I've often found that the commons/uncommons make the rares fairly useless. Doom Blade? Unsummon? Skullcrack kills half this card, for much less the cost. Your opponent still draws cards, but they lost 3 life and didn't gain any this turn.
Posted By:
Xenozfan2
(2/9/2013 5:02:44 PM)
Alrighty, it's the best wannabe-wincon in Standard... or not. So, a few disclaimers right off the bat: I'm an aggro player by nature ("no boardwipes? I win! hur durr!"), but I've also won or placed--1st or 2nd, screw "top 8"--at multiple tournaments using multiple archetypes (aggro, control, even combo). Point is, I've been on both sides of the table when this card goes off. So, I'm not biased toward or against this kind of card on principle, but I do look at it from multiple angles. The problem with some reviews I see is a failure to do that. And again, that goes for BOTH the supporters and detracters.
Also, money value is relative. Ever hear of EDH? If you think that format DOESN'T influence pricing, take a look at the Primordials from Gatecrash. Anyway...
Let's get the good stuff out of the way first. It's strong as hell late game! (But then so is any good X-cost spell.) What the control player's who love this card see is a sort of pseudo win con. You run 1 or 2 of these so ... (see all)
Posted By:
Edward_Mass
(2/11/2013 3:25:16 PM)
If only this said "target player" I would put redirects into my sideboard so fast it would make my head spin.
Posted By:
tehsquirrely
(2/16/2013 5:45:50 PM)
Brutal. If you've never seen this card in action, check the archives from last weekend's gatecrash pro tour finals. While all the guilds got decent cards in the RTR block, Azorius definitely got the best stuff.
Posted By:
Smoke_Stack
(2/19/2013 11:45:03 AM)
Most powerful card in standard right now. Along with Thragtusk, makes running aggro decks nearly impossible.
Posted By:
Khazuki
(3/10/2013 7:03:31 PM)
Wanna do this but don't have white mana and don't need the lifegain?
(Playing Simic Midrange here)
Get Yeva, Nature's Herald out ASAP (Turn 3 usually).
Flash in Prime Speaker Zegana when they swing at you.
Boom, you now have 5 extra cards in your hand (minimum) and got a 5/5 body out for 6 measly mana (measly, because you're playing green) where Revving would have only gotten you 3 cards and 3 life. An unblocked Vexing Devil would easily negate that advantage. Now you can not only say you have tons of cards in hand (you also have blue here, if they try something), but you can also kill that Devil without worry. They try to kill your Zegana with a burn spell? Tap your mana dork and Giant Growth Zegana to 8/8. Yes, Spear me for 4 please...
Yeah, it's not as good as Rev but it doesn't cost you $20 a card and can actually turn the game completely around in one turn, where Rev is the starting point for your comeback. Most de... (see all)
Posted By:
carbondragon
(3/21/2013 1:32:23 AM)
A lot of people seem to have an issue with anyone who rates this below 4-5/5. I'm not saying this is a bad card, it is a good card but those same people complaining about low ratings all seem to be Standard players. What they have to realize is not everyone who rates cards on Gatherer plays (or even likes) Standard. While it's a good card, I question it's usefulness in the Eternal formats. In Standard (and Casual once the price drops) it can be a great card. If you want to see the TRUE value of a card, see how much it get's played and it's value after it drops out of Standard.
3.5/5 - I would rate it 4 if it was XWB instead of XWBB
Posted By:
RecurringMemories
(4/15/2013 6:24:57 AM)
@Enpassant: That has to be the most ignorant comment I've ever seen left on a card. You have obviously never played in standard which makes me question your "years" of playing. This card is awesome and wins games, the fact that it takes eight turns is irrelevant, that's what this color combination is all about. What a dummy haha
Posted By:
AbruptDismay
(5/16/2013 9:11:46 PM)
@cycloa24
The X symbol on the card is how much mana you pay for it.
Posted By:
Ananeos
(5/27/2013 9:24:31 PM)
GW Sligh player here. When this card is played, I lose.
Posted By:
CogMonocle
(6/11/2013 7:42:20 PM)