Crystal Ball or Sylvan Library?
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Dec. 6, 2023, 8:41 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I have a copy of Crystal Ball in my Ghired, Conclave Exile EDH deck, but I am considering replacing it with Sylvan Library, because scrying is excellent, but actually drawing cards is better in most situations, but I am not entirely certain about that decision, so I would like to ask the other users of this forum for advice.
Crystal Ball's ability can be used at any time, but it requires mana to use, whereas Sylvan Library's ability triggers only during it's controller's upkeep step, but it requires no additional mana to use, only life, which should not be a problem, for this deck, as the deck does contain at least some life gaining.
What does everyone else say about this? Should I replace Crystal Ball with Sylvan Library, or leave the former card in my Ghired deck?
Gidgetimer says... #4
Sylvan Library doesn't work quite as either Caerwyn or DemonDragonJ have said, but it is still leagues better than Crystal Ball. It triggers on your draw step, after you have drawn for turn. So yes you will have drawn 3 cards by the time you have to pick 2 drawn this turn and either pay 4 life or put each of them back; but it is not drawing you an extra card each turn. Life is a resource though and 1/10 of your starting life total for each of up to 2 cards is pretty cheap. I don't think I have ever got it out and not paid at least 4 life a turn for an extra card. If my life isn't being actively pressured I'll usually pay 8 life a turn just because of how great the card advantage is.
There is a reason that one of them is 35¢ and the other is $10.
December 7, 2023 5:41 p.m.
griffstick says... #5
I have Sylvan Library in my Selvala, Explorer Returned deck. It works great there. Draw for turn pay 4 life to draw an additional card and stack the top of the deck for Selvala, Explorer Returned and gain some life back
December 7, 2023 9:28 p.m. Edited.
Last_Laugh says... #6
Sylvan Library is the superior card but it does get better with lots of shuffle effects so you aren't forced to pay life to see more than 1 new card every turn (granted "real men take 8").
December 10, 2023 11:21 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
Since everyone here favors Sylvan Library, I shall put that card into my deck.
Caerwyn says... #2
Crystal Ball is a bad card; Sylvan Library is a great card. Let us compare:
Crystal Ball gives you information and the ability to sculpt your draws, but does not actually give you any actual assets on its own. You are paying for an artifact that costs another to actually use, and you still need to either wait until your next draw step or use additional resources to get any value out of the information Crystal Ball provided.
Sylvan Library gives you actual assets. It lets you draw an additional card per turn and gives you information about your next draw. But the benefits do not stop there. Did you draw two great cards? Pay a measly four life and get two additional cards that turn. Draw a crappy card you do not want to top deck? Pay four life to keep it in your hand, so you can get something else next time you draw.
Not even a close call on this.
December 7, 2023 12:03 a.m.