Hopeful Initiate

Creature — Human Warlock

Training (Whenever this creature attacks with another creature with greater power, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)

{2}{W}, Remove two +1/+1 counters from among creatures you control: Destroy target artifact or enchantment.

Legality

Format	Legality
1v1 Commander	Legal
Alchemy	Legal
Archenemy	Legal
Arena	Legal
Block Constructed	Legal
Brawl	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Pre-release	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Standard	Legal
Tiny Leaders	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (20)

Andromedus on Progress and Poverty

10 months ago

wallisface I agree regarding Fury, it can be a bit hairy. We do run 3x Dromoka's Commands (the fight mechanic ignores double strike) and chump-blocking a non-flyer isn't generally a challenge for this deck, so on the whole I usually prefer the ETB-less Fury. Tossing a red spell to get it out is a major downside for the opponent, and if we're trading hits then we only need to get a couple +1/+1's onto our Hushbringer before we're breaking even with it. But I do agree there's a potential risk depending on board state.

What I've found is that, whenever Hushbringer is weak, Archon of Emeria is strong. So much so that I'm thinking of replacing the one-off Kozilek, Butcher of Truth in the sideboard with a fourth Archon of Emeria (I don't really think this deck needs the Kozilek anyways).

For example, against Crashing Footfalls, Archon of Emeria completely hoses all cascade effects since they can't cast their "free" spell, which includes 4xShardless Agents and 4xViolent Outbursts, and means that when Crashing Footfalls finally casts off suspend they also can't do anything else that turn but sit on their hands. And without Fury's ETB, it's very hard for them to remove the Archon of Emeria.

It also hoses Murktide as mentioned before, I think that's pretty common knowledge.

For Underworld Breach it hoses Ledger Shredder, Underworld Breach (since escape counts as a cast, they can't use it), Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer's dash is pretty well hosed since it counts as a cast, Expressive Iteration while not totally hosed is definitely hampered, Mishra's Bauble becomes pretty much a dead draw. Only Teferi, Time Raveler really helps the deck but imo it's not enough.

Domain Zoo is one of my tougher match-ups. We do run 3xBoseiju, Who Endures to destroy the triomes, and we have a lot of vigilance which is helpful against aggro. Still I'd probably swap in our Runed Halos in that matchup, in addition to our Hopeful Initiates and Burrenton Forge-Tenders.

Anyways I appreciate the constructive criticisms. Hopefully with time I'll get the list tightened up more.

RCD2023 on Lathiel, Who Blots Out the Sun

11 months ago

Niceeee :)

Spike Feeder and Generous Patron are the 2 cards i my deck that when I play people look and say "..well...whateveeeer.." and then after 2 turns they try to remove it xD

One budget card that I believe that you will love it is Wurm's Tooth , 1 life for every green speel in table for 2 mana

I just found out the best synergy of Lathiel to remove artifacts/enchantments : Hopeful Initiate (Pros: we can tutor and is cheap, Cons: it's not budget haha)

I'm ginving a try for Beacon of Immortality , Dragonlord Dromoka , The Shire and Heliod's Intervention 2 of them I got here, so thank you!

and yhea.. i don't like Triumph of the Hordes too hahaha

IamRancor on Double-Barrel Triggers

1 year ago

Crow-Umbra thanks a bunch for the suggestions. A decent amount of them did end up getting cut. I really like Dolmen Gate and Reconnaissance but didn't make it due to their price. Most of the spendy cards on the list are there because I already own them. I did consider Breena, the Demagogue but figured that relying on other players to attack my opponents made it inconsistent, but after rethinking I think it would be good if my board isn't as much of a threat. Fervor was one of the last cuts mainly to save me a few bucks but I'd really consider Ogre Battledriver. I do agree about Hopeful Initiate but it stayed mainly because I already own it and it's basically the only possible cards to play on turn 1. I'm kinda surprised I forgot about Generous Gift. I liked Savior of Ollenbock mainly to bring stuff back from my graveyard. I cut Commissar Severina Raine to maybe cut down on the power level, slightly because of the cost, and slightly because I don't really like the art style of the cards from the Warhammer decks.

I do think I'll switch out Hopeful Initiate for Generous Gift. What do you think I should take out for Breena, Ogre Battledriver, and maybe Commissar Severina Raine? I kinda want to stick to the Myriad and Melee theme, plus I'm really liking all the creatures that tap stuff down.

Crow_Umbra on Double-Barrel Triggers

1 year ago

Your deck is off to a strong start! I do have some recommendations for stuff you can probably cut, along with a few potential swaps, depending on your budget.

Potential Cuts:

• Hopeful Initiate - Kind of slow and clunky to actually activate the removal aspect of the card. Not super reliable as removal since it depends on 1) attacking with a bigger creature once or twice, depending if Isshin is out 2) surviving combat 3) Then activating its cost.

• Savior of Ollenbock - Similar reasoning as Hopeful Initiate

Potential Additions:

• Reconnaissance - A bit pricey, but one of the strongest cards out there for Isshin. Acts as a pseudo-Vigilance anthem, and can save your creatures in unfavorable blocking situations. This article can break down how that timing works for the trigger.

• Scapegoat - Additional board protection that's both mana efficient and friendly to the wallet.

• Calamity's Wake - Instant speed graveyard hate, if that's something relevant in your meta

• Chivalric Alliance - Newer tech, but can draw cards and make tokens.

