June 28, 1998

The Card of the Day is...

Rust

Legends Common
G Interrupt


"Counter target artifact effect, which must require an activation cost."

I've said this many times before, and I'm forced to say it again..."Surprise wins games". If you find your opponent relying upon the consistant use of a key artifact, sometimes just keeping that artifact from working for one turn is all you need to turn the game around to your favor. Rust is the cheapest and most suprising way to stall a key artifact for a turn. It won't cost you too much more mana to blow up an artifact, but such cards as Scavenger Folk lack surprise. Rust just comes out of nowhere, does it's little thing, and goes away hopefully leaving a stunned and crippled opponent. I'd consider using Rust in an all green deck that really needs to defend against key artifacts only for a turn or two, and has little mana to spare. Having a Rust in your hand can allow you to act brashly at times in a game---perhaps throwing your opponent off-guard. They'll prepare to smite you with their artifact, and you cause said artifact to Rust for a turn. Next time you act foolishly in the same game, your opponent may hesitate using an artifact (fearing Rust), and try an alternative method of harming you. Here are some ideas to attempt to stretch the use of Rust: