Premier Draft M19 29.mars 2021
29 March 03:11 - Quantum_Tarantino 7 Wins - 1 LossesMaindeck
| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (13) | |||
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1
Mind Rot
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| Creature (11) | |||
| Land (17) | |||
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5
Mountain
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7
Swamp
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Pack 1 Pick 1: Demon of Catastrophes
Demon of Catastrophes
4.0 If you can jump through some hoops, you can have a 4-mana massive flyer – in this case a 6/6 with trample too. Black has expendable creatures who do nice things when they die, and if you can combo this with those that’s pretty sweet. Even if you can’t, giving up your 2-drop on turn 4 for a 6/6 with flying and trample is often worth it anyway, since it has to be answered or your opponent is dead.
4.0 If you can jump through some hoops, you can have a 4-mana massive flyer – in this case a 6/6 with trample too. Black has expendable creatures who do nice things when they die, and if you can combo this with those that’s pretty sweet. Even if you can’t, giving up your 2-drop on turn 4 for a 6/6 with flying and trample is often worth it anyway, since it has to be answered or your opponent is dead.
Make a Stand
1.5 This is the kind of card people tend to really overrate – “indestructible until end of turn” does seem pretty sweet, but the boost it gives you to power is really unimpressive. Sure, it lets your whole board survive almost no matter what, but if you want a go-wide payoff, it is way better to go with Inspired Charge, since it gives a much bigger stats boost – which is more valuable than indestructibility in most cases. Now, this does have additional applications – you can use it to blank a removal spell for example, but it is still highly situational, and not nearly as useful as you would think.
1.5 This is the kind of card people tend to really overrate – “indestructible until end of turn” does seem pretty sweet, but the boost it gives you to power is really unimpressive. Sure, it lets your whole board survive almost no matter what, but if you want a go-wide payoff, it is way better to go with Inspired Charge, since it gives a much bigger stats boost – which is more valuable than indestructibility in most cases. Now, this does have additional applications – you can use it to blank a removal spell for example, but it is still highly situational, and not nearly as useful as you would think.
Reclamation Sage
2.0 // 3.0 There are enough Artifacts and Enchantments in this set that you can play this in your main deck and have it be a 2-for-1 a reasonable chunk of the time. It is, of course, still better out of your sideboard.
2.0 // 3.0 There are enough Artifacts and Enchantments in this set that you can play this in your main deck and have it be a 2-for-1 a reasonable chunk of the time. It is, of course, still better out of your sideboard.
Satyr Enchanter
3.0 I’m kind of disappointed in this as a signpost uncommon – I feel like they should have at least made it a 3/3, that would have helped this a lot, or maybe given it First Strike or something. As it stands, you could end up in a GW deck where you don’t actually want to play this thing because it doesn’t have good stats, and that’s never a good sign for a signpost uncommon. Still, he is going to be pretty powerful when you build around him, basically doing an Enchantress impression is pretty strong in the right deck.
3.0 I’m kind of disappointed in this as a signpost uncommon – I feel like they should have at least made it a 3/3, that would have helped this a lot, or maybe given it First Strike or something. As it stands, you could end up in a GW deck where you don’t actually want to play this thing because it doesn’t have good stats, and that’s never a good sign for a signpost uncommon. Still, he is going to be pretty powerful when you build around him, basically doing an Enchantress impression is pretty strong in the right deck.
Walking Corpse
1.0 This is a Black Grizzly Bear and nothing more. The Zombie type has some small upside in this format, but not enough to make this worth putting in your deck most of the time.
1.0 This is a Black Grizzly Bear and nothing more. The Zombie type has some small upside in this format, but not enough to make this worth putting in your deck most of the time.
Aviation Pioneer
3.0 Paying 3-mana for 2/3 worth of stats, and the 1/1 has flying is a pretty nice deal. It is also one of the better enablers for the UW artifact deck, since it gives you an evasive artifact creature so cheaply.
3.0 Paying 3-mana for 2/3 worth of stats, and the 1/1 has flying is a pretty nice deal. It is also one of the better enablers for the UW artifact deck, since it gives you an evasive artifact creature so cheaply.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
Tolarian Scholar
1.0 There’s not a reason to play this in this format other than desperation – there isn’t a Wizard archetype like there was in Dominaria.
1.0 There’s not a reason to play this in this format other than desperation – there isn’t a Wizard archetype like there was in Dominaria.
Infernal Scarring
1.5 No toughness boost means it is kind of difficult for you to make the creature into a better attacker. Sure, unlike a lot of Auras at least this one replaces itself, but it isn’t really worth it.
1.5 No toughness boost means it is kind of difficult for you to make the creature into a better attacker. Sure, unlike a lot of Auras at least this one replaces itself, but it isn’t really worth it.
Mind Rot
0.5 Mind Rot just isn’t very good in Limited these days. You get a 2-for-1, but the cost of doing that early is that you don’t add to your board, which can be a huge liability. Then, in the late game is useless. You can sometimes find a situation where siding it in makes sense – like against a control deck that holds on to lots of cards.
0.5 Mind Rot just isn’t very good in Limited these days. You get a 2-for-1, but the cost of doing that early is that you don’t add to your board, which can be a huge liability. Then, in the late game is useless. You can sometimes find a situation where siding it in makes sense – like against a control deck that holds on to lots of cards.
Star-Crowned Stag
3.5 There are frequently board states where turning off one of your opponent’s blockers means you can just attack with everything, and this is the kind of common that really forces your opponent to play less aggressively or end up in a world of hurt, and that’s not too hard to punish. This is an ideal card for the top-curve of aggro decks in this format.
3.5 There are frequently board states where turning off one of your opponent’s blockers means you can just attack with everything, and this is the kind of common that really forces your opponent to play less aggressively or end up in a world of hurt, and that’s not too hard to punish. This is an ideal card for the top-curve of aggro decks in this format.
Electrify
3.5 This tends to be premium removal in most formats (though..maybe not when we saw it in Amonkhet). 4-mana for 4 damage at Instant speed is a solid deal.
3.5 This tends to be premium removal in most formats (though..maybe not when we saw it in Amonkhet). 4-mana for 4 damage at Instant speed is a solid deal.
Disperse
2.5 The flexibility of bouncing any nonland permanent at instant speed is nice, and two mana is a fair cost for that. You can just do a ton of things with it. Bounce spells frequently just give you some tempo – that is, they play like an 5-drop and you pay tow mana to make them do it again – and that’s nice. But that’s really just the base of this card. Sometimes you can actually trade cards with your opponent, or blow them out – like if they try to put an aura on something or use a combat trick. Those situations will arise, so be ready for them in this format.
2.5 The flexibility of bouncing any nonland permanent at instant speed is nice, and two mana is a fair cost for that. You can just do a ton of things with it. Bounce spells frequently just give you some tempo – that is, they play like an 5-drop and you pay tow mana to make them do it again – and that’s nice. But that’s really just the base of this card. Sometimes you can actually trade cards with your opponent, or blow them out – like if they try to put an aura on something or use a combat trick. Those situations will arise, so be ready for them in this format.
Snapping Drake
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Spit Flame
Spit Flame
4.0 The floor on this is absolutely premium removal. The ceiling is that you can just keep on bringing it back if you have some Dragons. Even if you have like, 2-3 dragons in your deck this gets way better. This thing having a fail case of being a premium removal spell, and a ceiling of being a recurring one – and that’s pretty great.
4.0 The floor on this is absolutely premium removal. The ceiling is that you can just keep on bringing it back if you have some Dragons. Even if you have like, 2-3 dragons in your deck this gets way better. This thing having a fail case of being a premium removal spell, and a ceiling of being a recurring one – and that’s pretty great.
Rupture Spire
2.0 If you need fixing, this can do it! Having to basically pay mana for a land is kind of rough, but worth it sometimes.
2.0 If you need fixing, this can do it! Having to basically pay mana for a land is kind of rough, but worth it sometimes.
Herald of Faith
4.0 A 5-mana 4/3 flyer is something you pretty much always play, so adding the fact that it gains you 2 life each time it attacks makes it really good. It slots well into both BW lifegain and UW flyers.
4.0 A 5-mana 4/3 flyer is something you pretty much always play, so adding the fact that it gains you 2 life each time it attacks makes it really good. It slots well into both BW lifegain and UW flyers.
Two-Headed Zombie
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
Plummet
0.5 This is sideboard material. Bring it in against an opponent who has multiple good targets.
0.5 This is sideboard material. Bring it in against an opponent who has multiple good targets.
Loxodon Line Breaker
1.0 This is just a vanilla creature with mediocre stats. You’ll play this in a world where you can’t seem to find yourself enough playables or enough creatures, but in an ideal world you’re never playing it.
1.0 This is just a vanilla creature with mediocre stats. You’ll play this in a world where you can’t seem to find yourself enough playables or enough creatures, but in an ideal world you’re never playing it.
Trumpet Blast
0.0 // 2.0 I don’t like this sort of effect – it doesn’t pump toughness at all, so you basically HAVE to set up an alpha strike that kills your opponent for it to work out, unlike other spells that also pump creature toughness and can get you some advantages in combat. Basically this will only be playable in decks where you can go really really wide to kill your opponent, and is an F everywhere else.
0.0 // 2.0 I don’t like this sort of effect – it doesn’t pump toughness at all, so you basically HAVE to set up an alpha strike that kills your opponent for it to work out, unlike other spells that also pump creature toughness and can get you some advantages in combat. Basically this will only be playable in decks where you can go really really wide to kill your opponent, and is an F everywhere else.
Aven Wind Mage
3.0 3-mana for a 2/2 flyer is already a good rate, so adding the “pseudo-prowess” ability this thing has makes it a pretty nice common. Your opponent will have to think twice before attacking into or blocking this if they have X/3s, because who knows what you might have in your hand!
3.0 3-mana for a 2/2 flyer is already a good rate, so adding the “pseudo-prowess” ability this thing has makes it a pretty nice common. Your opponent will have to think twice before attacking into or blocking this if they have X/3s, because who knows what you might have in your hand!
Thornhide Wolves
1.5 This is a vanilla creature with passable stats, so you’ll play it at the top of your curve sometimes.
1.5 This is a vanilla creature with passable stats, so you’ll play it at the top of your curve sometimes.
Pegasus Courser
3.5 This flying horse is great because it offers good defensive stats as long as you need it to, and when it is time to go on the offensive it can send a lot of damage up in the air. You’ll play as many of these as you can get your hands on in creature-heavy white decks.
3.5 This flying horse is great because it offers good defensive stats as long as you need it to, and when it is time to go on the offensive it can send a lot of damage up in the air. You’ll play as many of these as you can get your hands on in creature-heavy white decks.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
Oreskos Swiftclaw
1.5 Two-mana 3/1s are usually fine for aggro decks, but there are enough tokens in this format that this guy is a bit worse than usual.
1.5 Two-mana 3/1s are usually fine for aggro decks, but there are enough tokens in this format that this guy is a bit worse than usual.
Goblin Motivator
1.5 We have seen many an incarnation of this card, and they always tend to be decent but not great. Haste only has so many uses, though it does do enough to keep the Motivator a relevant card in the late game sometimes, it isn’t always enough.
1.5 We have seen many an incarnation of this card, and they always tend to be decent but not great. Haste only has so many uses, though it does do enough to keep the Motivator a relevant card in the late game sometimes, it isn’t always enough.
Stone Quarry
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Hostile Minotaur
Aerial Engineer
3.5 A 4-mana 2/4 isn’t the worst floor, and in the UW color pair this will be a 4/4 a lot of the time even if you don’t try very hard.
3.5 A 4-mana 2/4 isn’t the worst floor, and in the UW color pair this will be a 4/4 a lot of the time even if you don’t try very hard.
Shield Mare
3.0 A 3-mana 2/3 that gains you 3 life when it comes into place is pretty nice, and this one also gains you 3 life if it is targeted by an opponent. The fact that sometimes it will be difficult to block makes it even a little bit more valuable, but like most of these Mares, it is playable enough without that line of text that it definitely isn’t a sideboard card. That’s just some color-specific upside on a solid card.
3.0 A 3-mana 2/3 that gains you 3 life when it comes into place is pretty nice, and this one also gains you 3 life if it is targeted by an opponent. The fact that sometimes it will be difficult to block makes it even a little bit more valuable, but like most of these Mares, it is playable enough without that line of text that it definitely isn’t a sideboard card. That’s just some color-specific upside on a solid card.
Aether Tunnel
1.0 // 3.0 This does make any creature into a threat, but it is also a super risky Aura that doesn’t do anything to mitigate against a 2-for-1. That said – if you happen to have a couple of Vine Mares, you should probably run this, as putting the Tunnel on a hexproof creature like that is pretty much game over in most scenarios. This is a really specific build around in that sense – I basically would advise not playing it unless you have at least one Vine Mare, but when you pull that off, it will feel good.
1.0 // 3.0 This does make any creature into a threat, but it is also a super risky Aura that doesn’t do anything to mitigate against a 2-for-1. That said – if you happen to have a couple of Vine Mares, you should probably run this, as putting the Tunnel on a hexproof creature like that is pretty much game over in most scenarios. This is a really specific build around in that sense – I basically would advise not playing it unless you have at least one Vine Mare, but when you pull that off, it will feel good.
Hostile Minotaur
2.0 4-mana for a 3/3 with Haste is passable.
2.0 4-mana for a 3/3 with Haste is passable.
Pegasus Courser
3.5 This flying horse is great because it offers good defensive stats as long as you need it to, and when it is time to go on the offensive it can send a lot of damage up in the air. You’ll play as many of these as you can get your hands on in creature-heavy white decks.
3.5 This flying horse is great because it offers good defensive stats as long as you need it to, and when it is time to go on the offensive it can send a lot of damage up in the air. You’ll play as many of these as you can get your hands on in creature-heavy white decks.
Centaur Courser
2.0 This is a boring vanilla creature, but the stats are good enough for it to be solid.
2.0 This is a boring vanilla creature, but the stats are good enough for it to be solid.
Two-Headed Zombie
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
Crash Through
1.5 This is always something that makes the cut sometimes, especially if there is a spell deck in the format. The bonus it gives is nothing special, but it replaces itself and triggers stuff – and yeah, some of the time the Trample actually matters too.
1.5 This is always something that makes the cut sometimes, especially if there is a spell deck in the format. The bonus it gives is nothing special, but it replaces itself and triggers stuff – and yeah, some of the time the Trample actually matters too.
Aven Wind Mage
3.0 3-mana for a 2/2 flyer is already a good rate, so adding the “pseudo-prowess” ability this thing has makes it a pretty nice common. Your opponent will have to think twice before attacking into or blocking this if they have X/3s, because who knows what you might have in your hand!
3.0 3-mana for a 2/2 flyer is already a good rate, so adding the “pseudo-prowess” ability this thing has makes it a pretty nice common. Your opponent will have to think twice before attacking into or blocking this if they have X/3s, because who knows what you might have in your hand!
Totally Lost
2.0 This isn’t efficient, but unlike a lot of Blue spells that interact with your opponent’s creatures – this one actually lets you trade for a card, since it puts the card back on top of your opponent’s library. So this one gives you both tempo and a card, and sometimes you can get a two-for-one if a combat trick or an Aura is involved.
2.0 This isn’t efficient, but unlike a lot of Blue spells that interact with your opponent’s creatures – this one actually lets you trade for a card, since it puts the card back on top of your opponent’s library. So this one gives you both tempo and a card, and sometimes you can get a two-for-one if a combat trick or an Aura is involved.
Greenwood Sentinel
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
Talons of Wildwood
2.0 This is a fairly reasonable Aura. It doesn’t give an impressive boost, but it gets around the downsides of 2-for-1s by being able to come back whenever you need it.
2.0 This is a fairly reasonable Aura. It doesn’t give an impressive boost, but it gets around the downsides of 2-for-1s by being able to come back whenever you need it.
Timber Gorge
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Rise from the Grave
Surge Mare
2.0 Starting out as a 0/5 for UU is kind of rough. Yeah, you can make it also be a 2/3 or a 4/1, and it has a nice trigger when you hit the opponent, but unless your opponent is playing Green, it isn’t going to be able to get through very often.
2.0 Starting out as a 0/5 for UU is kind of rough. Yeah, you can make it also be a 2/3 or a 4/1, and it has a nice trigger when you hit the opponent, but unless your opponent is playing Green, it isn’t going to be able to get through very often.
Rise from the Grave
2.0 This DOES let you go after your opponents’ graveyard too, and that helps it be a little bit better than most versions of this type of effect, because you’ll have more of a chance of reanimating something that is actually worth spending 5 mana on. Now, that situation still won’t arise all the time, and that limits how good this card can be.
