Ok let's begin with the final thoughts and overview of this article, beginning with the basics the mythics and cards that will effect the standard format i feel for months to come out of M11, first on the list is well Time Reversal, dear lord is this gonna be broken or what, i mean to reset the game almost and get seven cards, plus all graveyard cards back on the same turn is so ridiculous, this card has already been priced at 25 bucks US, so expect this price to skyrocket in the months to come.
Next on the list of course is Baneslayer Angel, the staple card for most white decks and doesn't go cheap at 50 dollars US as of the moment, i'm expecting this to come back in a big way when the set premieres at the middle of this month, hopefully it won't be too hectic. but in all honesty i think it will be.
There is another card on the list i feel will work wonders when it comes to standard, Frost Titan, blue decks will love this due to it's abilities and the fact it taps creatures, all blue loves to control, mono blue doesn't get shafted, even if it is a mere 4 and 2 blue mana to cast when it comes down to the meat and potatoes.
Ok now it's time to discuss the titan cycle for the set, since there is one for each color, let's begin with black, for a 6/6 it seems well enough but grave titan is more then a bomb card, as it produces 2 2/2 zombies for free as well as it does this each time it attacks or enters the battlefield, for 10 power worth of creatures this so is worth every penny at a mythic rare, as well as the others, i would think the green one is the best to be honest, since it drops 2 extra lands each time it enters the field, plus it does it when it attacks, so the titan cycle has proven dominant thus far, meaning a few of these might be huge bombs in the long run, overall the titan cycle as i call it, it's awesome, now i'd like to close out this article with authority, the prelease card is the white titan sun titan for this set, i love core sets when they come, see ya next time.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 6 [Artifacts and Lands]
This will include the last few cards of this set, the artifacts and lands combined, seeing as there are only 29 cards remaining in the set, other then the base 200 which are 40 from each color let's start with the basics.
Angel's Feather - First of the 5 basis for life gain for this set, as always i loved collecting these things for kicks, since they were always uncommon
Brittle Effigy - 1 for a 4 mana removal spell, that you gotta sac this and everything, it's not necessary but it's somewhat ok.
Crystal Ball - Paying 3 for a card that has the ability to scry is nice but here's the catch for this one, pay 1 converted and tap it to scry 2, so you get to look at the top 2 cards of your deck, arrange them in whatever order you want, then put them back in that order, this useful for planning ahead on your next turn if you got the spare mana, though it's a draft only card i would think.
Demon's Horn - Black's life gain spell for this set, overall good to see this
Dragon's Claw - Another reprint of the red life gain spell, not bad, not bad.
Elixir Of Immortality - Well this is new 1 for a 2 mana card that taps, you get 5 life and it goes back into the deck and shuffles it, wow, this seems like the new thing for this kind of set, the core set is as strong as expected with few really bad cards.
Gargoyle Sentinel - 3 for a 3/3 defender that has the ability to pay it's mana cost to become a flyer and lose defender, not nice really as you gotta do this constantly, as a uncommon it's a draft only card for sure due to this, as this card doesn't seem that fun.
Jinxed Idol - Wow, forcing you to lose life, but this seems like the kind of thing the opponent will hate if you sacrifice a creature cause it forces a opponent to take this, not bad wizards, clever.
Juggernaut - 4 for a 5/3 attacker that has to attack each turn if able, as well as being not blocked by walls, goodbye wall of omens and defender decks, this is the perfect answer for those decks, mana fixing can give this to you on turn 3, with the fact it attacks on turn 4, by then there is always 2 walls on the field for defender decks, this is a perfect creature counter to those walls, i like it.
Kraken's Eye - The eye of the kraken sees all, knows all, feels all, also gives life to those whom worship him, my favorite of the 5 life gain artifacts.
Ornithopiter - Seriously the 0 0/2 drop with flying is in the house, wow wizards did dig to the bottom of the barrel, but the draft potential for artifacts is limitless now it would seem.
Platinum Angel - Go figure this would return, the opponent's can't win and you can't lose card has decided to show it's face back in M11 but not as a mythic rare this time, only as a rare, which is weird, though this means there are way better cards for mythics out there.
Sorcerer's Strongbox - For a 4 mana artifact it's ability is all luck based, as you gotta pay 2, tap it then flip a coin and if you win you sac it but draw 3 cards in the process, this is a risky move, since you could only win 50% of the time, this card is also a uncommon so this shows it may be useful for returning cards to your hand, who knows anymore.
Steel Overseer - This is a rare here, a 2 drop for a 1/1 rare with the ability to tap it to give all other artifacts a +1/+1 counter, as well as being a artifact itself, this seems like the basis of a artifact deck that provides counters, espically on massive creatures like darksteel colossus.
Stone Golem - 5 drop for a 4/4 not bad, no effects but not bad overall, this seems like a kind of filler card for a artifact deck and such, not bad, not good.
Sword of Vengenance - Holy fricking crap, akroma's sword dude, lifeline, trample, flying hell even first strike and haste for this baby, plus a +2/+0 when it's equipped to something, geezus, at the rare level it's worth it.
Temple Bell - Wow a card drawing machine in this set, just by paying 3 and tapping this every turn, but the only downside is it gives each player a card, not what you want but it's still useful.
Triskelion - Another reprint, from the mirrodin set, so technically it's awesome to see this back, a lot of weird reprints for this set.
Voltaic Key - Wow a untap artifact, i've not seen this bitch for a while or the type anyways, 1 for a 1 tap, untap target artifact great in condjuction with at least seven different cards in this set, mostly all artifacts.
Warlord Axe - Final equipment for this set, the axe of death as i like to refer to it gives creatures that equip it +3/+1 and is a uncommon nice touch, but the cost to equip this could be a bit cheaper.
Whispersilk Cloak - Shroud and is unblockable when it attaches to a creature, seriously, worth it at all costs, you should get this for some weird ass shroud deck if your making it.
Wurm's Tooth - Green's nasty little teeth, the wurms, they come in droves.
Lands
Dragonskull Summit - Well this is the first of the returning five tap lands unless you got a certain land type in play, as a rare this i figured was coming back, since of course we may have the end of M10 soon, but these cards were very popular i figured this and the four others i am about to talk about were coming, i just knew it.
Drowned Catacomb - The blue black variant, there is not much to speak of since of course they all have the same kind of effect, except different lands, so a lot doesn't need to be said, except the rarity value is gonna skyrocket for these cards.
Glacial Fortress - White, blue's turn in this one, same effects as always, like the fact this is all coming back, makes this lands worth getting again.
Mystifying Maze - Another rare land, which is weird, but it's worth every penny, can't wait to see how this is played.
Rootbound Crag - Probably the most used of the 5 since Red/Green decks are gonna be a lot more common, as well as the fact this was a fashion statement in Naya as well as Jund.
Sunpetal Grove - Green/White's variant for this set, same effects, this was mostly featured in next level bant, just to point out.
Terramorphic Expanse - The final card of the set besides the lands, this is back, need i say more?
Note i am not discussing the basics which are the remaining 20 lands in this set since it's always the same, so there is no point i feel to doing so, thank you for reading the main 6 parts of the article in general, i hope you found this useful.
Angel's Feather - First of the 5 basis for life gain for this set, as always i loved collecting these things for kicks, since they were always uncommon
Brittle Effigy - 1 for a 4 mana removal spell, that you gotta sac this and everything, it's not necessary but it's somewhat ok.
Crystal Ball - Paying 3 for a card that has the ability to scry is nice but here's the catch for this one, pay 1 converted and tap it to scry 2, so you get to look at the top 2 cards of your deck, arrange them in whatever order you want, then put them back in that order, this useful for planning ahead on your next turn if you got the spare mana, though it's a draft only card i would think.
Demon's Horn - Black's life gain spell for this set, overall good to see this
Dragon's Claw - Another reprint of the red life gain spell, not bad, not bad.
Elixir Of Immortality - Well this is new 1 for a 2 mana card that taps, you get 5 life and it goes back into the deck and shuffles it, wow, this seems like the new thing for this kind of set, the core set is as strong as expected with few really bad cards.
Gargoyle Sentinel - 3 for a 3/3 defender that has the ability to pay it's mana cost to become a flyer and lose defender, not nice really as you gotta do this constantly, as a uncommon it's a draft only card for sure due to this, as this card doesn't seem that fun.
Jinxed Idol - Wow, forcing you to lose life, but this seems like the kind of thing the opponent will hate if you sacrifice a creature cause it forces a opponent to take this, not bad wizards, clever.
Juggernaut - 4 for a 5/3 attacker that has to attack each turn if able, as well as being not blocked by walls, goodbye wall of omens and defender decks, this is the perfect answer for those decks, mana fixing can give this to you on turn 3, with the fact it attacks on turn 4, by then there is always 2 walls on the field for defender decks, this is a perfect creature counter to those walls, i like it.
Kraken's Eye - The eye of the kraken sees all, knows all, feels all, also gives life to those whom worship him, my favorite of the 5 life gain artifacts.
Ornithopiter - Seriously the 0 0/2 drop with flying is in the house, wow wizards did dig to the bottom of the barrel, but the draft potential for artifacts is limitless now it would seem.
Platinum Angel - Go figure this would return, the opponent's can't win and you can't lose card has decided to show it's face back in M11 but not as a mythic rare this time, only as a rare, which is weird, though this means there are way better cards for mythics out there.
Sorcerer's Strongbox - For a 4 mana artifact it's ability is all luck based, as you gotta pay 2, tap it then flip a coin and if you win you sac it but draw 3 cards in the process, this is a risky move, since you could only win 50% of the time, this card is also a uncommon so this shows it may be useful for returning cards to your hand, who knows anymore.
Steel Overseer - This is a rare here, a 2 drop for a 1/1 rare with the ability to tap it to give all other artifacts a +1/+1 counter, as well as being a artifact itself, this seems like the basis of a artifact deck that provides counters, espically on massive creatures like darksteel colossus.
Stone Golem - 5 drop for a 4/4 not bad, no effects but not bad overall, this seems like a kind of filler card for a artifact deck and such, not bad, not good.
Sword of Vengenance - Holy fricking crap, akroma's sword dude, lifeline, trample, flying hell even first strike and haste for this baby, plus a +2/+0 when it's equipped to something, geezus, at the rare level it's worth it.
Temple Bell - Wow a card drawing machine in this set, just by paying 3 and tapping this every turn, but the only downside is it gives each player a card, not what you want but it's still useful.
Triskelion - Another reprint, from the mirrodin set, so technically it's awesome to see this back, a lot of weird reprints for this set.
Voltaic Key - Wow a untap artifact, i've not seen this bitch for a while or the type anyways, 1 for a 1 tap, untap target artifact great in condjuction with at least seven different cards in this set, mostly all artifacts.
Warlord Axe - Final equipment for this set, the axe of death as i like to refer to it gives creatures that equip it +3/+1 and is a uncommon nice touch, but the cost to equip this could be a bit cheaper.
Whispersilk Cloak - Shroud and is unblockable when it attaches to a creature, seriously, worth it at all costs, you should get this for some weird ass shroud deck if your making it.
Wurm's Tooth - Green's nasty little teeth, the wurms, they come in droves.
Lands
Dragonskull Summit - Well this is the first of the returning five tap lands unless you got a certain land type in play, as a rare this i figured was coming back, since of course we may have the end of M10 soon, but these cards were very popular i figured this and the four others i am about to talk about were coming, i just knew it.
Drowned Catacomb - The blue black variant, there is not much to speak of since of course they all have the same kind of effect, except different lands, so a lot doesn't need to be said, except the rarity value is gonna skyrocket for these cards.
Glacial Fortress - White, blue's turn in this one, same effects as always, like the fact this is all coming back, makes this lands worth getting again.
Mystifying Maze - Another rare land, which is weird, but it's worth every penny, can't wait to see how this is played.
Rootbound Crag - Probably the most used of the 5 since Red/Green decks are gonna be a lot more common, as well as the fact this was a fashion statement in Naya as well as Jund.
Sunpetal Grove - Green/White's variant for this set, same effects, this was mostly featured in next level bant, just to point out.
Terramorphic Expanse - The final card of the set besides the lands, this is back, need i say more?
Note i am not discussing the basics which are the remaining 20 lands in this set since it's always the same, so there is no point i feel to doing so, thank you for reading the main 6 parts of the article in general, i hope you found this useful.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 5 [Green]
So part 5 of this review/discussion will focus on the green aspect of the 2011 core set, this time it's featuring some massive reprints, a total of 10 reprints in this color thus far have been spoiled, as always new cards will be updated in the articles as they are spoiled.
Acidic Slime - Well as per WOTC, reprints are the order of the day, stone rain meets deathtouch at a 2/2 with 5 converted cost, uncommon level as well, nice to go back to classics.
Autumn's Veil - Protection against Blue/Black yes please, at instant speed yes please, 1 green mana yes please need i say more?
Awakener Druid - Ok so the first card i come to find out that is on the list is this?, well i'll be damned, this retains all it's prior abilites from the previous set, as well as rarity and power/toughness ratio, i highly believe this won't be good outside of drafting though, as there are better cards in this set.
Back To Nature - A brand new destroy all enchantment spell, at instant speed with a 2 drop cost, well this set is getting better and better as time goes on, this of course means this is not much warranted unless of course your dealing with those nasty blue control decks, which use enchantments to lock down opponents, i look forward to hearing of this one and how it is used in the prerelease which is under 2 weeks away.
Birds of Paradise - You've seen it once, you've seen it a million times at this point, birds of paradise is the staple of most sets these days, Birds Of Paradise, there it is, for those who don't know what it does, it is useful in all respects and such, same rare value, as well as effect and everything, one of the 6 staple cards for a green deck.
Brindle Boar - 3 for a 2/2 that you can sac to give 4 life to yourself, white/green lifegain might have a new potential, unless of course your splashing white, if not baneslayer angel is better it all respects, as it works a hell of a lot better and has lifelink, good draft card though for green.
Cudgel Troll - Regeneration, 4/3 for a 4 drop is not bad, not bad at all, espically at the uncommon level i would feel this thing is potential in draft, though we will have to wait and see come the M11 drafts that take place after the release of the set.
Cultivate - Rampant Growth, think of it as this card, but it does twice the amount that this one does, rampant growth as we all have seen is a useful mana fixer, this does twice as much, does double the mana fixing, allows for a land drop on the next turn for those landfall decks and everything., green decks will have a hoot with this one.
Dryad's Favor - A aura that makes forestwalk possible, sign me up please, draft potential just skyrocketed for green due to this i feel.
Duskdale Wurm - Another Wurm in this set, seriously that's 2 so far. for a 7/7 for 7 not bad, with trample, finally wizards gave me what i asked for, nice touch wizards.
Elvish Archdruid - Really replacing imperious perfect with this is even better, since of course everyone is familar with this card i do not need to explain it at all in my own humble opinion
Fauna Shaman - This seems to remind me of another card from M10, but i can't quite place it, oh i know it was Elvish Piper, but it does only searching and put it into your hand for the same cost, this is quite effective and green decks are getting a boost with this year's core set in my opinion of course.
Fog - Another reprint, another time, still at instant speed, mega super common level, same damn effect which prevents combat damage, nothing much else to say, i like it, but i don't like it that is the thing.
Gaea's Revenge - a 7 drop with haste, can't be countered and cannot be the target of abilites from non green permanents, you must be joking this is the 3rd mythic of green too, for a 8/5 it's rather worth it.
Garruk Wildspeaker - First spoiled planeswalker of this set, meaning all five basic planeswalkers are gonna be returning, since they have cards focusing on them in this set, as always his abilites are as follows +1 untap two lands -1 put a 3/3 beast token on the battlefield -4 all creatures get a +3/+3 pump and trample until end of turn, at the mythic level once again, this being one of the better planeswalkers i find, i am finally pleased to speak of one.
Garruk's Companion - For a 2 drop, at the power toughness ratio of 3/2 this seems like a useful card indeed, turn 2 this drops, into turn 3 garruk with the help of another card i'm gonna spoil in this set, so hopefully this turns out to be a focus card in a deck for the future, as i'd sure like to see standard bring out some new deck variants from this set, did i mention it's got trample?.
Garruk's Packleader - 5 drop for a 4/4 but it's effect states when a creature with 3 or less power comes into play you get to draw a card, this is a card drawing engine for sure, as it's merely a uncommon seems like one hell of a card with the card i just finished talking about Garruk's Companion.
Giant Growth - Giant Growth, ok wanna tell me how many sets this card has been in to date, i'll tell you anyways 20 is the magic number i'm looking for, yep this is the first of 2 cards that survived the transition from alpha, bet you can't name the other because it's coming right up.
Giant Spider - This has had the pleasure of also surviving alpha, the second of two cards and the effects are somewhat good, due note this is the only other card besides giant growth to ever be reprinted from alpha, as all other cards that were in last year's set did not make it.
Greater Basilisk - This is one of those brand new cards no one really is sure about anymore, seeing as how it has deathtouch, at a mere 5 mana for a 3/5 doesn't seem all that nice, but you never know as this set has had some surprises that is for sure.
Hornet Sting - Oh baby, this looks like a local flyer bomb, interruption at instant speed, yes please, 1 green mana oh so worth it, nice choice wizards, instead of reprinting some other card.
Hunters's Feast - Another seriously weird life gain spell for this set, not bad, not good, it can only target you, it's good, other players not so much.
Leyline of Vitality - The final leyline in this set, not bad, not good, boosts defender decks nicely, also provides lifegain possibilites, this set seems to be a more common rare then anything.
Llanowar Elves - Ok another reprint, same ability for a mere 1 mana tap it to give one green mana on the board, useful for mana curve decks, i like this card still as it seems to be a useful common for this set, mana fixers everywhere rejoice in the glory that one of the two best mana fixing cards have returned, besides birds of paradise.
Milotic Slime - Are they mad put a uber powerful 5 drop like this into green, i mean when this dies, you get 2 2/2 oozes and then when the oozes die you get 4 1/1 oozes, geezus christ this will be a mono green staple for sure, at the rarity value of what it is worth it every step of the way.
Naturalize - Next reprint on the block is of course this card, enchantment and artifact destroyer for a mere 1 and a green, at instant speed too, ah the good old days, when magic players never had to fear this card, now with the amount of enchantments/artifacts this is gonna be a staple card for drafters.
Obstinate Baloth - Is this the answer for Jund, if it is, where i can get me 4 copies of this nasty little rare, i mean discard can't get rid of it, it gives 4 life when it comes onto the battlefield, at a 2, green, green cost for a 4/4 it's the second coming of the baloths people run.
Overwhelming Stampede - Really this is the new overrun except better and way easier to assign the amount of +1/+1 counters you give creatures, it even gives trample as expected until end of turn, a game winning card suited for a green deck, seems like green is making itself known once again in the magic community.
Plummet - Well this is the new removal for flyers for green, i like it 1 and a green pulls out this interesting instant speed spell in response to just about any flyer, including those pesky little Broodmate Dragon and their tokens, good set so far wizards.
Primal Cocoon - Ok so this is a aura, you can't attack or block with it, but it makes creatures bigger with a +1/+1 counter on your upkeep, so worth it i feel but when you do attack you gotta sacrifice it, i don't know if the counters stay or not, otherwise it makes this card useless if they don't, so this is one of those cards to avoid.
Primeval Titan - The last of the 5 titans in the set, this one gives two extra land drops per turn and has trample for a 6/6 it's almost off the chain, as expected the titans have risen in this set quite nicely, with this being probably the second best one, next to sun titan.
Prized Unicorn - Another 2010 reprint, same effects, same cost, same power/toughness ratio, in essence another card most will avoid come time, as this only does one thing make all creatures block it, for a 3 and a green and a 2/2 this seems like a somewhat dull green card.
Protean Hydra - The hydra that was mythic has been slain, the new one risen in rare value, not mythic, regular rare, excellent decision i feel, all abilites are pretty standard for this card.
Runeclaw Bear - Standard filler material for a 2 drop with 2/2 no abilites, another glory seeker in disguise.
Sacred Wolf - Sacred wolf if sacred indeed, shroud on a 3/1 2 and a green drop, wow, i love shroud green cards and this is no exception, though i feel like it should be a uncommon and not a common but those are my thoughts.
Spined Wurm - 5/4 is a massive um thing for a 5 drop, no abilites and text less as per expected of WOTC, i'd like to see at least trample on this.
Sylvan Ranger - Alright this kind of rampant growth card is back, this time in creature form for a 1/1 for a green and a colorless not all that bad personally, a land fetcher as well with the fact when it comes into play you get a land to search for a basic land though and put it into your hand, nice touch wizards.
Wall of Vines - 0/3 with defender and reach for a mere 1 green mana, so worth it, this can so be a turn one drop and keep you going, but why pull it out on turn 1 when there is nothing to block, so turn 2 is better off since you're gonna fix the mana for turn 1 anyways, still good common.
Yavimaya Wurm - For 4 and 2 green mana a 6/4 trampler isn't that bad in essence, it's a good power creature and not entirely useless, trample damage is so overrated in this set, there's at least 5 cards that have trample so far, i am gonna enjoy drafting this set i feel when the time comes.
Alright that's all she wrote for part 5 of this set, stay tuned for part 6 and the conclusion of the spoilers.
Acidic Slime - Well as per WOTC, reprints are the order of the day, stone rain meets deathtouch at a 2/2 with 5 converted cost, uncommon level as well, nice to go back to classics.
Autumn's Veil - Protection against Blue/Black yes please, at instant speed yes please, 1 green mana yes please need i say more?
Awakener Druid - Ok so the first card i come to find out that is on the list is this?, well i'll be damned, this retains all it's prior abilites from the previous set, as well as rarity and power/toughness ratio, i highly believe this won't be good outside of drafting though, as there are better cards in this set.
Back To Nature - A brand new destroy all enchantment spell, at instant speed with a 2 drop cost, well this set is getting better and better as time goes on, this of course means this is not much warranted unless of course your dealing with those nasty blue control decks, which use enchantments to lock down opponents, i look forward to hearing of this one and how it is used in the prerelease which is under 2 weeks away.
