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Premier Draft GRN 05.januar 2021

5 January 12:49 - Unclonable 7 Wins - 0 Losses
Maindeck
Creature (17)
2 Glowspore Shaman image
1 Vigorspore Wurm image
3 Pitiless Gorgon image
1 Swarm Guildmage image
1 Lotleth Giant image
1 Kraul Foragers image
1 Devkarin Dissident image
1 Thief of Sanity image
1 Erstwhile Trooper image
1 Plaguecrafter image
1 Ochran Assassin image
1 Ironshell Beetle image
1 Izoni, Thousand-Eyed image
1 Siege Wurm image
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (7)
1 Golgari Locket image
1 Deadly Visit image
1 Undercity Uprising image
1 Dead Weight image
1 Status // Statue image
1 Prey Upon image
1 Assassin's Trophy image
Land (16)
6 Forest image
6 Swamp image
1 Island image
1 Golgari Guildgate image
1 Golgari Guildgate image
1 Guildmages' Forum image
Sideboard
1 Chamber Sentry image
2 Vigorspore Wurm image
1 Kraul Swarm image
1 Ledev Guardian image
1 Golgari Raiders image
1 Lotleth Giant image
1 Kraul Foragers image
1 Portcullis Vine image
1 Douser of Lights image
1 Bartizan Bats image
1 Wall of Mist image
1 Sprouting Renewal image
1 Undercity Uprising image
1 Wand of Vertebrae image
1 Firemind's Research image
1 Severed Strands image
1 Selesnya Locket image

Pack 1 Pick 1: Chamber Sentry
Chamber Sentry image 4.0 This is surprisingly powerful. Casting this as a two mana 2/2is actually already a pretty good card, since it can double as Shock when that’s the case. This format has pretty good mana too, so casting it larger isn’t that hard, and even getting it back from your graveyard is very realistic, and when you can keep bringing this back and casting it, your opponent is just going to lose.
Golgari Raiders image 1.5 This card’s a big disappointment, as it is surprisingly hard getting it to be large enough to be worth the mana you spend on it. It basically only gets there in the extreme late game, at which point it isn’t nearly as impressive.
Dimir Spybug image 3.5 This is a great Surveil payoff that can grow quite rapidly. Flying and Menace are a nice combination, and it means the Spybug is incredibly difficult to block.
Integrity image 3.5 One side is a decent combat trick, and the other is Lightning Helix for twice the mana. The options here are pretty nice, with the Intervention half usually the more powerful one – but if the opportunity arises for you to use the trick effectively, don’t hesitate!
Hammer Dropper image 2.0 This statline is pretty ugly, but the high power does mean it can Mentor pretty easily, and your opponent also kind of has to block it or things can get out of hand.
Skyline Scout image 2.0 Its nice that this can start going to sky once it can’t get in on the ground, but it isn’t exactly efficient as a creature, and paying two mana to make it Fly isn’t always something you’ll have the mana for.
Mephitic Vapors image 2.0 This isn’t a bad card for countering the aggressive decks in the format, as it can often do some significant damage to their board, and getting to Surveil can help you find what you need.
Hunted Witness image 2.5 One mana 1/1s that leave behind 1/1s tend to be pretty decent in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially with White aggro decks being so real in the format.
Darkblade Agent image 2.5 This isn’t a bad surveil payoff, as it can be really obnoxious as an attacker. Your opponent basically never wants to give you a free card, so they often have to block, and the best they’ll be able to do is trade.
Luminous Bonds image 3.0 As it is most of the time, this is premium removal. Turning off attacking and blocking is pretty good for the cost.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Wishcoin Crab image 1.5 This is passable if you need a defensive creature in your Blue decks, and blocks surprisingly well, even in the later part of the game.
Maximize Velocity image 2.0 This is a nice card in the aggressive Izzet decks, as you usually get some value out of just casting spells, so cheap ones like this are nice, especially because it can help you do more damage out of nowhere.
Barging Sergeant image 2.5 This can add a ton of damage to the board in a hurry, as it is capable of Mentoring most creatures. Its usually going to die during the attack, but the value it gives you is incredibly good.
Izzet Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Vigorspore Wurm
Sunhome Stalwart image 4.0 A two mana 2/2 with First Strike is a 3.5 in most formats, and this one tacks on Mentor, which is awesome! Its good at Mentoring things and it is also a good thing to Mentor thanks to its keyword abilities. This is an excellent two drop.
Book Devourer image 1.0 This has bad stats, and its combat damage trigger is only useful in very narrow situations.
Lotleth Giant image 2.0 This is decent top-curve to have in any deck with lots of creatures and graveyard stuff going on, as if it can do 3+ damage you don’t feel terrible about your investment, and it can often do far more than that. It is unfortunately pretty clunky in a format where there are very real aggro decks, and the Golgari decks come together the least consistently.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Parhelion Patrol image 2.5 Flying and Mentor go pretty well together, since it becomes easier for it to attack and survive. It can of course only Mentor 1 power creatures – at least at first – but that’s fine, and you can often end up training it too, in which case it can become a real monster.
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Prey Upon image 2.5 As usual, Green has plenty of beefy creatures around that can really take advantage of this. Just pick your spots with it carefully so you don’t get blown out.
Maximize Altitude image 2.0 This is a nice tool for aggressive Izzet decks, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also allowing you to attack pretty hard with one of your creatures in the air.
Garrison Sergeant image 1.5 In a deck with a lot of Gates this is a decent playable, though a 5-mana 3/3 with Double Strike isn’t exactly amazing either.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Child of Night image 2.0 This has decent stats and lifelink. Not much more to say about it!
Ledev Guardian image 1.5 This isn’t that great whether you cast it or power it out with Convoke.
Watcher in the Mist image 3.5 This has pretty nice Flying stats and Surveil 2 on ETB is pretty powerful. This is Blue’s best Common in the set.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Sprouting Renewal
Guildmages' Forum image 3.0 Filter lands are not normally very good, but this one comes with the nice payoff of making your multicolored creatures bigger if you use the mana from it to cast them, and that’s a pretty big deal.
Electrostatic Field image 3.0 This is nice in the more controlling Izzet decks, where you can play this defensive creature and chip away at your opponent.
Sprouting Renewal image 2.0 Neither mode here is exactly exciting, but they are both fine, and this is a nice way to have some artifact/enchantment hate in your main deck that doesn’t cost you a whole lot.
Goblin Locksmith image 1.0 This isn’t that far from just being Goblin Piker, a card you really hope you don’t play in Limited.
