Charm'd Part 3: NNNNNGGGGGGHHHHHHH

For Clan; For Survival.... God this is bad

4 out of 5 charms down. I bet you were wondering how I was going to fill my last day with only one card. Well, here it is, Temur Charm, the charm in my favorite color combo and it is Ah-Full. Terrible. Horrendous. Is that Mana Leak? Gruul Charm? A not so Savage Punch? Temur Charm pretty much meets every quota of overly difficult to cast, but completely underwhelming effects of the original 3 color charms back from Invasion and they are still better because they don't have as many contingencies required to make Temur Charm even work!

Over ten years old and still better Temur Charm

Temur Charm is boiled down to three effects. 1.) Mana Leak 2.) Panic for weaklings 3.)Instant Speed Savage Punch. This card is always trading down in some way. Early on, you have to hope to hit the Charm Mana, which isn't that hard with good mana fixing, but still not always possible as Stephen Sawka can attest to. Then, you have to find a time to cast it! Temur's Rare beat stick Savage Knuckleblade already fills the three drop slot wonderfully.There are also morph creatures (Den Protector and Rattleclaw Mystic) that occupy the same space. If you cast it later, at least two of the effects (Leak and Panic) lose effectiveness. Essentially there is no good time to play this card.

Then there's the fact you'll at least go 1 for 1 with very little flexibility iconic to the Charms overall. You need a creature to fight and if you're only barely killing it, then there is no point in 2 for 1'ing. You Counter, 1 for 1. You Panic. You maybe get in some damage as long as your opponent isn't playing anything above the power 3 *ahem Siege Rhino*. Every other Charm has something to it that provides versatility or power. Mardu Charm, probably fourth out of all the charms can kill an opposing creature, put 2 power on the board with a relevant creature type and ability at instant speed, AND instantly cause a discard effect. That's brutal! Temur Charm's effects are incredibly underwhelming and synergize very little with either the clan or an archetype.

So ranking the Charms of Tarkir overall I'd go:

1.) Jeskai Charm- It at the very least 1/5ths your opponents life total.

2.) Abzan Charm- The most Versatile and permanent advantage.

3.) Sultai Charm- Suffers from a medicore performance and a metagame not favoring single colored creatures.

4.) Mardu Charm- Rapidly loses effectiveness past turn 3.

5.) Temur Charm- None of it's effects are worth forcing 3 colors. It's underpowered and awkward to play.

Next week, let's sleeve up our 99 and 1 and talk about some definitely unique additions to your Commander stack.

Charm'd part 2 Mardu Charm vs Jeskai Charm

Strength through Violence or Knowledge; Power through Clan and Self Mastery

R/W has long been an aggro powerhouse. Boros Swiftblade, Boros Reckoner, uh... Skyknight Legionairre... wow, Boros is crazy aggro heavy. Anyway, splashing any color into the mix is not going to change much. Both Jeskai and Mardu have very aggressive styles of play, even as a midrange or control decks. Of course, the charms of the clans also inherited these traits. Of all the Charms, these two are most heavily geared towards aggro archetypes.

Let's address the removal third first. Both charms can help clear a path for beaters to get through, but only one is making sure that creature stays dead. In an odd twist, the Jeskai Charm uses it's blue part to throw an opposing creature back on top of its owner's deck. While not very cost effective it can get a flier out of the way and make sure your Mantis Riders can get through the damage. It also improves when your opponent is playing fetches. They crack one turn 5-6 followed with a Jekai Charm and blam, no more problem. The Mardu Charm answers problems more permanently, but sadly not all. Mardu Charm is as great against aggro as it is bad against control. A 4 point burn to a creature will kill almost any aggro creature, but fizzles something awful against midrange and control and ramp etc. etc.

Mardu Charm also hits other aggro decks with it's powerful white effect. Two, instant-speed 1/1 first strikers are almost guaranteed to ruin some poor goblin deck's day. They can also be snuck in vs control a la' Raise the Alarm. Jeskai Charm's white effect is very synergistic with prowess. Like crazy, game ending synergy. Three mana open turn 4 should make anyone quake in their boots.

