 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Josh Hendricks
Member Since: 8/7/2008
Number of Replies: 25
Last Post: 1/30/2009 |
| | Conflux Set Review | Welcome to my review of the new set Conflux. I will be reviewing this from a perspective of Standard first and foremost; however, I will make notes along the way as to Limited and other formats. I’ll start with White and Blue. Ratings are based upon a 1-5 star system.
1=unplayable 2=bad 3=good 4=great 5=staple
White
Aerie Mystics - 4W
Creature - Bird Cleric (Uncommon)
Flying
{1}{G}{U}, {T}: Creatures you control gain shroud until end of turn.
3/3
Relevant ability but too costly for constructed. Tortoise Formation did the same thing but rarely saw play and was more of a trick. Also, how often do you need more than one creature to have shroud at any given time. Most effects that kill your guys off are only going to target one guy.
1 star
Asha's Favor - 2W
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has flying, first strike, and vigilance.
Every enchantment must be scrutinized carefully because everyone wants to avoid the dreaded “2 for 1” that comes with them. That being said, Asha’s Favor gives 3 amazing abilities for a pretty small investment. I don’t think it will touch constructed, but will be a bomb in limited.
2 stars
Aven Squire - 1W
Creature - Bird Soldier (Common)
Flying
Exalted
1/1
Essentially you’re getting a 2/2 flying attacker for W1, but we’ve been given cards like this before. The difference is that exalted does help other guys when this guy can’t get through. White weenie is the only deck that might grab this guy, but right now there are just too many better options. Better 2 drops include Knight of the White Orchid or even Sigiled Paladin.
2 stars
Aven Trailblazer - 2W
Creature - Bird Soldier (Common)
Flying
Domain - Aven Trailblazer's toughtness is equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control.
2/*
This guy crazy sucks.
1 star
Celestial Purge - 1W
Instant (Uncommon)
Remove target red or black permanent from the game.
Coming to sideboards everywhere near you! It doesn’t say creature…It says permanent. Goodbye Ajani Vengeant, goodbye Bitterblossom!!! I can almost see mono colored non-white decks splashing just to sideboard this.
5 stars
Court Homunculus - W
Artifact Creature - Homunculus (Common)
Court Homunculus gets +1/+1 as long as you control another artifact.
1/1
This guy could possible dent extended with the artifact lands, but I don’t see him going crazy in Standard. Then again, we’re still waiting for that great Esper deck!
2 stars
Darklit Gargoyle - 1W
Artifact Creature - Gargoyle (Common)
Flying
{B}: Darklit Gargoyle gets +2/-1 until end of turn.
1/2
This guy has some potential and is relevant because he is an artifact. I could see him breaking some limited format games when he comes out early, but I don’t think he’ll find a place in Standard.
1 star
Gleam of Resistance - 4W
Instant (Common)
Creatures you control get +1/+2 until end of turn. Untap those creatures.
Basic landcycling {1}{W}
Everything with basic landcycling is worth a second look. This seems good for white weenie strategies as it thins out your deck and makes a nice combat trick for the token horde on both offense and defense.
3 stars
Lapse of Certainty - 2W
Instant (Common)
Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on top of its owner's library instead of into that player's graveyard.
Now this is what white weenie was looking for. This little tempo booster will find a home in many a kithkin deck. Great for holding out Wrath and Cryptic for a turn, which in many cases will mean swinging for the win the next turn.
4 stars
Mark of Asylum - 1W
Enchantment (Rare)
Prevent all noncombat damage that would be dealt to creatures you control.
Another brilliant sideboard option for white weenie. On a side note, why is white weenie getting all these bomb cards? Did the kithkin really need a lot of help? Now this deck doesn’t have to worry about firespout, pyroclasm, volcanic fallout, etc, etc.
4 stars
Martial Coup - XWW
Sorcery (Rare)
Put X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens into play. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.
All around amazing card! It’s a late game card, but when 5 or more tokens come out, it completely swings the game to your favor. Add Glorious Anthem for a little extra kick.
5 stars
Mirror-Sigil Sergeant - 5W
Creature - Rhino Soldier (Mythic Rare)
Trample
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a blue permanent, you may put a token into play that's a copy of Mirror-Sigil Sergeant.
4/4
Cute card. I’m generally not digging the cards that require you to have another permanent in play in order to “turn on.” Especially when the color is specific and not the same color as the card you’re playing. Assuming this guy comes online, he does have to be dealt with, but dealing with him can mean either killing him or killing whatever the blue permanent is. Seriously? This guy is Mythic? Bomb in Limited though!
2 stars
Nacatl Hunt-Pride - 5W
Creature - Cat Warrior (Uncommon)
Vigilance
{R}, {T}: Target creature can't block this turn.
{G}, {T}: Target creature must block this turn if able.
5/4
Another limited bomb, but too costly for constructed.
1 star
Paragon of the Amesha - 2W
Creature - Human Knight (Uncommon)
First strike
{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}: Until end of turn, Paragon of the Amesha becomes an Angel, gets +3/+3, and gains flying and lifelink.
2/2
I’m really torn on these guys. Many of the cards in Conflux are adding up to some kind of 5 color agro deck that nobody has seen (or maybe even imagined) yet. W2 for a 2/2 first striker is fair, but the pump ability is pretty sick. I think when this guy hits the table your opponent kind of ignores him at first, but then regrets it when you get domain. I’m going to go on a limb and say watch out for the 5 color domain agro.
4 stars
Path to Exile - W
Instant (Uncommon)
Remove target creature from the game. Its controller may search his or her library for a basic land card, put it into play tapped, then shuffle his or her library.
This is bananas. Get ready to get tired of seeing this card.
5 stars
Rhox Meditant - 3W
Creature - Rhino Monk (Common)
When Rhox Meditant comes into play, if you control a green permanent, you may draw a card.
2/4
Most cards that say “draw a card when this comes into play” are good. Sadly, this is not one of them.
2 stars (1 star just for saying draw a card)
Scepter of Dominance - 1WW
Artifact (Rare)
{W}, {T}: Tap target permanent.
Icy for 1 less? I’m going to use it and you should too!
3 stars
Sigil of the Empty Throne - 3WW
Enchantment (Rare)
Whenever you play an enchantment spell, put a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying into play.
This is a potential flagship for an enchantment deck. It comes online a little late, but once it gets going it’s game breaking. If you get 2 into play then it gets really nasty. I’m docking stars for the casting cost and the fact that it needs a really specific deck.
2 stars (but potentially breakable)
Valiant Guard - W
Creature - Human Soldier (Common)
0/3
No!
1 star
Wall of Reverence - 3W
Creature - Spirit Wall (Rare)
Defender, flying
At the end of your turn, you may gain life equal to the power of target creature you control.
1/6
I like this card a lot. Stalling is still a viable strategy in Standard and this wall really does it well. It blocks and lives through damn near everything and gains you life (at least 1 per turn) all the while!
4 stars
Blue
Brackwater Elemental - 2U
Creature - Elemental (Common)
When Brackwater Elemental attacks or blocks, sacrifice it at end of turn.
Unearth {2}{U}
4/4
This is sorta like a Psionic Blast in creature form! Hits for 4 and then comes back for more! Not sure if he’ll find a place in a constructed deck, but I sure like it!
3 stars
Constricting Tendrils - U
Instant (Common)
Target creature gets -3/-0 until end of turn.
Cycling {2}
Ugh! Blue is still really good at partially stopping a creature for a turn!
1 star
Controlled Instincts - U
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant red or green creature
Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
I can see this possibly creeping into dedicated blue deck’s sideboards, but I don’t see too many mono colored decks out there (especially in blue). It’s even too limited to main deck in Limited!
1 star
Cumber Stone - 3U
Artifact (Uncommon)
Creatures your opponents control get -1/-0.
I think this is crazy good! Sideboard for some, but could even be a four of in artifact decks or stall decks. Hurts the hell out of fae and kithkin and even red deck wins. Essentially nullifies an Anthem and multiples get really crippling.
4 stars
Esperzoa - 2U
Artifact Creature - Jellyfish (Uncommon)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, return an artifact you control to its owner's hand.
4/3
Flagship for certain artifact decks as it combos well with either of the two 2CC artifacts that net you a card when they come into play. Oh, AND it’s a 4/3 flyer!
4 stars
Ethersworn Adjudicator - 4U
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Knight (Mythic Rare)
Flying
{1}{B}{W}, {T}: Destroy target creature or enchantment.
{2}{U}: Untap Ethersworn Ajudicator.
4/4
5 mana for a 4/4 flyer is good, but the abilities put this guy over the top! Being able to untap is great even without the first ability, and late game enchantments/creature destruction rules!
4 stars
Faerie Mechanist - 3U
Artifact Creature - Faerie Artificer (Common)
Flying
When Faerie Mechanist comes into play, look at the top three cards of your library. You may reveal an artifact card from among them and put it in your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
2/2
Esper is getting a lot to think about. With everything from Shards and Conflux, surely someone will come up with a winning artifact themed deck! This guy has a great ability and because it has the CIP trigger you can’t help but think of Esperoza!
4 stars
Frontline Sage - 2U
Creature - Human Wizard (Common)
Exalted
{U}, {T}: Draw a card, then discard a card.
0/1
If you really want a draw/discard outlet, there are better options. 1 extra star for being an artifact creature because some artifact decks care about draw/discard thanks to Sharuum.
2 stars
Grixis Illusionist - U
Creature - Human Wizard (Common)
{T}: Target land becomes the basic land type of your choice until end of turn.
1/1
I could see this guy slowing down other decks by turning other peoples lands into the wrong color, but probably won’t be gracing any Standard decks
2 stars
Inkwell Leviathan - 7UU
Artifact Creature - Leviathan (Rare)
Islandwalk, trample, shroud
7/11
Bigger than a Sundering Titan, shroud and tramply. Oh, and just in case you’re playing islands. Finally a bomb Leviathan! This is a reanimation target if I ever saw one!
