Premier Draft M19 29.mars 2021
29 March 07:42 - Back_Alley_G 7 Wins - 1 LossesMaindeck
| Creature (18) | |||
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| Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (6) | |||
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1
Shock
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| Land (16) | |||
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8
Mountain
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8
Forest
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Sideboard
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1
Isolate
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Pack 1 Pick 1: Lightning Strike
Sai, Master Thopterist
2.0 // 4.0 You can make this guy work in this format, but it isn’t a cake walk, and that’s why I think it needs a build around grade. There are enough Artifacts in this format for this to churn out 1/1 tokens, but a lot of them are mediocre at best. If you end up with enough powerful Artifact payoffs though, like Sai, you can start running those mediocre cards, since they won’t be mediocre anymore. In your typical deck in this format – even a UW one – you probably won’t have enough Artifacts to make him work, he just needs a real critical mass to get there. He isn’t terrible in those decks, but he isn’t great either. If you can really build around him though, he becomes one of the best cards in your deck.
2.0 // 4.0 You can make this guy work in this format, but it isn’t a cake walk, and that’s why I think it needs a build around grade. There are enough Artifacts in this format for this to churn out 1/1 tokens, but a lot of them are mediocre at best. If you end up with enough powerful Artifact payoffs though, like Sai, you can start running those mediocre cards, since they won’t be mediocre anymore. In your typical deck in this format – even a UW one – you probably won’t have enough Artifacts to make him work, he just needs a real critical mass to get there. He isn’t terrible in those decks, but he isn’t great either. If you can really build around him though, he becomes one of the best cards in your deck.
Vampire Sovereign
4.0 This does a good Siege Rhino impression. Ok, maybe that’s hyperbolic, but this is a very good uncommon. 5 mana for a ¾ flyer is already a serviceable card, adding the Lightning Helix to your opponent’s dome effect makes this even better. The Sovereign is much better than her bite, since she brings an impressive body with her. The 6-point life swing means you get value out of it even if it dies.
4.0 This does a good Siege Rhino impression. Ok, maybe that’s hyperbolic, but this is a very good uncommon. 5 mana for a ¾ flyer is already a serviceable card, adding the Lightning Helix to your opponent’s dome effect makes this even better. The Sovereign is much better than her bite, since she brings an impressive body with her. The 6-point life swing means you get value out of it even if it dies.
Aegis of the Heavens
1.0 This gives a huge boost to toughness, one which means your creature will pretty much always survive combat, but the fact that it only boosts power by one also means your creature won’t always be winning combat. In other words, you’ll use this up a lot just to save a creature, and that’s often not going to be worth a card. It IS more worth it if you use it against damage-based removal, but that’s still only one type of removal that this does anything about. Aura-based removal and “destroy” effects will still do their thing. Overall, this often plays out as a one-creature fog, and that’s not really worth it most of the time.
1.0 This gives a huge boost to toughness, one which means your creature will pretty much always survive combat, but the fact that it only boosts power by one also means your creature won’t always be winning combat. In other words, you’ll use this up a lot just to save a creature, and that’s often not going to be worth a card. It IS more worth it if you use it against damage-based removal, but that’s still only one type of removal that this does anything about. Aura-based removal and “destroy” effects will still do their thing. Overall, this often plays out as a one-creature fog, and that’s not really worth it most of the time.
Lightning Strike
4.0 This card is premium removal. Instant speed two mana for 3 damage is an excellent deal. Gets some bonus points for also being able to dome the opponent when that is necessary.
4.0 This card is premium removal. Instant speed two mana for 3 damage is an excellent deal. Gets some bonus points for also being able to dome the opponent when that is necessary.
Divination
2.0 Divination isn’t terrible but certainly not the kind of card you look forward to casting either. You’ll play it in Blue control decks and spell matters decks, though.
2.0 Divination isn’t terrible but certainly not the kind of card you look forward to casting either. You’ll play it in Blue control decks and spell matters decks, though.
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.
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.
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.
Duress
0.5 As usual, this is a sideboard card. Most decks don’t have enough cards this can hit.
0.5 As usual, this is a sideboard card. Most decks don’t have enough cards this can hit.
Epicure of Blood
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often enough.
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often 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!
Skeleton Archer
2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 isn’t great stats, but not too far off from what you expect – something like a 4/3 or a ¾ would be better – but the ETB trigger on it makes up for that. You can use it to do the last damage to a creature your opponent blocked with, to straight up kill an X/1, and in a worst-case scenario, you still get to hit your opponent for one.
2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 isn’t great stats, but not too far off from what you expect – something like a 4/3 or a ¾ would be better – but the ETB trigger on it makes up for that. You can use it to do the last damage to a creature your opponent blocked with, to straight up kill an X/1, and in a worst-case scenario, you still get to hit your opponent for one.
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.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Vine Mare
Blood Divination
2.0 The ideal thing to do with this is sacrifice something that gives you value when it dies – or better, use a Threaten effect to steal your opponent’s creature and THEN sacrifice it, that’s some insane value. That said, there will be lots of times where you just can’t cast this thing because you can’t give up your board position.
2.0 The ideal thing to do with this is sacrifice something that gives you value when it dies – or better, use a Threaten effect to steal your opponent’s creature and THEN sacrifice it, that’s some insane value. That said, there will be lots of times where you just can’t cast this thing because you can’t give up your board position.
Vine Mare
3.5 A 4-mana 5/3 would sometimes make your deck, especially in a format with a 4 power+ archetype. Then, you add Hexproof to it and the fact that it can’t be blocked by Black creatures, and you have something quite good. Hexproof goes particularly well in the GW deck in this format too, since it really likes Auras. This is a frustrating card to play against sometimes when someone slaps an Aether Tunnel on it, but even in the absence of Auras, this is a pretty nice card.
3.5 A 4-mana 5/3 would sometimes make your deck, especially in a format with a 4 power+ archetype. Then, you add Hexproof to it and the fact that it can’t be blocked by Black creatures, and you have something quite good. Hexproof goes particularly well in the GW deck in this format too, since it really likes Auras. This is a frustrating card to play against sometimes when someone slaps an Aether Tunnel on it, but even in the absence of Auras, this is a pretty nice card.
Sleep
2.5 Cards like this are hard to represent properly with a rating. This card is at its best in an aggressive deck. People sometimes think of it the other way around, but there’s a pretty basic reason why it is better in an aggro deck: your opponent’s creatures are tapped for two rounds of blocking. They’re only tapped for one round of attacking. This is the kind of card that can just straight end games, because suddenly your board of 10 power can just bash into your opponent a couple time. It isn’t terrible in less aggressive decks, since it can buy you some time, but it is definitely the kind of card that is best when you have a board state that can punish your opponent. This card has an enormously high ceiling, and anyone playing a creature-heavy Blue deck in Limited will love this, and have this be one of their best cards. Meanwhile, control decks are far less interested.
2.5 Cards like this are hard to represent properly with a rating. This card is at its best in an aggressive deck. People sometimes think of it the other way around, but there’s a pretty basic reason why it is better in an aggro deck: your opponent’s creatures are tapped for two rounds of blocking. They’re only tapped for one round of attacking. This is the kind of card that can just straight end games, because suddenly your board of 10 power can just bash into your opponent a couple time. It isn’t terrible in less aggressive decks, since it can buy you some time, but it is definitely the kind of card that is best when you have a board state that can punish your opponent. This card has an enormously high ceiling, and anyone playing a creature-heavy Blue deck in Limited will love this, and have this be one of their best cards. Meanwhile, control decks are far less interested.
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!
Gallant Cavalry
3.0 4-mana for two 2/2s with Vigilance is a pretty nice rate – not hard to get a 2-for-1 with them. It fits especially well in decks looking to go wide with creature tokens, which is a big focus of RW in this format.
3.0 4-mana for two 2/2s with Vigilance is a pretty nice rate – not hard to get a 2-for-1 with them. It fits especially well in decks looking to go wide with creature tokens, which is a big focus of RW in this format.
Druid of the Cowl
3.0 This has the kind of body that can block two drops, and also provides you with some ramp. That’s always a pretty nice Green common.
3.0 This has the kind of body that can block two drops, and also provides you with some ramp. That’s always a pretty nice Green common.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trusty Packbeast
1.5 This has ok stats as a 3-mana 2/3, but you won’t really play this without a few artifacts. The good news is, the UW deck will be interested in running those.
1.5 This has ok stats as a 3-mana 2/3, but you won’t really play this without a few artifacts. The good news is, the UW deck will be interested in running those.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Viashino Pyromancer
Meteor Golem
3.5 A 7-mana 3/3 that just destroys a permanent is something you’ll play all day. I really love the flexibility it has too – I mean usually you’re going to want to kill a creature, but sometimes blowing up an enchantment or artifact will be better, and that’s nice. This DOES cost 7 mana, but it feels like 7 mana worth of card to me.
3.5 A 7-mana 3/3 that just destroys a permanent is something you’ll play all day. I really love the flexibility it has too – I mean usually you’re going to want to kill a creature, but sometimes blowing up an enchantment or artifact will be better, and that’s nice. This DOES cost 7 mana, but it feels like 7 mana worth of card to me.
Recollect
1.0 I’m never a huge fan of these sorts of effects. They don’t impact the board at all and the payoff for them is usually minimal. That said, Recollect can be good if your deck has several bombs in it – but guess what, your deck was already good because it has several bombs in it.
1.0 I’m never a huge fan of these sorts of effects. They don’t impact the board at all and the payoff for them is usually minimal. That said, Recollect can be good if your deck has several bombs in it – but guess what, your deck was already good because it has several bombs in it.
Greenwood Sentinel
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
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.
Frilled Sea Serpent
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
Viashino Pyromancer
2.5 This is an aggressive two-drop. It doesn’t have the greatest stats, but unlike other 2 drops it still does something in the late game. Now, doing 2 to your opponent won’t always be super meaningful, but at least its something.
2.5 This is an aggressive two-drop. It doesn’t have the greatest stats, but unlike other 2 drops it still does something in the late game. Now, doing 2 to your opponent won’t always be super meaningful, but at least its something.