Wild Ceratok image 1.5 This stat-line is passable if you’re desperate for a four drop.
Barrier of Bones image 1.5 0-mana 0/3s with Defender are rarely very good in Limited, and that doesn’t really change here, even with Surveil 1.
Fresh-Faced Recruit image 3.0 This is a nice creature for aggressive decks who is a bit of a pain to block all game long, especially if you’re putting counters on him.
Vedalken Mesmerist image 1.5 It isn’t a complete disaster if you play this as your two drop, but it isn’t something you should be happy about either. Its attack trigger rarely does enough.
Intrusive Packbeast image 2.0 Having one of these in aggressive decks isn’t too bad, as it can often allow you to swing for lethal if you’re curving out, but it is also a card you end up cutting pretty often, and certainly not something you need in those decks.
Undercity Uprising image 1.5 This is a pretty big underperformer. Deathtouch + Fight seems like a good idea, and your whole board even gets Deathtouch! But it turns out there are many board states where you can’t really do anything profitable with this. Sure, your creature you fight with can kill anything, but you’re frequently 2-for-1ing yourself when you do it, and death touch on your board isn’t a big help, though it does help you attack better sometimes. This being clunky and sorcery speed also sets you up to get blown out.
Sworn Companions image 2.0 If you’re interested in going wide, this does a decent job of it. You’re more likely to want to do that in GW.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Pitiless Gorgon
Swathcutter Giant image 2.0 This card just isn’t really what Boros decks are doing in this format. It is reasonably efficient and can kill some small creatures, but Boros decks aren’t typically running six drops.
Gird for Battle image 2.0 This can really help power aggressive decks in the format, suddenly enabling two attacks you didn’t have before, and helping your creatures Mentor others.
Pitiless Gorgon image 2.0 Deathtouchers can trade with anything which is sweet – but the more they cost, the less impressive that becomes, since you won’t be getting a mana advantage out of a trade nearly as often.
Whisper Agent image 2.5 This can Flash in to ambush something – though that usually means you’re just getting a trade since it only has two toughness. But, that’s an okay deal, especially because you get Surveil 1. When you can Flash it in and kill an attacker and it survives, you feel pretty good!
Luminous Bonds image 3.0 As it is most of the time, this is premium removal. Turning off attacking and blocking is pretty good for the cost.
Passwall Adept image 1.5 The Adept’s ability can definitely lead you to victory late in the right situation, but in the early game it is not a very impressive card.
Goblin Locksmith image 1.0 This isn’t that far from just being Goblin Piker, a card you really hope you don’t play in Limited.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Vedalken Mesmerist image 1.5 It isn’t a complete disaster if you play this as your two drop, but it isn’t something you should be happy about either. Its attack trigger rarely does enough.
Pack's Favor image 1.5 This is a decent trick, and it is sweet that sometimes you can cast it when you seemingly have no mana.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 5: Kraul Swarm
Kraul Swarm image 2.5 The Swarm has high power for 5-mana Flyer – that’s enough that it can’t just be ignored, and the fact that it can keep coming back can really present a problem for your opponent.
Severed Strands image 2.0 Making Bone Splinters cost an additional mana is a bummer, and one that isn’t solved by the life gain effect. Still, it can kill stuff pretty efficiently, and if you have expendable creatures it feels pretty good.
Urban Utopia image 1.5 This fixes decently and replaces itself, but you just don’t really need it in this format, as Gates are pretty easy to come by.
Generous Stray image 2.0 This isn’t a bad thing to sacrifice to various effects, but its stats are pretty disappointing.
Intrusive Packbeast image 2.0 Having one of these in aggressive decks isn’t too bad, as it can often allow you to swing for lethal if you’re curving out, but it is also a card you end up cutting pretty often, and certainly not something you need in those decks.
Sure Strike image 2.0 As usual with this card that has been reprinted a ton, it is a reasonable trick that can help almost any creature win combat.
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Luminous Bonds image 3.0 As it is most of the time, this is premium removal. Turning off attacking and blocking is pretty good for the cost.
Kraul Foragers image 2.5 This isn’t a terrible Undergrowth payoff. As long as you are gaining 2+ life with it, it feels pretty good, and it is often enough to help you stabilize against more aggressive decks.
Dimir Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 6: Ledev Guardian
Wand of Vertebrae image 0.5 This is sideboard material to be brought in against really graveyard-heavy decks.
Dazzling Lights image 1.5 This kind of effect is pretty underwhelming, as it just doesn’t accomplish enough most of the time. However, the fact that this format has a spell deck definitely upgrades it a bit, and Surveil isn’t too bad either.
Barging Sergeant image 2.5 This can add a ton of damage to the board in a hurry, as it is capable of Mentoring most creatures. Its usually going to die during the attack, but the value it gives you is incredibly good.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Ledev Guardian image 1.5 This isn’t that great whether you cast it or power it out with Convoke.
Leapfrog image
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Artful Takedown image 3.0 The -2/-4 part of the card is almost always a removal spell, so the additional upside of also tapping something can be pretty nice. Basically, this can give you some great tempo – getting two blockers out of the way – or you can just use it as a decent removal spell.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 7: Vigorspore Wurm
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Whisper Agent image 2.5 This can Flash in to ambush something – though that usually means you’re just getting a trade since it only has two toughness. But, that’s an okay deal, especially because you get Surveil 1. When you can Flash it in and kill an attacker and it survives, you feel pretty good!
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Torch Courier image 1.5 This is a pretty mediocre one drop. A one mana 1/1 with Haste just doesn’t do enough these days – there are many boards where this is immediately irrelevant. The upside of giving Haste to something else is nice, but still not very impressive.
Blade Instructor image 2.0 This can pretty frequently attack and put a counter on something, and because of its 3 power your opponent often can’t do anything but trade with it. Which…if they have a 1/1 token doesn’t feel great, but you still get a counter out of the deal.
Izzet Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 8: Swarm Guildmage
Swarm Guildmage image 3.5 Giving Menace to your whole board can often close out a game, and in the early portion of the game it is just an efficient creature who might gain you a bit of life.
Loxodon Restorer image 2.0 This is a decent way to stabilize against aggro decks, as the life gain and the body do a pretty good job of helping you hold on. If you’re a slower White deck, the first of these is usually going to make your deck. While, if you’re more aggressive you’re not going to have any reason to play it.
Radical Idea image 2.0 This is pretty nice in UR decks because of the spell-triggers, and it isn’t bad in UW control decks either.
Hunted Witness image 2.5 One mana 1/1s that leave behind 1/1s tend to be pretty decent in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially with White aggro decks being so real in the format.
