Welcome back. Instant speed and for 1 mana, that's what I look for in burn removal. Sure it's not Bolt but this is fine for the current power level in standard.
Posted By:
Lord_Sun_Fin
(7/17/2013 5:50:36 AM)
Strictly worse than Lightning Bolt, but that's a given. With all the graveyard play these days, they should update some of their core set ideas. I would have much rather seen Magma Spray. Even at Sorcery speed, Pillar of Flame is still better than this.
Posted By:
Cygore
(7/17/2013 8:37:53 AM)
Only gets a bad rep because of its cousin uncle mcBolty bolt
Posted By:
itsandycapp
(7/18/2013 3:51:15 AM)
Shock is a fine burn spell. It's versatile and cheap. The main reason that people dislike it is because Lightning Bolt was once a thing.
I personally prefer Searing Spear over this, but it is still a good card.
4/5
Posted By:
Tamerlein
(7/18/2013 8:17:19 PM)
I personally prefer having both Shock and Searing Spear. We did have Shock and Incinerate in Tenth Edition, after all. But I guess Flames of the Firebrand isn't bad either.
If you're facing down T1 Rakdos Cackler, T2 Madcap Skills while on the draw though, there's nothing more satisfying than casting Shock off your lone Mountain.
Posted By:
sweetgab
(7/19/2013 1:59:55 PM)
Thank you for balancing lightning bolt, wizards... twice!
(See Searing Spear}
Posted By:
NuclearRainboom
(7/21/2013 6:53:38 AM)
Kinda wish they'd just reprint lightning bolt, but as an Uncommon, or rare.
Posted By:
IamjustnotCreative
(8/9/2013 5:14:36 PM)
Strictly better than Lightning Bolt --- art wise. :) 3.5/5 for instant speed destruction of anything 2 toughness or less, or more if combined with combat.
Posted By:
Silence9
(8/25/2013 11:24:35 PM)
I don't care so much what gets released as cheap instant burn I just wish they'd release more of it, there never seems to be quite enough insta-burn in a set to make a good standard legal red burn deck.
At the moment things are good, great even...Turn/Burn, Searing Spear, Shock, Geistflame and Massive Raid make the Pyromancer and Guttersnipe much fun, but I'm gonna be sad to lose Geistflame and Searing Spear.
Posted By:
Odee
(8/26/2013 9:49:45 PM)
@persons You either don't know what "strictly better" means or just aren't paying attention; neither Electrostatic Bolt nor Magma Spray can hit players. Tell me Magma Spray is "strictly better" when you topdeck it when your opponent's at 2 life and you're looking at a 5/6 Tarmogoyf across the table. Plus you forgot to include Lightning Bolt in your list.
And your "conditionally better" list... what?! Needle Drop and Spark Jolt are barely like Shock at all and don't even do two damage. Might as well say that Ember Shot is conditionally better than Shock.
Posted By:
troll_berserker
(12/17/2013 3:17:59 AM)