Okay, 1 for a 1/1 flying is more than okay for white/blue. The attached (almost) Force Spike pushes him into crazy. Versatile is the word... As if mono white needed a 1 cmc counter
Cyberium
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
It only counters instant and sorcery, but that alone would already stop opponent from using notorious first term spells and/or free spells.
lorendorky
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
Birds are getting quite good.
majinara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Well, not beeing able to counter creatures, artifacts, enchantments or planeswalkers really hurts this guy. That's why Spiketail Hatchling is much much better, even though it costs two mana. So... well... this thing ain't bad. But it's worse than the spiketail...
This is a good card. And is this bird wearing a helmet? Pros like me like birds with helmets.
1337vanguard
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Dang this is kinda scary.
Shadoflaam
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Now this is just insane.
Insanely AWESOME!
rollinsclone
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Tap out for that big spell. I dare you.
Lueseto
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I'd run 4 of them in any control deck running swords
Arachibutyrophobia
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(9 votes)
serious owl disapproves of your spell
Morrinkt
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The bird says no.
UncreativeNameMaker
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(6 votes)
They just printed Jace's Phantasm and now this. Apparently Wizards has decided that a 1/1 flyer for 1 mana isn't good enough anymore.
Valtiaal
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(3 votes)
Not an auto 4-of in every deck using blue or white, but almost strictly better than Cursecatcher in every way - the only downside is that this bird isn't in a highly relevant tribe.
Come on, Wizards. Print a 2-drop Bird lord already.
BlueInkAlchemist
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
Fantastic sideboard card for any number of white or blue decks. Not sure if it's a 4-of main deck card in most situations, but any time you need more control or to slow down the tempo of your opponent, a flying Cursecatcher is hard to beat.
Gcrudaplaneswalker
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Hey, we didn't get Mana Leak but we got this little guy!! :)
Merlin117
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(2 votes)
Reminds me of Augury Owl.
Nothing like Augury Owl, in any way shape or from. But i see an owl.l
Potsofloopy
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
How is a good card this? And is bird wearing a helmet? Novice like me like birds like helmets. This is not my bird. Is not my bird. I WANT ... my bird!
Loozar402
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Gonna run this in some monowhite deck along with Mana Tithe just for lulz
Johnald
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
No-fun-allowed Owl.
Lord_of_Gelectrodes
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
I shall call her Judge Hooty
Kryptnyt
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(5 votes)
"Alright. New law. Those without pants will be arrested immediately. Hoot."
RJDroid
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
My familiar is a bird; your spell is invalid.
RedAtrocitus
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(2 votes)
Let's not forget Cursecatcher was a Merfolk. This may fly, but the tribe is a big part of what made him great. Being just a bird, this becomes simply a more limited Force Spike that your opponents can see and play around really easily. I'm not saying it's bad by any means, but overrated is pretty apt.
MarlinFlake
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(4 votes)
The old Brine Seer got reincarnated as an owl. I'd recognize those creepy eyes anywhere.
cobaltblue
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
I'm really feeling this spell with syncopate in hand. Besides, the game needed more owls...This IS Magic, after all.
BongRipper420
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
This plus Storm Crow? I guess bird tribal is finally vintage viable.
LordRandomness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Trygon_Predator: *pays {1}* YA RLY
psychichobo
★★★☆☆ (3.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Moment I saw this in one of the first round of spoilers I figured he'd be near the top.
Also, just to add to the fun - there's a lot of good bird tribal in blue and white. Yup folks, his tribe is actually relevant too.
C1455
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Okay, this card is pretty sweet. 1/1 evasion for hybrid cost plus the added time bought just by having it on the field until the opponent gets enough mana to get past the counter. imagine 4 in your first hand.
Hawko0313
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
i remember when i was against my friends red deck and he was using stromkirk against my w/u humans and hed just beaten me match one so i sided in these guys. The next game went like this
him: (before i even play) "lol i have 2 stromkirks bad luck" me: (plays judges familiar) "orly?" him: (plays another stromkirk) "stupid bird cant block me forever" me: (plays another familiar) "oh.... really?" hilarity ensued
that alone has kept him in the deck as he really delays board wipes, counters, removal and can hurt miracles alot too
nemokara
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Blazephlozard - And then Unblinking Bleb comes along and outstares them both.
TheWrathofShane
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
What a fantastic card.
Smithereen
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
ORLY?
Penniwhistle
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
A white counterspell, for all of 1 mana? Yus please. Fits in especially well in my black/white morbid tokens deck. It's certainly a limited counterspell...but it's a white counterspell. I'll happily play two of these, and sideboard another two.
deep_shadow
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
In terms of utility, I find this to be closer to Thalia, Guardian of Thraben than it is to Force Spike. In Legacy, it's a great card to play to protect yourself against Daze and Force of Will without having to leave mana open every turn. But if you're trying to actually counter something like a turn 1 Duress or Thoughtseize, you'd be better off running Disrupt.
funnynuts
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Love this guy. Have two in my standard U/W control. My friends always drop a kill spell on him, just for spite. Good trade off in my opinion. Make your opponent waste a spell on him, or wait another turn to have that extra land. 1cmc deterrent = win :D
Osprey_93
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
With cavern of souls allowing uncounterable creatures this card is much, much more relevant in todays meta, nice job wizards
Arachnos
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
You want to cast that spell? ORLY?
Moxxy
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Unless your opponent forgets it is on the board you will never, ever sacrifice it. It basically reads "Instants and sorceries your opponent play cost more."
"I'm going to counter your spell," says Judge's Familiar.
"Oh really?" says your opponent.
"Ya rlly," says Judge's Familiar.
