Technically speaking it's strictly better than Unsummon, but only in rare circ.umstances...I would love to know what the flavor text represents...
OpenSeasonNoobs
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Gee, this couldn't be for a pesky U/W control deck that lives by using pacifisms...
achilleselbow
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(6 votes)
There are actually a few cards like this in Ice Age block that are the same as well-known cards, but with an extra bonus for allied colors. See Essence Filter vs. Tranquility and Undergrowth vs. Fog. And they're all rated lower for some reason.
metalevolence
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I just don't understand. That's probably why there's a question mark on the guy's face.
Mode
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(6 votes)
A strictly better Unsummon? Didn't see that one coming...well, other playersdid already over a decade ago :P I've already seen this card, but just realized it right now.
It's a very specific kind of advantage, though. But considering all these Pacificm-like effects, this could actually find some use: Imagine you have cast Arrest on a big dude without any activated abilities (e.g. Terra Stomper), and your opponent casts another creature with a powerful activated ability, like Gigantomancer. Then you can cast Word of Undoing on Terra Stomper and get Arrest Back, which you will be able to cast on Gigantomancer!!1
...
Well, as Kryptnyt said, so much better than unsummon, 0.3% of the time. :D
It is not strictly better, if your opponent has Dark Suspicions and is playing Hellbent, unlikely, however it is not STRICTLY better unless you have the option to return the white enchantments
Tynansdtm
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This card non-combos with Crystallization. The stack is a really important game concept. You should learn to use it.
• You cast Word of Undoing, targeting the enchanted creature. • Crystallization's ability goes on the stack. • (Players get priority, things may or may not happen.) • The creature becomes exiled. • State-based actions are checked. Word of Undoing is countered because it no longer has a legal target. Crystallization is put in its owner's graveyard because it's not attached to a legal permanent. • Players get priority again.
DrJack
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ achilleselbow - Essence Filter is not totally better than Tranquility. The former costs 1GG and the latter is 2G. We've all been manascrewed out of one color many times and should know by now why paying 2G is better than having to pay 1GG. If you aren't playing a green & white deck, you'd very likely not want to use Essence Filter - and even if you were, you'd still need to think about whether it's worth the risk of being mana screwed out of paying GG.
Or use this to avoid losing a creature with numerous white enchantments on it. (Think Ethereal Armor)
Nivean_Dauphin
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
The flavor text almost certainly represents Barrin learning the underpinnings of the cylex magic that he eventually used to destroy Tolaria after Hanna's death. We know he learned that power as an apprentice in Kjeldor about this time, after figuring out what his master did wrong. Furthermore, there is very little actually famous magic attributed to Urza, and everyone of this time knew him only as the terrible man-child who wrecked the world.
Yes I understand that the guy was probably only given a name and story after the fact, but it fits in so well with canon lore.
Comments (13)
Didn't see that one coming...well, other playersdid already over a decade ago :P
I've already seen this card, but just realized it right now.
It's a very specific kind of advantage, though.
But considering all these Pacificm-like effects, this could actually find some use:
Imagine you have cast Arrest on a big dude without any activated abilities (e.g. Terra Stomper), and your opponent casts another creature with a powerful activated ability, like Gigantomancer.
Then you can cast Word of Undoing on Terra Stomper and get Arrest Back, which you will be able to cast on Gigantomancer!!1
...
Well, as Kryptnyt said, so much better than unsummon, 0.3% of the time. :D
• You cast Word of Undoing, targeting the enchanted creature.
• Crystallization's ability goes on the stack.
• (Players get priority, things may or may not happen.)
• The creature becomes exiled.
• State-based actions are checked. Word of Undoing is countered because it no longer has a legal target. Crystallization is put in its owner's graveyard because it's not attached to a legal permanent.
• Players get priority again.
For a similar effect, use Weight of Conscience.
Or use this to avoid losing a creature with numerous white enchantments on it.
(Think Ethereal Armor)
Yes I understand that the guy was probably only given a name and story after the fact, but it fits in so well with canon lore.