Is Collective Defiance or Appetite for the Unnatural a better Sideboard card

Standard Deck Help forum

Posted on Jan. 23, 2017, 5:05 p.m. by Argy

I've got a deck where I've used Collective Defiance in the Sideboard for the past couple of seasons.

I used it to replace Dromoka's Command, when it rotated out.

Would Appetite for the Unnatural be a better choice, with all of the Artifacts buzzing around?

January 23, 2017 5:17 p.m.

Appetite for the Unnatural isn't a double color, gains you life, and could destroy an artifact as well. To top it all off, it is at Instant Speed. (My favorite shizz). In an artifact heavy format, it's definitely not a bad choice.

The only reason Collective Effort (if that's what you meant) would be better is if you are running a lot of creatures. Because you can take out a fatty, kill an enchantment, and get a +1/+1 on all your creatures for essentially 3 mana. However, this is all at Sorcery Speed (NOT my favorite shizz).

All in all, I'd say Appetite for the Unnatural is the better choice because of Instant Speed and it kills Vehicles before they are Crewed.

January 23, 2017 5:33 p.m.

Pieguy396 says... #4

There's also Natural State and Fragmentize; both are 1 mana, but have restrictions on CMC (as well as one being sorcery speed)

January 23, 2017 8:27 p.m.

Argy says... #5

Yes I meant Collective Effort. Site went down for maintenance just as I was previewing my post so I didn't get to check it.

I'm aware of Natural State and Fragmentize and would have mentioned them if they were under consideration. They are not. I have other cards in my Sideboard already that do what they do.

JerichoDarkstar just so you realise Appetite for the Unnatural can kill Vehicles at any time, even after they have been Crewed.

My deck is very Creature heavy. Sounds as through Collective Effort is the way to go for now.

January 24, 2017 5:37 a.m. Edited.

abenz419 says... #6

well if you don't want to consider Natural State or Fragmentize because you already have other cards that do what they do, then Appetite for the Unnatural shouldn't be under consideration either. It's literally a more expensive, less restricted version of both cards. So, you already have cards that do what it does in your sideboard.

So the question you should be asking yourself is, are the other two modes on Collective Effort worth it since you already have stuff in your sideboard that does what the second mode does. So, are destroying a creature with power 4 or greater and being able to put a +1/+1 on all your creatures worth a slot in your sideboard. Personally, without seeing your deck list I'd say that those aren't worth it. There is better removal in white and green than the first mode of Collective Effort. So if that was your main use for it there are just better options, even though you always have the option to use more modes as well there is just more efficient less conditional removal that would serve you better. You already said you have other things in your sideboard that do what the second mode does that's why your not considering Natural State or Fragmentize, so you obviously don't need it for that. As far as the third mode, again if this was your main reason for using this card there are just better ways in green white, like Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, Ridgescale Tusker, Oath of Ajani, or to a lesser extent things like Thalia's Lieutenant, Rishkar, Peema Renegade. Also, I feel like this mode wouldn't really be something you went to your sideboard for and is more an effect you'd want in the mainboard with the focus of your deck being on counters matter and growing your creatures. Again, making Nissa, Voice of Zendikar, Oath of Ajani and Ridgescale Tusker better options for that type of effect. Nissa is repeatable and makes tokens that can grow or chump block, the oath works in conjunction with nissa making her cost 2 and giving you what is effectively your 5th-8th copy of nissa and her -2 ability, and the tusker is a 5/5 for 5 mana which is suitable enough board presence and grows in value the more creatures you have in play when you cast it.

January 24, 2017 6:03 p.m.

Argy says... #7

There are only two cards under consideration.

Either Appetite for the Unnatural or Collective Effort, in the Sideboard.

January 24, 2017 10:18 p.m. Edited.

This discussion has been closed