5 stars
Master Transmuter - 3U
Artifact Creature - Human Artificer (Rare)
{U}, {T}: Return an artifact you control to its owner's hand: You may put an artifact card from your hand into play.
1/2
Holy crap this guy is tits! Granted, Evlish Piper doesn’t see much play, but the piper didn’t have the ability to save itself while using its ability! This will be a staple in the Esper artifact decks and for good reason, she cheats all kinds of baddies into play. I can see it now…”I’ll kill your Master Transmuter.” “Ok, I’ll return it to my hand, drop Sharuum, the Hegemon and return my Inkwell Leviathan to play. You done?”
5 stars
Parasitic Strix - 2U
Artifact Creature - Bird (Common)
Flying
When Parasitic Strix comes into play, if you control a black permanent, target player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
2/2
I like the CIP ability, I don’t like that you need another permanent in play to get it. I’m envisioning many scenarios where you draw this guy, look at an empty board, and curse yourself for playing it.
2 stars (I mean, it IS a 2/2 flyer)
Scepter of Insight - 1UU
Artifact (Rare)
{3}{U}, {T}: Draw a card.
J-Tome is not seeing play and with Jace out there for the same cost and no activation cost, I don’t see this getting anywhere near standard.
2 stars
Scornful �ther-Lich - 3U
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Wizard (Uncommon)
{W}{B}: Scornful �ther-Lich gains fear and vigilance until end of turn.
2/4
Great Limited card, but pretty bad in constructed.
2 stars
Telemin Performance - 3UU
Sorcery (Rare)
Target opponent reveals cards from the top of his or her library until a creature card is revealed. Put all noncreature cards revealed this way into that player's graveyard, then put the creature card into play under your control.
Considering the meta-game (whatever that means), many of the “tier 1” decks run lots of smaller guys as opposed to a few really big guys. This could change later, but for the moment I see this being pretty bad.
2 stars
Traumatic Visions - 3UU
Instant (Common)
Counter target spell.
Basic landcycling {1}{U}
5 mana even for a hard counter is steep. I guess you might cycle it early and play it late, but I think this is a stinker.
2 stars
Unsummon - U
Instant (Common)
Return target creature to its owner's hand.
Still good!
3 stars
View from Above - 1U
Instant (Uncommon)
Target creature gains flying until end of turn.
If you control a white permanent, return View from Above into your hand.
Good limited trick, but otherwise unplayable.
1 star
Worldly Counsel - 1U
Instant (Common)
Domain - Look at the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control. Put one of those cards into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library.
I dig this card. It’s an instant, even with 3 different lands you’re getting something like a brainstorm and it puts the stuff you don’t want on the bottom instead of the top.
4 stars
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama |
|
|
|
| Here is the Black and Red.
Black
Absorb Vis - 6B
Sorcery (Common)
Taget player loses 4 life and you gain 4 life.
Basic landcycling {1}{B}
Dang! 7 mana for that!
2 stars
Corrupted Roots - B
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant Forest or Plains
Whenever enchanted land becomes tapped, its controller loses 2 life.
Ooooh! A limited Psychic Venom!
1 star
Drag Down - 2B
Instant (Common)
Domain - Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
This is too expensive and too limited to be playable in Standard.
1 star
Dreadwing - B
Creature - Zombie (Uncommon)
{1}{U}{R}: Dreadwing gets +3/+0 and gains flying until end of turn.
1/1
This could easily break-up Limited games, but pretty darned unplayable in Standard.
1 star
Extractor Demon - 4BB
Creature - Demon (Rare)
Flying
Whenever another creature leaves play, you may have target player put the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
Unearth {2}{B}
5/5
Flying good. 5/5 good. Ability…not so good. I mean how often are you really going to get enough to make it worthwhile? Cards like this baffle me because either you’re trying to kill you opponent or you’re trying to mill them and this guy is trying to do both. Unearthing this guy for 3 and getting in for 5 is awesome, but this guy looks a lot better when you just disregard his ability.
3 stars
Fleshformer - 2B
Creature - Human Wizard (Uncommon)
{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}: Fleshformer gets +2/+2 and has fear until end of turn. Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
2/2
Another in the line of my so-called “5 color agro” guys. The ability is wonderful as it can kill off other critters while pumping himself.
4 stars
Grixis Slavedriver - 5B
Creature - Zombie Giant (Uncommon)
When Grixis Slavedriver leaves play, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token into play.
Unearth {3}{B}
4/4
6 mana for a 4/4 is really bad, but the leaves play ability is pretty good from an unearth standpoint. Excellent in Limited, not so excellent in Standard outside of a dedicated “graveyard games” type deck.
3 stars
Infectious Horror - 3B
Creature - Horror (Common)
Whenever Infectious Horror attacks, each opponent loses 2 life.
2/2
No.
1 star
Kederekt Parasite - B
Creature - Horror (Rare)
Whenever an opponent draws a card, if you control a red permanent, you may have Kederekt Parasite deal 1 damage to that player.
1/1
This guy is weak on toughness and requires a red permanent to be anything but a vanilla 1/1. I know you’re all thinking, “Hey! It’s an Underworld Dreams for 1 black mana!” Well it isn’t. Seriously, this is a rare?
1 star
Nyxathid - 1BB
Creature - Elemental (Rare)
As Nyxathid comes into play, choose an opponent.
Nyxathid gets -1/-1 for each card in the chosen player's hand.
7/7
Now we’re talking! Discard people everywhere are creaming their shorts. (This means you Martin)
5 stars
Pestilent Kathari - 2B
Creature - Bird Warrior (Common)
Flying
Deathtouch
{2}{R}: Pestilent Kathari gains first strike until end of turn.
1/1
Limited BOMB!
1 star
Rotting Rats - 1B
Creature - Rat (Common)
When Rotting Rats comes into play, each player discards a card.
Unearth {1}{B}
1/1
This rat is awesome! You’re going to use him in some kind of reanimator or a deck where you don’t mind throwing unearthy guys into your graveyard, but getting 2 uses out of his ability for just 2 mana each is outstanding.
4 stars
Salvage Slasher - 1B
Artifact Creature - Human Rogue (Common)
Salvage Slasher gets +1/+0 for each artifact card in your graveyard.
1/1
If it was +1/+1 he would get many more stars.
2 stars
Scepter of Fugue - BB
Artifact (Rare)
{1}{B}, {T}: Target player discards a card. Play this ability only during your turn.
Disrupting Scepter was good, this is even better. Control decks hate this card and you should too!
4 stars
Sedraxis Alchemist - 2B
Creature - Zombie Wizard (Common)
When Sedraxis Alchemist comes into play, if you control a blue permanent, return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.
2/2
I really want to like this card because of my steadfast love for Man-O-War, but I can’t bring myself to do it.
2 stars
Voices from the Void - 4B
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Domain - Target player discards a card for each basic land type among lands you control.
There’s just better discard cards out there right now.
1 star
Wretched Banquet - B
Sorcery (Common)
Destroy target creature with the least power or tied for least power.
I kinda like this card. If you’re only playing the bigger crits, then this takes care of the other guys crits for a single black mana. Especially useful against Figure of Destiny. All that being said, I don’t think anyone will use it.
2 stars
Yoke of the Damned - 1B
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Whenever a creature is put into a graveyard from play, enchanted creature's controller sacrifices it.
This is terrible!
1 star
Red
Banefire - XR
Sorcery (Rare)
Banefire deals X damage to target creature or player.
If X is 5 or more, Banefire can't be countered by spells or abilities and the damage can't be prevented.
5 stars
Bloodhall Ooze - R
Creature - Ooze (Rare)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a black permanent, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Bloodhall Ooze.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a green permanent, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Bloodhall Ooze.
1/1
I really don’t like this creature. There just isn’t enough support in G/B to make this guy worth playing.
2 stars
Canyon Minotaur - 3R
Creature - Minotaur Warrior (Common)
3/3
This is boring even for Limited.
1 star
Dark Temper - 2R
Instant (Common)
Dark Temper deals 2 damage to target creature. If you control a black permanent, destroy that creature instead.
Great in Limited, pretty awful everywhere else.
1 stars
Dragonsoul Knight - 2R
Creature - Human Knight (Uncommon)
First strike
{W}{B}{U}{R}{G}: Until end of turn, Dragonsoul Knight becomes a Dragon, gets +5/+3, and gains flying and trample.
2/2
More 5 Color Aggro! 3 mana for a 2/2 first striker is good for red, but the pump ability is insane.
4 stars
Fiery Fall - 5R
Instant (Common)
Fiery Fall deals 5 damage to target creature.
Basic landcycling {1}{R}
This is my favorite of the basic land-cyclers. It’s an instant, it does lot’s of damage and red traditionally has problems mana-fixing. Great card.
4 stars
Goblin Razerunners - 2RR
Creature - Goblin Warrior (Rare)
{1}{R}, Sacrifice a land: Put a +1/+1 counter on Goblin Razerunners.
At the end of your turn, you may have Goblin Razerunners deal damage equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on it to target player.
3/4
I really want to like this guy, but I just don’t see him getting any constructed play. The fact that his “land sack” ability has an activation cost is self defeating as eventually you won’t have enough mana to sack that last land.
2 stars
Hellspark Elemental - 1R
Creature - Elemental (Uncommon)
Trample, haste
At end of turn, sacrifice Hellspark Elemental.
Unearth {1}{R}
3/1
I always hated Spark Elemental, but this guy is actually pretty decent. It’s potentially 6 points for 4 mana, which is respectable. I hope you mono red burn people choke on this!
