Pointed Discussion

Seems like it could help the mana curve in burn...

Not bad. Always liked scry 2 or more, would be good for mono-red decks with not enough mana problem.

why is this rated below a 4?

Just what red needs: a way to fix up draws while killing a blocker or doming an opponent :)

Over costed by today's standards. I would have loved this card if it was a 1 mana sorcery.

Hey this fits cool in burn decks, there's a severe shortage in 2cmc spells (Incinerate is obviously out of the situation).

This was one of the strongest burn spells back in Mirrodin (alongside Shrapnel Blast), and would probably still be good had it been reprinted in M11, replacing Burst Lightning or Galvanic Blast in decks. But then, generic red scry is probably something they wouldn't do again, for color pie issues.
(Which is exactly why Magma Jet is so good - it does something that red could seldom do, but desperately need, especially in top-deck mode.)

@Perfect Genetics: I completely disagree with that.. This costs exactly the right amount, (M) for the shock and (1) for the scry. It's balanced, it's useful, it's even necessary for today's game. Great card and of course you'd love it @ (M) cost! I'd love Demonic Tutors @ (S) too! But it ain't gonna happen. Just like a cashier making 100,000/yr base salary! Why? Because you wouldn't be earning it. Just like this as a 1 drop. Come on now..

Cool card. I think I see what the scrying is hinting at, but it would be cool to see the new red looting mechanic combined with burn in the same card. Maro reckons Faithless Looting isn't quite what red looting will end up looking like. I presume red wants to dump first then draw, which is the opposite of what blue wants to do. If Faithless Looting is a one mana flashback card that loots two cards each time, perhaps something like this could see print:

Eject |
Uncommon
Instant
Discard a card, then draw a card.
Eject deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Out with the old and in with the new.

The flavour of the spell is that the caster is 'ejecting' one of their prepared spells as a blast of raw mana. Dumping the unwanted spell is a cathartic act, providing new inspiration.

It's perfect for burn, you need to hit your land drops in any deck and this guarantees them. And it dodges you running into your Urza's Rage on turn 3.

@Stray_Dog
Having a cantripping Incinerate when you go hellbent is pretty highly powered, though. Maybe for 3 mana.

@Stary_Dog
"As an additional cost, discard a card" would help. Having discard as part of the effect allows someone to cantrip if they have no cards in hand. Forcing a discard in order to cast ensures the cost and fits the flavor you're going for.

This is coming back in Theros!! I'm exited for the Theros block. I was a little disappointed (okay maybe a lot disappointed) about the RTR block as a whole once Dragon's Maze came out, but Theros looks very unique. I'm optimistic at this point. Here's hoping!