This compares favorably with Mystic Snake. It isn't strictly better as it only hits creature spells, can't be bounced, and can't be fetched from graveyards and libraries with creature search. But de-coloring the green mana is a HUGE mark in its favor.
Oh, and it's uncommon and in-print RIGHT NOW. 'nough said.
Mode
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(6 votes)
You forget about a huge difference between this and Mythic Snake - this one can only counter creature spells, which restrics the card's use immensively. The artwork is amazing nonetheless and in an incredible way gets the essence of this card's flavor.
It's a lot worse than Mystic Snake. Mystic Snake was easy to recur/ bounce for future counters. This gives you a shlitty token.
Haatweels
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Don't have to splash green for this though. At worst, you get a 2/2 Chumper and a creature never coming into play if you're on defense. At best, it counters something of theirs and puts more pressure if you're winning. Not a bad card.
sharpskies
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(5 votes)
this is a good card, and i'm considering running it MB in type 2. consider first that there is no 2 drop "counter any spell" in the format, at the moment. "cancel" is a 3 drop, and the best of the 2/2 for 2 are few and far between, and if they are 2, they likely don't have haste. so, considering that "essence scatter" is 2, and that this comes in on your /opponents/ turn, this is basically 2 cards in one. card advantage much?
you lose your creature, i get a 2/2 creature w/ haste (not really, but at the beginning of my upkeep my 2/2 won't have sickness anymore), plus didn't lose any CA.
it's good. you heard it here first, folks.
JaxsonBateman
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Any card that gives card advantage is good (well not any, but they usually are ^^). Throw in the fact that it's a card that can stop a potentially disasterous creature from entering play, and you have a winner. The cost is somewhat high considering Essence Scatter is 1U, but for a 2/2 creature on the field it's worth it, and apart from turn 4 and 5 when you're likely only on that much mana, in most cases on subsequent turns you'll have enough to throw a further Negate/Essence Scatter/Cancel should the need arise.
It's also good in that, due to the fastest creature counters coming in at 2 CMC, your opponent may potentially have a creature on the board already. Most 1 drop creatures aren't going to have more than 2 toughness on their own, so your little 2/2 blue illusion can get put to good use. ^^
f_fivefiftyseven
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Am I the only one who thinks that the flavour text may imply that a version of Jace will fill the blue planeswalker slot for this set.
And now about this card, think about it like a slower Essence Scatter that also lets you get a 2/2 for 2 without wasting a card. Its decent but not amazing.
Kilnfest
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Maybe they should have stayed with the mystic snake formula and kept it as a creature spell with flash (makes more sense flavor wise I think) instead of an instant - sort of you supplanting their summon spell with a summon spell of your own. Either that or make it a kickable version of essence scatter.
coyotemoon722
★★★☆☆ (3.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I just don't see how this card is good. I'd rather have essence scatter that I can reserve the 2 mana for than this. Plus, it doesn't help in the early game. I'd rather have essence scatter and two sprites than this. Flavor and art are great though. At 1UU I could see this being a decent card, but as is not worth it. Where's a 2/2 without flying or abilities going to get you these days?
Xyba
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Cant anyone see the power of this card in a Polymorph deck? =D
Bobmacambob
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
This is pretty much Repel Intruders but with an easier to play cost on full effects and a 2/2 instead of 2 1/1's. BUT you don't get the choice of JUST getting the creature to block with out being FORCED to counter a spell. You DO get that choice with Repel Intruders.
aba1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
sure you get a creature an a counter but your never going to have 4 idle mana kicking around when u need it for the counter
Gaussgoat
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Not bad; a cool looking card that could be used to good effect. This will probably be at its best in the mid-late game when an opponent is looking to drop something truly horrific on you, like a Baneslayer Angel.
At 4CC it isn't going to help you early on too much, but hang in there and use it to blow up something big.
This card would be dynamite if the 2/2 token had flying or some form of evasion.
3.5/5
PaladinOfSunhome
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Is that not a text error? It does not say whos' control it will be under. For the cost and the ability I asumme it's the casters, or it would be terrible.
2.5
Dr_Pants
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you counter a creature that’s thrown at you before it hits the battlefield (or if a teammate counters it after it hits you and before it hits the battlefield), then the player that cast that creature is out, not you, plus another creature gets to come back into the game. It’s a two creature swing!
