It seems like this could fuel some cool combos,
but I'm not sure I can think of any. The trouble
with the Triad is that all three of its
abilities require tapping it. So, one turn to
put a fate counter on, and another to either
Blink it or Oblate it. Blinking is usually most
effective when you can do it as a surprise, in
response to a kill spell, or maybe when a
creature has a good ETB ability. Oblation, on
the other hand, can be a handy answer when you
just need something gone or a means to "cash
out" an obsolete creature to refill your hand.
Really this needs some means of untapping it on
command if it's going to be as effective as it
could be, and since most of those are in blue,
this kind of fizzles as a commander. In
tournament Magic, it's still just too slow, and
W/B control has better means of controlling the
board.
I think this card was originally intended to
suggest the actual three Fates of Greek
mythology. I'm not sure I would have used the
"flickering" mechanic to represent Lachesis,
myself, but you know what Mark Rosewater's like.
I say that, but I actually really like this
card. It will absolutely take over a game if
left unchecked, and you can use any part of the
Triad against your opponent or as a defensive or
mitigation measure with your own creatures. That
kind of flexibility is very valuable and hard to
come by.
Today's card of the day is Triad of Fates which
is a four mana White and Black 3/3 Legendary
that for one and tapping puts a fate counter on
another target creature, for one White and
tapping it exiles a target creature with a fate
counter then returns it, and for one Black and
tapping it exiles target creature with a fate
counter and the controller draws two cards.
This card is slow to do anything without an
external source to untap it and the two effects
are of minimal or at least situational benefit
against an opponent. Blinking can work
offensively for creatures with counters or auras
or defensively for enters or leaves play
effects, but two turns for each is not really
worth it. The true removal is almost
better used on your own creatures as it gives
the owner a two for one trade in their benefit.
Overall this card is slow and very situational
which will likely keep it from seeing much play
in any format, though it will have some fans in
Casual and Commander.
In Limited the reusable removal is more
beneficial as a two for one against a major bomb
is acceptable, even with the two turns to see a
result as a major drawback. The addition
of being multicolor is another hindrance, but a
weapon that can exile a god or other major
threats is too good to ignore even with flaws.
A reasonable first pick in Booster or inclusion
for Sealed that can be supported primarily by
whichever color pool is stronger in White or
Black.
When Triad of Fates enters the battlefield put a
fate counter on target creature. Wait?
That’s not what it says! Nope, it says that you
must wait 3 turns before seeing any results from
Triad of Fates. This creature really wants to be
an assassin of board trickery, but it feels too
slow. Maybe I’m not seeing the big picture
with Triad of Fates, but honestly I don’t care
to look for it. Triad of Fates could fit into a
deck that is loaded with so many threats that
your opponent has to overlook the Triad. This
Legendary creature “really” wants to work with
cards that can un-tap things. It is a pity that
Triad of Fates cannot put counters on itself,
because it would also have some evasion. I
think that this card could make a control deck a
little more annoying than usual, but overall
Triad of Fates is too slow for me.
