The original round of Leylines weren't quite as
beloved as the ones from M11. This particular
Leyline is sort of a trap for newer players
who'll want to use it on all their spells, thus
unwittingly pushing their curve back. But take
note-- the 1 damage occurs when you cast a spell
regardless of whether the spell resolves. This
Leyline could thus be useful for a
creature-light, burn-heavy deck that's concerned
about counterspells but can't adequately benefit
from Leyline of Lifeforce. Personally though I
think it works best in a Goblin aggro or a Sligh
build-- the kind where you don't have anything
that costs more than three, and so by turn four
you're out of things to spend mana on. Having
one or two of these out in a situation could
help you get the opponent down, as every Shock
becomes a Volcanic Hammer and Searing Blaze now
hits the player for 4 instead of 3.
Leyline of Punishment may be stronger, but I
sort of like this card's name better: there are
fewer cooler-sounding words in English than
"Lightning." The original Leylines were somewhat
experimental cards, with this one being possibly
the most straightforward, and intended as an
enabler for the original Bloodthirst cards. Its
relatively slow speed means that it's never been
a major player in high-level environments, but
in a deck that can keep casting spells, it can
perform its intended function well enough, and
even close a game out under the right
circumstances.
Today's card of the day is Leyline of Lightning
which is a four mana Red enchantment that allows
you to pay one to deal one damage to target
player whenever you cast a spell and can be put
into play if it is in your opening hand.
One mana for one damage is fairly mediocre, not
horrible, but another card in place of this can
likely have more of an impact on the game
without keeping additional mana tied up every
turn.
Overall a more flexible burn that can hit more
than players or an aggressive creature will
generally work better, particularly after the
opening hand option of this has passed.
For Limited almost any burn can be played,
though this only targeting the opponent and not
allowing all of your extra mana to be funneled
into it weaken it dramatically. The double
Red keeps this from being reliably splashed,
barring it being in your opening hand, and the
lack of versatility doesn't encourage running
additional Red just for it.
This can safely be passed in Booster unless the
pack in Booster is very weak or you are already
heavily into a direct damage Red theme.
The same holds true in Sealed and there aren't
many combinations that would promote taking this
out of the sidedeck.
Welcome to
the Pojo.com card of the day section. Today we
look at Leyline of Lightning from Guildpact.
Leyline of Lightning is a rare red enchantment
that costs two generic and two red mana. Leyline
of Lightning says if it was in your opening hand
you begin with it in play. Whenever you cast a
spell, you may pay one generic mana to have
Layline of Lightning deal one damage to target
player.
Any of the Leylines are good, but really only if
you are able to properly exploit what they do.
For instance, Leyline of Lightning becomes great
when combined with zero mana drops, which you
could then pay the one mana to deal one damage.
Cards such as Memnite, Ornithopter, and
Phyrexian Walker are all great zero drop
creatures that red will have the capability of
pumping up later on. For good old spell slinging
though this card is also nice. When used with
Lightning Bolt it is two mana for four damage,
the equivalent of two Shocks. When used with
Shock it is two mana for three damage, the same
as an Incinerate.
The only bad thing about the Leyline of Lightning
is that I wish it would have been able to target
creatures.
