Mana Confluence

Economics forum

Posted on April 23, 2014, 2:37 p.m. by Schuesseled

Is the price all hype or is it going to see play pre-rotation.

I can see why mono-u or b might pick it up, as it syncs with nightveil spectre, but otherwise..... we have shocks.

Obviously post-rotation this thing is going to skyrocket, but we aren't rotating yet.

CrazyLittleGuy says... #2

Saying "we have shocks" isn't enough to warrant passing it up. Tri-color decks still need fixing; I mean, there's a reason Modern/Legacy runs fetches instead of just shocks/ABUR duals.

There's also that janky Chromanticore deck, but that won't mess with the price much.

April 23, 2014 2:43 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #3

Well yes but we also have scry lands, which are quite popular, although bad for aggro.

April 23, 2014 2:51 p.m.

kmcree says... #4

I actually disagree with the idea that tri-color decks still need fixing in the current meta. I run Esper, and since I got Temple of Enlightenment in BNG, I haven't had any mana problems whatsoever. I basically have access to 24 dual lands. That's more than enough. I wouldn't consider using Mana Confluence at all, at least until after the Shocks rotate.

April 23, 2014 2:58 p.m.

kmcree says... #5

Now if you want to start splashing a 4th or 5th color, or run a primarily 2 color build that splashes for maybe 1 or 2 cards, then yes, Mana Confluence might be useful. But in a straight 3 color build, you really don't need it right now.

April 23, 2014 2:59 p.m.

notamardybum says... #6

i believe it will not only see play in standard, but in other formats as well, it's a better City of Brass . being able to cast Precinct Captain turn 2 then Lifebane Zombie turn 3 is incredibly difficult and inconsistent with just shocks, and the scry lands still put you a turn behind. of course most aggro decks are mono colored, and have no need for Mana Confluence ... but dual and even 3/4/5 colored decks will love this.

that being said, the price hype might sky-rocket this card up quite a bit like usual when a new set comes out, so I'd either preorder it, or wait some time til the price goes down.

April 23, 2014 3:03 p.m.

CrazyLittleGuy says... #7

However, you have to take into account Esper is a control deck, where tapped lands aren't nearly as awkward. For example, Naya Auras doesn't like scrylands all that much, and Jund Monsters would like to limit the amount to 6-8 IMO.

April 23, 2014 3:03 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #8

Well control is dominating the meta, so you need to take that into account.

This card will either facilitate the mass use of aggro decks or not be used much.

And the pre-order price is already too high for my likings.

April 23, 2014 3:06 p.m.

kmcree says... #9

I just don't think the lifeloss is worth it in the long run. Its nice for a turn or 2, but once you get to 5 or 6 lands, you won't want to use it at all, and its basically a dead land. I don't think that's worth it for 1-2 turns of color fixing, when you already have access to so many other duals.

April 23, 2014 3:08 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #10

Certainly not worth it in control and midrange, tempo and aggro on the other hand.

April 23, 2014 3:10 p.m.

kmcree says... #11

But most aggro builds are monocolored. And tempo decks tend to be at most 2 colors. Again, I think Mana Confluence could see lots of use once the Shocks rotate, depending on what replaces them. But I really don't see it getting used with the current landbase that's available.

April 23, 2014 3:12 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #12

The main reason there aren't so many two and three colour aggro decks, aside from the loss of some very good aggro creatures is the loss of checklands. At the moment mono colour or mono with a splash is basically all you able to use for aggro as the risk of getting mana screwed with out the slower dual lands is way too high for an aggro deck to take.

Soldier of the Pantheon into Ash Zealot into Lifebane Zombie is simply unobtainable with current mana bases without losing a turn and therefore any point in playing cheap creatures.

April 23, 2014 3:16 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #13

I think it's possible to see a revitalisation of multi-colour aggro decks with this land.

April 23, 2014 3:17 p.m.

Most aggro builds are monocolored because they have to be to remain consistent. There would be a lot more multi-colored aggro decks around if they didn't have to rely on temples for fixing. Tapped lands do not facilitate aggressive strategies very well.

This is easily the best card in JOU, though not necessarily the flashiest. The impact it makes may be subtle, but it will be undeniable.

April 23, 2014 3:18 p.m.

$8-$12 is a good price for it. It will be played in all 2 color aggro decks and many other decks. The life loss is not a big deal for most decks.

April 23, 2014 3:21 p.m.

Schuesseled says... #16

8-12 would be an awesome price shame its closer to double that

April 23, 2014 3:24 p.m.

It's $16.50 on TCG Player and bound to drop.

April 23, 2014 3:28 p.m.

Zurnic says... #18

I see this only being useful in 2-3 Color Aggro decks that can't really afford to play Temples. Decks like GW Aggro, RB Aggro, etc really need a 5 color land that doesn't come in to play tapped. Playing Temples can really hurt those decks too much.

April 23, 2014 3:31 p.m.

I'll probably run it if I get it, and may drop some duals to do it, but tri-color decks are okay, mana-wise.

April 23, 2014 6:29 p.m.

Khanye says... #20

I plan on using a playset for modern and legacy...standard may not have prime use of it, but 4 x City of Brass , 4 x Mana Confluence , 4 x Gemstone Mine is all you need...havent pre ordered them yet though.

April 23, 2014 6:37 p.m.

Make it tribal and run 4x Cavern of Souls as well. All the mana for days.

April 23, 2014 11:51 p.m.

This discussion has been closed