Izzet Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Portcullis Vine image 1.0 Its nice that you can throw this away for a card when it isn’t useful. Problem is, it usually isn’t useful, and paying 3 mana to draw a card isn’t exactly a deal.
Never Happened image 1.5 Coercion is very rarely good in Limited, but this format having some graveyard stuff does mean you often have something to go after in their graveyard too, in which case this can feel a bit like a 2-for-1.
Undercity Uprising image 1.5 This is a pretty big underperformer. Deathtouch + Fight seems like a good idea, and your whole board even gets Deathtouch! But it turns out there are many board states where you can’t really do anything profitable with this. Sure, your creature you fight with can kill anything, but you’re frequently 2-for-1ing yourself when you do it, and death touch on your board isn’t a big help, though it does help you attack better sometimes. This being clunky and sorcery speed also sets you up to get blown out.
Pack 1 Pick 9: Golgari Raiders
Golgari Raiders image 1.5 This card’s a big disappointment, as it is surprisingly hard getting it to be large enough to be worth the mana you spend on it. It basically only gets there in the extreme late game, at which point it isn’t nearly as impressive.
Skyline Scout image 2.0 Its nice that this can start going to sky once it can’t get in on the ground, but it isn’t exactly efficient as a creature, and paying two mana to make it Fly isn’t always something you’ll have the mana for.
Mephitic Vapors image 2.0 This isn’t a bad card for countering the aggressive decks in the format, as it can often do some significant damage to their board, and getting to Surveil can help you find what you need.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Wishcoin Crab image 1.5 This is passable if you need a defensive creature in your Blue decks, and blocks surprisingly well, even in the later part of the game.
Barging Sergeant image 2.5 This can add a ton of damage to the board in a hurry, as it is capable of Mentoring most creatures. Its usually going to die during the attack, but the value it gives you is incredibly good.
Izzet Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 10: Lotleth Giant
Lotleth Giant image 2.0 This is decent top-curve to have in any deck with lots of creatures and graveyard stuff going on, as if it can do 3+ damage you don’t feel terrible about your investment, and it can often do far more than that. It is unfortunately pretty clunky in a format where there are very real aggro decks, and the Golgari decks come together the least consistently.
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Garrison Sergeant image 1.5 In a deck with a lot of Gates this is a decent playable, though a 5-mana 3/3 with Double Strike isn’t exactly amazing either.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Ledev Guardian image 1.5 This isn’t that great whether you cast it or power it out with Convoke.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Undercity Uprising
Goblin Locksmith image 1.0 This isn’t that far from just being Goblin Piker, a card you really hope you don’t play in Limited.
Wild Ceratok image 1.5 This stat-line is passable if you’re desperate for a four drop.
Undercity Uprising image 1.5 This is a pretty big underperformer. Deathtouch + Fight seems like a good idea, and your whole board even gets Deathtouch! But it turns out there are many board states where you can’t really do anything profitable with this. Sure, your creature you fight with can kill anything, but you’re frequently 2-for-1ing yourself when you do it, and death touch on your board isn’t a big help, though it does help you attack better sometimes. This being clunky and sorcery speed also sets you up to get blown out.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 12: Vigorspore Wurm
Goblin Locksmith image 1.0 This isn’t that far from just being Goblin Piker, a card you really hope you don’t play in Limited.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 1 Pick 13: Kraul Foragers
Urban Utopia image 1.5 This fixes decently and replaces itself, but you just don’t really need it in this format, as Gates are pretty easy to come by.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Kraul Foragers image 2.5 This isn’t a terrible Undergrowth payoff. As long as you are gaining 2+ life with it, it feels pretty good, and it is often enough to help you stabilize against more aggressive decks.
Pack 1 Pick 14: Wand of Vertebrae
Wand of Vertebrae image 0.5 This is sideboard material to be brought in against really graveyard-heavy decks.
Dazzling Lights image 1.5 This kind of effect is pretty underwhelming, as it just doesn’t accomplish enough most of the time. However, the fact that this format has a spell deck definitely upgrades it a bit, and Surveil isn’t too bad either.
Pack 1 Pick 15: Devkarin Dissident
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Pack 2 Pick 1: Firemind's Research
Firemind's Research image 1.5 Even with all the spells in this format, it is pretty tricky to make this work. It is just too hungry for change counters.
House Guildmage image 4.0 Both options here can be pretty nice. Freezing down a creature can really help you slow your opponent down and/or help you win a race. The repeatable Surveil is great card selection too, and goes especially well with the Surveil payoffs in the format.
Silent Dart image 1.5 If you need removal, this can do it – though it isn’t exactly efficient.
Invert image 1.0 Most of the split cards in this format are pretty nice in Limited…but not this one. Invert’s effect is way too situational and hard to make matter, while Invent is a super expensive tutor for spells. And sure, you do get two spells, which means you’re netting cards, but I’m still not impressed.
Skyknight Legionnaire image 3.0 This can do a lot of damage in the air in a hurry! And…that’s about all there is to say.
Bartizan Bats image 2.0 3 power on a flyer for 4 mana is a decent deal…but the one toughness is pretty rough, as it means your opponent can often trade up for this thing with cheap removal or 1/1 flying tokens.
Unexplained Disappearance image 2.5 Two mana instant bounce spells are always decent enough, especially when you can use them in response to a combat trick or something like that, and tacking on Surveil is pretty nice.
Take Heart image 2.0 This trick is fine. One mana for +2/+2 tends to be solid in Limited, and the life gain tacked on is nice.
Moodmark Painter image 1.0 This Common is a big part of why Golgari decks in this format struggle, because it just isn’t very good, and its supposed to be a key Common for that deck! It has bad stats, and while the boost it offers can be nice, it usually isn’t enough for this card to be very good.
Hypothesizzle image 3.0 5 mana for 4 damage isn’t an amazing rate, but you also effectively get to loot. Now, you do have to discard a non-land which tends to mean you lose a very real card, but if you combine it with Jump-Start it doesn’t feel too bad.
Direct Current image 3.0 This is a really nice card for aggressive Izzet and Boros decks, as it often wins you the game. It is a key card in those decks, but also not something you want to go after super early, since it is pretty much only good in those decks – where you’ll always want 1-2 copies of it.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Crushing Canopy image 0.5 This is mostly sideboard material.
Radical Idea image 2.0 This is pretty nice in UR decks because of the spell-triggers, and it isn’t bad in UW control decks either.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 2: Thief of Sanity
Thief of Sanity image 4.5 A 3-mana 2/2 Flyer is already a playable card, and this has an absolutely ludicrous effect when it hits your opponent, since you get to look at your opponent’s top three cards, keep the best one for yourself, and mill the other two. Keep in mind, even if the Thief dies, you maintain access to the cards it exiled for you. The only downside here is that this doesn’t do anything immediately, so you get nothing if your opponent immediately kills it – and it’s a 2/2, so that’s going to happen a decent chunk of the time – but this is still a bomb.
Conclave Guildmage image 3.0 The trample ability needs some significant support to matter, but at least its cheap! Plus, the creature token ability is a nice place to sink your mana in the late game.
Swathcutter Giant image 2.0 This card just isn’t really what Boros decks are doing in this format. It is reasonably efficient and can kill some small creatures, but Boros decks aren’t typically running six drops.
Vernadi Shieldmate image 2.5 This has fine stats for a two drop and slots nicely into many decks in the format.
Cosmotronic Wave image 2.5 This is a really nice card for aggressive Izzet and Boros decks, as it often wins you the game. It is a key card in those decks, but also not something you want to go after super early, since it is pretty much only good in those decks – where you’ll always want 1-2 copies of it.
Blade Instructor image 2.0 This can pretty frequently attack and put a counter on something, and because of its 3 power your opponent often can’t do anything but trade with it. Which…if they have a 1/1 token doesn’t feel great, but you still get a counter out of the deal.
Urban Utopia image 1.5 This fixes decently and replaces itself, but you just don’t really need it in this format, as Gates are pretty easy to come by.
Hitchclaw Recluse image 2.0 We see this card a lot, and its always pretty decent. Green can’t always deal with flyers very effectively, and this can help in that regard.
Ironshell Beetle image 2.5 This kind of card is always pretty nice. Early, it can just be the two mana 2/2 you need, and late it can come down and put the counter on something better.
Darkblade Agent image 2.5 This isn’t a bad surveil payoff, as it can be really obnoxious as an attacker. Your opponent basically never wants to give you a free card, so they often have to block, and the best they’ll be able to do is trade.
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Devious Cover-Up image 1.0 // 2.5 This is a pretty bad counterspell in most decks in the format. Four mana to counter something tends to be way too clunky, and shuffling cards into your deck isn’t that big of a deal. However, the UW decks in this format can sometimes end up in very real controlling builds where Devious Cover-Up is actually a quality card, especially if you have two of them to loop. You can just lock down the board and outvalue your opponent until their dead! So, this gets a build around grade. In the right deck, it is pretty legit – but don’t try to play it in any old Blue deck.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Selesnya Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 3: Dead Weight
Nightveil Sprite image 3.0 Decent evasive stats go pretty well with a Surveil attack trigger, and this can get particularly silly alongside any of the cards that give you some sort of value every time you Surveil, as it is a very repeatable way to get those going.
Rampaging Monument image 3.5 This ends up growing a ton in this format, as you will just have a lot of multicolored cards, and this quickly turns into a threat with Trample in most decks.
Child of Night image 2.0 This has decent stats and lifelink. Not much more to say about it!
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Dead Weight image 3.5 This kills a whole lot of stuff in this format for only one mana – including significantly more expensive creatures, and that makes it pretty great.
Watcher in the Mist image 3.5 This has pretty nice Flying stats and Surveil 2 on ETB is pretty powerful. This is Blue’s best Common in the set.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Healer's Hawk image 3.0 This is a really nice one-drop, especially in Boros, since it is such a great creature to Mentor. Putting counters on this can quickly put the game out of reach for your opponent.
Torch Courier image 1.5 This is a pretty mediocre one drop. A one mana 1/1 with Haste just doesn’t do enough these days – there are many boards where this is immediately irrelevant. The upside of giving Haste to something else is nice, but still not very impressive.
Prey Upon image 2.5 As usual, Green has plenty of beefy creatures around that can really take advantage of this. Just pick your spots with it carefully so you don’t get blown out.
Darkblade Agent image 2.5 This isn’t a bad surveil payoff, as it can be really obnoxious as an attacker. Your opponent basically never wants to give you a free card, so they often have to block, and the best they’ll be able to do is trade.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 4: Erstwhile Trooper
Overgrown Tomb image 2.5 These are good fixing.
Creeping Chill image 0.0 Even with surveil, there isn’t a way to build around this enough for it to be worth it – unless you end up with 3+ copies, in which case things start to get interesting. However, ending up with enough Surveil and other self-mill to power it and 3+ copies of this just won’t happen.
League Guildmage image 3.5 Drawing cards with this is where most of the value comes from, but sometimes you have a bunch of extra mana, and copying one of your spells – especially removal or card draw – is a good way to get an advantage.
Maximize Altitude image 2.0 This is a nice tool for aggressive Izzet decks, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also allowing you to attack pretty hard with one of your creatures in the air.
Maniacal Rage image 1.5 This is a big boost for the cost, and it has the upside of being able to turn off an opposing blocker, but its still an Aura that can really result in you getting blown out, and it doesn’t quite do enough to overcome that.
Goblin Electromancer image 3.0 Reducing the cost of spells is a pretty big deal, so its nice that it comes in a two mana 2/2 package.
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Erstwhile Trooper image 1.0 This only letting you discard creatures is a huge problem. The idea is to set up Undergrowth, but you’d much rather get a real effect out of your creatures before they go to the graveyard, and buffing this +2/+2 doesn’t really qualify as a “real” effect.
Wild Ceratok image 1.5 This stat-line is passable if you’re desperate for a four drop.
Vedalken Mesmerist image 1.5 It isn’t a complete disaster if you play this as your two drop, but it isn’t something you should be happy about either. Its attack trigger rarely does enough.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 5: Pitiless Gorgon
Beamsplitter Mage image 2.0 There aren’t really enough good ways to abuse the Mage’s ability, though there are a few, and at worse it is a two mana 2/2.
Wand of Vertebrae image 0.5 This is sideboard material to be brought in against really graveyard-heavy decks.
Pitiless Gorgon image 2.0 Deathtouchers can trade with anything which is sweet – but the more they cost, the less impressive that becomes, since you won’t be getting a mana advantage out of a trade nearly as often.
Sumala Woodshaper image 3.0 This will usually draw you a card, and that means it typically represents a 2-for-1, which goes a long way towards making up for its bad stats. You do want to make sure you have like 18 cards in your deck it can hit, but that’s not a big challenge.