2.0 This DOES let you go after your opponents’ graveyard too, and that helps it be a little bit better than most versions of this type of effect, because you’ll have more of a chance of reanimating something that is actually worth spending 5 mana on. Now, that situation still won’t arise all the time, and that limits how good this card can be.
Mirror Image
2.0 While this has some problems – for instance you can’t play it on an empty board – overall this tends to be fine, as it will give you a second copy of whatever your best creature in play is. In the later game that is probably worth more than 3 mana. It also gets better when you copy things with ETB triggers.
2.0 While this has some problems – for instance you can’t play it on an empty board – overall this tends to be fine, as it will give you a second copy of whatever your best creature in play is. In the later game that is probably worth more than 3 mana. It also gets better when you copy things with ETB triggers.
Giant Spider
2.0 This card has been in, by my estimation, one million Limited formats, and it is always serviceable but unexciting. A 4-mana 2/4 is a little below what you want stats wise, but the Reach is great and can shut down a lot of flyers.
2.0 This card has been in, by my estimation, one million Limited formats, and it is always serviceable but unexciting. A 4-mana 2/4 is a little below what you want stats wise, but the Reach is great and can shut down a lot of flyers.
Cavalry Drillmaster
3.0 A two-mana 2/1 isn’t great, but this card gets some serious points for also being relevant in the latter part of the game. +2/+0 and first strike is enough to make most creatures a problem for your opponent to block, so chances are he’s going to come down and get you an attack you wouldn’t have had otherwise, in addition to offering up a body that can trade with a ton of things.
3.0 A two-mana 2/1 isn’t great, but this card gets some serious points for also being relevant in the latter part of the game. +2/+0 and first strike is enough to make most creatures a problem for your opponent to block, so chances are he’s going to come down and get you an attack you wouldn’t have had otherwise, in addition to offering up a body that can trade with a ton of things.
Scholar of Stars
2.5 You can draw a card off of this often enough for it to be solid.
2.5 You can draw a card off of this often enough for it to be solid.
Omenspeaker
2.5 This has decent stats for a defensive deck, and relevance at all stages of the game thanks to Scry makes this an appealing card to me for my Blue decks.
2.5 This has decent stats for a defensive deck, and relevance at all stages of the game thanks to Scry makes this an appealing card to me for my Blue decks.
Goblin Instigator
3.0 So I THINK this is basically a better Dragon Fodder or Krenko’s Command. Why better? Because if you can find a way to do it, you can abuse the ETB trigger on these to get more Goblins. Either way, this card’s good. As a two-drop that brings you two bodies, it is good at basically all stages – it also provides sacrifice fodder for the RB deck.
3.0 So I THINK this is basically a better Dragon Fodder or Krenko’s Command. Why better? Because if you can find a way to do it, you can abuse the ETB trigger on these to get more Goblins. Either way, this card’s good. As a two-drop that brings you two bodies, it is good at basically all stages – it also provides sacrifice fodder for the RB deck.
Vampire Neonate
2.0 This is a kind of okay card pretty much all game long. Early, it can do some blocking, and late it can help you trigger life gain payoffs and even serve as a win condition. It is fragile and slow, but it does do the job sometimes.
2.0 This is a kind of okay card pretty much all game long. Early, it can do some blocking, and late it can help you trigger life gain payoffs and even serve as a win condition. It is fragile and slow, but it does do the job sometimes.
Rustwing Falcon
1.5 There’s always sort of a card like this where talking about the Vanilla test/French Vanilla test is important – this card isn’t good. I mean yeah, it’s a one mana ½ with flying, maybe that’s more than you expect to get for one mana, and hey at least it is relevant in the late game because evasion. But the problem is that a ½ quickly gets outmatched. Sure, if your opponent has like no flyers or something maybe it remains relevant – but in most cases it will quickly get outclassed by like turn 3, at which point it is useless. In the most aggressive decks around, you can play this, but everyone else should avoid it.
1.5 There’s always sort of a card like this where talking about the Vanilla test/French Vanilla test is important – this card isn’t good. I mean yeah, it’s a one mana ½ with flying, maybe that’s more than you expect to get for one mana, and hey at least it is relevant in the late game because evasion. But the problem is that a ½ quickly gets outmatched. Sure, if your opponent has like no flyers or something maybe it remains relevant – but in most cases it will quickly get outclassed by like turn 3, at which point it is useless. In the most aggressive decks around, you can play this, but everyone else should avoid it.
Colossal Dreadmaw
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
Pack 1 Pick 5: Strangling Spores
Stitcher's Supplier
0.0 This is an inherently powerful card, since it loads the graveyard so very well. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a graveyard deck in this format. There are certainly decks where it would shine in most formats, but they will be few and far between here. If you manage to get some Reassembling Skeletons, Macabre Waltzes, and a graveyard reliant rare like Graveyard Marshal or Isareth, MAYBE you can consider it, but even then I’m not so sure.
0.0 This is an inherently powerful card, since it loads the graveyard so very well. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a graveyard deck in this format. There are certainly decks where it would shine in most formats, but they will be few and far between here. If you manage to get some Reassembling Skeletons, Macabre Waltzes, and a graveyard reliant rare like Graveyard Marshal or Isareth, MAYBE you can consider it, but even then I’m not so sure.
Sure Strike
2.0 This is always a serviceable combat trick that basically wins you any combat. In exchange, it isn’t the kind of trick that can save your creature for removal.
2.0 This is always a serviceable combat trick that basically wins you any combat. In exchange, it isn’t the kind of trick that can save your creature for removal.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
Dwindle
2.5 This is not the best removal, but it is kind of passable. Three mana to give something -6/-0 is not the greatest rate ever, since the creature can still use abilities and block, but at least it will only do that last thing once, since it will die when it blocks. Still, 3 mana is a lot to not be able to really get rid of a creature. Don’t underestimate how much worse it is to let a creature you have “removed” block, even if it does die right away.
2.5 This is not the best removal, but it is kind of passable. Three mana to give something -6/-0 is not the greatest rate ever, since the creature can still use abilities and block, but at least it will only do that last thing once, since it will die when it blocks. Still, 3 mana is a lot to not be able to really get rid of a creature. Don’t underestimate how much worse it is to let a creature you have “removed” block, even if it does die right away.
Macabre Waltz
2.0 This kind of card is always one you would like one of in your Black decks, but you don’t want to go after them too early. They aren’t very good early, but in the late game they can really help you restock your hand and get ahead of your opponent.
2.0 This kind of card is always one you would like one of in your Black decks, but you don’t want to go after them too early. They aren’t very good early, but in the late game they can really help you restock your hand and get ahead of your opponent.
Colossal Dreadmaw
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
Strangling Spores
3.0 Giving a creature -3/-3 at Instant speed for 4 seems like an ok deal to me. These kinds of weakening effects always have a little extra utility too, sure – you can use it as straight up removal to kill something with 3 or less toughness – but you can also use it to weaken a creature and then block it to kill it without losing your creature. It falls a little short of premium removal because of its cost, but it is decent card.
3.0 Giving a creature -3/-3 at Instant speed for 4 seems like an ok deal to me. These kinds of weakening effects always have a little extra utility too, sure – you can use it as straight up removal to kill something with 3 or less toughness – but you can also use it to weaken a creature and then block it to kill it without losing your creature. It falls a little short of premium removal because of its cost, but it is decent card.
Gearsmith Guardian
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
Cavalry Drillmaster
3.0 A two-mana 2/1 isn’t great, but this card gets some serious points for also being relevant in the latter part of the game. +2/+0 and first strike is enough to make most creatures a problem for your opponent to block, so chances are he’s going to come down and get you an attack you wouldn’t have had otherwise, in addition to offering up a body that can trade with a ton of things.
3.0 A two-mana 2/1 isn’t great, but this card gets some serious points for also being relevant in the latter part of the game. +2/+0 and first strike is enough to make most creatures a problem for your opponent to block, so chances are he’s going to come down and get you an attack you wouldn’t have had otherwise, in addition to offering up a body that can trade with a ton of things.
Gearsmith Prodigy
1.0 This is not a very exciting artifact payoff for Limited. You will basically never make this a 2/2 in the early game, and by the time it can be one, a 2/2 doesn’t really matter.
1.0 This is not a very exciting artifact payoff for Limited. You will basically never make this a 2/2 in the early game, and by the time it can be one, a 2/2 doesn’t really matter.
Foul Orchard
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 6: Boggart Brute
Mistcaller
0.0 This is just a one-mana 1/1, and nothing more, so you don’t want to play it.
0.0 This is just a one-mana 1/1, and nothing more, so you don’t want to play it.
Snapping Drake
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Daybreak Chaplain
2.0 A two-mana 1/3 with lifelink is fine, but not much else. It is definitely an obnoxious blocker for decks with lots of 2/2s or creature tokens, and it carries equipment and auras well – as lifelink creatures always do. It is a fine card, especially if you have life gain payoffs.
2.0 A two-mana 1/3 with lifelink is fine, but not much else. It is definitely an obnoxious blocker for decks with lots of 2/2s or creature tokens, and it carries equipment and auras well – as lifelink creatures always do. It is a fine card, especially if you have life gain payoffs.
Boggart Brute
3.0 This type of creature is always pretty solid in aggro decks. 3-mana 3/2 with menace just tends to play pretty well, and get in for lots of damage early.
3.0 This type of creature is always pretty solid in aggro decks. 3-mana 3/2 with menace just tends to play pretty well, and get in for lots of damage early.
Sure Strike
2.0 This is always a serviceable combat trick that basically wins you any combat. In exchange, it isn’t the kind of trick that can save your creature for removal.
2.0 This is always a serviceable combat trick that basically wins you any combat. In exchange, it isn’t the kind of trick that can save your creature for removal.
Explosive Apparatus
1.5 This isn’t efficient, but this format has an artifact deck, which means this makes the cut sometimes.
1.5 This isn’t efficient, but this format has an artifact deck, which means this makes the cut sometimes.
Root Snare
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
Infectious Horror
0.0 A 4-mana 2/2 is terrible on the vanilla test – so surely it does SOMETHING right? Well, I guess it does technically do “something” – but that “something” isn’t much. Making your opponent lose 2 when this attacks is just not good, since they will be able to easily block and kill this on almost any board state. There aren’t a lot of creatures in Limited that are stone unplayable, but this is one of them.
0.0 A 4-mana 2/2 is terrible on the vanilla test – so surely it does SOMETHING right? Well, I guess it does technically do “something” – but that “something” isn’t much. Making your opponent lose 2 when this attacks is just not good, since they will be able to easily block and kill this on almost any board state. There aren’t a lot of creatures in Limited that are stone unplayable, but this is one of them.
Revitalize
1.0 Even in a format with a lifegain archetype, Revitalize doesn’t tend to be worth it.
1.0 Even in a format with a lifegain archetype, Revitalize doesn’t tend to be worth it.
Pack 1 Pick 7: Essence Scatter
Gearsmith Guardian
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
Root Snare
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
Giant Spider
2.0 This card has been in, by my estimation, one million Limited formats, and it is always serviceable but unexciting. A 4-mana 2/4 is a little below what you want stats wise, but the Reach is great and can shut down a lot of flyers.
2.0 This card has been in, by my estimation, one million Limited formats, and it is always serviceable but unexciting. A 4-mana 2/4 is a little below what you want stats wise, but the Reach is great and can shut down a lot of flyers.
Essence Scatter
2.5 Creatures are the most common type of spell in Limited, and Essence Scatter will always have lots of targets, and it does the job efficiently enough to be pretty nice.
2.5 Creatures are the most common type of spell in Limited, and Essence Scatter will always have lots of targets, and it does the job efficiently enough to be pretty nice.
Bristling Boar
2.5 Bristling Boar has anti-menace, and doesn’t like it when creatures team up to block it. That isn’t irrelevant text – it means your opponent HAS to have a 3-power or more creature to kill it in combat, and if they don’t? Well, you have what basically amount to free attacks. IT also does a solid job on the vanilla test as a 4-mana 4/3.
2.5 Bristling Boar has anti-menace, and doesn’t like it when creatures team up to block it. That isn’t irrelevant text – it means your opponent HAS to have a 3-power or more creature to kill it in combat, and if they don’t? Well, you have what basically amount to free attacks. IT also does a solid job on the vanilla test as a 4-mana 4/3.
Manalith
2.0 This isn’t the best fixing there is, but hey, it is still fixing and that is always nice when you’re trying to splash.
2.0 This isn’t the best fixing there is, but hey, it is still fixing and that is always nice when you’re trying to splash.
Daggerback Basilisk
2.0 This can trade with anything, but at 3-mana that won’t always feel like the greatest deal. Still, death touch does keep it relevant all game long.
2.0 This can trade with anything, but at 3-mana that won’t always feel like the greatest deal. Still, death touch does keep it relevant all game long.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
Meandering River
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 8: Brawl-Bash Ogre
Stitcher's Supplier
0.0 This is an inherently powerful card, since it loads the graveyard so very well. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a graveyard deck in this format. There are certainly decks where it would shine in most formats, but they will be few and far between here. If you manage to get some Reassembling Skeletons, Macabre Waltzes, and a graveyard reliant rare like Graveyard Marshal or Isareth, MAYBE you can consider it, but even then I’m not so sure.
0.0 This is an inherently powerful card, since it loads the graveyard so very well. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a graveyard deck in this format. There are certainly decks where it would shine in most formats, but they will be few and far between here. If you manage to get some Reassembling Skeletons, Macabre Waltzes, and a graveyard reliant rare like Graveyard Marshal or Isareth, MAYBE you can consider it, but even then I’m not so sure.
Brawl-Bash Ogre
3.0 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace as a floor isn’t bad, and sure you can make it a 5/5 if you sac a creature, and there are ways to sacrifice for value in this set, but it is still kind of tough to set up a little to often.
3.0 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace as a floor isn’t bad, and sure you can make it a 5/5 if you sac a creature, and there are ways to sacrifice for value in this set, but it is still kind of tough to set up a little to often.
Ghastbark Twins
2.5 This is a finisher, but not a great one. I don’t think it is a whole lot better than Colossal Dreadmaw as a finisher, since it costs 1 more and has +1/+1. However, Ghastbark can do double duty and that’s kind of nice. If you’re behind and you play this, the fact that it can block two bodies – and probably kill both of them with those stats, will come in handy.
2.5 This is a finisher, but not a great one. I don’t think it is a whole lot better than Colossal Dreadmaw as a finisher, since it costs 1 more and has +1/+1. However, Ghastbark can do double duty and that’s kind of nice. If you’re behind and you play this, the fact that it can block two bodies – and probably kill both of them with those stats, will come in handy.
Omenspeaker
2.5 This has decent stats for a defensive deck, and relevance at all stages of the game thanks to Scry makes this an appealing card to me for my Blue decks.
2.5 This has decent stats for a defensive deck, and relevance at all stages of the game thanks to Scry makes this an appealing card to me for my Blue decks.
Goblin Motivator
1.5 We have seen many an incarnation of this card, and they always tend to be decent but not great. Haste only has so many uses, though it does do enough to keep the Motivator a relevant card in the late game sometimes, it isn’t always enough.
1.5 We have seen many an incarnation of this card, and they always tend to be decent but not great. Haste only has so many uses, though it does do enough to keep the Motivator a relevant card in the late game sometimes, it isn’t always enough.
Catalyst Elemental
1.5 A 3-mana 2/2 that can sacrifice for two Red seems…not that great. It can help you cast bigger creatures and spells and that’s nice, but you actually end up losing mana on it in the long run!
1.5 A 3-mana 2/2 that can sacrifice for two Red seems…not that great. It can help you cast bigger creatures and spells and that’s nice, but you actually end up losing mana on it in the long run!
Naturalize
0.5 This is strictly sideboard material in this format. Bring it in against someone who has multiple targets.
0.5 This is strictly sideboard material in this format. Bring it in against someone who has multiple targets.
Pack 1 Pick 9: Walking Corpse
Walking Corpse
1.0 This is a Black Grizzly Bear and nothing more. The Zombie type has some small upside in this format, but not enough to make this worth putting in your deck most of the time.
1.0 This is a Black Grizzly Bear and nothing more. The Zombie type has some small upside in this format, but not enough to make this worth putting in your deck most of the time.
Aviation Pioneer
3.0 Paying 3-mana for 2/3 worth of stats, and the 1/1 has flying is a pretty nice deal. It is also one of the better enablers for the UW artifact deck, since it gives you an evasive artifact creature so cheaply.
3.0 Paying 3-mana for 2/3 worth of stats, and the 1/1 has flying is a pretty nice deal. It is also one of the better enablers for the UW artifact deck, since it gives you an evasive artifact creature so cheaply.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
Tolarian Scholar
1.0 There’s not a reason to play this in this format other than desperation – there isn’t a Wizard archetype like there was in Dominaria.