Winhert
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
So if I have two of them in play penalty equals
BigBer
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Because of the sac requirement I cannot help but imagine that when someone tries to cast a spell in court, the judge grabs the owl and chucks it at the offending mage. You know, like Fling. But with a Counterspell.
"Order! Order! And no magic in my courtroom!" *BWUK!*
blurrymadness
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Might work as an anti Force-of-will in mirror matches
arise_shine
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Is this card good gameplay-wise? Not particularly (winning a RTR Block Constructed Pro Tour notwithstanding). Is it awesome in every other possible way? Heck yeah.
Should have said creatures cannot be played as though they had Flash. Flavour text ".. don't worry Yeva, I won't".
Cloak_of_Mists
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
In a melee stalemate I once power-creeped my way to a victory with this
aqing0601
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
After finally getting 9 swamp to play rise of the dark realm, my opponent doesnt find it funny that I controll a Judges familliar.
Phelplan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
"Strictly better" power creep kills many, many old cards in one ridiculous swoop. Flying Men, Zephyr Sprite, Suntail Hawk, etc etc. You were fun while you lasted. I really dislike powercreep unless it takes place on a card that was crap to begin with and didn't really have much to compare with: ie. Elder Land Wurm. Judge's familiar could have cost and still would have been very fair because it gives white a counterspell. Do Wizards realize that hybrid mana is a benefit and not a drawback?
SirLibraryEater
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Because 1 mana 1/1 fliers just aren't good enough.
I keep hearing people say that mono-blue devotion, unlike mono-black, is a deck that plays with weak or suboptimal cards that have very good synergy. This viewpoint is so wrong. Monoblue keeps winning because it plays strong cards with strong synergy. Judge's Familiar is a lot better than Suntail Hawk, at one time a constructed staple in White Weenies. Cloudfin Raptor is about as powerful as Experiment One. Tidebinder Mage is a cheaper Banisher Priest - a superb card in its own right - and alongside Master of Waves, it is responsible for pushing all the green and red out of the format. Even Frostburn Weird is a pretty good creature by itself.
I've heard people describe Counterspell as powerful and Cryptic Command as "versatile". The truth is, it's got versatility and power. People would not play Cryptic Command in Modern if instead of countering a spell it Giant Growths, and instead of drawing a card it Indexes. Just like the components of mono-blue devotion, the real power behind all those wins too often gets overlooked, because people think those creature are just there to enable Thassa and Master of Waves. (Although Thassa is the best of the five gods; there is no dispute, just look at the mana cost.)
Rifts980
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Spiketail Hatchling at half the mana, and playable in two colors. Anything but a 5 is a hate rate or doesn't understand magic.
Havrekjex
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
When you sacrifice it to counter a spell, say O RLY? When you pay the extra mana to keep your spell from being countered, say YA RLY.
This is obviously what Wizards intended when they made this an owl. If you don't think they would do such a thing, maybe you'll change your mind when you see this Plants vs. Zombies reference and this reference to Ceiling Cat/Basement Cat.
D1234
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Awesome card. Why doesn't it have five stars?! If this card had flash, it would definitely have five stars. But then it would have to cost more.
Comments (66)
Blistercoil Weird
Dryad Militant
Judge's Familiar
Rakdos Cackler
Slitherhead
Insanely AWESOME!
Come on, Wizards. Print a 2-drop Bird lord already.
Nothing like Augury Owl, in any way shape or from. But i see an owl.l
Also, just to add to the fun - there's a lot of good bird tribal in blue and white. Yup folks, his tribe is actually relevant too.
him: (before i even play) "lol i have 2 stromkirks bad luck"
me: (plays judges familiar) "orly?"
him: (plays another stromkirk) "stupid bird cant block me forever"
me: (plays another familiar) "oh.... really?"
hilarity ensued
that alone has kept him in the deck as he really delays board wipes, counters, removal and can hurt miracles alot too
"Instants and sorceries your opponent play cost
"Oh really?" says your opponent.
"Ya rlly," says Judge's Familiar.
"Order! Order! And no magic in my courtroom!" *BWUK!*
In a melee stalemate I once power-creeped my way to a victory with this
I really dislike powercreep unless it takes place on a card that was crap to begin with and didn't really have much to compare with: ie. Elder Land Wurm.
Judge's familiar could have cost
@Phelplan Environments change, and different environments need different answers.
@Winhert Only if you sacrifice both.
Soulcatcher's Aerie, Pride of the Clouds, Kangee, Aerie Keeper, Soraya the Falconer, Aven Brigadier...and possibly stuff like Crookclaw Elder (just cheat him out, cmc 6 for the brigadier and elder are a bit much...)
Now this vs cursecatcher:
Merfolk tribal:
Merrow Reejery, Coralhelm Commander, Merfolk Sovereign, Master of the Pearl Trident, Seacatcher, Merrow Commerce, Sygg, River Guide, so on and so forth.
Cursecatcher is not strictly better or worse...
I've heard people describe Counterspell as powerful and Cryptic Command as "versatile". The truth is, it's got versatility and power. People would not play Cryptic Command in Modern if instead of countering a spell it Giant Growths, and instead of drawing a card it Indexes. Just like the components of mono-blue devotion, the real power behind all those wins too often gets overlooked, because people think those creature are just there to enable Thassa and Master of Waves. (Although Thassa is the best of the five gods; there is no dispute, just look at the mana cost.)
When you pay the extra mana to keep your spell from being countered, say YA RLY.
This is obviously what Wizards intended when they made this an owl. If you don't think they would do such a thing, maybe you'll change your mind when you see this Plants vs. Zombies reference and this reference to Ceiling Cat/Basement Cat.
If this card had flash, it would definitely have five stars. But then it would have to cost more.