The black effect on Mardu Charm is a potent instant speed Duress. Stripping someone's hand at the end of their draw step has always been dirty even if it is very restricted. Probably the most potent effect on Mardu Charm, this third is an excellent answer to anything your opponent could throw at you and gleaning information. Jeskai Charm slaps your opponent right in the face for a 1/5 of their life. Such disrespect, much monk, wow.

In the end though, there can only be one. I rate Jeskai Charm much higher than Mardu Charm. At all points of the game Jeskai Charm matters while derpy Mardu Charm doesn't matter much past turn 6. 

Friday I address a particularly offensive Charm, Temur Charm!

Charm'd Part 1; Sultai and Abzan

The fang and the scale; the individual and the family

Starting Charm Week, we have the two B/G/x charms. Both are powerful, flexible, but narrow in their utility. The charms provide excellent power for their strict casting cost. These two in particular, however, I believe are the more focused and provide support than breaking the opponents back like the other charms.

The Sultai Charm has 'destroy' in its text twice so let's examine those first. The weakest effect by far, destroying a mono colored creature is not ideal in a format of Rhinos and Dragonlords. With Theros rotating out soon, and Zendikar introducing colorless creatures destroying a monocolored creature is going to be even more difficult now. It is not useless though as it currently hits the rare cycle of dragons, Stormbreath, and little guys like Rabblemaster and Seeker of the Way.

The second effect is devastating in the right circumstance. A built in naturalize makes Sultai Charm an excellent answer to the rampant artifacts and enchantments seeing play. It hits everything from Courser of Kruphix to Hangerback Walker to Hardened Scales.This sideboard effect is given the maindeck side effects to make it at least worth looking at when it comes to deck building.

Lastly, the Sultai Charm can power your graveyard through its powerful cycling effect.  A net zero gain for your hand, but +2 in the yard for delving makes Sultai charm at least worth tossing out even when both effects are dead.

Abzan Charm offers a permanent answer to many, but not all threats. It exiles greedy Hangerback Walkers and opposing Rhinos with ease, but faulters on two fronts. 1.) Unlike the Sultai Charm it can't hit the dreaded Stormbreath Dragon, and 2.) most likely, the exile effect won't matter on the player's turn 3. Abzan Charm fits awkwardly on its curve. 

Abzan Charm also does a sweet, instant-speed impression of Read the Bones. Not much to say here. Drawing cards is good and losing the two life shouldn't matter all that much with the type of deck you'd play this in.

Finally, a combat trick. Putting 2

+1/+1 counters wherever you please is incredibly strong. Hate Frost Walker? Kill it! Want to activate your outlast lord's flying or lifelink or whatever? Slap those suckers down. Win the mirror with a tide turning 6/7 Rhino? Go for it! The final effect is nothing to laugh at as I can attest. Putting a creature out of burn range or bigger than all but the biggest creatures is quite powerful.

So, which do I rank higher? Well, I hate to say it, but Abzan Charm is probably the winner by the narrowest stretch. While always reliant on something (3>power, 2 life, or having creatures on the battlefield), the amount of work Abzan Charm can do is amazing. Sultai Charm is narrow too, but it has a greter chance of needing to be recycled should is not be able to kill something. Being nothing but delve fuel doesn't make up for that.

    

Next time, I'll have Mardu and Jeskai duke it out over whose charm is better! 

Witness This!

Power in a small package

Come into play/Enter the Battlefield effects have always been a source of contention in magic. Essentially, they are spells with bodies, which means they have more inherent value than every other spell in magic. To make up for this, an ability will often bump up a creature's cost. Eternal Witness does not have this modifier and I doubt a more versitile 3 drop exists in Modern.

Another time, Another time

Eternal Witness has been a star since it's first printing. Sharing space with Ravager Affinity and Skullclamp, Eternal Witness was a key piece of Astral Slide based decks that thrived off the card advantage Witness provided. Since then Witness has been a low-key contributor to pretty much any deck playing green in both Extended and Modern. Notable decks with E. Witness include Pod, some zoo archetypes, and b/g rock.

