Pointed Discussion

First it was uncommon, then it was mythic, and now it's rare? What is this madness?

Hah! I prefer the old artwork, but I certainly enjoy seeing the newer artwork become available outisde of foil.

Nice job Wizards, devaluing my collection!

@trygon_predator
so next is a common then? :p

Finally a chance to obtain a playset of these. Well deserved reprint, can be used in a variety of constructed decks, and possible shenigans in limited too.

From the Vault Reprints are always Mythics. Kokusho is a Mythic now. On a scale of 1-5, 1 and 2 being "Rare", 4 and 5 being "Mythic", Kokusho is about a 3.5 to me if you are playing with all the bannings and rules changes in place. Sure, when you combo 4 of them to kill someone outright, I guess that's pretty Mythic. I don't think you're allowed to do that anywhere where it's relevant, though.

Demonic Tutor would be a Mythic Rare if was in From the Vault. If it was reprinted somewhere else, it would probably be a Rare, though.
Aethervial is VERY comparable to Tinker and Demonic Tutor.
They're all broken-in-a-million pieces uncommons that could be either Mythics or Rares, depending on if you are talking Draft or Constructed.

Aethervial and Arcbound Ravager aren't Mythics because WOTC thought it would be more fun this way, with a Mythic Ryusei and Jugan and Rare Crazy Awesome Stuff. I am inclined to agree with them. I don't think Aethervial's value will ''actually'' crash, and here's why:

The Commander Sol Rings are at a respectable $10ish once again, and the FTV foil one is not too far away from a very unshabby $20. I think Sol Ring is in a position for EDH like the Shock Lands are for Modern- deliberately staggered periodic rereleases. However I think Aethervial has just about had it's last huzzah unless they Judge it with pimped old frame or something. Aethervial will go down temporarily, go back up, (just like Sol Ring so far) and then, because it is not crucial for every single player to own one, it will not get reprinted anytime soon. I'd grab the VAULT ones now while you can. :)

You're back Aether Vial! And you're a Rare? There IS justice!

Excellent reprint with the FtV art. Not saying it's better, but it's nice that we now have a choice non-foil.

Yes finally got my chance to own you today. Owned.

I actually wish Wizards would let us give several separate ratings to cards, since people use different criteria.

It would be cool if each card had a separate meter for Power, Fun (or Balance), and Flavor. That way cards like Vial, Baneslayer, Jace and Mishra's Workshop could be super-high on power and rated horribly on balance/fun, and cards like Nicol Bolas and Form of the Dragon could be perfect on fun or flavor, and the true greatest cards would have to deliver in all three areas, like Isochron Scepter.

I think everyone would be happier that way.

"First it was uncommon, then it was mythic, and now it's rare? What is this madness?" --Trygon_Predator

True madness would be to get this as a Common. In the next Core Set.

I almost pooped my pants because I thought this card was 'search your library' but then I realised it was just from hand.
Then I pooped a little bit anyway!
I think I prefer Birthing Pod just a slight bit more, but this is still ridankulous.

@TheWanderingBlade1 - I like the part where you treat a card game as an actual means of investment. Like, you seriously deserve to lose money if you treat a game or hobby as an investment.

Æther Vial, you're a hero. You're a one mana investment that grows with the rest of the game, or if you decide to build a deck specifically with a CMC in mind, you help push out more guys so I can do other things with my mana. Great card.

@DarthParallax: Except Demonic Tutor has been reprinted, and as an uncommon.

Fun to play, unlimited possibilities and easy to destroy, adding balance to the card.

Definitely a fun card, and I really like the balance. It keeps you on your toes whenever he lets the thing build up to 5+ counters.

@ EGarrett01

I don't know what game you're playing but Vial is fun. Using blink shenanigans to dodge removal/rebuy EtB effects? Fun. Ignoring counterspell decks? Fun. Messing with combat and playing mind games? Fun.

Are you grouping it with JtMS for the balance issue? Because, uh, Aether Vial isn't really unbalanced. It relies heavily on your creatures and curve. I'm pretty sure no one has ever considered playing 2 and 3 mana creatures unfair. There are a few doozies like Stoneforge or Snapcaster but your example of a perfect card in Isochron Scepter has a few too; Counterspell, Lightning Helix, most removal...

I do agree with your general sentiment, yet I feel cards like Vial (and probably Baneslayer, too, who is just a glorified Serra) that ended out costing a lot of money would get lumped in with the truly degenerate things like JtMS and Deathrite Shaman.

@TheWanderingBlade1 and @DavidBradbury
A ton of people both play the game for fun AND treat it as a source of investment. CCG: COLLECTIBLE card GAME. The collectible part isn't in there for nothing David, how do you think all these hobby stores make their money? Like all collectables though, it is subject to the market and availability. No investment is a sure thing Wandering Blade. Plus, last I checked these are still going for about $20 a piece, which is pretty good.
And David ~ Don't act like you aren't stoked to see a Voice of Resurgence even if G/W aren't your favorite colors. We are all fond of the fact that we can open a booster pack and get more than what we paid for because the trade value is still there in spades.

The instant speed on this is the difference between Spirit of the labyrinth being decent and being insane. Same can be said for Phyrexian Revoker and Flickerwisp.

It also turns insane cards into nigh-unanswerable cards; Dark Confidant, Stoneforge, etc..


That said, I think people who bash the balance on this love blue too much. This is a very powerful card, but at the cost of it being very useless by itself and a terrible topdeck. It's build-around to a degree; even if it doesn't look that way. Learning to use it optimally is also a bit of a learning curve on the best creatures.

@EGarret

Isochrons fun!?!??! LOL

Try playing with a mono black zombie deck when he slaps on silence turn 2.

Stupid card should be banned from modern.