I believe they put in the red because it alludes to Nicol Bolas. It's like Nicol Bolas' Embrace, along the lines of Gaea's Embrace, Shiv's Embrace, Vampiric Embrace, Zephid's Embrace, and Serra's Embrace.
I've found that it works well when used with The Fallen, as your impotent opponent will be discarding two cards during each of your upkeeps as well as whenever The Fallen lands a blow. However, this is not exactly an easy trick to pull. Putting it on some flavor of Tim would probably be more effective.
Posted By:
Haliax
(11/16/2009 8:49:46 PM)
Wow, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Lightning Reaver for multiplayer. Win.
Posted By:
eak1801
(1/7/2011 3:53:20 AM)
This card could easily be replaced in everyones deck with Silent Specter. Its easier to play, and a creature itself. Instead, I would spend energy stocking Dragon Shadow, or perhaps Dauthi Embrace for your Silent Specter.
Posted By:
Fire_hive
(3/19/2009 9:16:54 PM)
Elder Mastery + Kederekt Parasite as a finisher/lock on a discard deck
Posted By:
DarkTowerEX
(2/26/2010 7:16:30 AM)
Arcanum Wings
Okay, I tried. Not a great gard.
Posted By:
agalloch
(3/28/2010 10:16:48 AM)
Gelectrode and Cinder Pyromancer would go well with it. Lot's of instant-speed discard, damage to the face, and when your opponent is hellbent, just attack for 3 flying damage.
Niv-Mizzet works well, too. You draw a card, they discard 2, attack for 7.
The card disadvantage and mana costs of casting this aura is pretty high, but as long as you aren't relying on combat damage to get its effect, I think that it can be quite a powerful card.
Posted By:
Kenji18
(8/27/2009 11:07:35 AM)
Card is WIN in sealed deck environments, those games last a lot longer.
Also combos well w/ Sovereigns of lost Alara... guess I'm the only one who reads the little book that comes in the fat pack. ;)
Posted By:
RKay
(7/20/2009 10:46:18 AM)
cost way too much
Posted By:
OutlawD1
(10/8/2009 7:58:48 AM)
Use with Academy Researchers, obviously.
Posted By:
Tiggurix
(6/21/2010 5:28:56 AM)
Not bad in limited, when auras are a lot better, provided you have the land to fix the mana.
In constructed, it's far too expensive and suffers the fate of most auras - kill the creature and you've traded 1 kill spell for 2 cards. Now, putting it on an Uril the Miststalker... +5/+5 and discard 2 cards on a 'super shroud' creature? Cool!
Posted By:
JaxsonBateman
(12/27/2009 8:39:17 PM)