[Single Card Discussion]: Nix

[Nehptis]

Nix
Card Type: Instant 
Rules Text (Oracle):  Counter target spell if no mana was spent to play it.

When playing Oath or any other deck that might use this spell in an environment that is Stax light and Flash/GAT/Storm heavy is Nix perhaps a better counter to consider than Mana Drain or Leak/Delay?

The amount of MD and SB cards of Flash and GAT that Nix can hit are amazing:

FOW/Misd/Pact of Neg - These cards alone seem to make Nix a strong consideration.
Gush - Stopping free draw spells is a good thing.
Pact of Summoning - COTV for 0 + Nix is a nice hoser for both Pacts.
All Moxes/Lotus - Not usually the best target for a counter spell, but sometimes good, especially if you re attacking is mana with Wastes.
Reverent Silence - Nix will keep your Oath or Leyline on the board.
Submerge - Nix will keep your targetable creatures on the board (or just bring in SS's!).

In regards to Ichorid it stops Therapy, Unmask and Dread Return.
Bomberman it stops Lotus (no that impactful since you have COTV at 0).

The upside to NIX is that it is 1 less mana intensive by 1 or U than Leak/Delay or Drain.  Meaning it is a hard counter if Flash goes Turn 1 on the draw, S Pact and all you have is an Island in play.  Without Nix, you must have a FOW to stop their spell.  Drain/Leak/Delay come up short with only 1 mana source in play.  Also, on any turn that you have U available the scenario can be; Opponent goe Flash or Dryad or whatever, you go FOW, they go Pitch Counter / Pact of Neg or Gush, so you can go Nix.

One downside of Nix is that it is not synergetic with COTV for 1 on the board which is a very powerful hoser by itself.

<Common sense edits!>

[Addolorisi]

Daze - These cards alone seem to make Nix a strong consideration

Please just pay the  instead.

ESG - See above comment for Moxes/Lotus

It's an activated ability, not a spell. It's also a mana ability, which can't be countered.

In GAT I tested Nix in the Drain slot because in my problem matches Drain was only relevant half the time I had it so I was really looking to replace what would have been MD REBs. Unfortunately, the card is about as narrow as MisD (the times you can use it outside of counter wars are strongly limited) and it just wasn't worth running 4 cards that needed another counter in hand to really become useful. Sure, coming out of nowhere on a Gush was cool when it happened - but it just didn't happen frequently enough that I felt Nix would be better than just sticking with Drain or revisiting the red splash.

[Harlequin]

My oath list from the last two Myriad Games tournies has been running 3 Nix mainboard.  Its a great card, I would say that its the 2nd best 1cc counter.  REB is generally better - however, It means you have to play non-basics earlier - so its not that much better.  A few things you missed:

Tormods Crypt
Dread Return
Cabal Therepy (on the flashback) ... Not amazing, basically they cabal you once, and when they cabal you again ... they get nix.
Any Card flipped with Mind's Desire

and ....
Abolish (you may laugh but I've done this on MWS).
Any suspended Card (good against ppl who don't know that this is type 1 )

[Nehptis]

@Addolorisi - Thanks for the corrections, I'll adjust my original post.  The points you noted are also my concerns about the card, eg. it being a narrow use spell in practice and a deceivingly high use spell on paper.

@Harlequin - I mentioned the Ich cards in my original post, but thanks for the other comments!

[policehq]

I really like Nix and Spell Snare because they help you win counter wars without losing so many cards in hand like additional pitch counters (Misdirection).

Nix is indeed good against Ichorid, but not nearly as good as Chalice of the Void with 1 counter. This stops their Cabal Therapy information and allows you to play Force of Will on their Dread Return.

-hq

[Nehptis]

You bring up a very interesting point with Spell Snare.

The issue that I'm trying to resolve is that with Oath I tend to lose matches to control / combo (GAT, Flash, etc.) typically when I lose a key counter war (shocking isn't it!).  For example:

1) I lose a counter war when trying to resolve or protect Oath / creature.
2)I lose a counter war when trying to prevent an opponent's bomb.  Meaning trying to stop Flash or trying to counter a Dryad.

When examining Spell Snare, cards that come to mind are:
Drain
Flash
Dryad
Confidant
D Tutor
Merchant Scroll
E Truth
Timewalk
Regrowth
Cabal Ritual
Edict

Vs. the list discussed above for Nix:
FOW
Misd
Pact of Neg
Gush
Pact of Summoning
All Moxes/Lotus
Reverent Silence
Submerge
Therapy
Unmask
Dread Return
T Crypt

But, perhaps to address my main concerns (1. trying to resolve or protect Oath/creature and 2. trying to prevent an opponent's bomb) a deeper scenario based analysis is required.

