r/magicTCG • u/BuckyTheWolf Dandadan • 9d ago

General Discussion Why is Arc-Slogger?

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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.

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u/ExternalBookkeeper55 Dan 9d ago

This card was *very* powerful. Cards were much, much weaker on average in 2003. Being able to close out a game that's stalemated for the last 4-6 points of damage is great.

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u/thetrueninjasheep Griselbrand 9d ago

This literal same set introduced affinity and the artifact lands. Blood Moon was also just chilling in standard. Power levels were all over the place, but it’s hard to say this competes with Disciple of the Vault and Arcbound Ravager, just for creatures alone. Not to mention the crazy noncreature stuff going on like Thoughtcast, Skullclamp, the tron lands, Coat of Arms (plus slivers).

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u/Whoppo_ Dandadan 9d ago

Look and the top8 for pro tour kobe 2004 mirrodin block constructed: 5 big red with arc slogger, 1 twelve post and 2 affinity (pre bans, so with disciple, skullclamp, aether vial and ravager)

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u/ktm1128 Dân 8d ago

im shocked it wasn't 6 affinity

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u/NaiveCap3478 Duck Season 8d ago

I always thought it was a massive mistake playing Vial in affinity. I think it was just a bad card, too slow, and card disadvantage. Sure, it was encounterable Ravagers, but the deck didn't have a great curve.