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!
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.
Invoke the Divine
1.5 // 3.0 You can main deck this in this format if you’re really in need of playables, as there are enough good Artifacts and Enchantments running around, but it is still going to be more well-suited to your sideboard, where it will feel pretty good to bring in against some opponents.
1.5 // 3.0 You can main deck this in this format if you’re really in need of playables, as there are enough good Artifacts and Enchantments running around, but it is still going to be more well-suited to your sideboard, where it will feel pretty good to bring in against some opponents.
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.
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.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Ghirapur Guide
Dragon Egg
2.0 So the main idea here is that you can sacrifice this to something to get the Dragon out of it – and the good news is that that’s pretty doable in this format, and it feels pretty good when you do it. It is pretty much only playable in decks that can do that.
2.0 So the main idea here is that you can sacrifice this to something to get the Dragon out of it – and the good news is that that’s pretty doable in this format, and it feels pretty good when you do it. It is pretty much only playable in decks that can do that.
Ghirapur Guide
2.0 This has mediocre stats and a mediocre ability! Put them together and you have well…maybe a slightly more than mediocre card. The ability just doesn’t do enough on most boards.
2.0 This has mediocre stats and a mediocre ability! Put them together and you have well…maybe a slightly more than mediocre card. The ability just doesn’t do enough on most boards.
Diregraf Ghoul
1.5 One mana 2/2s already aren’t great in Limited because they can get outclassed so quickly. They are pretty good in constructed because you can have a critical mass of cards that allows your deck to consistently curve out, but that doesn’t happen in MOST limited formats. This one-mana 2/2 also comes with a downside – and it is actually a significant one. If you get him late and he has to come into play tapped it could really cost you. Obviously coming down as a one-mana 2/2 on turn one it won’t really matter that he’s tapped, but at all other stages it definitely does.
1.5 One mana 2/2s already aren’t great in Limited because they can get outclassed so quickly. They are pretty good in constructed because you can have a critical mass of cards that allows your deck to consistently curve out, but that doesn’t happen in MOST limited formats. This one-mana 2/2 also comes with a downside – and it is actually a significant one. If you get him late and he has to come into play tapped it could really cost you. Obviously coming down as a one-mana 2/2 on turn one it won’t really matter that he’s tapped, but at all other stages it definitely does.
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.
Marauder's Axe
1.5 Not boosting toughness is a big problem for equipment, since it makes your creature hit harder, but doesn’t really help them survive combat in any way. Basically, you need a creature with an evasive ability to make this worth it – so if you have a bunch of fliers this becomes reasonably appealing, but other than that, not so much.
1.5 Not boosting toughness is a big problem for equipment, since it makes your creature hit harder, but doesn’t really help them survive combat in any way. Basically, you need a creature with an evasive ability to make this worth it – so if you have a bunch of fliers this becomes reasonably appealing, but other than that, not so much.
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!
Highland Game
1.5 This is a pretty unexciting two-drop. Two-mana 2/1s need to do something interesting, and this doesn’t – gaining 2 life doesn’t qualify as interesting – it just isn’t’ enough value. You’ll play it if you need a 2 drop though.
1.5 This is a pretty unexciting two-drop. Two-mana 2/1s need to do something interesting, and this doesn’t – gaining 2 life doesn’t qualify as interesting – it just isn’t’ enough value. You’ll play it if you need a 2 drop though.
Child of Night
2.0 A two-mana 2/1 with Lifelink is nothing special, even in a set where lifegain is an archetype (the BW one in particular). I don’t think this is the kind of card you feel bad about having as a two-drop, but I think you can do a whole lot better.
2.0 A two-mana 2/1 with Lifelink is nothing special, even in a set where lifegain is an archetype (the BW one in particular). I don’t think this is the kind of card you feel bad about having as a two-drop, but I think you can do a whole lot better.
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.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 5: Rhox Oracle
Isolate
0.0 This doesn’t kill enough in Limited to ever be worth it.
0.0 This doesn’t kill enough in Limited to ever be worth it.
Declare Dominance
1.5 I don’t like cards like this very much. I know some people think they are great in Limited, but I respectfully disagree. I don’t think it is terrible or anything, I mean it gives a creature a huge boost and basically forces your opponent into uncomfortable blocks. So what’s the problem with this? Well, the fact that a pretty decent chunk of the time you won’t be able to cast it for any sort of value. If you are behind its pretty useless, at parity it can be good sometimes, but if your opponent just has a big dude on their side of the board it is still pretty useless. If you’re ahead it will work wonders, and is a great way to clear out blockers – so that means it is really good in one scenario that you just won’t always be in, and kind of bad in the others.
1.5 I don’t like cards like this very much. I know some people think they are great in Limited, but I respectfully disagree. I don’t think it is terrible or anything, I mean it gives a creature a huge boost and basically forces your opponent into uncomfortable blocks. So what’s the problem with this? Well, the fact that a pretty decent chunk of the time you won’t be able to cast it for any sort of value. If you are behind its pretty useless, at parity it can be good sometimes, but if your opponent just has a big dude on their side of the board it is still pretty useless. If you’re ahead it will work wonders, and is a great way to clear out blockers – so that means it is really good in one scenario that you just won’t always be in, and kind of bad in the others.
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.
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!
Field Creeper
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.
Take Vengeance
2.5 This isn’t premium removal – but it is fine. It at least kills things pretty efficiently at two mana, but the conditions it asks for make it much less powerful. The creature has to be tapped, and that means most of the time a more offensive minded deck won’t be interested in this type of removal, they want a way to get blockers out of the way – this doesn’t do that. It’s also only a sorcery, so if you’re the defensive-minded deck where this is better-suited, you still have to take a hit to the face from something before you kill it.
2.5 This isn’t premium removal – but it is fine. It at least kills things pretty efficiently at two mana, but the conditions it asks for make it much less powerful. The creature has to be tapped, and that means most of the time a more offensive minded deck won’t be interested in this type of removal, they want a way to get blockers out of the way – this doesn’t do that. It’s also only a sorcery, so if you’re the defensive-minded deck where this is better-suited, you still have to take a hit to the face from something before you kill it.
Rhox Oracle
3.0 5 mana for a 4/2 certainly isn’t good, but making this draw you a card is a big deal! With 4 power, it means you can get easy 2-for-1s with this, even trading up for more imposing X/4 creatures. It is true it dies to basically everything, but you still get a 2-for-1 if that’s what happens.
3.0 5 mana for a 4/2 certainly isn’t good, but making this draw you a card is a big deal! With 4 power, it means you can get easy 2-for-1s with this, even trading up for more imposing X/4 creatures. It is true it dies to basically everything, but you still get a 2-for-1 if that’s what happens.
Skymarch Bloodletter
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with flying is solid stats, and the ETB trigger here is also nice. There is even a lifegain deck in this format to take advantage of that ETB trigger. This is one of Black’s better commons.
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with flying is solid stats, and the ETB trigger here is also nice. There is even a lifegain deck in this format to take advantage of that ETB trigger. This is one of Black’s better commons.
Sovereign's Bite
0.0 I don’t like cards like this in most formats. They don’t impact the board in any way. Sure, 6 damage of life swing can be nice, and sometimes it will end games, but you gotta have cards that actually impact the board. This card is pretty bad unless you’re way ahead of your opponent and beating down on them. It isn’t good if you’re behind or at parity, because it just won’t do anything.
0.0 I don’t like cards like this in most formats. They don’t impact the board in any way. Sure, 6 damage of life swing can be nice, and sometimes it will end games, but you gotta have cards that actually impact the board. This card is pretty bad unless you’re way ahead of your opponent and beating down on them. It isn’t good if you’re behind or at parity, because it just won’t do anything.
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.
Tranquil Expanse
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: Skyscanner
Nightmare's Thirst
2.5 This is much harder to set up than it looks. It does have a baseline of giving -1/-1 at least, and that can be useful in situations to help a creature win combat, but being able to do more than -2/-2 with it just doesn’t happen all that often. It is a serviceable card for the BW deck, but not the amazing payoff it looks like.
2.5 This is much harder to set up than it looks. It does have a baseline of giving -1/-1 at least, and that can be useful in situations to help a creature win combat, but being able to do more than -2/-2 with it just doesn’t happen all that often. It is a serviceable card for the BW deck, but not the amazing payoff it looks like.
Havoc Devils
2.5 4-mana for a 4/3 trampler is perfectly fine.
2.5 4-mana for a 4/3 trampler is perfectly fine.
Gallant Cavalry
3.0 4-mana for two 2/2s with Vigilance is a pretty nice rate – not hard to get a 2-for-1 with them. It fits especially well in decks looking to go wide with creature tokens, which is a big focus of RW in this format.
3.0 4-mana for two 2/2s with Vigilance is a pretty nice rate – not hard to get a 2-for-1 with them. It fits especially well in decks looking to go wide with creature tokens, which is a big focus of RW in this format.
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.
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.
Lich's Caress
3.0 This is a good removal spell. Sure, it is a little bit clunky at 5 mana, but It even does a good job of making up for the fact that you may well have to take your entire turn to cast it by gaining you some life, which makes up at least a little bit for the fact that you may not get to advance your board the turn you cast it.
3.0 This is a good removal spell. Sure, it is a little bit clunky at 5 mana, but It even does a good job of making up for the fact that you may well have to take your entire turn to cast it by gaining you some life, which makes up at least a little bit for the fact that you may not get to advance your board the turn you cast it.
Skyscanner
2.5 A 3-mana 1/1 flyer is pretty bad, but one that replaces itself is nice, especially as an artifact in a format with an archetype that pays you off for them.
2.5 A 3-mana 1/1 flyer is pretty bad, but one that replaces itself is nice, especially as an artifact in a format with an archetype that pays you off for them.
Bogstomper
1.0 This is a big vanilla boi who you’ll play if you’re desperate for top curve.
1.0 This is a big vanilla boi who you’ll play if you’re desperate for top curve.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 7: Colossal Dreadmaw
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.
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.
