A blue Pacifism that can be smashed out of.
Well, blue doesn't usually get removal aside
from bounce, so if you don't want to play white,
you can play this. Or black or red, for that
matter. So, it's good for mono-blue decks and
blue-green decks.
When I first heard about M10's emphasis on
top-down design and flavor, I had a feeling
there would be a non-white Pacifism in it; I'd
thought Utopia Vow might make it, but Ice Cage
is very cool too. Turning off activated
abilities usually starts at three mana, and the
escape clause is not as easy as it first looks -
without Prodigal Pyromancer or a similar small
but reusable effect, they run the risk of
killing their own creature outright. Plus it
shows a giant frozen spider. That's pretty neat.
Constructed:
A new Arrest for blue that is a lot cheaper. But
like ice is very easy to break. There is a lot
better creature control for Standard or any
other format.
Casual & Multiplayer:
I do not know if any locals will like this card
or not. I think some will and others not.
Limited:
This card is real good for draft and sealed.
What blue cannot counter or bounce it can stop
it with ice.
Overall a okay card with great flavor for blue.
Constructed: 2
Casual: 3
Multiplayer: 3
Limited: 4
Later
Miguel
Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno
Today's card of the day is Ice Cage. It is an aura
that is pretty similar to several White spells
Pacifism, Prison Term, Recumbent Bliss, and the
hybrid mana Crystallization which are currently
legal in Standard. Of those only Prison Term
also prevents activated abilities.
Prison Term costs two White and a colorless, but
also can be switched to another creature as they
are played. Ice Cage includes a rather crippling
weakness in that anything targeting the
creatures causes it to break. At best this card
is a mediocre addition to Blue's control theme
and the standard bounce or counter strategy
suits them well enough.
In Constructed I really think Blue will stick to
what they do best and not risk the chance of the
Cage being broken.
For Casual there isn't much to say as it is a
fairly weak card in Blue when compared to their
other choices and similar auras. If playing some
kind of lockdown theme deck the other cards
listed above are generally better.
Limited is the only place the card has much
value. With the smaller pool of cards pulling
this isn't bad as it can stop another creature
when a more permanent counter isn't available.
Also, options for targeting the creature to set
it free are fewer. A solid Cancel or Unsummon
are still better, but if you are running Blue
already the card certainly deserves a slot.
Multiplayer takes the card's biggest weakness
and makes it the focal point. Any player can
just target the creature that concerns you and
release it. This almost assures some kind of
alliance against you, even if just temporarily,
and doesn't benefit you nearly enough to play.
Welcome back readers today’s card is blue and
flavorful variant of Pacifism with an added
bonus and an added liability. First the good, a
blue version of Pacifism that stops activated
abilities from being activated, the bad whenever
the creature is a target of a spell or ability
goodbye Ice Cage. Although its good to see a
flavorful blue card card that stops creatures
Ice Cage may fall short of playability in all
formats but limited. You want a permanent answer
to a creature problem correct? Not a partial fix
but a solution. Ice Cage provides a temporary
solution to what may be a permanent (creatures
are permanents get it? It’s a joke!) Problem. In
standard I don’t see play using this card until
post rotation if even then. In extended and
eternal formats no chance to see any play. In
casual and multiplayer its Pacifism with an
added perk and downside take it as you will. In
limited this card shines as it is pseudo-removal
quite a handy common. An unexciting yet
flavorful card that may or may not find a niche
for blue mages.
