This card is not worth 5 life. Unless you are being attacked by like two 18/18s, there are not many reasons to pack this card.
Selez
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(6 votes)
I disagree. This card creates a ridiculous amount of card advantage. It takes out two of your opponent's threats. For THREE mana. At INSTANT speed. Just accompany this with Consume Spirit or Tendrils of Corruption or any form of lifelink (fairly abundant in black) and you'll be fine. And storm crows shouldn't get away with that much damage. EVER.
TreeTrunkMaster
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Interesting, Ashes to Ashes is a sorcery but exiles two nonartifact creatures. Not sure which one is better.
Nonartifact > Nonblack (I think). Exile > Destroy. Sorcery < Instant.
I don't understand why I see all these people referencing Storm Crow haha, maybe an inside joke? No idea.
Gear61
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This card deserves a higher rating. It's essentially 2 removal spells for 3 mana at instant speed, which is pretty insane. 5 life is somewhat substantial, but it's easily worth the card advantage IMO.
Etregan
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Flash forward to now and you have Death's Shadow to pair with cards like this.
achilleselbow
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
Check the comments for Storm Crow if you don't get it. Also see Chimney Imp. Anyway, the thing to consider is that those two creatures would probably deal more than 5 damage to you if they went unanswered. Even if you Terror/Doom Blade one of them, the other will still get to attack at least once or twice after that. Think of it as a reverse Swords to Plowshares. Not to mention that nowadays black has things like Tainted Sigil and Sanguine Bond to pair with life loss cards.
HuntingDrake
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
As of right now, Tempest version is rated 3.292 with 12 votes Invasion version is rated 4.139 with 18 votes Clearly the more recently printed version is being rated by people who have actually played with it and respect its power, whereas the older version's ratings are from people who stumbled upon it by clicking 'Random Card'.
luca_barelli
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Jeez, people sure are afraid to lose life around here. Look at it this way; by killing two 4/4s, you actually lose less life in the long run.
Fearsomecritter
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Concerning why this card isn't rated higher, it's entirely possible that people are rating it low for the same reason that some commenters are rating it high. It is a very powerful card, one that under modern magic sensibilities is very unlikely to be reprinted. Some are saying "AWESOME 5/5" some are saying "Too strong 1/5"
jfre81
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
Anyone concerned about paying life to make something happen shouldn't play black.
ThatStunna
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Rated 3.6 here, 4.2 when reprinted. It's like killing creatures got better with time or something.
Anyway, you're paying five life to kill an extra creature. How often is that extra creature going to do at least five damage to you or help summon a creature that will do at least 5 damage to you? I would assume the answer is pretty often.
Comments (13)
Nonartifact > Nonblack (I think). Exile > Destroy. Sorcery < Instant.
I don't understand why I see all these people referencing Storm Crow haha, maybe an inside joke? No idea.
Anyway, the thing to consider is that those two creatures would probably deal more than 5 damage to you if they went unanswered. Even if you Terror/Doom Blade one of them, the other will still get to attack at least once or twice after that. Think of it as a reverse Swords to Plowshares. Not to mention that nowadays black has things like Tainted Sigil and Sanguine Bond to pair with life loss cards.
Tempest version is rated 3.292 with 12 votes
Invasion version is rated 4.139 with 18 votes
Clearly the more recently printed version is being rated by people who have actually played with it and respect its power, whereas the older version's ratings are from people who stumbled upon it by clicking 'Random Card'.
Anyway, you're paying five life to kill an extra creature. How often is that extra creature going to do at least five damage to you or help summon a creature that will do at least 5 damage to you? I would assume the answer is pretty often.