Comments for MTG Color Pie

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by dudecore2012

dudecore2012 — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:05:58 +0000

I think the problem isn’t mana leak exactly, or counters. Its more the need for spells like counters. Its the “don’t hate the player, hate the game” line. Titans only drawback is their cost, that’s it. They spell “game over” for anyone who can’t destroy them (which blue can’t). The dynamics of a counter-less blue is something we can only hypothesize about , but I imagine its over run by hex proof creatures that no one can interact with. The game needs blue to check things, and needs black to break combos, and red to burn things, and white to do everything.

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by Alex P.

Alex P. — Sun, 13 May 2012 03:43:07 +0000

In the case of Primeval Titan, you’re playing a creature which is really more like a Tooth and Nail, but for lands. But then those two lands are really more like a creature and a Hatred, respectively. So, creatures? Spells? Who knows!

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by TM (@tgva8889)

TM (@tgva8889) — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:45:42 +0000

This article still prove, to me, that spells are more powerful than creatures. I mean, sure, the body is relevant, but you’re really playing a spell with a creature attached when you play the Titans most of the time, aren’t you? This is why the Titans are such a huge issue. If you don’t answer them, they get to cast the spell-effect of the Titan twice and then you’re so far behind in terms of advantage that there’s nothing you can do.

Interacting on the stack is just as necessary as it was before. When they make effects that are that powerful, whether they be on 6/6s for 6 or 4-mana sorceries, counterspells are needed to balance them.

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by Jon

Jon — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:19:19 +0000

How’s this for a green counterspell?

Temporary Trollshroud — 1G

Instant

Target creature gains hexproof until EOT. If an opponent cast a spell this turn, draw a card.

I think it works a lot like Spirit Mantle, which TECHNICALLY grants a creature unblockable, but does so in a white way.

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by MTGColorPie

MTGColorPie — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:33:39 +0000

Fixed. Better that I used a “U” instead of an “I”

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by zaaba

zaaba — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:33:51 +0000

Oh wow, I really liked this article and how you ran with it. Really thought provoking! However, given R&D’s attitudes towards counterspells in general (players want to cast spells), I really think its really remote that they’d have these variants printed.

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by ff6shadow

ff6shadow — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:31:12 +0000

I agree on spreading counter magic around a bit more. Mana Leak effects in white fit the taxing and counters with draw backs in black (such as Dash Hopes, though not as severe of a drawback). I don’t think they belong in green or red though, barring specific circumstances (color hate like Red Elemental Blast and Guttural Response)

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by The Japan Hobbyist

The Japan Hobbyist — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:35:35 +0000

Well, Red does have Reverberate from M12, which can copy any spell and potentially counter a Mana Leak or a Dissipate, but other than that it has nothing. Personally I’ll be running UR Control Burn Titan for that first week after Avacyn is released, and loading my deck up with whipflares and slagstorms to keep stuff off the board until a Titan can come out to play. That land will be crazy powerful, and will definitely see play in all formats I think. It will also combo up nicely with Alchemists Refuge (that gives all nonlands Flash).

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by mony

mony — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:49:45 +0000

blue ducks?

Comment on Cavern of Souls and the Counterspell Problem by Cadian 9th

Cadian 9th — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:17:59 +0000

Fundamentally, there are counterspells in each color, its just they don’t say ” Counter Target Spell “, they say ” Target creature gains protection from X until EOT ” or ” Target creature gets +X/X ” or ” Creatures you control are indestructible “. Lightning Bolt, for example, is functionally countered if you play Tireless Missionaries, or Lightning Helix, or attack with Baneslayer Angel.

Personally I see countermagic as a nice catchall, protecting you and making the board state less hostile to the game you are wanting to play. The price for the flexibility is that you have to keep mana up and they are the worst topdeck lategame.

Basically people are I guess upset they aren’t getting insane value of an e.g. Titan or something, as opposed to removing it immediately. If the creatures were less powerful and less resistant to removal, countermagic isn’t nearly as necessary. The main problem, I think, is that good players can use well placed countermagic (just like they can use well placed creatures or timing of effects) to win a game in a scripted fashion that makes players feel like it was unfair.

2c.