This seems like a really weird way of phrasing this cards effect. Shouldn't it say something like 'Target creature and exactly two other target creatures get +1/+1 until end of turn.'?
Gezus82
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(5 votes)
no you could chose the same creature three times, its just you have the choice of retargetting every time
Mana
★☆☆☆☆ (1.7/5.0)(3 votes)
I like banding better :P
John-Bender
★☆☆☆☆ (1.5/5.0)(8 votes)
It should have just read: "Distribute 3 +1/+1 counter among creatures you control until end of turn.
This doesn't put +1/+1 counters on the creatures, it ends at the end of the turn
Ideatog
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(7 votes)
Actually, it's an attempt to make the wording on Bounty of the Huntless confusing!
SleetFox
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(4 votes)
This seems a bit too confusing for a common. It's cool, but I imagine a lot of new players will think it's an error.
Teufelhunden0311
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(3 votes)
It is obvious that you can target up to 3 creatures or just 2 or 1. If they meant it to be used to target JUST 3 creatures they would have worded it like Incremental Blight.
NAND
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(13 votes)
Head on, apply directly to the forehead. Head on, apply directly to the forehead. Head on, apply directly to the forehead.
Stray_Dog
★★★★★ (5.0/5.0)(1 vote)
Gumdrop kisses!
Hmmm this is actually hard to word in a different way that would still retain the same mechanics. For example, the next best thing I can come up with is: "Choose one: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn; or target creature gets +2/+2 and another target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn; or three target creatures each get +1/+1 until end of turn."
However, any effect that checks whether or not a creature has become the target of a spell or ability would play differently with my alternate wording. With the original rules text, giving a single creature +3/+3 would target them three times, whereas in my version it would only be targeted once.
Final attempt: "Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Copy this effect twice. You may choose new targets for each copy."
However, the 'copy' effect isn't very flavourful outside of blue or red. Doubling Season manages to utilize a copy effect without actually saying 'copy', so it gets away with it.
Conclusion: Strange as it may look, the original Seeds of Strength rules text may be the simplest way to accurately describe the mechanics of the spell.
P.S. I am surprised that it didn't distribute counters actually. The interaction with Doubling Season in the same set would have been fun, and counters are more evocative of seeds than simply +1/+1 until end of turn.
kolomeha
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(6 votes)
@Imperialstonedragon: According to the original wording on the card, it target's any creature three times. The rulings state that the same creature may be targeted multiple times. Thus once you cast Seeds of Strength on your creature equipped with Livewire Lash, it triggers three times. For this reason I am making an infect deck with this card.
Bottom line: Equip Livewire Lash to creature with Infect: Cast Seeds of Strength on that creature. Target player receives 6 poison counters and faces at least a 4/4 creature. No blockers? GG. Blockers? Name your favorite instant...(insert Evil Laugh here)
ps. To all those people who will remind me that this is a lightning rod for removal, most point removal that targets this creature will still trigger it's ability before death.
llirreh
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
Actually, Kolomeha, the creature would be at least a 10/4... The livewire lash also give it +2/+0 each time it triggers.
OmegaSerris
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Stray_Dog Yeah, you're "copy" version was the first I could think of. I agree that counters sound more flavorful, and I bet the original version had that. R&D probably lowered it to a temp boost so they could lower the mana cost. See Battlegrowth and Thrive (both in block). for one counter and for X counters, with no choice on how to place one (one per creature). Two mana for three counters with so many choices for distribution would be unbalanced.
penguinmage25
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
bah back in the day we didnt use instants
Imperialstonedragon
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
will it make livewire lash trigger 3 times? edit: yes
@ llirreh: no it doesnt get +2/+0 each time it triggers
@ kolomeha: thx, now that's a devestating synergy :D
GabrielRockMan
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
There's not only Livewire Lash, you can use this card with other permanents that benefit you by multi-targeting them. Daru Spiritualist, for example (+0/+6 anyone?), or Crystallization for exiling (use one targeting)!