3 stars
Ignite Disorder - 1R
Instant (Uncommon)
Ignite Disorder deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target white and/or blue creatures.
Excellent sideboard option for white weenie! Flexible, Instant and cheap!
4 stars
Kranioceros - 4R
Creature - Beast (Common)
{1}{W}: Kranioceros gets +0/+3 until end of turn.
5/2
Limited and that’s about it.
1 star
Maniacal Rage - 1R
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and can't block.
Nobody played it back when and nobody will play it now.
1 star.
Molten Frame - 1R
Instant (Common)
Destroy target artifact creature.
Cycling {2}
This looks strictly better than Shatter at first, but then you notice that it says artifact CREATURE. I guess it could be good if Esper ever gets good, but right now it sucks (even with cycling).
1 star
Quenchable Fire - 3R
Sorcery (Common)
Quenchable Fire deals 3 damage to target player. It deals an additional 3 damage to that player at the beginning of his or her next upkeep unless that player pays {U} before that step.
If Vivid Lands and Reflecting Pools weren’t everywhere right now this would be a lot better. As it stands now, darn near everybody can make a blue mana if they need it.
1 star
Rakka Mar - 2RR
Legendary Creature - Human Shaman (Rare)
Haste
{R}, {T}: Put a 3/1 red Elemental creature token with haste into play.
2/2
This guy will be pretty sick in Limited as he can make a chump blocker every turn; however, barring some trick I don’t see this guy making it into Standard decks.
2 stars
Toxic Iguanar - R
Creature - Lizard (Common)
Toxic Iguanar has deathtouch as long as you control a green permanent.
1/1
I don’t think so.
1 star
Viashino Slaughtermaster - 1R
Creature - Viashino Warrior (Uncommon)
Double strike
{B}{G}: Viashino Slaughtermaster gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn.
1/1
I like that this is an inexpensive double striker and he may find a home alongside Elspeth.
3 stars
Volcanic Fallout - 1RR
Instant (Uncommon)
Volcanic Fallout can't be countered.
Volcanic Fallout deals 2 damage to each creature and each player.
Uncounterable pyroclasm + player damage. I love it! Another great tool against the Fae.
5 stars
Voracious Dragon - 3RR
Creature - Dragon (Rare)
Flying
Devour 1
When Voracious Dragon comes into play, it deals damage equal to twice the number of Goblins it devoured to target creature or player.
4/4
This guy has to fill a really specific niche to be useful. I don’t see him being all that useful outside of a “1 of” in some goblin-type decks or maybe even r/w Reveilark because they run the Seige Gang Commander.
3 stars
Wandering Goblins - 2R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (Common)
Domain - {3}: Wandering Goblins get +1/+0 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
0/3
Potentially powerful, but really too expensive for my 5 color aggro deck!
1 star
Worldheart Phoenix - 3R
Creature - Phoenix (Rare)
Flying
You may play Worldheart Phoenix from your graveyard by paying {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} rather than paying its mana cost. If you do, it comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it.
2/2
This guy is amazing! Outside of RFG effects, this bastard just keeps coming back. Sadly, he can’t come back on your opponents turn. He also won’t be as useful because most of the removal being used in the format removes creatures from the game.
4 stars
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Matthew Ratz
Member Since: 2/29/2008
|
| Nice write up. I only differ on one card, and that is wretched banquet. It allows you to kill any creature they play. ANY. Just as long as it is the only one. But after a wrath? they play a 6/7 tarmogoyf? kill with this 1 Black drop. First turn figure of destiny? 1b drop. Anything in standard get skilled by this, with the excepton of those nasty token generators. but limited, this is a bomb. I draft 7 because it is common in a small set. You play a creature turn one? i kill it. Turn two? kill it. Turn three kill it. Wholly Thoctar? kill it. No qualifiers as long as it doesn't have pro black or shroud, it's dead. Then you also run 12 of those 7 drop 4 damage / 4 life landcycling cards (because who's gonna take those), I think you have a very nice deck.
Of course flashing in a 1/1 will effectivly counter this spell, so there is that also.
Playing to Win is Playing for Fun - Matthew Ratz |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Martin Stanley
Member Since: 2/29/2008
|
| Nice job Josh, I did most certainly love that Nyxathid guy!
Terry Hoitz: I'm like a peacock, you gotta let me fly! |
|
| This is a nice summary. I like Bloodhall Ooze a lot better than you do though. If you follow this guy up with a Sprouting Thrinax or Doran he quickly becomes a monster. A lot of 1.5 and Extended players seem to be excited about Hellspark Elemental. Four additional Ball Lightnings promise to really strengthen any burn deck, and Terror or a burn spell will only prevent 3 of the 6 points of damage he can deal. He should certainly join Spark Elemental and Keldon Marauders in any Extended burn deck. He might find a home in Standard Red Deck Wins and Blightning decks as well. Extractor Demon's ability to fill up your own graveyard might be useful in some sort of Dredge strategy or as a single shot milling engine in a combo deck. Telemin Performance is instnt death against creatureless decks. Worldly Counsel seems pretty weak in the current basic land light Standard environment, but it should shine in Extended. Impulse does the same thing more efficiently in older formats.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Zack Strait
Member Since: 4/9/2008
|
| Im also a fan of bloodhall ooze. And I also like the banquet.
"The shit look like ya hand when you be doin a shadow puppet for a duck n shit nahmean. Shit be lookin like it jus caught a pop fly in center field n whatever whatever nahmean." re: Ghostface Killa on lil' kim's vagina. |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Paul King
Member Since: 4/12/2008
|
| Awesome Josh, it must have taken awhile. Personally, I think Hellspark elemental is awesome. Play him, spark elemental, hell's thunder and some burn and that would be pretty sweet.
... |
|
| Here'e the rest!
Green
Beacon Behemoth - 3GG
Creature - Beast (Common)
{1}: Target creature with power 5 or greater gains vigilance until end of turn.
5/3
Much like Mostodon this guy will be a nice addition to any Limited deck, but otherwise he’s pretty useless.
1 star
Cliffrunner Behemoth - 3G
Creature - Rhino Beast (Rare)
Cliffrunner Behemoth has haste as long as you control a red permanent.
Cliffrunner Behemoth has lifelink as long as you control a white permanent.
5/3
Evan Erwin said it best. “Turn 1 Figure, Turn 2 pump and swing for 2 with Figure, Turn 3 pump Figure and swing for 4, turn 4 play Cliffrunner Behemoth and swing for 9. Thanks for playing.” As a 5/4 he would get 5 stars, at 5/3 he gets…
4 stars
Cylian Sunsinger - 1G
Creature - Elf Shaman (Rare)
{R}{G}{W}: Cylian Sunsinger and each other creature with the same name as it get +3/+3 until end of turn.
2/2
I guess this guy fits into my 5 color aggro format, but he may be good in a Naya beats deck as well. I don’t think the ability to pump others with the same name is going to be very useful, but you never know how things work out. I personally like this guy, but don’t think he’ll make any dent in Standard.
3 stars
Ember Weaver - 2G
Creature - Spider (Common)
Reach
As long as you control a red permanent, Ember Weaver gets +1/+0 and has first strike
2/3
Why does it seems like we’re still overpaying for reach? Is it really that good of an ability? He dies to Mistblind Clique which means he’s garbage.
1 star
Filigree Fracture - 2G
Instant (Uncommon)
Destroy target enchantment or artifact.
If that artifact or enchantment's controller controls a black or blue permanent, you may draw a card.
This replaces Naturalize in my opinion, I will personally jettison the 1 less casting cost card for one that might net me a card. Most of the annoying (Bitterblossom) enchantments you want to get rid of are black anyway.
5 stars
Gluttonous Slime - 2G
Creature - Ooze (Uncommon)
Flash
Devour 1
2/2
What am I going to do? Flash this guy in as a response to your Wrath? Seems good against cards like pyroclasm and firespout and I do like to see both flash and devour in the same card, but this seems like it could have been made better. How about an ability like, “If you devoured 3 or more creatures, Gluttonous Slime is indestructible until end of turn.” I do think he’s a good trick for a creature that’s on it’s way out anyway, and it can keep key creatures from being removed from the game instead of the dreaded RFG zone.
3 stars
Matca Rioters - 2G
Creature - Human Warrior (Common)
Domain - Matca Rioter's power and toughness are each equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control.
*/*
Another wonderful addition to my 5C Aggro deck! Once online this guy is a 3 mana 5/5 and even playing him ASAP could mean a 3/3 for 3. He’s no Tarmo-fag, but he’ll have to do.
3 stars
Might of Alara - G
Instant (Common)
Domain - Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
People aren’t using Giant Growth, so I can’t imagine people are going to play 5 different basic lands to get +5/+5. Unless of course you’re creating a 5 color aggro deck…nope, still not using it.
1 star
Nacatl Savage - 1G
Creature - Cat Warrior (Common)
Protection from artifacts
2/1
The Bane of Esper!!!
1 star
Noble Hierarch - G
Creature - Human Druid (Rare)
Exalted
{T}: Add {G}, {W} or {U} to your mana pool.
0/1
Sure seems like Bird of Paradise just lost his job didn’t it? I think this guy will see crazy amounts of play. Most times you don’t even need every color a BOP will make so Noble is going to be stapled in Bant decks and probably even see play in ramp decks.
5 stars
Paleoloth - 4GG
Creature - Beast (Rare)
Whenever another creature with power 5 or greater comes into play under your control, you may return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
5/5
I’m not sure how the timing works with this guy. Does he trigger himself when he comes into play? I don’t think he does (help P-Dude!). The ability is cool, but I don’t think people are running hordes and hordes of 5+ power critters in their decks right now.
2 stars
Sacellum Archers - 2G
Creature - Elf Archer (Uncommon)
{R}{W}, {T}: Sacellum Archers deals 2 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
2/3
Another great Limited card! Hooray!