Birds of Paradise - You've seen it once, you've seen it a million times at this point, birds of paradise is the staple of most sets these days, Birds Of Paradise, there it is, for those who don't know what it does, it is useful in all respects and such, same rare value, as well as effect and everything, one of the 6 staple cards for a green deck.
Brindle Boar - 3 for a 2/2 that you can sac to give 4 life to yourself, white/green lifegain might have a new potential, unless of course your splashing white, if not baneslayer angel is better it all respects, as it works a hell of a lot better and has lifelink, good draft card though for green.
Cudgel Troll - Regeneration, 4/3 for a 4 drop is not bad, not bad at all, espically at the uncommon level i would feel this thing is potential in draft, though we will have to wait and see come the M11 drafts that take place after the release of the set.
Cultivate - Rampant Growth, think of it as this card, but it does twice the amount that this one does, rampant growth as we all have seen is a useful mana fixer, this does twice as much, does double the mana fixing, allows for a land drop on the next turn for those landfall decks and everything., green decks will have a hoot with this one.
Dryad's Favor - A aura that makes forestwalk possible, sign me up please, draft potential just skyrocketed for green due to this i feel.
Duskdale Wurm - Another Wurm in this set, seriously that's 2 so far. for a 7/7 for 7 not bad, with trample, finally wizards gave me what i asked for, nice touch wizards.
Elvish Archdruid - Really replacing imperious perfect with this is even better, since of course everyone is familar with this card i do not need to explain it at all in my own humble opinion
Fauna Shaman - This seems to remind me of another card from M10, but i can't quite place it, oh i know it was Elvish Piper, but it does only searching and put it into your hand for the same cost, this is quite effective and green decks are getting a boost with this year's core set in my opinion of course.
Fog - Another reprint, another time, still at instant speed, mega super common level, same damn effect which prevents combat damage, nothing much else to say, i like it, but i don't like it that is the thing.
Gaea's Revenge - a 7 drop with haste, can't be countered and cannot be the target of abilites from non green permanents, you must be joking this is the 3rd mythic of green too, for a 8/5 it's rather worth it.
Garruk Wildspeaker - First spoiled planeswalker of this set, meaning all five basic planeswalkers are gonna be returning, since they have cards focusing on them in this set, as always his abilites are as follows +1 untap two lands -1 put a 3/3 beast token on the battlefield -4 all creatures get a +3/+3 pump and trample until end of turn, at the mythic level once again, this being one of the better planeswalkers i find, i am finally pleased to speak of one.
Garruk's Companion - For a 2 drop, at the power toughness ratio of 3/2 this seems like a useful card indeed, turn 2 this drops, into turn 3 garruk with the help of another card i'm gonna spoil in this set, so hopefully this turns out to be a focus card in a deck for the future, as i'd sure like to see standard bring out some new deck variants from this set, did i mention it's got trample?.
Garruk's Packleader - 5 drop for a 4/4 but it's effect states when a creature with 3 or less power comes into play you get to draw a card, this is a card drawing engine for sure, as it's merely a uncommon seems like one hell of a card with the card i just finished talking about Garruk's Companion.
Giant Growth - Giant Growth, ok wanna tell me how many sets this card has been in to date, i'll tell you anyways 20 is the magic number i'm looking for, yep this is the first of 2 cards that survived the transition from alpha, bet you can't name the other because it's coming right up.
Giant Spider - This has had the pleasure of also surviving alpha, the second of two cards and the effects are somewhat good, due note this is the only other card besides giant growth to ever be reprinted from alpha, as all other cards that were in last year's set did not make it.
Greater Basilisk - This is one of those brand new cards no one really is sure about anymore, seeing as how it has deathtouch, at a mere 5 mana for a 3/5 doesn't seem all that nice, but you never know as this set has had some surprises that is for sure.
Hornet Sting - Oh baby, this looks like a local flyer bomb, interruption at instant speed, yes please, 1 green mana oh so worth it, nice choice wizards, instead of reprinting some other card.
Hunters's Feast - Another seriously weird life gain spell for this set, not bad, not good, it can only target you, it's good, other players not so much.
Leyline of Vitality - The final leyline in this set, not bad, not good, boosts defender decks nicely, also provides lifegain possibilites, this set seems to be a more common rare then anything.
Llanowar Elves - Ok another reprint, same ability for a mere 1 mana tap it to give one green mana on the board, useful for mana curve decks, i like this card still as it seems to be a useful common for this set, mana fixers everywhere rejoice in the glory that one of the two best mana fixing cards have returned, besides birds of paradise.
Milotic Slime - Are they mad put a uber powerful 5 drop like this into green, i mean when this dies, you get 2 2/2 oozes and then when the oozes die you get 4 1/1 oozes, geezus christ this will be a mono green staple for sure, at the rarity value of what it is worth it every step of the way.
Naturalize - Next reprint on the block is of course this card, enchantment and artifact destroyer for a mere 1 and a green, at instant speed too, ah the good old days, when magic players never had to fear this card, now with the amount of enchantments/artifacts this is gonna be a staple card for drafters.
Obstinate Baloth - Is this the answer for Jund, if it is, where i can get me 4 copies of this nasty little rare, i mean discard can't get rid of it, it gives 4 life when it comes onto the battlefield, at a 2, green, green cost for a 4/4 it's the second coming of the baloths people run.
Overwhelming Stampede - Really this is the new overrun except better and way easier to assign the amount of +1/+1 counters you give creatures, it even gives trample as expected until end of turn, a game winning card suited for a green deck, seems like green is making itself known once again in the magic community.
Plummet - Well this is the new removal for flyers for green, i like it 1 and a green pulls out this interesting instant speed spell in response to just about any flyer, including those pesky little Broodmate Dragon and their tokens, good set so far wizards.
Primal Cocoon - Ok so this is a aura, you can't attack or block with it, but it makes creatures bigger with a +1/+1 counter on your upkeep, so worth it i feel but when you do attack you gotta sacrifice it, i don't know if the counters stay or not, otherwise it makes this card useless if they don't, so this is one of those cards to avoid.
Primeval Titan - The last of the 5 titans in the set, this one gives two extra land drops per turn and has trample for a 6/6 it's almost off the chain, as expected the titans have risen in this set quite nicely, with this being probably the second best one, next to sun titan.
Prized Unicorn - Another 2010 reprint, same effects, same cost, same power/toughness ratio, in essence another card most will avoid come time, as this only does one thing make all creatures block it, for a 3 and a green and a 2/2 this seems like a somewhat dull green card.
Protean Hydra - The hydra that was mythic has been slain, the new one risen in rare value, not mythic, regular rare, excellent decision i feel, all abilites are pretty standard for this card.
Runeclaw Bear - Standard filler material for a 2 drop with 2/2 no abilites, another glory seeker in disguise.
Sacred Wolf - Sacred wolf if sacred indeed, shroud on a 3/1 2 and a green drop, wow, i love shroud green cards and this is no exception, though i feel like it should be a uncommon and not a common but those are my thoughts.
Spined Wurm - 5/4 is a massive um thing for a 5 drop, no abilites and text less as per expected of WOTC, i'd like to see at least trample on this.
Sylvan Ranger - Alright this kind of rampant growth card is back, this time in creature form for a 1/1 for a green and a colorless not all that bad personally, a land fetcher as well with the fact when it comes into play you get a land to search for a basic land though and put it into your hand, nice touch wizards.
Wall of Vines - 0/3 with defender and reach for a mere 1 green mana, so worth it, this can so be a turn one drop and keep you going, but why pull it out on turn 1 when there is nothing to block, so turn 2 is better off since you're gonna fix the mana for turn 1 anyways, still good common.
Yavimaya Wurm - For 4 and 2 green mana a 6/4 trampler isn't that bad in essence, it's a good power creature and not entirely useless, trample damage is so overrated in this set, there's at least 5 cards that have trample so far, i am gonna enjoy drafting this set i feel when the time comes.
Alright that's all she wrote for part 5 of this set, stay tuned for part 6 and the conclusion of the spoilers.
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 4 [Red]
Alright then let us begin with the obvious reason why i'm doing this, this is part 4 of 7 of the magic the gathering 2011 core set review and thoughts for the set entitled M11, so let's go
Act of Treason - There are two things this card reminds me of one of them is this right here Traitorous Instinct, which of course does the same thing but gives the creature a +2/+0 boost in addition to haste, two there is so many of these type of red cards, this also somewhat has the same effect Traitor's Clutch which has the same capture effect but gives shadow and it becomes a black card in this instance which is all well and good, so let's see how this one goes down, since this is a common as well.
Ancient Hellkite - Here comes the dragons, this one doesn't seem much different then Flameblast Dragon, which you can choose how much damage you do, but in all sense this seems similar when it attacks, but the damage is always set in stone with it, not bad and not good, but a nice rare to start off the Red portion of this set.
Arc Runner - This so seems like a copy of Hellspark Elemental when you get down to it personally, i mean it has 2 more power, no trample, but it has to be sacrificed at the end step with no unearth or return cost, meh, i've seen better, Hell's Thunder works a lot better then this bitch, stupid common is stupid, unless you want quick strikes a mere 3 mana, Spark Elemental has a better chance of dealing damage on turn 1 then this one has on turn 3.
Berserkers of Blood Ridge - 5 bomb for a 4/4 seriously, it also attacks each and every turn, quite simply a massive beast in terms of auto attacking, reminds me of Ulamog's Crusher so badly except it don't got that nasty annihilator ability or the 8/8 broken power level.
Bloodthirsty Goblin - Seems like a good and decent 1 drop for a 2/2 but the downside is you can't attack unless you do deal noncombat damage, so a lot of spells are needed for this card to work effectively mainly this bad boy right here. Lightning Bolt this does what is desired, easily for a mere one mana, so technically you'd need a ton of burn to do proper damage, draft card only.
Canyon Minotaur - Who'd have thought a 4 cost 3/3 with flavourless text and no abilites would be good, not me, however biased i am towards this card, seems like a middle of the road R/B draft pick.
Chandra Nalaar - +1 you get to deal 1 damage, -X you get to deal X damage to creature, -8 it deals 10 damage to all creatures and players, a win condition if this goes off, as expected with 6 loyalty.
Chandra's Outrage - Well it's about time this enchantment came around, a instant speed 4 drop spell that deals 4 damage to a target creature and 2 damage to it's controller, not bad, not bad at all, it seems familar somehow i can't quite place it, oh right i remember now it doesn't have a equal yet, as far as i know, good 4 drop spell is good, but still a draft only card.
Chandra's Spitfire - This is so much like another card i felt i play with too often, oh that's right it's Kiln Fiend except this gets it's +3/+0 pump from noncombat damage, it's a draft staple though you won't see it in tournament play or anything unless the tournament has a draft in it, not bad, but not that good.
Combust - No way, is this real is this the answer we've been seeking all along to the most annoying white card that's not a planeswalker of course i am talking about Baneslayer Angel, why does this card need to exist, but this is the perfect answer to it, not only does it do exactly five damage to blue and white creatures, but it cannot be countered, wizards you've answered my prayers, sideboarding 4 of these for specific reasons of course is awesome, i love you wizards of the coast.
Cyclops Gladiator - Wow another rare red drop for this set, but it deals damage to creatures with it's power, nice, this is a easy way to clear the board i feel, as it also puts the opposing creature's power onto the damage meter, but worth it regardless in my opinion.
