Notion Thief in modern.
Modern forum
Posted on May 8, 2013, 8:23 p.m. by EvenDryke
Do you think Notion Thief will have a significant impact on control decks in modern? I run two in the sideboard for control vs control matchups. At best I steal all their extra draws, at worst I have a 3/1 beater.
Also, Jace Beleren 's first ability + Notion Thief on the field = draw two extra cards every turn.
What do you think, good enough for modern?
If I can pull this off consistently, I will swap my Jace, Architect of Thought for Jace Beleren in my modern deck. I'm wondering if I should do this regardless.
This is the deck: Walking on the Esper Side
At four mana, he's a bit too niche to have a strong impact. People win the game on turn four, especially Splinter Twin decks.
Notion Thief is just one of those cards that if he cost less than he does now, he'd be one of the most broken things printed in several years. But at four mana, he's not really playable, IMO.
May 9, 2013 12:02 a.m.
I was thinking he's a bit expensive as well, which is why I wouldn't want him mainboard.
I think he could be a player in control vs control, where you have all the time in the world though. Especially since he flashes in.
I don't have problems with aggro matchups, control is where I need help.
May 9, 2013 1:34 a.m.
Like sylvannos said, he's a bit slow and easy to deal with, only being a 3/1. If he was even one mana less and maybe 2/2 he would be following Bloodbraid Elf and Seething Song into the light before long
May 9, 2013 2:08 a.m.
pheonix_222 says... #6
In my experience, in Modern when evaluating any card for the format that's over 3 mana it needs to pretty much win you the game right then and there or at the very least give you such an advantage that the game should be over in your favor within the next few turns.
I'd love the idea of flashing it in response to a huge Sphinx's Revelation but no control player worth their salt is going to tap out like that if their opponent running blue has mana up.
Any synergy with Jace Beleren is pretty much moot because he's not really good enough for the format in my opinion.
Electrolyze has become a meta-shifting card for the entire format, you REALLY have to consider any creature with one toughness because giving players that much card advantage is ridiculous.
He's not completely unplayable, especially since not many people will expect to see him game 1, might fit in a Niche deck somewhat well, but good luck getting your opponent to cast anything while you have Cryptic Command mana up. Speaking of Cryptic Command , if your deck doesn't already run a set, it deserves your 4 drop slot much more than Notion Thief
Notion Thief just can't compete in a format with Vendilion Clique , Geist of Saint Traft , Tarmogoyf and Elspeth, Knight-Errant .
capriom85 says... #2
I like the idea here, and I like what Notion Thief does against control, but I don't have much modern experience. The idea looks great though. Good luck with it.
May 8, 2013 11:47 p.m.