Dig Through Time warping the format?
Legacy forum
Posted on Sept. 22, 2015, 12:34 a.m. by aeonstoremyliver
The last SCG IQ saw 9 out of the top 16 decks run Dig Through Time. Several Miracles, Omni-Tell, and Grixis Delver lists made top 16. Granted, a few other interesting lists like two Elf decks, Lands, Enchantress, and Simic 12 Post made it, but I digress.
Brian Rowe of Mythic MTG Tech has suggested that it's only a matter of time before Dig Through Time gets the banhammmer. It's obvious the card adds more draw and consistency to control and combo decks already full of Brainstorm, Ponder, and Preordain. Not that I'm hating on 
, because I'm not, I'm merely posing facts and the question:
Should Dig Through Time be banned in Legacy? Why or why not?
No. Its really not that awesome or busted. Its difficult to cast more than 1 before a game is decided unless you build your deck to abuse it, which will make your digs less powerful BC you'll see to much air when you cast it.
September 22, 2015 12:45 a.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #4
Granted Legacy plays some badass cards, which is why I dig the format. My concern though is with the dominance of already good archetypes made more consistent and efficient with Dig Through Time. It's proven itself to be quite the potent card and has pushed decks at the forefront of major events.
Granted it's no Treasure Cruise due to the mana restrictive nature of its CMC, however most every deck that runs , save Infect and 12 Post, runs 2-4x Dig Through Time. It may whiff, but considering it's still run by decks effectively in consistent numbers is something to take note of.
What if Miracles, Omni-Tell, Delver Variants, and so forth continue to post such excellent results? What if the aforementioned archetypes dominate the meta over the next several months? Would a banning then ensue?
September 22, 2015 12:58 a.m.
julianjmoss says... #5
I don't feel as if it is format warping even though it is seeing a lot of play. Miracles, omni-tell and delver variants that play it are so different in playstyle that the format is still pretty diverse. Treasure cruise on the other hand forced decks to play a certain way.
September 22, 2015 1:03 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #6
This isn't exactly relevant to Legacy, but I've lost enough games in Standard to this damned card that I can't even imagine how busted it could be in Legacy.
Does it push some decks over the top and make them unfair? What counts as "unfair" in Legacy? I think these are questions that need answers before we can truly begin to reconsider the banning of Dig Through Time in this format.
September 22, 2015 1:16 a.m.
No because those decks were already good and putting up good numbers they dont need to be nerfed they aer just good decks
September 22, 2015 1:17 a.m.
aeonstoremyliver says... #8
But that's my point. Good decks that were already Tier 1 just got a whole lot better by being able to Brainstorm twice at EOT. They're that much more consistent and have that many more answers. TOP SEVEN cards...
I've made my case I suppose. I'd like to see what future results show and to hear more of all of your thoughts on the matter.
September 22, 2015 1:27 a.m.
Ok but I dont think you are understanding......they are good decks....they are not winning because they play dig they were already winning dig made them a little more consistent but if they were already winning and now they are winning...whats the problem.
September 22, 2015 1:32 a.m.
This kind of makes me think of Hangarback Walker in standard. That card is LITTERALLY in every single deck you could imagine. I am not joking in every single deck. Does it need to be banned? No because all the decks playing it put the same tournament results up before the card was printed its just a utility card against aggro not a game winning card. Dig helps you not die in miracles it doesnt win you the game entreat does and finding entreat isnt even good so its not like its helping you kill faster. In omnitell thats a little different because its a combo deck if there was a deck that benefited MOST from dig in legacy its probably that deck but really only that deck as much as it did. Delver decks only use it to find more threats after they have lost the game. Does that win them the game? No they were already losing this just gives them a chance. Also in legacy casting dig normally uses your entire turn due to the double blue requirement so you usually have a turn to deal with them before they can even use the cards they got.
September 22, 2015 1:38 a.m.
julianjmoss says... #11
To add, dig is elevating decks but isn't actually warping anything, just becoming a staple like brainstorm or force of will. Unless it forces people to change their playstyle in a negative way there is no reason to ban it
September 22, 2015 1:39 a.m.
filledelanuit says... #12
I don't think Dig needs to be banned but I do think Legacy would be a much better format with the printing of Dig. Dig has pushed decks like Jund and Shardless out of the format because they can't deal with the power and selection of Dig.
September 22, 2015 7:33 a.m.
to my knowledge, there are no combos regarding that card, its also not nearly as powerful as other banned cards like Black Lotus.. there has also been a lot of talking in the past about other strong cards that should be banned, like Goblin Lackey. But it's all a matter of balance.. Sure, it's a good argument that it makes already strong decks even stronger, but it still doesn't unbalance the format.. so my vote is.. yes! easier for me x) ... unless i want to play with that card
September 22, 2015 9:02 a.m.
filledelanuit says... #14
ParanoeX There was a time in legacy where Goblin Lackey was the litmus test of the format. It used to be that Goblins was easily the best deck in the format. Before the printing of Dig, goblins still generated more card advantage than any other deck but Dig out classed it.
September 22, 2015 9:08 a.m.
NotSoLuckyLydia says... #15
You should honestly look more at other decks that are on the downtick, namely nonblue decks. Thalia decks are much worse when the most powerful card in opposing decks can completely ignore it. Maverick can't be played because dig is better than any individual cards in the deck. Jund hasn't been played since cruise/dig.
Though I will say, not all blue decks are playing it. ANT, Reanimator, Canadian Threshold, Shardless BUG, Fish, and TES all avoid dig through time. The issue is that the most popular and prominent decks in the format are running them. Whether it's banworthy is up for discussion, but it absolutely has changed the format to be more blue-heavy.
September 22, 2015 6:58 p.m.
WotC; Lets unban a card thats really good at punishing draw spells, then ban the card advantage draw spell everyone is using! (that is typically a 2 of in most decks)
How does this make any sense? lol
September 28, 2015 3 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #18
Because Dig warped the format and Black Vise isn't going to do shit in legacy.
September 28, 2015 7:43 p.m.
I still stand by my statement and many others that it did NOT warp the format those decks besides omnitell will still dominate competitions. But wizards can do as they please I didnt think the card was oppressive but I can understand banning it.
EmblemMan says... #2
No I dont think so personally I mean I get frusterated with the card but I dont think it needs to be banned in legacy because legacy already plays powerful cards like dig through time. The card is in multiple decks not just one deck destroying every other deck. Just my opinion though
September 22, 2015 12:39 a.m.