Why does counterbalance not see play in modern?
Modern forum
Posted on Nov. 15, 2015, 9:59 a.m. by CheeseBro
Why does Counterbalance see modern play? It is a legacy staple.
Also, not only that card, but also JtMS and Brainstorm helps Counterbalance. Counterbalance just fits into Miracles, since it already manipulates the top cards. No deck in Modern does that.
November 15, 2015 10:03 a.m.
lemmingllama says... #4
Counterbalance in modern is weak due to the lack of ways to set up the top of your deck. You can use Telling Time, but it is an inefficient way of doing it.
Typically if you want a counterspell on a stick, you would use either Isochron Scepter or Chalice of the Void
November 15, 2015 10:13 a.m.
ToolmasterOfBrainerd says... #5
Okay better question:
Why isn't scepter control a thing yet? It seems wholeheartedly evil, although rather fragile I guess.
November 15, 2015 10:21 a.m.
canterlotguardian says... #6
I run Jeskai Scepter in Legacy and I can say that it is super disruptable. Bounce the Scepter somehow and your Imprinted spell is exiled for good. Artifact destruction/exile does the same thing. It's pretty annoying to play against if you don't know what you're doing, though. Besides that, Abrupt Decay is a thing, and anyone who knows what Isochron Scepter does will not let it stick around.
November 15, 2015 10:25 a.m.
FAMOUSWATERMELON says... #7
Yeah, it's just really disreputable unfortunately :(
November 15, 2015 10:40 a.m.
GoblinRiot says... #8
Counterbalance decks are usually designed to counter 0-3 mana spells primarily but in modern you still might lose to 4 drops like Scapeshift Siege Rhino, Collected Company. Also consider the match-up against Tron, a popular deck that runs Wurmcoil Engine, Karn Liberated, and Ugin, the Spirit Dragon.
This and all the other reasons are why the card has fallen out of favor. The reason it's not seeing play is because no one has built a good Counterbalance deck. That could change if you but one, but, good luck doing that :)
November 15, 2015 10:52 a.m.
There's just not nearly enough support for it. Without Top, it's not a strong turn 2 play. To be competitively good, Wizards would have to allow Top, Brainstorm, or possibly even Scroll Rack in modern.
November 15, 2015 11:11 a.m.
Figag Wink :)
Honestly, I really like scepter control, but even I can say it feels kind of helpless since your opponent can predict what you're going to do pretty much 100% of the time.
November 15, 2015 12:17 p.m.
There's also a lot of Kolaghan's Command appearing in mainboards to deal with Isochron Scepter or any artifact that could interact with Counterbalance. Not to mention, Destructive Revelry and Wear / Tear.
It gets hit by cards people already play to beat Affinity, but none of the positives of playing Affinity.
Lastly, Sensei's Divining Top has built-in protection because it an bounce itself to dodge artifact removal. There's nothing like it in Modern to combo with Counterbalance.
November 15, 2015 10:28 p.m.
JexInfinite says... #13
Gale7 No point. You can just mill their good cards and let them draw lands.
November 16, 2015 2:31 a.m.
Too slow for Lantern Control, and not enough spells you want so badly that you're willing to potentially 2-for-1 yourself to get, especially when there are decks packing Kolaghan's Command mainboard. I'm not feeling the Scepter in the current meta.
ChiefBell says... #2
No way to re-order the top of your deck (Sensei's Divining Top) in order to activate it consistently.
November 15, 2015 10:01 a.m.