While I applaud the design and power level of this guy, I'm not really sure what makes him any more suited to Vintage at the moment than Dark Confidant. Bob barely gets a look-in these days, and as long as mid-range gro decks (and the removal we all run because of them) continue to be a thing, I doubt this guy will either.
That said, if Gush ever gets restricted we might be back to looking for other draw engines. Still, even then, Bob seems far more reliable, especially at helping you hit your land drops versus Shops, so you can even begin to think about emptying your hand.
Cool card, but I'm not really seeing it in Vintage.
That said, if Gush ever gets restricted we might be back to looking for other draw engines. Still, even then, Bob seems far more reliable, especially at helping you hit your land drops versus Shops, so you can even begin to think about emptying your hand.
Cool card, but I'm not really seeing it in Vintage.
Looking at each part of each card:
Draw ability both have variance in what is going to happen. Bob's ability reveals the card, and does a lot more damage on average. Bob is also limited to a maximum of 1 card per turn regardless of the situation, although that card is guaranteed. In any deck where you go hellbent often, workshops/dredge/dragon/ect., this is way better than Bob. Asylum Visitor has the bonus of potentially causing your opponent to take suboptimal lines in order to try and shut off the ability too.
P/T edge goes to Asylum Visit as 3/1 > 2/1. This power difference is also not negligible as it can trade with Lodestone, kill Jace in one attack, trade with a blocking Mishra's Factory, and provide a clock that is 3 turns faster.
The Madness ability. This is obviously something Bob doesn't have at all. Asylum Visitor has already generated card advantage just by being cast off its madness ability, regardless of whether it resolves or is removed before it ever activates.
Honestly this card is of a higher power level than Bob although in some decks, Bob would likely be the better choice.