1 star
Scattershot Archer - G
Creature - Elf Archer (Common)
{T}: Scattershot Archer deals 1 damage to each creature with flying.
1/2
Goodnight faeries. Oddly enough in a non-fae environment this guy would be really average if not garbage, but look for him to grace sideboard everywhere.
5 stars
Shard Convergence - 3G
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Search your library for a Plains card, an Island card, a Swamp card, and a Mountain card. Reveal those cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
I love this stinking card. Purely from a card advantage point of view you are netting 3 cards for 1 spell, which is amazing. Who cares if they’re lands? You’re going to not miss land drops for the next five turns, you’re going fix your colored mana for a multi-color deck, and let’s not forget any kind of combo shenanigans.
4 stars
Soul's Majesty - 4G
Sorcery (Rare)
Draw cards equal to the power of target creature you control.
Depending on when you draw it and how the board looks this could be a really bomb card or a real waste of effort. Extremely dubious.
3 stars
Spore Burst - 3G
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Domain - Put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token into play for each basic land type among lands you control.
I think Hunting Triad is a strictly better spell.
1 star
Sylvan Bounty - 5G
Instant (Common)
Target player gains 8 life.
Basic landcycling {1}{G}
My second favorite of the basic land cyclers! Gain 8 life at instant speed or cycle it away to fix your mana!
4 stars
Thornling - 3GG
Creature - Elemental Shapeshifter (Mythic Rare)
{G}: Thornling gains haste until end of turn.
{G}: Thornling gains trample until end of turn.
{G}: Thornling is indestructible until end of turn.
{1}: Thornling gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
{1}: Thornling gets -1/+1 until end of turn.
4/4
I really want to dock this guy a star just for the artwork! The +-1/+-1 abilities are great, we know that. The trample ability rules. The haste is a little clunky as you’re only ever going to use that once (if ever). I think Wizards wants us to look at the Indestructible ability and drool, but let’s face it kids: Every decent removal spell in the format puts a creature somewhere other than the graveyard! The only 3 things this guy is really scoffing at are Wrath and Terror and burn. I’m torn as to whether or not this guy will see play…I’m going to go with my gut and say no.
3 stars
Tukatongue Thallid - G
Creature - Fungus (Common)
When Tukatongue Thallid is put into a graveyard from play, put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token into play.
1/1
Essentially two 1/1’s for 1 mana. What’s not to like! Mogg War Marshal saw tons of play and he cost double the mana!
5 stars
Wild Leotau - 2GG
Creature - Cat (Common)
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Wild Leotau unless you pay {G}.
5/4
I don’t think so. Great for Limited, though!
1 star
Multicolor
Apocalypse Hydra - XRG
Creature - Hydra (Mythic Rare)
Apocalypse Hydra comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it. If X is 5 or more, it comes into play with an additional X +1/+1 counters on it.
{1}{R}, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Apocalypse Hydra: Apocalypse Hydra deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
0/0
I’m pissed that this guy is a Mythic. I’m pissed that you have to spend 7 mana to make use of his first ability. I’m pissed that I have to spend 2 mana for his second ability and it makes him smaller. I think I’d rather play a burn X spell.
2 stars
Blood Tyrant - 4UBR
Creature - Vampire (Rare)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, each player loses 1 life. Whenever a player loses life this way, put that many +1/+1 counters on Blood Tyrant.
Whenever a player loses the game, put five +1/+1 counters on Blood Tyrant.
5/5
Clearly they had multiplayer in mind for this one! The beauty of his design is that he is still playable in a heads-up format. His first ability is amazing as it guarantees that he gets +2/+2 every turn he’s still on the board. That means the very first swing with this guy nets 8 damage! The next turn he gets you another 10. Make no mistake about it, this guy can end a game in 2 turns. Sadly, nobody will use him in Standard.
3 stars (5 stars for multiplayer)
Charnelhoard Wurm - 4BRG
Creature - Wurm (Rare)
Trample
Whenever Charnelhoard Wurm deals damage to an opponent, you may return target card from your graveyard to your hand.
6/6
Yet another great card that nobody will use. Cards like this are classic “win more” cards. If you’re getting across with this guy for damage every turn, then the game should be pretty firmly in your grasp already.
2 stars
Child of Alara - WUBRG
Legendary Creature - Avatar (Mythic Rare)
Trample
When Child of Alara is put into a graveyard from play, destroy all nonland permanents. They can't be regenerated.
6/6
Incredible!
5 stars
Conflux - 3WUBRG
Sorcery (Mythic Rare)
Search your library for a white card, a blue card, a black card, a red card, and a green card. Reveal those cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
If you had this much mana at your disposal, how many cards can you think of that you would rather cast than this?
1 star
Countersquall - UB
Instant (Uncommon)
Counter target noncreature spell. Its controller loses 2 life.
With the ease of mana fixing in this Standard environment, Negate just got replaced!
5 stars
Elder Mastery - 3UBR
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +3/+3, has flying, and has "Whenever this creature deals damage to a player, that player discards two cards."
This is simply disgusting in Limited! Everywhere else it’s just…well…disgusting!
1 star
Esper Cormorants - 2WU
Artifact Creature - Bird (Common)
Flying
3/3
This card is so boring I had to take a nap after I read it.
3 stars
Exploding Borders - 2RG
Sorcery (Common)
Domain - Search your library for a basic land card, put that card into play tapped, then shuffle your library. Exploding Borders deals X damage to target player, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control.
The mana ramp decks are gonna love ya! Truly an amazing card with 2 extremely great abilities. Even late game this can be a potential finisher!
5 stars
Fusion Elemental - WUBRG
Creature - Elemental (Uncommon)
8/8
Geez, another boring creature! If you have one of each color, you’re going to have better things to do with it.
2 stars
Giltspire Avenger - GWU
Creature - Human Soldier (Rare)
Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
{T}: Destroy target creature that dealt damage to you this turn.
2/2
I like this guy, but most people are getting horded to death by creatures and killing one of the many that just damaged you isn’t really getting you an advantage. The bigger guys can make it even worse…”Take 8 from my Colossus, then you can kill it.” His ability also means that any “whenever this creature deals damage” triggers will go off before the Avenger gets a crack at him. Cool idea, but bad card.
2 stars
Goblin Outlander - BR
Creature - Goblin Scout (Common)
Protection from white
2/2
Maybe the best of the “Protection Bears” as most spot removal is in white.
4 stars
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer - 1WU
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (Rare)
{W}{U}, {T}: Put a bribery counter on target creature you don't control. Its controller draws a card.
Creatures with bribery counters on them can't attack or block.
2/2
Let me get his straight…I’m going to let you draw cards so you can get the removal spell you need to kill this guy and make all my bribery tokens useless? That’s what I thought.
1 star
Hellkite Hatchling - 2RG
Creature - Dragon (Uncommon)
Devour 1
Hellkite Hatchling has flying and trample if it devoured a creature.
2/2
This guy has to devour a lot to become worth it. Say you devour 1 guy, which means you get a 3/3 flying trampler for 4. Still doesn’t seem worth it.
2 stars
Jhessian Balmgiver - 1WU
Creature - Human Cleric? (Uncommon)
{T}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.
{T}: Target creature is unblockable this turn.
1/1
Great card for Limited, pretty crappy otherwise
2 stars
Knight of the Reliquary - 1GW
Creature - Human Knight (Rare)
Knight of the Reliquary gets +1/+1 for each land card in your graveyard.
{T}, Sacrifice a Forest or Plains: Search your library for a land card, put it into play, then shuffle your library.
2/2
WOW! This guy rocks my world. His first ability works well with his second and each ability rules on its own. Make sure you note that the second ability gets ANY land and puts it into play UNTAPPED.
5 stars
Knotvine Mystic - RGW
Creature - Elf Druid? (Uncommon)
{1}, {T}: Add {R}{G}{W} to your mana pool.
2/2
A nifty druid, but it seems that if people really want mana fixing this bad, they’re going to do it with land, not tri-casting cost creatures.
2 stars
Maelstrom Archangel - WUBRG
Creature - Angel (Mythic Rare)
Flying
Whenever Maelstrom Archangel deals combat damage to a player, you may play a nonland card from your hand without paying its mana cost.
5/5
Now here is something I’ll spend a mana of each color on! 5/5 and flying rocks and the ability to play any spell in your hand for free is redonk!
5 stars
Magister Sphinx - 4WUB
Artifact Creature - Sphinx (Rare)
Flying
When Magister Sphinx comes into play, target player's life total becomes 10.
5/5
Another bomb artifact creature! I’m telling you, watch out for NET Esper decks before too long! This guy will get cheated into play (Mannequin) and end the game in 2 turns!
5 stars
Malfegor - 2BBRR
Legendary Creature - Demon Dragon (Mythic Rare)
Flying
When Malfegor comes into play, discard your hand. Each opponent sacrifices a creature for each card discarded this way.
6/6
This guy seems terrible to me. I have to lose my entire hand (assuming I still have one in a BR deck by the time he gets cast) and in return I’m going to maybe kill of all of your guys. Your opponent keeps all the cards in his hand, so how big of an advantage did I just get? Not much.
1 star
Meglonoth - 3RGW
Creature - Beast (Rare)
Vigilance, trample
Whenever Meglonoth blocks a creature, Meglonoth deals damage to that creature's controller equal to Meglonoth's power.
6/6
Dramatic Entrance ring any bells? Yeah, I’ve talked about this a little already. He must be dealt with immediately or else. That usually means bomb.
5 stars
Nacatl Outlander - RG
Creature - Cat Scout (Common)
Protection from blue
2/2
Pro Blue! Who cares.
1 star
Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker - 4UBBR
Planeswalker - Bolas (Mythic Rare)
+3: Destroy target noncreature permanent.