Scenario 1:  Opponent tries to counter, destroy, or bounce Oath/Creature with a with converted mana cost of 2 spell.

Snare:  Snare their Drain or Echoing Truth or Edict and FOW / MISD their backup counter.  This misses if their main spell is a FOW/Pact or Reverent Silence / Submerge.

Nix: FOW / MISD their spell, and Nix their FOW / MISD / Pact backup counter.
This misses if their backup counter is a REB or Drain.

It seems that this scenario is narrowly in Nix's favor.

Scenario 2:  Opponent tries to counter, destroy, or bounce Oath/Creature with a free spell.

Snare: FOW / MISD their Pact/FOW/Drain, E Truth, Edict, Reverent Silence / Submerge, and Snare their Drain backup counter.

This misses if their backup counter is a REB or FOW/MISD/Pact.

Nix:  Nix their Pact/FOW, Reverent Silence / Submerge and FOW / MISD their backup counter.  This misses if their main spell is an Echoing Truth, Edict or Drain.

To close to call on which is superior here.

Scenario 3: Opponent casts a Bomb/Tutor with converted mana cost of 2 (Dryad / Flash / DT / MS, etc.)

Snare: Snare the spell and FOW / MISD their backup counter.  This misses bombs like Gush, Pact of Summoning, Lotus, etc.

Scenario 4: Opponent casts a Bomb/Tutor with a free spell (S Pact / Gush / Lotus, etc.)

Nix: FOW their spell and Nix their FOW / MISD / Pact backup counter.  This misses a Drain / REB backup counter.

It seems that this scenario is narrowly in Nix's favor.

Scenario 5: When all you have in hand is a Snare or Nix.

Snare: See list above.
Nix: See list above.

It depends on the scenario; if you are trying to win a counter war then I'd prefer to have Nix in hand.  If I'm trying to stop a bomb/Tutor then Snare is more favorable.  So, no clear winner here either.

To be honest I'm not having trouble with the Ich match.   So, I'm not weighing those cards in my analysis very heavily.

Also, a timely Duress screws up these scenarios of having both a Nix/Snare and FOW/MISD in hand.  So, then what, COTV at 1…lol?

If I had to make a choice, and I will based on MWS testing, I think Nix is my spell of choice over Snare.  But, will Nix replace the Drain/Leak/Delay spot…to be determined.

[Vegeta2711]

Nix is ok as a random extra counter if your deck is somehow incapable of running REB.

[Smmenen]

i agree with vegeta.

Nix isn't particularly thrilling and I'd only use it when there is pretty much nothing better left.    i can't imagine using this over reb.   reb hits a broader array of spells in vintage than nix does.   

[Roat17]

IMO, Nix occupies the slot that you want to use to counter your opponents FOW for the most part.  For this reason, running NIX in conjunction with FoW can almost guarentee your bombs go through first turn.  I can see people wanting to NIX otherspells, but if you have 2-4 MD slots dedicated to NIX, you should be expecting to play NIX in every single game.  That being said, I agree that REB would be better suited for this, or Duress.  NIX is just way too narrow unless it's sole purpose is to protect Flash/Hulk, as later in the game if someone hardcasts FOW, you are kinda hooped! 

[UrDraco]

I don't understand this love affair with REB. Yes it is awesome but be a little open minded. Besides staxx I don't know a single matchup where you can't use Nix. What can Nix counter that REB can't and vica versa (not a complete list I know):

Nix can that REB can't:
Cabal Therapy
Tormod's Crypt
Dread Return
Summoners Pact
Reverent Silence
Unmask

REB that Nix can't:
Gifts
FoF
Deep Anal
Merchant Scroll
Recall
Time Walk
Timetwister

Yes, REB seems cooler, but when you take into account all the facts I would lean more toward Nix. Firstly you don't have to run the color red. If you aren't playing gifts then your control deck typically isn't going to run red. Nix is also a little more awesome because it pitches to FoW and MisD. The only reason I don't run it maindeck is because Chalice at one is just too awesome.

[Dante]

REB that Nix can't:
Gifts
FoF
Deep Anal
Merchant Scroll
Recall
Time Walk
Timetwister
 

umm...

Brainstorm
Mana Drain
Gush
Flash

those are 4 huge ones right now

Also:

Thirst for Knowledge
most Fish creatures
any blue bounce spell
Threads of Disloyalty - becoming a key sideboard staple/option in addition to Control Magic seeing a resurgence.


basically Steve summed it up 

REB hits a broader array of spells in vintage than nix does

I think if you make some decklists that are representative of the field, you'll find if you can support REB, REB will counter MORE of the KEY cards in almost all of those decks than Nix will.

