Doesn't this essentially turn into "Your opponent can't play spells. Drain each turn"?
That's a pretty nasty effect. Even if it is balanced, I wouldn't call it fun. I prefer the upgraded's effect for that reason.
openEtG has a creature with counter spell. It even evades spell targeting, and it isn't that OP or horrible to come up against.
(see the Null Mantis card I posted in the weekly card creation event a few weeks back).
It does have a good deal fewer HPs though.
I can drop the HPs on the unupgraded version if needed.
I will grant that openEtG does have some addition CC mechanics.
'Spell' here only refers to spell cards. The opponent can still play any creatures or permanents they want.
There are plenty of ways to deal with this... Owl's Eye, lobotomizer / mindflayer, poison (parasite, toadfish, grey nymph), fire nymphs, various CC shields, etc.
If I drop the HP otyughs could be a go as well.
I will drop the HP to 2 and boost ATK a little.
At that point, every element except
has at least one viable non-spell counter.
Of course, players could use Quint or anubis, but that would require adding out of quartet elements... aether mark might work. It would be a very specialized deck though.
As a last, related point, this card could backfire by clogging your hand and locking draws if you don't have enough quanta generation.
Dropped unupgraded stats to a 4|1 for 4