-2: Gain control of target creature.
-9: Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker deals 7 damage to target player. That player discards seven cards, then sacrifices seven permanents.
5
This has been talked about at length as well. He’s no more than a one of in even the most mana intensive 5CC deck and even then he may get cut.
3 stars
Progenitus - WWUUBBRRGG
Legendary Creature - Hydra Avatar (Mythic Rare)
Protection from everything
If Progenitus would be put into a graveyard from anywhere, reveal Progenitus and shuffle it into its owner's library instead.
10/10
This guy is like the new Darksteel Colossus in my opinion. More mana intensive sure, but when this guy hits the board there’s a good chance game’s over soon.
5 stars
Rhox Bodyguard - 3GW
Creature - Rhino Monk Soldier (Common)
Exalted
When Rhox Bodyguard comes into play, you gain 3 life.
2/3
Too expensive for what he is. Gaining 3 life is nice, but not for 5 mana and not when Kitchen Finks is available.
1 star
Scarland Thrinax - BRG
Creature - Lizard (Uncommon)
Sacrifice a creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on Scarland Thrinax.
2/2
Provided you have the extra colored mana this guy is light years better than Nantuko Husk!
5 stars
Shambling Remains - 1BR
Creature - Zombie Horror (Uncommon)
Shambling Remains can't block.
Unearth {B}{R}
4/3
Another great critter! I like him even better than the Gouger and this guy even comes back for one more hit!
4 stars
Skyward Eye Prophets - 3GWU
Creature - Human Wizard (Uncommon)
Vigilance
{T}: Reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it into play. Otherwise, put it into your hand.
3/3
I wish to hell this guy was cheaper to play because he has the Coiling Oracle-Better than drawing a card ability. This is guy is still awesome as you can swing and still use his ability, but at 6 mana I don’t think he’s gonna get any love.
3 stars
Sludge Strider - 1WUB
Artifact Creature - Insect (Uncommon)
Whenever another artifact comes into play under your control or another artifact you control leaves play, you may pay {1}. If you do, target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
3/3
If this weren’t a creature it would be good, but it is a creature and is therefore bad. If the ability were free; however, he would be utterly broken in some format.
2 stars
Sphinx Summoner - 3UB
Artifact Creature - Sphinx (Rare)
Flying
When Sphinx Summoner comes into play, you may search your libary for an artifact card, reveal it and put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
3/3
Another great artifact creature. He’s a little overcosted, but the ability makes up for it. In Esper decks this will be tantamount to a Demonic Tutor. Oh! And you get a 3/3 flyer!
4 stars
Suicidal Charge - 3BR
Enchantment (Common)
Sacrifice Suicidal Charge: Creatures your opponents control get -1/-1 until end of turn. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
Interesting, but really not that great. Practice may prove me wrong, but this will be a far better Limited card than constructed.
2 stars
Vagrant Plowbeasts - 5GW
Creature - Beast (Uncommon)
{1}: Regenerate target creature with power 5 or greater.
6/6
Limited bomb.
1 star
Valeron Outlander - GW
Creature - Human Scout (Common)
Protection from black
2/2
Good color to have protection from and GW is popular right now. Feels like a winner.
4 stars
Vectis Agents - 3UB
Artifact Creature - Human Rogue (Common)
{U}{B}: Vectis Agents gets -2/-0 and is unblockable until end of turn.
4/3
Limited, but nothing else.
1 star
Vedalken Outlander - WU
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Scout (Common)
Protection from red
2/2
The last of the great Pro-Bears! It’s always nice when you know a guy isn’t going to get burned off the table.
4 stars
Zombie Outlander - UB
Creature - Zombie Scout (Common)
Protection from green
2/2
Ugh. Pro Green? He’s also BU and not an artifact creature.
1 star
Colorless
Armillary Sphere - 2
Artifact (Common)
{2}, {T}, Sacrifice Armillary Sphere: Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
I dig this little artifact. Mana fixing is important, especially in Limited formats and this gets the job done nicely. Especially in those domain decks that are sure to be popping up everywhere!
3 stars
Bone Saw - 0
Artifact - Equipment (Common)
Equipped creature gets +1/+0.
Equip {1}
I can’t imagine anyone under Earth’s yellow sun ever using this card in Standard.
1 star
Font of Mythos - 4
Artifact (Rare)
At the beginning of each player's draw step, that player draws an additional two cards.
Double the cost, Double the Howl! This will find a niche in offbeat alternate win decks, but otherwise it always helps the other guy before it helps you.
3 stars (4 stars in the right deck)
Kaleidostone - 2
Artifact (Common)
When Kaleidostone comes into play, draw a card.
{5}, {T}, Sacrifice Kaleidostone: Add {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} to your mana pool.
Another fine example of Esperoza (or whatever that guy is called) bouncy artifact card. The ability is relevant as many of the best creatures in the set require one of each color. Again though, people will do this through their lands, not their artifacts.
2 stars
Mana Cylix - 1
Artifact (Common)
{1}, {T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
Huh-uh.
1 star
Manaforce Mace - 4
Artifact - Equipment (Uncommon)
Domain - Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each basic land type among lands you control.
Equip {3}
Nice try, but way overcosted!
2 stars
Obelisk of Alara - 6
Artifact (Rare)
{1}{W}, {T}: You gain 5 life.
{1}{U}, {T}: Draw a card, then discard a card.
{1}{B}, {T}: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
{1}{R}, {T}: Obelisk of Alara deals 3 damage to target player.
{1}{G}, {T}: Target creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn.
I can see this as a 1 or 2-of in 5 color control decks as a kind of stall/alternate win. Every ability is useful and this is devastating if it stays out for too long.
4 stars
Land
Ancient Ziggurat
Land (Uncommon)
{T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to play a creature spell.
I believe that pretty much every zoo deck has at least a few non-creature spells in them. That being said, I think this will be like the land that tapped for any color as long as it was for a multi-colored spell: fun to look at, but not feasible in any real deck stratagem.
1 star
Exotic Orchard
Land (Rare)
{T}: Add to your mana pool one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce.
This is cute too, but what made Fellwar Stone great is that you could use it as an extra source of colorless mana. It didn’t take up a land slot like this does. Sadly, the format just isn’t predictable which means this cards isn’t either.
2 stars
Reliquary Tower
Land (Uncommon)
You have no maximum hand size.
{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool.
I like the ability, especially for control and combo decks and it still makes a colorless. Draw all the cards you want!
3 stars
Rupture Spire
Land (Common)
Rupture Spire comes into play tapped.
When Rupture Spire comes into play, sacrifice it unless you pay {1}.
{T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
Yikes! You have to jump through a lot of hoops for this thing! At least have it come into play untapped so we can use it, geez!
1 star
Unstable Frontier
Land (Uncommon)
{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool.
{T}: Target land you control becomes the basic land type of your choice until end of turn.
Limited pick, but that’s all
1 star
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama |
|
| Paleoloth does not trigger his ability when he comes into play. His text reads "Whenever another creature with power 5 or greater comes into play under your control." I can definitely see Progenitus replacing Darksteel Colossus as a one of in Type 1 decks to Tinker for. Swords to Plowshares and bounce spells are fare more prevelant in Type 1 than Wrath effects. I have actually heard a lot of people saying good things about Ancient Ziggurat, but only time will tell. Pillar of the Paruns actually saw play in some tournament caliber Extended decks, and I think Ancient Ziggurat could also. Slivers should love it in 1.5.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche |
|
| Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Paul King
Member Since: 4/12/2008
|
| I agree with Knight of Reliquiry. That guy is a HOUSE!!!!
... |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Penny Dude
Member Since: 5/1/2008
|
| Unfortunately, you can't Tinker for Progenitus... Also, Knight of the Reliquary and Apocalypse Hydra are my favorite cards from this set. |
|
| Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Paul King
Member Since: 4/12/2008
|
| Oath of Druids decks might play Progenitus. I looked over the white cards and white is actually getting good. Path to Exile, Martial Coup, and Lapse of Certainty are among my favorites.
... |
|
| Date Posted: 1/26/2009
Posted By: Zack Strait
Member Since: 4/9/2008
|
| Why not? Hes not in play, so his protection wont take effect.
"The shit look like ya hand when you be doin a shadow puppet for a duck n shit nahmean. Shit be lookin like it jus caught a pop fly in center field n whatever whatever nahmean." re: Ghostface Killa on lil' kim's vagina. |
|
| Ahh, I thought he was an artifact. He's still not terrible. Oath of Druids seems like the best use then. There doesn't seem to be any other good use for him. You can't reanimate him or use Urza's lands to hard cast him. I suppose Tooth and Nail would be the only other realistic option. Hellkite Overlord still seems a much better choice in Oath Decks though (and probably with Tooth and Nail as well). You could probably play one Progenitus in Oath decks in case the two Overlords get removed from the game with Swords to Plowshares though.
I have heard a lot of people comparing Knight of the Reliquary to Terravore. The Knight only uses your graveyard, rather than both players graveyards, but it does start off as a 2/2. Unlike the Terravore it does come with a built in method of filling up your own graveyards with lands. Terravore might be better overall, but the Knight of the Reliquary is Standard legal and seems pretty playable in his own right, as long as you are using lots of plains and forests. He does search for nonbasic lands as well, which could make him quite strong in formats that allow Library of Alexandria, Wasteland, or Strip Mine. He should even work well with Standard and Extended man lands.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche |
|
| Progenitus can also be cheated in with cards like Show and Tell, Eureka, Proteus Staff, Gamekeeper, Reweave, and the still Standard legal Dramatic Entrance.
I agree that white got a lot to choose from! It seems that the two colors that really got a lot of great cards are White and Blue.
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama |
|
| EDIT:
I'm upgrading Blood Tyrant to 4 stars as I have just discovered that he has flying AND trample!
