First, the card (from Worldwake, so beware of being spoiled):

Comet Storm XRR
Instant
Mythic Rare
Multikicker 1 (You may pay an additional 1 as you play this spell as many times as you choose.)
Choose target creature or player, then choose another target creature or player for each time Comet Storm was kicked. Comet Storm then deals X damage to each of them.

When I saw that card, the very first card I thought of (which ironically shares a part of the name) is:


They're both some sort of storm raining down from the sky; in the past it was stars, now it's meteors.  It's a nice throwback.

Starstorm was a popular board sweeper back in Onslaught days, when goblins were running rampant in standard.  It also had cycling to boot, making it a popular maindeck choice.

Will Comet Storm get as much play as Starstorm?

Comet Storm is a card that can either target 1 or more targets.  The versatility is what makes this card appealing.  That's about all it has right now.

To deal one damage to one target at instant speed, you'd have to pay RR1.  However, you can deal either 2 damage to a target at instant speed or 3 damage to a target at instant speed FOR ONLY R with both Burst Lightning and Lightning Bolt respectively.  In addition, Burst Lightning can be kicked to deal 4 damage for R4 mana.  To get to that level, Comet Storm will need 6 total mana. 

Early game, Storm clearly gets outclassed by the Lightning cards.

Late game, Fireball or Banefire would function better as a finisher since their initial mana costs are only R, while Storm's initial mana cost is RR.  That one mana really does matter.


Is Comet Storm's saving grace as a board sweeper?

Check out the commonly played red sweepers currently in Standard:

• First, you'd need to pay RR for the intial casting cost of the card.
• Second, you'd need to pay 1 for the amount of damage to inflict.
• Third, you'd need to multikick it 6 times for 6 targets.

All in all, you'd be paying 7RR, or 9 total to remove the creatures.  Considering that Pledge comes down on turn 5, you'd be at a loss here.

Does that mean Comet Storm goes to the junk rare pile?

No.  I definitely can see this seeing play in a GRx deck, with healthy ramp from Khalni Heart Expedition, Harrow, and Rampant Growth.  Valakut decks can also use this.

Also note that not all of Worldwake has been spoiled yet, so if some form of artifact acceleration (hoping for Thran Dynamo here), then it may see play in more decks.

Until we meet again,
Magic the Gathering Player
ShadowSketched
www.twitter.com/shadowsketched