Budget Alternatives for Hero's Downfall in standard?
Standard forum
Posted on March 1, 2015, 3:41 p.m. by bambooking2
Hi, I am a budget player trying to play a version of blue black control on a budget. I already have murderous cut's/ bile blight's and am looking for a good alternative to Hero's Downfall that just doesn't cost as much.
Silence the Believers is your best bet, but its no way the same.
March 1, 2015 3:46 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #4
Yeah, there isn't a replacement. Splashing into white for Utter End or Banishing Light is my sole advice, but then you run into the mana base problems of having a third color, which will raise your deck cost. Which is what you're trying to avoid. Just be frugal for a week or two, and spend the $26 or whatever it is for a playset of Hero's Downfall.
March 1, 2015 3:48 p.m.
"There is not one. You can't substitute anything for Hero's Downfall."
Well, that's a little unhelpful. :/
@OP: Bile Blight and Murderous Cut are going to be your best cards beyond Hero's Downfall. Just jam a playset of Blights and 3 or 4 Cuts. I've always been a fan of a copy or 2 of Silence the Believers, but you risk being redundant with so many removal spells. If Planeswalkers are a big issue for you, mainboard Negate isn't too bad at this point. All decks are playing cards you can counter with it, many of which will be cast when you only have 2 mana open (i.e. Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, Jeskai Ascendancy, etc.).
March 1, 2015 3:52 p.m.
bambooking2 says... #6
Alright thanks guys, guess i'll have to consider some plansewalker hate mained.
March 1, 2015 4:05 p.m.
JakeHarlow says... #7
zandl's suggestion about Negate is especially pertinent. I would strongly consider that if I were you, if you can't acquire the Downfalls.
March 1, 2015 5:28 p.m.
ChrisHansonBiomancin says... #8
If you think about what Hero's Downfall brings to UB, the Planeswalker removal is the most important part.
You may consider running more counterspells since UB doesn't have other ways to interact with Planeswalkers. Assuming you have the full playset of Dissolve, Dissipate is another good option, as is Disdainful Stroke.
Another option would be hand disruption. Despise is a Downfall to the hand.
Finally, you could also add a couple Void Snare, which obviously is only a temporary answer but works well with counterspells and gives you a way to interact with Enchantments.
March 1, 2015 5:30 p.m.
pookypuppy6 says... #10
The only thing I could possibly recommend as a budget replacement is Gild. Yeah, the cost and the speed is a total bummer in comparison, but exiling is pretty relevant in a Standard environment with plenty of graveyard interaction right now; the Gold token doesn't hurt either! Alternatively, if you want to focus on pure exiling power, Silence the Believers may be a bit better for you, with instant speed and raising its value over the course of a long game.
March 1, 2015 7:06 p.m.
ODDIOBLENDER says... #14
Despise for sure. Costs less and removes it before it even hAs a chance to do anything.
March 1, 2015 8:28 p.m.
bambooking2 says... #15
Yeah thanks, what do you guys think about divination in blue black control?
March 1, 2015 9:25 p.m.
bambooking2 says... #17
Ah yes that's better, do you think it should be mained?
March 1, 2015 10:36 p.m.
Against Abzan you can play Neutralizing Blast no rhino, no anafenza = happy player
March 4, 2015 5:08 p.m.
Disdainful Stroke is much stronger against Abzan than Neutralizing Blast. Not having a counter for Elspeth will simply be the end of the game without Downfalls.
March 6, 2015 12:52 a.m.
Any planeswalker will still get hit by Negate so I don't see a problem there. Something like a deathdealer and anafenza though isn't that much fun. The fact that Neutralizing Blast counters Abzan Charm and Sorin is also pretty nice.
In the end I'd run both though. Disdainful Stroke is too good not to run.
March 6, 2015 6:28 a.m.
JakeHarlow says... #21
Ultimate Price reprint incoming. So that might work.
Slayne says... #2
There is not one. You can't substitute anything for Hero's Downfall.
March 1, 2015 3:42 p.m.