Severed Strands image 2.0 Making Bone Splinters cost an additional mana is a bummer, and one that isn’t solved by the life gain effect. Still, it can kill stuff pretty efficiently, and if you have expendable creatures it feels pretty good.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Intrusive Packbeast image 2.0 Having one of these in aggressive decks isn’t too bad, as it can often allow you to swing for lethal if you’re curving out, but it is also a card you end up cutting pretty often, and certainly not something you need in those decks.
Mephitic Vapors image 2.0 This isn’t a bad card for countering the aggressive decks in the format, as it can often do some significant damage to their board, and getting to Surveil can help you find what you need.
Candlelight Vigil image 1.0 The boost this gives is significant, but the risk of a 2-for-1 is very real, and it generally isn’t worth the risk.
Centaur Peacemaker image 2.0 While it isn’t great giving your opponent life, the fact that you both get it does mean you are coming out ahead from this card since..you know, you’re also getting this creature, so it isn’t as bad as it might seem.
Selesnya Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 6: Plaguecrafter
Plaguecrafter image 3.0 Creatures with Edicts stapled to them always tend to be solid, and I think that’s the case here. The addition of the discard effect is nice, since sometimes having an edict creature is a bummer if your opponent doesn’t play anything, and this makes sure you get a card one way or another.
Thoughtbound Phantasm image 2.5 A one mana 2/2 with Defender is kind of an okay blocker in the early game that can at least trade, and then this is a pretty powerful Surveil payoff that can just get massive. Obviously, its at its best in UB, but it isn’t too bad in UW either.
Erstwhile Trooper image 1.0 This only letting you discard creatures is a huge problem. The idea is to set up Undergrowth, but you’d much rather get a real effect out of your creatures before they go to the graveyard, and buffing this +2/+2 doesn’t really qualify as a “real” effect.
Severed Strands image 2.0 Making Bone Splinters cost an additional mana is a bummer, and one that isn’t solved by the life gain effect. Still, it can kill stuff pretty efficiently, and if you have expendable creatures it feels pretty good.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Dazzling Lights image 1.5 This kind of effect is pretty underwhelming, as it just doesn’t accomplish enough most of the time. However, the fact that this format has a spell deck definitely upgrades it a bit, and Surveil isn’t too bad either.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Burglar Rat image 2.0 We see two mana 1/1s that make an opponent discard reasonably often, and they are always decent, though your opponent discarding a Jump-Start card to this can be a little painful.
Dimir Informant image 2.5 This has decent defensive stats, and Surveil 2 is some pretty nice card selection, even independent of the various payoffs in the format.
Dimir Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 7: Ochran Assassin
Ochran Assassin image 2.5 This can create some nasty situations, since it draws the attention of all opposing blockers, which means you can get a pretty nice attack through. Because it has death touch, it also lets you kill at least one blocking creature. Still, this has horrible stats and can be dealt with very cheaply by your opponent.
Grappling Sundew image 0.5 This is mostly a sideboard card. Its activated ability is insanely expensive and really not that impressive, but it isn’t bad to side in against a deck with lots of fliers.
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Radical Idea image 2.0 This is pretty nice in UR decks because of the spell-triggers, and it isn’t bad in UW control decks either.
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Dimir Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Wild Ceratok image 1.5 This stat-line is passable if you’re desperate for a four drop.
Garrison Sergeant image 1.5 In a deck with a lot of Gates this is a decent playable, though a 5-mana 3/3 with Double Strike isn’t exactly amazing either.
Selesnya Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Status
Discovery image 3.0 The Discovery half of this is generally the better one, since it can be used in so many situations and it gives you some pretty good card selection. Dispersal can be pretty sweet though, especially if your opponent has an empty hand when you cast it.
Status image 4.0 Statue is the far more powerful side here, and would be a great removal spell on its own, so the fact that this comes with the upside of also being a trick is nice.
Ochran Assassin image 2.5 This can create some nasty situations, since it draws the attention of all opposing blockers, which means you can get a pretty nice attack through. Because it has death touch, it also lets you kill at least one blocking creature. Still, this has horrible stats and can be dealt with very cheaply by your opponent.
Kraul Foragers image 2.5 This isn’t a terrible Undergrowth payoff. As long as you are gaining 2+ life with it, it feels pretty good, and it is often enough to help you stabilize against more aggressive decks.
Izzet Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Maniacal Rage image 1.5 This is a big boost for the cost, and it has the upside of being able to turn off an opposing blocker, but its still an Aura that can really result in you getting blown out, and it doesn’t quite do enough to overcome that.
Veiled Shade image 2.0 A Gray Ogre isn’t very good, but this being able to pump its stats does make it into a pretty interesting attacker.
Izzet Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 9: Bartizan Bats
Silent Dart image 1.5 If you need removal, this can do it – though it isn’t exactly efficient.
Invert image 1.0 Most of the split cards in this format are pretty nice in Limited…but not this one. Invert’s effect is way too situational and hard to make matter, while Invent is a super expensive tutor for spells. And sure, you do get two spells, which means you’re netting cards, but I’m still not impressed.
Bartizan Bats image 2.0 3 power on a flyer for 4 mana is a decent deal…but the one toughness is pretty rough, as it means your opponent can often trade up for this thing with cheap removal or 1/1 flying tokens.
Moodmark Painter image 1.0 This Common is a big part of why Golgari decks in this format struggle, because it just isn’t very good, and its supposed to be a key Common for that deck! It has bad stats, and while the boost it offers can be nice, it usually isn’t enough for this card to be very good.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Radical Idea image 2.0 This is pretty nice in UR decks because of the spell-triggers, and it isn’t bad in UW control decks either.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 10: Ironshell Beetle
Swathcutter Giant image 2.0 This card just isn’t really what Boros decks are doing in this format. It is reasonably efficient and can kill some small creatures, but Boros decks aren’t typically running six drops.
Urban Utopia image 1.5 This fixes decently and replaces itself, but you just don’t really need it in this format, as Gates are pretty easy to come by.
Hitchclaw Recluse image 2.0 We see this card a lot, and its always pretty decent. Green can’t always deal with flyers very effectively, and this can help in that regard.
Ironshell Beetle image 2.5 This kind of card is always pretty nice. Early, it can just be the two mana 2/2 you need, and late it can come down and put the counter on something better.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Selesnya Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 11: Prey Upon
Child of Night image 2.0 This has decent stats and lifelink. Not much more to say about it!
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Prey Upon image 2.5 As usual, Green has plenty of beefy creatures around that can really take advantage of this. Just pick your spots with it carefully so you don’t get blown out.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 12: Golgari Guildgate
Maximize Altitude image 2.0 This is a nice tool for aggressive Izzet decks, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also allowing you to attack pretty hard with one of your creatures in the air.
