Fellow Zoner and member of my playgroup Matt AKA "Matt" is showing off his Taniwha (pronounced Tah-Ni-Fah, apparently, because it's Maori, and some very angry people are upset that we were phonetic) EDH deck on the YouTube Channel CMDR Decks.
So here on TGZ, I thought we'd spend just a few minutes talking about one of my favorite little pieces of theme-y tech from Matt's Dollar General Taniwha Gyarados design- the Sapphire Charm.
This is truly Grandpa Growth tech, as he is the first person I ever saw play Sapphire Charm, and that might be surprising to some of you- Cause he doesn't normally like goofy things.
Still, he's pretty notorious for playing any card that says, "Draw a card," and that's probably why it found its way into random mono-blue decks he was playing a few years ago, and in an Isochron Scepter package for this insane Vorosh BUG Control Deck that proved tough to beat in 1v1.
What I like about SC is actually its second mode though. Tempo is the one-word answer I'd give if I was trying to describe my approach to the game, because it is the generation of momentum and general quickness that can get you out of almost every situation. Playing tempo-focused games, whether it's controlling it, or just finding the right window in which to generate it, is often the best way to win games.
Phasing is the theme of Matt's Taniwha deck, which is why this card is in there. For those who've never had to care about this bygone mechanic, Phasing is an ability that triggers simultaneously with the untap step, moving permanents back into the visible spectrum of the battlefield if they were not in before, and out if they were in play at the time of the untap step.
Essentially, this turns Sapphire Charm into a weird Fog on your opponent's biggest creature, which can be important when getting damage through. Again, tempo. Optimal timing and precision with this take skill, as does having the patience to wait until you really need the card draw.
Although these are the primary functions of SC as I've seen it, getting this card on an Isochron Scepter has allowed me to abuse all of its functions. Giving a creature flying might not be that great, but evasion is real, as is knowing the card's entire potential. I know I've had many moments with modal cards where I've forgotten all the things they do. However, if you can keep it all square in your head, or do a quick run-through when you draw the card without arousing too much suspicion, Sapphire Charm is a great little instant to throw into your deck.
For those interested in more Phasing, and seeing me and Matt share his Taniwha list, check out the video below.
Pass Turn.
-UL
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