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Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day


Image from Wizards.com

Syphon Life
Eventide


Reviewed September 17, 2008

Constructed: 2.50
Casual: 3.13
Limited: 3.25

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

Click here to see all our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Syphon Life
 
Vicious Hunger was once fairly common in constructed decks. This recurring version has potential too; it probably won't displace Profane Command because it has less versatility, but turning late-game lands into a four-point life swing can be significant. 
 
Constructed: 2/5
Casual: 2/5
Limited: 3/5
BeJoSe Syphon Life 1BB
Target player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
Retrace (You may play this card from your graveyard by discarding a land card in addition to paying its other costs.)

 
Constructed - Way to slow really and not a big enough life to warrant running. Early game you don't want to retracing it, you want to playing lands. Late ga,e thers just better cards with bigger effects. 1.5/5
 
Limited - Different story here, repeatable card advantage is always a good thing, although this may end up being something of a win-more card. Not an early pick but I wouldn't mind taking it 6th or so. 3/5
 
Casual - here's where this card really shines. In large multiplayer games people arn't going to be to worried about you taking a little of their life especially if you try to target everyone. It can give you a nice life buffer for the late game, just be carefully everyone doesn't gang up on you. 3/5
Miguel

Wednesday 9-17-08

Syphon Life

 

Constructed: It is the baby Tendrills! Extra lands can mean extra life for you and less for your opponent. Maybe a monoblack deck can pop up in the 'new' standard coming up.

 

Casual: Nice life gain card and again something for the extra lands at the late game.

 

Limited: I have always pick or used cards like these very highly. The extra loss of life and the extra life gain could mean the difference in winning or losing. It is just a great little utility card.

 

Overall a average card. The Retrace gives it some looking into.

 

Constructed: 3

Casual: 4

Limited: 3

 

Later

Miguel

BMoor

Syphon Life

Hey, it's another Tendrils of Agony throwback!  Only this time, you have to pay for every copy and discard a land every time!  But seriously, this is pretty good.  The fact that nothing short of graveyard hate is going to stop you from being able to turn every land into a 4-point life swing is a very nice trick to have available, especially in the same color as Dakmor Salvage.  Seriously, why doesn't this get played more?

Constructed- 3

Casual- 3.5

Limited- 4


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