If you don't mind playing creature instead of artifact, then just use ArchivistIt has its disadvantages but in long run Archivist is generally better than Scepter.
Posted By:
spirit_of_blue
(6/17/2012 4:58:34 AM)
According to Tom LaPille's article from 30th Jan 2009, they tried this card at 1UU to cast and 2U to activate. Apparently It was way too good in their FFL blue controlly decks, so they bumped up the activation cost. Personally I agree it looks awful at this cost, and I suspect the problem in their big control decks was cards other than this. But that's the reason they stated.
Posted By:
alextfish
(3/22/2013 4:24:32 AM)
Slightly better than good old Jayemdae Tome but just in blue decks. In my opinion the weakest of the Esper scepters (the others are Scepter of Fugue and Scepter of Dominance).
Posted By:
holgir
(9/15/2009 4:12:30 AM)
Reminds me of Bloodletter Quill. Bloodletter Quill was never especially impressive, and it didn't have to compete with Jace Beleren for the three-mana card-drawing slot--and Jace is better. This isn't a horrible card, per se, but I don't see it tearing up the tournament scene anytime soon. Or ever.
Posted By:
mutantman
(10/24/2009 2:54:18 PM)
I read the daily "Three Lights at the End of the Tunnel" article about the scepters, where they clarified their decision of the cost. yet i still think that at least a mana cost of UU instead would have been ok and reprintable as well.
Posted By:
Mode
(1/31/2009 5:10:49 AM)
a little less U-heavy than treasure trove, but that's not saying much.
Posted By:
darkdragoon
(1/30/2009 5:45:45 PM)
Consider Diviner's Wand for wizard decks.
It requires a creature to run, but it requires no colored mana, and gives a boost whenever you draw a card from any source.
Posted By:
NoobOfLore
(7/29/2011 10:20:10 PM)
This card is even worse than Rod of Ruin.
Posted By:
True_Smog
(11/13/2009 12:06:32 PM)
Simply put: Jayemdae Tome sucks. And this holds ever since I started playing, that is from 7th edition. I don't care if it dominated the fields some 15 years ago.
If Jace Beleren can draw a card every two turns out of three for free (with some protection, admittedly), is '3, Tap: Draw a card.' really too much to ask for?
Posted By:
Gabriel422
(11/25/2010 12:51:40 AM)
this card still lets you draw a free card with no downfalls, the cost is negligible.
Posted By:
BrimandVormay
(4/7/2009 11:01:27 AM)