"I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." Barack Obama |
|
 | Date Posted: 1/27/2009
Posted By: Ben Warren
Member Since: 3/18/2008
|
| I believe Esper has the cards for an amazing deck now. Master Transmuter is freakin' amazing. Counters galore plus bomb creatures, and Tezzeret!
Pwn'd. |
|
| I see Blightning decks rising to Tier 1 status with the addition of Banefire and Hellspark Elemental. Volcanic Fallout might also help, but the deck allready beats Faeries, and Infest is better against Kithkin.
5 Color Control would likely become the most played deck if Faeries begin to falter. It gains Path to Exile, Martial Coup, and Volcanic Fallout, while Faeries seem to gain nothing. No cards have been added to punish playing nonbasic lands, although several cards have been added to reward playing basic lands. 5 Color Control could easily run 1 or 2 basic lands to take advantage of Path to Exiles without seriously harming its mana base. Of course Mark of Asylum could easily negate Volcanic Fallout and Cloudthresher, making Faeries even stronger than they were before.
I'm not sure that Esper or any Shards based decktypes will be viable until llorwyn Block exits Standard, but I may be mistaken. The thought of a Fearies deck that beats burn and ignores Cloudthresher is somewhat frightening. By adding white for Mark of Asylum and Esper Charm they could even sideboard Burrenton Forge-Tender. it would be ironic if the set they intentionally filled with Faerie hosers actually made Faeries even better.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche |
|
| Conflux Set Review
1=unplayable 2=bad 3=good 4=great 5=staple
White
Aerie Mystics - 4W
Creature - Bird Cleric (Uncommon)
Flying
{1}{G}{U}, {T}: Creatures you control gain shroud until end of turn.
3/3
1 star
Asha's Favor - 2W
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has flying, first strike, and vigilance.
What is this worth putting on? A 1/1? A 2/2?
1 stars
Aven Squire - 1W
Creature - Bird Soldier (Common)
Flying
Exalted
1/1
2 stars
Aven Trailblazer - 2W
Creature - Bird Soldier (Common)
Flying
Domain - Aven Trailblazer's toughness is equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control.
2/*
In a Doran deck that uses a lot of basic lands?
2 star
Celestial Purge - 1W
Instant (Uncommon)
Remove target red or black permanent from the game.
Badassssssss.
5 stars
Court Homunculus - W
Artifact Creature - Homunculus (Common)
Court Homunculus gets +1/+1 as long as you control another artifact.
1/1
2 stars
Darklit Gargoyle - 1W
Artifact Creature - Gargoyle (Common)
Flying
{B}: Darklit Gargoyle gets +2/-1 until end of turn.
1/2
1 star
Gleam of Resistance - 4W
Instant (Common)
Creatures you control get +1/+2 until end of turn. Untap those creatures.
Basic landcycling {1}{W}
2 stars
Lapse of Certainty - 2W
Instant (Common)
Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on top of its owner's library instead of into that player's graveyard.
White Counter always good.
4 stars
Mark of Asylum - 1W
Enchantment (Rare)
Prevent all noncombat damage that would be dealt to creatures you control.
Kithkin could run their own Pyroclasm effects vs. other Kithkin decks.
4 stars
Martial Coup - XWW
Sorcery (Rare)
Put X 1/1 white Soldier creature tokens into play. If X is 5 or more, destroy all other creatures.
Probably won't replace Wrath. Probably the best card in this set for limited.
4 stars
Mirror-Sigil Sergeant - 5W
Creature - Rhino Soldier (Mythic Rare)
Trample
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a blue permanent, you may put a token into play that's a copy of Mirror-Sigil Sergeant.
4/4
1 star
Nacatl Hunt-Pride - 5W
Creature - Cat Warrior (Uncommon)
Vigilance
{R}, {T}: Target creature can't block this turn.
{G}, {T}: Target creature must block this turn if able.
5/4
1 star
Paragon of the Amesha - 2W
Creature - Human Knight (Uncommon)
First strike
{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}: Until end of turn, Paragon of the Amesha becomes an Angel, gets +3/+3, and gains flying and lifelink.
2/2
1 star
Path to Exile - W
Instant (Uncommon)
Remove target creature from the game. Its controller may search his or her library for a basic land card, put it into play tapped, then shuffle his or her library.
Move over Condemn.
5 stars
Rhox Meditant - 3W
Creature - Rhino Monk (Common)
When Rhox Meditant comes into play, if you control a green permanent, you may draw a card.
2/4
Isn't Masked Admirers still around, and can come back?
1 star
Scepter of Dominance - 1WW
Artifact (Rare)
{W}, {T}: Tap target permanent.
4 stars
Sigil of the Empty Throne - 3WW
Enchantment (Rare)
Whenever you play an enchantment spell, put a 4/4 white Angel creature token with flying into play.
1 star
Valiant Guard - W
Creature - Human Soldier (Common)
0/3
1 star
Wall of Reverence - 3W
Creature - Spirit Wall (Rare)
Defender, flying
At the end of your turn, you may gain life equal to the power of target creature you control.
1/6
3 stars
Blue
Brackwater Elemental - 2U
Creature - Elemental (Common)
When Brackwater Elemental attacks or blocks, sacrifice it at end of turn.
Unearth {2}{U}
4/4
3 stars
Constricting Tendrils - U
Instant (Common)
Target creature gets -3/-0 until end of turn.
Cycling {2}
Where is Marsh Gas when you need it?
1 star
Controlled Instincts - U
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant red or green creature
Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
3 stars
Cumber Stone - 3U
Artifact (Uncommon)
Creatures your opponents control get -1/-0.
2 stars
Esperzoa - 2U
Artifact Creature - Jellyfish (Uncommon)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, return an artifact you control to its owner's hand.
4/3
Better than Serendib Efreet!
5 stars
Ethersworn Adjudicator - 4U
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Knight (Mythic Rare)
Flying
{1}{B}{W}, {T}: Destroy target creature or enchantment.
{2}{U}: Untap Ethersworn Ajudicator.
4/4
3 stars
Faerie Mechanist - 3U
Artifact Creature - Faerie Artificer (Common)
Flying
When Faerie Mechanist comes into play, look at the top three cards of your library. You may reveal an artifact card from among them and put it in your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
2/2
4 stars
Frontline Sage - 2U
Creature - Human Wizard (Common)
Exalted
{U}, {T}: Draw a card, then discard a card.
0/1
2 stars
Grixis Illusionist - U
Creature - Human Wizard (Common)
{T}: Target land becomes the basic land type of your choice until end of turn.
1/1
1 star
Inkwell Leviathan - 7UU
Artifact Creature - Leviathan (Rare)
Islandwalk, trample, shroud
7/11
5 stars
Master Transmuter - 3U
Artifact Creature - Human Artificer (Rare)
{U}, {T}: Return an artifact you control to its owner's hand: You may put an artifact card from your hand into play.
1/2
5 stars
Parasitic Strix - 2U
Artifact Creature - Bird (Common)
Flying
When Parasitic Strix comes into play, if you control a black permanent, target player loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.
2/2
1 star
Scepter of Insight - 1UU
Artifact (Rare)
{3}{U}, {T}: Draw a card.
2 stars
Scornful Aether-Lich - 3U
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Wizard (Uncommon)
{W}{B}: Scornful Aether-Lich gains fear and vigilance until end of turn.
2/4
1 star
Telemin Performance - 3UU
Sorcery (Rare)
Target opponent reveals cards from the top of his or her library until a creature card is revealed. Put all noncreature cards revealed this way into that player's graveyard, then put the creature card into play under your control.
5 stars
Traumatic Visions - 3UU
Instant (Common)
Counter target spell.
Basic landcycling {1}{U}
2 stars
Unsummon - U
Instant (Common)
Return target creature to its owner's hand.
3 stars
View from Above - 1U
Instant (Uncommon)
Target creature gains flying until end of turn.
If you control a white permanent, return View from Above into your hand.
Finally, after saying "Jump" everytime somebody attacks me with a flyer that I wish I could block.
1 star
Worldly Counsel - 1U
Instant (Common)
Domain - Look at the top X cards of your library, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control. Put one of those cards into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library.
3 stars
"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read." - Pliny the Elder |
|
| Black
Absorb Vis - 6B
Sorcery (Common)
Taget player loses 4 life and you gain 4 life.
Basic landcycling {1}{B}
1 star
Corrupted Roots - B
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant Forest or Plains
Whenever enchanted land becomes tapped, its controller loses 2 life.
I used to love Psychic Venom!
1 star
Drag Down - 2B
Instant (Common)
Domain - Target creature gets -1/-1 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
This is too expensive and too limited to be playable in Standard.
2 stars
Dreadwing - B
Creature - Zombie (Uncommon)
{1}{U}{R}: Dreadwing gets +3/+0 and gains flying until end of turn.
1/1
1 star
Extractor Demon - 4BB
Creature - Demon (Rare)
Flying
Whenever another creature leaves play, you may have target player put the top two cards of his or her library into his or her graveyard.
Unearth {2}{B}
5/5
I think they want you to target yourself for the milling effect, getting other Unearth guys into your graveyard.
3 stars
Fleshformer - 2B
Creature - Human Wizard (Uncommon)
{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}: Fleshformer gets +2/+2 and has fear until end of turn. Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
2/2
2 stars
Grixis Slavedriver - 5B
Creature - Zombie Giant (Uncommon)
When Grixis Slavedriver leaves play, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token into play.
Unearth {3}{B}
4/4
3 stars
Infectious Horror - 3B
Creature - Horror (Common)
Whenever Infectious Horror attacks, each opponent loses 2 life.
2/2
1 star
Kederekt Parasite - B
Creature - Horror (Rare)
Whenever an opponent draws a card, if you control a red permanent, you may have Kederekt Parasite deal 1 damage to that player.
