Cool name, cool picture, cool idea, not-so-cool mechanic. This thing is virtually unplayable and has so many better alternatives.
Arachibutyrophobia
★★★★☆ (4.3/5.0)(3 votes)
Other than Phyrexian Dreadnought and Eater of Days, I think this is the cheapest biggy. (The prerequisites for biggy are vague, but you know one when you see one)
This can be pretty good with enough counterspells in hand.
Mode
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(4 votes)
You're unfortunately wrong, Forgeling. Reread the ability, it triggers for spells from any player, including you. On top of that afaik the countered spells are still considered being cast, so even then you'll still have to sacrifice once for your opponent's spell and once for your counter. This ability forces you to completely rely on your permanents, otherwise you'll very soon have to sacrifice itself.
Unless you bring Endreek Sahr as Arachibutyrophobia said, which is likely the best card to combine with the second-cheapest fatty in Magic History so far (on place one being Phyrexian Dreadnought).
Aside from that, i'm not the only one who would consider this to be an Elemental Horror, right?
Lege
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Well well. You can easily combine this with a Nuisance Engine or two (and further improve that combo with Disciple of the Vault), which coincidentally are in the same block too. A cheap fatty if you can build around it, still not the greatest card in existence.
omegius
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
This card goes good with cards, such as Extractor Demon and Scavenger Drake, that have abilities that require a card to goto the graveyard. So, it can actually work out, if played at the right time.
DayeV
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
I'd use it in a G/B deck with Grave Pact & Savra. Ewww anyone? Lol!
JenBroness
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
Play it with Mimic Vat on the field and let it kill itself; then you can swing for 8 damage a turn for 3 mana.
BlackAlbino
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(8 votes)
I know it's garbage... But I love it. Makes me wanna build decks around it and watch them flounder
PeanutTheDestroyer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
I have a question. Does a creature die when it is sacrificed? If so this would work well with grave pact. And if you had mortician beetle down already he would very quickly be a beast.
With reassembling skeleton this turns into "pay 2 mana or sacrifice a creature whenever a player plays a spell" A less significant drawback. There are decks that can turn this into an advantage rather than a drawback. Not to mention you can just kill it if it gets out of hand.
Kryptnyt
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(2 votes)
I think this guy is featured on the art for Dismember.
liphttam1
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
You can't really run him in a deck without a backup plan.
Best to run it in a deck with fling. Just in case.
Splizer
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
There is a deck in here; namely, a casual B/G/W one. Pollenbright Wings on this will help generate the swarm of tokens needed to keep this guy rollin'. Lingering Souls has four tokens in it ready to get stuck in. There is also Golgari Germination, cards like Brindle Shoat and cards like Bloodghast to keep things ticking
Oh, and a Mindslicer gives your opponent one chance to cast a spell; from there its topdecking!
BongRipper420
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
With the introduction of Undying, this card got quite a bit better.
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Peanut: yes. That is a viable combo for as long as you have enough weak creatures to feed to it, otherwise it will be forced to sacrifice itself.
It's actually decent, as it's an 8/8 fear, so the majority of decks will be unable to block it properly. Hopefully you can tear your opponent to pieces before it sacrifices itself. A worthwhile addition to some token decks maybe?
Using him next to Carrion and Sengir Autocrat. As a backup you can simply use one of the other arbitrarily large evasive beaters that eat creatures at around this mana-cost. My second choice is Demonlord of Ashmouth.
In any event, Nether Traitor is one of the best interactions, as for instant speed {B} you get a critter whenever this guy eats a guy; allowing two Traitors to form a loop. He's also a reasonable finisher in a Fungus deck; if you don't mind breaking the theme.
Comments (23)
This card works well with Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder. But Akatosh is right, there are better alternatives.
This ability forces you to completely rely on your permanents, otherwise you'll very soon have to sacrifice itself.
Unless you bring Endreek Sahr as Arachibutyrophobia said, which is likely the best card to combine with the second-cheapest fatty in Magic History so far (on place one being Phyrexian Dreadnought).
Aside from that, i'm not the only one who would consider this to be an Elemental Horror, right?
Makes me wanna build decks around it and watch them flounder
Best to run it in a deck with fling. Just in case.
Oh, and a Mindslicer gives your opponent one chance to cast a spell; from there its topdecking!
It's actually decent, as it's an 8/8 fear, so the majority of decks will be unable to block it properly. Hopefully you can tear your opponent to pieces before it sacrifices itself. A worthwhile addition to some token decks maybe?
He begs to be played right after Army of the Damned.
As a backup you can simply use one of the other arbitrarily large evasive beaters that eat creatures at around this mana-cost. My second choice is Demonlord of Ashmouth.
In any event, Nether Traitor is one of the best interactions, as for instant speed {B} you get a critter whenever this guy eats a guy; allowing two Traitors to form a loop. He's also a reasonable finisher in a Fungus deck; if you don't mind breaking the theme.