Is it Good?
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on Jan. 2, 2015, 4:14 p.m. by Scorprix
Type: Creature - Elemental
Flying
Whenever Torrent Elemental attacks, tap all creatures defending player controls.3 B/G mana B/G mana : Return Torrent Elemental from exile to the battlefield tapped. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.
Seems good with delve.
Seems like an OK standard replacement for Chandra's Phoenix...
@MindAblaze!: Yea, all Phoenixes look SUPER cool in foil. Also, the phoenix could be cool in some type of Soulflayer build.
January 2, 2015 4:27 p.m.
Named_Tawyny says... #4
@Scorprix, the Phoenix is the last card you want to delve away for Soulflayer; sure the flayer gets flying, but you lose your graveyard recursion.
January 2, 2015 4:30 p.m.
shinobigarth says... #5
I think Flamewake is better than Chandra's honestly. You recast him for 1 basically in the right decks vs paying his cost every time. You can easily get the 4 power in a number of ways when needed.
January 2, 2015 4:31 p.m.
golffore297 says... #6
Torrent also plays with Whip of Erebos, which is still one of the best decks in Standard right now.
January 2, 2015 4:49 p.m.
Cobthecobbler says... #7
I like the Elemental, plus the art on it is fucking sick. Delve it away or Soulflayer it away, either way, value.
The phoenix is also really cool, but I am a red mage, so its just natural that I like it.
January 2, 2015 4:52 p.m.
@Named_Tawyny: I don't think you get it. You dredge. You play a soulflayer and exile 1, then play the other 3 for 3 mana.
January 2, 2015 6:25 p.m.
@Cobthecobbler: Yea, the elemental seems pretty good w/ delve, and as golffore297 said, with whip. Didn't think of that. Thanks golffore297! :D
@shinobigarth: The only big problem I see is that they would both probably be used in rdw, but you can only get the phoenix back with a rabblemaster or a well timed "treason" spell.
January 2, 2015 6:29 p.m.
GoldGhost012 says... #10
The Elemental feel pretty slow since it comes back into play at sorcery speed and with summoning sickness. Limited bomb for sure though.
That Phoenix is pretty good too. Perhaps 
Ferocious aggro could be a thing in Standard, or perhaps I'm pulling that out of my ass, haha.
January 2, 2015 6:34 p.m.
@GoldGhost012: Oh, yea. I forgot about the sorcery speed thing. Well, that's life. But still, I bet someone's gonna play this with a Temporal tresspass at the prerelease and fucking kick my ass.
January 2, 2015 6:40 p.m.
Hickorysbane says... #14
I'm really pumped for both of them, but especially the Torrent one. I'm gonna make a casual deck that uses all kinds of shenanigans to exile it and Misthollow Griffin (I've been waiting for another creature that can do that). Namely Selective Memory, but delve and Whip of Erebos will also be making an appearance.
January 3, 2015 12:30 p.m.
The elemental will be absolutely bonkers with Whip of Erebos. The first ability on it is also nuts.
I'm not a fan of the phoenix because it doesn't do well against boardwipes, unlike Chandra's Phoenix. You have to follow up with Stormbreath Dragon/Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker or it's staying in the yard.
January 3, 2015 4:59 p.m.
CalmingRespirator says... #16
Torrent elemental is excellent with Whip of Erebos but if you're going to take full advantage of it you should put it in the Sidisi, Brood Tyrant version. Then not only is it an amazing resilient threat but it also forces your zombie horde through their creatures towards their face. I can't wait to try it out.
January 3, 2015 10:15 p.m.
For the torrent elemental I would prefer vigilance to flying. They flying is obviously irrelevant when he attacks.
January 5, 2015 6:24 p.m.
The main problem I see with the Elemental is two fold. You have to A) Cast it at sorcery speed. This uses up a turn as well as doesn't allow you to respond to whatever your opponent is going to do. The second issue is that it comes into play tapped, not just with summoning sickness. This means that it can't block the first turn it comes in. You are basically telling your opponent, "do whatever you want this turn, it's fine." This may not matter at times but the amount of times it WILL matter will be far more often.
The Phoenix on the other hand could be an absolute all star. It depends on if the deck you are facing has mantis rider (unlikely as it's popularity seems to have been greatly reduced thanks to the tokens deck), or wingmate roc. However, I think that it's definitely a good choice in a mono-red deck, or a midrange deck curving out.
MindAblaze says... #2
Top one plays well with Delve, plus taps down any potential blockers for your other dudes. It's interesting.
I want the Phoenix in Foil just to add to my foil phoenix collection...lol
January 2, 2015 4:21 p.m.