2 words. Isochron Scepter. Muahahahaa...
Posted By:
Bursama
(1/14/2011 12:48:59 PM)
Worse than Counterspell, but black counterspells are off-color and this gives your opponent the choice between two bad decisions (pretty much like the red Odyssey spells like Browbeat, Breaking Point, or in this case (Molten Influence)
When not used for competitive Magic, it's still fun in casual.
Posted By:
Mode
(6/12/2011 10:29:25 AM)
"And I play Dash Hopes on your Goblin Grenade."
"Hah! I pay 5 life!"
"You realize you just sacrificed your only creature and paid one mana and I only paid two for the same thing to happen, right?"
"Oh."
Posted By:
j_mindfingerpainter
(2/9/2012 3:21:06 PM)
I've used this to great effect before. It really catches a lot of people off guard to see a counterspell in a mono black deck, and if you're running aggro they're really caught between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between casting blockers/other helpful spells and letting you cast an improved Lava Axe for two mana.
I even recall a time where my opponent was about to cast Wrath of God with less than five life left: Since you can't pay life that you don't have it got countered, and I swung for the win on my next turn.
I've also had bad experiences with this though, and you really have to consider the type of deck you're playing with this. Admittedly, most of the time this really isn't all that great in an aggro deck, because you really want to have creatures on the field dealing damage to your opponent rather than being stuck with this card in hand and two untapped lands. However, as I mentioned earlier I've definitely had my wins wi... (see all)
Posted By:
GrimjawxRULES
(5/7/2012 2:40:50 PM)
This should be rated higher. It's a black counter spell! :-)
Posted By:
Overlord3001
(7/15/2012 3:33:04 AM)
If there was anything I'd want to slap on an Isochron Scepter..
Posted By:
BastianQoU
(12/25/2012 10:40:38 PM)
I think this is a good card by itself, mostly for it's use in the late game, and because I can't think of another mono-black non-color-specific counter spell.
However, it really shines in combination with other black cards like Wound Reflection and Exquisite Blood. Having either one of those cards out when you cast this will basically assure you counter. A 10 life swing for two mana is pretty nuts, and if the card is something they will absolutely not let be countered, well then you don't have to play dash hopes and go for removal. Painful Quandary is another great thing to have out, the opponent already loses 5 life or another card (if they have one) for casting the card. Add a Sygg, River Cutthroat for good measure.
There are plenty ways to make this card work in a control deck. Saving it until you have one of those enchants out to surprise them, or, my preference, play one early and make your oppone... (see all)
Posted By:
Aehetag
(3/8/2013 12:05:46 AM)
If it said "Target spell's controller loses 5 life" instead of what it says now, people would love it.
So why do people dislike a 2 mana lose 5 life spell?
You aren't supposed to play this as a counter - rather, punish them for casting the spell and if you play it well, it becomes a counterspell. Just don't play it assuming you'll get the one you want.
4.5/5 because either choice is very good for you.
Posted By:
Pick15
(3/23/2013 9:16:48 PM)
@Zacklar don't forget Lethal Vapors. I use it in my old school mono black control deck and it's almost always amazing.
Posted By:
JunkHarvester
(3/26/2013 1:46:40 PM)
@BongRipper420, anytime I hear someone start a statement off with 'I hate to break the bad news, but' and then immediately flows into an opinion, it doesn't make me sympathetic to the argument. Just how I feel. Anyway, how can you say that a spell that gives your opponent choices of how it works is always bad no matter the power level? What if a card was printed as "U: Counter target spell. The controller of that spell may counter this effect by skipping his or her next turn, and you draw three cards."? There would be no debate that that wold be a good card, with an absurd power level, broken in fact. The fact that the opponent has options does not make a card bad, it just makes it worse. Also, even if this card wasn't powerful, which you claim, it still is a good card because it has an interesting effect that makes many people happy. It's fun to play and is the type of card that makes Magic what it is.
Posted By:
doombladez
(4/29/2013 12:06:03 PM)