1.0 There’s not a reason to play this in this format other than desperation – there isn’t a Wizard archetype like there was in Dominaria.
Star-Crowned Stag
3.5 There are frequently board states where turning off one of your opponent’s blockers means you can just attack with everything, and this is the kind of common that really forces your opponent to play less aggressively or end up in a world of hurt, and that’s not too hard to punish. This is an ideal card for the top-curve of aggro decks in this format.
3.5 There are frequently board states where turning off one of your opponent’s blockers means you can just attack with everything, and this is the kind of common that really forces your opponent to play less aggressively or end up in a world of hurt, and that’s not too hard to punish. This is an ideal card for the top-curve of aggro decks in this format.
Snapping Drake
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
2.0 This has passable French Vanilla stats, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Pack 1 Pick 10: Stone Quarry
Plummet
0.5 This is sideboard material. Bring it in against an opponent who has multiple good targets.
0.5 This is sideboard material. Bring it in against an opponent who has multiple good targets.
Loxodon Line Breaker
1.0 This is just a vanilla creature with mediocre stats. You’ll play this in a world where you can’t seem to find yourself enough playables or enough creatures, but in an ideal world you’re never playing it.
1.0 This is just a vanilla creature with mediocre stats. You’ll play this in a world where you can’t seem to find yourself enough playables or enough creatures, but in an ideal world you’re never playing it.
Thornhide Wolves
1.5 This is a vanilla creature with passable stats, so you’ll play it at the top of your curve sometimes.
1.5 This is a vanilla creature with passable stats, so you’ll play it at the top of your curve sometimes.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
2.0 This is a nice combat trick. But it is still a combat trick that comes with a lot of inherent risk and requires your opponent to play into it to actually take an opponent’s creature away from that.
Oreskos Swiftclaw
1.5 Two-mana 3/1s are usually fine for aggro decks, but there are enough tokens in this format that this guy is a bit worse than usual.
1.5 Two-mana 3/1s are usually fine for aggro decks, but there are enough tokens in this format that this guy is a bit worse than usual.
Stone Quarry
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Two-Headed Zombie
Aerial Engineer
3.5 A 4-mana 2/4 isn’t the worst floor, and in the UW color pair this will be a 4/4 a lot of the time even if you don’t try very hard.
3.5 A 4-mana 2/4 isn’t the worst floor, and in the UW color pair this will be a 4/4 a lot of the time even if you don’t try very hard.
Two-Headed Zombie
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
2.5 A 4-mana 4/2 menace is some pretty aggressive stats. A lot of the time he will at least get you a 2-for-1, thanks to that Menace. Menace creatures are always super amazing with combat tricks too, since you KNOW your opponent has to set themselves up for a 2-for-1 if they want to kill it. So this will be a nice pick up for aggressive black decks, but it’s nothing special.
Crash Through
1.5 This is always something that makes the cut sometimes, especially if there is a spell deck in the format. The bonus it gives is nothing special, but it replaces itself and triggers stuff – and yeah, some of the time the Trample actually matters too.
1.5 This is always something that makes the cut sometimes, especially if there is a spell deck in the format. The bonus it gives is nothing special, but it replaces itself and triggers stuff – and yeah, some of the time the Trample actually matters too.
Totally Lost
2.0 This isn’t efficient, but unlike a lot of Blue spells that interact with your opponent’s creatures – this one actually lets you trade for a card, since it puts the card back on top of your opponent’s library. So this one gives you both tempo and a card, and sometimes you can get a two-for-one if a combat trick or an Aura is involved.
2.0 This isn’t efficient, but unlike a lot of Blue spells that interact with your opponent’s creatures – this one actually lets you trade for a card, since it puts the card back on top of your opponent’s library. So this one gives you both tempo and a card, and sometimes you can get a two-for-one if a combat trick or an Aura is involved.
Timber Gorge
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
2.5 These are all good fixing, and are worth playing even in two-color decks because making your mana better is a big deal.
Pack 1 Pick 12: Vampire Neonate
Scholar of Stars
2.5 You can draw a card off of this often enough for it to be solid.
2.5 You can draw a card off of this often enough for it to be solid.
Vampire Neonate
2.0 This is a kind of okay card pretty much all game long. Early, it can do some blocking, and late it can help you trigger life gain payoffs and even serve as a win condition. It is fragile and slow, but it does do the job sometimes.
2.0 This is a kind of okay card pretty much all game long. Early, it can do some blocking, and late it can help you trigger life gain payoffs and even serve as a win condition. It is fragile and slow, but it does do the job sometimes.
Colossal Dreadmaw
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
2.5 Of course Colossal Dreadmaw is back! My guess is it will be about as good the last 50 times we saw it – a solid playable. The kind of Green creature that fits well at the top of your curve thanks to its size and evasive keyword ability. But you can find better finishers at higher rarities.
Pack 1 Pick 13: Tormenting Voice
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
1.5 This is the kind of card that ends up being your 23rd card in Red a lot of the time. That’s what it has been every time we have seen it. It helps you dig through your deck but with a fairly significant cost. Sure, it gets a little better in the UR deck which cares about spells, but not by a lot.
Gearsmith Guardian
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
2.0 You aren’t going to be playing a 5-mana 3/5 artifact in your deck if it doesn’t have Blue in it, but if you’re in the UW artifact deck, this is a pretty solid inclusion.
Gearsmith Prodigy
1.0 This is not a very exciting artifact payoff for Limited. You will basically never make this a 2/2 in the early game, and by the time it can be one, a 2/2 doesn’t really matter.
1.0 This is not a very exciting artifact payoff for Limited. You will basically never make this a 2/2 in the early game, and by the time it can be one, a 2/2 doesn’t really matter.
Pack 1 Pick 14: Root Snare
Root Snare
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
Pack 1 Pick 15: Root Snare
Root Snare
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
0.0 Fog is already a terrible card in Limited, and this one costs two mana instead of one. So yeah, it is unplayable. Fog effects just aren’t worth a card in this format, you basically are just giving yourself card disadvantage every time you play this, you might as well mulligan to 6!
Pack 2 Pick 1: Temple of Epiphany
Temple of Epiphany
3.0 Like most rare land cycles, these are great sources of fixing, and adding scry to them is pretty nice. If you are in both colors of one of these, you should consider taking one of them if you see it mid pack or later, as it does improve your mana base significantly. If you’re trying to splash something, I think they can move up even more.
3.0 Like most rare land cycles, these are great sources of fixing, and adding scry to them is pretty nice. If you are in both colors of one of these, you should consider taking one of them if you see it mid pack or later, as it does improve your mana base significantly. If you’re trying to splash something, I think they can move up even more.
Moldervine Reclamation
2.5 This is an interesting card. On the one hand, I think it looks like a really great engine, allowing you to make any trade profitable, and allowing you to even chump block effectively. On the other hand, it is also a 5 mana enchantment that does nothing on its own, and sometimes playing something like this instead of immediately impacting the board is just going to make you lose. If you play this, you’ll experience both of those scenarios.
2.5 This is an interesting card. On the one hand, I think it looks like a really great engine, allowing you to make any trade profitable, and allowing you to even chump block effectively. On the other hand, it is also a 5 mana enchantment that does nothing on its own, and sometimes playing something like this instead of immediately impacting the board is just going to make you lose. If you play this, you’ll experience both of those scenarios.
Rule of Law
0.0 This is a reprint that has been a nice sideboard card in the past…but for constructed. I have a hard time seeing this as something worth playing in Limited. Sure, people double spell in Limited a time or two a game, but that’s not often enough for Rule of Law to be worth it.
0.0 This is a reprint that has been a nice sideboard card in the past…but for constructed. I have a hard time seeing this as something worth playing in Limited. Sure, people double spell in Limited a time or two a game, but that’s not often enough for Rule of Law to be worth it.
Pulse of Murasa
2.5 This is a reprint, and one that surprised a lot of people last time we saw it. It is easy to overlook a card like this – we see effects that let us return cards to our hand on a regular basis, and most of them that cost a single mana aren’t anything special unless it is attached to creatures. However, one thing this has that most versions of that effect don’t have is that it is an instant, and it gains you life. Those two things make it significantly stronger. The six life you gain can essentially reverse any tempo you lose by not actually playing a card the turn you play this, and being instant speed means you can keep your options open until the end of your opponent’s turn and then get back your great creature they killed or whatever.
2.5 This is a reprint, and one that surprised a lot of people last time we saw it. It is easy to overlook a card like this – we see effects that let us return cards to our hand on a regular basis, and most of them that cost a single mana aren’t anything special unless it is attached to creatures. However, one thing this has that most versions of that effect don’t have is that it is an instant, and it gains you life. Those two things make it significantly stronger. The six life you gain can essentially reverse any tempo you lose by not actually playing a card the turn you play this, and being instant speed means you can keep your options open until the end of your opponent’s turn and then get back your great creature they killed or whatever.
Metropolis Sprite
2.0 This has reasonable starting stats and the ability to attack sometimes as a 2/1, which isn’t bad. It also isn’t good, but yeah.
2.0 This has reasonable starting stats and the ability to attack sometimes as a 2/1, which isn’t bad. It also isn’t good, but yeah.
Silverback Shaman
3.5 This creature does well on the Vanilla test, has evasion, and replaces himself when he dies. That means he is a 2-for-1 that is really threatening – and that’s pretty nice. One thing I could see happening with him is that your 5-drop slot is just too loaded – I mean, you only want so many in most formats – but I have a hard time saying no to a 2-for-1 like this guy.
3.5 This creature does well on the Vanilla test, has evasion, and replaces himself when he dies. That means he is a 2-for-1 that is really threatening – and that’s pretty nice. One thing I could see happening with him is that your 5-drop slot is just too loaded – I mean, you only want so many in most formats – but I have a hard time saying no to a 2-for-1 like this guy.
Barony Vampire
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
Reduce to Ashes
2.5 5 damage from a 5 mana Sorcery is always solid removal, though not especially close to being premium.
2.5 5 damage from a 5 mana Sorcery is always solid removal, though not especially close to being premium.
Moorland Inquisitor
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
Sanitarium Skeleton
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
Soulmender
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
Pacifism
4.0 This is always premium removal. It deals with the most important aspect of creatures very efficiently – attacking and blocking. Sometimes you’ll have to deal with a static ability, or your opponent can bounce their creature, but those are pretty rare situations overall. Most of the time, this just gets rid of a creature for two mana, and that’s great.
4.0 This is always premium removal. It deals with the most important aspect of creatures very efficiently – attacking and blocking. Sometimes you’ll have to deal with a static ability, or your opponent can bounce their creature, but those are pretty rare situations overall. Most of the time, this just gets rid of a creature for two mana, and that’s great.
Sorcerer of the Fang
1.5 This is a creature with mediocre stats that has a late game mana sink that can sometimes close things out, but boy is that ability expensive!
1.5 This is a creature with mediocre stats that has a late game mana sink that can sometimes close things out, but boy is that ability expensive!
Winged Words
3.0 Well, in a worst case scenario this is Divination, a card that is usually solid. It is the kind of card that helps you dig deeper into your library to hit land drops early, and helps you reload your hand late. In the best case, it draws you 2 for 2 mana, which is a significantly better deal. Blue is, of course, loaded up with flyers – especially if you pair it with white and/or Red, where there is a distinct flying theme, so making this cost 2 really isn’t that difficult.
3.0 Well, in a worst case scenario this is Divination, a card that is usually solid. It is the kind of card that helps you dig deeper into your library to hit land drops early, and helps you reload your hand late. In the best case, it draws you 2 for 2 mana, which is a significantly better deal. Blue is, of course, loaded up with flyers – especially if you pair it with white and/or Red, where there is a distinct flying theme, so making this cost 2 really isn’t that difficult.
Pack 2 Pick 2: Chandra's Outrage
Rotting Regisaur
3.0 This comes with some pretty big downside – losing a card every turn doesn’t feel so good – but it is also an impressively efficient creature, and once you’re in top-deck mode, there’s no downside at all!
3.0 This comes with some pretty big downside – losing a card every turn doesn’t feel so good – but it is also an impressively efficient creature, and once you’re in top-deck mode, there’s no downside at all!
Ogre Siegebreaker
3.0 A mana 4/3 does reasonably well on the vanilla test, and the activated ability here is pretty nice. It is going to make combat a nightmare for your opponent, since they have to take into account the fact that anything they block with, even if it survives combat, might just die to this ability. It also works when you’re the one blocking by the way, though BR is mostly supposed to be an aggressive color pair in this set, it being able to be used more defensively is nice too. Now, the cost of that ability is a bit high, but probably worth it.
3.0 A mana 4/3 does reasonably well on the vanilla test, and the activated ability here is pretty nice. It is going to make combat a nightmare for your opponent, since they have to take into account the fact that anything they block with, even if it survives combat, might just die to this ability. It also works when you’re the one blocking by the way, though BR is mostly supposed to be an aggressive color pair in this set, it being able to be used more defensively is nice too. Now, the cost of that ability is a bit high, but probably worth it.
Aether Gust
1.0 // 3.5 There is a cycle of color-hosing cards like this in the set, and they are all pretty great – provided your opponent is playing one or both of the colors that it hates on. Both is deal, but I think these are all powerful enough that you side them in even again an opponent in only one of the colors. Two mana for this effect is a great deal – countering a spell and putting it back in their library, or Time Ebbing something is pretty nice. Note, though,t hat your opponent does decide whether it goes on top or bottom not you. Over the course of a draft you are pretty much guaranteed to play against someone who it is good against, and usually you’ll run into a couple of people that fit the bill there. I don’t think you want to run these mainboard, even though its true that there is something like a 40% chance opponent’s will be affected by this – just because it being a completely dead card is a real possibility, but these are incredible out of the sideboard, and become one of the best cards in your deck.
1.0 // 3.5 There is a cycle of color-hosing cards like this in the set, and they are all pretty great – provided your opponent is playing one or both of the colors that it hates on. Both is deal, but I think these are all powerful enough that you side them in even again an opponent in only one of the colors. Two mana for this effect is a great deal – countering a spell and putting it back in their library, or Time Ebbing something is pretty nice. Note, though,t hat your opponent does decide whether it goes on top or bottom not you. Over the course of a draft you are pretty much guaranteed to play against someone who it is good against, and usually you’ll run into a couple of people that fit the bill there. I don’t think you want to run these mainboard, even though its true that there is something like a 40% chance opponent’s will be affected by this – just because it being a completely dead card is a real possibility, but these are incredible out of the sideboard, and become one of the best cards in your deck.
Moorland Inquisitor
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
Glaring Aegis
2.0 Unlike a lot of Auras, this one does something when it comes into play, meaning that it has an impact on the board even if your creature gets destroyed later, and the tap effect can play pretty nicely in an aggressive deck.
2.0 Unlike a lot of Auras, this one does something when it comes into play, meaning that it has an impact on the board even if your creature gets destroyed later, and the tap effect can play pretty nicely in an aggressive deck.
Gift of Paradise
2.0 This kind of ramp/fixing Aura doesn’t often feel great, since you use a bunch of mana and don’t add to the board, which is normally pretty crucial in Limited. However, gaining 3 life here is a real bonus, as you basically pay a certain amount of life by casting this instead of playing a creature. It also lets you fix for double-colored things, which isn’t bad upside.
2.0 This kind of ramp/fixing Aura doesn’t often feel great, since you use a bunch of mana and don’t add to the board, which is normally pretty crucial in Limited. However, gaining 3 life here is a real bonus, as you basically pay a certain amount of life by casting this instead of playing a creature. It also lets you fix for double-colored things, which isn’t bad upside.
Sanitarium Skeleton
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
Sedge Scorpion
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
Sage's Row Denizen
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
Barony Vampire
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
Frost Lynx
3.5 Any time Forts Lynx shows up, it ends up being one of Blue’s best commons. It is just an amazing card for tempo, doing a pretty reasonable Man-O-War impression. Adding to the board while also making your opponent’s best creature more or less disappear from it for a couple of turns is great. The Lynx is at its best in aggressive decks – that’s because this type of effect means your opponent can’t block with that creature for two turns, and it only means they can’t attack for a single turn. It is also an Elemental!
3.5 Any time Forts Lynx shows up, it ends up being one of Blue’s best commons. It is just an amazing card for tempo, doing a pretty reasonable Man-O-War impression. Adding to the board while also making your opponent’s best creature more or less disappear from it for a couple of turns is great. The Lynx is at its best in aggressive decks – that’s because this type of effect means your opponent can’t block with that creature for two turns, and it only means they can’t attack for a single turn. It is also an Elemental!
