MagicalHacker - List of All Free Value Cards

Commander / EDH* MagicalHacker

SCORE: 26 | 27 COMMENTS | 6865 VIEWS | IN 16 FOLDERS


Epidilius says... #1

Doesn't Oath of Druids fall under "Permanents that let all of your opponents get value too"? Oracle's Vault seems to fall under "Permanents that cost mana to get the value" too.

Also, what is your reasoning for non-permanents? Why not things that have a mana cost?

October 27, 2017 6:44 p.m. Edited.

Epidilius says... #2

What about Silent-Blade Oni? I'm pretty sure there's a creature that casts Acquire when it deals combat damage to a player.

Finally, Eternal Dominion? Not a permanent, but once cast it happens every turn until the end of the game.

October 27, 2017 6:53 p.m.

maxon says... #3

Epidilius you're thinkin of Thada Adel, Acquisitor

October 27, 2017 7 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #4

Epidilius, I can see the confusion about Oath of Druids, but because of its wording, it doesn't "let all of your opponents get value too", so it's okay.

Oracle's Vault is on the list for its second ability, which classifies as being able to get free value without additional mana input.

The point behind containing only permanents is that these cards are powerful because you can continue to play your deck after playing these cards and they accrue value for you without requiring you to invest card resources or mana resources. You can continue with your gameplan as normal, but these cards just give you free value while you are. Non-permanents always do something and then go away, so while they can give you value, they don't give you free value, which is incredibly powerful.

Silent-Blade Oni is a fantastic card for this! I should also look at cards that can cast spells from opponent's hands, since in a multiplayer game, it's incredibly rare for all your opponents to be hellbent.

Thada Adel, Acquisitor requires you to then pay the mana cost of the card you get, which means that you have to choose between the value or continuing to pay the mana for the main gameplan.

Eternal Dominion does fit quite nicely with the list! I should take a look at the epic spells and see how many of them fit in the list!

October 28, 2017 10:03 a.m.

Epidilius says... #5

That makes sense. I guess there are fewer reusable value cards too, which makes this list more valuable.

Missed that on Thada Del, my bad.

October 28, 2017 10:15 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #6

Epidilius, no worries! Also after looking at the instants and sorceries that could give free value (I stumbled onto cipher and looked through those as well), only Eternal Dominion and Enduring Ideal stood out, but I realized that they don't fit into the list either because they don't allow you to continue playing the main gameplan of your deck. :(

Mindleech Mass is joining the list as well!

October 28, 2017 10:23 a.m.
November 15, 2017 8:03 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #8

It is already on the list :)

November 16, 2017 9:47 a.m.

SirFowler says... #9

January 21, 2018 8:12 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #10

SirFowler, unfortunately, none of those cards cast spells from a library for free, put permanents into play for free from a library, or copy spells on the stack, which is what this list is based on. Thanks for the suggestion though!

January 29, 2018 9:54 a.m.

SirFowler says... #11

I'm not sure why you're limiting the definition of free value tbh. The title of the list is 'all' free value spells, yet you are only limiting it to permanents that only interact with other permanents. Doing so lowers the expectations of those who come here to see cards that give you free stuff when there are many more cards that give you free value. All cards with cascade for example, such as Maelstrom Wanderer, Bloodbraid Elf, and/or Etherium-Horn Sorcerer. Not to mention instants/sorceries with rebound such as Recurring Insight. And what about instants/sorceries that put permanents into play like Collected Company or Deploy the Gatewatch. Maybe you should change the title to say free value permanents so people aren't confused. You can do what you want, but it's just a suggestion.

January 29, 2018 10:16 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #12

I see your point...

The reason I chose to make this list (because it does seem a bit random compared to my other lists) is because I've noticed that there is a category of cards that can steal a game out of nowhere, and those spells all have one thing in common: they aren't slowing down their controller by requiring mana/cards, but they provide another sources of cards being put onto the stack/battlefield.

In your opinion, since the current title is not a good one, what would be the best title for cards that repeatably provide value for free even when there are no cards in hands/graveyards/battlefields?

January 29, 2018 10:23 a.m.

griffstick says... #13

What about Champion of Rhonas

February 28, 2018 12:03 a.m.

griffstick says... #14

February 28, 2018 12:09 a.m.

griffstick says... #15

I also think you could do a "list of free value burst" with cards like Selvala's Stampede and Genesis Wave

February 28, 2018 12:14 a.m.

griffstick says... #16

And correction Champion of Rhonas is not "free value", it's "cheating of Mana cost", like Quicksilver Amulet

February 28, 2018 12:17 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #17

griffstick, you're right about Champion not fitting, and Sword of the Animist isn't free value, but it is definitely ramp.

The reason I have this list and not "Free value burst" is because these cards get their power from being repeating. Without that aspect, they are still okay, but not so good that I would recommend (like I do for this list) that they be included whenever the deck is built to abuse them. These permanents are among the most powerful in the game, because either they get answered or their controller gets cards cast for free or put onto the battlefield for free. Hope that makes sense :)

May 22, 2018 9:35 a.m.

Katarack4 says... #18

I feel like Cast Through Time should be on here.

July 1, 2018 5:39 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #19

Absolutely, good catch!

July 1, 2018 10:01 p.m.

Shyachi33 says... #20

if Debtors' Knell is in this list, doesn't Sheoldred, Whispering One also fit the bill?

and if "copy" effects are considered "free value" wouldn't Panharmonicon also count? as it copies the etb?

July 27, 2019 1:58 a.m.

MagicalHacker says... #21

Shyachi33, great points! I'm definitely thinking about refining this list and/or opening it up to more cards. Thank you for your feedback :)

July 28, 2019 6:11 p.m.

NomadicJoe96 says... #22

November 29, 2019 4:43 p.m.

MagicalHacker says... #23

NomadicJoe96, I have been using this list for only cards that generate value from the library, but with enough card draw, from the hand could count too. I'm not entirely sure, what do you think?

June 16, 2020 5:08 p.m.

NomadicJoe96 says... #24

Magical Hacker, Based on your set parameters, I guess it depends on if opp playing a spell is considered an "additional cost" or not. Personally I don't, as I've never played a game where opp doesn't cast anything. Even to remove the spell they would likely have to cast a spell, which would net you a free play.

Also, if you like library play for free, how about your opps library? Eternal Dominion? etc.

Also Also, if you count Flamerush Rider based on his ability, how about Blade of Selves or any of the Myriad-able creatures?

Definitely not trying to complicate your list though. I feel your parameters are currently so broad as to allow opinion or preference to be an aspect of peoples decisions. Nice list though! +1! Definitely made me think!

June 20, 2020 6:26 a.m.

NomadicJoe96 says... #25

Magical Hacker, I see what you mean about Hunting Grounds being conditional though. In a low creature deck it obviously has exponentially less value. Unless you're using tutors to simultaneously retrieve creatures/fill your graveyard. But again... Conditional haha

However, regardless of being conditional, I (personally) would still consider it under the categorization of "free value."

June 20, 2020 6:32 a.m.

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