Why play Harmonic Sliver instead of Reclamation Sage?

Modern forum

Posted on April 13, 2015, 4:09 a.m. by pleasiodmakerblooloo

The title is pretty self explanatory. I'm mainly asking concerning the old melira pod combo and the new one with Collected Company. While both are relevant creature types, I know that the decks never played other slivers, so why didn't they play Reclamation Sage as it's strictly better. It has the same cmc, is easier to cast for only one coloured mana and has an extra point of power. Why?!?!

bigguy99 says... #2

Except they did play Reclamation Sage. I don't remember a single list playing Harmonic Sliver.

April 13, 2015 4:11 a.m.

MollyMab says... #3

Harmonic Sliver gets better in multiples. If you play a second harmonic sliver, you get to blow up 2 artifacts/enchantments, which is relevant versus affinity and other decks.

April 13, 2015 4:20 a.m.

MollyMab says... #4

Also, Reclamation Sage was printed in M15. The deck was around long before it.

April 13, 2015 4:21 a.m.

smackjack says... #5

LeaPlath: well, if you play 2 Reclamation Sage you get to blow up 2 artifacts/enchantments too. I cant see the difference..

April 13, 2015 4:22 a.m.

MollyMab says... #6

smackjack, the sliver abilities stack. So the first sliver you play blows up 1 artifact/enchantment. The second one blows up 2 artifacts/enchantments.

April 13, 2015 4:26 a.m.

smackjack says... #7

LeaPlath No, it doesnt stack..

April 13, 2015 4:42 a.m.

MollyMab says... #8

Yes. It does. The first sliver has "When this permanent enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact or enchantment.".

The second one has. "When this permanent enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact or enchantment." and "When this permanent enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact or enchantment."

7/1/2013 Abilities that Slivers grant, as well as power/toughness boosts, are cumulative. However, for some abilities, like flying, having more than one instance of the ability doesnt provide any additional benefit.

April 13, 2015 4:45 a.m.

smackjack says... #9

Is it so? Never knew that :).

April 13, 2015 5:09 a.m.

ChiefBell says... #10

Yes because the first sliver has the ability and the second sliver has the ability. Therefore the second sliver has two of the same ability. Although that doesn't answer the question because I've seen a fair number of decks sideboard a single harmonic sliver.

April 13, 2015 7:02 a.m.

HolyFalcon says... #11

Yeah, there's nothing worse than 2 Constricting Slivers on opponents board playing against slivers with no removal in hand...

April 13, 2015 7:17 a.m.

MollyMab says... #12

ChiefBell, the deck played Phyrexian Metamorphs too.

April 13, 2015 7:23 a.m.

ChiefBell says... #13

That makes more sense.

April 13, 2015 7:43 a.m.