- Adamant Negation

[MaximumCDawg]

Another in a long line of counterspells that are conditionally better than Drain:

~Adamant Negation
U
Instant - Uncommon
Counter target non-creature spell unless its controller pays 1.
Ferocious - If you control a creature with power 4 or greater, counter that spell instead.

http://www.bigmagic.net/news/0187.html

This seems really freakin' scary.  Blue Shops seems like the natural home for this card, giving the deck a very quick way to back up Lodestone.  Goyf makes a triumphant return to aggro decks (and probably goes up in price because holy crap Modern?!).  If your opponent sees just one of these in a game, suddenly all of your creature threats are much higher priority because they might turn on your counter wall.

I don't think this is an auto-include in anything, but if your deck can reasonably field a 4 power creature on turn 1, this seems really, really playable.

[Protoaddict]

I don't know if this is going to be as prominent as spell pierce, which in it's proper deck almost always reads "U - Counter target non creature spell", but I guess there are lists where this will be more appropriate? the difference between 1 and 2 mana is a big deal though 1 mana people generally leave up for their own counters, 2 mana they generally do not unless they have drains.

What deck fills the conditions this thing is looking for? It would have to have a reliable number of 4 power creatures in the deck, so Goyf, and be looking to deny mana to a player so the mana tax can be paid.

The only thing that comes to mind for this card is blue shops, but i'm not sure that is or will ever be a list, or some type of affinity that wants to slam a Myr Enfocer down early, though with the overall power of blue counter magic and thoughtcast, affinity is looking better and better lately.

[MaximumCDawg]

I am thanking my lucky stars that they did not choose "3" as the cut off for the Mardu mechanic because, holy crap, Delver?

[Protoaddict]

Yea, They have to be aware of that. 3 power before turn 3 is typically very hard in most formats, but 4 power creatures usually don't come up until you hit 3 CMC creatures with the exception of goyf, but that often requires your opponent to cast a sorcery or something to fill the yards for you.

Keep in mind that in Naya it was 5 power, and they had to compensate for that by printing things like Woolly Thoctar that would enable it before turn 4, so maybe we see a 4 power 2 drop?

[ben_berry]

I think 4 was a deliberate choice so these won't "come online" till turn 4. Assuming you're tapping out for a 4/4 on turn 3.

[nedleeds]

Counter-Devil?

[MaximumCDawg]

Counter-Devil?

As if that card said something other than "Discard a Swords to Plowshares.  If you cannot, lose 4 life" anyway.

[Protoaddict]

Anyone who lets you have a devil turn 1 deserves what happens to them.

A quick Gatherer search reveals that 4 power on anything 2 CMC or less is not only exceedingly rare but also crap. Of the cards available to you that are not named Tarmogoyf or Scavenging ooze (and they are not guaranteed) the only two that are even fringe playable are Jotun Grunt and Vexing devil, and neither synergize very well with this card.

[wiley]

There is also the evil scissors thing that was printed recently.  That is an early turn 5/5.

[serracollector]

Esperzoa and the blue angel that requires a spell cast first are both four power for three mana and blue. As well as scissors as mentioned. And of course you cant forget stifle dread naught. Even flesh reaver and phyrexian negator are possible when you talk one mana counters.

[vaughnbros]

If this said 3 power it would definitely be playable.  If anything this is proof that wizards knows where the line is with eternal cards now.

[JarofFortune]

This card will see no serious play. You would much rather have daze, which is only good for certain decks and metas. You would much rather have pierce in almost any situation.