Tectonic Rift
1.0 Destroying lands isn’t especially relevant in this format, but you might play this sometimes in red aggro decks as a way to finish off the opponent.
1.0 Destroying lands isn’t especially relevant in this format, but you might play this sometimes in red aggro decks as a way to finish off the opponent.
Chandra's Outrage
3.5 This is reasonably efficient removal that also damages the opponent some. That’s enough for it to get into the lower range of “premium” for me.
3.5 This is reasonably efficient removal that also damages the opponent some. That’s enough for it to get into the lower range of “premium” for me.
Bloodfell Caves
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
Pack 2 Pick 3: Chandra's Outrage
Thunderkin Awakener
2.0 This is mostly a two-mana ½ with Haste, though sometimes, if you can pump it, it can do more than that. If you have multiple copies of something like Scampering Scorcher or Risen Reef, it can get those back without any help, which makes him worth playing.
2.0 This is mostly a two-mana ½ with Haste, though sometimes, if you can pump it, it can do more than that. If you have multiple copies of something like Scampering Scorcher or Risen Reef, it can get those back without any help, which makes him worth playing.
Eternal Isolation
3.0 This is better than most White cards we see that hate on power 4 or greater creatures, and that’s because it is way cheaper! Sure, it goes in your opponents’ deck, but it goes on the bottom, so it is pretty close to straight up removal – and against some opponents who have graveyard stuff going on, it can be even better! It is still conditional removal, but it is efficient enough that its pretty good.
3.0 This is better than most White cards we see that hate on power 4 or greater creatures, and that’s because it is way cheaper! Sure, it goes in your opponents’ deck, but it goes on the bottom, so it is pretty close to straight up removal – and against some opponents who have graveyard stuff going on, it can be even better! It is still conditional removal, but it is efficient enough that its pretty good.
Diviner's Lockbox
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
Soulmender
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
Moat Piranhas
1.5 We have seen cards like this before – creatures who are very efficient but have defender, and they are always pretty alright. If you’re a defensive deck, I think you can play a couple of these and feel fine about it, and Blue can be pretty defensive. It can block really well early, and isn’t that hard to at least use to trade with something even late. However, if you’re an aggro deck, then this is terrible.
1.5 We have seen cards like this before – creatures who are very efficient but have defender, and they are always pretty alright. If you’re a defensive deck, I think you can play a couple of these and feel fine about it, and Blue can be pretty defensive. It can block really well early, and isn’t that hard to at least use to trade with something even late. However, if you’re an aggro deck, then this is terrible.
Chandra's Embercat
3.0 So, 2 mana 2/2s are always a decent baseline for a card, but this comes with some significant addition value. I think most Red decks will have 4 or 5 elementals in them without even trying, so it seems like most decks can get use out of it. Elementals are one of the best decks in this format too, and this is a key Common for that deck.
3.0 So, 2 mana 2/2s are always a decent baseline for a card, but this comes with some significant addition value. I think most Red decks will have 4 or 5 elementals in them without even trying, so it seems like most decks can get use out of it. Elementals are one of the best decks in this format too, and this is a key Common for that deck.
Agonizing Syphon
2.5 4 mana for 3 damage is pretty steep, but the fact you can hit any target AND you gain 3 life does enough to make this solid removal, though I wouldn’t say it is premium.
2.5 4 mana for 3 damage is pretty steep, but the fact you can hit any target AND you gain 3 life does enough to make this solid removal, though I wouldn’t say it is premium.
Reckless Air Strike
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
Griffin Protector
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
Mind Rot
1.0 Mind Rot is never particularly good. It does give you a 2-for-1 in ideal situations, but it is really only good in the mid-game. Early on, paying 3 for this and not adding to the board isn’t ideal, and late, your opponent likely doesn’t have cards. So in the mid-game is the sweet spot, but that’s a bit too narrow for me.
1.0 Mind Rot is never particularly good. It does give you a 2-for-1 in ideal situations, but it is really only good in the mid-game. Early on, paying 3 for this and not adding to the board isn’t ideal, and late, your opponent likely doesn’t have cards. So in the mid-game is the sweet spot, but that’s a bit too narrow for me.
Vorstclaw
1.5 This is a vanilla creature, but it has a useful creature type and somewhat reasonable stats, so you’ll find yourself with it a the top of your curve sometimes.
1.5 This is a vanilla creature, but it has a useful creature type and somewhat reasonable stats, so you’ll find yourself with it a the top of your curve sometimes.
Chandra's Outrage
3.5 This is reasonably efficient removal that also damages the opponent some. That’s enough for it to get into the lower range of “premium” for me.
3.5 This is reasonably efficient removal that also damages the opponent some. That’s enough for it to get into the lower range of “premium” for me.
Scoured Barrens
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
Pack 2 Pick 4: Vampire of the Dire Moon
Moldervine Reclamation
2.5 This is an interesting card. On the one hand, I think it looks like a really great engine, allowing you to make any trade profitable, and allowing you to even chump block effectively. On the other hand, it is also a 5 mana enchantment that does nothing on its own, and sometimes playing something like this instead of immediately impacting the board is just going to make you lose. If you play this, you’ll experience both of those scenarios.
2.5 This is an interesting card. On the one hand, I think it looks like a really great engine, allowing you to make any trade profitable, and allowing you to even chump block effectively. On the other hand, it is also a 5 mana enchantment that does nothing on its own, and sometimes playing something like this instead of immediately impacting the board is just going to make you lose. If you play this, you’ll experience both of those scenarios.
Vampire of the Dire Moon
3.0 I am pretty much always happy with one mana 1/1 death touchers. They are great in more defensive decks, because they can trade for anything. Adding lifelink here is a nice touch, because sometimes you’ll have to go on the offensive with this and force your opponent choose between trading a big creature for it, or just taking it – and now, just taking it has some extra consequences, because you can potentially find yourself a repetable source of lifegain if they do. Still, while this card is efficient at what it does, like more 1/1 deathtouchers, it isn’t like it is gamebreaking – but it is a nice card.
3.0 I am pretty much always happy with one mana 1/1 death touchers. They are great in more defensive decks, because they can trade for anything. Adding lifelink here is a nice touch, because sometimes you’ll have to go on the offensive with this and force your opponent choose between trading a big creature for it, or just taking it – and now, just taking it has some extra consequences, because you can potentially find yourself a repetable source of lifegain if they do. Still, while this card is efficient at what it does, like more 1/1 deathtouchers, it isn’t like it is gamebreaking – but it is a nice card.
Might of the Masses
1.5 I’m never a huge fan of tricks with such conditional boosts, but this does only cost one and will give +1/+1 at a minimum, and sometimes it will give a lot more than that, so you’ll find yourself playing this in decks that can go wide sometimes.
1.5 I’m never a huge fan of tricks with such conditional boosts, but this does only cost one and will give +1/+1 at a minimum, and sometimes it will give a lot more than that, so you’ll find yourself playing this in decks that can go wide sometimes.
Faerie Miscreant
1.0 // 3.0 One mana 1/1 flyers are some of the most overrated creatures around but they usually aren’t good because of how quickly they get outclassed, so that is the base grade we’re looking at here. However, if you can draw a card off of them you’re talking about a much better card. Because this one has such an ugly baseline, you probably need 3+ Miscreants before they become worth playing, and once we’re talking about 4+ I think it becomes a solid card.
1.0 // 3.0 One mana 1/1 flyers are some of the most overrated creatures around but they usually aren’t good because of how quickly they get outclassed, so that is the base grade we’re looking at here. However, if you can draw a card off of them you’re talking about a much better card. Because this one has such an ugly baseline, you probably need 3+ Miscreants before they become worth playing, and once we’re talking about 4+ I think it becomes a solid card.
Keldon Raider
2.5 This has decent stats and lets you rummage. It isn’t exciting, but it is a solid Common.
2.5 This has decent stats and lets you rummage. It isn’t exciting, but it is a solid Common.
Healer of the Glade
1.0 This is an Elemental, but it is one of the few in the set that you cut alot, even in most elemental decks. It just doesn’t do enough stuff to really feel like a card most of the time. It is quickly outclassed stats-wise, and gaining 3 life isn’t really a big payoff.
1.0 This is an Elemental, but it is one of the few in the set that you cut alot, even in most elemental decks. It just doesn’t do enough stuff to really feel like a card most of the time. It is quickly outclassed stats-wise, and gaining 3 life isn’t really a big payoff.
Griffin Protector
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
Sedge Scorpion
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
Blood Burglar
2.5 This has decent stats and lifelink in a set that cares about gaining life, so it is something you play pretty often.
2.5 This has decent stats and lifelink in a set that cares about gaining life, so it is something you play pretty often.
Yoked Ox
0.5 You’re only going to play this if you’re in the slowest, most controlling deck ever. Sure, it blocks well, but that has rapidly diminishing values as the game goes on.
0.5 You’re only going to play this if you’re in the slowest, most controlling deck ever. Sure, it blocks well, but that has rapidly diminishing values as the game goes on.
Reduce to Ashes
2.5 5 damage from a 5 mana Sorcery is always solid removal, though not especially close to being premium.
2.5 5 damage from a 5 mana Sorcery is always solid removal, though not especially close to being premium.
Pack 2 Pick 5: Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
4.0 This can search up any land you need, basic or non-basic and put it on the battlefield which is quite good, and it brings decent stats to the table. And, while it isn’t super easy to use his ability, the fixing is good enough in this format that it isn’t impossible either, and when you do use that ability, this will obviously feel like a bomb.
4.0 This can search up any land you need, basic or non-basic and put it on the battlefield which is quite good, and it brings decent stats to the table. And, while it isn’t super easy to use his ability, the fixing is good enough in this format that it isn’t impossible either, and when you do use that ability, this will obviously feel like a bomb.
Aether Gust
1.0 // 3.5 There is a cycle of color-hosing cards like this in the set, and they are all pretty great – provided your opponent is playing one or both of the colors that it hates on. Both is deal, but I think these are all powerful enough that you side them in even again an opponent in only one of the colors. Two mana for this effect is a great deal – countering a spell and putting it back in their library, or Time Ebbing something is pretty nice. Note, though,t hat your opponent does decide whether it goes on top or bottom not you. Over the course of a draft you are pretty much guaranteed to play against someone who it is good against, and usually you’ll run into a couple of people that fit the bill there. I don’t think you want to run these mainboard, even though its true that there is something like a 40% chance opponent’s will be affected by this – just because it being a completely dead card is a real possibility, but these are incredible out of the sideboard, and become one of the best cards in your deck.
1.0 // 3.5 There is a cycle of color-hosing cards like this in the set, and they are all pretty great – provided your opponent is playing one or both of the colors that it hates on. Both is deal, but I think these are all powerful enough that you side them in even again an opponent in only one of the colors. Two mana for this effect is a great deal – countering a spell and putting it back in their library, or Time Ebbing something is pretty nice. Note, though,t hat your opponent does decide whether it goes on top or bottom not you. Over the course of a draft you are pretty much guaranteed to play against someone who it is good against, and usually you’ll run into a couple of people that fit the bill there. I don’t think you want to run these mainboard, even though its true that there is something like a 40% chance opponent’s will be affected by this – just because it being a completely dead card is a real possibility, but these are incredible out of the sideboard, and become one of the best cards in your deck.
Barony Vampire
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
Mammoth Spider
2.5 Mammoth Spider isn’t fancy, but it is a reasonable card for most Green decks, especially those that need some defense against flyers.
2.5 Mammoth Spider isn’t fancy, but it is a reasonable card for most Green decks, especially those that need some defense against flyers.
Squad Captain
1.5 A 5-mana 2/2 with Vigilance is atrocious, but if you have at least two other creatures in play you are getting a sort of ok deal. More than 2, and you’re going to be reasonably happy with it. The dream is to just curve out with this, and that will certainly happen sometimes. If your opponent has removal for even just one early creature, Squad Captain is going to start looking pretty ugly. It is also not a bad card for the extreme late game during a board stall, since it can get quite large, but overall it is really inconsistent.
1.5 A 5-mana 2/2 with Vigilance is atrocious, but if you have at least two other creatures in play you are getting a sort of ok deal. More than 2, and you’re going to be reasonably happy with it. The dream is to just curve out with this, and that will certainly happen sometimes. If your opponent has removal for even just one early creature, Squad Captain is going to start looking pretty ugly. It is also not a bad card for the extreme late game during a board stall, since it can get quite large, but overall it is really inconsistent.
Natural End
0.5 This is decent sideboard material, there aren’t enough artifacts and enchantments to really be maindecking it, though.
0.5 This is decent sideboard material, there aren’t enough artifacts and enchantments to really be maindecking it, though.
Aerial Assault
2.5 This sort of sorcery speed situational removal spell is certainly not premium, but it is pretty solid. The big downside is that generally, the creature you want to kill gets to attack you once first, which means you’re losing some life or chump blocking. Now, this does make up for that fact a bit by having a minor flying payoff clause on it, and certainly gaining a 1 or 2 life when you cast this does take away that downside a bit. But it is still sorcery speed, and not particularly good when you are the aggressor, since it can’t get a blocker out of your way.
2.5 This sort of sorcery speed situational removal spell is certainly not premium, but it is pretty solid. The big downside is that generally, the creature you want to kill gets to attack you once first, which means you’re losing some life or chump blocking. Now, this does make up for that fact a bit by having a minor flying payoff clause on it, and certainly gaining a 1 or 2 life when you cast this does take away that downside a bit. But it is still sorcery speed, and not particularly good when you are the aggressor, since it can’t get a blocker out of your way.
Sage's Row Denizen
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
Unholy Indenture
0.0 This is bad. It is easy to imagine situations where you put this on an opposing creature and steal it when it dies, or put it on one of your creatures that you know will die – but it a lot harder to guarantee your creature dies than it looks, and you often end up spending 3 mana for a minimal effect. It is notable too that the creature you put it on pretty much already has to be worthwhile, and capable of trading with something, otherwise it really isn’t worth it.
0.0 This is bad. It is easy to imagine situations where you put this on an opposing creature and steal it when it dies, or put it on one of your creatures that you know will die – but it a lot harder to guarantee your creature dies than it looks, and you often end up spending 3 mana for a minimal effect. It is notable too that the creature you put it on pretty much already has to be worthwhile, and capable of trading with something, otherwise it really isn’t worth it.
Anvilwrought Raptor
1.5 This isn’t particularly good. Sure, first strike keeps it relevant for a while, but 1 toughness is just so bad on something you’re spending 4 mana on. You’ll play this if you could use an Artifact or a flyer.
1.5 This isn’t particularly good. Sure, first strike keeps it relevant for a while, but 1 toughness is just so bad on something you’re spending 4 mana on. You’ll play this if you could use an Artifact or a flyer.
Jungle Hollow
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
Pack 2 Pick 6: Vengeful Warchief
Scholar of the Ages
3.0 She costs 7 mana for a 3/3, which obviously enough is horrendous – but she does offer the potential for a three-for-one, since she gives you back two spells in your graveyard. You need both a deck that is interested in playing the long game, and enough instants and sorceries that you can consistently get back two with it. Luckily, that is relatively easy to pull of in controlling Blue decks in this format, where Scholar of the Ages is often a nice late play that stabilizes you. Still, you can’t really play it anywhere else.
3.0 She costs 7 mana for a 3/3, which obviously enough is horrendous – but she does offer the potential for a three-for-one, since she gives you back two spells in your graveyard. You need both a deck that is interested in playing the long game, and enough instants and sorceries that you can consistently get back two with it. Luckily, that is relatively easy to pull of in controlling Blue decks in this format, where Scholar of the Ages is often a nice late play that stabilizes you. Still, you can’t really play it anywhere else.
Vengeful Warchief
2.5 It ended up being way harder to make this work than it looked initially. This often ends up just being an inefficient creature. Still, it does actually get big and imposing often enough to be a decent playable.
2.5 It ended up being way harder to make this work than it looked initially. This often ends up just being an inefficient creature. Still, it does actually get big and imposing often enough to be a decent playable.
Ferocious Pup
2.5 3-mana for a 0/1 and a 2/2 is a decent deal. Green is interested in going wide, and this helps with that.
2.5 3-mana for a 0/1 and a 2/2 is a decent deal. Green is interested in going wide, and this helps with that.
Soul Salvage
2.5 This kind of card is basically always something Black decks want one copy of in Limited. It is basically a Black Divination, but one with powerful card selection, since you know you’re going to get your two best creatures back.
2.5 This kind of card is basically always something Black decks want one copy of in Limited. It is basically a Black Divination, but one with powerful card selection, since you know you’re going to get your two best creatures back.
Duress
0.5 As usual, this is sideboard only material. Not enough things it can hit in the typical deck for it to be in your main deck.
