This is probably as close as we'll ever get to a
new version of Hymn to Tourach in a modern set.
Most people will be pretty happy about that
fact. Then again, if your opening is a fetchland
into a Thoughtseize on an artifact creature, it
does pretty much the same thing, and even in the
late game, an opponent losing two of their cards
in a random manner can still be hard to come
back from. In a way, what this card does best is
illustrate the power of Dark Ritual - almost any
effect gets weaker when you have to wait for it.
Once upon a time, people were terrorized by the
infamous Hymn to Tourach. For 2 black mana, it
basically rips your opponent's hand apart by
pulling two cards randomly from it. While random
discard may not be as preferable as being able
to choose your targets (hello, Thoughtseize),
it's also able to hit lands, and a lucky hit
with random discard in the early game can keep
your opponent from ever recovering.
Whispers of Emrakul is as close to a Hymn to
Tourach reprint as we're probably ever going to
get.
Delirium has proven to be wholly achievable in
most formats, but the key to maximizing this
card is getting Delirium as soon as turn 2 or 3
(unlikely in Standard, more achievable in
Modern). This card relies on Delirium to be as
backbreaking as possible, and being able to pull
two cards at random from one's hand can, again,
take them out of the game. It's possible that
this might not be as lethal in Standard because
of opposing Delirium, but I'll take my chances.
Whispers of Emrakul is powerful. I'd keep my eye
out for it.