[Harlequin]

As far as Nix vrs REB
I think the biggest card is Drain.  And if your in a drain meta then the arguement is clear.
 
Brainstorm could be good ... but how often do you really Reb brainstorm

Gifts and FoF - generally are not going to be cast without back up.  Also they are expensive, so your most likely looking at FoW or MisD as back up -or- REB or even Nix as back up.  So in order to stop Gifts or FoF you probably will need double counterspell.  Double REB will work, where double Nix will not.  Outside of that your looking at needing a drain or force or your own to stop either of these spells, and your using Nix/REB to back-up.

Interestingly enough, you can REB a Nix, but you can't Nix a REB (that sounds like the start of an IQ test question), so in a Nix heavy meta, REB would be better.

I think I like Nix because Nix hits at least a few cards in every deck.  Even Mono Black, Shops, TMWA, blue-less Belcher, ... every deck has at least lotus and some on color mox.  So as far as a Maindeck slot, it's better than REB.  If were talking board slot then REB is better.

[The Atog Lord]

REB can also hit various in-play Blue cards, like a resolved Psychatog. The only advantages Nix has over REB is that it can go in decks not running Red, and that it can pitch to Force of Will. In general, though, Nix is a bad REB.

[Dante]

As far as Nix vrs REB
I think the biggest card is Drain.  And if your in a drain meta then the arguement is clear.
 
Brainstorm could be good ... but how often do you really Reb brainstorm

Gifts and FoF - generally are not going to be cast without back up.  Also they are expensive, so your most likely looking at FoW or MisD as back up -or- REB or even Nix as back up.  So in order to stop Gifts or FoF you probably will need double counterspell.  Double REB will work, where double Nix will not.  Outside of that your looking at needing a drain or force or your own to stop either of these spells, and your using Nix/REB to back-up.

Interestingly enough, you can REB a Nix, but you can't Nix a REB (that sounds like the start of an IQ test question), so in a Nix heavy meta, REB would be better.

I think I like Nix because Nix hits at least a few cards in every deck.  Even Mono Black, Shops, TMWA, blue-less Belcher, ... every deck has at least lotus and some on color mox.  So as far as a Maindeck slot, it's better than REB.  If were talking board slot then REB is better.

If you're not considering REB'ing Brainstorm early game against X-Long variety or GAT, then your thinking is vastly different than mine (as in I think you stop the engine before it gets started). 

Mono-black, TMWA??  I guess if that's what your meta is like, REB won't be too good, but against a field where the popular and top table decks are X-Long, Flash, GAT, Fish, along with Shops and then randoms, REB is CLEARLY more IMPACTFUL against more top-tier decks and more cards.

Let's just go through 6of the top 7 topics for top8s and tournament reports here at TMD:

Moxpearls report from COD - he played Flash Slivers, Bomberman, Long, Flash, UW, Slaver, Long, ICBM Oath.  REB would be better in EVERY single one of those matchups.

Let's look at the untouchables Top 8 - UR Landstill x2, GAT, UW Fish, GAT, Infernal contract Long (lots of Blue), Stax, BW Fish.   REB is a MUCH BIGGER beating vs 6 of the 8 decks and misses two.  The only advantage NIX has is countering some Mox or Chalice for 0.  That's losing out against EVERY SINGLE CARD except crucible in the Landstill, most of the GAT decks, and all the non-Fow spells except STP but including meddling mage vs UW Fish. 

moxpearls report from Monster den - staxless stax, 5c stax, ub fish, bomberman, gat, uwb fish,  - again REB is MUCH better in 4/6 matchups and in the other 2, you get to counter a mox or chalice 0. 

some other guy's report from RIW - Ichorid, Oath, belcher, oath, mostly blue deck, oath, combo, ubw fish.  Again, REB is better in 6/8 matchups with the only SIGNIFICANT advantage for Nix being Ichorid (Therapy).

God Campbell's report form Untouchables - stax, metalworker/shop, urphid, bomberman, GAT, UR landstill, ur landstill.  Again, REB is MUCH better in 5/7 matchups and all nix does vs stax and the other shop decks is counter a few mox, maybe chalice 0.

Tin Mox report from the meandeck open - GAT, the meandeck, GAT, slaver.  REB is much better against all 4 decks than NIX.

That's just 6 of the top 7 topics in the Reports forum at this given moment (removing the tokyo metagame aside because they are small and not that mature of a metagame).  So basically for all the top 8s and/or reports, against those matchups/decks, REB is considerably better than NIX an OVERWHELMING majority of the time.

Maybe it's just me, but the evidence seems overwhelmingly in REBs favor at this time, assuming your deck can support red.