Izzet Staticaster is a card that I auto-rejected at first, since she cannot deal damage to players. However, the dearth of cubable Izzet cards and the fact that many cubes are running Gelectrode made me reconsider this creature.
Speaking of Gelectrode, let's compare the two cards. Here are the pros and cons of the Staticaster:
+ Flash
Most UR decks are "counter burn" control decks with lots of instants - especially counter spells. For this reason, a creature with flash is a huge boon, since you can wait to see if your opponent casts something you wan to counter this turn.
+ Haste
Haste on a pinger plain and simple means that you can use it one turn earlier than a normal pinger. Combined with flash, you can completely surprise your opponent with a ping midcombat or while a spell or ability is on the stack.
+ Toughness 3
This is also very relevant in a control deck, because you can block many aggro creatures or some midrange utility creature that might also be attacking. Unlike a 0/1, the Staticaster can actually mingle in combat. She will also survive some of the smaller removal spells (including your own Pyroclasm).
+ Can deal with multiple tokens
There are quite a few good cards that make multiple 1/1 tokens in cube. Staticaster can kill all of them with a single ping (as long as they are all of the same name). She can also be combined with other red burn spells to deal with multiple larger tokens at once (Arc Lightning on those three Wolves, then Staticaster for the kill).
- Cannot deal more than 1 damage to a single target at once
Gelectrode can be used to deal 2 - or sometimes even 3 - damage in a single turn, thus taking out bigger creatures.
- Cannot deal damage to players
This is the big problem in my opinion. A good pinger should ping both creatures and players. Staticaster not only lacks this ability, but is also has 0 power, meaning that she is unable to damage an opponent at all.
As we can see, Staticaster has a few real upsides, but are they good enough to outweigh the downsides? Could she replace Gelectrode or - considering that RtR brought no good UR card beyond Izzet Charm for cube - be run besides the Weird in larger cubes?
Are there any ways to give this guy deathtouch? I don't think cubes usually run Basilisk Collar, but it could create a new control archetype if there are 2-4 ways to grant deathtouch and 4-5 pingers (this guy, Sparkmage, Grim Lavamancer, Gelectrode?)
Oh, I thought he was talking about playing a spell that is countering a spell with counters on it as it comes into play, but I see you guys were just discussing whether he was flashing a creature with flash in order to flash a flashback or just flashing a creature with flash but not needing flash in order to flashback a spell without flash.
I like that it has haste, and LOVE that it has flash, but the upside of 1 damage to a creature(s) per turn is really, really bad.
Yeah, the anti-token ability is pretty narrow. Flash + haste on a pinger is pretty sweet though and the reason why I mentioned the card here, even with the big downside of not hitting players.
Are there any ways to give this guy deathtouch? I don't think cubes usually run Basilisk Collar, but it could create a new control archetype if there are 2-4 ways to grant deathtouch and 4-5 pingers (this guy, Sparkmage, Grim Lavamancer, Gelectrode?)
Basilisk Collar is the only reasonable one I can think of. Even without deathtouch, having multiple pingers online can really dominate the board.
As a 1/3 or with the ability to shoot players, I would instantly run it over Gelectrode. Without either of those features, it is a pretty close call, imo. Flash + haste is so sweet on a three mana pinger, but not damaging players is so bitter...
Thinking the same thing, not being able to hit players is a doozy to pingers. I'd play it as a 0/3 if it could hit players but we all know we want it to be a 1/3.
I honestly want to see a really pushed pinger, would have been really sweet in Izzet.
I honestly want to see a really pushed pinger, would have been really sweet in Izzet.
Same actually. I don't think we have any pingers in the cube other than Gelectrode and Spikeshot Elder at higher cube sizes. It'd be nice to have a 1/3 Straticaster that would deal damage equal to its power to creatures or players.
I originally thought this thing was a 1/3 and thought it wasnt good enough for cube. Being an 0/3 seems like a waste of the flash (taking down X/2's). The only thing I like about(over gelectrode) it is that its an instant, because I hate tapping out for gelectrode sometime when I play counterburn.
For those of you looking for a pushed pinger in red/blue, Razorfin Hunter does exist. No bells or whistles but 2 is a lot less than 3.
As for Staticaster, I'd play it at 1/3, or 0/4, or if it could hit players, or just about any additional value over what it does. The "hits extra things" clause is way less good in a singleton format like Cube.
For those of you looking for a pushed pinger in red/blue, Razorfin Hunter does exist. No bells or whistles but 2 is a lot less than 3.
For me, a multi-color slot (in guilds who are stacked like Izzet) is something that makes me want to go into that color for, or is really important like a Talisman/Signet.
Razorfin Hunter isn't either. Red's burn spells are straight up all more efficient than a two color 1/1 that isn't better than Invisible Stalker most of the time (1/1 unblockable that sometimes kills x/1s).
I like Fireslinger better, which is the only pinger worth playing at 450 and under.
Might want to mention its casting cost until you get a picture.
I like that it has haste, and LOVE that it has flash, but the upside of 1 damage to a creature(s) per turn is really, really bad.
Deathtouch
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what cards are in your cube that cheaply give deathtouch to creatures? do any of them allow you to take advantage of the flash? and wouldn't you rather just run better pingers that are good even without deathtouch?
When I see Healing Salve, I'm often like "Oh girl, I wish I could turn every card into this." Thanks they removed the gain life part, otherwise this would have been broken.
