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
Archenemy	Legal
Arena	Legal
Block Constructed	Legal
Canadian Highlander	Legal
Casual	Legal
Commander / EDH	Legal
Commander: Rule 0	Legal
Custom	Legal
Duel Commander	Legal
Freeform	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Highlander	Legal
Historic	Legal
Historic Brawl	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Leviathan	Legal
Limited	Legal
Modern	Legal
Modern Beyond Horizons	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Planar Constructed	Legal
Planechase	Legal
Quest Magic	Legal
Tiny Leaders	Legal
Vanguard	Legal
Vintage	Legal

Discussion (27)

DemonDragonJ on Utopian Prosperity

3 weeks ago

I have replaced Aura ShardsGC and Commander's Sphere with Hopeful Initiate and Kami of Whispered Hopes, which reduced the average converted mana cost of this deck from 3.60 to 3.56, since the enchantment was simply too oppressive, and the newer cards work well with this deck's theme of +1/+1 counters.

DemonDragonJ on Nature's Bounty

3 weeks ago

I have replaced Aura ShardsGC and Commander's Sphere with Hopeful Initiate and Kami of Whispered Hopes, which reduced the average converted mana cost of this deck from 4.05 to 4.02, since the enchantment was simply too oppressive, and the newer cards work with this deck's theme of +1/+1 counters.

theNeroTurtle on Should I Keep Aura Shards …

1 month ago

I would go with Hopeful Initiate just by evaluating CMC between the two options. It also can trigger any +1 counter where are the green guy only focuses on itself.

DemonDragonJ on Should I Keep Aura Shards …

1 month ago

theNeroTurtle, I am very glad to hear your thoughts, on that matter, so I thank you, very much, and what do you think about replacing Aura ShardsGC with either Hopeful Initiate or Steelbane Hydra, since several of my EDh decks have a strong focus on +1/+1 counters?

DemonDragonJ on Should I Keep Aura Shards …

1 month ago

I have a copy of Aura ShardsGC in several of my decks, because it is a very powerful card, but I understand that it is a very obnoxious and oppressive card, so I am contemplating if I should keep it in those decks.

My Chulane, Teller of Tales EDH deck focuses on repeatedly using EtB abilities, my Teneb, the Harvester EDH deck focuses on reanimating creatures, and my Sigarda, Host of Herons and Ghired, Conclave Exile EDH decks both typically generate plenty of tokens, so I believe that I can keep Aura ShardsGC in those decks, but my Jenara, Ashura of war EDH deck and Marath, Will of the Wild *f-etch* EDH deck do not typically have creatures entering the battlefield frequently, so I believe that I could replace that card in those decks, perhaps with a creature that has synergy with +1/+1 counters, since both of those decks have a strong focus on +1/+1 counters, and either Hopeful Initiate or Steelbane Hydra seem to be excellent choices for those decks, although there could be other very nice cards, as well.

What does everyone else say, about this? Should I replace Aura ShardsGC in my decks, and, if so, with what card should I replace it? I certainly am eager to hear your advice, on this matter!

NV_1980 on Drops of Life

1 month ago

Excellent looking deck, zelous666! I really like that you chose Hopeful Initiate and Reluctant Role Model; wasn't even aware these existed and they really add to the utilities the deck can make use of.

Considering the amount of cards you use to gain life based on creature-ETB, I was wondering how you'd feel about adding some cards that generate creature tokens. These could be permanents like Cat Collector, Horn of Gondor, Myrel, Shield of Argive or Resplendent Angel. One-shot deals could be fun too. Call the Coppercoats, Grand Crescendo and Secure the Wastes for example.

Other cards I could recommend would be Nyx Lotus, because of the massive devotion this deck can conjure up. Also, Leyline of Hope to double lifegain AND provide a nice anthem to your critters could be fun. Enjoy!

Andromedus on Hangry Bears ʕಠ_ಠʔ

2 months ago

Hey carbonsage, I had seen this but may have overlooked its potential. Its synergy with scales is undeniable, and it's very tempting to put something in that makes scales function better, since scales are this deck's hardest sell in the legacy format. On the other hand, contingent card draw isn't great, especially when it costs counters. It's a desperation play, because normally you'd just use your counters to beat down and win (that's what this deck wants to do, ultimately). Hopeful Initiate's is a much stronger counter-sac ability, synergizes incredibly with both scales and Botanical Brawler, and yet I still couldn't justify including it. On top of that, Bristly Bill, Spine Sower is already very tempting in this deck, so if I were to find a couple slots they would probably go to him. With that said, it is an interesting card, I may playtest it, probably as a 2-of (maybe 1-of). Thanks for bringing it up!

Andromedus on Progress and Poverty

2 years 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.