Demolish - Stone Rain But much more expensive, at a 4 converted cost, this seems like a spell most would savour, it's the new stone rain don't get me wrong, but at that cost, seems like a avoid unless your playing land destruction.
Destructive Force - Oh my god, this is so busted it's not even funny, rare, destroys 5 lands for each player, deals a Banefire worth of damage that is counterable, but still massive land destruction seems to have returned here.
Earth Servant - 6 mana for a 4/4 uncommon with a ability as follows it gets a +0/+1 for each mountain you control, mono red decks can make this a 4/10 as long as it has 6 mountains on the field, but it's a relentless creature nonetheless.
Ember Hauler - Ok a 2 red drop for a 2/2 isn't all that bad, i'd like it to have haste but that's asking a bit too much, so let's continue, paying 1 and sacrificing it is it's ability?, isn't that similar to Siege-Gang Commander with his ability sacrificing a goblin to swing 2 damage to creature or player, but it seems a lot worse then it glad it's a uncommon then and not a rare, as it would not be worth a rare price, but more like a junk card rare.
Fiery Hellhound - Wow is all i gotta say to this one a 3 drop for a 2/2 with the ability tap a red to give it +1/+0, nice but not worth it really as the mana could be put to better use, like swinging a lightning bolt, see above for link, next!
Fire Servant - A 5 drop for a 4/3 creature that doubles the damage dealt by instants or sorceries?, well i'll be damned, it does a lot for a simple 5 drop, but then again if it was 2 converted less and had 3/3, it would be good but thankfully it's a uncommon, so it seems worth it to be honest,
Fireball - Fireball, this should speak for itself, another reincarnation card, from M10, seems like it's not changed in the slightest, a good sorcery spell to sling at times and well does multiple targets, nice to bring this one back wizards, this core set is shaping up to be nice.
Fling - Another instant revival spell, aka this was a reprint for those who don't know what it means, just read the card to find out what it does here. Fling, nuff said
Goblin Balloon Brigade - A 1 red cost for a 1/1 that can become a flyer for a mere one red mana, wow, quick striker is quick indeed, so technically this is a good reprint from the old ninth edition to this set, i like the fact ninth edition is getting some love here, if only this wasn't a draft only card i'd get a full playset of this for a goblin deck.
Goblin Chieftain - Well the chief is in the house again for this core set, it's about time too, at the standard casual of a mere 1 and 2 red mana to cast it's worthwhile for a goblin deck to have, i expect to see the goblin decks to return in a more worthwhile fashion, in extended and other various formats including EDH
Goblin Piker - 2 drop for 2/1 nothing really needs to be said about this since of course it is a non ability card, which is all well and good, but a reprint of this with a ability would be nice, like haste or first strike.
Goblin Tunneler - 2 drop for a 1/1, it's ability is intruiging as it makes a power 2 or less creature unblockable when it taps, nice, at the common level, proves to be a intruging idea, so let's see how this card manages to prove itself to me and other players alike.
Hoarding Dragon - Bring on the 2nd dragon of this core set, it even fetches artifacts as well, this intruiges me greatly since it does and when it dies that artifact is allowed to come into play, for a dragon it's a weak one at a mere 4/4 for 5, but it's worth a nice rarity value for this set, seems like good for a artifactesque deck.
Incite - Well well a 1 red instant speed forced attacking spell that turns a creature red as well, seems like ok i'd like to avoid this spell please, the only good thing is the auto attack which is somewhat good, unless your playing titans.
Inferno Titan - Wow this mythic rare seems so overpowered for it's cost and that, a 6/6 for 6 converted that's similar to Shivan Dragon, but stronger and not a flyer, same effect though, same cost and everything, meet shivan 2.0 bigger, badder and better then ever.
Lava Axe - Ok who decided to reprint this card, seriously it's been in 11 sets thus far and needs to go away, i despise 5 cost cards that are spells except for time warp, as well as X mana cost cards, glad it's still a common as it's gonna be easy to draft, get a playset of and everything.
Leyline of Punishment - Well the leylines are back and bad this set, so we've got two full cycles in this set, titans and these bad boys, each one is so worth it, this one i love since damage cannot be prevented and damage cannot be countered in any way, nice touch wizards bringing these suckers back.
Lightning Bolt - My god this awesome 1 drop spell has returned, instant speed as ever, see above in the earlier portions of the article for a link to this card, nuff said.
Magma Phoenix - Seriously the immortal bird had to return for this core set, Limited burn decks are gonna love this 3/3 for 3, not bad wizards, not bad at all.
Prodigal Pyromancer - Is this the new variant of Cunning Sparkmage or something as this seems that way, with the fact it's got the same effect, same casting cost but with 1 power and 1 toughness, cause i swear this is another 2.0 card if i am not mistaken.
Pyretic Ritual - No way, this can't be a instant speed spell, this speeds the mana base for a single turn, but it's worth it in the end this can give turn 5 inferno titan with this card, finally, now are we gonna see dark ritual return?
Revebrate - The red copy spell, yes i've been waiting for this one for a long time, red decks are gonna love this, as well as who knows how many decks will use this card, still good at all costs, worth it.
Shiv's Embrace - A urza's saga reprint, really wizards you gotta delve that far back into the awesome that was urza's block, same ability as last time with giving +2/+2 and flying as well as the red mana for giving a +1/+0 until end of turn, wow, i'm shocked really i am.
Thunder Strike - Another pump spell for red, it's not like we need more of these but, it's a good common it would appear, +2/+0 and first strike means those puppies aka Kiln Fiend are just gonna get better and better
Volcanic Strength - Another new card, this aura though a bit different it gives the +2/+2 but it also gives mountainwalk, weird that a aura gives off mountainwalk oh well seems like a ok aura for this set, looks fun to use too.
Vulshok Berserker - First urza's is tapped into, now mirrodin? this is the exact same card as ever with 3//2 and haste for 4 converted, dear god this is one hell of a revival, i like this, worthwhile and everything, but in essence the same card as always as a common too, not bad wizards, not bad.
Wild Evocation - EDH miracle worker right here, you can play any card with this in play, as long as it's from the top of the deck, still it's awesome to see this miracle worker in the set, i love this idea, so technically i think i might go play EDH once in a while if i get the chance to construct a deck.
Well that's all she wrote for the reds, Stay tuned for part 5 very soon.
Act of Treason - There are two things this card reminds me of one of them is this right here Traitorous Instinct, which of course does the same thing but gives the creature a +2/+0 boost in addition to haste, two there is so many of these type of red cards, this also somewhat has the same effect Traitor's Clutch which has the same capture effect but gives shadow and it becomes a black card in this instance which is all well and good, so let's see how this one goes down, since this is a common as well.
Ancient Hellkite - Here comes the dragons, this one doesn't seem much different then Flameblast Dragon, which you can choose how much damage you do, but in all sense this seems similar when it attacks, but the damage is always set in stone with it, not bad and not good, but a nice rare to start off the Red portion of this set.
Arc Runner - This so seems like a copy of Hellspark Elemental when you get down to it personally, i mean it has 2 more power, no trample, but it has to be sacrificed at the end step with no unearth or return cost, meh, i've seen better, Hell's Thunder works a lot better then this bitch, stupid common is stupid, unless you want quick strikes a mere 3 mana, Spark Elemental has a better chance of dealing damage on turn 1 then this one has on turn 3.
Berserkers of Blood Ridge - 5 bomb for a 4/4 seriously, it also attacks each and every turn, quite simply a massive beast in terms of auto attacking, reminds me of Ulamog's Crusher so badly except it don't got that nasty annihilator ability or the 8/8 broken power level.
Bloodthirsty Goblin - Seems like a good and decent 1 drop for a 2/2 but the downside is you can't attack unless you do deal noncombat damage, so a lot of spells are needed for this card to work effectively mainly this bad boy right here. Lightning Bolt this does what is desired, easily for a mere one mana, so technically you'd need a ton of burn to do proper damage, draft card only.
Canyon Minotaur - Who'd have thought a 4 cost 3/3 with flavourless text and no abilites would be good, not me, however biased i am towards this card, seems like a middle of the road R/B draft pick.
Chandra Nalaar - +1 you get to deal 1 damage, -X you get to deal X damage to creature, -8 it deals 10 damage to all creatures and players, a win condition if this goes off, as expected with 6 loyalty.
Chandra's Outrage - Well it's about time this enchantment came around, a instant speed 4 drop spell that deals 4 damage to a target creature and 2 damage to it's controller, not bad, not bad at all, it seems familar somehow i can't quite place it, oh right i remember now it doesn't have a equal yet, as far as i know, good 4 drop spell is good, but still a draft only card.
Chandra's Spitfire - This is so much like another card i felt i play with too often, oh that's right it's Kiln Fiend except this gets it's +3/+0 pump from noncombat damage, it's a draft staple though you won't see it in tournament play or anything unless the tournament has a draft in it, not bad, but not that good.
Combust - No way, is this real is this the answer we've been seeking all along to the most annoying white card that's not a planeswalker of course i am talking about Baneslayer Angel, why does this card need to exist, but this is the perfect answer to it, not only does it do exactly five damage to blue and white creatures, but it cannot be countered, wizards you've answered my prayers, sideboarding 4 of these for specific reasons of course is awesome, i love you wizards of the coast.
Cyclops Gladiator - Wow another rare red drop for this set, but it deals damage to creatures with it's power, nice, this is a easy way to clear the board i feel, as it also puts the opposing creature's power onto the damage meter, but worth it regardless in my opinion.
Demolish - Stone Rain But much more expensive, at a 4 converted cost, this seems like a spell most would savour, it's the new stone rain don't get me wrong, but at that cost, seems like a avoid unless your playing land destruction.
Destructive Force - Oh my god, this is so busted it's not even funny, rare, destroys 5 lands for each player, deals a Banefire worth of damage that is counterable, but still massive land destruction seems to have returned here.
Earth Servant - 6 mana for a 4/4 uncommon with a ability as follows it gets a +0/+1 for each mountain you control, mono red decks can make this a 4/10 as long as it has 6 mountains on the field, but it's a relentless creature nonetheless.
Ember Hauler - Ok a 2 red drop for a 2/2 isn't all that bad, i'd like it to have haste but that's asking a bit too much, so let's continue, paying 1 and sacrificing it is it's ability?, isn't that similar to Siege-Gang Commander with his ability sacrificing a goblin to swing 2 damage to creature or player, but it seems a lot worse then it glad it's a uncommon then and not a rare, as it would not be worth a rare price, but more like a junk card rare.
Fiery Hellhound - Wow is all i gotta say to this one a 3 drop for a 2/2 with the ability tap a red to give it +1/+0, nice but not worth it really as the mana could be put to better use, like swinging a lightning bolt, see above for link, next!
Fire Servant - A 5 drop for a 4/3 creature that doubles the damage dealt by instants or sorceries?, well i'll be damned, it does a lot for a simple 5 drop, but then again if it was 2 converted less and had 3/3, it would be good but thankfully it's a uncommon, so it seems worth it to be honest,
Fireball - Fireball, this should speak for itself, another reincarnation card, from M10, seems like it's not changed in the slightest, a good sorcery spell to sling at times and well does multiple targets, nice to bring this one back wizards, this core set is shaping up to be nice.