Highland Game
1.5 This is a pretty unexciting two-drop. Two-mana 2/1s need to do something interesting, and this doesn’t – gaining 2 life doesn’t qualify as interesting – it just isn’t’ enough value. You’ll play it if you need a 2 drop though.
1.5 This is a pretty unexciting two-drop. Two-mana 2/1s need to do something interesting, and this doesn’t – gaining 2 life doesn’t qualify as interesting – it just isn’t’ enough value. You’ll play it if you need a 2 drop though.
Frilled Sea Serpent
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
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.
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.
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.
Skymarch Bloodletter
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with flying is solid stats, and the ETB trigger here is also nice. There is even a lifegain deck in this format to take advantage of that ETB trigger. This is one of Black’s better commons.
3.0 A 3-mana 2/2 with flying is solid stats, and the ETB trigger here is also nice. There is even a lifegain deck in this format to take advantage of that ETB trigger. This is one of Black’s better commons.
Submerged Boneyard
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: Boggart Brute
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.
Epicure of Blood
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often enough.
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often enough.
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.
Sovereign's Bite
0.0 I don’t like cards like this in most formats. They don’t impact the board in any way. Sure, 6 damage of life swing can be nice, and sometimes it will end games, but you gotta have cards that actually impact the board. This card is pretty bad unless you’re way ahead of your opponent and beating down on them. It isn’t good if you’re behind or at parity, because it just won’t do anything.
0.0 I don’t like cards like this in most formats. They don’t impact the board in any way. Sure, 6 damage of life swing can be nice, and sometimes it will end games, but you gotta have cards that actually impact the board. This card is pretty bad unless you’re way ahead of your opponent and beating down on them. It isn’t good if you’re behind or at parity, because it just won’t do anything.
Lava Axe
0.5 I’m not usually interested in Lava Axe in Limited. Sure, it can give your aggro deck some reach, but this card is automatic card disadvantage. In other words, it doesn’t impact the board at all, and is basically only good if it kills your opponent – which it just won’t do often enough to make up for the other times where it is an utterly useless sorcery that costs 5 mana.
0.5 I’m not usually interested in Lava Axe in Limited. Sure, it can give your aggro deck some reach, but this card is automatic card disadvantage. In other words, it doesn’t impact the board at all, and is basically only good if it kills your opponent – which it just won’t do often enough to make up for the other times where it is an utterly useless sorcery that costs 5 mana.
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.
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.
Forsaken Sanctuary
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 9: Skeleton Archer
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.
Duress
0.5 As usual, this is a sideboard card. Most decks don’t have enough cards this can hit.
0.5 As usual, this is a sideboard card. Most decks don’t have enough cards this can hit.
Epicure of Blood
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often enough.
2.5 This has sub-par stats, and a serviceable (albeit underwhelming) life gain payoff. You’ll play it often 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!
Skeleton Archer
2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 isn’t great stats, but not too far off from what you expect – something like a 4/3 or a ¾ would be better – but the ETB trigger on it makes up for that. You can use it to do the last damage to a creature your opponent blocked with, to straight up kill an X/1, and in a worst-case scenario, you still get to hit your opponent for one.
2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 isn’t great stats, but not too far off from what you expect – something like a 4/3 or a ¾ would be better – but the ETB trigger on it makes up for that. You can use it to do the last damage to a creature your opponent blocked with, to straight up kill an X/1, and in a worst-case scenario, you still get to hit your opponent for one.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 10: Two-Headed Zombie
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.
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.
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.
Trusty Packbeast
1.5 This has ok stats as a 3-mana 2/3, but you won’t really play this without a few artifacts. The good news is, the UW deck will be interested in running those.
1.5 This has ok stats as a 3-mana 2/3, but you won’t really play this without a few artifacts. The good news is, the UW deck will be interested in running those.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Titanic Growth
Greenwood Sentinel
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
2.0 This has okay stats and a nice keyword ability.
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.
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.
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.
Pack 1 Pick 12: Marauder's Axe
Marauder's Axe
1.5 Not boosting toughness is a big problem for equipment, since it makes your creature hit harder, but doesn’t really help them survive combat in any way. Basically, you need a creature with an evasive ability to make this worth it – so if you have a bunch of fliers this becomes reasonably appealing, but other than that, not so much.
1.5 Not boosting toughness is a big problem for equipment, since it makes your creature hit harder, but doesn’t really help them survive combat in any way. Basically, you need a creature with an evasive ability to make this worth it – so if you have a bunch of fliers this becomes reasonably appealing, but other than that, not so much.
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!
Pack 1 Pick 13: Isolate
Isolate
0.0 This doesn’t kill enough in Limited to ever be worth it.
0.0 This doesn’t kill enough in Limited to ever be worth it.
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.
Tranquil Expanse
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 14: Bogstomper
Bogstomper
1.0 This is a big vanilla boi who you’ll play if you’re desperate for top curve.
1.0 This is a big vanilla boi who you’ll play if you’re desperate for top curve.
Pack 1 Pick 15: Frilled Sea Serpent
Frilled Sea Serpent
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
2.0 This can be a decent finisher for Blue decks that need one. It isn’t efficient to cast, and it costs a ton to make it unblockable, but it does give you inevitability in the late game.
Pack 2 Pick 1: Leafkin Druid
Glint-Horn Buccaneer
3.0 This has decent stats and an activated ability that can help you increase your card quality early, when the Buccaneer can attack a little more safely. In the late game the Buccaneer’s effect becomes more like reach, because you can attack with like 6 mana up and threaten to do three to your opponent, which is pretty nice.
3.0 This has decent stats and an activated ability that can help you increase your card quality early, when the Buccaneer can attack a little more safely. In the late game the Buccaneer’s effect becomes more like reach, because you can attack with like 6 mana up and threaten to do three to your opponent, which is pretty nice.
Fencing Ace
2.0 In some formats, the Ace can be quite good – but this isn’t one of them. There just aren’t enough +1/+1 counters or reasonable equipment and Auras for it to be more than just kind of okay.
2.0 In some formats, the Ace can be quite good – but this isn’t one of them. There just aren’t enough +1/+1 counters or reasonable equipment and Auras for it to be more than just kind of okay.
Thrashing Brontodon
3.5 A 3-mana ¾ does great on the vanilla test, and having the ability to blow up artifacts and enchantments in a pinch is nice too, and this is a version of that effect that you don’t feel bad about mainboarding.
3.5 A 3-mana ¾ does great on the vanilla test, and having the ability to blow up artifacts and enchantments in a pinch is nice too, and this is a version of that effect that you don’t feel bad about mainboarding.
Yarok's Wavecrasher
2.5 This has efficient stats, but it has a kind of wonky ETB ability. When you play it, you have to return a creature, it isn’t a may clause like we often see these days. This means there are plenty of board states where playing this just doesn’t make sense, because there isn’t always something that is worth bouncing. It also means that if he’s alone, the Wavecrasher has to bounce himself! Now, that ability does have upside too – like returning creatures with ETB abilities or getting a creature free from an Aura, but the situations where he is awkward to play are often enough that this isn’t anything special.
2.5 This has efficient stats, but it has a kind of wonky ETB ability. When you play it, you have to return a creature, it isn’t a may clause like we often see these days. This means there are plenty of board states where playing this just doesn’t make sense, because there isn’t always something that is worth bouncing. It also means that if he’s alone, the Wavecrasher has to bounce himself! Now, that ability does have upside too – like returning creatures with ETB abilities or getting a creature free from an Aura, but the situations where he is awkward to play are often enough that this isn’t anything special.
Inspired Charge
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
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.
Octoprophet
2.5 I like playing creatures with decent stats who let me scry, though I do think those that appear lower in the curve are better, because they allow you to keep a larger percentage of hands. A 4-drop who scries doesn’t do that.
2.5 I like playing creatures with decent stats who let me scry, though I do think those that appear lower in the curve are better, because they allow you to keep a larger percentage of hands. A 4-drop who scries doesn’t do that.
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.
Bone Splinters
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
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.
Cloudkin Seer
4.0 This is potentially the best Common in the format, and certainly the best one for Blue. 3 mana for a 2/1 flyer is already passable – especially one with the elemental type in this format. The cantrip is what really pushes this over though – you can easily get 2-for-1s out of this because of that card draw, and that’s a pretty great thing to have on a creature that can also threaten your opponent in the air pretty reliably. Even if you play it late and can’t really attack, you’re still getting some use out of this card thanks to the extra card you draw, too. You jam this into pretty much every Blue deck in this format, and you want every single one of them you see.
4.0 This is potentially the best Common in the format, and certainly the best one for Blue. 3 mana for a 2/1 flyer is already passable – especially one with the elemental type in this format. The cantrip is what really pushes this over though – you can easily get 2-for-1s out of this because of that card draw, and that’s a pretty great thing to have on a creature that can also threaten your opponent in the air pretty reliably. Even if you play it late and can’t really attack, you’re still getting some use out of this card thanks to the extra card you draw, too. You jam this into pretty much every Blue deck in this format, and you want every single one of them you see.
Leafkin Druid
3.5 Mana dorks are always nice in pretty much every format, and that includes Limited. 0/3 is a nice body to have on a dork, since it actually blocks reasonably well if you need it to. Most of the time, this will just be adding Green mana in the early going, and maybe in the later part of the game you can get some extra mana to pay for mana sinks and the like. It also doesn’t hurt that it happens to have the Elemental creature type, which is well-supported in this set.
3.5 Mana dorks are always nice in pretty much every format, and that includes Limited. 0/3 is a nice body to have on a dork, since it actually blocks reasonably well if you need it to. Most of the time, this will just be adding Green mana in the early going, and maybe in the later part of the game you can get some extra mana to pay for mana sinks and the like. It also doesn’t hurt that it happens to have the Elemental creature type, which is well-supported in this set.
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.
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.
Blossoming Sands
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 2: Captivating Gyre
Colossus Hammer
0.0 8 mana is way too much, even if you are getting this absolutely massive stats boost, you just have to use so much mana, and it doesn’t even give evasion to the thing you put it on! In fact, it takes it away if the creature flies – which obviously makes sense flavor wise, but is pretty bad gameplay wise. It is just going to sit on the table doing nothing most games, in a good chunk of other games your creature you try to equip it too will get bounced or destroyed, in still other games the creature just gets chump blocked and you die anyway, and then in a very, very, very small percentage of games it actually helps you win!
