Channel - Foil

Leads to "good game" combos at almost any stage in the game, from face-melting turn one wins to completely reversing momentum in the late game. The only drawback is that it leaves you open in the late game if your opponent somehow breaks your combo: a single counterspell can leave you in a tight spot.

Oh yeah, I'm glad they changed the art: this version is much easier on the eyes.

helloooo... Forest + lotus petal + channel + banefire + fork = 1st turrn kill!

I love Channel because it enables some sick, agressive plays like a 2nd turn Darksteel Colussus. Later in the game it's a good source for colorless mana, but as the game progresses, the need for Channel starts to diminish. At some point, you just don't need it anymore. Yet still, this card is screwing around with the principles of the early turns. Normally, you don't smash big creatures onto the table (unless you're running Lotus Cobras or another way of mana acceleration) before turn 5 or 6. To cast an 11/11 trample, indestructible artifact creature spells doom for your opponent unless he or she is running Path to Exile or Pacifism spells.