Today's travels take us to the not too distant gothic horror block Innistrad, as we get another look at one of the all-around most playable set of spells Magic has made for EDH to date: the cycle of "Increasing" cards. There's a lot to like and not a lot of time to waste, so let's get to it.
Increasing Confusion
Grandpa Growth talks a lot about the ineffectiveness of milling in Commander, mostly because it gives players more space to work with instead of less. That's probably the biggest fault of the mechanic though, and not necessarily this card.
In its own arena of niche-y mill spells, Increasing Confusion is right up there with Traumatize and Mind Grind. The Flashback bonus because of the card's innate ability is also very strong.
One of the neat little qualities about Increasing Confusion that I see people often do is pay U to mill zero, then U and 13 to mill for 26 in the later stages of games. I'm not sure that's the best way to play the card, but it is a neat trick if you're milling and trying to get the game over with. Planning ahead is really key with this card, and the best way to get ahead early, mill 5 or 6, and then go in for a big one later.
In ranking them, I think this is probably the actual middle of the cycle. But it does have my favorite art. It fits the theme of blue, the theme of this card, and frankly, I just like seeing books and scrolls flying all over the place. It might just be the only reason worth watching the 1994 Macaulay Culkin/Christopher Lloyd film, The Pagemaster.
Increasing Devotion
Flavor-wise, it makes sense. People are trying to believe in Avacyn, and the hope she'll be back. So more followers followed by MORE followers makes a world of sense.
What doesn't is why the swords and gloves of the people around this gray statue of Avacyn seem to be as stiff as Avacyn. Were these men not gloved, I might at least get the sense that these were living human beings, and not just parts to a bigger statue of a bunch of men around Avacyn. I know it's picky and weird, but think about that famous Iwo Jima memorial where all the men are raising the American flag together. This could very well be that, but we're not mind readers. A little more clarity would've gone a long way, if you care about art.
As far as the spell itself, it's not terrible. I've played this card in several decks, and find it to be the premier version of Zendikar's Conqueror's Pledge. The fact that it's sorcery speed isn't doing anyone favors, but if you like feeding cards to Skullclamp and you play white, this could be the card you're looking for. Overall, I find it to be right below Increasing Confusion in this cycle. It just doesn't put up enough firepower until it's too late.
Increasing Vengeance
This card is number 2 in its own cycle, but it's actually lower on the totem pole in terms of Fork/Reverberate effects. This is because it can only copy spells you have, which is a huge bummer. If it didn't, this card just might be snapped.
Still, it's an instant, and one that is useable in the right decks. A couple friends of mine have found great homes for this little red puppy in Lu Bu Trick Voltron and a Jeleva Creatureless deck, so I'm sure there's plenty of value to be found. It just takes effort, which isn't what people want to do if they're more interested in playing Magic than the enchanting and sometimes depressing process of deckbuilding, like me.
Verdict on the art is that it would be a lot better if the flames didn't look like orange beams of snot. The art theme along Innistrad really had a crisp, gritty-ness to it, which can be totally got when you look at the spellcaster and the fence he seems to be standing on. Unfortunately, I'm just too afraid of catching the world's most ironic cold by looking at the rest of it.
Increasing Savagery
Unlike Scourge's Decree of Savagery, it's more recent allusion did not get the benefit of Instant speed. Again, that might just be too good.
Still, that doesn't mean it's altogether irrelevant. I'll admit that it's definitely a build-around-me card, that's in need of a serious +1/+1 counter value theme, but I think it can be done. These days there are plenty of Hexproof and Regenerate-able green creatures around. And if they aren't what you're looking for, there's always Mycoloth. There's always Marath. There's always Vorel.
Increasing Savagery has surely gotten better in the last year, but I'm still going to stand behind GG's assessment from a bygone discussion that Sorcery speed pushes this card to the brink of getting consistent work.
Art-wise, I have almost the same problem I did with Increasing Devotion. The sense and image feel solid. The monster in the open window really works for me. What doesn't is the weird color choice emanating from light source coming in the corner of the room, when there's clearly an unlit candle right above it. The monster could also appeal to our senses a little more as well.
Overall, Increasing Savagery probably owns the worst combined score of the group. Again, that's not a statement on how bad it is, but just how effective the rest of them are.
Increasing Ambition
Splashable, recurrable, scary- these are the things I want when I'm looking for powerful black cards.
With Demonic Tutor now in the realm of expensive, and Vampiric just a tad further, I don't think it's too far of a stretch to say that Increasing Ambition is and has been the new Diabolic Tutor for a while now.
This is mainly because this card can go in EVERY deck with black in its colors, not to mention just about every archetype. Are you looking for a counterspell or removal? Get Ambitious. Are you looking for a combo piece? How about two combo pieces? Get Ambitious. Do you like being terrified by cultists with makeshift Gristlebrand skulls? Get Ambitious.
I think you see my point. Increasing Ambition is a lot better than not increasing it, and it outclasses any and all of the affordable black tutors, even though you're going to probably play them anyway. So go get more than you bargained for.
That's all I have for today. Be sure to check back with me on Saturday when I do something that is once again not The Stack, which I promise will return with a thirst for vengeance and blood next week.
-UL
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