Aetherling kills in 3 turns, though more likely kills in 2, 9 damage per swing.

Not saying that changes anything, but it’s not 5 turns.

It’s just so much value. It’s card advantage in non-Sphinx’s decks. If it said “at upkeep look at top card of library, if it’s a creature put it into play, if not draw that card,” would you play it? I think it would certainly merit consideration, and you have more control over this than you do the top of your library.

I mean, sure it’s not “useless,” but it’s also largely ineffectual in regards to its price. I’ll probably spend next week hitting on some of the other stuff you mentioned to round out the targets for the first few weeks.

That’s a lot more work than other win conditions at SEVEN mana. I mean, the flicker ability is certainly strong, but it’s hard to believe there’s not a better option. It COULD be the win-con in the Sphinx’s Revelation decks, but even so I think it comes down in price long before it goes up.

Oop, got it confused with another card! My bad. The rest does hold, though, and doesn’t change my opinion much.

Deadbridge Chant\’s effect IS random. So is Phyrexian Arena\’s. I\’m failing to see the downside other than \”it costs 6 mana\”

The creature’s can’t be countered…this is similar to Elvish Piper/Quicksilver Amulet/Sneak attack in that it puts the creature directly into play, thus it would trigger ETB abilities, but not “when cast” abilities.

Deadbridge Chant is a MUST in June ControlMidrange since it lets you have (passive) card advantage after it gets into play, puts creatures into play for free (and I’m not sure, but you’re not CASTING the card so it can’t be countered? Not sure on the ruling), and you can still have Ground Seal in play and it won’t hose Deadbridge Chant since you are not targeting anything with Deadbridge Chant. I don’t mind the random card effect since you pull random cards from your library anyways. What do you want, an enchant that will let you pull target cards from your graveyard into your hand or directly into play every turn? That would be an absurd card.

Breaking // Entering – The 2nd half is not useless, there are people testing Cascade Reanimator with this in Modern. Still, it’s also a promo, so I agree with your price assessment.

Notion Thief – Sideboard material only. Costs too much mana to be good in Legacy or Modern. Not worth running the cute combos with Whispering Madness, Reforge the Soul, or Otherworldy Atlas because those combos are garbage.

Agree with everything else. Thoughts on Renegade Krasis, Skylasher, and Obzedat’s Aid (they seem like they might be playable)? Any commons/uncommons you think would be worth picking up in foil? I’m thinking these might see play:

Rubblebelt Maaka – Uncounterable pump for RDW or R/x aggro decks.

Weapon Surge

Carnage Gladiator – potential Hellrider/Falkenrath Aristocrat replacement for Rakdos decks

Drown in Filth – Reanimator enabler

Gruul War Chant – potential Pyreheart Wolf replacement

Putrefy – will obviously see play

Spike Jester – Jund/Rakdos aggro card

Unflinching Courage – functional reprint of Armadillo Cloak, could see play in Bant Enchant

Warped Physique – Solid removal spell for control

Zhur-Taa Druid

Far // Away – similar to Tribute to Hunger, which has seen play here and there

Turn // Burn

Wear // Tear – potential sideboard card