0.0 8 mana is way too much, even if you are getting this absolutely massive stats boost, you just have to use so much mana, and it doesn’t even give evasion to the thing you put it on! In fact, it takes it away if the creature flies – which obviously makes sense flavor wise, but is pretty bad gameplay wise. It is just going to sit on the table doing nothing most games, in a good chunk of other games your creature you try to equip it too will get bounced or destroyed, in still other games the creature just gets chump blocked and you die anyway, and then in a very, very, very small percentage of games it actually helps you win!
Renowned Weaponsmith
1.0 // 3.0 There aren’t a ton of Artifacts in this set, but the Weaponsmith ended up being part of its own archetype here anyway. His ability to search up heart-piercer bows was surprisingly potent, as you could stack them all up on one creature and just kill opposing things every time you attacked. I know that all sounds janky, but trust me, it is a real thing in this format! Basically you only end up playing the Weaponsmith if you get the pieces for that deck to work – which, you know – means like 3+ Heart-Piercer Bows.
1.0 // 3.0 There aren’t a ton of Artifacts in this set, but the Weaponsmith ended up being part of its own archetype here anyway. His ability to search up heart-piercer bows was surprisingly potent, as you could stack them all up on one creature and just kill opposing things every time you attacked. I know that all sounds janky, but trust me, it is a real thing in this format! Basically you only end up playing the Weaponsmith if you get the pieces for that deck to work – which, you know – means like 3+ Heart-Piercer Bows.
Captivating Gyre
1.5 Blue virtually always gets a card like this in Limited – something that costs 6+ mana, but lets you bounce/tap down 2+ things. These cards do tend to be pretty powerful in situations where you can win the game as a result of it, but if you use this and aren’t able to take any real advantage, you likely didn’t do much, since you went down a card for tempo alone. So, it is slow AND situational, and that’s not amazing. You’ll play this at the top of your curve in Blue decks sometimes, but it is by no means a card you’re going to run all the time.
1.5 Blue virtually always gets a card like this in Limited – something that costs 6+ mana, but lets you bounce/tap down 2+ things. These cards do tend to be pretty powerful in situations where you can win the game as a result of it, but if you use this and aren’t able to take any real advantage, you likely didn’t do much, since you went down a card for tempo alone. So, it is slow AND situational, and that’s not amazing. You’ll play this at the top of your curve in Blue decks sometimes, but it is by no means a card you’re going to run all the time.
Bone Splinters
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
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.
Feral Invocation
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
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!
Bladebrand
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
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.
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.
Sleep Paralysis
3.0 This is a little clunky to be sure, as 4 mana is way more than you normally want to be paying for a removal spell that doesn’t even fully remove a creature, but it does the job well enough. It isn’t quite premium removal, but it is fine to play.
3.0 This is a little clunky to be sure, as 4 mana is way more than you normally want to be paying for a removal spell that doesn’t even fully remove a creature, but it does the job well enough. It isn’t quite premium removal, but it is fine to play.
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.
Disenchant
1.0 This is mostly sideboard material in this format, though you can get away with it in your main deck if you’re desperate.
1.0 This is mostly sideboard material in this format, though you can get away with it in your main deck if you’re desperate.
Swiftwater Cliffs
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: Lavakin Brawler
Angel of Vitality
3.0 Wind Drakes are always fine, and even better when they come with serious upside. Gaining extra life from stuff that gains you life is nice, and if you get enough life she can just get completely out of control. Though honestly, she doesn’t become a 4/4 very often.
3.0 Wind Drakes are always fine, and even better when they come with serious upside. Gaining extra life from stuff that gains you life is nice, and if you get enough life she can just get completely out of control. Though honestly, she doesn’t become a 4/4 very often.
Skyknight Vanguard
3.0 This is the signpost uncommon for RW, a color pair that can focus both on fliers and on going wide, and this really does both for you. A two mana ½ with flying isn’t very good (cue the Storm Crow jokes), but making a 1/1 every time you attack does put some serious pressure on your opponent, though obviously in the later part of the game they can just block the little guy.
3.0 This is the signpost uncommon for RW, a color pair that can focus both on fliers and on going wide, and this really does both for you. A two mana ½ with flying isn’t very good (cue the Storm Crow jokes), but making a 1/1 every time you attack does put some serious pressure on your opponent, though obviously in the later part of the game they can just block the little guy.
Bladebrand
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
Lavakin Brawler
3.0 This card really overperforms. There are a ton of Elemental in this set to pump its power, and 4 toughness is enough that it can be a real problem for many decks. Combining it with Goblin Smuggler is particularly nasty.
3.0 This card really overperforms. There are a ton of Elemental in this set to pump its power, and 4 toughness is enough that it can be a real problem for many decks. Combining it with Goblin Smuggler is particularly nasty.
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.
Infuriate
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
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.
Vial of Dragonfire
2.0 Like heartpiercer bow, Vial of Dragonfire can be searched up by Renowned Weaponsmith. While certainly not efficient – it takes a total of 4 mana to do 2 damage to a creature – it is the kind of card you run in enough situations – like if you are desperate for removal, or your deck has artifact synergies, especially the weaponsmith.
2.0 Like heartpiercer bow, Vial of Dragonfire can be searched up by Renowned Weaponsmith. While certainly not efficient – it takes a total of 4 mana to do 2 damage to a creature – it is the kind of card you run in enough situations – like if you are desperate for removal, or your deck has artifact synergies, especially the weaponsmith.
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.
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.
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.
Negate
0.5 This is sideboard material, like usual. Most opponents just don’t have the targets for this to matter.
0.5 This is sideboard material, like usual. Most opponents just don’t have the targets for this to matter.
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 4: Shock
Brineborn Cutthroat
2.0 There’s some Flash in this set, but not really enough for this to be super impressive. It does work with Instants too, so it will grow sometimes, but not usually at a super rapid rate or anything.
2.0 There’s some Flash in this set, but not really enough for this to be super impressive. It does work with Instants too, so it will grow sometimes, but not usually at a super rapid rate or anything.
Befuddle
1.0 Cards that lower a creature’s power and not do much else aren’t usually very good in Limited, and I think that’s true here. The kinds of situations where that effect is worth using are just so few and far between. This does replace itself, but that’s not really enough to salvage this card.
1.0 Cards that lower a creature’s power and not do much else aren’t usually very good in Limited, and I think that’s true here. The kinds of situations where that effect is worth using are just so few and far between. This does replace itself, but that’s not really enough to salvage this card.
Frilled Sea Serpent
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
Fathom Fleet Cutthroat
2.0 I’m not a huge fan of most versions of this card we see. Damaging an opposing creature so this does something when it ETBs just isnt’ as easy as it sounds. You often have to give up a creature or burn spell to make it happen. And sure, sometimes you get a situation where you give up nothing and this really feels like a 2-for-1, but those situations are harder to produce than it seems.
2.0 I’m not a huge fan of most versions of this card we see. Damaging an opposing creature so this does something when it ETBs just isnt’ as easy as it sounds. You often have to give up a creature or burn spell to make it happen. And sure, sometimes you get a situation where you give up nothing and this really feels like a 2-for-1, but those situations are harder to produce than it seems.
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.
Shock
3.5 This kills a bunch of stuff and it does it cheaply, while also being able to do the last 2 damage to the opponent. This is premium removal.
3.5 This kills a bunch of stuff and it does it cheaply, while also being able to do the last 2 damage to the opponent. This is premium removal.
Inspired Charge
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
Audacious Thief
3.5 This is one of Black’s best Commons. Sure, it doesn’t do great on the vanilla test, but if you can attack with this even once on a board where the best your opponent can do is trade, I think you’ll be pretty happy. Even moreso if your opponent chooses not to block at all, because then your card advantage will snowball. Obviously if they do trade with it, you end up netting a 2-for-1. Now, there will be board states where you just can’t attack with it, and it becomes a pretty mediocre blocker in those cases, and obviously that holds it back a bit --- but there are enough ways in this format to get it evasion or pump it that the Thief is usually able to rumble a lot more often than you’d expect.
3.5 This is one of Black’s best Commons. Sure, it doesn’t do great on the vanilla test, but if you can attack with this even once on a board where the best your opponent can do is trade, I think you’ll be pretty happy. Even moreso if your opponent chooses not to block at all, because then your card advantage will snowball. Obviously if they do trade with it, you end up netting a 2-for-1. Now, there will be board states where you just can’t attack with it, and it becomes a pretty mediocre blocker in those cases, and obviously that holds it back a bit --- but there are enough ways in this format to get it evasion or pump it that the Thief is usually able to rumble a lot more often than you’d expect.
Fire Elemental
1.0 This would normally be pretty close to unplayable, but with the elemental deck being a very real thing in this format, you actually play this sometimes.
1.0 This would normally be pretty close to unplayable, but with the elemental deck being a very real thing in this format, you actually play this sometimes.
Wolfkin Bond
2.5 I have a hard time getting behind auras that don’t add something to the board – but Wolfkin Bond does that. Paying 5 for +2/+2 isn’t great, but adding a 2/2 to the board makes it a lot better. It likely lets you attack with something that couldn’t before, or at the very least lets you attack harder, and it makes sure that a Wolf is around to block and then start attacking the next turn. This helps you from being completely devastated by a 2-for-1 as well, since you at least have the Wolf behind. Though, keep in mind, if your opponent has mana up, they can just blow up your target for the Bond and you don’t get anything – and that’s still a huge risk with this type of card. This is a solid playable, and I think most Green decks will be fine with one of these.
2.5 I have a hard time getting behind auras that don’t add something to the board – but Wolfkin Bond does that. Paying 5 for +2/+2 isn’t great, but adding a 2/2 to the board makes it a lot better. It likely lets you attack with something that couldn’t before, or at the very least lets you attack harder, and it makes sure that a Wolf is around to block and then start attacking the next turn. This helps you from being completely devastated by a 2-for-1 as well, since you at least have the Wolf behind. Though, keep in mind, if your opponent has mana up, they can just blow up your target for the Bond and you don’t get anything – and that’s still a huge risk with this type of card. This is a solid playable, and I think most Green decks will be fine with one of these.