0.5 As usual, this is sideboard only material. Not enough things it can hit in the typical deck for it to be in your main deck.
Griffin Protector
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
2.5 This frequently attacks as a ¾ Flyer, which feels pretty good. Sometimes it will be a 2/3, but it will also sometimes be a 5/6 if you have ways to make counters!
Moat Piranhas
1.5 We have seen cards like this before – creatures who are very efficient but have defender, and they are always pretty alright. If you’re a defensive deck, I think you can play a couple of these and feel fine about it, and Blue can be pretty defensive. It can block really well early, and isn’t that hard to at least use to trade with something even late. However, if you’re an aggro deck, then this is terrible.
1.5 We have seen cards like this before – creatures who are very efficient but have defender, and they are always pretty alright. If you’re a defensive deck, I think you can play a couple of these and feel fine about it, and Blue can be pretty defensive. It can block really well early, and isn’t that hard to at least use to trade with something even late. However, if you’re an aggro deck, then this is terrible.
Destructive Digger
1.5 This has medium stats and an ability that can come in handy in the late game, but it is pretty expensive.
1.5 This has medium stats and an ability that can come in handy in the late game, but it is pretty expensive.
Growth Cycle
1.5 Well, this is an interesting trick. Two mana for +3/+3 is already a kind of good deal, but the fact that it pumps your creature even more if you have Growth Cycles in your graveyard seems pretty cool. The kind of awkward thing here is that most of the time, you don’t want to be running too many tricks. So even with that “collect ‘em all” bonus, I’m not sure I ever want more than one of these.
1.5 Well, this is an interesting trick. Two mana for +3/+3 is already a kind of good deal, but the fact that it pumps your creature even more if you have Growth Cycles in your graveyard seems pretty cool. The kind of awkward thing here is that most of the time, you don’t want to be running too many tricks. So even with that “collect ‘em all” bonus, I’m not sure I ever want more than one of these.
Pack 2 Pick 7: Reckless Air Strike
Dragon Mage
1.0 A 7 mana 5/5 flyer is not exactly impressive, though getting to wheel of fortune every time you hit your opponent is kind of funny. This type of effect is symmetrical, so you and your opponent will both be reloading their hands. Funnily enough, if he hits the opponent enough, you and your opponent might end up being decked! But yeah, that stuff is all wacky and fun and all, but it isn’t going to happen very often. I think you’ll only play this in a control deck desperate for a win condition.
1.0 A 7 mana 5/5 flyer is not exactly impressive, though getting to wheel of fortune every time you hit your opponent is kind of funny. This type of effect is symmetrical, so you and your opponent will both be reloading their hands. Funnily enough, if he hits the opponent enough, you and your opponent might end up being decked! But yeah, that stuff is all wacky and fun and all, but it isn’t going to happen very often. I think you’ll only play this in a control deck desperate for a win condition.
Diviner's Lockbox
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
Scorch Spitter
1.5 In a lot of formats, the Scorch Spitter would be unplayable. A one-mana 1/1, even with this ability, would quickly get outclasses. BUT it is Elemental, and also a card that combos well with Goblin Smuggler. It still isn’t good, mind you, but it is far from unplayable.
1.5 In a lot of formats, the Scorch Spitter would be unplayable. A one-mana 1/1, even with this ability, would quickly get outclasses. BUT it is Elemental, and also a card that combos well with Goblin Smuggler. It still isn’t good, mind you, but it is far from unplayable.
Anticipate
1.0 This type of effect is very replaceable. It gives you some card selection and all that, but a lot of the time you end up cutting these for cards that are more impactful.
1.0 This type of effect is very replaceable. It gives you some card selection and all that, but a lot of the time you end up cutting these for cards that are more impactful.
Growth Cycle
1.5 Well, this is an interesting trick. Two mana for +3/+3 is already a kind of good deal, but the fact that it pumps your creature even more if you have Growth Cycles in your graveyard seems pretty cool. The kind of awkward thing here is that most of the time, you don’t want to be running too many tricks. So even with that “collect ‘em all” bonus, I’m not sure I ever want more than one of these.
1.5 Well, this is an interesting trick. Two mana for +3/+3 is already a kind of good deal, but the fact that it pumps your creature even more if you have Growth Cycles in your graveyard seems pretty cool. The kind of awkward thing here is that most of the time, you don’t want to be running too many tricks. So even with that “collect ‘em all” bonus, I’m not sure I ever want more than one of these.
Unsummon
2.5 One mana to return a creature is an awesome rate, because you’re basically always going to come out ahead in terms of tempo – since you’re going to be bouncing things that cost a heck of a lot more than one mana most of the time. Additionally, bounce effects let you blow out opponents who are overly reliant on Auras or combat tricks. Finally, in a pinch you can use it to save your own creature, which will be worth it some of the time.
2.5 One mana to return a creature is an awesome rate, because you’re basically always going to come out ahead in terms of tempo – since you’re going to be bouncing things that cost a heck of a lot more than one mana most of the time. Additionally, bounce effects let you blow out opponents who are overly reliant on Auras or combat tricks. Finally, in a pinch you can use it to save your own creature, which will be worth it some of the time.
Reckless Air Strike
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
Moment of Heroism
1.5 Combat tricks are really at their best at one mana. This is because it is much easier to have the mana available to use them, and you get blown out less if your opponent has removal. This costs two, but it does give a decent bonus +2/+2 is enough to win a lot of combats, and lifelink also feels good when you’re racing. Still, this is pretty much limited to aggro decks.
1.5 Combat tricks are really at their best at one mana. This is because it is much easier to have the mana available to use them, and you get blown out less if your opponent has removal. This costs two, but it does give a decent bonus +2/+2 is enough to win a lot of combats, and lifelink also feels good when you’re racing. Still, this is pretty much limited to aggro decks.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Act of Treason
Hard Cover
0.5 This gives a minimal boost, and the ability to make a creature loot just isn’t enough to overcome the huge downside of the 2-for-1 you could suffer.
0.5 This gives a minimal boost, and the ability to make a creature loot just isn’t enough to overcome the huge downside of the 2-for-1 you could suffer.
Dawning Angel
3.0 This card really overperforms. The statline isn’t pretty, but the ETB ability plays quite well. This set has a lifegain archetype, but adding a real threat to the board that also gains you life has a surprisingly big impact on games.
3.0 This card really overperforms. The statline isn’t pretty, but the ETB ability plays quite well. This set has a lifegain archetype, but adding a real threat to the board that also gains you life has a surprisingly big impact on games.
Prismite
1.0 You will play this if you’re desperate for a 2-drop and/or fixing, but that’s about it.
1.0 You will play this if you’re desperate for a 2-drop and/or fixing, but that’s about it.
Blood Burglar
2.5 This has decent stats and lifelink in a set that cares about gaining life, so it is something you play pretty often.
2.5 This has decent stats and lifelink in a set that cares about gaining life, so it is something you play pretty often.
Plummet
0.5 As usual, this is better utilized as a sideboard card once you see enough targets for it.
0.5 As usual, this is better utilized as a sideboard card once you see enough targets for it.
Act of Treason
0.5 // 2.5 Like usual, Act is only going to be worth it in a deck that has cheap sacrifice outlets. This type of card is just too situational otherwise, as you pretty much have to kill your opponent when you use it for it to be worth going down a card for. But, if you can sacrifice the creature you steal, you are rid of it permanently!
0.5 // 2.5 Like usual, Act is only going to be worth it in a deck that has cheap sacrifice outlets. This type of card is just too situational otherwise, as you pretty much have to kill your opponent when you use it for it to be worth going down a card for. But, if you can sacrifice the creature you steal, you are rid of it permanently!
Heart-Piercer Bow
0.0 // 2.5 This card is kind of a weird one! On its own, it is kind of horrendous – it just doesn’t do enough most of the time but if you can pair it with a bunch of other Bows and some Renowned Weaponsmiths, you suddenly have a very real deck, as getting a bunch of these in play all at once makes it very hard for your opponent to win the game. However, you pretty much need the weaponsmiths to make this strategy work, and they are mostly unplayable otherwise.
0.0 // 2.5 This card is kind of a weird one! On its own, it is kind of horrendous – it just doesn’t do enough most of the time but if you can pair it with a bunch of other Bows and some Renowned Weaponsmiths, you suddenly have a very real deck, as getting a bunch of these in play all at once makes it very hard for your opponent to win the game. However, you pretty much need the weaponsmiths to make this strategy work, and they are mostly unplayable otherwise.
Netcaster Spider
2.0 This is another decent spider for Green. It doesn’t have as high of toughness as some spiders, but it makes up for that by becoming a 4/3 when it blocks flyers, which will be enough to trade with a lot of them.
2.0 This is another decent spider for Green. It doesn’t have as high of toughness as some spiders, but it makes up for that by becoming a 4/3 when it blocks flyers, which will be enough to trade with a lot of them.
Pack 2 Pick 9: Sanitarium Skeleton
Rule of Law
0.0 This is a reprint that has been a nice sideboard card in the past…but for constructed. I have a hard time seeing this as something worth playing in Limited. Sure, people double spell in Limited a time or two a game, but that’s not often enough for Rule of Law to be worth it.
0.0 This is a reprint that has been a nice sideboard card in the past…but for constructed. I have a hard time seeing this as something worth playing in Limited. Sure, people double spell in Limited a time or two a game, but that’s not often enough for Rule of Law to be worth it.
Pulse of Murasa
2.5 This is a reprint, and one that surprised a lot of people last time we saw it. It is easy to overlook a card like this – we see effects that let us return cards to our hand on a regular basis, and most of them that cost a single mana aren’t anything special unless it is attached to creatures. However, one thing this has that most versions of that effect don’t have is that it is an instant, and it gains you life. Those two things make it significantly stronger. The six life you gain can essentially reverse any tempo you lose by not actually playing a card the turn you play this, and being instant speed means you can keep your options open until the end of your opponent’s turn and then get back your great creature they killed or whatever.
2.5 This is a reprint, and one that surprised a lot of people last time we saw it. It is easy to overlook a card like this – we see effects that let us return cards to our hand on a regular basis, and most of them that cost a single mana aren’t anything special unless it is attached to creatures. However, one thing this has that most versions of that effect don’t have is that it is an instant, and it gains you life. Those two things make it significantly stronger. The six life you gain can essentially reverse any tempo you lose by not actually playing a card the turn you play this, and being instant speed means you can keep your options open until the end of your opponent’s turn and then get back your great creature they killed or whatever.
Barony Vampire
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
Moorland Inquisitor
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
Sanitarium Skeleton
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
0.5 // 2.5 You really only want to play this if you’re in a Sacrifice deck, everywhere else it is just too slow and silly to do much.
Soulmender
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
Pack 2 Pick 10: Bloodfell Caves
Moorland Inquisitor
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
2.0 This is a bear with some reasonable upside, so it isn’t bad, but a lot of the time by the time you have the mana to give the Inquisitor First Strike, a 2/2 with First Strike doesn’t really matter!
Gift of Paradise
2.0 This kind of ramp/fixing Aura doesn’t often feel great, since you use a bunch of mana and don’t add to the board, which is normally pretty crucial in Limited. However, gaining 3 life here is a real bonus, as you basically pay a certain amount of life by casting this instead of playing a creature. It also lets you fix for double-colored things, which isn’t bad upside.
2.0 This kind of ramp/fixing Aura doesn’t often feel great, since you use a bunch of mana and don’t add to the board, which is normally pretty crucial in Limited. However, gaining 3 life here is a real bonus, as you basically pay a certain amount of life by casting this instead of playing a creature. It also lets you fix for double-colored things, which isn’t bad upside.
Sage's Row Denizen
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
1.0 There isn’t really a mill deck in this format, and as a result the Denizen is mostly just an inefficient creature.
Barony Vampire
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
0.5 This has terrible stats and doesn’t do anything other than have those stats.
Tectonic Rift
1.0 Destroying lands isn’t especially relevant in this format, but you might play this sometimes in red aggro decks as a way to finish off the opponent.
1.0 Destroying lands isn’t especially relevant in this format, but you might play this sometimes in red aggro decks as a way to finish off the opponent.
Bloodfell Caves
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
2.5 If you need fixing, this is a decent place to get it. There are also a few cards in the set that care about lifegain, which might mean they are a little more useful than usual in some decks, but mostly they just make your mana better. Even if you’re just 2 colors, taking these over filler is sometimes a good call, since they really make your mana so much better.
Pack 2 Pick 11: Chandra's Embercat
Diviner's Lockbox
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
0.0 This is terrible, like even for a terrible card, its terrible. At best, what you have here is a 5-mana spell that draws you 3 cards at sorcery speed. That is above average, but not exactly amazing. And you have to jump through some crazy hoops to even make it happen! Your chances of getting anything out of this are very low, so just don’t waste your time on it.
Soulmender
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
1.5 So, this can be an alright inclusion for the life gain deck, but there are so many cards that are just better and feature incidental life gain, that most of the time you hope you’re not playing this.
Chandra's Embercat
3.0 So, 2 mana 2/2s are always a decent baseline for a card, but this comes with some significant addition value. I think most Red decks will have 4 or 5 elementals in them without even trying, so it seems like most decks can get use out of it. Elementals are one of the best decks in this format too, and this is a key Common for that deck.
3.0 So, 2 mana 2/2s are always a decent baseline for a card, but this comes with some significant addition value. I think most Red decks will have 4 or 5 elementals in them without even trying, so it seems like most decks can get use out of it. Elementals are one of the best decks in this format too, and this is a key Common for that deck.
Reckless Air Strike
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
0.5 // 1.5 This is a sideboard card in an ideal world I think, though it is worth noting that three colors have lots of fliers in this set – White and Blue like usual, but also Red – so this may end up being more mainboardable than I expect. But yeah, I like this kind of sideboard card because it is flexible, and the kind you will side in more because it is good against two different types of cards. Still, I don’t think I recommend playing it in your main 40 cards in most scenarios.
Mind Rot
1.0 Mind Rot is never particularly good. It does give you a 2-for-1 in ideal situations, but it is really only good in the mid-game. Early on, paying 3 for this and not adding to the board isn’t ideal, and late, your opponent likely doesn’t have cards. So in the mid-game is the sweet spot, but that’s a bit too narrow for me.
1.0 Mind Rot is never particularly good. It does give you a 2-for-1 in ideal situations, but it is really only good in the mid-game. Early on, paying 3 for this and not adding to the board isn’t ideal, and late, your opponent likely doesn’t have cards. So in the mid-game is the sweet spot, but that’s a bit too narrow for me.
Pack 2 Pick 12: Yoked Ox
Healer of the Glade
1.0 This is an Elemental, but it is one of the few in the set that you cut alot, even in most elemental decks. It just doesn’t do enough stuff to really feel like a card most of the time. It is quickly outclassed stats-wise, and gaining 3 life isn’t really a big payoff.
1.0 This is an Elemental, but it is one of the few in the set that you cut alot, even in most elemental decks. It just doesn’t do enough stuff to really feel like a card most of the time. It is quickly outclassed stats-wise, and gaining 3 life isn’t really a big payoff.
Sedge Scorpion
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
2.5 One-mana 1/1s with death touch are always solid. They aren’t ever game-breaking, but they do remain relevant all game long.
Yoked Ox
0.5 You’re only going to play this if you’re in the slowest, most controlling deck ever. Sure, it blocks well, but that has rapidly diminishing values as the game goes on.
0.5 You’re only going to play this if you’re in the slowest, most controlling deck ever. Sure, it blocks well, but that has rapidly diminishing values as the game goes on.
Pack 2 Pick 13: Unholy Indenture
Squad Captain
1.5 A 5-mana 2/2 with Vigilance is atrocious, but if you have at least two other creatures in play you are getting a sort of ok deal. More than 2, and you’re going to be reasonably happy with it. The dream is to just curve out with this, and that will certainly happen sometimes. If your opponent has removal for even just one early creature, Squad Captain is going to start looking pretty ugly. It is also not a bad card for the extreme late game during a board stall, since it can get quite large, but overall it is really inconsistent.
1.5 A 5-mana 2/2 with Vigilance is atrocious, but if you have at least two other creatures in play you are getting a sort of ok deal. More than 2, and you’re going to be reasonably happy with it. The dream is to just curve out with this, and that will certainly happen sometimes. If your opponent has removal for even just one early creature, Squad Captain is going to start looking pretty ugly. It is also not a bad card for the extreme late game during a board stall, since it can get quite large, but overall it is really inconsistent.
Natural End
0.5 This is decent sideboard material, there aren’t enough artifacts and enchantments to really be maindecking it, though.
0.5 This is decent sideboard material, there aren’t enough artifacts and enchantments to really be maindecking it, though.
