[Single Card Discussion] Control of the Court

[Michael Keller]

http://bidwicketlister.com/Item/C/Collectible_Card_Games/Magic_the_Gathering/Singles/Portal_Three_Kingdoms/34702_1L.JPEG

As an avid fan of Magic oddities, this card has always struck me as being underused in the right deck. The "drawback" of discarding cards at random might at first seem like a drawback, but there are instances (such as Loam-based decks) that could abuse the draw and discard clause to its advantage. I think this card is just waiting to get a serious push in the right deck. Squee, anyone?

Thoughts?

[Zach Tartell]

It comes foil (or even just black border) as Goblin Ritual (maybe - I'm not goign to look it up).

They're both pretty bad, I think. You only get to keep one card from it (which nets you zero) and cards like Squee usually suck by themselves (although I get in with him occasionally in EDH). Loam makes me think it's maybe a little better, but Loam lets you just trade random lands for better cards (although at a greater cost) and can be played more than once.

[Michael Keller]

but Loam lets you just trade random lands for better cards (although at a greater cost) and can be played more than once.

But isn't the whole purpose behind Loam getting a ridiculous amount of land into the graveyard to pump your creatures and recur your lands as fast as possible? If this card resolves with a Crusher or Terravore in play, you're looking at turning a 5/5 creature into a potential 13/13 or 14/14 by tapping two lands. That's not a bad day's work...

[Valtrix]

But you see, it's just not needed. Loam already gets the cards in the graveyard (much better may I add), and lets you keep threats in your hand. In addition, unlike burning wish, this doesn't guarantee that you'll even get loam. It sucks if you play this can can't even abuse the graveyard bonus because you don't have a loam to begin with. Crusher and terravore should already get big enough without having to play cards that don't really help you much otherwise.

[Paradigm Shift]

Play Gamble in Loam before you play this, it's far more effective.

I need Stronghold/Loam/Wish/DD/Confidant/Seismic Assault/Witness etc etc etc. Tutor for it, and you might get to keep it. But, with the recurisve abilities Loam has, binning the card might get it into your hand as well. Gamble seems far superior to this, excepting perhaps that it is card disadvantage, instead of parity.

[kicks_422]

I tried running 4 of these and its sister, Goblin Lore, in a burn-heavy RGW Thresh/Madness concoction ages ago. It didn't work out. :tongue:

[Goblin Snowman]

I tried a long time ago to get it to work in Ichorid (along with Seize the Day). It was very bad. If only it discarded first....
I've also tried them in a Madness shell. The card is one of my favorites, and I have no problems with playing it in Mental Magic to facilitate a new hand, but I don't think that it fits into an existing deck. There are more reliable ways to tutor (Burning Wish at the same CC), better ways to dig, and even if you're running it in order to get cards into the graveyard, it's capable of boning you by leaving that one card you needed in your hand.

[Forbiddian]

Attunement.

Strategic Planning.

[zulander]

Seems best in Ichorid, but even then they have breakthrough. Poo.

[SpatulaOfTheAges]

I think people played it in R/G Madness, before they realized that deck was bad.