Grim lavamancer...why???
Modern forum
Posted on Sept. 11, 2015, 4:39 a.m. by magicdai
Hey all, as a person just getting into modern I have chosen burn (it was naya but thinking of turning it into jund), I have been looking at lots of burn decks online and have noticed that Grim Lavamancer is a staple.
Why do modern players rate it so much? All I see is a 1/1 without haste that has a conditional and inefficient ability.
Many thanks all.
The point of burn, as many burn players will tell you, is to count to 20 as fast as you can. Grim Lavamancer gives you a repeatable source of "numbers" that requires no extra effects than what your deck already wants to do. having a versatile option which doesn't hinder your game plan is really good.
September 11, 2015 5:10 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #4
Grim Lavamancer is a brilliant card because it re-uses your resources. Every fetchland you topdeck is no longer useless, because you can use it to fuel your lavamancer well. Even just the threat of 2 damage per turn is threatening enough to warrant people focusing their removal on it.
Just say you're late into the game, and you're practically out of gas, with a full graveyard. Grim Lavamancer is the best thing to see, because he'll use up the useless junk in the grave while you can hope to topdeck more burn spells.
Worth noting that his ability can't be countered by silly things like Dispel, and the only way to stop it is to have removal, which I'd much rather use on an Eidolon.
September 11, 2015 5:28 a.m. Edited.
Not to mention some decks can't beat turn one Grim Lavamancer. With Affinity, for example, it's Galvanic Blast right there on the spot or lose.
September 11, 2015 6:56 a.m.
Grim lavamancer is the top deck hero you need in the lategame.
September 11, 2015 7:01 a.m.
weisemanjohn says... #7
Another thing to consider, is the potential to exile stuff out of your graveyard to make Tarmogoyf smaller. While not guaranteed, there is the potential.
September 11, 2015 7:43 a.m.
JexInfinite says... #8
weisemanjohn Getting rid of your Eidolon of the Great Revel in the graveyard actually does affect Goyf, and can reduce the clock by an entire turn. Nerfing Goyf is definitely legit.
September 11, 2015 8:24 a.m.
Reducing goyfs power by 1 can give you that extra top deck you need.
September 11, 2015 8:36 a.m.
Plus let's all not forget his efficiency at wiping out Birds of Paradise, Dark Confidant, Delver of Secrets Flip, etc. If you land him turn one and crack two fetchlands in the first two turns, he can negate your opponents 1 drop for just one mana, and let you take control of the board. But of course, his best use is shocking your opponent every turn. He is the main reason why Burn decks run so many fetchlands, even the mono-Red ones; however, if they ever remove Treasure Cruise or Deathrite Shaman from the ban-list, he will be replaced. Still, he's a great card.
September 11, 2015 10:08 a.m.
AndWelcomeToTheJam says... #11
I wouldn't say Grim Lavamancer's activated ability is the most efficient out there in Magic, but it's pretty damn good for what Modern has available. As vishnarg above stated, the most efficient of these types of graveyard mechanics out there are banned (thanks, Wizards), except maybe Goryo's Vengeance (thanks, Wizards). The only way it could be considered conditional is if the opponent maindecks graveyard hate, which is unlikely (except maybe Relic of Progenitus in Merfolk, but that's not really what it's main use is). Don't forget that in Modern burn you have a ton of 1-drop, 3-dmg spells at your disposal in Lightning Bolt, Rift Bolt, Lava Spike, and Shard Volley. If you've ever regularly played against Burn, you would likely see them use all of these and completely drop their hand by Turn 3. Lavamancer gives more options if you aren't dead by then. If it gets removed, fine, that's a spell that you wasted on it instead of using that mana on a way to stabilize your life total.
September 11, 2015 12:35 p.m.
APPLE01DOJ says... #12
Oh how I miss Deathrite Shaman I can't help but feel he would be utterly sick in this meta.
September 11, 2015 10:30 p.m.
I doubt that they'll make a more efficient version of grim lavamancer either sadly
MollyMab says... #2
It is a 1 mana dude who, if not killed, will be doing 2 damage a turn, every turn without needing to attack.
September 11, 2015 4:56 a.m.