Hex Parasite

[zimagic]

Hex Parasite 
Rare
Artifact Creature - Insect(?)
  {PB}: Target a permanent. Remove up to X counters from that permanent. ~ gains +1/+0 until end of turn for each counter removed this way.
({PB} may be paid for with either  or 2 life.)
1/1

An answer to 'stacks & Jaces? (Presuming that U Tezz is generally just going to come in, tutor and be done). As it sticks around, anything that adds counters like Stacks is essentially just buffing it.

Seems like a useful tool for fish.

[TopSecret]

does that hit time vaults?

either way
ridiculously interesting with a lot of potential

wait
works with hexmage.deck, too?
omg yes

[StanleyAugust]

Cumulative Upkeep.dec under construction!

[TheBrassMan]

It costs 10 mana to activate dark depths, which is better than 30, but not terribly exciting.  It doesn't do anything with Time Vault, which doesn't use time counters anymore.  The most spike-ish application of this card is likely going to be killing planeswalkers, which it does with gorilla-shaman like efficiency.

[Tobi]

Paying life instead of mana has always been very strong in vintage. With this guy, you can kill a Jace for 6 life without paying any mana, neutralize Tangle Wire etc
Too bad it doesn't work with Null Rod, which kinda prohibits it for Fish...

[Daenyth]

Paying life instead of mana has always been very strong in vintage. With this guy, you can kill a Jace for 6 life without paying any mana, neutralize Tangle Wire etc
Too bad it doesn't work with Null Rod, which kinda prohibits it for Fish...

That's not how it works though. It would cost 3 mana and 2 life, which still isn't terrible, but not nearly as good.

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=116614&d=1301957144

[AmbivalentDuck]

It costs 10 mana to activate dark depths, which is better than 30, but not terribly exciting.  It doesn't do anything with Time Vault, which doesn't use time counters anymore.  The most spike-ish application of this card is likely going to be killing planeswalkers, which it does with gorilla-shaman like efficiency.

I disagree.  This further breaks the asymmetry of Smokestack by letting you remove counters before the sac effect resolves, then add one afterwards.  In other words, it can function like a Crucible that doesn't cost you your land drop each turn.  I think we can all agree that Smokestack at 2 is more effective than Smokestack at 1.  This also increases the value of having multiple Smokestacks in play.

[DubDub]

It costs 10 mana to activate dark depths, which is better than 30, but not terribly exciting.  It doesn't do anything with Time Vault, which doesn't use time counters anymore.  The most spike-ish application of this card is likely going to be killing planeswalkers, which it does with gorilla-shaman like efficiency.

I disagree.  This further breaks the asymmetry of Smokestack by letting you remove counters before the sac effect resolves, then add one afterwards.  In other words, it can function like a Crucible that doesn't cost you your land drop each turn.  I think we can all agree that Smokestack at 2 is more effective than Smokestack at 1.  This also increases the value of having multiple Smokestacks in play.

Are you thinking of having this in some Black Stax build where you'll pay the for each activation?  Or are you going to pay 2 life per Smokestack to reset?

[PETER FLUGZEUG]

I see it's use perhaps in a deck with

mystic remora:
during your upkeep, pay 1{PB}.

but I don't know if this would be enough to justify it.

[Oath of Happy]

I think this cards main application in Vintage will be keeping Skulking Fugitive and Tar Pit Warrior decks in line.

[Troy_Costisick]

It kills Gemstone Mine too!

[TopSecret]

and AEther Vial!
and Chalice!

the applications are endless!

and every time you use the mana, you make it big
like, that is some huge tempo

[Shax]

All in all I think this cards impact will be subtle, or give aggro/midrange control decks that exist the ninja they want. It works against Shop very well. Fish too. The sauce at the top is that it kills planeswalkers. Another tool for already great MUD decks anyone? Bye bye Jace, hello Hex followed by Lodestone Golem.. who sticks on the table.

[Bill Copes]

Well, I guess kitchen finks is broken now.