The Witness does best in longer, grinding games, although it's recollect effect is quite powerful in shells looking to double their burn/counters/removal. It also provides a good bump against opposing Tarmogoyfs. 2 power enables it to contribute to combat and it will always positively trade against x/2's.

Next week I'll be returning to Standard. There's a a cycle of CHARMING cards I'd like to review.

Until then, stay Silver!

Pickles in the Jar-o

Everybody else... slooooow dooooown

Ha, I bet you thought I met a dud card overall! Nope, I'm here to highlight one half of the infamous pickles lock combo from Time Spiral block/standard. Basically, this guy combined with Vesuvan Shapshifter created a soft lock combo that kept your opponent from untapping. You then had to deal with 2 5/4's as well. Fun times, fun times.

Well after Standard rotated, our dynamic duo ceased to exist basically in their entirety. However, I'm here today to remind you that this guy is still around! A Modern dud, but he's still around. With the printing of more morph friendly effects in Khans, I just wanted to give this guy some limelight. He's an iconic combo piece without a home in a format most likely to fast for a comeback.

Feel free to disagree though. No ratings anymore either. They were to confusing. Instead, I'll leave you with a question: What other slow, but interesting cards would you like to see in Modern? Leave your comments below and you may be featured in a coming Uncommon Thoughts.

Next week is Eternal Witness.

Arcanum What Now?

Future Sight: A.K.A the Set With 'Goyf

Future Sight was a set full of oddballs. Riggers, Rebel Enchaments, and a serious case of keyword overload. Among several of the unique mechanics introduced with the set was this bad boy: Arcanum Wings. Not only is the artwork absolutely gorgeous, but it also has a lot of power, both as a 2 cost Fly spell, but a way to cheat Eldrazi Conscription into play faster than any old Sovereigns of Lost Alara. Sure we could cheeseball in any old, game-ending Aura, especially since the swap is uncounterable. However, I think there is a value to Arcanum wings in aggro as well as a Conscription-focused deck.

Flying is nothing to scoff at. If it gets over goyf, then that's a positive. Following up a one drop creature like Soldier of the Pantheon, Wild Natacl, or some other cost efficent beater with turn of flying then turning that flying into something even more devastating on turn three. Spectra Ward also comes to mind as a counter to any sort of removal that early on.

Torch it

Touch it: If you're looking for a unique angle on aura's, check out Arcanum Wings. Otherwise, it might be a little to narrow for what you're looking for.

Try it

Play it

Wednesday we'll be looking at a dud from Time Spiral that really irks me. See ya soon!

Stomp and Howl! Call of the Full Moon!

Of Course a Horse!

Call of the Full Moon fills a particular void in magic that has long been absent: Cards with meaningful drawbacks, but devastating upsides. Part of a cycle that pays tribute to past sets, this Werewolf-y card oozes with flavor from Innistrad while addressing something the set lacked. While werewolves were typically strongest at night, for some reason they all started on their day side. Call of the Full Moon gives you that sweet, sweet moon power without any of the pesky human parts. It's like watching an episode of Sailor Moon skipping all the plot for those transformation scenes ;-p

Anywho, the card's drawback limits what decks want to play it for the long term. Ideally, enchanting a 1 drop then dropping Call is a safe and powerful move. 4/5 Damage is nothing to scoff at. Turn three should either clear the way for your empowered creature or follow up with a 3 drop. Turn four? Well, plowing your opponent's face in with damage is strong. Throw a four orthree drop with haste and end the game. This is just a dream though, because Call's real power lies in how it is solved by your opponent.

Your opponent needs to cast two spells, but on the play, you're way ahead on your opponent. Dish out the pain, then watch as they over commit to stop the damage from furthering. That is the beauty of the card. Your opponent might make steps they may later regret. Punish them, and follow up with a powerful 3/4 drop monster and plow over their error.

Torch it
Touch it
Try it
Own it: You want this card, not just because it's a powerhouse the turn you play it, but because it makes a creature sucha  threat they need to be answered.

