[SCD] Vexing Devil.

[Alex]

So let's just get this out of the way so that we can link to it for future reference. Even if the card rotates before the forum becomes popular enough to warrant it.

Ready? Set? Go!

Vexing Devil, or as I like to call it, "the worst of two circumstances."

[Dodger]

But it gets me 4 damage to the dome T1 which is all I want it to do!

[RedNihilist]

It evolves Experiment Ones and Gyre Sages, and does wonderful things with Varolz!

[Kaitscralt]

It's the best part of waking up.

[Khaospawn]

The best part of waking up is Vexing Devil in your cup!

[rcwraspy]

The best part of waking up is VD in your crotch!

gross

[TubeHunter]

I mean, 4 damage is what all my other 1 Drops usually get me so........

[Christen]

Dies to this card:

[Thrillho]

It is worth 7 USD.

[lorddax]

Playing VD in Standard without a way to make it be hasted and unblockable is like getting VD.

[redthirst]

It is worth 7 USD.

Doubling Season is worth $30.

[RDW]

zomgz VD OP. It's like 4 damage or a 4/3 for R!!!!!111

[RedNihilist]

T1: VD
T2: VD, VD
T3: Rakdos Keyrune
T4: Immortal Servitude

[Col. Khaddafi]

To get this out of the way: For burn decks this might be a sorcery speed 4 damage burn. Why is it not good? Just because the card leaves the choice to the opponent, and you never wan't to do that (ala browbeat)?

[zemanjaski]

Pretty much. Guaranteed 3 damage is better than conditional 4 damage; VD only becomes attractive when you run out of better options.

[redthirst]

Yup, you also don't want people to be able to counter your burn spells with creature removal or blockers.

[Alex]

To get this out of the way: For burn decks this might be a sorcery speed 4 damage burn. Why is it not good? Just because the card leaves the choice to the opponent, and you never wan't to do that (ala browbeat)?

What would you rather topdeck when you simply need to fire a spell at someone's head? Lightning Bolt or Vexing Devil?

Burn spells are just flat-out more useful since they double as removal. Vexing Devil doesn't even do that.

[windstrider]

At FNM last night, I had to explain why Vexing Devil was bad to someone who tried comparing it to Stromkirk Noble since they were both red 1-drops.

[Kazekirimaru]

At FNM last night, I had to explain why Vexing Devil was bad to someone who tried comparing it to Stromkirk Noble since they were both red 1-drops.

Some people just wanna watch the world not burn.

[Khaospawn]

At FNM last night, I had to explain why Vexing Devil was bad to someone who tried comparing it to Stromkirk Noble since they were both red 1-drops.

But it's FOUR damage for 1 mana!

[zemanjaski]

OR a 4/3! That's AMAZING.

[Kaitscralt]

For what it's worth, Vexing Devil does see competitive Modern play.

[zemanjaski]

Modern is VERY different to Standard. Fetch/Shocks increases the value of any burn spells, while the quantity/quality of cards you get to play help to hide the drawbacks of VD. It's still only OK in a fairly fringe archetype though and I don't play it when I play modern burn.

[Dane]

I have to say, a friend of mine was tinkering around with a Varolz deck that had VD in it that caught me VERY off guard.

Still, that isn't enough to make it good, because all you have to do is take Varolz out of the equation, and VD is the same punisher card it's always been.

[Kaitscralt]

Modern is VERY different to Standard.

I am aware of this.

[Kaitscralt]

As someone who scours the MTGO results, I see Vexing Devil in undefeated lists almost every day, and not just in one archetype. It sees play in both Gruul and BR burn. I just thought it was worth mentioning since a lot of people seem to think unplayable in Standard =/= unplayable anywhere.

[zemanjaski]

You're correct, but this is the standard subforum.

[F.I.A]

Well, to be fair, it's certainly better than most punisher cards (For comparison, there's Longhorn Firebeast.)

That said, I still haven't played against a deck where VD's 4 damage leads to a win. Other 1 drop needs some removals to be dealt with, while VD gives out a free choice of a removal at the cost of 4 life, always.

Maybe that's why it's much better in a deck that focused on burn spells, since your opponent will play under the assumption in keeping his/her actual removals for your other non-existent creatures.

[Kazekirimaru]

Well, to be fair, it's certainly better than most punisher cards (For comparison, there's Longhorn Firebeast.)

That said, I still haven't played against a deck where VD's 4 damage leads to a win. Other 1 drop needs some removals to be dealt with, while VD gives out a free choice of a removal at the cost of 4 life, always.

Maybe that's why it's much better in a deck that focused on burn spells, since your opponent will play under the assumption in keeping his/her actual removals for your other non-existent creatures.

And foot fungus is certainly better than most other bodily fungi.

All snide remarks aside, Vexing Devil is bad not only because it is bad on its own, but because
there simply is no place where you'd play him over another card. You say VD has a place in a burn deck because it confuses opponents; I'd honestly just play more burn and make their creature removal completely useless, wouldn't you? In a burn deck, a turn one VD may be a decent play since the opponent will almost always take the 4 damage lest they get the beatdown. But draw VD late game, and it's a 4/3 every single time. And at that point I guarantee you'd wish you had topdecked anything else. It's the epitome of unreliable.

[zemanjaski]

Maybe that's why it's much better in a deck that focused on burn spells, since your opponent will play under the assumption in keeping his/her actual removals for your other non-existent creatures.

Sure, if your opponent doesn't know anything. Experienced players can make the correct decision.