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Wild Ceratok image 1.5 This stat-line is passable if you’re desperate for a four drop.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 2 Pick 13: Wall of Mist
Sumala Woodshaper image 3.0 This will usually draw you a card, and that means it typically represents a 2-for-1, which goes a long way towards making up for its bad stats. You do want to make sure you have like 18 cards in your deck it can hit, but that’s not a big challenge.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Centaur Peacemaker image 2.0 While it isn’t great giving your opponent life, the fact that you both get it does mean you are coming out ahead from this card since..you know, you’re also getting this creature, so it isn’t as bad as it might seem.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Severed Strands
Severed Strands image 2.0 Making Bone Splinters cost an additional mana is a bummer, and one that isn’t solved by the life gain effect. Still, it can kill stuff pretty efficiently, and if you have expendable creatures it feels pretty good.
Dazzling Lights image 1.5 This kind of effect is pretty underwhelming, as it just doesn’t accomplish enough most of the time. However, the fact that this format has a spell deck definitely upgrades it a bit, and Surveil isn’t too bad either.
Pack 2 Pick 15: Selesnya Locket
Selesnya Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Pack 3 Pick 1: Guildmages' Forum
Guildmages' Forum image 3.0 Filter lands are not normally very good, but this one comes with the nice payoff of making your multicolored creatures bigger if you use the mana from it to cast them, and that’s a pretty big deal.
Lotleth Giant image 2.0 This is decent top-curve to have in any deck with lots of creatures and graveyard stuff going on, as if it can do 3+ damage you don’t feel terrible about your investment, and it can often do far more than that. It is unfortunately pretty clunky in a format where there are very real aggro decks, and the Golgari decks come together the least consistently.
Goblin Cratermaker image 3.5 This is a bear with great upside – being able to Shock a creature or destroy an Artifact is very nice utility.
Demotion image 2.0 RW decks in this format can be really aggressive, and this tends to be a solid inclusion in those decks, as turning off blocking and activated abilities is usually enough for you to keep on attacking, and the fact it costs one mana probably also means you still have mana to play another creature or use a combat trick. Outside of that deck, it isn’t nearly as good.
Ledev Guardian image 1.5 This isn’t that great whether you cast it or power it out with Convoke.
Hitchclaw Recluse image 2.0 We see this card a lot, and its always pretty decent. Green can’t always deal with flyers very effectively, and this can help in that regard.
Command the Storm image 2.5 This has bad stats, and its combat damage trigger is only useful in very narrow situations.
Vicious Rumors image 1.0 This does a bunch of small stuff, but all of it is pretty irrelevant most of the time.
Fire Urchin image 2.0 Not too bad of a payoff if you’re in the aggressive Izzet deck, but certainly not one you go after very aggressively.
Pack's Favor image 1.5 This is a decent trick, and it is sweet that sometimes you can cast it when you seemingly have no mana.
Gravitic Punch image 0.0 // 2.5 This is pretty much only playable in more aggressive Izzet decks that have various creatures whose power goes up when you cast spells. In those situations, this isn’t a bad way to do the last damage to your opponent. In all the other decks though, its unplayable. Cards that just do damage to an opponent usually aren’t great, and that’s still mostly true here.
Dead Weight image 3.5 This kills a whole lot of stuff in this format for only one mana – including significantly more expensive creatures, and that makes it pretty great.
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Dimir Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Dimir Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 2: Izoni, Thousand-Eyed
Izoni, Thousand-Eyed image 5.0 Three mana counterspells are usually pretty mediocre in Limited, and this doing 2 damage to your opponent doesn’t do enough to make up for that.
Ledev Champion image 3.0 Tapping down a bunch of your stuff seems like it would be pretty bad – and, it is a downside, but it also means that this creature can often attack when your others can’t anyway. It is sort of like all of your creatures having exalted. That, coupled with the ability to make tokens, makes this a pretty nice card.
Glowspore Shaman image 3.5 This is one of the best enablers for the Golgari deck, as it often stocks your graveyard to get undergrowth and other value stuff going.
Enhanced Surveillance image 1.0 Surveiling is pretty nice, but using a whole card to slightly improve all of your decks surveil effects isn’t a great plan, since that’s a pretty minor effect. Shuffling your graveyard into your library might be nice if your deck is the most insane Surveil deck ever, but most of the time it is best to steer clear of this.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Righteous Blow image 2.0 This kills things fairly efficiently, but it is too situational to be anything special. You’ll run it if you’re desperate for removal.
Loxodon Restorer image 2.0 This is a decent way to stabilize against aggro decks, as the life gain and the body do a pretty good job of helping you hold on. If you’re a slower White deck, the first of these is usually going to make your deck. While, if you’re more aggressive you’re not going to have any reason to play it.
Hammer Dropper image 2.0 This statline is pretty ugly, but the high power does mean it can Mentor pretty easily, and your opponent also kind of has to block it or things can get out of hand.
Blade Instructor image 2.0 This can pretty frequently attack and put a counter on something, and because of its 3 power your opponent often can’t do anything but trade with it. Which…if they have a 1/1 token doesn’t feel great, but you still get a counter out of the deal.
Hired Poisoner image 2.5 One mana 1/1s with Deathtouch are pretty much always a 2.5. They are cheap and they can trade for anything, which is nice.
Rhizome Lurcher image 2.0 This is another pretty disappointing Common Undergrowth card. It isn’t bad, but the upside here usually isn’t all that great by turn 4 – getting a 3/3 or a 4/4 is what you can expect.
Sumala Woodshaper image 3.0 This will usually draw you a card, and that means it typically represents a 2-for-1, which goes a long way towards making up for its bad stats. You do want to make sure you have like 18 cards in your deck it can hit, but that’s not a big challenge.
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Izzet Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Siege Wurm
Flight of Equenauts image 2.5 This underperforms a little bit. The format can be somewhat fast, and while you can definitely power this out for 5 or 6 mana, sometimes that’s just a little too late. It is still a pretty nice finisher, especially in GW, but not as incredible as it looks at first glance.
Selective Snare image 1.5 It is pretty tricky to get decent value out of this. Bouncing is already an effect where you’re usually going down a card and your opponent isn’t. You do get the tempo advantage of course, but it is tough for this to be worth it, especially because the creature type thing doesn’t line up nearly as much as you’d like.
Might of the Masses image 2.0 This can give a pretty real boost for the cost, but the fact it is so reliant on the rest of your board is a problem.