• Dolmen Gate - Also kinda pricey, but can help round out your suite of board protection you already have in your deck.

• Breena, the Demagogue - If you like Karazikar, you might like Breena. She gets huge fast, and opponents (in my meta) tend to let her stick around since they can benefit. I've won two games with her recently because she could essentially one shot people, as she reached 20+ power. She has recently become one of my favorite creatures in my Isshin deck.

• Commissar Severina Raine - Another Hellrider style effect, plus has the benefit of being a slightly worse Skullclamp all rolled into one.

• Anguished Unmaking - Very versatile removal

• Generous Gift - Could be a decent swap for Hopeful Initiate, as it hits a variety of targets at Instant speed. The 3/3 Elephant donated to opponents is not really impactful, and usually dies in combat or boardwipes most games.

• Ogre Battledriver & Fervor - Both excellent Haste anthems

I hope these suggestions are helpful. I'm down to chat through suggestions if you're interested. Best of luck with Isshin, he's a lot of fun to pilot. He's easily my favorite commander of the past year (so far) lol.

jarncards on destroy build destroy

1 year ago

Im really not a fan of the battle cry mechanic. It could work really well with Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin, Mardu Ascendancy, or the other many token makers, but I would rather just run Fervent Charge. It takes a single card for +4/+4 and your creatures are more likely to survive combat. you could always stack more though

Vengeful Ancestor, Parasitic Impetus, Shiny Impetus, and maybe Martial Impetus could all be fun tools to mess with your opponents while keeping yourself safe from larger threats. You get double rewards with Isshin

Guild Artisan, Curse of Opulence, and Sword of the Animist are options for ramp.

Fighter Class is nice for the tutor and later on can force blocks and can be used to kill off weak targets.

Shadowspear exists. you should use it in every deck Helm of the Host lets you double commanders, and lets you go infinite with Godo, Bandit Warlord. Who also should just automatically be your automatic first pick for a 6 drop. Tutor, double combats...

Bruse Tarl, Boorish Herder doublestrike AND lifelink. costs one more but can replace your enchantment.

Ilharg, the Raze-Boar Wanna play two cards for free?

Breena, the Demagogue does so much. buffs you like crazy. Can net you two cards per combat phase... which you will hopefully get multiple of with more things like: Aggravated Assault and Waves of Aggression can go infinite Port Razer, Raiyuu, Storm's Edge, Response / Resurgence are also nice

Agent of the Shadow Thieves and Fey Steed protect your commander or other attackers, and the steed may also come out even against removal.

You dont need to go all out on making one guy and instakill, Sublime Archangel with many tokens or Pact Weapon with combats can do it by themselves situationally. And the pact weapon is just way too cool.

Selfless Samurai is free lifelink and protection you can save for your commander. Cathedral of War is just going to be free power every once in a while

Hopeful Initiate is repeatable removal with extra steps I'd honestly ditch the sunforger.

lhetrick13 on G/W +1/+1 counters

1 year ago

Drestlin - On the bright side, at least a one drop is pulling the attention of your opponent's removal spells right? They spend a likely 2-3 CMC to exile/destroy your 1 CMC sounds like a trade in your favor. Mix in Shapers' Sanctuary and you will even get a draw out of it to boot! With Collective Effort and Dromoka's Command I am usually running enough enchantment hate to not need Hopeful Initiate but he is my only way to deal with artifacts and I have used him successfully for that many a time. Usually because their are bigger threats on the board than him.

lhetrick13 on G/W +1/+1 counters

1 year ago

Do I see Hopeful Initiate in your deck? I am rubbing off on you!

DareiJuxis on A New Dawn for the Humankind 2.0

1 year ago

Jhi69 I am glad you to have provided you with decent suggestions. I think that, as I said, cards to replace are Avacyn, Angel of Hope, Nils, Discipline Enforcer, and The First Iroan Games. Avacyn was strong in the past, but she is not what she was. I understand she can "win" games, but that does not mean that there are not cards that can win more games than she does. I understand the idea of Nils, but it is just not worthwhile in my opinion. I do not think Wild Beastmaster should just be looked at as a finisher, but even if it were you already have the solution in your deck- Chord of Calling. Regardless failing those cuts, I would recommend cutting the following as well-

• Drannith Magistrate- As far as I can tell, this is just here to stop commanders from coming online, and has no way of repeating itself. I do not think that it is good enough outside of maybe cEDH unless there are other ways one's opponents are trying to cast spells from outside of their hands. Basically, it does not synergize enough with what you are doing nor stop enough of your opponents, especially since all (presumed) 3 will be interested in taking it out.
• Devout Chaplain- I think this requires too much board presence to work, and needs haste to solve imminent problems. This would be the number 1 cut for Hopeful Initiate. It does not exile, but with enchantments and artifacts that's rarely a cause for concern.
• Masako the Humorless- This seems like slightly better than a fog, sometimes. A lot of potential to be a dead card, with not enough upside in my opinion. I'd much rather see an effect that gives vigilance, especially since you have cards that tap for other reasons.
• Luminarch Ascension- A decent standard card for sure, but miserably slow in EDH.
• Intrepid Hero- I think as a general statement, using a card that hates on only one of your opponents most of the time is not worthwhile. It is also slow since it needs to tap.

I think any of these cuts could be made for any of the cards I have pointed out.