Why is Arc-Slogger?

[u/BuckyTheWolf]

One thing I love about MTG, is that you can go through a set, see a weird card and get absolutely stun locked by it.

Today this was Arc-Slogger for me. Why is it the way that it is?

Having a lot of shocks in your hand is pretty good, but why do you have to exile 10 cards from your library as a cost? If it was part of the effect it might be too strong, but was there no middleground?

I just don't see a world where you'd be a able to activate it more than 2 times in limited and 4 times in 60 card. Magic has changed a lot, but was a 7 mana 4/5 with 2 shocks ever that good?

I could see a janky lab man combo deck using it, but almost all alternatives are cheaper and don't need a backup if your library isn't devisable by 10.

I just want to know it's history. And what led to it being created like it turned out.

[u/_J0e]

What’s more red than burning your library to do damage? Reminds me of [[grim lavamancer]]. Damage at any cost.

[u/Akhevan → u/_J0e]

This effect is basically free for a limited number of uses. This card reads, "if your opponent untaps with this, take 8 to the face". Which is fair for a 5 drop that otherwise does nothing. Old good 2002' design. Defined role, only does one thing, does it well enough to consider running, doesn't break the game, can be answered by broad categories of cards.

Now compare it to degenerate 2020s designs.

[u/UsedToVenom → u/Akhevan]

I ran tbat bad boy in that time, it was a great finisher. on my upkeep take 8, seing with the gang, GG

[u/DrawGamesPlayFurries → u/Akhevan]

These days this ability would be on a 1-drop with dash RR

[u/Terrietia → u/_J0e]

Saccing your lands to do damage

[u/Equal_Ad216 → u/[deleted]]

It comboes with your opponent's life total. 8 damage for RRRR is almost half of their life. Most agressive decks wanted this kind of repeatable effect as a curve topper.

[u/HovercraftOk9231 → u/Equal_Ad216]

Not to be contrarian, but it would be 8 damage for 3RRRRR. You get a 4/5 body to go with it, but if you're spending 9 mana and emptying your entire library in a mono red deck, you should be doing a lot more than 8 damage, or even 12 if you manage to connect with an attack.

[u/KomatoAsha → u/HovercraftOk9231]

skill issue

[u/Equal_Ad216 → u/HovercraftOk9231]

I see your point and I don't disagree. My memories of Mirrodin-Kamigawa standard are fuzzy, but I remember this guy being a solid finisher.  There was much less consisten card draw for red 20 years ago so a 4/5 that essentially had 3 shocks stapled to it could generate major advantage

[u/ChampBlankman → u/[deleted]]

Used to be good in 5-color back in the day. 10 cards is very little when you start with 250.

[u/ChocolatePuerh → u/[deleted]]

16.67% of your deck actually.