What's the big deal with...

[SPiNx975]

{Thoughtseize}? I mean I really don't get it... why is this card so valuable?? what gives it this intrinsic worth?

[Charbelchers rage]

Re animator loves it

[Mikefrompluto]

Re animator loves it

Yep! Also the ability to hit either player (as opposed to just your opponent,) and can hit anything but land, as opposed to nonland, noncreatures like {Duress} and others.

[Charbelchers rage]

I know since I'm currently running a really funny re animator it puts out {shelodred the whisper} turn to reliably with a {gilessa} and something else in my yard it's quite amusing to swing for 30ish damage turn 4

[Charbelchers rage]

Not spelling her name out she's an angel that doubles damage

[NyghtHawk]

{Thoughtseize}? I mean I really don't get it... why is this card so valuable?? what gives it this intrinsic worth?

Cards like {duress} have always been played in control decks of sorts, but all of the cards similar have always had a downside which generally was what it could grab. {Thoughtseize} has the 2 life downside for sure but the ability to take anything from their hand is key and so strong in eternal formats where taking that one key card can shut a ton of decks down and put the battle in your favor.

[SPiNx975]

see... I've always been a blue control guy... emphasis on the always... so it's hard for me to give credit to other colors when I can just cancel... mana leak... syncopate... basically stop you for days... in addition paying life is a pure and simple case of blasphemy so I understand what it does but I don't hold it in such high esteem

[Destore117]

see... I've always been a blue control guy... emphasis on the always... so it's hard for me to give credit to other colors when I can just cancel... mana leak... syncopate... basically stop you for days... in addition paying life is a pure and simple case of blasphemy so I understand what it does but I don't hold it in such high esteem

But there are so many crazy combos that can arise from paying even a small bit of life.
Gaining card priority to name one that's quite important.

[Wackaman9001]

Instead of what it says, read it as "look at target players hand, remove a threat from it. A mosquito bites you."  2 life is not that much, and that {blood baron of vizkopa} you made them throw would have done more harm to you than 2 damage.