This is either a three cost harmonize in red or a superior char with no side effects - This card is BROKEN!
AlphaNumerical
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Underrated by experienced players and overrated by newer players. Viable in a casual red burn/Blightning.
UltimaCenturion
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
Hmmm...this could be really good in a red-white self-burn deck with Purity. If they reprint this, though, they should have it draw more cards if no one pays up.
SwordSkill
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This is the best drawer I've ever seen
majinara
★☆☆☆☆ (1.9/5.0)(5 votes)
The card got its ups and downs. It's somehow a "win more" card. If your opponent is very low on life, and has no choice but letting you draw cards, then you'll most likely win no matter what you do. If your opponent is though having the upper hand, it's a "lose more" card. He'll just take 5 damage and you're most likely back to topdeck mode.
In aggressive 1vs1 decks it's ok. In any format though where you start with more than 20 life (edh/commander, 2hg or whatnot) it sucks.
BrilliantIdiot
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
the alternative presented to my opponets makes it feel just as fun as SkullScorch. It almost always gets me the draw, but then again, it's nice to have some drawing ability in a red-green deck.
A lot of fun and a good concept, and the art actually made me skim the books, so 4.5 or maybe even 5/5
this is a great card if your opponent is dumb enough to let you draw 3 cards. or dumb enough to take 5 damage. either way if you're playing an intelligent person, they will always pick the better option for them, and therefore the worse option for you. Unless you're running straight up burn, this card could probably be replaced by something more effective. however it has great flavor and is a timeless card, but not always the most effective. 3.5/5
SeiberTross
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Its not broken by any means, since drawing it later means your opponent chooses what's best for them. However as a third turn drop in a burn deck...that's just horrifying.
scumbling1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Just play more burn. Lightning Bolt never asks the opponent if it's convenient for them to take some damage.
desolation_masticore
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(6 votes)
@Majinara
If your opponent is taking 5 for against burn than you shouldn't be losing.
JoeyWalker
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
This card is great because it allows red to draw cards, wich is not very common, possibly making a burn deck even faster. If you dont get the draw (or counterspelled) the guy just takes five damage for 3CMC wich is somewhat hot.
JFM2796
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Good skill test card. You never want to give a burn deck more cards, but a noob would let them.
Purple_Shrimp
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(3 votes)
bad card but good design
forumbrowser
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Kind of a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" type of thing if it's in mono red. Outstanding.
Alsebra
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@garabor - In the right deck, neither is a 'worse' option. 5 damage for three mana isn't all that bad (there are only 7 cards that have a better mana/damage ratio...and they are all situational or are difficult to cast on turn 3) and three cards for three mana is very good (19 cards have a better ratio, but many have drawbacks/are situational). Red also has been lacking in draw (except in recent memory), so that's a plus.
Lueseto
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The other day I realized this would be SO MUCH fun if it were an instant... like in a blue-red deck with burn and delver of secrets, you cast Browbeat at their end step, it would feel so mean
it's still amazing in aggro decks, adds a lot of consistency. you will almost always want to take the damage, but again, 5 damage for 3 is just brutal.
Anzu-chan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Very cool card.
Modern Master, please have this card.
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
You can also consider Runeflare Trap and target the opponent. They'll *really* likely take the three cards, then eat 7-8 damage.
You only want to do this if you played your burn right to begin with and if their hand size is large enough that it results in you killing them; but it IS an option.
Same goes for Spiteful Visions and other pain-draws. If they're on their last 9 life, they die either way if you have a couple of pain draws out. (take 4 on the draw, take either 5 or 6 right now, => dead.)
Considering that's a T4-T5 play to end the game, that can also work. Yeah they pick what's best for them, but if the difference is "You take 6 damage" vs. "You take 5 damage", it's doable to force the endgame when you draw this late.
Turniphead
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Does anyone else imagine beating the bald man in the brow whenever you see this card? I do.
Comments (20)
If they reprint this, though, they should have it draw more cards if no one pays up.
It's somehow a "win more" card. If your opponent is very low on life, and has no choice but letting you draw cards, then you'll most likely win no matter what you do.
If your opponent is though having the upper hand, it's a "lose more" card. He'll just take 5 damage and you're most likely back to topdeck mode.
In aggressive 1vs1 decks it's ok. In any format though where you start with more than 20 life (edh/commander, 2hg or whatnot) it sucks.
A lot of fun and a good concept, and the art actually made me skim the books, so 4.5 or maybe even 5/5
If your opponent is taking 5 for
it's still amazing in aggro decks, adds a lot of consistency. you will almost always want to take the damage, but again, 5 damage for 3 is just brutal.
Modern Master, please have this card.
You only want to do this if you played your burn right to begin with and if their hand size is large enough that it results in you killing them; but it IS an option.
Same goes for Spiteful Visions and other pain-draws. If they're on their last 9 life, they die either way if you have a couple of pain draws out. (take 4 on the draw, take either 5 or 6 right now, => dead.)
Considering that's a T4-T5 play to end the game, that can also work. Yeah they pick what's best for them, but if the difference is "You take 6 damage" vs. "You take 5 damage", it's doable to force the endgame when you draw this late.
I do.