Gatecrash Leaks

[Norm4eva]

I think more to the point is that it's a 'better' version of Auras.  Better in that the effect occurs at least one (on casting) and then recurs every time the encoded dork gets through.  By itself it's playable without a creature in play, there are very few Auras that can do that (if any), so it's never as dead as a shitty Enchant Creature.

This particular card may not matter a damn in Vintage, but if there's any effect worth playing I can see it being tossed into a Fish-style deck.  I'm probably showing my age a little bit but there used to be no greater joy for me in Vintage than playing Curiosity on an unblockable (islandwalk) Merfolk.  This reminds me of that, only much more versatile.  I'd be thrilled to see a competitively costed Cipher card move down into old Eternal formats.

[Delha]

You said this...

I think we're talking about different things, D.  ...

But then you said this...

You're suggesting a deck that uses lots of bounce and then uses this fellow to cycle away all of the bounced permanents.  You want to set up an end step Sabotage or two on moxen, then barf up Whispering Madness (or Cipher it off your creature) to eliminate the artifacts and draw more cards to boot.  Alright, I see that.

...which was exactly what I was talking about. So pretty clearly not "different things"...?

At any rate, the bottom line is this: You said the effect is inherently weak, and that's what I disagreed with. The second sentence after I quoted you said that the effect is plenty strong, it's just a question if it was too much trouble to get running. For sake of clarity, my answer to the question is "yes". I don't think this card is too weak for Vintage. I do however, think it's too expensive for Vintage.