Unholy Indenture
0.0 This is bad. It is easy to imagine situations where you put this on an opposing creature and steal it when it dies, or put it on one of your creatures that you know will die – but it a lot harder to guarantee your creature dies than it looks, and you often end up spending 3 mana for a minimal effect. It is notable too that the creature you put it on pretty much already has to be worthwhile, and capable of trading with something, otherwise it really isn’t worth it.
0.0 This is bad. It is easy to imagine situations where you put this on an opposing creature and steal it when it dies, or put it on one of your creatures that you know will die – but it a lot harder to guarantee your creature dies than it looks, and you often end up spending 3 mana for a minimal effect. It is notable too that the creature you put it on pretty much already has to be worthwhile, and capable of trading with something, otherwise it really isn’t worth it.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Duress
Duress
0.5 As usual, this is sideboard only material. Not enough things it can hit in the typical deck for it to be in your main deck.
0.5 As usual, this is sideboard only material. Not enough things it can hit in the typical deck for it to be in your main deck.
Pack 2 Pick 15: Plains
Pack 3 Pick 1: Grasp of Darkness
Feline Sovereign
2.5 There are enough Cats and Dogs in this set that Feline Sovereign’s first static ability will have a very real impact on some board states. Even on its own, the Sovereign represents a 3-mana ⅔ who can blow up artifact or enchantments when it hits the opponent, and that is decent. If your deck even has 3 or 4 other cats, the Sovereign will perform better than that, and I don’t think it is far-fetched to think that will happen.
2.5 There are enough Cats and Dogs in this set that Feline Sovereign’s first static ability will have a very real impact on some board states. Even on its own, the Sovereign represents a 3-mana ⅔ who can blow up artifact or enchantments when it hits the opponent, and that is decent. If your deck even has 3 or 4 other cats, the Sovereign will perform better than that, and I don’t think it is far-fetched to think that will happen.
Indulging Patrician
3.5 So, a 3-mana ¼ with flying and lifelink is already a pretty nice card.+. It defends well and gains you life while it does, and it can also hit the opponent to create two point life swings, which isn’t insignificant. Then, you tack on a pretty powerful ability -- making your opponent lose 3 life any turn you gain 3 is great, and if you just manage to trigger that once, you’re going to be pretty happy -- if you do it more than that, well, your opponent’s probably dead or close to it. Keep in mind, by the way, that it causes loss of life -- this means you don’t also gain 3 life when your opponent loses the life, because it isn’t damage, so lifelink doesn’t matter there. How good the Patrician will be will really depend on how easy it is to gain 3 life on a given turn. Because the Patrician gains 1 on its own, you only need to gain 2 more life the rest of a turn -- this means that combining the Patrician with combat tricks might be especially devastating by the way.
3.5 So, a 3-mana ¼ with flying and lifelink is already a pretty nice card.+. It defends well and gains you life while it does, and it can also hit the opponent to create two point life swings, which isn’t insignificant. Then, you tack on a pretty powerful ability -- making your opponent lose 3 life any turn you gain 3 is great, and if you just manage to trigger that once, you’re going to be pretty happy -- if you do it more than that, well, your opponent’s probably dead or close to it. Keep in mind, by the way, that it causes loss of life -- this means you don’t also gain 3 life when your opponent loses the life, because it isn’t damage, so lifelink doesn’t matter there. How good the Patrician will be will really depend on how easy it is to gain 3 life on a given turn. Because the Patrician gains 1 on its own, you only need to gain 2 more life the rest of a turn -- this means that combining the Patrician with combat tricks might be especially devastating by the way.
Chrome Replicator
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
Faith's Fetters
4.0 This is a great removal spell every time we see it. Sure, it costs twice as much as Pacifism, but I think it more than makes up for it. For one thing, it shuts down activated abilities. For another, it can be used on any permanent that might have a problematic activated ability -- most of the time you’ll wnat to put this on a creature obviously, but that flexibility is nice. Finally, it also gains you 4 life -- which makes it a little less painful to tap out to play this or something like that. Overall, Fetters is great because it does a much better job of entirely shutting down a creature than most White removal spells. Also, the life gain has some extra synergy in this format, so that helps too.
4.0 This is a great removal spell every time we see it. Sure, it costs twice as much as Pacifism, but I think it more than makes up for it. For one thing, it shuts down activated abilities. For another, it can be used on any permanent that might have a problematic activated ability -- most of the time you’ll wnat to put this on a creature obviously, but that flexibility is nice. Finally, it also gains you 4 life -- which makes it a little less painful to tap out to play this or something like that. Overall, Fetters is great because it does a much better job of entirely shutting down a creature than most White removal spells. Also, the life gain has some extra synergy in this format, so that helps too.
Crash Through
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
Wall of Runes
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
Makeshift Battalion
2.0 This does a good job of supporting both the go-wide deck and the +1/+1 counter deck. But it isn’t stellar – a 3-mana 3/2 won’t be surviving more attacks, and while a 4/3 has a better shot – it isn’t exactly a juggernaut either.
2.0 This does a good job of supporting both the go-wide deck and the +1/+1 counter deck. But it isn’t stellar – a 3-mana 3/2 won’t be surviving more attacks, and while a 4/3 has a better shot – it isn’t exactly a juggernaut either.
Portcullis Vine
1.0 This can block some stuff early and then replace itself late. Neither of those are very exciting.
1.0 This can block some stuff early and then replace itself late. Neither of those are very exciting.
Turn to Slag
2.5 This is clunky as heck, but it does kill most things, and there is enough good Equipment in this format that you’ll even blow up some Equipment sometimes. It isn’t premium removal, but it is serviceable.
2.5 This is clunky as heck, but it does kill most things, and there is enough good Equipment in this format that you’ll even blow up some Equipment sometimes. It isn’t premium removal, but it is serviceable.
Dub
2.5 This Aura gives a big enough stats boost and a good enough keyword ability that it is worth the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. It is especially nice on lifelinkers or flyers. Aggro decks will virtually always play the first copy.
2.5 This Aura gives a big enough stats boost and a good enough keyword ability that it is worth the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. It is especially nice on lifelinkers or flyers. Aggro decks will virtually always play the first copy.
Rousing Read
3.0 I’m not usually a fan of Auras that don’t give you some sort of value to off-set their risks -- namely, the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. An Aura has to either give a pretty significant bonus, or off-set that risk with some additional value, to overcome being a card I won’t play. Rousing Read does enough for me to want to play it. It nets you a card when it comes down -- even giving you some card selection, and the bonus it gives is no joke either. +1/+1 and flying is the type of bonus that can dramatically alter a board state. Now, you do still need to be weary of casting this when your opponent has mana up and cards available, because if they kill the target you still get 2-for-1’d, but as long as you’re careful, you’re usually going to be okay with this. It will be particularly nasty on the Megalodon! I’m giving this a C+ -- I think Blue decks will play the first copy of this every time.
3.0 I’m not usually a fan of Auras that don’t give you some sort of value to off-set their risks -- namely, the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. An Aura has to either give a pretty significant bonus, or off-set that risk with some additional value, to overcome being a card I won’t play. Rousing Read does enough for me to want to play it. It nets you a card when it comes down -- even giving you some card selection, and the bonus it gives is no joke either. +1/+1 and flying is the type of bonus that can dramatically alter a board state. Now, you do still need to be weary of casting this when your opponent has mana up and cards available, because if they kill the target you still get 2-for-1’d, but as long as you’re careful, you’re usually going to be okay with this. It will be particularly nasty on the Megalodon! I’m giving this a C+ -- I think Blue decks will play the first copy of this every time.
Alchemist's Gift
1.5 This is a decent trick, if you choose the deathtouch option you will be virtually guaranteeing that you kill the other creature, and that can be particularly spicy against a double block. You’ll choose the lifelink option if you just need the stats boost to win combat.
1.5 This is a decent trick, if you choose the deathtouch option you will be virtually guaranteeing that you kill the other creature, and that can be particularly spicy against a double block. You’ll choose the lifelink option if you just need the stats boost to win combat.
Setessan Training
2.0 This gives a reasonable enough boost and replaces itself. It isn’t as good here as it was in Theros, where Enchantments came with a lot of upsides, but its still a fine card.
2.0 This gives a reasonable enough boost and replaces itself. It isn’t as good here as it was in Theros, where Enchantments came with a lot of upsides, but its still a fine card.
Grasp of Darkness
4.0 This is premium removal, it kills things really efficiently. The one downside is that it costs double Black, but if you’re playing a Black deck that isn’t much of a downside.
4.0 This is premium removal, it kills things really efficiently. The one downside is that it costs double Black, but if you’re playing a Black deck that isn’t much of a downside.
Jungle Hollow
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
Pack 3 Pick 2: Temple of Malady
Temple of Malady
3.0 This fix for you and help you smooth out your draws, so they can really play a key role in helping smooth out the beginning of your game. If they are in both your colors you should value them over most medium cards, and if you’re interested in splashing you should value them even more.
3.0 This fix for you and help you smooth out your draws, so they can really play a key role in helping smooth out the beginning of your game. If they are in both your colors you should value them over most medium cards, and if you’re interested in splashing you should value them even more.
Shipwreck Dowser
3.5 A 5-mana 3/3 that returns an instant or sorcery to your hand is already a pretty good card -- it can help you get back a powerful removal spell while also having a large enough body to trade with something -- and that’s a 2-for-1.. Adding Prowess to the mix makes it even more appealing, since it can become a 4/4 pretty easily, and usually at Instant speed. Now, there is a downside here -- if your deck doesn’t have a decent number of spells, and you are just playing this as a 5-mana 3/3 that’s not going to feel too good. However, I don’t think it is a stretch to say most decks will have 4 or 5 instants or soceries, and if that’s the case you’re looking at a pretty good card.
3.5 A 5-mana 3/3 that returns an instant or sorcery to your hand is already a pretty good card -- it can help you get back a powerful removal spell while also having a large enough body to trade with something -- and that’s a 2-for-1.. Adding Prowess to the mix makes it even more appealing, since it can become a 4/4 pretty easily, and usually at Instant speed. Now, there is a downside here -- if your deck doesn’t have a decent number of spells, and you are just playing this as a 5-mana 3/3 that’s not going to feel too good. However, I don’t think it is a stretch to say most decks will have 4 or 5 instants or soceries, and if that’s the case you’re looking at a pretty good card.
Bolt Hound
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with Haste usually isn’t anything special, but this is a lot more than that. The Warcry effect here will be adding additional damage to the board, and will often enable creatures to attack who just couldn’t before. The Hound is obviously going to really shine in aggro decks, especially those that go wide. And, if you can keep it alive after that first attack, it will do it again on the next turn! There will definitely be some games that start with 2-drop, bolt hound, and attack for 5 -- and then you can do it again the next turn!
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with Haste usually isn’t anything special, but this is a lot more than that. The Warcry effect here will be adding additional damage to the board, and will often enable creatures to attack who just couldn’t before. The Hound is obviously going to really shine in aggro decks, especially those that go wide. And, if you can keep it alive after that first attack, it will do it again on the next turn! There will definitely be some games that start with 2-drop, bolt hound, and attack for 5 -- and then you can do it again the next turn!
Rewind
1.0 4 mana for a counterspell is a ton, and while this is “free” in a sense, that fact won’t matter in the vast majority of Limited games. You just won’t have another instant or activated ability to spend that untapped mana on most of the time, so you’re just looking at what is basically a 4-mana hard counter, and that’s something that you don’t want to play in Limited. Your opponent playing around it is pretty devastating, and it is a lot harder to do well tempo-wise with a 4-mana counter. I can see decks coming together sometimes that are loaded up with instants and/or activated abilities, in which case it becomes a little better, but I think you steer clear most of the time.
1.0 4 mana for a counterspell is a ton, and while this is “free” in a sense, that fact won’t matter in the vast majority of Limited games. You just won’t have another instant or activated ability to spend that untapped mana on most of the time, so you’re just looking at what is basically a 4-mana hard counter, and that’s something that you don’t want to play in Limited. Your opponent playing around it is pretty devastating, and it is a lot harder to do well tempo-wise with a 4-mana counter. I can see decks coming together sometimes that are loaded up with instants and/or activated abilities, in which case it becomes a little better, but I think you steer clear most of the time.
Run Afoul
0.5 This is mostly just a sideboard card. An edict for only flyers is a dead card too often, and even as a sideboard card it leaves a lot to be desired.
0.5 This is mostly just a sideboard card. An edict for only flyers is a dead card too often, and even as a sideboard card it leaves a lot to be desired.
Burn Bright
1.0 I never love this kind of mass pump effect in Limited. I like to get a toughness boost too, because that makes it far more flexible. If your creature was dead when your opponent blocked, it still will be even if you use this, and that means that this is really only worthwhile when you can do straight up lethal, really limiting its prospects.
1.0 I never love this kind of mass pump effect in Limited. I like to get a toughness boost too, because that makes it far more flexible. If your creature was dead when your opponent blocked, it still will be even if you use this, and that means that this is really only worthwhile when you can do straight up lethal, really limiting its prospects.
Feat of Resistance
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
Rookie Mistake
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
Capture Sphere
3.0 This is always pretty good removal for Blue. It doesn’t shut off static abilities, but it does pretty much everything else you’d like from your removal spells.
3.0 This is always pretty good removal for Blue. It doesn’t shut off static abilities, but it does pretty much everything else you’d like from your removal spells.
Hobblefiend
2.5 This guy can starts out reasonable and can get progressively larger throughout the game, something that pairs quite well with Trample. It is a very reasonable card for setting up sacrifice payoffs, since it can do it so cheaply.
2.5 This guy can starts out reasonable and can get progressively larger throughout the game, something that pairs quite well with Trample. It is a very reasonable card for setting up sacrifice payoffs, since it can do it so cheaply.
Track Down
1.0 This is Green Sorcery-Speed Anticipate, and it is a pretty darn replaceable card. You’d rather be playing something that adds to the board than getting some card selection in most decks.
1.0 This is Green Sorcery-Speed Anticipate, and it is a pretty darn replaceable card. You’d rather be playing something that adds to the board than getting some card selection in most decks.
Blood Glutton
2.0 This doesn’t have great stats, but trading with it and gaining some life is surprisingly decent, and it is a way to repeatedly gain life, something that the life gain decks really want.
2.0 This doesn’t have great stats, but trading with it and gaining some life is surprisingly decent, and it is a way to repeatedly gain life, something that the life gain decks really want.
Radiant Fountain
0.0 Even in the life gain deck this isn’t worth it. It does huge damage to your mana base, and gaining 2 life doesn’t make up for that.
0.0 Even in the life gain deck this isn’t worth it. It does huge damage to your mana base, and gaining 2 life doesn’t make up for that.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Experimental Overload
Lorescale Coatl
3.0 I always like this card when it gets printed! A 3-mana 2/2 that grows progressively larger as the game goes on is nice, especially because you don’t have to contribute any resources to it getting larger. The Coatl gets better the more card draw you have, but even just a +1/+1 counter every turn is pretty nice. Now, the Coatl is pretty inefficient initially, and there will definitely be times where you play this and your opponent can kill it for 1-2 mana, and that’s going to be pretty rough.
3.0 I always like this card when it gets printed! A 3-mana 2/2 that grows progressively larger as the game goes on is nice, especially because you don’t have to contribute any resources to it getting larger. The Coatl gets better the more card draw you have, but even just a +1/+1 counter every turn is pretty nice. Now, the Coatl is pretty inefficient initially, and there will definitely be times where you play this and your opponent can kill it for 1-2 mana, and that’s going to be pretty rough.
Experimental Overload
4.0 There are a lot of good cheap spells in this format, and that makes this really easy to make work. Even if you just get a 2/2 out of it, you're likely to get a 2-for-1, and by the late game the token you make from this becomes a legitimate win condition. Getting back a removal spell and making a reasonably sized token is a surprisingly powerful turn!
4.0 There are a lot of good cheap spells in this format, and that makes this really easy to make work. Even if you just get a 2/2 out of it, you're likely to get a 2-for-1, and by the late game the token you make from this becomes a legitimate win condition. Getting back a removal spell and making a reasonably sized token is a surprisingly powerful turn!
Chrome Replicator
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
Read the Tides
1.5 This has two modes, and while it doesn’t do either thing very efficiently, it is nice that it gives you options. Sometimes the bounce effect can win you the game, and when it can’t, you can use this to draw some cards. Now, if you’re behind your opponent it probably won’t help you much, but at parity of if you’re ahead, it is pretty nice.
1.5 This has two modes, and while it doesn’t do either thing very efficiently, it is nice that it gives you options. Sometimes the bounce effect can win you the game, and when it can’t, you can use this to draw some cards. Now, if you’re behind your opponent it probably won’t help you much, but at parity of if you’re ahead, it is pretty nice.
