Collected Company: A Game-Changing Instant Review

TL;DR Summary

Collected Company is a powerful and versatile instant that allows players to quickly assemble a formidable creature army while also leaving their opponent with a daunting amount of cards to sift through. This review will delve into the intricacies of Collected Company's card mechanics, strategic uses, deckbuilding roles, format viability, and more.

Detailed Card Mechanics and Interactions

At its core, Collected Company is an instant that enables players to look at the top six cards of their library and put up to two creature cards with a mana value of 3 or less onto the battlefield. The remaining cards are then sent to the bottom of the library in any order.

The key to understanding Collected Company lies in its interaction with other cards in your deck and the game state as a whole. For example, if you play Collected Company on an empty board, you'll get to put all six cards from the top of your library onto the battlefield, giving you a significant advantage in terms of card advantage.

However, Collected Company also requires careful consideration when interacting with other creatures and removal spells. If you have an opponent's creature that you can remove or destroy, it's often beneficial to do so before playing Collected Company, as this will reduce the number of cards you need to sift through and increase your chances of finding a useful creature.

Synergy with Other Cards

Collected Company is particularly well-suited for decks that already have a strong creature presence. When paired with cards like Giant Growth or Vines of Vastwood, Collected Company can create an almost unbeatable combination, as you'll be able to assemble a formidable army of creatures quickly and easily.

Combos and Strategic Uses

One of the most powerful aspects of Collected Company is its ability to create combo pieces. For example, if you play Collected Company on top of a Chandra, Torch of Defiance or Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, you can quickly assemble a formidable army of creatures that deal significant damage to your opponent.

Collected Company also has a number of strategic uses beyond just assembling creature armies. For example, if you play it in response to an opponent's spell or ability, you can potentially disrupt their plan and gain an advantage for yourself.

Deckbuilding Roles and Archetypes

When building a deck around Collected Company, there are several key roles that it fills:

• Creature Generation: Collected Company is ideal for decks that want to quickly assemble a large number of creatures on the battlefield.
• Card Advantage: By putting cards from your library onto the battlefield, Collected Company provides significant card advantage and can help you stay ahead of your opponent.
• Disruption: Collected Company's ability to disrupt an opponent's plan can be particularly effective in combo-heavy decks.

Given these roles, Collected Company is well-suited for a variety of deck archetypes, including:

• Mono-Green Stompy: A classic green aggressive archetype that leverages Collected Company to quickly assemble a large number of creatures.
• Combo Tokens: Decks that use Collected Company to create combo pieces and generate tokens can be incredibly powerful.
• Control: By using Collected Company in response to an opponent's spell or ability, control decks can gain an advantage over their opponents.

Format Viability and Competitive Context

In terms of format viability, Collected Company has been a staple of Modern and Standard formats for several years. Its ability to generate card advantage and disrupt opponents' plans has made it a popular choice among players.

However, the format is constantly changing, and new cards are being released that can potentially interact with Collected Company in meaningful ways. As such, it's essential to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and adjust your decklist accordingly.

Rules Interactions and Technical Notes

One key technical note regarding Collected Company is its interaction with cards like Mana Leak or Counterspell. If you play a card that destroys a creature before playing Collected Company, it's essential to be aware of this potential interaction and take steps to mitigate it.

Additionally, Collected Company can create an infinite loop if played in combination with certain cards. For example, if you play Collected Company on top of a Wrenn and Six or Stomping Ground, you'll generate an endless stream of creatures that will continue to appear unless you take steps to stop them.

Art, Flavor, and Historical Context

Collected Company's art depicts a group of soldiers gathered around a table, surrounded by stacks of books and papers. The flavor text reads: "Assemble your forces." This artwork perfectly captures the essence of Collected Company, which is all about quickly assembling a formidable army on the battlefield.

In terms of historical context, Collected Company was first released in 2014 as part of the Modern Horizons set. Since its release, it has become one of the most iconic and powerful cards in Modern Magic: The Gathering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Collected Company is a powerful and versatile instant that provides significant card advantage, creature generation, and disruption to an opponent's plan. When building a deck around Collected Company, it's essential to consider its interactions with other cards in your deck and the game state as a whole. With careful consideration and strategic play, Collected Company can be a game-changer in Modern and Standard formats.

Key Points Summary

• Card Advantage: Collected Company provides significant card advantage by putting up to two creature cards onto the battlefield.
• Creature Generation: Collected Company is ideal for decks that want to quickly assemble a large number of creatures on the battlefield.
• Disruption: By disrupting an opponent's plan, Collected Company can gain an advantage over its opponents.
• Format Viability: Collected Company has been a staple of Modern and Standard formats for several years, but its viability is constantly being evaluated as new cards are released.

Additional Notes

• When playing against opponents with removal spells or creature-destroying effects, it's often beneficial to play Collected Company before they can remove your creatures.
• Consider pairing Collected Company with other card draw or card advantage cards to maximize the benefits of its ability.
• Be mindful of potential infinite loops when combining Collected Company with certain cards, and take steps to prevent them from occurring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Collected Company is a powerful and versatile instant that provides significant card advantage, creature generation, and disruption to an opponent's plan. By understanding its interactions with other cards in your deck and the game state as a whole, you can unlock its full potential and make it a key component of your Modern and Standard decks.