Saheeli's Artistry vs Stolen Identity
Commander Deck Help forum
Posted on Sept. 28, 2016, 8:41 a.m. by GeminiSpartanX
I'm trying to decide which of the above cards is better in a vacuum in order to use them in my Jeleva spellslinger deck. I like how the new Saheeli's Artistry immediately gives you more board presence, effectively ramping (when copying a mana rock) and dropping a threat. Since it gives you 2 card types, you'll still have value left over if an opponent wraths the board since you got the artifact copy. However, if left unanswered Stolen Identity can get out of hand fast. It just doesn't have as much of the immediate impact as the Artistry. Which do you think is better?
I'd go with Saheeli's Artistry myself. Like you said, you get way more immediate impact out of it if it resolves. Sure, you have the chance of Stolen Identity getting out of control if you're running a bunch of hexproof/unblockable dudes, and I can see Jeleva in particular making good use of it, but that's assuming A.) your ciphered creature can reliably hit an opponent each turn and B.) your ciphered creature doesn't get hit with removal or a boardwipe. If you can reliably stop those, then by all means give it a spin, but otherwise I'd just go with the Artistry.
September 28, 2016 10:08 a.m.
GeminiSpartanX says... #4
I ask because I'm currently running Stolen Identity in the deck now, but want to know if it's worth it to make the swap over to Saheeli's Artistry. Jeleva does die quite often, so I'm personally leaning a little towards the Artistry. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a chance to try it out yet. It seems like it could be quite good, especially when copied.
September 28, 2016 10:44 a.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
This thread was moved to a more appropriate forum (auto-generated comment)
September 28, 2016 12:03 p.m.
PookandPie says... #6
"If left unanswered" should provide clarity over which one of these you should run, if you really want to run one.
Stolen Identity gets out of hand only when your opponents are unable to do anything about it- which shouldn't be very often. Sure, it can take away a game... as should practically anything else at 6 mana.
Between the two, Saheeli's Artistry has the largest immediate impact (copy an aritfact and the biggest creature on field seems worth the extra two mana) and if Jeleva dies quite often, the choice should be pretty clear.
Truthfully speaking, though, since you don't seem to care much about mana curve since you cast instant/sorceries without paying their costs, I'd run Blatant Thievery over either in your list. Getting a copy is cute, but the opponent(s) from which you copied the card still have control of their own. But removing cards from your opponents control? That's significantly better and it's only one mana more than Identity or Artistry if you have to hard cast them.
September 28, 2016 3:28 p.m.
If a good infinite combo I just noticed. . . Dual Casting on a creature. Cast Saheeli's Artistry copy it with dual casting. Use copy to target Dualcaster Mage and a mana rock. Lather, rinse and repeat.
In a vacuum Saheeli's is clearly better, it does get you two for the price of one. However, in EDH, with your commander, who needs to attack to cast spells for free, you might as well put cipher effects on her and reap the benefits.
Sim_Will_CMcantfindmehopefully says... #2
You may like my Copies of copies list, it has all of the copy cards.
September 28, 2016 8:44 a.m.