Marauder's Axe
1.5 Equipment that just boosts power doesn’t tend to be amazing, though it does work well on things like tokens, since they become much more formidable.
1.5 Equipment that just boosts power doesn’t tend to be amazing, though it does work well on things like tokens, since they become much more formidable.
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 5: Creeping Trailblazer
Portal of Sanctuary
0.5 This is mostly a trap. It is really hard to set up effectively, and its only use is basically reusing ETB triggers or maybe moving Auras around, and you aren’t always going to have boards where that matters.
0.5 This is mostly a trap. It is really hard to set up effectively, and its only use is basically reusing ETB triggers or maybe moving Auras around, and you aren’t always going to have boards where that matters.
Creeping Trailblazer
3.5 If we look at this guy in a vacuum, he is a 2-mana 2/2 that can give itself +1/+1 until end of turn for 4 mana. That card would probably already be something that would be fine. But, if you are in RG, getting more elementals probably won’t be much of a challenge, and his activated ability gets stronger the more you have, as does his static ability to pump their power.
3.5 If we look at this guy in a vacuum, he is a 2-mana 2/2 that can give itself +1/+1 until end of turn for 4 mana. That card would probably already be something that would be fine. But, if you are in RG, getting more elementals probably won’t be much of a challenge, and his activated ability gets stronger the more you have, as does his static ability to pump their power.
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.
Frilled Sea Serpent
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
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.
Steadfast Sentry
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
Wolfkin Bond
2.5 I have a hard time getting behind auras that don’t add something to the board – but Wolfkin Bond does that. Paying 5 for +2/+2 isn’t great, but adding a 2/2 to the board makes it a lot better. It likely lets you attack with something that couldn’t before, or at the very least lets you attack harder, and it makes sure that a Wolf is around to block and then start attacking the next turn. This helps you from being completely devastated by a 2-for-1 as well, since you at least have the Wolf behind. Though, keep in mind, if your opponent has mana up, they can just blow up your target for the Bond and you don’t get anything – and that’s still a huge risk with this type of card. This is a solid playable, and I think most Green decks will be fine with one of these.
2.5 I have a hard time getting behind auras that don’t add something to the board – but Wolfkin Bond does that. Paying 5 for +2/+2 isn’t great, but adding a 2/2 to the board makes it a lot better. It likely lets you attack with something that couldn’t before, or at the very least lets you attack harder, and it makes sure that a Wolf is around to block and then start attacking the next turn. This helps you from being completely devastated by a 2-for-1 as well, since you at least have the Wolf behind. Though, keep in mind, if your opponent has mana up, they can just blow up your target for the Bond and you don’t get anything – and that’s still a huge risk with this type of card. This is a solid playable, and I think most Green decks will be fine with one of these.
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.
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.
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.
Wind-Scarred Crag
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: Unchained Berserker
Unchained Berserker
2.5 A two-mana 3/1 tend to already be playable in Limited, and then this has the very real upside of protection. This is the most maindeckable of this cycle because of that, and generall you’re just going to play it there. Also combos well with Goblin Smuggler.
2.5 A two-mana 3/1 tend to already be playable in Limited, and then this has the very real upside of protection. This is the most maindeckable of this cycle because of that, and generall you’re just going to play it there. Also combos well with Goblin Smuggler.
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.
Stone Golem
0.0 I’m not sure why you would play this. Artifact synergy is not a big part of this set, it doesn’t have a useful creature type. It is just a bad creature.
0.0 I’m not sure why you would play this. Artifact synergy is not a big part of this set, it doesn’t have a useful creature type. It is just a bad creature.
Thicket Crasher
3.0 A 4-mana 4/3 with Trample is already solid, and giving the rest of your Elementals Trample is a big deal in this format.
3.0 A 4-mana 4/3 with Trample is already solid, and giving the rest of your Elementals Trample is a big deal in this format.
Infuriate
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
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!
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.
Boneclad Necromancer
1.5 This card was an underperformer. It is harder than it might seem at first to make sure this gives you the 2/2 Zombie, and the times where you just have to cast this as a 5-mana 3/3 are rough, and what’s more is, even when you do get the Zombie token, it just doesn’t feel incredible.
1.5 This card was an underperformer. It is harder than it might seem at first to make sure this gives you the 2/2 Zombie, and the times where you just have to cast this as a 5-mana 3/3 are rough, and what’s more is, even when you do get the Zombie token, it just doesn’t feel incredible.
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.
Pack 2 Pick 7: Overgrowth Elemental
Overgrowth Elemental
3.5 This is a strong Elemental payoff. If you can consistently put a +1/+1 counter on another Elemental you’ll be pretty happy, but a nice thing here is that even if you can’t do that, if you have elementals die later, you can get some value out of them.
3.5 This is a strong Elemental payoff. If you can consistently put a +1/+1 counter on another Elemental you’ll be pretty happy, but a nice thing here is that even if you can’t do that, if you have elementals die later, you can get some value out of them.
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.
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.
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.
Pack Mastiff
2.0 // 3.0 Most of this collect ‘em all cycle is pretty bad if you only have one copy – that’s not true of the Mastiff, who has decent stats and a fine activated ability. The trade off here is that the Mastiff is also the least impressive of the bunch when you end up with multiple copies, as they all have to be in play at the exact right time to really abuse the ability.
2.0 // 3.0 Most of this collect ‘em all cycle is pretty bad if you only have one copy – that’s not true of the Mastiff, who has decent stats and a fine activated ability. The trade off here is that the Mastiff is also the least impressive of the bunch when you end up with multiple copies, as they all have to be in play at the exact right time to really abuse the ability.
Steadfast Sentry
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
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.
Convolute
1.0 A three-mana counterspell that isn’t even a hard counter is a hard sell for me. This is just too situational to be worth it in most decks.
1.0 A three-mana counterspell that isn’t even a hard counter is a hard sell for me. This is just too situational to be worth it in most decks.
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.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Grafdigger's Cage
Grafdigger's Cage
0.0 This wasn’t printed for Limited, it was printed for constructed sideboards.
0.0 This wasn’t printed for Limited, it was printed for constructed sideboards.
Feral Invocation
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
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.
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.
Centaur Courser
2.0 Vanilla 3-mana 3/3s are still perfectly fine in Limited.
2.0 Vanilla 3-mana 3/3s are still perfectly fine in Limited.
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.
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.
Pack 2 Pick 9: Chandra's Embercat
Inspired Charge
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
Octoprophet
2.5 I like playing creatures with decent stats who let me scry, though I do think those that appear lower in the curve are better, because they allow you to keep a larger percentage of hands. A 4-drop who scries doesn’t do that.
2.5 I like playing creatures with decent stats who let me scry, though I do think those that appear lower in the curve are better, because they allow you to keep a larger percentage of hands. A 4-drop who scries doesn’t do that.
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.
Bone Splinters
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
2.0 This is a reprint we have seen several times, and every time it is pretty solid. You have to 2-for-1 yourself, but the fact that it lets you kill anything makes that worth it in many cases, since you can take down your opponent’s bomb. Its value does go up in situations where you have creature tokens, or creatures who give you value when they die, but I still think it is just a decent removal spell, the kind you play if you don’t pick up some of the better ones that are out there.
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.
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.
Blossoming Sands
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 10: Swiftwater Cliffs
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.
Feral Invocation
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
2.0 This has proven to be pretty solid. Auras can be dangerous as a result of the 2-for-1 risk, but because the Invocation has Flash, you can normally get around that. You can do so by using it as a combat trick of sorts that allows you to kill one of your opponents’ creatures in combat, and then your creature gets to keep the buff! Now, you still have to be careful when you use it, because the 2-for-1 risk is still there, but as long as you are, this ends up being a pretty reasonable card for creature-heavy Green decks.
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.
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.
Disenchant
1.0 This is mostly sideboard material in this format, though you can get away with it in your main deck if you’re desperate.
1.0 This is mostly sideboard material in this format, though you can get away with it in your main deck if you’re desperate.
Swiftwater Cliffs
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: Keldon Raider
Bladebrand
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
2.0 So, your creature is almost always going to kill the opposing one when it gains deathtouch, so that’s nice. And it even draws you a card, so it is something of a 2-for-1! However, it is still really situational, like all tricks, so don’t value it too highly.
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.
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.
Negate
0.5 This is sideboard material, like usual. Most opponents just don’t have the targets for this to matter.
0.5 This is sideboard material, like usual. Most opponents just don’t have the targets for this to matter.
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 12: Fire Elemental
Fathom Fleet Cutthroat
2.0 I’m not a huge fan of most versions of this card we see. Damaging an opposing creature so this does something when it ETBs just isnt’ as easy as it sounds. You often have to give up a creature or burn spell to make it happen. And sure, sometimes you get a situation where you give up nothing and this really feels like a 2-for-1, but those situations are harder to produce than it seems.
2.0 I’m not a huge fan of most versions of this card we see. Damaging an opposing creature so this does something when it ETBs just isnt’ as easy as it sounds. You often have to give up a creature or burn spell to make it happen. And sure, sometimes you get a situation where you give up nothing and this really feels like a 2-for-1, but those situations are harder to produce than it seems.
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.
Inspired Charge
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
1.0 // 2.5 Like always, if you’re in the token deck this will be a decent Common for you. If you’re not, don’t play it.
Fire Elemental
1.0 This would normally be pretty close to unplayable, but with the elemental deck being a very real thing in this format, you actually play this sometimes.
1.0 This would normally be pretty close to unplayable, but with the elemental deck being a very real thing in this format, you actually play this sometimes.
Pack 2 Pick 13: Frilled Sea Serpent
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.
Frilled Sea Serpent
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
1.5 This doesn’t have efficient stats, nor does it make itself unblockable efficiently – but it has actually proven to be kind of a reasonable finisher in this format, you know – if you didn’t get some that are significantly better.
