Yeah, when rendered out, that's a rare. That's one of the reasons I like seeing cards as renders.
The rarity is highlighted when we turn it into a Dimir card.
That type of card drawing in Black is always rare.
Black has long been secondary in card draw, but the MCP says that the payment doesn't always have to be tied to life, but can also be tied to a sacrifice of some kind. This hasn't been done all that often, and led me to this little dude.
That would be a good card. It would be made better but less elegant if you weren't allowed to target or sacrifice it, but that makes it much more wordy.
I saw the cost and the drawback and just assumed this was a 5/5 Demon.
ReplyDeleteI like how you're looking to tie the cost that gets you cards into a long-term danger, but this card could be much stronger. Like, this could cost {B}{B} if we're not going to make it a big demon.
It also bothers me a bit that this penalizes you (turn after turn) for creatures that died through other means. This would be a neat twist on Phyrexian Arena alone:
At your upkeep, lose 1 life for each creature exiled by ~.
Exile a creature you control: Draw a card.
That limits the ability to negate the downside via gy-hate or dredge, unfortunately.
Yeah, it's definitely designed to be more Johnny than spike. I think 2 CMC might be super pushed, although maybe not if we give him lower P and prevent him from leaving the battlefield.
DeleteI look at Plague Doctor and read "ain't no drawback killing me on my next upkeep IF YOU NEVER GET ANOTHER TURN, INFINITE COMBO TIME *maniacal laughter*" so I'd much rather see the stats upped than the cost lowered. A bigger body also gives you more incentive to keep it on the battlefield, and creates more interesting counterplay for the opponent (do they use their removal now and protect their board position, or will you kill yourself from the trigger before they run out of blockers and/or life?)
ReplyDeleteThe closest card to this to me is Grim Haruspex, which suggests that its overcosted for its size, especially with a drawback. However, a manaless activation is significantly stronger ability that a triggered one. This card can conceivably win the game on the spot. I agree that its dangerous to lower its cost, but I like the art and feel of this card enough that I don't want to suggest that it be changed to a demon, which realistically limits its potential size as a human. I think making it a 2BB 3/2 with no other changes lets it keep its types and text, but the cost is high enough where getting to combo out the turn you play it isn't going to happen till much later in the game.
ReplyDeleteI would cost that down a bit. For 3 more mana I get +6/+6, flying, trample, a tutor instead of card draw, the ability to sacrifice tokens as well, and less life loss overall. Granted Razaketh is powerful and 8 mana is a lot, but this guy's a big step down.
ReplyDeleteI think Jay's right. A smaller cost would get this guy going. 2 mana is probably fine considering you can't abuse it with tokens.
Free sacrifice outlets are super dangerous. Viscera Seer is a multi format all star.
DeleteThat's true. You could add a 1 mana rider at that point without feeling too bad. It might be a different card at this point, but I'm reminded of the card Dredge from invasion and would be keen on a card that could cast it for a slight markup.
DeleteBad Doctor BB
Creature - Human Wizard (R)
B, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice a creature or land: Draw a card.
2/1
Kind of a Ragamuffyn pushed up to rare.
With the current graveyard-counting wording, I think I like 4/4 for 2BB. This way, there's some tension between it being a big beater with a life-loss drawback and a combo piece that costs enough your opponent has time to answer it.
ReplyDeletePlaguepile Demon 2BB
ReplyDeleteCreature - Demon (R)
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life for each creature in your graveyard.
CARDNAME can't be sacrificed.
Sacrifice another nontoken creature: Draw a card.
4/4
This seems like the best iteration, with a clause preventing you from saccing him to an outlet after you've drawn many cards. Do dredge creatures force this to delay the draw until the end of turn?
I still suspect this needs an activation cost beyond sacrificing a creature
ReplyDeletePlaguepile Demon BBB
Creature - Demon (R)
B, Sacrifice a nondemon creature: Draw a card. You lose 1 life for each creature in your graveyard.
4/4
Plaguepile Demon 2BB
ReplyDeleteCreature - Demon (R)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice another creature you control. If you do, draw a card and lose 1 life for each creature card in your graveyard.
4/4