Fling - Another instant revival spell, aka this was a reprint for those who don't know what it means, just read the card to find out what it does here. Fling, nuff said
Goblin Balloon Brigade - A 1 red cost for a 1/1 that can become a flyer for a mere one red mana, wow, quick striker is quick indeed, so technically this is a good reprint from the old ninth edition to this set, i like the fact ninth edition is getting some love here, if only this wasn't a draft only card i'd get a full playset of this for a goblin deck.
Goblin Chieftain - Well the chief is in the house again for this core set, it's about time too, at the standard casual of a mere 1 and 2 red mana to cast it's worthwhile for a goblin deck to have, i expect to see the goblin decks to return in a more worthwhile fashion, in extended and other various formats including EDH
Goblin Piker - 2 drop for 2/1 nothing really needs to be said about this since of course it is a non ability card, which is all well and good, but a reprint of this with a ability would be nice, like haste or first strike.
Goblin Tunneler - 2 drop for a 1/1, it's ability is intruiging as it makes a power 2 or less creature unblockable when it taps, nice, at the common level, proves to be a intruging idea, so let's see how this card manages to prove itself to me and other players alike.
Hoarding Dragon - Bring on the 2nd dragon of this core set, it even fetches artifacts as well, this intruiges me greatly since it does and when it dies that artifact is allowed to come into play, for a dragon it's a weak one at a mere 4/4 for 5, but it's worth a nice rarity value for this set, seems like good for a artifactesque deck.
Incite - Well well a 1 red instant speed forced attacking spell that turns a creature red as well, seems like ok i'd like to avoid this spell please, the only good thing is the auto attack which is somewhat good, unless your playing titans.
Inferno Titan - Wow this mythic rare seems so overpowered for it's cost and that, a 6/6 for 6 converted that's similar to Shivan Dragon, but stronger and not a flyer, same effect though, same cost and everything, meet shivan 2.0 bigger, badder and better then ever.
Lava Axe - Ok who decided to reprint this card, seriously it's been in 11 sets thus far and needs to go away, i despise 5 cost cards that are spells except for time warp, as well as X mana cost cards, glad it's still a common as it's gonna be easy to draft, get a playset of and everything.
Leyline of Punishment - Well the leylines are back and bad this set, so we've got two full cycles in this set, titans and these bad boys, each one is so worth it, this one i love since damage cannot be prevented and damage cannot be countered in any way, nice touch wizards bringing these suckers back.
Lightning Bolt - My god this awesome 1 drop spell has returned, instant speed as ever, see above in the earlier portions of the article for a link to this card, nuff said.
Magma Phoenix - Seriously the immortal bird had to return for this core set, Limited burn decks are gonna love this 3/3 for 3, not bad wizards, not bad at all.
Prodigal Pyromancer - Is this the new variant of Cunning Sparkmage or something as this seems that way, with the fact it's got the same effect, same casting cost but with 1 power and 1 toughness, cause i swear this is another 2.0 card if i am not mistaken.
Pyretic Ritual - No way, this can't be a instant speed spell, this speeds the mana base for a single turn, but it's worth it in the end this can give turn 5 inferno titan with this card, finally, now are we gonna see dark ritual return?
Revebrate - The red copy spell, yes i've been waiting for this one for a long time, red decks are gonna love this, as well as who knows how many decks will use this card, still good at all costs, worth it.
Shiv's Embrace - A urza's saga reprint, really wizards you gotta delve that far back into the awesome that was urza's block, same ability as last time with giving +2/+2 and flying as well as the red mana for giving a +1/+0 until end of turn, wow, i'm shocked really i am.
Thunder Strike - Another pump spell for red, it's not like we need more of these but, it's a good common it would appear, +2/+0 and first strike means those puppies aka Kiln Fiend are just gonna get better and better
Volcanic Strength - Another new card, this aura though a bit different it gives the +2/+2 but it also gives mountainwalk, weird that a aura gives off mountainwalk oh well seems like a ok aura for this set, looks fun to use too.
Vulshok Berserker - First urza's is tapped into, now mirrodin? this is the exact same card as ever with 3//2 and haste for 4 converted, dear god this is one hell of a revival, i like this, worthwhile and everything, but in essence the same card as always as a common too, not bad wizards, not bad.
Wild Evocation - EDH miracle worker right here, you can play any card with this in play, as long as it's from the top of the deck, still it's awesome to see this miracle worker in the set, i love this idea, so technically i think i might go play EDH once in a while if i get the chance to construct a deck.
Well that's all she wrote for the reds, Stay tuned for part 5 very soon.
Friday, June 25, 2010
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 3 [Black]
Alright so let's get this party underway for part 3 of the 7 part review of M11 spoilers, this time it's black's turn to face the spotlight let us begin.
Assassinate - Well this is somewhat good again, killing off target tapped creatures at sorcery speed isn't that bad at least i think so.
Black Knight - As expected this is back, as usual same abilites and such.
Bloodthrone Vampire - Well, well, well this makes a glorious return, so this is a card from the previous set, as it was popular in drafting, wizards brought it back nice call wizards.
Bog Raiders - A swampwalker for 2/2 and 3 converted, not bad, this seems like a middle pick for a draft i would think, since it would come in handy for late game.
Duress - Thoughtseize for spells, this means it's all hell breaking loose at the common level, worth it i feel for black, nice to see this back in the core set too.
Grave Titan - The Black titan of this set, when it comes into play it seems like it's so fucking sick, it meaks 2 2/2 zombie tokens, it also does it when it attacks, that is useful.
Phylactery Lich - for 3 mana you get a 5/5 that is indestrucible and puts a lich counter on a artifact you control, seriously good here if your playing mono black, i love this card for some reason this seems like the dream black card i've been waiting for.
Quag Sickness - Um is this legit, quag sickness is all bout badassery here, -1/-1 for each swamp the controller has and it's a aura too, wow massive broken ass control there.
Assassinate - Well this is somewhat good again, killing off target tapped creatures at sorcery speed isn't that bad at least i think so.
Barony Vampire - Well this color is starting off well already, a 3 drop 3/2 with no abilites, but has a good toughness/power ratio to warrant it to be a somewhat decent card in the set, i think at the common level it's warranting of a vampire.
Black Knight - As expected this is back, as usual same abilites and such.
Blood Tithe - Heavy multiplayer spell is heavy, wow each opponent loses 3 life and you gain that whatever they lose, my goodness how could wizards do this so many nice spells for black this is just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.
Bloodthrone Vampire - Well, well, well this makes a glorious return, so this is a card from the previous set, as it was popular in drafting, wizards brought it back nice call wizards.
Bog Raiders - A swampwalker for 2/2 and 3 converted, not bad, this seems like a middle pick for a draft i would think, since it would come in handy for late game.
Captivating Vampire - Are my eyes deceiving me, is this a damn decent rare for black?, it must be a 3 drop 2/2 with giving vampires +1/+1 and you tap five vampires to gain control of target creature for the rest of the game, is this the new vampire nocturnus i was hearing of, cause it sure as hell seems that way.
Child of Night - Well first reprint of black, this was a ok common when M10 was printed, lifelink as always 2 drop for a 2/1, wish it had first strike and lifelink but that's vampire hexmage i am thinking of, Anyways this seems like a kind of card that would warrant a reprint since it was very common to get a full set in one box of boosters, i look forward to this coming back really.
Corrupt - Is this the new tendrils of corruption, it sure as hell seems this way, i mean same effect, different cost, but as a uncommon, i question the rarity of this card but i'll go with it cause i loved tendrils of corruption when M10 was printed and i'm betting this will be just as good.
Dark Tutelage - Wow another interesting enchantment this year, this is like the 5th one of this core set, you lose life equal to the card you revealed by it's converted mana cost, yikes, this is not a nice card then since you can lose a total of 15 life from a say Emrakul, The Aeons Torn.
Deathmark - Wow a 1 drop removal, how long has it been, the artwork for this baby is still as cool as ever and it removes green and white, perfect against baneslayer angels
Demon at Death's Gate - Wow much, mythic rare you can easily get out on turn 3 by sacrificing 3 creatures and paying 6 life, a 9/9 flying, trampler at the mythic level, yikes i'd love to get me a full playset for black.
Dark Tutelage - Wow another interesting enchantment this year, this is like the 5th one of this core set, you lose life equal to the card you revealed by it's converted mana cost, yikes, this is not a nice card then since you can lose a total of 15 life from a say Emrakul, The Aeons Torn.
Deathmark - Wow a 1 drop removal, how long has it been, the artwork for this baby is still as cool as ever and it removes green and white, perfect against baneslayer angels
Demon at Death's Gate - Wow much, mythic rare you can easily get out on turn 3 by sacrificing 3 creatures and paying 6 life, a 9/9 flying, trampler at the mythic level, yikes i'd love to get me a full playset for black.
Diabolic Tutor - Well who didn't see this one coming, one of the last core sets most popular black cards, same effect as last year at the same cost, as a uncommon as always, i somewhat liked this card but it had that bad aftertaste that sorta screwed you over, well we will see when the time comes.
Disentomb - Revival is back, as per expected, for 1 black mana it's worth it for a common, expect to see Grixis style unearth decks back in the future for extended.
Disentomb - Revival is back, as per expected, for 1 black mana it's worth it for a common, expect to see Grixis style unearth decks back in the future for extended.
Doom Blade - Same broken card, same bat channel, 2 drop instant speed, common, the works pretty much removes all non black cards at will as usual, so nice to see this back.
Duress - Thoughtseize for spells, this means it's all hell breaking loose at the common level, worth it i feel for black, nice to see this back in the core set too.
Grave Titan - The Black titan of this set, when it comes into play it seems like it's so fucking sick, it meaks 2 2/2 zombie tokens, it also does it when it attacks, that is useful.
Gravedigger - Not much has changed, 2/2 for 4, as common as ever with the same bring back a creature card when this comes into play, nice return card for mid/late game, um nothing really else needs to be said here bout this one.
Haunting Echoes - This nice rare is back, badder, bigger, better then ever, i'd expected mind shatter to return, guess not, oh well.
Howling Banshee - Well this means banshee's are in the house same effect as last core set, nothing to see here move along.
Leyline of the Void - Another leyline, that prevents graveyard usage, not bad, not bad.
Liliana Vess - As expected +1 to have player discard a card, -2 for a diabolic tutor efffect, - 8 for massive revival of all graveyards, nice indeed, good to see this black monstroisty back.
Haunting Echoes - This nice rare is back, badder, bigger, better then ever, i'd expected mind shatter to return, guess not, oh well.
Howling Banshee - Well this means banshee's are in the house same effect as last core set, nothing to see here move along.
Leyline of the Void - Another leyline, that prevents graveyard usage, not bad, not bad.
Liliana Vess - As expected +1 to have player discard a card, -2 for a diabolic tutor efffect, - 8 for massive revival of all graveyards, nice indeed, good to see this black monstroisty back.
Liliana's Caress - Wow, same kind of enchantment for jace and ajani but with a different twist, black twist too, making your opponent discard is key here, i expect a mind shatter/caress combo to come into effect or mind sludge/caress combo here, since i expect those two cards to be reprinted.
