Pointed Discussion

So it's basically Lightning Bolt?

I think it was trying to be a smother.

This is the runt of the Time Spiral allied colors cycle. Every single other card got played. Mystical Teachings defined the format (with the help of Teferi) for a year. Momentary Blink was a very powerful deck through to the Lorwyn years, Ancient Grudge was the defining artifact removal spell in Extended for basically the entire span of its time as a legal Extended card, and even Thrill of the Hunt got played in Zoo to help with the mirror. This, however? This card is just crap. I wish it had been a more exciting form of removal – perhaps if it had said 2 toughness instead of 3, but cost 1B/3R instead of 2B/5R, it could have been a sort of Black/Red Threads of Disloyalty, serving as an answer to tiny creatures, and found its competitive niche there. Alas, some things are not meant to be.

This was a first pick in draft. Creature removal = Great, Card advantage = Great.

I remember first-picking this. Those were the days.

Black creature removal that can target black creatures, which on its own makes it at least somewhat useful.

I suppose it gets around indestructibility and damage prevention, but...
*Shrugs* Meh?

@littlebeast: in terms of how you are changing the board with it, yes. in terms of how you are changing the game with it, no.

Each Time Spiral card was an homage to at least one previously printed card.

This card references both Smother in flavor and Lightning Bolt in what it can destroy, explaining its black and red costs but with a restriction neither is really known for.

Rest in peace Pentarch Paladin.

Flashback cost is decent when you consider this is tasty graveyard ammo, which will probably be staring your opponent down all game. 3 cmc is a little rough tho, as you will be paying more then your opponent paid most likely.