1/1
2 stars
Nyxathid - 1BB
Creature - Elemental (Rare)
As Nyxathid comes into play, choose an opponent.
Nyxathid gets -1/-1 for each card in the chosen player's hand.
7/7
3 stars
Pestilent Kathari - 2B
Creature - Bird Warrior (Common)
Flying
Deathtouch
{2}{R}: Pestilent Kathari gains first strike until end of turn.
1/1
1 star
Rotting Rats - 1B
Creature - Rat (Common)
When Rotting Rats comes into play, each player discards a card.
Unearth {1}{B}
1/1
4 stars
Salvage Slasher - 1B
Artifact Creature - Human Rogue (Common)
Salvage Slasher gets +1/+0 for each artifact card in your graveyard.
1/1
3 stars
Scepter of Fugue - BB
Artifact (Rare)
{1}{B}, {T}: Target player discards a card. Play this ability only during your turn.
This will be the card the new control decks use. With the new swords and the new Jayemdae Tome, I wonder if "The Deck" can be made again.
5 stars
Sedraxis Alchemist - 2B
Creature - Zombie Wizard (Common)
When Sedraxis Alchemist comes into play, if you control a blue permanent, return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand.
2/2
2 stars
Voices from the Void - 4B
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Domain - Target player discards a card for each basic land type among lands you control.
1 star
Wretched Banquet - B
Sorcery (Common)
Destroy target creature with the least power or tied for least power.
I kinda like this card. If you’re only playing the bigger crits, then this takes care of the other guys crits for a single black mana. Especially useful against Figure of Destiny. All that being said, I don’t think anyone will use it.
2 stars
Yoke of the Damned - 1B
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Whenever a creature is put into a graveyard from play, enchanted creature's controller sacrifices it.
1 star
Red
Banefire - XR
Sorcery (Rare)
Banefire deals X damage to target creature or player.
If X is 5 or more, Banefire can't be countered by spells or abilities and the damage can't be prevented.
5 stars
Bloodhall Ooze - R
Creature - Ooze (Rare)
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a black permanent, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Bloodhall Ooze.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you control a green permanent, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Bloodhall Ooze.
1/1
3 stars
Canyon Minotaur - 3R
Creature - Minotaur Warrior (Common)
3/3
1 star
Dark Temper - 2R
Instant (Common)
Dark Temper deals 2 damage to target creature. If you control a black permanent, destroy that creature instead.
2 stars
Dragonsoul Knight - 2R
Creature - Human Knight (Uncommon)
First strike
{W}{B}{U}{R}{G}: Until end of turn, Dragonsoul Knight becomes a Dragon, gets +5/+3, and gains flying and trample.
2/2
3 stars
Fiery Fall - 5R
Instant (Common)
Fiery Fall deals 5 damage to target creature.
Basic landcycling {1}{R}
3 stars
Goblin Razerunners - 2RR
Creature - Goblin Warrior (Rare)
{1}{R}, Sacrifice a land: Put a +1/+1 counter on Goblin Razerunners.
At the end of your turn, you may have Goblin Razerunners deal damage equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on it to target player.
3/4
3 stars
Hellspark Elemental - 1R
Creature - Elemental (Uncommon)
Trample, haste
At end of turn, sacrifice Hellspark Elemental.
Unearth {1}{R}
3/1
3 stars
Ignite Disorder - 1R
Instant (Uncommon)
Ignite Disorder deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target white and/or blue creatures.
3 stars
Kranioceros - 4R
Creature - Beast (Common)
{1}{W}: Kranioceros gets +0/+3 until end of turn.
5/2
1 star
Maniacal Rage - 1R
Enchantment - Aura (Common)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2 and can't block.
1 star.
Molten Frame - 1R
Instant (Common)
Destroy target artifact creature.
Cycling {2}
1 star
Quenchable Fire - 3R
Sorcery (Common)
Quenchable Fire deals 3 damage to target player. It deals an additional 3 damage to that player at the beginning of his or her next upkeep unless that player pays {U} before that step.
2 stars
Rakka Mar - 2RR
Legendary Creature - Human Shaman (Rare)
Haste
{R}, {T}: Put a 3/1 red Elemental creature token with haste into play.
2/2
3 stars
Toxic Iguanar - R
Creature - Lizard (Common)
Toxic Iguanar has deathtouch as long as you control a green permanent.
1/1
1 star
Viashino Slaughtermaster - 1R
Creature - Viashino Warrior (Uncommon)
Double strike
{B}{G}: Viashino Slaughtermaster gets +1/+1 until end of turn. Play this ability only once each turn.
1/1
2 stars
Volcanic Fallout - 1RR
Instant (Uncommon)
Volcanic Fallout can't be countered.
Volcanic Fallout deals 2 damage to each creature and each player.
4 stars
Voracious Dragon - 3RR
Creature - Dragon (Rare)
Flying
Devour 1
When Voracious Dragon comes into play, it deals damage equal to twice the number of Goblins it devoured to target creature or player.
4/4
2 stars
Wandering Goblins - 2R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (Common)
Domain - {3}: Wandering Goblins get +1/+0 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
0/3
1 star
Worldheart Phoenix - 3R
Creature - Phoenix (Rare)
Flying
You may play Worldheart Phoenix from your graveyard by paying {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} rather than paying its mana cost. If you do, it comes into play with two +1/+1 counters on it.
2/2
2 stars
"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read." - Pliny the Elder |
|
| Green
Beacon Behemoth - 3GG
Creature - Beast (Common)
{1}: Target creature with power 5 or greater gains vigilance until end of turn.
5/3
1 star
Cliffrunner Behemoth - 3G
Creature - Rhino Beast (Rare)
Cliffrunner Behemoth has haste as long as you control a red permanent.
Cliffrunner Behemoth has lifelink as long as you control a white permanent.
5/3
3 stars
Cylian Sunsinger - 1G
Creature - Elf Shaman (Rare)
{R}{G}{W}: Cylian Sunsinger and each other creature with the same name as it get +3/+3 until end of turn.
2/2
1 star
Ember Weaver - 2G
Creature - Spider (Common)
Reach
As long as you control a red permanent, Ember Weaver gets +1/+0 and has first strike
2/3
1 star
Filigree Fracture - 2G
Instant (Uncommon)
Destroy target enchantment or artifact.
If that artifact or enchantment's controller controls a black or blue permanent, you may draw a card.
2 stars
Gluttonous Slime - 2G
Creature - Ooze (Uncommon)
Flash
Devour 1
2/2
2 stars
Matca Rioters - 2G
Creature - Human Warrior (Common)
Domain - Matca Rioter's power and toughness are each equal to the number of basic land types among lands you control.
*/*
2 stars
Might of Alara - G
Instant (Common)
Domain - Target creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn for each basic land type among lands you control.
1 star
Nacatl Savage - 1G
Creature - Cat Warrior (Common)
Protection from artifacts
2/1
2 stars
Noble Hierarch - G
Creature - Human Druid (Rare)
Exalted
{T}: Add {G}, {W} or {U} to your mana pool.
0/1
5 stars
Paleoloth - 4GG
Creature - Beast (Rare)
Whenever another creature with power 5 or greater comes into play under your control, you may return target creature card from your graveyard to your hand.
5/5
1 star
Sacellum Archers - 2G
Creature - Elf Archer (Uncommon)
{R}{W}, {T}: Sacellum Archers deals 2 damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
2/3
2 stars
Scattershot Archer - G
Creature - Elf Archer (Common)
{T}: Scattershot Archer deals 1 damage to each creature with flying.
1/2
4 stars
Shard Convergence - 3G
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Search your library for a Plains card, an Island card, a Swamp card, and a Mountain card. Reveal those cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
4 stars
Soul's Majesty - 4G
Sorcery (Rare)
Draw cards equal to the power of target creature you control.
2 stars
Spore Burst - 3G
Sorcery (Uncommon)
Domain - Put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token into play for each basic land type among lands you control.
2 stars
Sylvan Bounty - 5G
Instant (Common)
Target player gains 8 life.
Basic landcycling {1}{G}
3 stars
Thornling - 3GG
Creature - Elemental Shapeshifter (Mythic Rare)
{G}: Thornling gains haste until end of turn.
{G}: Thornling gains trample until end of turn.
{G}: Thornling is indestructible until end of turn.
{1}: Thornling gets +1/-1 until end of turn.
{1}: Thornling gets -1/+1 until end of turn.
4/4
4 stars
Tukatongue Thallid - G
Creature - Fungus (Common)
When Tukatongue Thallid is put into a graveyard from play, put a 1/1 green Saproling creature token into play.
1/1
3 stars
Wild Leotau - 2GG
Creature - Cat (Common)
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Wild Leotau unless you pay {G}.
5/4
1 star
Multicolor
Apocalypse Hydra - XRG
Creature - Hydra (Mythic Rare)
Apocalypse Hydra comes into play with X +1/+1 counters on it. If X is 5 or more, it comes into play with an additional X +1/+1 counters on it.
{1}{R}, Remove a +1/+1 counter from Apocalypse Hydra: Apocalypse Hydra deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
0/0
2 stars
Blood Tyrant - 4UBR
Creature - Vampire (Rare)
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, each player loses 1 life. Whenever a player loses life this way, put that many +1/+1 counters on Blood Tyrant.
Whenever a player loses the game, put five +1/+1 counters on Blood Tyrant.
5/5
3 stars
Charnelhoard Wurm - 4BRG
Creature - Wurm (Rare)
Trample
Whenever Charnelhoard Wurm deals damage to an opponent, you may return target card from your graveyard to your hand.