TreeTrunkMaster
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
The one problem I see with this is that is costs 4 mana. (it's a fair price, but only in the right deck)
This means you have to leave 4 mana open hoping they cast a counter-worthy creature on their next turn. If they don't that 4 mana might have been put to better use durring your turn. If you end up using it on a creature just to use the spell and get a 2/2 token, that isn't a good use of 4 mana (that 2/2 is probably only going chump block in most decks).
I can see it's value in a permission deck (all counterspells basically). In a deck like that you are sitting on mana and probably have other options if this spell doesn't work that turn. The other bonus of a creature is quite nice in a deck like this because if your deck has been doing it's job your opponent probably doesn't have any blockers out, then you just keep the board clear and take them down 2 every turn for each of these you've used.
Most decks 2.5/5
Permission decks 4/5
NeoSin
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(6 votes)
This in a Polymorph deck = win. Also, is Mystic Snake standard? No? Then quit talking about it. We all know that such and such card is better than such and such card.
count_dorku
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(1 vote)
"Hi, my name is Summoner's Bane. I'm basically a Cancel with a bear tacked on for 1 mana."
Frozenwings
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(5 votes)
"Hi, my name is Summoner's Bane. I'm basically an Essence Scatter with a bear tacked on for 2 mana. That's why nobody but polymorph deck, plays me . If i need to become much more powerful, i must learn to counter noncreature spells too or just have to produce a 2/2 flying creature"
Kirbster
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(7 votes)
The "Creatures only" clause is what really kills this card.
I like the idea, though.
Test-Subject_217601
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Doesn't that mean that Jace would lose a battle against himself?
scumbling1
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
"Is that not a text error? It does not say whos' control it will be under"
No. A card that just states "Put a 2/2 token onto the battlefield" would always place it under your control. Taking on a Remove Soul effect changes nothing.
JRE47
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This card is about to get a lot more interesting with all the Illusion creature love in M12.
qwertycrap
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
@mode: It's Mystic Snake not Mythic
bijart_dauth
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
counter spells are counter spells, and it works well in illusion tribal.
Trygon_Predator
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Check out the superior Mystic Snake, which counters any spell and gives you that 2/2. Of course, it forces you to play , but it's the better choice wherever possible. In fact, I'd rather pay extra for Draining Whelk, another great creature/counter combo.
Comments (29)
Oh, and it's uncommon and in-print RIGHT NOW. 'nough said.
The artwork is amazing nonetheless and in an incredible way gets the essence of this card's flavor.
you lose your creature, i get a 2/2 creature w/ haste (not really, but at the beginning of my upkeep my 2/2 won't have sickness anymore), plus didn't lose any CA.
it's good. you heard it here first, folks.
It's also good in that, due to the fastest creature counters coming in at 2 CMC, your opponent may potentially have a creature on the board already. Most 1 drop creatures aren't going to have more than 2 toughness on their own, so your little 2/2 blue illusion can get put to good use. ^^
And now about this card, think about it like a slower Essence Scatter that also lets you get a 2/2 for 2 without wasting a card. Its decent but not amazing.
Where's a 2/2 without flying or abilities going to get you these days?
At 4CC it isn't going to help you early on too much, but hang in there and use it to blow up something big.
This card would be dynamite if the 2/2 token had flying or some form of evasion.
3.5/5
2.5
This means you have to leave 4 mana open hoping they cast a counter-worthy creature on their next turn. If they don't that 4 mana might have been put to better use durring your turn. If you end up using it on a creature just to use the spell and get a 2/2 token, that isn't a good use of 4 mana (that 2/2 is probably only going chump block in most decks).
I can see it's value in a permission deck (all counterspells basically). In a deck like that you are sitting on mana and probably have other options if this spell doesn't work that turn. The other bonus of a creature is quite nice in a deck like this because if your deck has been doing it's job your opponent probably doesn't have any blockers out, then you just keep the board clear and take them down 2 every turn for each of these you've used.
Most decks 2.5/5
Permission decks 4/5
I like the idea, though.
No. A card that just states "Put a 2/2 token onto the battlefield" would always place it under your control. Taking on a Remove Soul effect changes nothing.