Steadfast Sentry
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
3.0 This has alright stats and an alright death trigger. Having Vigilance matters on a creature like this, because – obviously enough – you can attack and block, and using this to trade often feels pretty good because you come out ahead as a result of that +1/+1 counter.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Infuriate
Infuriate
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
1.5 This is not a bad boost for only one mana. One mana tricks tend to be the best in Limited, since they are easier to pay for and less risky when you get 2-for-1’d.
Pack 2 Pick 15: Natural End
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.
Pack 3 Pick 1: Mazemind Tome
Mazemind Tome
3.5 However you end up using this, you’re going to be getting a pretty good deal. Scrying a few times and gaining 4 isn’t too bad, and neither is drawing some cards and then gaining 4. It can be a little slow at times, but the life you get back from it helps offset that, at least a little bit. This really has a measurable impact on the game in terms of card advantage and card quality.
3.5 However you end up using this, you’re going to be getting a pretty good deal. Scrying a few times and gaining 4 isn’t too bad, and neither is drawing some cards and then gaining 4. It can be a little slow at times, but the life you get back from it helps offset that, at least a little bit. This really has a measurable impact on the game in terms of card advantage and card quality.
Teferi's Tutelage
4.0 This card is a surprising powerhouse. There are enough draw effects in this format that Tutelage decks are a very real thing in the format, and if you end up with two of these you’ve got a really good chance of hitting 7 wins, as you’ll just mill your opponent out before they know what hit them. Even the first copy is a nice win condition in control decks.
4.0 This card is a surprising powerhouse. There are enough draw effects in this format that Tutelage decks are a very real thing in the format, and if you end up with two of these you’ve got a really good chance of hitting 7 wins, as you’ll just mill your opponent out before they know what hit them. Even the first copy is a nice win condition in control decks.
Falconer Adept
3.0 While this has some mediocre stats, the plethora of tricks, +1/+1 counters, bounce spells, and more frequently allows this attack more than once, and if you can do that, you’re doing a really good job since that means you are getting 2 birds to come along for the right. You can go wide in a hurry with this.
3.0 While this has some mediocre stats, the plethora of tricks, +1/+1 counters, bounce spells, and more frequently allows this attack more than once, and if you can do that, you’re doing a really good job since that means you are getting 2 birds to come along for the right. You can go wide in a hurry with this.
Jeskai Elder
2.5 A two mana ½ with Prowess isn’t the most amazing -- we have seen a few different two mana 1/3s with Prowess in the past -- but the damage trigger here letting you loot is pretty nice. That said, a ½ can’t really threaten a whole lot of creatures as an attacker, even with Prowess, and the elder will rapidly become irrelevant on many board states, because it just isn’t big enough. It is pretty nice on turn two, but after that it isn’t all that impressive.
2.5 A two mana ½ with Prowess isn’t the most amazing -- we have seen a few different two mana 1/3s with Prowess in the past -- but the damage trigger here letting you loot is pretty nice. That said, a ½ can’t really threaten a whole lot of creatures as an attacker, even with Prowess, and the elder will rapidly become irrelevant on many board states, because it just isn’t big enough. It is pretty nice on turn two, but after that it isn’t all that impressive.
Alpine Watchdog
1.5 So, a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance is pretty passable. This guy does have some small additional synergies as a result of being a card that the RW signpost uncommon can search up, and that does increase his value for sure.
1.5 So, a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance is pretty passable. This guy does have some small additional synergies as a result of being a card that the RW signpost uncommon can search up, and that does increase his value for sure.
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.
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.
Defiant Strike
0.5 If White doesn’t have some sort of theme built around spells or combat tricks, this card is usually not very good. Sure, it does replace itself, but the stats boost is meaningless or may as well be far too often for me to play this most of the time.
0.5 If White doesn’t have some sort of theme built around spells or combat tricks, this card is usually not very good. Sure, it does replace itself, but the stats boost is meaningless or may as well be far too often for me to play this 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.
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.
Prismite
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
Library Larcenist
2.5 This card is a real overperformer. Blue has enough ways to get creatures through for damage that this draws you a card way more often than you might think on paper.
2.5 This card is a real overperformer. Blue has enough ways to get creatures through for damage that this draws you a card way more often than you might think on paper.
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.
Valorous Steed
3.0 This is a nice Common. 5-mana for 5/5 worth of Vigilance stats across two bodies is a nice deal, especially in a format with some nice go-wide payoffs. You probably don’t want more than two of these since they cost 5, but it will do some nice work for you in any deck.
3.0 This is a nice Common. 5-mana for 5/5 worth of Vigilance stats across two bodies is a nice deal, especially in a format with some nice go-wide payoffs. You probably don’t want more than two of these since they cost 5, but it will do some nice work for you in any deck.
Pack 3 Pick 2: Bolt Hound
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!
Kinetic Augur
3.0 This gives you some nice card selection and in a spell deck can often actually represent a pretty real threat, too. It is a little bit awkward alongside the UR signpost, which returns instants or sorceries to your hand, which is a bit of a nonbo alongside the Augur, but I still like it.
3.0 This gives you some nice card selection and in a spell deck can often actually represent a pretty real threat, too. It is a little bit awkward alongside the UR signpost, which returns instants or sorceries to your hand, which is a bit of a nonbo alongside the Augur, but I still like it.
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.
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.
Tome Anima
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
Colossal Dreadmaw
2.0 Look, its the Dreadmaw! I’m not sure we’ve ever seen THIS card before. But if I had to guess, I’d say that a 6-mana 6/6 with Trample is a reasonable die, and a fine thing to top your curve with.
2.0 Look, its the Dreadmaw! I’m not sure we’ve ever seen THIS card before. But if I had to guess, I’d say that a 6-mana 6/6 with Trample is a reasonable die, and a fine thing to top your curve with.
Revitalize
0.5 // 2.0 This card is normally not worth it. However, this does gain you 3 life, which several cards in this set check for, and if you’re in a deck with several of those payoffs, it is probably going to make the cut a reasonable chunk of the time.
0.5 // 2.0 This card is normally not worth it. However, this does gain you 3 life, which several cards in this set check for, and if you’re in a deck with several of those payoffs, it is probably going to make the cut a reasonable chunk of the time.
Pridemalkin
3.5 So, worst case scenario you have a 3-mana 3/2 with Trample here. That’s acceptable, but luckily it does even more! For one thing, you can put the counter anywhere -- like on a larger creature who will benefit more from Trample. For another, it gives Trample to any other creatures you control with +1/+1 counters too, so this will often come down and shake up the board. The fact that it can add something to the board right away, no matter what, is always attractive too. +1/+1-adding creatures who are reasonably efficient have always been good in Limited, and that’s what we have here -- in addition to some nice synergy.
3.5 So, worst case scenario you have a 3-mana 3/2 with Trample here. That’s acceptable, but luckily it does even more! For one thing, you can put the counter anywhere -- like on a larger creature who will benefit more from Trample. For another, it gives Trample to any other creatures you control with +1/+1 counters too, so this will often come down and shake up the board. The fact that it can add something to the board right away, no matter what, is always attractive too. +1/+1-adding creatures who are reasonably efficient have always been good in Limited, and that’s what we have here -- in addition to some nice synergy.
Turret Ogre
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
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.
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.
Legion's Judgment
1.5 This being Sorcery speed is kind of sad, because sometimes when it is an Instant, you can use it after combat tricks and things resolve, which can really blow people out. It can kill big stuff, and most people have enough targets that it is a reasonable main deck card, but it is nowhere near premium removal with its major limitations.
1.5 This being Sorcery speed is kind of sad, because sometimes when it is an Instant, you can use it after combat tricks and things resolve, which can really blow people out. It can kill big stuff, and most people have enough targets that it is a reasonable main deck card, but it is nowhere near premium removal with its major limitations.
Spined Megalodon
1.5 // 2.5 Big hexproof guys like this usually can find a place in Limited. They are at their best in more controlling decks, as it provides a large Blocker who your opponent just can’t interact with. Hexproof creatures also tend to be good places to put Auras, since getting 2-for-1’d when you put it on a hexproof creature is so unlikely. It is a nice bit of additional value that this Scries when you attack with it, too. UB Reanimator is a very real deck in this format, and this is one of the Commons that you’re pretty happy to play there.
1.5 // 2.5 Big hexproof guys like this usually can find a place in Limited. They are at their best in more controlling decks, as it provides a large Blocker who your opponent just can’t interact with. Hexproof creatures also tend to be good places to put Auras, since getting 2-for-1’d when you put it on a hexproof creature is so unlikely. It is a nice bit of additional value that this Scries when you attack with it, too. UB Reanimator is a very real deck in this format, and this is one of the Commons that you’re pretty happy to play there.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Hunter's Edge
Fabled Passage
3.0 This gives you really good fixing, something that every Limited deck wants, since Limited mana bases tend to be so bad, even in two-color decks!
3.0 This gives you really good fixing, something that every Limited deck wants, since Limited mana bases tend to be so bad, even in two-color decks!
Alpine Houndmaster
3.5 I always like cards that pay you off for having other cards in your deck, or other copies of the card in your deck, and the Huntmaster definitely does. A two mana 2/2 that already has upside, which can potentially draw you 1-2 cards is quite nice. Now, the two creatures you can search up with it are definitely sub-par -- something that I think makes this card even more interesting -- but I still think it will be worth doing. We’ve seen 3-mana 2/2s that can search up other copies of itself turn out to be pretty nice in Limited, so I think this will work well too. Then, it is a payoff for going wide, since it raises its power whenever it attacks -- and obviously, searching up 1-2 cards helps you go wide too!
3.5 I always like cards that pay you off for having other cards in your deck, or other copies of the card in your deck, and the Huntmaster definitely does. A two mana 2/2 that already has upside, which can potentially draw you 1-2 cards is quite nice. Now, the two creatures you can search up with it are definitely sub-par -- something that I think makes this card even more interesting -- but I still think it will be worth doing. We’ve seen 3-mana 2/2s that can search up other copies of itself turn out to be pretty nice in Limited, so I think this will work well too. Then, it is a payoff for going wide, since it raises its power whenever it attacks -- and obviously, searching up 1-2 cards helps you go wide too!