Silent Dart
1.5 This is the kind of thing that you run only if really light on removal. It just isn’t very efficient.
1.5 This is the kind of thing that you run only if really light on removal. It just isn’t very efficient.
Feat of Resistance
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
Swift Response
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
Secure the Scene
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
Sabertooth Mauler
2.5 He starts with some pretty mediocre stats, but growing every time something dies means he will overcome that limitation pretty quickly. Note by the way, it will get that counter at the end of the turn whether it is your creature or your opponent’s who died. It tends to get quite large and is able to attack on most turns since it will untap in a lot of different scenarios.
2.5 He starts with some pretty mediocre stats, but growing every time something dies means he will overcome that limitation pretty quickly. Note by the way, it will get that counter at the end of the turn whether it is your creature or your opponent’s who died. It tends to get quite large and is able to attack on most turns since it will untap in a lot of different scenarios.
Mind Rot
1.0 This is always underwhelming. It can 2-for-1 your opponent early, but at the cost of you not developing the board, and then in the late game it often does nothing.
1.0 This is always underwhelming. It can 2-for-1 your opponent early, but at the cost of you not developing the board, and then in the late game it often does nothing.
Goblin Wizardry
2.5 This slots in nicely into the spell deck, because it IS a spell that will trigger your spell payoffs, and it creates two tokens who are spell payoffs too.
2.5 This slots in nicely into the spell deck, because it IS a spell that will trigger your spell payoffs, and it creates two tokens who are spell payoffs too.
Roaming Ghostlight
4.0 My favorite Common in the set, the Ghostlight is great because it adds to the board while you take away from your opponents’, AND it adds a very relevant evasive body to the board. For a Common, it shifts games way in your favor.
4.0 My favorite Common in the set, the Ghostlight is great because it adds to the board while you take away from your opponents’, AND it adds a very relevant evasive body to the board. For a Common, it shifts games way in your favor.
Pack 3 Pick 4: Scorching Dragonfire
Sanctum of Tranquil Light
0.5 // 2.0 Decks with 3+ Sanctums are a real thing in this format, but this is one of the more underwhelming ones, even when you get your Sanctum stuff going. Tapping stuff down is a good way to prolong the game, and sometimes helps you enable attacks, but the other Sanctums are all better than this one. You’re really only going to play it in a Sanctum deck.
0.5 // 2.0 Decks with 3+ Sanctums are a real thing in this format, but this is one of the more underwhelming ones, even when you get your Sanctum stuff going. Tapping stuff down is a good way to prolong the game, and sometimes helps you enable attacks, but the other Sanctums are all better than this one. You’re really only going to play it in a Sanctum deck.
Palladium Myr
3.0 The mana boost this gives you is really nice, and while that sort of thing tends to only matter in the early game, this format does have some mana sinks around that can keep it relevant for longer. It does die to pretty much everything, but if you can just tap it for mana once I don’t think you care.
3.0 The mana boost this gives you is really nice, and while that sort of thing tends to only matter in the early game, this format does have some mana sinks around that can keep it relevant for longer. It does die to pretty much everything, but if you can just tap it for mana once I don’t think you care.
Tormod's Crypt
0.5 This isn’t usually worth it in Limited, as it can only do one thing. There IS a legit graveyard deck in this format, which makes it a reasonable sideboard card, but you should never put this in your main deck.
0.5 This isn’t usually worth it in Limited, as it can only do one thing. There IS a legit graveyard deck in this format, which makes it a reasonable sideboard card, but you should never put this in your main deck.
Lofty Denial
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
Vodalian Arcanist
2.0 This two-mana 1/3 does a good job of blocking early, and then gives you some nice extra mana to utilize.
2.0 This two-mana 1/3 does a good job of blocking early, and then gives you some nice extra mana to utilize.
Teferi's Protege
2.5 Looting is nice because it helps you get through your library and gives you nice card selection. This looter also comes with reasonable stats for the investment as a ⅔. It is somewhat limited as a looter since it asks for two mana every time you do it, but that’s ok -- it is a good place to be spending your mana as the game goes long, and it will definitely have a positive impact on the outcome of long games. This is a solid Blue common.
2.5 Looting is nice because it helps you get through your library and gives you nice card selection. This looter also comes with reasonable stats for the investment as a ⅔. It is somewhat limited as a looter since it asks for two mana every time you do it, but that’s ok -- it is a good place to be spending your mana as the game goes long, and it will definitely have a positive impact on the outcome of long games. This is a solid Blue common.
Gnarled Sage
2.0 This has some decent stats and keywords, and sometimes it gets bigger. It is a surprisingly good road block for decks in this format.
2.0 This has some decent stats and keywords, and sometimes it gets bigger. It is a surprisingly good road block for decks in this format.
Liliana's Steward
1.0 I don’t like this very much. Sure, it is a one drop that can kind of stay relevant all game, but its relevance is basically always very small. A one mana ½ is quickly outclassed in Limited, and giving this up to make your opponent discard a card of their choice doesn’t seem great to me either.
1.0 I don’t like this very much. Sure, it is a one drop that can kind of stay relevant all game, but its relevance is basically always very small. A one mana ½ is quickly outclassed in Limited, and giving this up to make your opponent discard a card of their choice doesn’t seem great to me either.
Scorching Dragonfire
3.5 This is really efficient removal, and the exile clause is nice. This is definitely premium.
3.5 This is really efficient removal, and the exile clause is nice. This is definitely premium.
Daybreak Charger
3.0 This is a nice aggressive two drop. It starts with reasonable enough stats and then has a very real ETB ability. Giving something +2/+0 is often enough to enable attack that you didn’t have before, and giving the boost to a creature token or an evasive creature feels particularly satisfying. This is a premiere two-drop for White aggressive decks.
3.0 This is a nice aggressive two drop. It starts with reasonable enough stats and then has a very real ETB ability. Giving something +2/+0 is often enough to enable attack that you didn’t have before, and giving the boost to a creature token or an evasive creature feels particularly satisfying. This is a premiere two-drop for White aggressive decks.
Run Afoul
0.5 This is mostly just a sideboard card. An edict for only flyers is a dead card too often, and even as a sideboard card it leaves a lot to be desired.
0.5 This is mostly just a sideboard card. An edict for only flyers is a dead card too often, and even as a sideboard card it leaves a lot to be desired.
Swiftwater Cliffs
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
Pack 3 Pick 5: Lofty Denial
Angelic Ascension
2.0 People always overrate this kind of card. It can do a lot of stuff for sure -- you can use it to downgrade one of your opponent’s creature, or to upgrade one of yours -- the latter is more frequently going to be the plan, because a 4/4 Angel won’t be much of a downgrade most of the time. The ideal thing to do with this is going to be to use it at instant speed somehow -- either on a creature that is going to die to removal anyway, or in response to an opponent attacking, so you can turn your smaller creature into a 4/4 that can block more effectively. All that said, this kind of card pretty much always underperforms. It is exciting to think about turning your one drop into a 4/4 angel -- but you are effectively 2-for-1ing yourself to pull that off, which is a bit dangerous. It can win you the game if your opponent doesn’t have an answer, but if they do – you are going to be in trouble tempo-wise. This is just a solid playable, and not much more.
2.0 People always overrate this kind of card. It can do a lot of stuff for sure -- you can use it to downgrade one of your opponent’s creature, or to upgrade one of yours -- the latter is more frequently going to be the plan, because a 4/4 Angel won’t be much of a downgrade most of the time. The ideal thing to do with this is going to be to use it at instant speed somehow -- either on a creature that is going to die to removal anyway, or in response to an opponent attacking, so you can turn your smaller creature into a 4/4 that can block more effectively. All that said, this kind of card pretty much always underperforms. It is exciting to think about turning your one drop into a 4/4 angel -- but you are effectively 2-for-1ing yourself to pull that off, which is a bit dangerous. It can win you the game if your opponent doesn’t have an answer, but if they do – you are going to be in trouble tempo-wise. This is just a solid playable, and not much more.
Twinblade Assassins
3.5 This can turn into a card-drawing engine, and definitely will cause problems for your opponent. The idea of chump blocking or even trading becomes a lot less palatable when they know you’re going to just draw a card at the end of your turn. It also has some pretty nice stats on top of all of that!
3.5 This can turn into a card-drawing engine, and definitely will cause problems for your opponent. The idea of chump blocking or even trading becomes a lot less palatable when they know you’re going to just draw a card at the end of your turn. It also has some pretty nice stats on top of all of that!
Destructive Tampering
0. 5 // 2.0 This is mostly a sideboard card, but if you’re in a really aggressive deck, consider playing one of them because they give you a way to win a game even if your opponent stabilizes.
0. 5 // 2.0 This is mostly a sideboard card, but if you’re in a really aggressive deck, consider playing one of them because they give you a way to win a game even if your opponent stabilizes.
Swift Response
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
Crash Through
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
Teferi's Protege
2.5 Looting is nice because it helps you get through your library and gives you nice card selection. This looter also comes with reasonable stats for the investment as a ⅔. It is somewhat limited as a looter since it asks for two mana every time you do it, but that’s ok -- it is a good place to be spending your mana as the game goes long, and it will definitely have a positive impact on the outcome of long games. This is a solid Blue common.
2.5 Looting is nice because it helps you get through your library and gives you nice card selection. This looter also comes with reasonable stats for the investment as a ⅔. It is somewhat limited as a looter since it asks for two mana every time you do it, but that’s ok -- it is a good place to be spending your mana as the game goes long, and it will definitely have a positive impact on the outcome of long games. This is a solid Blue common.
Frantic Inventory
0.5 // 3.0 I actually enjoy these “Collect ‘em All” type cards in Limited, as they make for interesting decisions even later on in packs. Obviously, you don’t want to play this if you only have 1, it is woefully inefficient -- and even 2 isn’t really where you should be playing it. I think you need to get at least 3 before you start playing it, and any more than that and it becomes increasingly impressive. It doesn’t hurt that UG has payoffs for drawing cards, and UR has payoffs for spells either. Keep in mind, by the way -- in Limited you can play as many copies of something as you can get your hands on, so you can go higher than 4.
0.5 // 3.0 I actually enjoy these “Collect ‘em All” type cards in Limited, as they make for interesting decisions even later on in packs. Obviously, you don’t want to play this if you only have 1, it is woefully inefficient -- and even 2 isn’t really where you should be playing it. I think you need to get at least 3 before you start playing it, and any more than that and it becomes increasingly impressive. It doesn’t hurt that UG has payoffs for drawing cards, and UR has payoffs for spells either. Keep in mind, by the way -- in Limited you can play as many copies of something as you can get your hands on, so you can go higher than 4.
Lofty Denial
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
Secure the Scene
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
Sabertooth Mauler
2.5 He starts with some pretty mediocre stats, but growing every time something dies means he will overcome that limitation pretty quickly. Note by the way, it will get that counter at the end of the turn whether it is your creature or your opponent’s who died. It tends to get quite large and is able to attack on most turns since it will untap in a lot of different scenarios.
2.5 He starts with some pretty mediocre stats, but growing every time something dies means he will overcome that limitation pretty quickly. Note by the way, it will get that counter at the end of the turn whether it is your creature or your opponent’s who died. It tends to get quite large and is able to attack on most turns since it will untap in a lot of different scenarios.
Pack 3 Pick 6: Traitorous Greed
Watcher of the Spheres
3.5 This is a nice signpost uncommon for UW -- a two mana 2/2 flyer that reduces the cost of Flyers is already great -- but I think what really powers this up is the fact that it becomes a 3/3 on turns where you play flyers -- and potentially even bigger if you can play multiple flyers! The Watcher will threaten the opponent in the air, while helping you quickly deploy your air force.
3.5 This is a nice signpost uncommon for UW -- a two mana 2/2 flyer that reduces the cost of Flyers is already great -- but I think what really powers this up is the fact that it becomes a 3/3 on turns where you play flyers -- and potentially even bigger if you can play multiple flyers! The Watcher will threaten the opponent in the air, while helping you quickly deploy your air force.
Palladium Myr
3.0 The mana boost this gives you is really nice, and while that sort of thing tends to only matter in the early game, this format does have some mana sinks around that can keep it relevant for longer. It does die to pretty much everything, but if you can just tap it for mana once I don’t think you care.
3.0 The mana boost this gives you is really nice, and while that sort of thing tends to only matter in the early game, this format does have some mana sinks around that can keep it relevant for longer. It does die to pretty much everything, but if you can just tap it for mana once I don’t think you care.
Traitorous Greed
1.0 Threaten effects need a lot of work to be good in Limited, and I don’t see the necessary pieces here, even if this does make you treasure. You have to win the game when you cast them or they are virtually useless, and that’s just too narrow.
1.0 Threaten effects need a lot of work to be good in Limited, and I don’t see the necessary pieces here, even if this does make you treasure. You have to win the game when you cast them or they are virtually useless, and that’s just too narrow.
Goblin Arsonist
2.0 So, this is a one mana creature that can trade up for X/2s, and even threaten 2-for-1s when your opponent has two X/1s in play. It can also just ping the opponent for one when that is going to be meaningful. It also has a little bit of extra value in the Sacrifice deck, since it will give you some sort of value in addition to whatever the sacrifice effect gives you.
2.0 So, this is a one mana creature that can trade up for X/2s, and even threaten 2-for-1s when your opponent has two X/1s in play. It can also just ping the opponent for one when that is going to be meaningful. It also has a little bit of extra value in the Sacrifice deck, since it will give you some sort of value in addition to whatever the sacrifice effect gives you.
Gloom Sower
1.0 // 2.0 This card is mostly not very good – it has low toughness for the cost and is very easy to take down. However, it does slot reasonably well into the UB reanimator deck, and that helps make it a more appealing card.
1.0 // 2.0 This card is mostly not very good – it has low toughness for the cost and is very easy to take down. However, it does slot reasonably well into the UB reanimator deck, and that helps make it a more appealing card.
Sure Strike
2.0 This trick virtually always allows your creature to win combat, and that’s the kind of trick that aggressive decks are after.
2.0 This trick virtually always allows your creature to win combat, and that’s the kind of trick that aggressive decks are after.
Rookie Mistake
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
Duress
0.5 This is too narrow of a discard spell to every play in your main deck.
0.5 This is too narrow of a discard spell to every play in your main deck.
Spellgorger Weird
1.5 // 3.5 This is definitely a build around. Most decks can get away with playing it, but it will really only be the UR deck that can take full advantage, turning into a full-fledged win condition.
1.5 // 3.5 This is definitely a build around. Most decks can get away with playing it, but it will really only be the UR deck that can take full advantage, turning into a full-fledged win condition.
Tranquil Cove
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
Pack 3 Pick 7: Wind-Scarred Crag
Anointed Chorister
2.5 So, a one mana 1/1 with lifelink is generally not a card worth playing – it just won’t be relevant for very long, but adding an activated ability here makes things interesting. It is by no means an efficient way to pump the chorister, but if you are flooding out it gives you a reasonable mana sink, one that can turn the Chorister into quite the scary attacker in the later part of the game. This format also has life gain payoffs, and that matters too!
2.5 So, a one mana 1/1 with lifelink is generally not a card worth playing – it just won’t be relevant for very long, but adding an activated ability here makes things interesting. It is by no means an efficient way to pump the chorister, but if you are flooding out it gives you a reasonable mana sink, one that can turn the Chorister into quite the scary attacker in the later part of the game. This format also has life gain payoffs, and that matters too!
Keen Glidemaster
2.5 Its nice that this is a two-drop who can stay relevant all game long, since flying definitely allows that.
2.5 Its nice that this is a two-drop who can stay relevant all game long, since flying definitely allows that.
Hunter's Edge
3.5 We see cards like this a lot, and they’re always pretty good removal spells for Green decks. They come with the downside of usually being pretty clunky and risking a 2-for-1, so be careful when you cast it. The good news here is that this straight up does damage and isn’t a fight effect, so you don’t need to end up with a creature just the right size to survive fighting something else. It also means that the creature you use it on will be able to attack right away more easily, since it won’t have taken any damage.
3.5 We see cards like this a lot, and they’re always pretty good removal spells for Green decks. They come with the downside of usually being pretty clunky and risking a 2-for-1, so be careful when you cast it. The good news here is that this straight up does damage and isn’t a fight effect, so you don’t need to end up with a creature just the right size to survive fighting something else. It also means that the creature you use it on will be able to attack right away more easily, since it won’t have taken any damage.