Devious Cover-Up image 1.0 // 2.5 This is a pretty bad counterspell in most decks in the format. Four mana to counter something tends to be way too clunky, and shuffling cards into your deck isn’t that big of a deal. However, the UW decks in this format can sometimes end up in very real controlling builds where Devious Cover-Up is actually a quality card, especially if you have two of them to loop. You can just lock down the board and outvalue your opponent until their dead! So, this gets a build around grade. In the right deck, it is pretty legit – but don’t try to play it in any old Blue deck.
Boros Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Siege Wurm image 3.0 This is pretty powerful if you can power it out on turn 5 and really, it is big enough to be relevant all game long. You definitely need to be good at going a little wide to take full advantage, but its well worth it.
Pack's Favor image 1.5 This is a decent trick, and it is sweet that sometimes you can cast it when you seemingly have no mana.
Radical Idea image 2.0 This is pretty nice in UR decks because of the spell-triggers, and it isn’t bad in UW control decks either.
Candlelight Vigil image 1.0 The boost this gives is significant, but the risk of a 2-for-1 is very real, and it generally isn’t worth the risk.
Centaur Peacemaker image 2.0 While it isn’t great giving your opponent life, the fact that you both get it does mean you are coming out ahead from this card since..you know, you’re also getting this creature, so it isn’t as bad as it might seem.
Ironshell Beetle image 2.5 This kind of card is always pretty nice. Early, it can just be the two mana 2/2 you need, and late it can come down and put the counter on something better.
Cosmotronic Wave image 2.5 This is a really nice card for aggressive Izzet and Boros decks, as it often wins you the game. It is a key card in those decks, but also not something you want to go after super early, since it is pretty much only good in those decks – where you’ll always want 1-2 copies of it.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 4: Deadly Visit
Truefire Captain image 3.5 This is a nice mentor creature, and doing damage to players any time it gets damaged is sweet too, because it means just trading for this in combat will also hurt your opponent – as will burn spells they point at it.
Thought Erasure image 2.5 This is pretty efficient disruption – we usually see this effect for three mana - and adding Surveil 1 to the mix is pretty sweet.
Hunted Witness image 2.5 One mana 1/1s that leave behind 1/1s tend to be pretty decent in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially with White aggro decks being so real in the format.
Golgari Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Deadly Visit image 3.5 This answers pretty much anything, and getting to Surveil on top of that is pretty sweet.
Maniacal Rage image 1.5 This is a big boost for the cost, and it has the upside of being able to turn off an opposing blocker, but its still an Aura that can really result in you getting blown out, and it doesn’t quite do enough to overcome that.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Righteous Blow image 2.0 This kills things fairly efficiently, but it is too situational to be anything special. You’ll run it if you’re desperate for removal.
Barging Sergeant image 2.5 This can add a ton of damage to the board in a hurry, as it is capable of Mentoring most creatures. Its usually going to die during the attack, but the value it gives you is incredibly good.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 5: Assassin's Trophy
Assassin's Trophy image 3.5 This is very risky to use early, as ramping your opponent probably isn’t worth killing their two drop! However, by the late game, the downside of the card becomes increasingly irrelevant, and overall this is a great removal spell.
Grappling Sundew image 0.5 This is mostly a sideboard card. Its activated ability is insanely expensive and really not that impressive, but it isn’t bad to side in against a deck with lots of fliers.
Maximize Altitude image 2.0 This is a nice tool for aggressive Izzet decks, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also allowing you to attack pretty hard with one of your creatures in the air.
Bartizan Bats image 2.0 3 power on a flyer for 4 mana is a decent deal…but the one toughness is pretty rough, as it means your opponent can often trade up for this thing with cheap removal or 1/1 flying tokens.
Loxodon Restorer image 2.0 This is a decent way to stabilize against aggro decks, as the life gain and the body do a pretty good job of helping you hold on. If you’re a slower White deck, the first of these is usually going to make your deck. While, if you’re more aggressive you’re not going to have any reason to play it.
Blade Instructor image 2.0 This can pretty frequently attack and put a counter on something, and because of its 3 power your opponent often can’t do anything but trade with it. Which…if they have a 1/1 token doesn’t feel great, but you still get a counter out of the deal.
Spinal Centipede image 2.5 This has decent stats, and it leaves some value behind as long as you have another creature – and usually you do!
Portcullis Vine image 1.0 Its nice that you can throw this away for a card when it isn’t useful. Problem is, it usually isn’t useful, and paying 3 mana to draw a card isn’t exactly a deal.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Tenth District Guard image 1.5 This has okay starting stats, but its ETB ability is irrelevant about 90% of the time, and that means this isn’t that much better than a vanilla two mana 2/2.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 6: Undercity Uprising
Crush Contraband image 0.5 This is sideboard material. There aren’t enough artifacts and enchantments that do stuff to main deck this. When you do get to blow up one of each it feels pretty awesome, though!
Boros Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Kraul Foragers image 2.5 This isn’t a terrible Undergrowth payoff. As long as you are gaining 2+ life with it, it feels pretty good, and it is often enough to help you stabilize against more aggressive decks.
Vigorspore Wurm image 2.0 This is a passable Undergrowth payoff, as it usually gives a relevant stats boost. The fact it can’t be double blocked is pretty real too, and this creature is surprisingly difficult to stop in combat.
Undercity Uprising image 1.5 This is a pretty big underperformer. Deathtouch + Fight seems like a good idea, and your whole board even gets Deathtouch! But it turns out there are many board states where you can’t really do anything profitable with this. Sure, your creature you fight with can kill anything, but you’re frequently 2-for-1ing yourself when you do it, and death touch on your board isn’t a big help, though it does help you attack better sometimes. This being clunky and sorcery speed also sets you up to get blown out.
Collar the Culprit image 1.5 This is clunky for how situational it is. Being an instant is nice, though.
Hunted Witness image 2.5 One mana 1/1s that leave behind 1/1s tend to be pretty decent in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially with White aggro decks being so real in the format.
Selesnya Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 7: Glowspore Shaman
Glowspore Shaman image 3.5 This is one of the best enablers for the Golgari deck, as it often stocks your graveyard to get undergrowth and other value stuff going.
Enhanced Surveillance image 1.0 Surveiling is pretty nice, but using a whole card to slightly improve all of your decks surveil effects isn’t a great plan, since that’s a pretty minor effect. Shuffling your graveyard into your library might be nice if your deck is the most insane Surveil deck ever, but most of the time it is best to steer clear of this.
Barrier of Bones image 1.5 0-mana 0/3s with Defender are rarely very good in Limited, and that doesn’t really change here, even with Surveil 1.