[patat]

Well, I guess kitchen finks is broken now.

omgsobusted. =P

I feel like whether or not this becomes actually used in vintage, it's pretty nice to see Wizards coming up with some interesting solutions to applicable problems across different formats, namely removing planeswalkers.  Though this might not be too efficient, it will still kill a Jace with ease and is playable across all decks.  That, and it does have some interesting effects... It's definitely one of those cards that might become broken by some random interactions...

[ReubenG]

I really like that the CMC is  and can be found with Trinket Mage.  I see it more Legacy playable in than Vintage in a deck as a 1 of with Trinket Mage.  In Vintage, it would be an interesting answer to Tangle Wire.

I really wish it had flying though, but that must be what was given up to make this cost 

[nineisnoone]

I see it's use perhaps in a deck with

mystic remora:
during your upkeep, pay 1{PB}.

but I don't know if this would be enough to justify it.

I really like that the CMC is  and can be found with Trinket Mage.  I see it more Legacy playable in than Vintage in a deck as a 1 of with Trinket Mage.  In Vintage, it would be an interesting answer to Tangle Wire.

I really wish it had flying though, but that must be what was given up to make this cost 

I think Remora and Trinket Mage could work in a deck together. 

[Guli]

Very interesting to reset Vial.

Very interesting with Death's Shadow, a card I have been using with great succes combined with city of brass and tarnished citadel.


I am thinking in the lines of Goblin Welder, Hex Parasite, Spellsplitter, Death's Shadow, Vials, Skullclamps, canonist, revoker, mox opal and maybe some key hosers like teeg that need to be removed in order to win from opponents perspective.

I used Sylvan Safekeeper to protect key hosers in the past but Spellsplitter seems stronger because losing life instead of lands is better.

Spellsplitter and Death's Shadow is a serious threat. It basically cheats the 'clock' aspect of the game and takes several time walks. It is kinda like the TV combo of fish if their are no blockers. The red zone would be 12 because an unblocked Death's Shadow can be potentially pumped to a 12/12 with Spellsplitter. Without making this a central theme or main goal of a deck, it is a nice bonus to have. Note that with welders, clamps and hex's an activation will most likely occur.

[Blue Lotus]

Very interesting to reset Vial.

Very interesting with Death's Shadow, a card I have been using with great succes combined with city of brass and tarnished citadel.


I am thinking in the lines of Goblin Welder, Hex Parasite, Spellsplitter, Death's Shadow, Vials, Skullclamps, canonist, revoker, mox opal and maybe some key hosers like teeg that need to be removed in order to win from opponents perspective.

I used Sylvan Safekeeper to protect key hosers in the past but Spellsplitter seems stronger because losing life instead of lands is better.

Spellsplitter and Death's Shadow is a serious threat. It basically cheats the 'clock' aspect of the game and takes several time walks. It is kinda like the TV combo of fish if their are no blockers. The red zone would be 12 because an unblocked Death's Shadow can be potentially pumped to a 12/12 with Spellsplitter. Without making this a central theme or main goal of a deck, it is a nice bonus to have. Note that with welders, clamps and hex's an activation will most likely occur.

So when you say success, you mean tournament top eights?

[Guli]

Very interesting to reset Vial.

Very interesting with Death's Shadow, a card I have been using with great succes combined with city of brass and tarnished citadel.


I am thinking in the lines of Goblin Welder, Hex Parasite, Spellsplitter, Death's Shadow, Vials, Skullclamps, canonist, revoker, mox opal and maybe some key hosers like teeg that need to be removed in order to win from opponents perspective.

I used Sylvan Safekeeper to protect key hosers in the past but Spellsplitter seems stronger because losing life instead of lands is better.

Spellsplitter and Death's Shadow is a serious threat. It basically cheats the 'clock' aspect of the game and takes several time walks. It is kinda like the TV combo of fish if their are no blockers. The red zone would be 12 because an unblocked Death's Shadow can be potentially pumped to a 12/12 with Spellsplitter. Without making this a central theme or main goal of a deck, it is a nice bonus to have. Note that with welders, clamps and hex's an activation will most likely occur.

