I think that many players dislike cards like this because they consider mill redundant when it comes attached to combat damage. Honestly, I can't blame people for taking this stance when the numbers seem so convincing. I mean, why bother milling your opponent out when you can just smash face for the win?
2 Cards/60 Cards = 1/30 or 3.333% of a Win Condition
2 Life/20 Life = 1/10 or 10% of a Win Condition
However, there's something here that newer players overlook.
Life loss is mathematically discrete; because your life total is generally not a resource (barring the occasional black spell), your deck will operate just as well at 1 life as it will at 20. Generally speaking again, smashing face does nothing for you until you can deal that last point of damage, or at least threaten to do so.
Milling is mathematically continuous; because the cards in a deck are a resource which is guaranteed to be used by the player, your deck will not operate as well at 1 card as it will ... (see all)
Posted By:
Ataraxiom
(2/25/2014 5:26:32 PM)
Ataraxiom has a great point, and there's something else I'd like to mention:
The main idea behind this creature is not to mill. It is supposed to be another Coral Merfolk-esque creature. What they added was a secondary ability that makes this better than the generic Coralfolk or Goblin Piker. It's a little added bonus, like Vigilance or First Strike.
So when you think of this creature, think of it as a light attacker with a little bit of utili-mill. When I did, it looks better than it is.
Posted By:
Ferlord
(3/4/2014 6:19:08 PM)
@Ataraxion: There is an argument to be made for simultaneous damage and milling, but I'm a bit surprised by this one. Milling their kill spells and blockers doesn't actually reduce the quality of their card draws. For instance, if you mill a worthless card on top of that crucial land that they need to get going, then you essentially just did the other player a favor.
The argument that supports incidental mill is when you are using a deck that uses the graveyard as a resource. Rather than hurting your opponent, I see this kind of mill as a way to buff your Jace's Phantasm or prime your Spelltwine with more potential targets.
Posted By:
Thornhillforge
(3/13/2014 8:34:40 AM)
Voldemort sought to improve his public image, and the Blue Man Group was looking for new members. Such perfect matches only come once in a blue moon...
Posted By:
dancressman
(3/23/2014 11:53:49 AM)