By many metrics, MTG Spider Man was a pretty unsuccessful set. It was small, the Limited environment was extremely unbalanced, and the vibes surrounding the set were ultimately disappointing. In spite of this, however, the set has had a surprisingly big impact on Constructed.
While some of these powerful new designs received some hype during spoiler season, others have burst onto the scene in surprising fashion. That is certainly the case for Hide on the Ceiling. Despite falling under the radar initially, this card is now seeing play in Standard, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander.
Hide on the Ceiling in Constructed
At first glance, Hide on the Ceiling may look like your typical protection spell. Over the years, there have been many cards printed that can save your creatures from an opposing board wipe. For artifact decks specifically, however, this instant is a game-changer.
Just yesterday, a Grixis Affinity deck 5-0d a Legacy League with a full playset of Hide in the mix. Between Refurbished Familiar, Thought Monitor, and Simulacrum Synthesizer, there are tons of artifacts to blink out that will generate a bunch of extra value when they reenter. Similarly, Jeskai Artifacts, which just won a Standard Challenge with three copies of Hide in the sideboard, utilizes Synthesizer, Cryogen Relic, and plenty of other engines that are worth exiling.
This doesn’t even factor in how effective Hide is as a reactive element, which makes the card significantly more appealing. Protecting your important tools from artifact hate cards is essential, especially in Legacy, where Meltdown sees lots of play. Exiling opposing permanents can buy you extra time, especially when you’re getting rid of Urza’s Saga Construct tokens in Legacy or resetting Vivi Ornitier in Standard.
For some combo decks, Hide makes for a solid sideboard option that can temporarily remove multiple hate pieces at once. Being able to take out Chalice of the Void or Disruptor Flute even for a turn makes it easier for Legacy Doomsday shells to close games, while Vintage Paradoxical Outcome decks need ways to get Null Rod or Void Mirror off the table. It’s incredible how versatile this tool is, and there are plenty of other powerful ways to abuse it in Commander.
Hide on the Ceiling in Commander
In an EDH setting, Hide is an excellent tool for dedicated blink decks with Brago, King Eternal at the helm. It also does a great job helping you generate extra value with Commanders like Plagon, Lord of the Beach that have elite triggered abilities. By far the strongest place for Hide, though, is in Hinata, Dawn-Crowned decks.
Alongside the Kirin legend, Hide becomes an insanely efficient way to exile any number of creatures or artifacts you desire. Protecting your whole board from a board wipe or clearing a path for your wave of attackers, all for just one mana, is a great deal.
There are also some fun tricks you can do after exiling a bunch of opposing creatures on your opponent’s end step. Untapping and casting Gather Specimens, for example, will put you at a huge advantage on your end step. Containment Priest can be similarly devastating for the other players at a much cheaper rate.
It’s unusual for a card that didn’t garner a ton of attention during spoiler season to see play in such a wide variety of archetypes. MTG Spider Man has been out for about a month now, and players are still finding innovative ways to maximize it. It just goes to show that even sleepers can emerge as multi-format staples.
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