLizard
(5/19/2010 8:21:25 PM)
Too many drawbacks. Should have just done damage or had "pay 1 life" instead of doing damage.
Posted By:
A3Kitsune
(2/10/2010 12:18:46 AM)
This was awful when it was printed and it's still awful. But I like the art, so it gets a 1 instead of 0.5.
Posted By:
cathode01
(3/14/2011 8:26:22 PM)