Liliana's Specter - a 3 drop for a 2/1 flyer, but the effect is unique, it comes into play, all opponent's discard a card, hmm at a common too, seems like this set focuses on the 5 planeswalkers as usual or their effects, not a big fan of discard but worth a look.
Mind Rot - Last year's most effective black spell besides doom blade is back, this time bringing it back to standard as it should, 3 drop for a discard 2 card spell on your opponents, nice touch, but since this is a set made of half reprinted cards and half new ones it's to be expected.
Nantuko Shade - Wow, a nantuko in this set, though this one is seriously gonna be a have or want for this set, at a mere 2 black for a 2/1 and you pay a black to give it +1/+1 till end of turn, it's sure to be one hell of a party dropper card, this might be a worthwhile rare in black that's not a enchantment.
Nantuko Shade - Wow, a nantuko in this set, though this one is seriously gonna be a have or want for this set, at a mere 2 black for a 2/1 and you pay a black to give it +1/+1 till end of turn, it's sure to be one hell of a party dropper card, this might be a worthwhile rare in black that's not a enchantment.
Necrotic Plague - Ok so this is a brand new card, it's a aura that attaches itself to other creatures other then the ones you control but it doesn't die when on the field instead it comes back attached to another creature, not a ok rare, a semi meh rare, they could have made this a uncommon instead since it's effect is lackluster.
Nether Horror - 4 drop for a 4/2 seems ok with no abilites though glad it's a common, doesn't seem like the kind of card you'd want for a speciality deck.
Nightwing Shade - 5 drop for a 2/2 flyer, with the ability tap 1 and a black to give it +1/+1 till end of turn, seems like a filler, at the common level i agree it's a filler card that has no real place in standard.
Phylactery Lich - for 3 mana you get a 5/5 that is indestrucible and puts a lich counter on a artifact you control, seriously good here if your playing mono black, i love this card for some reason this seems like the dream black card i've been waiting for.
Quag Sickness - Um is this legit, quag sickness is all bout badassery here, -1/-1 for each swamp the controller has and it's a aura too, wow massive broken ass control there.
Reassembling Skeleton - This seems like the new drudge skeletons, tap 1 and a black to regenerate this creature or rather return it to play tapped, but you can do it anytime, at the uncommon level seems ok for a 2 drop 1/1 good replacement for drudge skeletons.
Relentless Rats - The rats are coming, the rats are coming, seriously who didn't see this one, i loved this card cause you could get as many copies as your heart desired and make the easiest deck in the world to build with this, so simple even 6 year olds can beat people with it.
Relentless Rats - The rats are coming, the rats are coming, seriously who didn't see this one, i loved this card cause you could get as many copies as your heart desired and make the easiest deck in the world to build with this, so simple even 6 year olds can beat people with it.
Rise from the Grave - Well i think this speaks for itself in terms of abilites, turns anything you bring back with it into a zombie with all it's other types and such too, at the uncommon level good reprint, like the fact wizards brought this card back.
Rotting Legion - for a 4/5 it's not that good due to it's effect, entering the battlefield tapped, which means oh i dunno Narcolepsy can target this bad boy almost immediately and lock it down, not good but not bad.
Royal Assassain - Seriously this is back, wow wizards talk bout breaking formats here, this is the 10th time this card's been reprinted as of this point, same abilites as always.
Sign in Blood - As always card draw in the form of this sorcery is a neccesity these days for vampires, nice to see a good old style M10 card back in action.
Rotting Legion - for a 4/5 it's not that good due to it's effect, entering the battlefield tapped, which means oh i dunno Narcolepsy can target this bad boy almost immediately and lock it down, not good but not bad.
Royal Assassain - Seriously this is back, wow wizards talk bout breaking formats here, this is the 10th time this card's been reprinted as of this point, same abilites as always.
Sign in Blood - As always card draw in the form of this sorcery is a neccesity these days for vampires, nice to see a good old style M10 card back in action.
Stabbing Pain - Hmm a new variant spell that gives a creature -1/-1 and taps that creature, hmm could we see the return of Blue/Black control perhaps or we will see a Black removal deck with this, who knows time will tell.
Unholy Strength - As i expected this card is reprinted, along with it's abilites if you don't know what it does, go look it up, nice aura to return at the common level too, overall so far it's a good set for M11.
Viscera Seer - I think Bloodghast just found himself a new playmate here you know, with this oh my god, sac it, scry 1, bring it back next turn with a land drop and repeat the process, this is sure to be one hell of a combo off card.
Viscera Seer - I think Bloodghast just found himself a new playmate here you know, with this oh my god, sac it, scry 1, bring it back next turn with a land drop and repeat the process, this is sure to be one hell of a combo off card.
Ok so that covers black it would seem 40/40 cards are spoiled here and on MTGSalvation as of this point, all spoilers courtesy of MTGSalvation
Thursday, June 24, 2010
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 2 [Blue]
Alrighty then let's get onto part 2 of the spoiler discussion, this time we'll be covering blue's side of the table, there are 9 reprint cards confirmed for this set so there is bound to be a bit of confusion, so i will attempt to make this as straightforward as possible, let's begin.
Call to Mind - This is nice, a return instant or sorcery card, that works with traps, i can see this sideboarded for my deck in the future, which i'll put a list up of course when i get it written down.
Cancel - Standard 3 drop counterspells please, nothing to see here.
Clone - Funny to see this bad boy back, as per usual it would seem, however badass this card is, it's worth it for Blue.
Flashfreeze - Standard counterspell for R/G is standard indeed, 2 drop at that, not bad.
Frost Titan - This is a seriously Op'ed ability when it comes to blue decks for a mere 6 mana, you get a 6/6 with the ability that counters any spell hurled at it, unless the spell's controller pays 2, as well as when it attacks it taps a permanent and it don't untap till 2 turns later worth it me thinks, as a mythic it belongs in this set.
Leyline of Anticpation - Are they bringing the leylines back here, since of course it's been a while since we've seen these bad boys. but this ability allows to cast non land cards as though they had flash, wow, much adieu has happened since last time i wrote in this.
Merfolk Spy - Another islandwalker, this time a good one, as expected at a mere 1/1 it has a decent drop effect and such, i like it for some reasons and i dislike it for others, overall semi good.
Scroll Thief - Hmm 3 drop for a 1/3 that lets you draw cards, good, not so bad in the long at the common level it seems to pay for itself.
Stormtide Leviathan - Seriously if this card is real, i am in love, the effects are sweet, but nothing else is known yet, stay tuned for further updates.
Aether Adept - I know it's not supposed to be spelt this way, i am aware of this but i am a noob when it comes to doing those type of letters, so this will suffice, this i feel is a sufficent 3 drop for a 2/2 and it's ability to bounce a creature back to a opponent's hand comes in handy for control issues and such, lack of other abilites make this a not so wanted card for draft.
Air Servant - A 5 drop that comes out as a 4/3 you say with a 2 and a blue tap flyer ability, hmm, somehow i feel this might be a underrated late game control card, however only time will tell when it comes to dealing with this set, as the prerelease is still bout 2 weeks away as of this posting.
Alluring Siren - Well, this seems like a card most would like if you play Blue, forcing a creature to attack is like saying, come get me sucker, i got a bounce spell in hand ready to go, this and unsummon go hand in hand.
Armored Cancorix - GIANT ENEMY CRAB is on the loose, i repeat GIANT ENEMY CRAB is on the loose, for a 2/5 for 5 converted, it seems like filler but the crab references can continue for as long as i'd like and i'd rather not take up all this article doing them.
Alluring Siren - Well, this seems like a card most would like if you play Blue, forcing a creature to attack is like saying, come get me sucker, i got a bounce spell in hand ready to go, this and unsummon go hand in hand.
Armored Cancorix - GIANT ENEMY CRAB is on the loose, i repeat GIANT ENEMY CRAB is on the loose, for a 2/5 for 5 converted, it seems like filler but the crab references can continue for as long as i'd like and i'd rather not take up all this article doing them.
Augury Owl - Finally a good damn card for this set, scry has returned, i've been waiting for it since oh time spiral block, they brought this mechanic back on this good a card too a 1/1 flyer for 2 is not that bad really, i look forward to using the scry mechanic when the time comes, drafts watch out, blue players are gonna have fun.
Azure Drake - A ninth edition reprint really?, i wasn't expecting ninth edition to make a appearance here, but ok let's go with it then. a 4 drop with flying and a 2/4, hmm i never did like this card when it was printed, so i don't think my opinions will change when this gets a reprint.
Call to Mind - This is nice, a return instant or sorcery card, that works with traps, i can see this sideboarded for my deck in the future, which i'll put a list up of course when i get it written down.
Cancel - Standard 3 drop counterspells please, nothing to see here.
Clone - Funny to see this bad boy back, as per usual it would seem, however badass this card is, it's worth it for Blue.
Cloud Elemental - Another tenth edition reprint, this time it was this card, 2/3 with flying that comes down with only 3 mana total, not bad but the only blocking flyers is a big downside for this card which makes me wonder, why reprint this card at all, unless it was just for filler.
Conundrum Sphinx - Well this one is a doozy, 4 drop for a 4/4 and it has the ability of when it attacks, name the top card of your library, reveal it, if it is the card named put it into your hand, plus each player gets to do this, this seems to go well with the scry mechanic, nice.
Diminish - Here's where the spells get interesting, turning things into 1/1's is so sweet, espically baneslayer angels, this is a seriously underrated spell that has potential for control decks so hard it's not even funny, i expect every store to at least be sold out of these or close to it when the time comes for a release.
Flashfreeze - Standard counterspell for R/G is standard indeed, 2 drop at that, not bad.
Foresee - Another scry mechanic card, but with a twist you get to draw 2 cards, for 4 too it's not bad, but a card i'm gonna spoil in this article beats it hands down no problem.
Frost Titan - This is a seriously Op'ed ability when it comes to blue decks for a mere 6 mana, you get a 6/6 with the ability that counters any spell hurled at it, unless the spell's controller pays 2, as well as when it attacks it taps a permanent and it don't untap till 2 turns later worth it me thinks, as a mythic it belongs in this set.
Harbor Serpent - Wow, i can't believe they basically reprinted steel of the serpent sea with this card, a 5/5 for 6 and islandwalk is good, but you can't attack unless there are 5 or more islands on the battlefield and most players who draft will have 2 different types of lands to summon him, so using him is somewhat not revelant.
Ice Cage - Another aura, same abilites as last year, NEXT!
Jace Beleren - It's about time we had another planeswalker i was getting bored, as always +2 for drawing a card -1 for each player drawing a card and -10 for milling the top 20 cards of a opponent's library, good to see this back.
Ice Cage - Another aura, same abilites as last year, NEXT!
Jace Beleren - It's about time we had another planeswalker i was getting bored, as always +2 for drawing a card -1 for each player drawing a card and -10 for milling the top 20 cards of a opponent's library, good to see this back.
Jace's Erasure - Wow a enchantment that mills when you draw, i can see mind spring so being useful with this and a 2 casting cost spell, this basically makes jace beleren's ultimate ability useless unless you get him out the next turn. i like this card though seems really underrated and such.
