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Pojo's Magic The Gathering
Card of the Day

Daily Since November 2001!

Capsize
Image from Wizards.com

Capsize
- Tempest

Reviewed November 2, 2015

Constructed: 3.75
Casual: 3.75
Limited: 4.25
Multiplayer: 3.75
Commander [EDH]: 4.25

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale:
1 - Horrible  3 - Average.  5 - Awesome

Click here to see all of our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


David Fanany

Player since 1995

Capsize
 
Some cards' fame is relatively fleeting - the ones that dominate a Standard season or a limited environment sometimes get a lot less attention once new sets come out. But some go on to be legends, having entire categories of design named after them or evoking shudders of fear years or decades later. We have some real legends lined up for review today, starting with one of the most feared spells of all time in Capsize.
 
All you have to do is get enough mana, and your opponent stays static or behind on tempo forever. Doesn't sound that easy, you say? Tempest also brought us cards like Ancient Tomb, along with an on-theme "finisher" in Tradewind Rider - and was adjacent in time on both sides to support cards like Quirion Ranger and Deranged Hermit. This fact was largely responsible for buyback being as feared (and thus as infrequently revisited) as it is. It even works in multiplayer - Heartbeat of Spring, Mana Reflection, and the like can easily let you bounce an entire table's worth of permanents in one or two turns. 
 
Constructed: 4/5
Casual: 4/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 4/5
EDH/Commander: 4/5

Michael "Maikeruu" Pierno

Today's card of the day is Capsize which is a three mana Blue instant with Buyback for three that returns a permanent to hand. With six mana available this locks down an opponent effectively unless they can draw into two threats to play at the same time before you draw other countermagic.  The mana cost with Buyback is a bit too much for faster formats, but in Commander this can be extremely effective.  It can also recycle beneficial enters or leaves play effects, though that requires additional mana or time. Overall a powerful card when it came out and still strong in the right setting as it can react to any permanent.
 
In a Limited format with this it can derail nearly any threat and control the game for a prolonged period of time as mana should be available to maintain the effect.  A great second or third pick in Booster after a Blue rare and even with the double Blue in the cost it adds sustained value with flexibility to a Sealed build.
 
Constructed: 3.5
Casual: 3.5
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 3.5
EDH/Commander: 4.5


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