Doesn't do enough extra to justify the extra cost, IMO.

In matchups where you need Cage, you need it in play ASAP, ideally while simultaneously layering additional hate cards or answering additional threats like Hollow One that Cage doesn't answer. Paying an extra mana for Cage is not compatible with these plans.

@evouga You get 0 hate turn one if it is Misstepped, just saying. For most decks who would use this, 2 mana is not an issue turn 1. If anything the strike against this is that it is still an artifact and thus vulnerable to Force of Vigor.

I like this card.

@lienielsen When you really need to save $1.50 on your Vintage deck.

Is this better than cage in a workshop deck?

This also lets you fetch dryad arbor.

@john-cox or sun titan it, play it off crucible, etc

@blindtherapy
I mean as opposed to cage.

@john-cox so did i. cage stops you from sun titaning/crucibling dryad arbor

Eh bro’s whatchu mean Vintage isn’t for budget players?

Vintage 4 every1

In all seriousness, with 10-15 proxy Vintage is the cheapest format to get into. And if I didn’t have any money, I’d probably want to play the maximum number of $1 Grafdiggers Cages/Weathered Runestone and then go from there.

Usually not better than cage but if you have a lot of 2 card monte or storm in your meta it might make the cut if you are already running leylines to help conserve slots.