Next week I'll be  evaluating some uncommons for modern, ending on Eternal Witness Friday. Stay Tuned

P.S. Sorry for the delay. Life happened.

Through the Breach Once More!

It's time to get fired up

A moment of silence please for the Unblockable keyword please... ahem, anyway today I'm discussing Break Through the Line, a powerful enchantment for pushing through power on tiny creatures. Honestly, it took a while for me to realize BttL would fit neatly into both Goblin Piledriver-Driven decks, Jeskai Aggro, or any deck that wants a hasted, can't be blocked, two drop turn three. It essentially pushes up a curve by a bit for added utility with an easy toll on your mana base. It is a simple card, but it has far-reaching consequences at all points of the game.

I do have two criticisms for it though. One, drawing more than one is bad. You may as well hope to play it to trigger prowess, or be redundant to power through Dromaka's Command, but other than that... well, it's one devotion >.> 

My second critique is a little more related to the type of deck it wants to be in I.E. it wants a ton of creatures so it's always relevant. Every turn it isn't activated is another turn where you could've burned your opponents face with Strikes or Stokes. However, it's a mana sink and continues to provide value even after the initial target enters play.

As a side note: If you're looking for a card to slide into you 99 in Commander, BttL is a fabulous addition to decks with lots of utility creatures. It can also help a temporary ally push through some damage because it can give anything haste.

Torch it

Touch it: This card is very narrow, but powerful in the right place.

Try it

Own it

Next week I'll discuss a limited bomb and possible standard powerhouse Call of the Full Moon.

Your Proper Place is Beneath My Boot Heel: Enthralling Victor

He's... beautiful.

In a field of dragons, walking hangars, and annoying Rhinos, there's one 4 drop that is being overlooked despite the huge returns he can bring. Enthralling Victor (i.e. Vic for my sake) exists in this weird limbo of costing to much for an ability that would be much better, if not busted on a three drop, but not able to compete with similar cards set at rares, Zealous Conscripts and Sower of Temptation, due to his built in limits. However, I believe he is quite capable in the right setting.

Standard as of now is not very friendly to our four drop Adonis. Other four drops are just better. Siege Rhino steps all over him. Thunderbreak Regent is very difficult to deal with.  Vic here just can't hack it in this super mid-rangey world full of bigger fish. What he wants are aggro decks, where he can steal guys consistently and be a tempo breaking finisher high on his deck's curve. Against an unknown metagame, I'd sideboard him, but if your store is littered with Rabblemasters and Piledrivers, here's an example list to put the fear of four drops into your opponent :

4 Enthralling Victor

4 Nantuko Husk

4 Dragon Fodder

4 Hordeling Outburst

4 Collateral Damage

2 Tyramet, the Murder King

4 Lightning Strike

4 Stoke the Flames

3 Kolaghan's Command

3 Zurgo, Bellstriker

2 Mardu Shadowspear

22 Lands

The deck lacks outs vs more grindy decks, but  vs another opposing aggro deck I believe the Combination of Vic and the two other outs Collateral Damage and Nantuko Husk can be a massive swing in tempo, completely swinging the matchup from close to destroyed.

Torch it

Touch it

Try it: Enthralling Victor is very specific in what he wants to do, but he's a great at turning a game around. Give him a chance and I'm certain he'll prove himself.

Own it

Next time we dive through the breach and push through damage with Break through the Line! With a week under my belt I'd love to hear from my readers: are these articles helpful? What can I do to improve? Is there any uncommons you'd like to see here on Uncommon Thoughts? (and yes I'm saving my Force of Will article for a special day.)

Why is this not a thing? Valor in Akros

Phalanx? More like... Play-lynx

Here's the card that single handily inspired Uncommon Thoughts. Its combination of simple power, cost, and splash-ibility makes Valor In Akros an awesome addition to any collection on the cheap. This is a budget deckbuilders wet dream, except made of cardboard and may be more liable for cuts. (Note: Uncommon Thoughts and its author do not condone Magic-related self-gratification.) Let's break down exactly why ViA is a powerhouse in Standard and maybe more.