Furor of the Bitten
1.0 This gives a reasonable boost for the cost, but probably not quite enough to be worth the risk of a 2-for-1, especially because you can end up setting yourself up for the 2-for-1 just by playing this, since it forces your creature to attack. It can also be used to force an opposing creature to attack, but that additional use still doesn’t make it very good.
1.0 This gives a reasonable boost for the cost, but probably not quite enough to be worth the risk of a 2-for-1, especially because you can end up setting yourself up for the 2-for-1 just by playing this, since it forces your creature to attack. It can also be used to force an opposing creature to attack, but that additional use still doesn’t make it very good.
Goblin Wizardry
2.5 This slots in nicely into the spell deck, because it IS a spell that will trigger your spell payoffs, and it creates two tokens who are spell payoffs too.
2.5 This slots in nicely into the spell deck, because it IS a spell that will trigger your spell payoffs, and it creates two tokens who are spell payoffs too.
Blood Glutton
2.0 This doesn’t have great stats, but trading with it and gaining some life is surprisingly decent, and it is a way to repeatedly gain life, something that the life gain decks really want.
2.0 This doesn’t have great stats, but trading with it and gaining some life is surprisingly decent, and it is a way to repeatedly gain life, something that the life gain decks really want.
Wall of Runes
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
Secure the Scene
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
Wind-Scarred Crag
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
Pack 3 Pick 8: Village Rites
Sanctum of Stone Fangs
3.5 This is the best of the Sanctum cycle, and really the only one you consistently play on its own. Draining an opponent every turn really adds up, and gives you some serious inevitability.
3.5 This is the best of the Sanctum cycle, and really the only one you consistently play on its own. Draining an opponent every turn really adds up, and gives you some serious inevitability.
Swift Response
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
2.5 Two mana to kill a creature at instant speed is a pretty good deal – even if this can only target tapped creatures. That does mean this is not an ideal removal spell for aggro decks, who want to get blockers out of the way – but in more mid-rangey or control decks, this will be a nice spell – one that will usually give you a tempo advantage, and one that can sometimes get blowouts out of the fact that your opponent uses a combat trick while attacking. Now, it is still situational, and as I said all decks don’t want it, so it definitely isn’t premium.
Feat of Resistance
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
3.0 Protection is just really powerful – the obvious way to use this is to win combat one way or another, by making your creature big enough and also giving it protection from whatever it is in combat with – but you can also use it in response to removal to save a creature, or if your opponent has only blockers of one color and you need evasion for lethal, it can do that too. Not to mention, it puts a +1/+1 counter on the creature, and there is synergy for that in this set. Now, your opponent can still respond to Feat with removal to 2-for-1 you, but the flexibility and upside is real enough that I don’t see a reason to cut the first couple of copies of this in most White decks.
Warded Battlements
1.5 This is weird because it is a payoff for go-wide aggro decks, where the boost will be the most effective – but also weird because it has Defender, and that’s not usually what you’re looking for in an aggro deck. The Battlements are probably actually at their best in the UW skies deck – those decks usually need blockers on the ground while they attack in the air, and +1/+0 on a bunch of flyers is pretty nice. Still, you don’t even always run it in those decks.
1.5 This is weird because it is a payoff for go-wide aggro decks, where the boost will be the most effective – but also weird because it has Defender, and that’s not usually what you’re looking for in an aggro deck. The Battlements are probably actually at their best in the UW skies deck – those decks usually need blockers on the ground while they attack in the air, and +1/+0 on a bunch of flyers is pretty nice. Still, you don’t even always run it in those decks.
Furor of the Bitten
1.0 This gives a reasonable boost for the cost, but probably not quite enough to be worth the risk of a 2-for-1, especially because you can end up setting yourself up for the 2-for-1 just by playing this, since it forces your creature to attack. It can also be used to force an opposing creature to attack, but that additional use still doesn’t make it very good.
1.0 This gives a reasonable boost for the cost, but probably not quite enough to be worth the risk of a 2-for-1, especially because you can end up setting yourself up for the 2-for-1 just by playing this, since it forces your creature to attack. It can also be used to force an opposing creature to attack, but that additional use still doesn’t make it very good.
Village Rites
1.5 I think it is fair to compare this to Tormenting Voice. Both cost you two cards to get you two cards. And yes, there are some differences -- the Rite needs a creature in play and it is an Instant, but I think this will serve a similar purpose. If you have lots of creature tokens, or use it in response to removal, or sacrifice a creature shut down by an Aura, it is going to feel pretty good -- and if you have sacrifice synergies it will be a little better to, but I think that it only makes the cut in your deck about half of the time, and usually just barely as a 23rd or 24th card.
1.5 I think it is fair to compare this to Tormenting Voice. Both cost you two cards to get you two cards. And yes, there are some differences -- the Rite needs a creature in play and it is an Instant, but I think this will serve a similar purpose. If you have lots of creature tokens, or use it in response to removal, or sacrifice a creature shut down by an Aura, it is going to feel pretty good -- and if you have sacrifice synergies it will be a little better to, but I think that it only makes the cut in your deck about half of the time, and usually just barely as a 23rd or 24th card.
Life Goes On
0.5 This gains you a bunch of life and that’s all. That’s not something you usually play in Limited. Maybe if you are GW and have some of the White life gain payoffs it can make it, but that won’t happen often.
0.5 This gains you a bunch of life and that’s all. That’s not something you usually play in Limited. Maybe if you are GW and have some of the White life gain payoffs it can make it, but that won’t happen often.
Forgotten Sentinel
1.0 This has bad stats and a textbox that is just downside, but it does have 4 power, and some decks care about that.
1.0 This has bad stats and a textbox that is just downside, but it does have 4 power, and some decks care about that.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Turn to Slag
Chrome Replicator
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
Wall of Runes
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
Makeshift Battalion
2.0 This does a good job of supporting both the go-wide deck and the +1/+1 counter deck. But it isn’t stellar – a 3-mana 3/2 won’t be surviving more attacks, and while a 4/3 has a better shot – it isn’t exactly a juggernaut either.
2.0 This does a good job of supporting both the go-wide deck and the +1/+1 counter deck. But it isn’t stellar – a 3-mana 3/2 won’t be surviving more attacks, and while a 4/3 has a better shot – it isn’t exactly a juggernaut either.
Turn to Slag
2.5 This is clunky as heck, but it does kill most things, and there is enough good Equipment in this format that you’ll even blow up some Equipment sometimes. It isn’t premium removal, but it is serviceable.
2.5 This is clunky as heck, but it does kill most things, and there is enough good Equipment in this format that you’ll even blow up some Equipment sometimes. It isn’t premium removal, but it is serviceable.
Dub
2.5 This Aura gives a big enough stats boost and a good enough keyword ability that it is worth the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. It is especially nice on lifelinkers or flyers. Aggro decks will virtually always play the first copy.
2.5 This Aura gives a big enough stats boost and a good enough keyword ability that it is worth the risk of getting 2-for-1’d. It is especially nice on lifelinkers or flyers. Aggro decks will virtually always play the first copy.
Alchemist's Gift
1.5 This is a decent trick, if you choose the deathtouch option you will be virtually guaranteeing that you kill the other creature, and that can be particularly spicy against a double block. You’ll choose the lifelink option if you just need the stats boost to win combat.
1.5 This is a decent trick, if you choose the deathtouch option you will be virtually guaranteeing that you kill the other creature, and that can be particularly spicy against a double block. You’ll choose the lifelink option if you just need the stats boost to win combat.
Jungle Hollow
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
2.5 This give you nice fixing and even gain you some life! You should value these over most medium cards if they are in your color or you’re interested in fixing.
Pack 3 Pick 10: Hobblefiend
Bolt Hound
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with Haste usually isn’t anything special, but this is a lot more than that. The Warcry effect here will be adding additional damage to the board, and will often enable creatures to attack who just couldn’t before. The Hound is obviously going to really shine in aggro decks, especially those that go wide. And, if you can keep it alive after that first attack, it will do it again on the next turn! There will definitely be some games that start with 2-drop, bolt hound, and attack for 5 -- and then you can do it again the next turn!
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with Haste usually isn’t anything special, but this is a lot more than that. The Warcry effect here will be adding additional damage to the board, and will often enable creatures to attack who just couldn’t before. The Hound is obviously going to really shine in aggro decks, especially those that go wide. And, if you can keep it alive after that first attack, it will do it again on the next turn! There will definitely be some games that start with 2-drop, bolt hound, and attack for 5 -- and then you can do it again the next turn!
Rewind
1.0 4 mana for a counterspell is a ton, and while this is “free” in a sense, that fact won’t matter in the vast majority of Limited games. You just won’t have another instant or activated ability to spend that untapped mana on most of the time, so you’re just looking at what is basically a 4-mana hard counter, and that’s something that you don’t want to play in Limited. Your opponent playing around it is pretty devastating, and it is a lot harder to do well tempo-wise with a 4-mana counter. I can see decks coming together sometimes that are loaded up with instants and/or activated abilities, in which case it becomes a little better, but I think you steer clear most of the time.
1.0 4 mana for a counterspell is a ton, and while this is “free” in a sense, that fact won’t matter in the vast majority of Limited games. You just won’t have another instant or activated ability to spend that untapped mana on most of the time, so you’re just looking at what is basically a 4-mana hard counter, and that’s something that you don’t want to play in Limited. Your opponent playing around it is pretty devastating, and it is a lot harder to do well tempo-wise with a 4-mana counter. I can see decks coming together sometimes that are loaded up with instants and/or activated abilities, in which case it becomes a little better, but I think you steer clear most of the time.
Rookie Mistake
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
1.0 It is hard to line this up in an advantageous way, it is just so weird. However, it is cheap, and this format has spell payoffs, so that saves it from being completely unplayable.
Hobblefiend
2.5 This guy can starts out reasonable and can get progressively larger throughout the game, something that pairs quite well with Trample. It is a very reasonable card for setting up sacrifice payoffs, since it can do it so cheaply.
2.5 This guy can starts out reasonable and can get progressively larger throughout the game, something that pairs quite well with Trample. It is a very reasonable card for setting up sacrifice payoffs, since it can do it so cheaply.
Radiant Fountain
0.0 Even in the life gain deck this isn’t worth it. It does huge damage to your mana base, and gaining 2 life doesn’t make up for that.
0.0 Even in the life gain deck this isn’t worth it. It does huge damage to your mana base, and gaining 2 life doesn’t make up for that.
Pack 3 Pick 11: Mind Rot
Chrome Replicator
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
1.0 // 3.0 So, you mostly shouldn’t run this if you aren’t able to make its effect trigger a decent chunk of the time, and that usually means that you’re going to need a couple of pairs of duplicate non-token permanents. It is fine if you aren’t ALWAYS getting that extra 4/4, and you wont be, even in a deck with enough duplicates, but if you can get it sometimes you’re going to be in business, as when it works out this feels kind of like a bomb!
Silent Dart
1.5 This is the kind of thing that you run only if really light on removal. It just isn’t very efficient.
1.5 This is the kind of thing that you run only if really light on removal. It just isn’t very efficient.
Secure the Scene
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
1.5 The flexibility here is pretty nice. However, the mana cost and giving your opponent a 1/1 soldier aren’t so nice – it is especially clunky as a Sorcery. Removing something and then giving your opponent a creature, even a 1/1 creature, is just a huge downside. It really slows you down to not get a whole card of value out of this.
Mind Rot
1.0 This is always underwhelming. It can 2-for-1 your opponent early, but at the cost of you not developing the board, and then in the late game it often does nothing.
1.0 This is always underwhelming. It can 2-for-1 your opponent early, but at the cost of you not developing the board, and then in the late game it often does nothing.
Pack 3 Pick 12: Lofty Denial
Sanctum of Tranquil Light
0.5 // 2.0 Decks with 3+ Sanctums are a real thing in this format, but this is one of the more underwhelming ones, even when you get your Sanctum stuff going. Tapping stuff down is a good way to prolong the game, and sometimes helps you enable attacks, but the other Sanctums are all better than this one. You’re really only going to play it in a Sanctum deck.
0.5 // 2.0 Decks with 3+ Sanctums are a real thing in this format, but this is one of the more underwhelming ones, even when you get your Sanctum stuff going. Tapping stuff down is a good way to prolong the game, and sometimes helps you enable attacks, but the other Sanctums are all better than this one. You’re really only going to play it in a Sanctum deck.
Tormod's Crypt
0.5 This isn’t usually worth it in Limited, as it can only do one thing. There IS a legit graveyard deck in this format, which makes it a reasonable sideboard card, but you should never put this in your main deck.
0.5 This isn’t usually worth it in Limited, as it can only do one thing. There IS a legit graveyard deck in this format, which makes it a reasonable sideboard card, but you should never put this in your main deck.
Lofty Denial
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
1.0 // 2.0 This is pretty terrible if you don’t have a flier, and if you do have one it is pretty passable, but still not great. Counterspells have serious issues in Limited because of how difficult it is to leave mana up for them, and this isn’t even a hard counter.
Vodalian Arcanist
2.0 This two-mana 1/3 does a good job of blocking early, and then gives you some nice extra mana to utilize.
2.0 This two-mana 1/3 does a good job of blocking early, and then gives you some nice extra mana to utilize.
Pack 3 Pick 13: Destructive Tampering
Destructive Tampering
0. 5 // 2.0 This is mostly a sideboard card, but if you’re in a really aggressive deck, consider playing one of them because they give you a way to win a game even if your opponent stabilizes.
0. 5 // 2.0 This is mostly a sideboard card, but if you’re in a really aggressive deck, consider playing one of them because they give you a way to win a game even if your opponent stabilizes.
Crash Through
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
1.0 // 2.0 This is nice in the spells deck, since it triggers a bunch of stuff and replaces itself, but pretty much unplayable everywhere else.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Spellgorger Weird
Duress
0.5 This is too narrow of a discard spell to every play in your main deck.
0.5 This is too narrow of a discard spell to every play in your main deck.
Spellgorger Weird
1.5 // 3.5 This is definitely a build around. Most decks can get away with playing it, but it will really only be the UR deck that can take full advantage, turning into a full-fledged win condition.
1.5 // 3.5 This is definitely a build around. Most decks can get away with playing it, but it will really only be the UR deck that can take full advantage, turning into a full-fledged win condition.
Pack 3 Pick 15: Wall of Runes
Wall of Runes
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
1.0 This is a decent inclusion if you’re really defensive, but even there it isn’t great.
Draft Pick Overview
- Pack 1 Pick 1: Demon of Catastrophes
- Pack 1 Pick 2: Spit Flame
- Pack 1 Pick 3: Hostile Minotaur
- Pack 1 Pick 4: Rise from the Grave
- Pack 1 Pick 5: Strangling Spores
- Pack 1 Pick 6: Boggart Brute
- Pack 1 Pick 7: Essence Scatter
- Pack 1 Pick 8: Brawl-Bash Ogre
- Pack 1 Pick 9: Walking Corpse
- Pack 1 Pick 10: Stone Quarry
- Pack 1 Pick 11: Two-Headed Zombie
- Pack 1 Pick 12: Vampire Neonate
- Pack 1 Pick 13: Tormenting Voice
- Pack 1 Pick 14: Root Snare
- Pack 1 Pick 15: Root Snare
- Pack 2 Pick 1: Temple of Epiphany
- Pack 2 Pick 2: Chandra's Outrage
- Pack 2 Pick 3: Chandra's Outrage
- Pack 2 Pick 4: Vampire of the Dire Moon
- Pack 2 Pick 5: Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
- Pack 2 Pick 6: Vengeful Warchief
- Pack 2 Pick 7: Reckless Air Strike
- Pack 2 Pick 8: Act of Treason
- Pack 2 Pick 9: Sanitarium Skeleton
- Pack 2 Pick 10: Bloodfell Caves
- Pack 2 Pick 11: Chandra's Embercat
- Pack 2 Pick 12: Yoked Ox
- Pack 2 Pick 13: Unholy Indenture
- Pack 2 Pick 14: Duress
- Pack 2 Pick 15: Plains
- Pack 3 Pick 1: Grasp of Darkness
- Pack 3 Pick 2: Temple of Malady
- Pack 3 Pick 3: Experimental Overload
- Pack 3 Pick 4: Scorching Dragonfire
- Pack 3 Pick 5: Lofty Denial
- Pack 3 Pick 6: Traitorous Greed
- Pack 3 Pick 7: Wind-Scarred Crag
- Pack 3 Pick 8: Village Rites
- Pack 3 Pick 9: Turn to Slag
- Pack 3 Pick 10: Hobblefiend
- Pack 3 Pick 11: Mind Rot
- Pack 3 Pick 12: Lofty Denial
- Pack 3 Pick 13: Destructive Tampering
- Pack 3 Pick 14: Spellgorger Weird
- Pack 3 Pick 15: Wall of Runes
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