Pillar of Flame Viability
Modern forum
Posted on Dec. 13, 2016, 1:48 a.m. by Decks_On.Acid
With the rise of Bloodghast, Stinkweed Imp (or is that not used?), and glisterner elf etc, why is Pillar of Flame not being used?
Two damage, while low, is not bad if you can permanently exile a creature. Sorcery speed is a hinderance, but with the decline of blue and reactionary spells, you won't be quite wasting a turn.
Why is this being used instead of Flame Slash?
mathimus55 says... #3
Pillar of Flame doesn't get much play because Magma Spray is instant speed and usually just that much better. If you're playing a card and want that kind of effect being able to go to the opponent's face usually isn't what you want to be doing. Magma Spray being faster is why the pillar has fallen out of favor lately.
December 13, 2016 3:36 p.m.
Magma Spray is an alternative at the cost of not being able to burn face (or planeswalker) - and people hate to play sorceries, often to an irrational degree.
Anger of the Gods is a board wipe that is better if you are in the weaker position.
Incendiary Flow seems to be a strictly better alternative, as its a spot removal, with the same attributes, but it can also hit Prized Amalgam & Vengevine beside the usual recurring dredge creatures, and things with undying or presist.
However the main reason why people don't play it, because its seen as a sideboard card against dredge - which is underplayed.
And there is an abundance of better sideboard tech against this deck.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #2
Because I guess that aside from Bloodghast and Kitchen Finks, the exile effect isn't that relevant atm. I'd prefer taking a little bit more damage, get to three mana and slam down a big Anger of the Gods. 3 damage, multiple kills, exile effect.
The format's now pretty bad for Lightning Bolts (and I know that for a fact being a dedicated Burn player) with all those 4 and 5 toughness guys. So a Sorcery speed spell that does one less damage clearly won't make the cut.
Flame Slash has been a 1-of SB card in my Burn deck for a while now and it's been absolutely great most of the time. It kills creatures that are bigger than your own dudes, so you can keep on connecting with those Goblin Guides and Monastery Swiftspears. PoF doesn't :)
December 13, 2016 3:50 a.m.