Liliana's Caress or Fell Specter?

Deck Help forum

Posted on Jan. 30, 2020, 8:28 p.m. by DemonDragonJ

I have a red/black deck whose main theme is forcing my opponents to discard cards, and then further punishing them for doing so. That deck contains two copies of Liliana's Caress, but I am considering replacing that card with Fell Specter. The specter does have a higher converted mana cost, but, for two additional mana, it provides a 1/3 creature with flying that also makes an opponent discard a card (although I personally feel that it could have been a 2/3, given how powerful creatures have become in recent years).

What does everyone else say about this subject? Should I replace Liliana's Caress with Fell Specter?

Icbrgr says... #2

Depends on your deck and playgroup/meta... a 1/3 flyer circumstances could mean you could do a little bit more damage and have a decent blocker...especially if you have other creatures (like rats) and means to pump those creatures... but also is a lot simpler to remove by the opponent.

I would make the decision based on what the overall goal of you deck is and what makes it work.... if you are working with creatures than I'd embrace it.... but otherwise if your more non creature bases than I'd stick with caress and maybe support it with Megrim.

January 30, 2020 9:39 p.m.

DemonDragonJ says... #3

Icbrgr, this deck used to contain Megrim, until Liliana's Caress was printed, but I chose the newer card for its lower mana cost and the fact that it causes loss of life, rather than dealing damage.

January 30, 2020 10:04 p.m.

Daveslab2022 says... #4

My personal opinion is that the fact that it comes down much earlier, and punishes your opponent much faster while ALSO being harder to remove makes me want to choose Caress. However, the fact that Specter forces a discard itself makes me consider asking why it doesn't deserve a spot WITH Caress. Idk what your deck looks like, may I see it?

January 30, 2020 11:04 p.m. Edited.

Last_Laugh says... #5

Pain Magnification is a fun option also. The curse all opponents aspect of the card also means your opponents can further YOUR gameplan (it also looks amazing in foil). Like the above posters have stated though... it depends on the deck.

January 31, 2020 2:08 a.m.

MindAblaze says... #6

The biggest thing about the specter (and this strategy in general) is the longer you wait to cast it you’re running the risk of your cards doing nothing when the opponent has run out of cards. Then you just have an overcosted 1/3 flyer, which at least is a blocker and a small attacker.

January 31, 2020 11:11 a.m.

DemonDragonJ says... #7

Last_Laugh, I definitely have Pain Magnification in my black/red deck.

Funkydiscogod, yes, Megrim does have more potential for interactions, but it also has a higher mana cost, and this deck does not have much potential to abuse Megrim over Liliana's Caress.

Daveslab2022, here is a link to the deck.

February 1, 2020 1:05 a.m.

DemonDragonJ says... #8

MindAblaze, yes, that is true, but it is also equally likely that I shall not drawn Liliana's Caress until after my opponent has few to no cards in hand, meaning that the enchantment shall be completely useless by that time, so at least the specter would provide an additional creature with which to attack and block.

February 1, 2020 1:08 a.m.

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