Finally Watsee Gives us Nice Things: Impulse 2015 Edition...where do we play it?
Modern forum
Posted on March 5, 2015, 7:09 p.m. by sylvannos
Some of you may have seen this already in the spoilers:
While Impulse is strictly better, this is a much welcome addition to Modern. We now have access to a instant speed draw spell that digs deep with no restrictions.
While I don't think this will improve where Storm stands in terms of its place in the meta, I'm seriously contemplating four of these in lieu of Desperate Ravings/Faithless Looting.
This isn't a spoiler thread, but rather I'd like to discuss the implications of having a smaller Impulse on the Modern format. In the past, Impulse was a Pro Tour winning card a la Prosperous Bloom back in '97. Hell, you'll still see the odd Impulse played every now and then today.
I think the other obvious place this card goes is in Scapeshift. While it's not Dig Through Time, the fact you can consistently cast it on turn two is key. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, however, since I've never piloted Scapeshift.
I'm hoping this is enough to see combo diversified more in the Modern format beyond all these tempo and control hybrids. Hopefully, things don't go Treasure Cruise status.
Lastly, for those wondering why this would see play and not Telling Time: unfortunately, Telling Time doesn't tuck two unwanted cards to the bottom. Sometimes, you strike gold with two cards you want. Other times, you can hit three lands when you don't need anymore than just the one. Impulse and now Anticipate fix this. You're actually hitting a much more consistent draw by tucking two cards to the bottom.
slovakattack says... #3
GlistenerAgent: What do you think of Atraka's command in Scapeshift?
March 5, 2015 7:37 p.m.
GlistenerAgent says... #4
Let's see if I learned these properly:
Mode 1: Not really relevant to me.
Mode 2: Bad. I can play Lightning Bolt.
Mode 3: We'll return to this.
Mode 4: Not really relevant to me.
OK, so we've got a two-mana instant speed ramp spell, Explore but you don't draw a card and it's harder to cast. I'm not playing Explore, so I don't think I'd play this. I could be missing something.
Then again, I always say that.
March 5, 2015 7:40 p.m.
CanadianShinobi says... #5
This is interesting... I might try it out for the hell of it. Atraka's Command really doesn't have much space in Scapeshift, but the whole hit for three and get an extra land may be somewhat relevant. I think the RG Command has a home in burn decks though.
March 5, 2015 8:03 p.m.
notamardybum says... #7
yeah im sticking with Telling Time for my splinter twin deck. being able to search and find possibly 2 pieces for my combo is huge, and if im forced to tuck one at the bottom that would suck. other than that, a great draw spell. definitely huge for standard.
March 5, 2015 8:36 p.m.
@slovakattack That Atraka's Command is a 4 of instantly in my SB for my cascade brew.
March 5, 2015 8:39 p.m.
Nah, Violent Outburst is where it's at maine.
Check it out Half Life.
March 5, 2015 8:42 p.m.
filledelanuit says... #11
Just want to say that replacing Desperate Ravings with this is a bad idea. Ravings is one of our best cards vs. Junk and Control. This may be better than Thought Scour but I highly doubt it'll do anything to storm.
Anyway I don't think it will be good in anything but a deck like ad nauseam or in a Esper Control list. This card is good for a deck that wants to dig or hold up mana. I haven't touched Ad Nauseam for a while so I can't really comment but this is replacing 2 Shadow of Doubt in my esper list. Being able to hold up this and Logic Knot is really nice against Twin.
March 5, 2015 11:25 p.m.
JexInfinite says... #12
Impulse would be modern playable, but this is a strictly worse Impulse.
GlistenerAgent says... #2
I'm not playing it in Scapeshift, that's almost a guarantee. Telling Time is a better fit because you can keep two good cards, or shuffle away the bad one you kept on top with your myriad shuffle effects.
I think it's a similar deal in other decks. There's enough airy cards and card draw in Twin as is, and I don't see it finding room for a two-mana cantrip (Remand adds serious value, so it's different).
It's probably at its best in fringier combo decks like Ad Nauseam, but not sure.
March 5, 2015 7:12 p.m.