Disdainful Stroke image 1.5 This is mostly a sideboard card, though it isn’t a complete disaster to have one in your main deck, as most decks in this format have enough targets for it. The real problem is running into a RW deck, which doesn’t tend to have many targets.
Portcullis Vine image 1.0 Its nice that you can throw this away for a card when it isn’t useful. Problem is, it usually isn’t useful, and paying 3 mana to draw a card isn’t exactly a deal.
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Ornery Goblin image 2.5 This is a surprisingly pesky two-drop that is pretty difficult to attack through or block profitably in the early game, and that’s pretty nice.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is nice fixing that happens to be a Gate, though having to effectively pay one mana for it is a bit of a bummer.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 8: Pitiless Gorgon
Circuitous Route image 2.5 If you need to ramp and you have an interest in gates, this is a pretty decent inclusion, but be careful using a card that doesn’t add to the board at all!
Ironshell Beetle image 2.5 This kind of card is always pretty nice. Early, it can just be the two mana 2/2 you need, and late it can come down and put the counter on something better.
Moodmark Painter image 1.0 This Common is a big part of why Golgari decks in this format struggle, because it just isn’t very good, and its supposed to be a key Common for that deck! It has bad stats, and while the boost it offers can be nice, it usually isn’t enough for this card to be very good.
Wall of Mist image 1.5 This is passable in the Blue control decks in the format, but you’re probably hoping for defensive creatures that are more impactful than this.
Notion Rain image 2.5 This is a pretty powerful Divination variant, as Surveil 2 really helps you see a lot of cards. The damage is well worth it, and you pretty much always want the first copy of this in your UB decks.
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Pitiless Gorgon image 2.0 Deathtouchers can trade with anything which is sweet – but the more they cost, the less impressive that becomes, since you won’t be getting a mana advantage out of a trade nearly as often.
Izzet Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Lotleth Giant
Lotleth Giant image 2.0 This is decent top-curve to have in any deck with lots of creatures and graveyard stuff going on, as if it can do 3+ damage you don’t feel terrible about your investment, and it can often do far more than that. It is unfortunately pretty clunky in a format where there are very real aggro decks, and the Golgari decks come together the least consistently.
Ledev Guardian image 1.5 This isn’t that great whether you cast it or power it out with Convoke.
Hitchclaw Recluse image 2.0 We see this card a lot, and its always pretty decent. Green can’t always deal with flyers very effectively, and this can help in that regard.
Vicious Rumors image 1.0 This does a bunch of small stuff, but all of it is pretty irrelevant most of the time.
Pack's Favor image 1.5 This is a decent trick, and it is sweet that sometimes you can cast it when you seemingly have no mana.
Sonic Assault image 3.0 This is a key card in aggressive Izzet decks, as it represents a ton of damage. Obviously there’s the two damage that it does, but because you also tap down a creature, you make it easier for your creatures to get in for damage – and because its an Instant, you often get some additional bonuses to trigger with the cards you have in play. So, casting this and Jump-Starting it in the same turn often means game over!
Dimir Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Pack 3 Pick 10: Glowspore Shaman
Ledev Champion image 3.0 Tapping down a bunch of your stuff seems like it would be pretty bad – and, it is a downside, but it also means that this creature can often attack when your others can’t anyway. It is sort of like all of your creatures having exalted. That, coupled with the ability to make tokens, makes this a pretty nice card.
Glowspore Shaman image 3.5 This is one of the best enablers for the Golgari deck, as it often stocks your graveyard to get undergrowth and other value stuff going.
Enhanced Surveillance image 1.0 Surveiling is pretty nice, but using a whole card to slightly improve all of your decks surveil effects isn’t a great plan, since that’s a pretty minor effect. Shuffling your graveyard into your library might be nice if your deck is the most insane Surveil deck ever, but most of the time it is best to steer clear of this.
Loxodon Restorer image 2.0 This is a decent way to stabilize against aggro decks, as the life gain and the body do a pretty good job of helping you hold on. If you’re a slower White deck, the first of these is usually going to make your deck. While, if you’re more aggressive you’re not going to have any reason to play it.
Rhizome Lurcher image 2.0 This is another pretty disappointing Common Undergrowth card. It isn’t bad, but the upside here usually isn’t all that great by turn 4 – getting a 3/3 or a 4/4 is what you can expect.
Devkarin Dissident image 2.0 This is a bear with some mediocre late-game upside, which means it is decent enough.
Pack 3 Pick 11: Golgari Guildgate
Boros Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Pack's Favor image 1.5 This is a decent trick, and it is sweet that sometimes you can cast it when you seemingly have no mana.
Centaur Peacemaker image 2.0 While it isn’t great giving your opponent life, the fact that you both get it does mean you are coming out ahead from this card since..you know, you’re also getting this creature, so it isn’t as bad as it might seem.
Ironshell Beetle image 2.5 This kind of card is always pretty nice. Early, it can just be the two mana 2/2 you need, and late it can come down and put the counter on something better.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 12: Golgari Locket
Golgari Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Maniacal Rage image 1.5 This is a big boost for the cost, and it has the upside of being able to turn off an opposing blocker, but its still an Aura that can really result in you getting blown out, and it doesn’t quite do enough to overcome that.
Pause for Reflection image 0.0 As usual, Fog isn’t really worth playing in Limited.
Boros Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 13: Portcullis Vine
Bartizan Bats image 2.0 3 power on a flyer for 4 mana is a decent deal…but the one toughness is pretty rough, as it means your opponent can often trade up for this thing with cheap removal or 1/1 flying tokens.
Portcullis Vine image 1.0 Its nice that you can throw this away for a card when it isn’t useful. Problem is, it usually isn’t useful, and paying 3 mana to draw a card isn’t exactly a deal.
Golgari Guildgate image 2.5 These are good fixing, but they get bonus points because there are several cards in the set that pay you off for playing Gates.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Kraul Foragers
Boros Locket image 2.0 These are all fine. They can help you splash a color, they ramp you a bit, and you can cash them in for cards in the late game, which is good – because drawing mana rocks great is pretty bad.
Kraul Foragers image 2.5 This isn’t a terrible Undergrowth payoff. As long as you are gaining 2+ life with it, it feels pretty good, and it is often enough to help you stabilize against more aggressive decks.
Pack 3 Pick 15: Douser of Lights
Douser of Lights image 2.0 This might look like the usually mediocre vanilla creature that you’ll just never play…but it turns out that a 5-mana 4/5 is very reasonable in this format’s more controlling decks. It blocks a whole lot of stuff and even attacks surprisingly well.
Draft Pick Overview