To start, the premise for ViA is pretty standard for anthem effects, but it takes that premise and breaks it over its knee. Anthem effects prefer the wide angle of attack with lots of cheap creatures or tokens and overwhelm the opponent with  tough 3/3's and 4/4's.  ViA is much more explosive than say, Glorious Anthem, because it counts each creature coming into play and promptly pumps your side by +3/+3 or more. Of course, being until the end of turn means this is more offensively oriented, but that doesn't mean I won't try and make a combo with it.

The deck I first thought of was a white token deck for standard with evasive 3 drops that play into ViA that then get huge with a follow up spell like Take Up Arms, Triplicate Spirits, or Secure the Wastes. Aven Sunstriker and Aven Skirmisher make for wonderful warriors to carry the following bomb via ViA. In testing it worked really well, with ViA becoming a way to seal games turn five or six.

Then it hit me. ViA can combo with anything that can benefit from not dying and pumping out dudes at the same time I.E. Hornet's Nest. While it doesn't make your Nest immortal, if you can find some way to say, sac bees to do a damage back to the Nest with some other creature in play, it goes infinite, uh, doing nothing except making nest huge. Goblin Bombardment is the only one that comes to mind immediately, but I'm certain there are other interactions having come into play effects interact with the pump of ViA.

My conclusion:

Torch it

Touch it

Try it

Own it: Valor In Akros is a Johnny Combo Player piece definitely worth trying to bust both in standard and other formats.

Next week, we're going to tackle a triad of powerful red uncommons in Standard: Call of the Full Moon, Break Through the Line, and Enthralling Victor.

Since it's the end of the week, I'd like to share what I am playing this FNM. It's big, it's dumb, it's U/G Monsters!

3 Foe Razer Regents

3 Sagu Maulers

4 Hooded Hydras

4 Wildcall

3 Pearl Lake Ancients

1 Disdainful Stroke

1 Return to the Earth

4 Rattleclaw Mystic

4 Kiora's Follower

3 Explosive Vegetation (2 of which are Onslaught Uncommons and 1 a foil from Dragons)

1 Frontier Siege

2 Dragonlord's Prerogative

2 Kiora, the Crashing Wave

25 Lands (4 Yavimaya Coast, 4 Temple of Mystery, then basics...)

Tempo Bird: Icefeather Aven

I play a lot of standard at my local card shop. I try to make it every Friday and Saturday afternoon. Lately I've been playing U/G monsters with Hooded Hydras and Sagu Maulers to get around the mass removal that has become so relevant lately. I want to drop something big and dumb and turn sideways. It has been not going well. The biggest problem I have is this guy.

I'm quite torn between playing a bunch of aggressive two drops or the beef that the deck really wants me to slap down. I love both, but they are two completely different decks as evidenced to me by my horrible record.

I love Icefeather Aven which is why it has been in most of my lists of U/G Monsters prior to last week's disastrous FNM. Not only did I lose to Ornithorpter with Ensoul Artifact, I got roller by Hangarback Walkers pre 5-6. Needless to say I made a poor call on siding out my pseudo-removal bird in this new era of flying machines with souls. It's great against control because it both covers for my other morph guys when face down, and generates a healthy amount of threat when it's going into the red zone. Against aggro it comes down vs Rabblemasters and can trade into it or it's tokens. It's flip effect is also good for stuff loaded down with enchantments in heroic. Why then am I ready to cut it completely and radically alter my deck?

I want this card to be good, but I think I am crippling my deck, U/G Monsters, a deck that wants to dump big and dumb and resilient creatures as fast as possible, by including a Birdman who does not help that goal in any way. I do however, believe that there is a home out there for this little bird which is why it is the first creature feature here at Uncommon Thoughts.

That's why my rating for Icefeather Aven is 

Torch it

Touch it

Try it- If you're looking for a two drop with utility, I think Icefeather Aven is your guy. Bird. Whatever.

Own it

Friday I'll talk about a card from Magic Origins that just begs to be busted: Valor in Akros!