Pointed Discussion

Just trying to settle a little argument. A friend I was playing against played the card and claimed that the option to pay two mana to avoid the damage was only available to him. I just want to make sure this he is correct.

Seeing as the card doesn't say that "Any player may play this ability", your friend is right. Playing this alongside Lim Duls Hex and Pestilence gets really nasty, really quick.

All that, and some joker decides to start letting off flaming arrows? Just not that guy's day.

Use Animate Artifact and make Barb Dwyer attack your opponent.

Seems okay for a control combo type deck! Slow and painful way to win the game.