I know it's only tangential, but I run Basilisk Collar and my group loves it. I've seen it in a Boros Stoneforge package multiple times (Lavamancer, Sparkmage, Spikeshot Elder).
It's also hugely important for the Lifegain in some decks. My black decks do a ton of self damage (Confidant, Bitterblossom, Bloodgift Demon, Graveborn Muse, Thoughtsieze, etc.), and having a lifegain source other than Vampire Nighthawk is super useful.
Additionally, it is part of the Trinket Mage package, so who can complain there?
Just because there's one Basilisk Collar in the cube doesn't immediately render this guy cubeable.
I'd still rather have Gelectrode in a deck with Collar in it or not, and I cut that thing ages ago.
Izzet Staticaster is a card that I auto-rejected at first, since she cannot deal damage to players. However, the dearth of cubable Izzet cards and the fact that many cubes are running Gelectrode made me reconsider this creature.
Speaking of Gelectrode, let's compare the two cards. Here are the pros and cons of the Staticaster:
+ Flash
Most UR decks are "counter burn" control decks with lots of instants - especially counter spells. For this reason, a creature with flash is a huge boon, since you can wait to see if your opponent casts something you wan to counter this turn.
+ Haste
Haste on a pinger plain and simple means that you can use it one turn earlier than a normal pinger. Combined with flash, you can completely surprise your opponent with a ping midcombat or while a spell or ability is on the stack.
+ Toughness 3
This is also very relevant in a control deck, because you can block many aggro creatures or some midrange utility creature that might also be attacking. Unlike a 0/1, the Staticaster can actually mingle in combat. She will also survive some of the smaller removal spells (including your own Pyroclasm).
+ Can deal with multiple tokens
There are quite a few good cards that make multiple 1/1 tokens in cube. Staticaster can kill all of them with a single ping (as long as they are all of the same name). She can also be combined with other red burn spells to deal with multiple larger tokens at once (Arc Lightning on those three Wolves, then Staticaster for the kill).
- Cannot deal more than 1 damage to a single target at once
Gelectrode can be used to deal 2 - or sometimes even 3 - damage in a single turn, thus taking out bigger creatures.
- Cannot deal damage to players
This is the big problem in my opinion. A good pinger should ping both creatures and players. Staticaster not only lacks this ability, but is also has 0 power, meaning that she is unable to damage an opponent at all.
As we can see, Staticaster has a few real upsides, but are they good enough to outweigh the downsides? Could she replace Gelectrode or - considering that RtR brought no good UR card beyond Izzet Charm for cube - be run besides the Weird in larger cubes?
Image leeching replaced. Warning issued.
—Lanxal
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
I like that it has haste, and LOVE that it has flash, but the upside of 1 damage to a creature(s) per turn is really, really bad.
-regarding Snapcaster Mage.
Whoops, forgot that one. It's the same as Gelectrode's: 1UR
Yeah, the anti-token ability is pretty narrow. Flash + haste on a pinger is pretty sweet though and the reason why I mentioned the card here, even with the big downside of not hitting players.
Basilisk Collar is the only reasonable one I can think of. Even without deathtouch, having multiple pingers online can really dominate the board.
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
Also, you can use this image:
http://s3.gatheringmagic.com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/sets/RTR/Izzet%20Staticaster.jpg
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As a 1/3 or with the ability to shoot players, I would instantly run it over Gelectrode. Without either of those features, it is a pretty close call, imo. Flash + haste is so sweet on a three mana pinger, but not damaging players is so bitter...
Thanks for the image!
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
Thinking the same thing, not being able to hit players is a doozy to pingers. I'd play it as a 0/3 if it could hit players but we all know we want it to be a 1/3.
I honestly want to see a really pushed pinger, would have been really sweet in Izzet.
Same actually. I don't think we have any pingers in the cube other than Gelectrode and Spikeshot Elder at higher cube sizes. It'd be nice to have a 1/3 Straticaster that would deal damage equal to its power to creatures or players.
I'd definitely play that, and be happy about it.
Blimpy's Aggro-Focused Cube (powered 360)
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I originally thought this thing was a 1/3 and thought it wasnt good enough for cube. Being an 0/3 seems like a waste of the flash (taking down X/2's). The only thing I like about(over gelectrode) it is that its an instant, because I hate tapping out for gelectrode sometime when I play counterburn.
As for Staticaster, I'd play it at 1/3, or 0/4, or if it could hit players, or just about any additional value over what it does. The "hits extra things" clause is way less good in a singleton format like Cube.
For me, a multi-color slot (in guilds who are stacked like Izzet) is something that makes me want to go into that color for, or is really important like a Talisman/Signet.
Razorfin Hunter isn't either. Red's burn spells are straight up all more efficient than a two color 1/1 that isn't better than Invisible Stalker most of the time (1/1 unblockable that sometimes kills x/1s).
I like Fireslinger better, which is the only pinger worth playing at 450 and under.
Deathtouch
"In a world where money talks, silence is horrifying."
Ashcoat Bear of Limited
what cards are in your cube that cheaply give deathtouch to creatures? do any of them allow you to take advantage of the flash? and wouldn't you rather just run better pingers that are good even without deathtouch?
Just because there's one Basilisk Collar in the cube doesn't immediately render this guy cubeable.
I'd still rather have Gelectrode in a deck with Collar in it or not, and I cut that thing ages ago.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!