Fungal Rebirth
1.0 This SEEMS like it would be really sweet, but it is way harder to set up in a way to take full advantage of it than I expected. Mostly it will just be 3 mana to return a permanent, and that’s not worth it.
1.0 This SEEMS like it would be really sweet, but it is way harder to set up in a way to take full advantage of it than I expected. Mostly it will just be 3 mana to return a permanent, and that’s not worth it.
Bad Deal
0.5 This card is exactly what its name is. It is tempting to imagine the 4-for-1 this gives you in ideal scenarios, but it just doesn’t happen. It is mostly just a bad draw spell.
0.5 This card is exactly what its name is. It is tempting to imagine the 4-for-1 this gives you in ideal scenarios, but it just doesn’t happen. It is mostly just a bad draw spell.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
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.
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.
Ornery Dilophosaur
1.5 This card’s main downfall is that it costs 4 and frequently only has two toughness, which makes it die to a whole lot, and you’re usually losing tempo when it happens. It does have Deathtouch, which allows it to trade with whatever, but costing 4 makes that a lot less impressive. Becoming a 4/4 when it attacks is nice additional upside, but it isn’t that impressive, really.
1.5 This card’s main downfall is that it costs 4 and frequently only has two toughness, which makes it die to a whole lot, and you’re usually losing tempo when it happens. It does have Deathtouch, which allows it to trade with whatever, but costing 4 makes that a lot less impressive. Becoming a 4/4 when it attacks is nice additional upside, but it isn’t that impressive, really.
Pitchburn Devils
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
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.
Walking Corpse
1.0 This is a vanilla two drop that you’ll play only out of desperation.
1.0 This is a vanilla two drop that you’ll play only out of desperation.
Wishcoin Crab
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
Pack 3 Pick 4: Burlfist Oak
Unsubstantiate
2.5 Two mana to bounce a creature at Instant speed alone is usually playable, and this comes with the added upside of being able to target spells that are on the stack. This effectively allows you to counter things -- though, if your opponent has the mana to just play it again -- and they will sometimes -- it isn’t going to be worth it. You do go down a card just for tempo with a card like this, but that is often worth it.
2.5 Two mana to bounce a creature at Instant speed alone is usually playable, and this comes with the added upside of being able to target spells that are on the stack. This effectively allows you to counter things -- though, if your opponent has the mana to just play it again -- and they will sometimes -- it isn’t going to be worth it. You do go down a card just for tempo with a card like this, but that is often worth it.
Burlfist Oak
3.0 This will always be at least a 4/5 on your turn, and it can always threaten to get even larger with Instant speed draw spells. It is a little less impressive as a blocker, though, and it does die to lots of removal when its vulnerable.
3.0 This will always be at least a 4/5 on your turn, and it can always threaten to get even larger with Instant speed draw spells. It is a little less impressive as a blocker, though, and it does die to lots of removal when its vulnerable.
Staunch Shieldmate
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro deck.
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro 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.
Shock
3.5 This almost always trades up, and it can even do the last 2 damage to your opponent. This is premium removal.
3.5 This almost always trades up, and it can even do the last 2 damage to your opponent. This is premium removal.
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.
Trufflesnout
3.0 This is a nice little card. Either option is a card you’d probably play. Having an option to choose which of those is ideal makes this a nice Common, and one that has synergy for some of the life gain payoffs in the format, as well as the +1/+1 counter payoffs.
3.0 This is a nice little card. Either option is a card you’d probably play. Having an option to choose which of those is ideal makes this a nice Common, and one that has synergy for some of the life gain payoffs in the format, as well as the +1/+1 counter payoffs.
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.
Skeleton Archer
2.5 There are lots of X/1s in this format, so this really overperforms. Doesn’t hurt that it can go after the opponent too sometimes.
2.5 There are lots of X/1s in this format, so this really overperforms. Doesn’t hurt that it can go after the opponent too sometimes.
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 5: Spellgorger Weird
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.
Kinetic Augur
3.0 This gives you some nice card selection and in a spell deck can often actually represent a pretty real threat, too. It is a little bit awkward alongside the UR signpost, which returns instants or sorceries to your hand, which is a bit of a nonbo alongside the Augur, but I still like it.
3.0 This gives you some nice card selection and in a spell deck can often actually represent a pretty real threat, too. It is a little bit awkward alongside the UR signpost, which returns instants or sorceries to your hand, which is a bit of a nonbo alongside the Augur, but I still like it.
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.
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.
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.
Legion's Judgment
1.5 This being Sorcery speed is kind of sad, because sometimes when it is an Instant, you can use it after combat tricks and things resolve, which can really blow people out. It can kill big stuff, and most people have enough targets that it is a reasonable main deck card, but it is nowhere near premium removal with its major limitations.
1.5 This being Sorcery speed is kind of sad, because sometimes when it is an Instant, you can use it after combat tricks and things resolve, which can really blow people out. It can kill big stuff, and most people have enough targets that it is a reasonable main deck card, but it is nowhere near premium removal with its major limitations.
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.
Thrill of Possibility
1.5 This is an upgraded Tormenting Voice, and I’m all for that in a format with lots of spell payoffs! This lets you dig deeper into your deck and improve your card quality, so you’ll play that first copy a decent chunk of the time.
1.5 This is an upgraded Tormenting Voice, and I’m all for that in a format with lots of spell payoffs! This lets you dig deeper into your deck and improve your card quality, so you’ll play that first copy a decent chunk of the time.
Walking Corpse
1.0 This is a vanilla two drop that you’ll play only out of desperation.
1.0 This is a vanilla two drop that you’ll play only out of desperation.
Ranger's Guile
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
Scoured Barrens
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 6: Capture Sphere
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.
Staunch Shieldmate
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro deck.
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro deck.
Wishcoin Crab
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
Alpine Watchdog
1.5 So, a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance is pretty passable. This guy does have some small additional synergies as a result of being a card that the RW signpost uncommon can search up, and that does increase his value for sure.
1.5 So, a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance is pretty passable. This guy does have some small additional synergies as a result of being a card that the RW signpost uncommon can search up, and that does increase his value for sure.
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
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.
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.
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.
Pitchburn Devils
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
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: Turret Ogre
Riddleform
2.5 The fail case here is not very good -- an Enchantment that lets you pay 3 mana to Scry 1 is not worth playing. The question becomes: how many times does this have to become a Sphinx to be worth while? And I feel like the answer is: at least twice. And that is perfectly doable within a spells deck, but this card really isn’t going to be the kind of payoff that takes over games for you. It is just a solid payoff you’ll include in your deck.
2.5 The fail case here is not very good -- an Enchantment that lets you pay 3 mana to Scry 1 is not worth playing. The question becomes: how many times does this have to become a Sphinx to be worth while? And I feel like the answer is: at least twice. And that is perfectly doable within a spells deck, but this card really isn’t going to be the kind of payoff that takes over games for you. It is just a solid payoff you’ll include in your deck.
Invigorating Surge
2.0 On its own this is 3-mana for two +1/+1 counters at Instant speed, which is sort of okay. Obviously it gets better when you have other counters around.
2.0 On its own this is 3-mana for two +1/+1 counters at Instant speed, which is sort of okay. Obviously it gets better when you have other counters around.
Skeleton Archer
2.5 There are lots of X/1s in this format, so this really overperforms. Doesn’t hurt that it can go after the opponent too sometimes.
2.5 There are lots of X/1s in this format, so this really overperforms. Doesn’t hurt that it can go after the opponent too sometimes.
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.
Wishcoin Crab
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
Turret Ogre
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
Tome Anima
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
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.
Blossoming Sands
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: Cultivate
Necromentia
0.0 This type of card is always bad in Limited, because 1) it doesn’t impact the board at all, and 2) It is difficult to know what to name in Limited, especially in Bo1, and 3) even if you DO hit something with it, you have to think about how likely it was your opponent would have drawn the card anyway -- and in most cases, it isn’t that likely. So generally if you’re playing this, you are basically mulliganing and paying 3 mana with your opening hand -- so don’t do it.
0.0 This type of card is always bad in Limited, because 1) it doesn’t impact the board at all, and 2) It is difficult to know what to name in Limited, especially in Bo1, and 3) even if you DO hit something with it, you have to think about how likely it was your opponent would have drawn the card anyway -- and in most cases, it isn’t that likely. So generally if you’re playing this, you are basically mulliganing and paying 3 mana with your opening hand -- so don’t do it.
Dire Fleet Warmonger
3.5 So, this really pushes you in the direction of being a sacrifice deck, and he is pretty great for sacrificing things. On the surface, a 3-mana 3/3 is a good deal, and the fact you can cash in a creature every turn to make him a 5/5 with trample means that he is imposing on many board states. This Sacrifice effect doesn’t cost any mana either, so it can be particularly devastating to steal your opponent’s creature before combat and then sacrifice it to the Warbringer.
3.5 So, this really pushes you in the direction of being a sacrifice deck, and he is pretty great for sacrificing things. On the surface, a 3-mana 3/3 is a good deal, and the fact you can cash in a creature every turn to make him a 5/5 with trample means that he is imposing on many board states. This Sacrifice effect doesn’t cost any mana either, so it can be particularly devastating to steal your opponent’s creature before combat and then sacrifice it to the Warbringer.
Cultivate
3.0 This is a pretty classic ramp spell, and it is one I always like in Limited. This is because it also provides great fixing, potentially even enabling you to splash a double-colored card, since it can grab you two lands. This is definitely fixing you’re going to be on the look out for if it looks like you’re going to be a three colored deck, and even if you aren’t, there will be some decks interested in the ramp this can give you.
3.0 This is a pretty classic ramp spell, and it is one I always like in Limited. This is because it also provides great fixing, potentially even enabling you to splash a double-colored card, since it can grab you two lands. This is definitely fixing you’re going to be on the look out for if it looks like you’re going to be a three colored deck, and even if you aren’t, there will be some decks interested in the ramp this can give you.
