Nimble Obstructionist?
Modern forum
Posted on June 23, 2017, 10:29 a.m. by KingTorg1
Any thoughts on Nimble Obstructionist in Modern? Just looking at top tier decks shows a lot of possible things to hit playing it.
Affinity: A big Ravager Sacrifice
Eldrazi Tron: Thought-Knot Seer, Expedition Map
Any given Grixis Deck: Snapcaster, Tasigur
Dredge: Landfall triggers, Insolent Neonate
And while I know this card is no Stifle , an uncounterable turn 3 cantrip stifle on a fetchland could be just as brutal as a turn 1. Additionally, it can just come down as a 3/1 beater and rail on your opponent any time you don't need it. Thoughts?
For those that haven't seen it:
It's a cool card but I'm kind of doubtful that it's good enough for Modern. 3 mana is just so much mana in the format and while there are a few instances I can think of where the effect would be great and a lot where it would be OK, it just seems a bit too narrow and a bit too clunky to be the best choice for a slot. Maybe as a sideboard card but even then there are a lot of amazing sideboard cards that are already competing for space.
That being said, times when it would be good also include countering the storm trigger of Grapeshot or a cascade trigger out of Living End.
June 23, 2017 11:04 a.m.
June 23, 2017 1:39 p.m.
mathimus55 says... #5
I think there are definitely going to be people experimenting with the card for sure. The place where this has legs that other similar cards like the already mentioned Disallow and company don't have is that they don't replace themselves when activated like Obstructionist does. 3 mana is still a lot of mana so it may never get legs, but it's very versatile as it can be a 3 mana uncounterable(almost) Squelch or a 3/1 evasive beater, which isn't going to be irrelevant either. Some sort of Aether Vial deck will probably love this the most alongside Spell Queller and the like.
This being an activated ability vs a spell to cast like Disallow already gives it more legs since it will be much harder to counter and replaces itself. It wouldn't surprise me if the card gets some play in Modern, but I'm not expecting it to be adopted by any decks either. It's interesting if nothing else.
June 23, 2017 1:46 p.m.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants says... #6
You can Kolaghan's Command this back. If you cycle Kommand Cycle you've potentially got yourself a 5 for 2.
Mic drop
June 23, 2017 2:08 p.m. Edited.
SwaggyMcSwagglepants That's format breaking power right there. Throw in a Gravedigger and you've got yourself some hardcore card advantage for only 15 mana!
June 23, 2017 6:37 p.m.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #8
Just sayin' I think I'll try to make it work with Training Grounds. Now THAT can be backbreaking.
June 26, 2017 5:45 a.m.
Training Grounds only affects creatures on the battlefield, so it won't reduce the cycling cost, unfortunately, frusciante7.
June 26, 2017 6:51 a.m.
WizardOfTheNorthernCoast says... #11
Lame_Duck indeed I saw this yesterday while checking up TG's rulings... :)
JexInfinite says... #2
If you want to nuke fetches and search effects you run papa Shadow of Doubt.
Nimble Obstructionist doesn't seem great in modern due to the limited scope of the ability and has to compete with V Clique for the slot. Most of the time V Clique will be better.
June 23, 2017 10:46 a.m.