@mattydrac
Your friends were indeed correct - enchanting Extinguisher with this enchantment would not cause them to sacrifice creatures.
Let me explain:
If a triggered ability requires combat damage in order to become activated, said damage needs to be inflicted by declaring an attacker (ie. during your combat phase) and in this case, also having that creature deal combat damage to your opponent (ie. they lose life).
"Combat damage" occurs only during the combat phase and is not the same thing as just "damage" (which can occur outside of the combat phase).
Now, this is where the difference between the two gets a bit tricky - if you were to enchant a Giant Scorpion with Power of Fire, for example, you could definitely do some nasty stuff. Regarding deathtouch, the reminder text on Giant Scorpion reads: Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it. Notice how it doesn't say "combat damage." So, if you... (see all)
Posted By:
EvilCowKing
(4/18/2012 9:39:06 PM)
Horseshoe Crab
Posted By:
ParanoidMonkey
(7/25/2012 12:09:26 AM)
The nice thing about the enchantment versions of this is that you can put out something first turn (utility creature usually) and then have them ready to ping off opposing creatures turn 2 with no wait. Very solid as if they don't have any removal right then you've gained card neutrality. Give it another turn and you're likely to enter card advantage territory (depending if it continues to kill creatures or if they spend the card to kill it.)
Still, probably better in blue where your 1-drop can be something hard to kill.
Posted By:
blurrymadness
(2/21/2013 6:34:06 PM)
Kind of ironic that this doesn't pump power a la Firebreathing. But pyromancer abilities are still cool.
Posted By:
Manite
(8/30/2013 12:49:19 PM)
Fire Whip is arguably better than both this card and Lavamancer's Skill.
Posted By:
nammertime
(12/3/2009 8:30:38 AM)
IRON MAN!!!
Posted By:
ChampionofSquee
(8/17/2010 8:29:37 PM)
Okay, am I the only one who, upon seeing the artwork, instantly thought "Wait, that's Iron Man"? :)
Posted By:
True_Mumin
(8/14/2009 11:44:49 AM)
Excellent card for setting up untap effects. In casual play, I like to pair it with a hateflayer to chain a few 6-damage hits at once.
Posted By:
Maxim2735
(6/4/2009 11:58:21 PM)
@True_Mumin: Heck no you aren't. That's all I see when I look at this card. 'S still pretty good though.
Posted By:
ClockworkSwordfish
(2/4/2010 2:01:27 PM)
Turns just about any one-drop into a Cunning Sparkmage.
Posted By:
SoulShatterer
(6/30/2010 11:14:05 PM)