Kess and why she isnt played

[Vensa4790]

So I was brewing about for my legacy grixis control deck and I found my copies of Kess, Dissident Mage. They were kept in a pretty tight hold to prevent warping, as I recall those foils had bad warping issues, so to me they seem fine. I was just curious as to why she never shows up as a 1 of or as a SB option in both MTGO or actual paper format for any legacy grixis decks, as she seems to be great for those control decks.

[Soren841]

4 mana for a creature that really doesn't do a ton..

[Firegriff]

The limitation of one per turn and only during your turn likely has a lot to do with it.

[MonteTribal]

It's used in Legacy and vintage Grixis control sometimes. Lookup some lists from last year for Grixis Thieves

[crimsonking]

What would be the benefit of playing it over Snapcaster Mage?

[MonteTribal]

What would be the benefit of playing it over Snapcaster Mage?

Continuous card advantage on a body that can go to battle. Snaps is probably better for a instant heavy deck that needs to do stuff on the opponents turn, but Kess can survive lightning bolts and hit the face faster.
Using your graveyard instead of your hand also let's Library of Alexandria get closer to use in the late game.

[Soren841]

Library is only legal in vintage

[Vensa4790]

That is true, 4 mana is definitely on the higher end of the curve for the shell. Usually the most expensive thing I tap out for is hard casting FoW. Well, I guess I'll still try her out as a one of as FoW fodder or should both my anglers get exiled. Thanks for the input.

[crimsonking]

What would be the benefit of playing it over Snapcaster Mage?

Continuous card advantage on a body that can go to battle. Snaps is probably better for a instant heavy deck that needs to do stuff on the opponents turn, but Kess can survive lightning bolts and hit the face faster.
Using your graveyard instead of your hand also let's Library of Alexandria get closer to use in the late game.

I mean, what would be the benefit in Grixis Control.