Alex343
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
please read NAND's post. (8/14/2010 8:43:36 PM)
fantastic.
it is important for livewire lash infect decks that the equipped creature gets targeted 3 times. that means they have 6 poison counters on their creatures or themselves.
DoctorKenneth
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Wild Defiance seems very, very good with this. +12/+12 for two mana (plus down payment of three)? Yes. Yes please.
Serecin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Judging by some of the comments on this card, I think a bunch of people are underestimating or not understanding how it works. Phalanx Leader says hi.
mrbuhne
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@Serecin: I got really excited when I saw Phalanx Leader at first but I thought about it and Heroic would only trigger once per spell cast not once per time targeted. So only one trigger per spell no matter how many times it gets targeted.
So then I thought about Ground Rift but even then copies don't count as casting.
@DoctorKenneth: If you read Wild Defiance's rulings it actually appears that this card does not work with it. I.e. you will not get +12/+12 just +6/+6.
Totema
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Heroic. Heroic. Heroic again.
tcollins
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This will work wonders with the new heroic mechanic. Especially as an instant.
This is great with Heroic abilities from Theros likefabled hero
Phoenixreborn9
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
This, plus centuar battlemaster = 15/15 until end of turn, and a 12/12 after that. awesome way to end a game.
Bbone37
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
The rulings on every heroic card clearly states that heroic only triggers once per spell, not per times targeted. Same with Wild Defiance. mrbune pointed this out on 9/11/13, and yet people keep commenting otherwise. Now if you have multiple heroic dudes out, this this is wonderful. Lastly, TheWrathofShane, can giant growth trigger multiple things, pump multiple dudes, and do other things that having three targets benfits from? No. And is there any card you like? You harsh on everything...
Comments (27)
Head on, apply directly to the forehead.
Head on, apply directly to the forehead.
Hmmm this is actually hard to word in a different way that would still retain the same mechanics. For example, the next best thing I can come up with is: "Choose one: Target creature gets +3/+3 until end of turn; or target creature gets +2/+2 and another target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn; or three target creatures each get +1/+1 until end of turn."
However, any effect that checks whether or not a creature has become the target of a spell or ability would play differently with my alternate wording. With the original rules text, giving a single creature +3/+3 would target them three times, whereas in my version it would only be targeted once.
Final attempt: "Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Copy this effect twice. You may choose new targets for each copy."
However, the 'copy' effect isn't very flavourful outside of blue or red. Doubling Season manages to utilize a copy effect without actually saying 'copy', so it gets away with it.
Conclusion: Strange as it may look, the original Seeds of Strength rules text may be the simplest way to accurately describe the mechanics of the spell.
P.S. I am surprised that it didn't distribute counters actually. The interaction with Doubling Season in the same set would have been fun, and counters are more evocative of seeds than simply +1/+1 until end of turn.
Bottom line:
Equip Livewire Lash to creature with Infect:
Cast Seeds of Strength on that creature.
Target player receives 6 poison counters and faces at least a 4/4 creature.
No blockers? GG.
Blockers? Name your favorite instant...(insert Evil Laugh here)
ps. To all those people who will remind me that this is a lightning rod for removal, most point removal that targets this creature will still trigger it's ability before death.
Yeah, you're "copy" version was the first I could think of. I agree that counters sound more flavorful, and I bet the original version had that. R&D probably lowered it to a temp boost so they could lower the mana cost. See Battlegrowth and Thrive (both in block).
@ llirreh: no it doesnt get +2/+0 each time it triggers
@ kolomeha: thx, now that's a devestating synergy :D
fantastic.
it is important for livewire lash infect decks that the equipped creature gets targeted 3 times. that means they have 6 poison counters on their creatures or themselves.
So then I thought about Ground Rift but even then copies don't count as casting.
@DoctorKenneth: If you read Wild Defiance's rulings it actually appears that this card does not work with it. I.e. you will not get +12/+12 just +6/+6.
Heroic.
Heroic again.