Back when blue knew how to dress up as red and sneak into his section of the color pie.
wolfbear2
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(7 votes)
they need to make more of these types of cards. If black gets card draw but only with the price of some life, why not do something similar for blue with so durect damage? Weren't they going to try and lessen the counterspells in blue anyways, this would make a wonderful sub even if it is an old idea.
CatsAreCthala
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(6 votes)
I liked it when all kinds of cards like this were printed like this and were supposed to give each color a card that did something the equivalent card of a different color did except that the new card was always more expensive. Make sense?
read equinox's comment on guerrilla tactics... blue used to be red...
Cyberium
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(10 votes)
Many people wonder why Psionic Blast is consider more powerful than Char. The answer is simple. Blue, by tradition, isn't the color of aggression. It's on the other side of Red and Green and thus were designed to be more passive and controlling. Psionic Blast is one of the exceptions where planeswalkers could do direct damage to kill a creature or opponent. Combine with other blue control cards, PB is very dangerous, compare to Char is already in a damage-abundant color. Last but not least, there are also way fewer creatures with protection from blue than red.
This needs to be reprinted like so: Phyrexian Blast 3{P} Phyrexian Blast does 2 damage to any target. If life was paid to cast it, it instead does 4 damage to that target.
Nagoragama
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
The art doesn't suggest to me 4 damage. This is more "mild headache."
EGarrett01
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
lol, it seems like no one commenting on this card cares about the color pie? This card is cool, but it's so incredibly inappropriate. Blue's countermagic is such a powerful mechanic that it's supposed to be weakened in a lot of other areas. Having a sweet low cost direct-damage spell is not that.
Paladin85
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
4 damage for 2 damage to self is pretty good considering:
- Blue lacks direct damage or kill spells - 4 damage kills Malakir Bloodwitch, Serra Angel, and many other nasties with 4 toughness - 3 mana with just 1B in the casting cost at instant speed, splashable in any deck that needs blue
4.5/5 for me
nope.avi
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
meh strictly worse than lightning bolt oh wait its blue
MacBizzle
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
@EGarrett
We DO care about the color pie, much like you'd care about a train wreck. We're fascinated and horrified by this breach (and timeshifted breach, may I add) of the color pie. I'd run this along with these and throw in some of these to make these two expensive, off color damage spells unexpected and playable.
adrian.malacoda
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This does 4 damage and the guy in the art looks like he's having a minor headache. Or maybe the guy in the art is the one doing the blasting, and his head hurts from the 2 damage.
Axelle
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Blue burn in Modern. Hey.
NewEtherium
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Horrible Card Burn Is Red
Zylo-
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Anyone complaining that this card violates the color pie must not play magic? Every color has different cards that leak into other colors. White has Sunlance, effectively a white lightning. Black has tons of card draw in exchange for life instead of mana. There are literally hundreds of cards in all colors that do these things. Blue has 1 burn spell in exchange for life and you whine about it? Wow...
TheKazu
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I hate this card because it just isn't blue. It damages itself. Thats not smart. That isn't something blue would do. Thats something black or red would do. And its a direct damage spell. That also isn't something blue would do. Blue isn't exactly the color of "direct-ness." This card should have been red or black. Period.
BongRipper420
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I was never sure if the person on the art was supposed to be dealing or receiving the Psionic Blast...
blurrymadness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Brutal for blue as you're able to pull Counter-burn in mono blue! You hold mana open for an Undermine then burn them regardless of whether they cast a spell. Just like Draw-Go in terms of the Counter-vs-Instant Speed Draw strategy, this works on the same principle; can act as removal, and really close a game quickly in an aggressive blue deck
Oppress your opponent and kill him with efficient creatures/spells. Doesn't sound blue; but boy it's blue when you use the right cards. I'll point you towards Mind Bomb, Serendib creatures, Countersquall and aforementioned Undermine and the ubiquitous Delver of Secrets
Blue suicide/aggro exists and is brutal.
Totema
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
It's very good, but don't forget that you can't manifest it in a Null Psionics Field.
Comments (23)
Phyrexian Blast 3{P}
Phyrexian Blast does 2 damage to any target. If life was paid to cast it, it instead does 4 damage to that target.
- Blue lacks direct damage or kill spells
- 4 damage kills Malakir Bloodwitch, Serra Angel, and many other nasties with 4 toughness
- 3 mana with just 1B in the casting cost at instant speed, splashable in any deck that needs blue
4.5/5 for me
oh wait its blue
We DO care about the color pie, much like you'd care about a train wreck. We're fascinated and horrified by this breach (and timeshifted breach, may I add) of the color pie. I'd run this along with these and throw in some of these to make these two expensive, off color damage spells unexpected and playable.
Oppress your opponent and kill him with efficient creatures/spells. Doesn't sound blue; but boy it's blue when you use the right cards. I'll point you towards Mind Bomb, Serendib creatures, Countersquall and aforementioned Undermine and the ubiquitous Delver of Secrets
Blue suicide/aggro exists and is brutal.