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Hi everybody.


I'm sorry for necroing this thread, but OP's question got relevant again (for me at least ).

What's the current consenus on Oath creatures these days? Since Loam got unbanned, I'm shifting back from Staxx oriented builds to more reactive control oriented ones (something like Tabris').


The problem I currently have is to find the balance between the following three criteria. The oath creature should be

a) hardcastable (I found CC 6/7 to be the very end)
b) threatening (the impact the creature has must be big enough to pressure the opponent so he has to react immediately)
c) handable in case the enemy uses it against me (Bribery, Phantasmal Image, Metamoprh, random reanimation etc.)


When I run a package of 4-7 moderate creatures (e. g. Titans, Baneslayer, Wurmcoil Engine, Pelakka Wurm etc.) I don't feel like I am rewarded for setting up Oath and could rather play a generic Ux control list (Then oath is just a nice anti aggro gimmick to 'cheat' the creatures into play).

When I run 2-3 big & mean fatties (Sundering Titan, Empyrial Archangel or really uncastable ones like Ezrakul or Augur) I don't have anything I could hardcast to throw on the board in case of emergency and I feel betrayed when the enemy just copies it for a mere 1U with Image.


I hope you get my question and can help me out. Thanks in advance.

[2nd part is bs. Lftl will not enable any deck new Deck.]

Do not unban unless you ban Intuition. I would be glad to see this change since Loam would actually enable new decks.

[...]

2nd part is bs. Lftl will not enable any deck new Deck.

[...]

This exactly. I can't think of any deck that will evolve out of the nothing just because Loam gets unbanned. IMO, LftL would be just another autoinclude in those decks that can abuse it to at least a certain extend (you don't really have to make full use of it; as long as there are some synergies with LftL it's already worth the slot). For example, I'd run it 100% in my UWg Oath Control deck since it would

a) offer a more reliable CA engine with cycle lands (so the costly Jace's Ingenuity / Opportunity / Tidings weren't needed)
b) strengthen the nonbasic hate element in addition to Wasteland / T. Edge / CoW / B2B etc.
c) be just a strong addition in general, especially after Oath triggered once or after I already drew some recursion or combo piece (find LftL / Ruins / Foundry / Sword / Wasteland, use intuition to complete engine / combo ftw)

An argument could be made that Loam will benefit the slower decks that provide masses of mana more than those that rely heavier on creatures to finish in the midgame (which is a good approach to be honest), but on the other hand it would make control mirrors revolve around finding Loam asap to win the attrition war like it was in the past again.


All in all, I can't really decide and wouldn't mind either way, so let's put it this way: as long as there is retardedly strong shit like Stoneforge Mystic + Birthing Pod + Wordly Tutor in the format, the inclusion of Loam can't really hurt any more.

Clear majority of the players I've talked with consider Gifts a very obnoxious card. I personally feel that general consensus is that it's not wanted.

Believe it or not, but there are other local communities and player groups spread out all over Germany (can't say for other countries as I don't know much about HL communities there) and these 'might' have a slightly different opinion about Gifts Ungiven.

I really think it's kind of cocky to assume that there is a general consensus only because you feel like it.


The term "unfun" is of subjective nature, so I can understand you being excessively happy that the GU ban fits perfectly into yours and your people's mindset of Highlander play, but there are still differently thinking players and IMO one can't speak of a "correct" decision regarding Gifts Ungiven.

I really don't like the banning of Gifts Ungiven and can't really follow the reasoning, but it's going to be banned this month and I have to deal with it, so whatever. It's unquestionable a powerhouse, but the discussion about banning / unbanning Gifts Ungiven wasn't so ambivalent for no reason... cya, old friend!


However, if only Stoneforge Mystic would have to go with Gifts. This way, there would be at least one thing I could be happy about this banning season, but this pesky, undercosted resource devourer may stay and even got stronger IMO since you now can't tutor for a solution to it via Gifts anymore. =(


Unbannings look cool, even though there is nothing special that really is of interest for me.


At any rate, I'm glad Life from the Loam stayed on the unban watchlist - good job in this case. =)

[UNBAN]

UNBAN


Most important reasons and arguments have been stated already.


/Edit: will there be polls regarding the other questionable choices to ban (Demonic Tutor, Gifts Univen, Mana Drain, etc.), too?