So how good actually is Unexpectedly Absent?
Commander (EDH) forum
Posted on Sept. 7, 2016, 3:20 a.m. by enpc
This card was first released in the C13 decks and now recently again in Eternal Masters.
I have heard that it's quite popular in Legacy/Vintage since a common trick is to X=0 it in response to an opponent cracking a fetch land.
But when it comes to commander (the format it was first created in), how does this card actually fare?
Have people had experience with it? Has it been everything you've hoped for, or has it been a bit of a let down each time you've played it?
An example could be an opponent goes to Brainstorm off a JTMS and then cracks a fetch to shuffle. In response to the fetch you could Unexpectedly Absent the Jace.
As for targets (for legacy) I think people like it because it's multipurpose.
September 7, 2016 3:51 a.m.
Looking at the card, I see how it could be useful. It's like a White Cyclonic Rift without the Overload. It could be useful in delaying an action. It looks like it might be playable in decks that don't have access to better options.
It's weird I've never seen it played. I play with all types of players.
September 7, 2016 4:38 a.m.
It is a very fringe card in Legacy. Like Council's Judgment it was hyped. It came out. People played it. It was found lacking. It dropped in use.
In Commander I would never run a white deck without it.
September 7, 2016 5:35 a.m.
Tomahawk-Bang says... #6
Unexpectedly Absent is good in commander, but not only when you play it in response to a shuffling effect (fetchland) from your opponent. No doubt that is a good play. But I also like to combo it with Isochron Scepter. Just imprint Unexpectedly Absent on the scepter (X=0) at he right Moment and lock one of your opponents out of the game for only 2 colorless mana each turn.
September 7, 2016 7:41 a.m.
slovakattack says... #7
I actually like it quite a bit. It can be extremely punishing to 'time walk' a player who plays a big fatty on their turn.
Ex; the red player taps out for bosh, you x=0. Time walk.
September 7, 2016 11:04 a.m.
It was a lot better before the tuck change. Burying the enemy commander 20 cards deep into their deck with cabal coffers at instant speed allowed for some great breathing room.
September 7, 2016 2:05 p.m.
LeaPlath: wasn't the main reason they printed Council's Judgment because they done goofed and made True-Name Nemesis a real card?
It seems that people are getting value from it on the whole, so that's good to know. It is a bummer about the tuck rule (on multiple fronts) however even paying x=3-4 and having your opponent opt to command zone their commander isn't bad I guess.
For reference (if people were wondering), this is going in my Saffi Eriksdotter deck. I used to run Oblation but the fact that I gave my opponent cards was too much a of a drawback. Plus I like the fact that this is (at its cheapest) one less mana to cast.
September 7, 2016 7:14 p.m. Edited.
enpc: The time between conspiracy and TNN wasn't long enough for that specifically but obviously they felt worried enough to print something. Even now TNN sees surprisingly little play.
And like I said, it was hyped. It came out. People played it. And it is now a fringe card in like 1-2 decks
Aztraeuz says... #2
I've never seen it played.
What are they responding too? What are they casting it on when their opponent cracks a Fetchland? I mean it can't counter lands. I guess because I've never seen it played I don't know what's going on here lol.
September 7, 2016 3:40 a.m.