Archfiend of Maybe Playable?
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on Dec. 31, 2014, 9:42 p.m. by NixTheThird
Archfiend of Depravity
3
Creature - Demon
Flying
5/4
At the beginning of each opponent's end step, that player chooses up to two creatures he or she controls and sacrifices the rest.
"Why would I kill you all? Who then should be left to worship me?"
Can't link image, on the phone.
Someone please tear down my hopes and dreams that this card is good. I mean, a 5/4 with flying for 5 mana is a fair start (for standard), then add in a forced sacrifice on top of that and I feel like it creeps into playable in standard (and quite nice in EDH). It's not crazy, but it seems like a good stop against swarm/weenie strategies, breaks apart parity situations, and puts a decent hurt on midrange decks. Also stops players of playing more creatures until it's dealt with.
So I feel like I must be missing some big flaw here. The mana cost makes it slow against aggro and control decks don't care about the sacrifice clause, for example. However, as current standard is midrange heavy, it would seem this guy could come in as a new "must kill" creature. Of course, this assumes a similar standard environment, which is all we have to work with for now.
In before "Dies to Doom Blade" because it doesn't. It dies to Stoke the Flames/Utter End/Sultai Charm etc...
aeonstoremyliver says... #3
Don't play Standard. So...
Dies to Dismember, Go for the Throat, and Flame Slash :-P
You'd be better of with Bloodgift Demon. Against Aggro, this dude sucks. In fact, leaving two creatures is pretty horrible anyway. If he is played in Standard, he will probably see zero play outside of it. Not even EDH likes this guy. His best slot is a Limited bomb. That's about it.
December 31, 2014 9:54 p.m.
BlueEyesRedMage says... #4
In multiplayer EDH, I really like this guy. There a lot of ways to generate excessive amounts of tokens in EDH which this guy cleanly puts a soft lock on. Leaving their two best creatures is aggravating but he's still an amazing card. The fact that we are even entertaining the idea is a huge boon considering this is an INTRO PACK RARE. Like what the hell man, that's awesome :D
December 31, 2014 10:11 p.m.
NixTheThird says... #5
To me, this guy leaving two dudes isn't as bad as it would seem. I mean, licking out your opponent from further developing the board isn't a bad thing in the least. Sure, Siege Rhino doesn't care as much, but I'd surely rather deal with two rhinos than two rhinos and another whatever creature.
That's worst case scenario. Take the more average case: turn 5 play archfiend with two other creatures on your side. They untap with four dudes and now have to either find a removal spell right now or they get two small creatures eaten for free. Not crazy good, but I'd take that.
December 31, 2014 10:20 p.m.
Nigeltastic says... #6
I think it's pretty sweet in control lists. Reasonable body that forces your opponent to have limited threats. It's pretty manageable for a control list to handle 2 creatures.
December 31, 2014 10:22 p.m.
NixTheThird says... #7
Locking out* not licking... damn awkward phone autocorrect.
December 31, 2014 10:36 p.m.
At 5 mana, I'd rather just play something game winning in Standard. In EDH, I think I'd want pretty much anything else. I can see it being decent in Kaalia of the Vast, but that's about it.
December 31, 2014 11:53 p.m.
Hes probably good in STAX EDH decks, but idk if hes really playable elsewhere.
January 1, 2015 12:16 a.m.
lemmingllama says... #11
I'd like to at least test him, he looks pretty fun to use. Even if he doesn't see play elsewhere, he will be nice in EDH to shut down the arms buildups. Or just eat removal and let your other creatures do their thing.
January 1, 2015 9:50 a.m.
If he's an intro pack rare it's not too terrible, but I don't see it finding a sturdy home in standard
January 1, 2015 10:48 a.m.
MagicalHacker says... #13
Of all the cards spoiled, this is most likely to become an instant edh staple in my opinion. I mean seriously? Limiting people to two creatures at five mana has to be answered like a Felidar Sovereign or by accepting the soft lock until it is.
IAmKingTony says... #2
could slide into a sideboard although most token strategies are playing Stoke!
December 31, 2014 9:48 p.m.