Jace's Ingenuity - Finally the card i've been dying for, brainstorm anyone at instant speed, um what, that's excellent i can't wait to finally have this card cause it's worth every penny you pay for it, it's a uncommon too, yikes this one will go fast.
Leyline of Anticpation - Are they bringing the leylines back here, since of course it's been a while since we've seen these bad boys. but this ability allows to cast non land cards as though they had flash, wow, much adieu has happened since last time i wrote in this.
Mana Leak - Is this what i think it is?, it is not possible the two drop counterspell mana leak all the way from the days of ninth edition, my day just got a bit better, so yeah i'm happy of course i'll be editing this post with new spoiled cards for each color as the days go on.
Maritime Guard - Another 2 drop for a 1/3 not bad, not good, filler so NEXT!
Mass Polymorph - Not one poly but several, it's so gonna be EDH material for Blue these days, i'm glad they made this new beast, the old one was getting stale.
Merfolk Sovereigen - Seriously merfolk tribal is so broken and busted, this will add to it's busted power levels i feel.
Maritime Guard - Another 2 drop for a 1/3 not bad, not good, filler so NEXT!
Mass Polymorph - Not one poly but several, it's so gonna be EDH material for Blue these days, i'm glad they made this new beast, the old one was getting stale.
Merfolk Sovereigen - Seriously merfolk tribal is so broken and busted, this will add to it's busted power levels i feel.
Merfolk Spy - Another islandwalker, this time a good one, as expected at a mere 1/1 it has a decent drop effect and such, i like it for some reasons and i dislike it for others, overall semi good.
Mind Control - Another brainwash effect, lather rinse and repeat, this one seems overdone, well the effect anyways, but it's a bit better then rise of the eldrazi's domesticate that's for certain as it's able to control any power creature.
Negate - Probably the best 2 drop non creature counter spell in the game, hands down should never be gotten rid of, banned or anything, as it's proven to be a staple for major tournament control decks all around which i love, glad to see this one back in existence.
Phantom Beast - Another weird 4 drop, this time it's got a sacrifice ability if you get targeted with a spell or ability, bad, real bad avoid this card then.
Phantom Beast - Another weird 4 drop, this time it's got a sacrifice ability if you get targeted with a spell or ability, bad, real bad avoid this card then.
Preordain - Hmm another scry mechanic, but gives you one card, it reminds me so much of ponder in this set, but it's at sorcery speed, which i believe ponder was -Checks- yep at sorcery speed, so this seems like the replacement for ponder, but with another mechanic in play, nice.
Redirect - The newest version of swerve for blue players, great way to screw over multiplayer games such as Archenemy and Planechase but other then that single player games only good to take out opponent's creatures, still a nice addition to this year's core set.
Redirect - The newest version of swerve for blue players, great way to screw over multiplayer games such as Archenemy and Planechase but other then that single player games only good to take out opponent's creatures, still a nice addition to this year's core set.
Scroll Thief - Hmm 3 drop for a 1/3 that lets you draw cards, good, not so bad in the long at the common level it seems to pay for itself.
Sleep - Dawnglare invoker in spell form, if you don't know what dawnglare invoker is, shame on you you don't play magic often, 4 for tapping everything on your opponent's side of the field, awesome indeed, i look forward to using it again, seeing as i've got a set previously.
Stormtide Leviathan - Seriously if this card is real, i am in love, the effects are sweet, but nothing else is known yet, stay tuned for further updates.
Time Reversal - This is the new blue mythic besides a planeswalker?, really it resets the game and forces people to start all over somewhat except for what's on the field, seems like a really good delay game card, nice mythic too, i expect this to be going well for blue players
Tome Scour - Another reprint, did i mention tome scour is a common, at sorcery speed, yeah good 1 drop on turn one, really works wonders for mill decks, nice return too.
Traumatize - Mill is now viable again, yes, yes, oh wait, mind spring is gone, boo.
Traumatize - Mill is now viable again, yes, yes, oh wait, mind spring is gone, boo.
Unsummon - Another goddamn reprint, this time this card, not a big fan of this one but hey, it's all well and good when it comes down to the meat and potatoes of drafting this bad boy, not bad wizards i gotta admit.
Wall of Frost - Another reprint, that's four in a row wizards, defender with 3 casting cost at 0/7 wow, it's like guard gomazoa but way better and it taps the blocked creature on the next step don't forget i like it.
Water Servant - Another 4 drop for a 3/4 useful but not so much, as you can tap a blue mana to give it +1/-1 or -1/+1 and do this up to at least three times a turn, nice but control doesn't favor attacking much.
Anyhoo this is all that's been spoiled as of now, this means blue is finished as well as white, 4 to go as of writing this article.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
M11 Spoiler Discussion Part 1 [White]
This article will focus on one color, the white cards spoiled thus far in M11 let's begin at the very top of the spoiled list.
Ajani Goldmane - Second of the 5 is back for sure this time, although this one has the same abilites as last time this is a serious lemon card with some serious bad assery under it's belt, i look forward to collecting this one for my binder again.
Angelic Arbiter - Wow another angel for this set that makes what 3 this time but each opponent can only either attack or throw spells at you if this is on the field, not both, massive linvala controllish card here.
Inspired Charge - Seriously another pump spell, as predicted this means white is all bout small creatures/nasty spells, +2/+1 isn't all that bad IMO.
Knight Exemplar - A three drop for a 2/2 that gives knights a +1/+1 and indestructibility, really, that's one of the rares of this set, thank goodness it's a nice card, if your playing knights constantly, pretty good spoiler to be honest, i like it.
Leyline of Sancitity - Well, this is the 3rd leyline i've talked about thus far, it seems really good, shroud for all creatures, seriously, key for white indeed.
Palace Guard - Well this means filler, but it can block any number of creatures, a wall of these, devestating indeed, with Honor of the Pure, it will prove to be a sideboard card at the very least for something.
Roc Egg - A unique defender really, when it dies off the battlefield you get a 3/3 flyer, nice for 3 mana that's even nicer, i like it somewhat.
Vengeful Archon - Are you kidding me this rare is just insane, lightning bolt, nah just pay 3 and redirect damage back to the opponent, banefire, nah just pay 5 and redirect it to the opponent, at a 7 drop this is insanity, this card alone i can see in the 10 dollar range.
White Knight - As expected, if black knight is back, this was back, the yin to the yang for this card, nice the two cards are back in circulation for standard.
Ajani Goldmane - Second of the 5 is back for sure this time, although this one has the same abilites as last time this is a serious lemon card with some serious bad assery under it's belt, i look forward to collecting this one for my binder again.
Ajani's Mantra- Now as all typical enchantments go, this one is pretty simple, each upkeep, you get a life, not bad for a core set enchant, but could be better, i understand the need to name it after a planeswalker, all said and good but you know not really the kind of stuff needed for a magic player in the long run, another card that'll be worth 10 cents if your lucky.
Ajani's Pridemate- It works hand in hand with the card stated above it would seem, up good stuff, gets power boost from life gain, not all that bad in the long run, this plus a lifelink strategy works hand in hand for some reason, i can see a lifelink deck being built around this and probably baneslayer angel whom i'll discuss later.
Angelic Arbiter - Wow another angel for this set that makes what 3 this time but each opponent can only either attack or throw spells at you if this is on the field, not both, massive linvala controllish card here.
Armored Ascension- It's back the aura from M10, same as ever, i expect this to be one of a white drafter's top picks since it works with mono white decks, another revival from M10.
Assault Griffin - This is your standard filler card, 4 drop for 3/2 not bad, but not good, it's a standard last pick if you get it passed back to you, might not see much play in my book.
Baneslayer Angel- What is there not to say about this card, it's powerful, goes against black and red decks with ease, has 3 excellent abilites, costs 50 bucks as of now, plus it's hard to get rid of on the field, i expect this to be common white draft's 1st or 2nd pick depending, we will see when M11 rolls in.
Blinding Mage - Seriously are they considering reprinting this, from 2010's core set, this wasn't as good of a card as i thought when i first gazed on it from last year's one, so it's a pass in my book
Celestial Purge - Well well well, this is back, in full force, black and red has a reason to fear white again, that is for certain.
Blinding Mage - Seriously are they considering reprinting this, from 2010's core set, this wasn't as good of a card as i thought when i first gazed on it from last year's one, so it's a pass in my book
Celestial Purge - Well well well, this is back, in full force, black and red has a reason to fear white again, that is for certain.
Cloud Crusader - Another pretty standard 4 drop for 2/3, flying and first strike make it more interesting then other filler cards, this is a middle pick i feel, could be wrong, white decks will often pass this one by unless they got no choice, i'm not a white drafter so i dunno.
Condemn - So it would appear a tenth edition card has made it in the set, a somewhat ok spell, could be worse, they could reprint path to exile, just joking why would they do that, that card is broken, another standard spell, mostly filler, rarely seen in tournament play it would appear due to it's effect.
Day of Judgement - Who saw this coming, the new WOG, from the zendikar set, dear god wizards just boosted the power level of white/blue control to a new standard again.
Day of Judgement - Who saw this coming, the new WOG, from the zendikar set, dear god wizards just boosted the power level of white/blue control to a new standard again.
Elite Vanguard - Finally a 1 drop that's not savannah lions 1 for a 2/1 no abilites creature, filler, next!
Excommunicate - Another past M10 card has returned, the 3 drop spell for bouncing is back, i liked this card somewhat, but not a top pick, what is nowadays anyways, except for mythics and good stuff like planeswalkers.
Goldenglow Moth - Ok what is with these 1 drops that have lifegain abilites, flying i can understand, but a 0/1 for 1 come on wizards you need to improve here, it's all good but this card is lackluster, only good with power up cards like armored ascension.
Holy Strength - Another semi good aura, not much to say 1 drop for giving a creature +1/+2 not bad, not good, useful but only with creatures, next!
Honor of the Pure - Well, another reprint, another day, this time the fact of the matter is this card is so broken with soldier decks it's not even funny, i'd like to see a honor of the soldier deck one day, maybe i might write up a list for it.
Honor of the Pure - Well, another reprint, another day, this time the fact of the matter is this card is so broken with soldier decks it's not even funny, i'd like to see a honor of the soldier deck one day, maybe i might write up a list for it.
Infantry Veteran - Finally a card not from 10th edition, or M10, this 9th edition classic is a excellent turn 1 drop to lead into a turn 2 haste creature, good 4th or 5th pick in a draft, can't wait to see the new artwork for it too.
Inspired Charge - Seriously another pump spell, as predicted this means white is all bout small creatures/nasty spells, +2/+1 isn't all that bad IMO.
Knight Exemplar - A three drop for a 2/2 that gives knights a +1/+1 and indestructibility, really, that's one of the rares of this set, thank goodness it's a nice card, if your playing knights constantly, pretty good spoiler to be honest, i like it.
Leyline of Sancitity - Well, this is the 3rd leyline i've talked about thus far, it seems really good, shroud for all creatures, seriously, key for white indeed.
Mighty Leap - Bout time a standalone card, this little number seems good, +2/+2 and flying, sign me up, where do i get me one of these, it's a common a good common spell too for attacking decks, worthwhile, it seems like a 50 cent card.
Pacifism - Another revive card, same abilites from the last set, nothing to see here, nothing to talk about this card for, next!
