Modern forum
Posted on March 8, 2016, 3:31 p.m. by TMBRLZ
So I understand any flavor of burn isn't as common in Modern as it used to be. Even pre-Eldrazi menace the overall presence of Burn was drastically lower than it used to be.
(If you disagree with that analysis that's your opinion, and you can happily save that bickering for somewhere else.)
My question is, is there any reason why Psychic Rebuttal isn't insanely useful against Burn? Sideboard worthy in the circumstance Burn is a consistent threat? I understand that most flavors of burn have turned into a Naya Zoo hybrid now so it's not quite as relevant there. But for the traditional Burn deck that ran spells galore, I feel like this card would be amazing. Take their turn 2 Lightning Bolt and point it at their Goblin Guide (assuming you've done enough shenanigans to hit Spell Mastery). You've immediately slowed down their progress in a significant way.
Or do we all just think I'm crazy?
I would think it's actually better against discard spells like Thoughtseize or Kolaghan's Command... but still too limited in scope to really be playable.
March 8, 2016 3:50 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #4
Burn isn't the only deck you want a counterspells against. Dispel and Negate are more versatile while still being good against Burn.
March 8, 2016 3:57 p.m.
I understand that, but that's why I regarded it in the situation of if Burn were significantly more present in a particular meta.
March 8, 2016 4:02 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #6
Costing 2 is also a problem. Since games are decided by turn 3, spell mastery isn't the most consistent thing either.
March 8, 2016 4:09 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #7
If you're playing mono blue, you're probably already losing, or you're merfolk and you can't hit the spell mastery on this anyway.
Otherwise, you're always with another color that has a better card against burn than this. Feed the Clan, Leyline of Sanctity, heck even Sun Droplet and Dragon's Claw. There's just a billion other better answers to the deck than a 2 mana counterspell.
March 8, 2016 4:18 p.m.
No, it's not really. It takes a while to get spell mastery, and with burn playing creatures, atarka's commands and possibly bump in the night, I just don't see it being better than negate. I'd rather have firewalker, COP: red, or even spellskite against burn. Burn also doesn't really care about its life total and isn't playing very many creature or player spells, so redirecting boros charms to them isn't even that great.
March 8, 2016 4:18 p.m.
"Burn also doesn't really care about its life total and isn't playing very many creature or player spells"
Uhmm...
And even bouncing back their player only spells like:
is still really good consider the consistency with which burn goes Fetch Shock.
March 8, 2016 4:36 p.m.
And I don't see why this has to be Mono 
(in response to what DevoidMage said) or anything of that flavor. It's a two mana spell that can go off like that. Grixis Delver could use this spell efficiently. Honestly any Grixis or Esper base control list could. Grixis Delver using Snaps and Jace?
And to GlistenerAgent while I understand the mentality behind the turn 3 prospect, I don't take that seriously. The reality of the game is decided by the next card you draw. The prospect of hitting the Spell Mastery trigger turn 2 is slim, and that I understand. The easiest method I see is Thought Scour on yourself to hit it, but that's not the greatest turn 1. However turn 3 forward your prospects of having that trigger go off go up exponentially in the right control deck.
I just simply don't see it as unplayable. Especially in a deck where you're playing very few creatures. If you're playing a control deck it's not going to be your only counter spell. And if somebody realizes you're playing a control deck they're likely going to side in more hand removal. Which means siding in Psychic Rebuttal isn't really the wrong idea. You ruin their counterattack and them in the process. You can't stop the turn 1, but you can stop any successive attempts afterwards. Not to mention hand hate would just fuel your Spell Mastery.
March 8, 2016 4:45 p.m.
astorre - Crackling Doom doesn't target you or anybody for that matter. It says "each." Meaning Psychic Rebuttal would be useless.
March 8, 2016 4:46 p.m.
pumpkinwavy says... #13
astorre It would be funny, except it doesn't work. Crackling Doom doesn't target players.
March 8, 2016 4:47 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #15
You seem convinced.
If you play against only Burn, then play Rebuttal. Otherwise, play Negate or Dispel.
March 8, 2016 4:48 p.m. Edited.
sergiodelrio says... #16
Also Redirect exists in the format... and while it requires double , it is a hundret times better, and also affordable.
March 8, 2016 5 p.m. Edited.
Yeah I don't see a reason to put THIS in your sideboard against burn. I'm not saying it's bad against the deck, but that it doesn't do nearly enough to warrant a spot, since it's just too narrow.
March 8, 2016 6:29 p.m.
RoarMaster says... #18
Its next to very difficult to get spell mastery and have open mana for a T2 rebuttal, even if you are playing first, making it not so good imho.
March 8, 2016 6:34 p.m.
Servo_Token says... #19
Will admit that it's a fine SB card for storm who dont want to be hit by burn or thoughtseize.
March 8, 2016 7 p.m.
Not really, since hand disruption usually occurs on turn one, and storm probably can't get spell mastery until turn 3 with mana anyway. I don't think it's worth it to have 2 mana counters in a critical mass deck.
wasianpower says... #2
I thought this would be useful too, but then I tried it and the set up that has to go into it plus how narrow the card is just isn't worth it. Maybe if it only cost
.
March 8, 2016 3:33 p.m.