Y'know, I love Blinding Mage enough, but you know, I'll take it in my favorite color, no cost to activate, and being able to tap more things, too. That's fine. nbd. :)
Eternal_Blue
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
aggro is being pushed so much these days. even in blue!
BrokenBoySoldier
★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5.0)(3 votes)
pulled 2 at prerelease, never came in handy which was a litttle surprising
Selez
★★☆☆☆ (2.1/5.0)(9 votes)
On constructed: I expect decks to be playing artifacts in the coming standard, but as long as your removal spells can be killed by Wrath of God, this won't see play.
On limited: This is a pretty high pick. Even though it's conditional, this guy is a removal spell, and Scars removal is scarce.
Gavrilo
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(4 votes)
Given right support, that pal can stop baneslayers and such. And if they forced to use removal on this chap - it ain't too shabby either.
Still, it depends on metalcraft, otherwise he's just Fugitive Wizard
SleetFox
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(3 votes)
From my limited experience (hah) in limited, this guy is a beast. In constructed, however, I don't know how many decks can really use him. It seems quick metalcraft is best focused in white, and maybe red. I'm not sure how much blue can use him.
Zenzei
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(4 votes)
Icy manipulator for 1 mana and no activation cost you say? This card is quite good and in proper metalcraft deck it will be online by turn 3.
4/5
yesnomu
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(4 votes)
In an artifact deck, this guy is nuts. Tap down their lands to color screw them, tap their Everflowing Chalices to make their acceleration moot, and then tap down their biggest threat when they finally get something out.
My favorite use was tapping down Temple of the False God on my opponent's fifth turn upkeep--yeah, he got ticked off. By the time Ulamog came out, it was much too late...
SeiberTross
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Been getting this guy out early & often if possible. I've had a ton of success holding onto 0 or 1 cost artifacts for multiple turns (as black gets further away from discard)
Turn 3: Trinket Mage if needed, but otherwise quickly play a Mox Opal & Memnite/Ornitophter, tap opponent out, then... Indomitable Archangel & enjoy creature advantage for a turn or two. (also I have had similar plays on turns 4 & 5).
This is about the best one-drop an artifact combo deck could ever wish for. Assuming you're in the proper format, getting him online by turn 2 is pathetically easy between things like Seat of the Synod, Etherium Sculptor, Lotus Petal, and Mox Opal. At that point, just tap down their mana or key players, or use it on your Howling Mine for a cheap (and huge) card advantage, while you get your last few pieces into play. And all for just U? Hard to top that.
The only way this guy could have been more powerful (without doing something just absurd) is if he were an artifact too; having one or two out with a couple Voltaic Keys by turn 3 or so or worse, Tezzeret the Seeker would be pretty much game. Of course, you can Liquimetal Coating him or drop a Mycosynth Lattice, but it seems like there's better cards to combo off those with. But still, if you don't have your other combo pieces in play, you may as well go to town with him.
DacenOctavio
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I had a deck idea that involved putting these guys in the spotlight with Liquimetal Coating and Darksteel Juggernaut. The coatings turn on metalcraft all the time, and also pump the Juggernauts. The Certarchs just work to keep the board clear of chumps. If we had some red/blue dual lands in the format, I'd splash red for Manic Vandal and such to capitalize on having Liquimetal Coating lying around.
Selite
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Can your opponent tap thier land in response to you tapping the land?
Cheza
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(3 votes)
>>> Can your opponent tap thier land in response to you tapping the land? <<<
Not only their lands, but artifacts or creatures as well. In other words, all you do is to put an effect (this ability) on the stack and nothing else happens. Then your opponent can do what he wants to do before your effect resolves.
Might be good to use against Kessig Wolf Run (not so much some of the other new lands). Also nice for tapping down the field to get through with some poison.
Comments (19)
On limited: This is a pretty high pick. Even though it's conditional, this guy is a removal spell, and Scars removal is scarce.
Still, it depends on metalcraft, otherwise he's just Fugitive Wizard
4/5
My favorite use was tapping down Temple of the False God on my opponent's fifth turn upkeep--yeah, he got ticked off. By the time Ulamog came out, it was much too late...
Turn 1:
Vedalken Certarch, or Sylvok Lifestaff.
Turn 2:
Myr, another Vedalken Certarch,2 or 1 cost equipment, Liquimetal Coating is also fun here.
Turn 3:
Trinket Mage if needed, but otherwise quickly play a Mox Opal & Memnite/Ornitophter, tap opponent out, then... Indomitable Archangel & enjoy creature advantage for a turn or two. (also I have had similar plays on turns 4 & 5).
The only way this guy could have been more powerful (without doing something just absurd) is if he were an artifact too; having one or two out with a couple Voltaic Keys by turn 3 or so or worse, Tezzeret the Seeker would be pretty much game. Of course, you can Liquimetal Coating him or drop a Mycosynth Lattice, but it seems like there's better cards to combo off those with. But still, if you don't have your other combo pieces in play, you may as well go to town with him.
Not only their lands, but artifacts or creatures as well. In other words, all you do is to put an effect (this ability) on the stack and nothing else happens. Then your opponent can do what he wants to do before your effect resolves.