Ranger's Guile
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
Return to Nature
1.5 This does enough different stuff that you can maindeck it without really being disappointed about it, but it is still generally better to bring in out of the sideboard.
1.5 This does enough different stuff that you can maindeck it without really being disappointed about it, but it is still generally better to bring in out of the sideboard.
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.
Prismite
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
Infernal Scarring
1.5 I generally don’t like this when we see it. It does replace itself if the creature dies, but it just gives such an underwhelming statsboost. You’ll play it in more aggressive decks, but even then it won’t always make the cut.
1.5 I generally don’t like this when we see it. It does replace itself if the creature dies, but it just gives such an underwhelming statsboost. You’ll play it in more aggressive decks, but even then it won’t always make the cut.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Gnarled Sage
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.
Defiant Strike
0.5 If White doesn’t have some sort of theme built around spells or combat tricks, this card is usually not very good. Sure, it does replace itself, but the stats boost is meaningless or may as well be far too often for me to play this most of the time.
0.5 If White doesn’t have some sort of theme built around spells or combat tricks, this card is usually not very good. Sure, it does replace itself, but the stats boost is meaningless or may as well be far too often for me to play this 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.
Prismite
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
1.0 This has bad stats and it is bad at fixing mana. If you’re desperate for a two drop or fixing you’ll play it, but that’s it.
Library Larcenist
2.5 This card is a real overperformer. Blue has enough ways to get creatures through for damage that this draws you a card way more often than you might think on paper.
2.5 This card is a real overperformer. Blue has enough ways to get creatures through for damage that this draws you a card way more often than you might think on paper.
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 10: Colossal Dreadmaw
Tome Anima
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
1.0 This card seems like it would be solid, but it just isn’t. It has mediocre stats that make it a liability as a blocker in many situations, and even as an unblockable attacker it doesn’t really feel that great.
Colossal Dreadmaw
2.0 Look, its the Dreadmaw! I’m not sure we’ve ever seen THIS card before. But if I had to guess, I’d say that a 6-mana 6/6 with Trample is a reasonable die, and a fine thing to top your curve with.
2.0 Look, its the Dreadmaw! I’m not sure we’ve ever seen THIS card before. But if I had to guess, I’d say that a 6-mana 6/6 with Trample is a reasonable die, and a fine thing to top your curve with.
Pridemalkin
3.5 So, worst case scenario you have a 3-mana 3/2 with Trample here. That’s acceptable, but luckily it does even more! For one thing, you can put the counter anywhere -- like on a larger creature who will benefit more from Trample. For another, it gives Trample to any other creatures you control with +1/+1 counters too, so this will often come down and shake up the board. The fact that it can add something to the board right away, no matter what, is always attractive too. +1/+1-adding creatures who are reasonably efficient have always been good in Limited, and that’s what we have here -- in addition to some nice synergy.
3.5 So, worst case scenario you have a 3-mana 3/2 with Trample here. That’s acceptable, but luckily it does even more! For one thing, you can put the counter anywhere -- like on a larger creature who will benefit more from Trample. For another, it gives Trample to any other creatures you control with +1/+1 counters too, so this will often come down and shake up the board. The fact that it can add something to the board right away, no matter what, is always attractive too. +1/+1-adding creatures who are reasonably efficient have always been good in Limited, and that’s what we have here -- in addition to some nice synergy.
Turret Ogre
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
2.5 This has decent stats to begin with, and then it is a nice 4-power payoff that has 4-power itself, making it slot quite nicely into the RG deck especially.
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 11: Ornery Dilophosaur
Alpine Houndmaster
3.5 I always like cards that pay you off for having other cards in your deck, or other copies of the card in your deck, and the Huntmaster definitely does. A two mana 2/2 that already has upside, which can potentially draw you 1-2 cards is quite nice. Now, the two creatures you can search up with it are definitely sub-par -- something that I think makes this card even more interesting -- but I still think it will be worth doing. We’ve seen 3-mana 2/2s that can search up other copies of itself turn out to be pretty nice in Limited, so I think this will work well too. Then, it is a payoff for going wide, since it raises its power whenever it attacks -- and obviously, searching up 1-2 cards helps you go wide too!
3.5 I always like cards that pay you off for having other cards in your deck, or other copies of the card in your deck, and the Huntmaster definitely does. A two mana 2/2 that already has upside, which can potentially draw you 1-2 cards is quite nice. Now, the two creatures you can search up with it are definitely sub-par -- something that I think makes this card even more interesting -- but I still think it will be worth doing. We’ve seen 3-mana 2/2s that can search up other copies of itself turn out to be pretty nice in Limited, so I think this will work well too. Then, it is a payoff for going wide, since it raises its power whenever it attacks -- and obviously, searching up 1-2 cards helps you go wide too!
Titanic Growth
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
2.0 This is a stat boost that will allow your creature to win almost all combats, and that’s the kind of trick most aggro decks feel okay about running.
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.
Ornery Dilophosaur
1.5 This card’s main downfall is that it costs 4 and frequently only has two toughness, which makes it die to a whole lot, and you’re usually losing tempo when it happens. It does have Deathtouch, which allows it to trade with whatever, but costing 4 makes that a lot less impressive. Becoming a 4/4 when it attacks is nice additional upside, but it isn’t that impressive, really.
1.5 This card’s main downfall is that it costs 4 and frequently only has two toughness, which makes it die to a whole lot, and you’re usually losing tempo when it happens. It does have Deathtouch, which allows it to trade with whatever, but costing 4 makes that a lot less impressive. Becoming a 4/4 when it attacks is nice additional upside, but it isn’t that impressive, really.
Pack 3 Pick 12: Trufflesnout
Staunch Shieldmate
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro deck.
0.5 Well, those are some impressive stats on a one mana creature – we’ve never seen a one mana 1/3 with no downsides at all. That said, while he might do well on the vanilla test, he still isn’t all that impressive in Limited. He is quickly outclassed without some help, and you’ll only play him if you really need a one drop for a super aggro deck.
Trufflesnout
3.0 This is a nice little card. Either option is a card you’d probably play. Having an option to choose which of those is ideal makes this a nice Common, and one that has synergy for some of the life gain payoffs in the format, as well as the +1/+1 counter payoffs.
3.0 This is a nice little card. Either option is a card you’d probably play. Having an option to choose which of those is ideal makes this a nice Common, and one that has synergy for some of the life gain payoffs in the format, as well as the +1/+1 counter payoffs.
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.
Pack 3 Pick 13: Ranger's Guile
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.
Thrill of Possibility
1.5 This is an upgraded Tormenting Voice, and I’m all for that in a format with lots of spell payoffs! This lets you dig deeper into your deck and improve your card quality, so you’ll play that first copy a decent chunk of the time.
1.5 This is an upgraded Tormenting Voice, and I’m all for that in a format with lots of spell payoffs! This lets you dig deeper into your deck and improve your card quality, so you’ll play that first copy a decent chunk of the time.
Ranger's Guile
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
2.0 This is a fairly decent combat trick for Limited. The stats boost isn’t hte mos impressive for the cost -- but Hexproof is where this gets some extra power, since it means you can no tonly use Guile to win combat, you can use it to save your creature.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Pitchburn Devils
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.
Pitchburn Devils
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
1.5 This has terrible stats, but it has a death trigger which allows it to trade for things with 6 power, or – even better, can sometimes allow you to get a 2-for-1. That said, it is hard to overcome the inefficiency here.
Pack 3 Pick 15: Wishcoin Crab
Wishcoin Crab
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
1.0 This has stats that line up reasonably well against early attackers, and if you’re in the market for that, you’ll probably play it.
Draft Pick Overview
- Pack 1 Pick 1: Lightning Strike
- Pack 1 Pick 2: Vine Mare
- Pack 1 Pick 3: Viashino Pyromancer
- Pack 1 Pick 4: Ghirapur Guide
- Pack 1 Pick 5: Rhox Oracle
- Pack 1 Pick 6: Skyscanner
- Pack 1 Pick 7: Colossal Dreadmaw
- Pack 1 Pick 8: Boggart Brute
- Pack 1 Pick 9: Skeleton Archer
- Pack 1 Pick 10: Two-Headed Zombie
- Pack 1 Pick 11: Titanic Growth
- Pack 1 Pick 12: Marauder's Axe
- Pack 1 Pick 13: Isolate
- Pack 1 Pick 14: Bogstomper
- Pack 1 Pick 15: Frilled Sea Serpent
- Pack 2 Pick 1: Leafkin Druid
- Pack 2 Pick 2: Captivating Gyre
- Pack 2 Pick 3: Lavakin Brawler
- Pack 2 Pick 4: Shock
- Pack 2 Pick 5: Creeping Trailblazer
- Pack 2 Pick 6: Unchained Berserker
- Pack 2 Pick 7: Overgrowth Elemental
- Pack 2 Pick 8: Grafdigger's Cage
- Pack 2 Pick 9: Chandra's Embercat
- Pack 2 Pick 10: Swiftwater Cliffs
- Pack 2 Pick 11: Keldon Raider
- Pack 2 Pick 12: Fire Elemental
- Pack 2 Pick 13: Frilled Sea Serpent
- Pack 2 Pick 14: Infuriate
- Pack 2 Pick 15: Natural End
- Pack 3 Pick 1: Mazemind Tome
- Pack 3 Pick 2: Bolt Hound
- Pack 3 Pick 3: Hunter's Edge
- Pack 3 Pick 4: Burlfist Oak
- Pack 3 Pick 5: Spellgorger Weird
- Pack 3 Pick 6: Capture Sphere
- Pack 3 Pick 7: Turret Ogre
- Pack 3 Pick 8: Cultivate
- Pack 3 Pick 9: Gnarled Sage
- Pack 3 Pick 10: Colossal Dreadmaw
- Pack 3 Pick 11: Ornery Dilophosaur
- Pack 3 Pick 12: Trufflesnout
- Pack 3 Pick 13: Ranger's Guile
- Pack 3 Pick 14: Pitchburn Devils
- Pack 3 Pick 15: Wishcoin Crab
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