So when you say success, you mean tournament top eights?

Playtesting, I design and test. Look at it this way, why not use your life point as a resource.

[nineisnoone]

Spellsplitter probably doesn't work the way you think it does.  You can't force invalid targets, so unless if you are in some aggro mirror match-up you'll still end up losing one of your creatures.  So if you want to protect creatures, safekeeper is better (or mother of runes if you have white i guess).

[Guli]

Spellsplitter probably doesn't work the way you think it does.  You can't force invalid targets, so unless if you are in some aggro mirror match-up you'll still end up losing one of your creatures.  So if you want to protect creatures, safekeeper is better (or mother of runes if you have white i guess).

Target spell or ability that targets only a single creature targets Spellsplitter instead.

The activation cost we are interested in is "pay 2 life". I can stack up these activations untill my life total is 1 or 2. The idea is not to protect my creature(s) in this case, the plan is to swing for lethal if the opponent has less than 13 life points left.

Next to that you can protect your creatures from spot removal. It hardly matters that your Spellsplitter is bounced or killed, it is weldable and vial@2 friendly in case of emergency.

[nineisnoone]

ahhh, it was i who didn't understand.  my bad.

in any case i don't really see how it is stronger protection, unless you really value the combo that much. i've kinda always wanted to play Hatred in a match.

and of course it matters.

[Dr.KnowMaD]

This is one of if not the best card spoiled.  So Good.  If I got this right I pay   and   (x2)life to remove any counter off any permanent?   And its a win condition that Grows.  What!? Really!?  Yeah, I'll get some of these if that is so.  I see lots of good application so far.

I am really excited about the Phyrexian Mana and I want to see what will be done with it.

The new black card could be amazing too.  Maybe they could work together.

Lates, DrKnowMaD

({PB} may be paid for with either   or 2 life.)

[Daenyth]

This is one of if not the best card spoiled.  Soooo GoooD.  If I got this right I pay   and   (x2)life to remove any counter off any permanent?  What!? Really!?  And its a win condition that Grows.  What!?  Yeah, I'll get some of these.  I see lots of good application so far.

I am really excited about the Phyrexian Mana and I want to see what will be done with it.

Lates, DrKnowMaD

You pay   and 2 life or

[bun]

My first instinct was to really like this card, and I suppose I still do, but with the exception of the cheaper manacost and the fact that it can be used to do things like abuse cumulative upkeep, isn't phyrexian revoker better?  It only affects one card, and you have to name it when you play it, but it affects a lot more cards, you don't have to pay life for it, and it gets around null rod.

[Guli]

ahhh, it was i who didn't understand.  my bad.

in any case i don't really see how it is stronger protection, unless you really value the combo that much. i've kinda always wanted to play Hatred in a match.

and of course it matters.

It might not be stronger protection but Spellsplitter seems way more multifunctional. With clamp it can be welded and serve as a clamp activation, it is nice to have in the mirror both for blocking and for spot removal. And like i said in the previous posts, it makes Death's Shadow a serious clock. Hex Parasite is also very interesting to make D.S. bigger while removing counters and beating. Being able to answer smokestack, wires and planeswalkers seems pretty nice next to all the other fancy stuff.

[nineisnoone]

i really don't see how you can like spellsplitter, but go for it if that's how you feel.

@bun.  i don't see why the two cards would be in competition. 

[Dr.KnowMaD]

i really don't see how you can like spellsplitter, but go for it if that's how you feel.

@bun.  i don't see why the two cards would be in competition.  

That's what I'm saying.  Just play both. They hit a lot of targets and are both colorless. (Hex Does prefer Black)  Blacks not a bad option with all the goodies it already has plus the new ones spoiled.  (Praetor's Grip)

DrKnowMaD

[bun]

i really don't see how you can like spellsplitter, but go for it if that's how you feel.

@bun.  i don't see why the two cards would be in competition. 

The only reason to choose hex parasite would be to abuse the life payment ability, I think.