MTG Salvation

When this guy first came out, I seem to remember the consensus on the board being that he didn't pass the terminate test and that blue had other better finishers, between Keiga, the Tide Star, Meloku the Clouded Mirror, and Sphinx of Jwar Isle. Now it's beginning to look like opinions are changing, and while all 3 of those finishers are in more cubes in eidolon's thread, Consecreated is fast approaching Jwar-Jwar's level of inclusion.

Have people's opinions changed? What do you think about this guy? I'm getting a lot of pressure from my playgroup to include him, and I'm thinking of doing it, but I can't rank him over the other 3, so he'd be the 4th blue finisher in my cube (450), and I'm not even sure he counts as a finisher, since he takes quite a while to end the game and only really protects himself by giving you the ability to draw countermagic.

Thoughts?

The other ones are more reliable as finishers, but none of them can run away with the game like Consecrated Sphinx can. When we played it, it was more like a big draw spell than a finishing creature, so I say they play different roles. It's certainly a powerful card though.

I think this card is absolutely phenomenal.

I found that Jwar Isle never possessed the same sense of urgency. Opponents have to deal with Consecrated or they will lose.

In addition, he works awesome with little Jace!

In a vacuum, Consecrated Sphinx is a powerhouse. However, cube is all about relative value. The easiest comparison is to his brethren on Jwar Isle. I can imagine a ton of situations where Jwar-Jwar wins you the game, where Consecrated Sphinx does nothing or very little, and much fewer situations where the values are reversed (at least to that extreme). That said, often games go much differently than imagined, and different decks need different characteristics in finishers.

As Wtwfl said he is less impressive as a creature finisher, but the card advantage makes it a must-answer-now-card.

I think all the finishers OP mentioned are about the same strength level and it really depends on what you are looking for.
Jar Jar has shroud and is dependable. Consacrated Sphinx is fun and impressive. Meloku is powerfull and is versatile. Keiga is splashable and great against midrange. Jace 3 is deadly, but you need some board presence.

I think they're at least close enough in power level that if your group is clamoring for it then you should include it (and probably feel okay replacing one of those finishers). Keiga doesn't exactly protect itself either. It might nab you an enemy creature that allows you to finish the game, but it might not. Consecrated Sphinx might nab you the card you need to finish the game, it might not.

Quote from Power Conduit

I think they're at least close enough in power level that if your group is clamoring for it then you should include it (and probably feel okay replacing one of those finishers). Keiga doesn't exactly protect itself either. It might nab you an enemy creature that allows you to finish the game, but it might not. Consecrated Sphinx might nab you the card you need to finish the game, it might not.

Ya, but you're aware of Keiga's potential value before it's cast. Do they have a creature worth stealing? Yes, Keiga is good to cast at this moment.

I agree with everyone who said that Consecrated Sphinx is a card that must be answered now. In theory, I like Sphinx of Jwar Isle more, because he's a classic control finisher. I love me some shroud. It's just value (doesn't turn on their removal, etc., etc.). But Consecrated Sphinx very often runs away with the game. If my opponent plays Consecrated, I'm far more worried.

I'm actually surprised that this isn't consensus. In my mind, Consecrated Sphinx is a much better card than Keiga, and I don't even see how its close. I would rate them like this:

1 Consecrated Sphinx
2 Meloku
3 Sphinx of Jwar Isle
4 Keiga

I do love me some Keiga, don't get me wrong. I think all these cards are fantastic. All four easily make my 420.

I only play two of those 4 at 450, and I prefer Keiga as my 6+ drop of choice. Don't get me wrong, I like Consecrated Sphinx a lot, but it's not a finisher as much as it is a big draw spell. Keiga on the other hand will kill your opponent. And if she can't, you do it with their best creature instead.

Out of the big 4 Keiga is my least favorite and I think Meloku is clearly the best (it only costs 5!). Haven't made up my mind between Jwar Isle and Consecrated but they're pretty close.

Quote from eidolon »

If I had to cut one of the finishers on the above list, it would most likely be Meloku.

Meloku is the only card on that list that I consider untouchable.

Quote from wtwlf123

Meloku is the only card on that list that I consider untouchable.

Yeah, no way Meloku is ever getting cut. People put a little too much stock in 'mana spent' and not enough in 'wins games'.

-AA

Of those 4 I would run Consecrated Sphinx and Meloku if I had to choose two. I use Consecrated Sphinx and Frost Titan as my two 6+ "finishers." If the opponent has no fatties on board I would prefer Consecrated to Keiga. If the opponent has a fatty on board I would prefer Frost Titan to Keiga

Consectrated Sphinx is the best blue finisher from my perspective. I like Meloku and many of the other cards mentioned on this thread, but no other card is as scary to see on the other side of the board from my experiences than this Sphinx.

Consecrated Sphinx was discussed here in the Random Cube Card of the Day thread.