Group Consensus pt. 6

[Spikepit]

Is {Chains of Mephistopheles} a good card? Why?

[xStrayKnightx]

I see potential in it, used alongside other cards with reanimator effects for example, but I'm not personally seeing how it could be used on its own effectively.

[Ertai]

+ {Megrim} + {Liliana's Caress} ouch.

[Moocow4u2]

Opens up your options a little more for milling the opponent. Draw cards are now an option because they must discard or lose cards from their library. So you can mess with their hand now too

[FlickerYourOwnIdentity]

Very much so.  When you place a small mana cost with that effect, it is a scary card.  The formats it is played in use draw power every chance it gets.  So to make someone choose between losing a potential bomb in their hand, or losing the mystery card you were about to draw is pretty big.  Very good, is it worth 210, no.  However I don't think any piece of cardboard should be worth that much.

[Mattao19]

My friend runs a {Seizan, Perverter of Truth} EDH deck. Lets just say Chains is a lot better than people think lol

[FlickerYourOwnIdentity]

I agree cardboard shouldn't be worth that much.  It's cardstock that's worth a lot,

Potato, patato.  Either way, it is expensive paper.  The only expensive paper allowed is paper money.

[particle]

even gold doesn't really have value unless we all agree on it. money is just a concept.

[Spikepit]

Do you think wording and/or confusion created by wording on a card diminishes the quality of a card? Like if you had to spend longer explaining the card than the combo or play takes to execute?

[Mikefrompluto]

Do you think wording and/or confusion created by wording on a card diminishes the quality of a card? Like if you had to spend longer explaining the card than the combo or play takes to execute?

Or in this case pronouncing the name of the card. I think in vintage and legacy (where I assume this card sees the most play) the wording wouldn't be confusing to people since they're generally more seasoned players.

[Langku]

 No.

I don't like giving my opponent options. Though it has some good mill potential it seems like it could let them dig for exactly what they need.

[Langku]

 I think you've hit on something Spike. Fussy wording bugs me. I'm sure that explains part of my initial reaction.

[Spikepit]

Same here! I hated that card when it came out! But I'm older I realised I just hated it because I didn't get it and it's actually quite a good card!

[Dudecore]

Because the reserve list is a ruthless fraud perpetuated by a greedy corporation. {Chains of Mephistopheles} sells for $2.70 on MAGIC ONLINE. That's probably about all it's worth IMO.

Could anyone look at me with a straight face and say that effect is worth $200+? Same with {Moat} ($343.70) and anything else on the reserve list that sells for big bucks. I bought a {Forcefield} on MTGO for .56¢. When these reserve list cards can be freely printed, you see the actual demand as opposed to the strict supply.

[Spikepit]

Right on! {Moat} is definitely a joke!