Palace Guard - Well this means filler, but it can block any number of creatures, a wall of these, devestating indeed, with Honor of the Pure, it will prove to be a sideboard card at the very least for something.
Roc Egg - A unique defender really, when it dies off the battlefield you get a 3/3 flyer, nice for 3 mana that's even nicer, i like it somewhat.
Safe Passage - Another M10 reprint, damage prevention, plus instant speed make for a semi good card, if it had a uncounterable ability, i'd be sold for control, but it doesn't moving on.
Serra Angel - This 4/4 vigilance flyer is back, uncommon as ever, unique as ever note the sarcasm, flying you know the deal, good mid game and good late game, i like it in drafts a lot, worth it's weight when it comes to attacking and such, i expect this to be a common white deck staple in drafts.
Serra Ascendant - Wow a 1 drop with lifelink at a 1/1, plus when you get 30 or more life it gets +5/+5 and flying, this is so broken, glad they put it a rare value, this means white decks have a vaild lifegain strategy nowadays.
Siege Mastodon - We're laying the siege here folks for a 3/5 for a 5 converted cost this seems pretty fillerish to me, i'd like to see less filler, most useful cards out of this set, but it's WOTC's call not mine.
Silence - Well this is a real silencer, no spells or abilites can be casted the turn this is used, great for shutting down opponents on turn 5 or 6 to get your baneslayer angel out.
Serra Ascendant - Wow a 1 drop with lifelink at a 1/1, plus when you get 30 or more life it gets +5/+5 and flying, this is so broken, glad they put it a rare value, this means white decks have a vaild lifegain strategy nowadays.
Siege Mastodon - We're laying the siege here folks for a 3/5 for a 5 converted cost this seems pretty fillerish to me, i'd like to see less filler, most useful cards out of this set, but it's WOTC's call not mine.
Silence - Well this is a real silencer, no spells or abilites can be casted the turn this is used, great for shutting down opponents on turn 5 or 6 to get your baneslayer angel out.
Silvercoat Lion - Another timmy flavoured card, bloody hell how many are in core sets again, oh yeah that's right 2 drop for 2/2 not bad, ability less, not good, but swift attacker and blocker, did i mention it's a common?
Solemn Offering - Finally a useful spell, it's this color's naturalize which will be listed at the end of the article, gains 4 life as expected, flavourful card is flavourful, i like it for white decks, it saves you in a pinch.
Squadron Hawk - Is this a real good white common for a change, let's see when it comes into play you can search for the other three copies of this card and put em into your hand, very nice indeed, it's a 2 drop for a 1/1 flyer as well, so good lightning bolt bait and such.
Stormfront Pegasus - Well this 2 drop has returned, the same as last year at the common level, it would have figured this would have come back and not some more useful card, which would have been nice and all however, i semi do like this white 2 drop for a 2/1 flyer.
Stormfront Pegasus - Well this 2 drop has returned, the same as last year at the common level, it would have figured this would have come back and not some more useful card, which would have been nice and all however, i semi do like this white 2 drop for a 2/1 flyer.
Sun Titan - How i've been wanting to talk about this card since i heard of it, 6 drop for a 6/6 vigilance creature, with a ability to return a 3 converted casting cost card from the graveyard to the battlefield and it also does this when it attacks, ladies and gentlemen, meet the new Reveillark but it does this ability every single time, also did i mention it's the prerelease foil you get when you go to one of these, i'm there come july.
Tireless Missionaries - Tireless is right, this is another 5 drop filler, 2/3 in terms of power/toughness, not that bad really, but not good, wizards you need to try harder.
Vengeful Archon - Are you kidding me this rare is just insane, lightning bolt, nah just pay 3 and redirect damage back to the opponent, banefire, nah just pay 5 and redirect it to the opponent, at a 7 drop this is insanity, this card alone i can see in the 10 dollar range.
Warpriest of Thune - Hmm another 2 drop for a 2/2, but this destroys enchantments, hmm i like this one, but then again it seems like a card most would believe to be a non essential standard card, but more like a draft card, since this seems like a good hard counter to the major enchantments people love to use, wait and see i always say.
White Knight - As expected, if black knight is back, this was back, the yin to the yang for this card, nice the two cards are back in circulation for standard.
Wild Griffin - Another Tenth edition card, 3 drop for 2/2 flyer, nice, good mid range, it seems suitable for white drafting, i'm probably gonna slide this one into a 10th pick if it passes by again.
Well that's about all she wrote for the spoilers for white, as per expected, this article is done, only 5 more to go, i'll do those throughout the day.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Friday Night Magic Results For June 18th 2010
Alright so this week i managed to attend yet another FNM event down at 401 games again, this week though was a bit different, i was heading into this one, planning to draft a blue control deck in this format which is super powerful, i even got my wish let's start with the basics, the decklist
Lands
5 Plains
10 Islands
2 Evolving Wilds
I felt the 2 evolving wilds were important as if i drew one on turn one i could fix the mana base to get what was needed for the entire tournament and i was correct in believing so, since i drew one every single turn one for 2 matches straight, Now let's move onto the creatures and spells of the deck in general which are quite a few
Creatures
3 Champion's Drake
2 Venerated Teacher
1 Halimar Wavewatch
1 Frostwind Invoker
1 Skywatcher Adept
1 Guard Gomazoa
1 Lighthouse Chronologist
I felt the chronologist was good for the deck as it allowed me a extra turn, also i managed to get it off first pick, lucky me indeed, now let's get to the spells of the deck
2 Lay Bare
1 Unified Will
1 Regress
1 Fleeting Distraction
1 Deprive
1 Narcolepsy
1 Distortion Strike
1 Prophetic Prism
1 Keening Stone
1 Time of Heroes
1 Guard Duty
Now the keening stone i managed to get passed to me was useful for sure, as it allowed me to go a second strategy when i got it into play, mill the damn opponent which worked well with the chronologist which i combo'ed off once.
Now let's get down to the basics
Round 1 Vs Blue/Black Control
This wasn't actually that difficult, i managed to control the first game rather effectively, since i got both the keening stone/chronologist combo off on that round, milled him for game 1, game 2 was a similar defeat, except it took maybe 3 turns longer then usual so in the end it was a rather easy 2-0 victory for me onto round 2 then
1-0 at this point.
Round 2 vs Red/Blue Defender/Control
I absolutely blew it, i should have mulliganed to 6 on the first game since i kept a opening hand of nothing but counter magic, i felt ok though with it, it seemed to have worked, except he was countering the counter magic i used the entire match, a match i will soon wish to forget, as i was destroyed by vent sentinel both games.
1-1 at this point.
Round 3 Vs Black/Green Eldrazi
I didn't need to sling any counter spells this match, since i had my wavewatch and champion's drake's on the field, peck in for multiple points of damage and that's game 1, game 2 had a similar outcome, except 2 of the 3 drakes i drafted were on, ending it rather swiftly, i even got to use narcolespy again woot.
2-1 at this point
Round 4 Vs Mirror Match Blue Control
I got slaughtered here, i hate mirror matches sometimes, espically with blue control, both games i got hit with the opponent's wavewatch, several times, causing me to figure i was screwed, i made a mistake with not mulliganing to 6 in game 2, costing me the match and the chance at prize.
2-2 final score after the event
Overall it was a rather good draft, well worth it and all, i won't be attending this week's since i don't got the cash, however come the beginning of july it's on i will be going to all remaining rise of the eldrazi drafts in general, including the one before the M11 prerelease on saturday, so double magic weekend, Yay for me, till next time it's vergil signing off.
Monday, June 14, 2010
M11 Core Set Thoughts and Spoilers thus far
So we all know M11 the next core set is due out in less then a month for those who play magic quite often, but what we do not know yet is some of the cards in the set in general espically some which have just been spoiled as of recently let's go over a few of these cards for those who are unsure as to what i am talking about
Let us begin with the Mythic Rares known thus far espically ones not even known about till now
Sun Titan-Vigilance
Whenever Sun Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, you may return target permanent card with converted mana cost 3 or less from your graveyard to the battlefield. 6/6, This only a 6 drop in general, i foresee this being the new Reveillark As seen belowExcept this badboy can produce 3 mana creatures from the grave when it attacks or comes into play, this is very crucial for white decks i think as this can bring some hefty cards back into play when it is on the field and i see this being a instrumental part of any White/Blue control deck. The only flaw i have with this card is there is no real way to keep it on the field unless of course your going to make it have shroud, but it would be too much like a new baneslayer angel which is of course which i will be discussing next.
Baneslayer Angel- Creature — Angel
Flying, first strike, lifelink, protection from Demons and from Dragons, 5/5, She's back, the 50 dollar mythic has returned to the core set, meaning players will have to dish out another 200 just to get her again, i see this again being abused in FNM's, PTQ's and of course the pro tour setting itself, as expected this was one of the first 30 cards spoiled in general, it's not a surprise though when you get this nasty little angel on the field, preventing black/red decks from doing some serious harm to it, of course it's not without it's flaws either, removal loves to target this, as well as counter magic, again if it was broken, it would have shroud on it or can't be countered by spells, but thankfully wizards decided to leave it as it is good for you wizards.
You can also expect the base color planeswalkers to make their glorious return in this year's coreset since they were in the last one and most decks i know of managed to have either Garruk wildspeaker or Ajani Goldmane in them if you were running white or green in general, i also do wanna see Time Warp return, as that was really instrumental for making decks suffer, Blue/White control loves this card and well most of the time there is nothing really to stop it, Let's take a minute though and discuss time warp in general it being a reprint of a card way back from tempest and starter 1999 it isn't that broken i find it's actually a ability of another recent card called Lighthouse Chronologist as it's last ability states and i quote At the beginning of each end step, if it's not your turn, take an extra turn after this one, so this means basically it gives you extra turns, putting you, 2 maybe 3 turns ahead of your opponent quite literally, which is awesome in the long run, the only downside though is it takes 3 or 4 turns to get to that ability due to the 1 Blue mana cost for the level up ability, but that's ok it is not terrible by any means. This card was actually used rather well by a player at the Pro tour named Guillaume Matignon who used it in his White/Blue Level control deck in the most recent Top 8 Finals Draft in Round 2 against his opponent Andrea Giarola.
Now in the most recent spoiler update on MTG Salvation and MTG News, there is something intruging in terms of the lands in this set there is 10 total fixer lands it would seem, 5 of which come from the last set M10 which are, Dragonsukll Summit Red/Black, Rootbound Crag Red/Green, Sunpetal Grove Green/White, Drowned Catacomb Blue/Black and of course Glacial Fortress Blue/White each of these particular lands of course will see play in standard as mana fixing in general for various dual and even tri color decks. However the other 5 so far have not been spoiled but i will make my thoughts known on those 5 when they come out to be spoiled which is sure to be soon, so stay tuned on that part.
The amount of spoiled cards at this point is 117/249 which means this is a 249 card set which will also allow M10 cards to be played with it for the first 2/3 months this set is released in the middle of July this year, thankfully i am glad this set is coming out, we need a change of pace i feel from the current Mind Sculptor/Jund decks in the current metagame, as 90% of the current decks are using some variant of those.
Till next time Magic fans alike, this is vergil signing off.
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