Dear Shrine of Burning Rage, 

<3

I love you. But I feel you are a bit of a conventional card to love. Back in 2011 Standard you were the card control players feared the most. When you hit the battlefield, your opponent is suddenly transported to a movie scene where there is a ticking time bomb they have to dismantle before it’s too late. Before it all goes boom. 

People hated your play patterns. They hated staring down their fate desperately trying to scramble for answers, forgetting about all their problems. Even if they did dismantle you in time, they would wake up from their fever dream only to realise that 99 other problems emerged in the meantime. 

I loved your playpatterns. You create a mini game within the game, without being able for the opponent to hit pause on the rest. You add so much complexity for your opponent in sequencing their plays, how to solve all their problems. You have been in my Peasant Cube from the day you were printed and you are a perfect fit there. I love having you in that cube because I force my control players to think about drafting answers for you, even if it is only a couple of bounce spells or a Flickerwisp so they are able to keep you in check instead of dismantling you. 

I am a control player. Personally my favourite way to deal with you in my Peasant Cube is to just draft you. Because from my sideboard you are the perfect solution to my control mirrors. Throwing a ticking time bomb my opponents way, to see the despair in their eyes when they  try to dismantle it in time is one of my favourite things to do in that cube.

With love, 

Hanjo