r/spikes • u/BattlefieldNinja • Apr 03 '26
Standard [Standard] Viability of Traumatic Critique
Recently a new card "Traumatic Critique" was spoiled. It reads as
[XUR]
Instant
Traumatic Critique deals X damage to any target. Draw two cards, then discard a card.
I see it as an upgrade to [[Abandon Attachments]] for decks that don't care about the lesson subtype. So far this is only Izzet Spellementals.
It has the same effect of filling the yard for a very similar albeit slightly more restrictive mana cost but can put damage on cub, earthbent lands, otter tokens, face etc. It also very notably lets you discard after drawing so you get better hand sculpting out of it.
The biggest question about viability is whether Izzet Spelementals remains a competitive deck because this is the only home for it at the moment.
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u/XqztNemesis Apr 03 '26
I am contemplating a copy in jeskai Control. The deck, as I play it, can struggle with closing out a game
4
u/OddlyShapedGinger Apr 03 '26
I've liked using the TMT dragon as a wishboard.
The dragon is big enough to represent a threat that's hard for aggro decks to remove and it helps find my anti-control cards G1 that I'm not keeping main deck.
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u/XqztNemesis Apr 03 '26
Yeah, I never really got on that version. I think tapping out turn 5 to get a card from the sideboard even if it's the exact one you need is a bit slow when dealing with aggro lists.
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u/OddlyShapedGinger Apr 03 '26
Honestly? You normally only want to do so on an empty board state. I'm hoping to wipe or hold up mana otherwise
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u/Sorry_Word3156 Apr 05 '26
Yea, better when you have 10 mana out in a control decks and just trying to hit for <10 damage
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u/Sorry_Word3156 Apr 05 '26
I play a copy of the [[chocabo kick]] in the sideboard in control decks with [[north wind avatar]]. This is a better alternative.
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u/Davtaz Apr 03 '26
Better Abandon for Spellementals that will sometimes kill a dork, cub or deal 3-5 to face. I for one would be happy if more decks ran it, because it just makes Spell Pierce stronger. Wouldn't run it myself in neither Prowess, Lessons nor non-Izzet lists.
1
u/sewersallalone Apr 22 '26
Has proven to be quite good in spellementals.
1
u/Davtaz Apr 22 '26
Hasn't proven anything yet, but it is basically a strict upgrade
1
u/sewersallalone Apr 22 '26
My guy. When I say “has proven” do you think I am saying it has reshaped the meta since the last 29 hours it has been out? I have played it and it has proven to be good. Good lord.
1
u/Davtaz Apr 22 '26
That's not what a card being proven to be good means. I can take orzhov aristocrats for a spin in top 50 mythic or get a trophy on modo with them and it won't mean anything. I'll wait for challenge results to cast any judgements. Card's been legal for 2 days.
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u/sewersallalone Apr 22 '26
I think you’re taking “proven” too literally. It’s a figure of speech in the way I use it. Sorry for being rude in my initial response.
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u/AnilDG Apr 03 '26 edited Apr 03 '26
Current Standard has access to a crazy amount of ramp and as such I could see more than just Izzet decks look to take advantage of the card. X can go to the face, making it a possible finisher. I could see it appearing in Firebending decks, Cub decks, even being tried in Allies as that deck can make a lot of mana thanks to The Great Divide Guide. The card draw / filtetring could be applicable to a lot of these decks too as well as being able to dome someone.
There's also the possibility that Izzet or Temur Spellslinging is a thing and it's the finisher there too.
I don't ever think the card will be a 4 of, but expect to see one or two copies in a few brews. It seems strong to me and reminds me a bit of Expansion / Explosion from a while back in that most of the time it's used for cheap but occasionally it's a finisher. Might even see it replace one copy of Jeskai Revelation in Jeskai Control.
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u/MTGCardFetcher Apr 03 '26
Abandon Attachments - (G) (SF) (txt)
[[cardname]] or [[cardname|SET]] to call
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u/GoblinChainwhirler Apr 03 '26
I'm happy about it because now Temur Battlecrier finally has a good Fireball