6/6
3 stars
Child of Alara - WUBRG
Legendary Creature - Avatar (Mythic Rare)
Trample
When Child of Alara is put into a graveyard from play, destroy all nonland permanents. They can't be regenerated.
6/6
5 stars
Conflux - 3WUBRG
Sorcery (Mythic Rare)
Search your library for a white card, a blue card, a black card, a red card, and a green card. Reveal those cards and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
2 stars
Countersquall - UB
Instant (Uncommon)
Counter target noncreature spell. Its controller loses 2 life.
4 stars
Elder Mastery - 3UBR
Enchantment - Aura (Uncommon)
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets +3/+3, has flying, and has "Whenever this creature deals damage to a player, that player discards two cards."
1 star
Esper Cormorants - 2WU
Artifact Creature - Bird (Common)
Flying
3/3
1 star
Exploding Borders - 2RG
Sorcery (Common)
Domain - Search your library for a basic land card, put that card into play tapped, then shuffle your library. Exploding Borders deals X damage to target player, where X is the number of basic land types among lands you control.
3 stars
Fusion Elemental - WUBRG
Creature - Elemental (Uncommon)
8/8
1 star
Giltspire Avenger - GWU
Creature - Human Soldier (Rare)
Exalted (Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
{T}: Destroy target creature that dealt damage to you this turn.
2/2
1 star
Goblin Outlander - BR
Creature - Goblin Scout (Common)
Protection from white
2/2
3 stars
Gwafa Hazid, Profiteer - 1WU
Legendary Creature - Human Rogue (Rare)
{W}{U}, {T}: Put a bribery counter on target creature you don't control. Its controller draws a card.
Creatures with bribery counters on them can't attack or block.
2/2
1 star
Hellkite Hatchling - 2RG
Creature - Dragon (Uncommon)
Devour 1
Hellkite Hatchling has flying and trample if it devoured a creature.
2/2
1 star
Jhessian Balmgiver - 1WU
Creature - Human Cleric (Uncommon)
{T}: Prevent the next 1 damage that would be dealt to target creature or player this turn.
{T}: Target creature is unblockable this turn.
1/1
2 stars
Knight of the Reliquary - 1GW
Creature - Human Knight (Rare)
Knight of the Reliquary gets +1/+1 for each land card in your graveyard.
{T}, Sacrifice a Forest or Plains: Search your library for a land card, put it into play, then shuffle your library.
2/2
4 stars
Knotvine Mystic - RGW
Creature - Elf Druid (Uncommon)
{1}, {T}: Add {R}{G}{W} to your mana pool.
2/2
1 star
Maelstrom Archangel - WUBRG
Creature - Angel (Mythic Rare)
Flying
Whenever Maelstrom Archangel deals combat damage to a player, you may play a nonland card from your hand without paying its mana cost.
5/5
5 stars
Magister Sphinx - 4WUB
Artifact Creature - Sphinx (Rare)
Flying
When Magister Sphinx comes into play, target player's life total becomes 10.
5/5
5 stars
Malfegor - 2BBRR
Legendary Creature - Demon Dragon (Mythic Rare)
Flying
When Malfegor comes into play, discard your hand. Each opponent sacrifices a creature for each card discarded this way.
6/6
1 star
Meglonoth - 3RGW
Creature - Beast (Rare)
Vigilance, trample
Whenever Meglonoth blocks a creature, Meglonoth deals damage to that creature's controller equal to Meglonoth's power.
6/6
5 stars
Nacatl Outlander - RG
Creature - Cat Scout (Common)
Protection from blue
2/2
3 star
Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker - 4UBBR
Planeswalker - Bolas (Mythic Rare)
+3: Destroy target noncreature permanent.
-2: Gain control of target creature.
-9: Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker deals 7 damage to target player. That player discards seven cards, then sacrifices seven permanents.
5
2 stars
Progenitus - WWUUBBRRGG
Legendary Creature - Hydra Avatar (Mythic Rare)
Protection from everything
If Progenitus would be put into a graveyard from anywhere, reveal Progenitus and shuffle it into its owner's library instead.
10/10
4 stars
Rhox Bodyguard - 3GW
Creature - Rhino Monk Soldier (Common)
Exalted
When Rhox Bodyguard comes into play, you gain 3 life.
2/3
1 star
Scarland Thrinax - BRG
Creature - Lizard (Uncommon)
Sacrifice a creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on Scarland Thrinax.
2/2
3 stars
Shambling Remains - 1BR
Creature - Zombie Horror (Uncommon)
Shambling Remains can't block.
Unearth {B}{R}
4/3
3 stars
Skyward Eye Prophets - 3GWU
Creature - Human Wizard (Uncommon)
Vigilance
{T}: Reveal the top card of your library. If it's a land card, put it into play. Otherwise, put it into your hand.
3/3
1 star
Sludge Strider - 1WUB
Artifact Creature - Insect (Uncommon)
Whenever another artifact comes into play under your control or another artifact you control leaves play, you may pay {1}. If you do, target player loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.
3/3
1 star
Sphinx Summoner - 3UB
Artifact Creature - Sphinx (Rare)
Flying
When Sphinx Summoner comes into play, you may search your libary for an artifact card, reveal it and put it into your hand, then shuffle your library.
3/3
4 stars
Suicidal Charge - 3BR
Enchantment (Common)
Sacrifice Suicidal Charge: Creatures your opponents control get -1/-1 until end of turn. Those creatures attack this turn if able.
1 star
Vagrant Plowbeasts - 5GW
Creature - Beast (Uncommon)
{1}: Regenerate target creature with power 5 or greater.
6/6
1 star
Valeron Outlander - GW
Creature - Human Scout (Common)
Protection from black
2/2
3 stars
Vectis Agents - 3UB
Artifact Creature - Human Rogue (Common)
{U}{B}: Vectis Agents gets -2/-0 and is unblockable until end of turn.
4/3
1 star
Vedalken Outlander - WU
Artifact Creature - Vedalken Scout (Common)
Protection from red
2/2
4 stars
Zombie Outlander - UB
Creature - Zombie Scout (Common)
Protection from green
2/2
3 stars
Colorless
Armillary Sphere - 2
Artifact (Common)
{2}, {T}, Sacrifice Armillary Sphere: Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, and put them into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
2 stars
Bone Saw - 0
Artifact - Equipment (Common)
Equipped creature gets +1/+0.
Equip {1}
1 star
Font of Mythos - 4
Artifact (Rare)
At the beginning of each player's draw step, that player draws an additional two cards.
1 star
Kaleidostone - 2
Artifact (Common)
When Kaleidostone comes into play, draw a card.
{5}, {T}, Sacrifice Kaleidostone: Add {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} to your mana pool.
3 stars
Mana Cylix - 1
Artifact (Common)
{1}, {T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
1 star
Manaforce Mace - 4
Artifact - Equipment (Uncommon)
Domain - Equipped creature gets +1/+1 for each basic land type among lands you control.
Equip {3}
1 star
Obelisk of Alara - 6
Artifact (Rare)
{1}{W}, {T}: You gain 5 life.
{1}{U}, {T}: Draw a card, then discard a card.
{1}{B}, {T}: Target creature gets -2/-2 until end of turn.
{1}{R}, {T}: Obelisk of Alara deals 3 damage to target player.
{1}{G}, {T}: Target creature gets +4/+4 until end of turn.
4 stars
Land
Ancient Ziggurat
Land (Uncommon)
{T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to play a creature spell.
3 stars
Exotic Orchard
Land (Rare)
{T}: Add to your mana pool one mana of any color that a land an opponent controls could produce.
4 stars
Reliquary Tower
Land (Uncommon)
You have no maximum hand size.
{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool.
3 stars
Rupture Spire
Land (Common)
Rupture Spire comes into play tapped.
When Rupture Spire comes into play, sacrifice it unless you pay {1}.
{T}: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
2 stars
Unstable Frontier
Land (Uncommon)
{T}: Add {1} to your mana pool.
{T}: Target land you control becomes the basic land type of your choice until end of turn.
1 star
"True glory consists in doing what deserves to be written; in writing what deserves to be read." - Pliny the Elder |
|
| Date Posted: 1/29/2009
Posted By: Paul King
Member Since: 4/12/2008
|
| I agree on the point of Mark of Asylum. There are already some U/B/w Faerie decks to beat mirror matches and this card might hose all of the answers against fae. The mana base wouldn't be to difficult. The thing is, this standard has no restrictions on color because of Reflecting Pool Inc.
... |
|
| Arcane Sanctum, Reflecting Pool, and either Mystic Gate or Adarkar Wastes provide plenty of white mana for Mark of Asylum and Esper Charm. You could also play Celestial Purge as further ammo vs. red and an effective anti-Bitter Blossom card for the mirror match. Faeries don't seem like they are going away anytime soon.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche |
|
| Date Posted: 1/30/2009
Posted By: Ben Warren
Member Since: 3/18/2008
|
| I'm going to go out on a limb and say 5cc won't be very popular until the experts figure out ways around the format. I think 5cc will be a tier 2 deck for a while.
That being said I'm going to say that White Weenie, B/W Tokens, R/W Boat Brew, and Faeries, and most likely Blightning Aggro are going to be the decks to beat. So really no change in the format.
Pwn'd. |
|
| Date Posted: 1/30/2009
Posted By: Ben Warren
Member Since: 3/18/2008
|
| You can declare to everyone in the world how awesome Volcanic Fallout, Firespout, Pyroclasm, Cloudthresher, and the new archer that deals one to each flyer are, but Mark of Asylum trumps everything besides Wrath of God, Martial Coup, Hallowed Burial. Yea, Faerie hosers, my ace. That singular enchantment just made Faeries even better. And guess what....it costs the same amount of mana as Faeries best card, Bitterblossom!
Pwn'd. |
|
| Date Posted: 1/30/2009
Posted By: Hayden Smith
Member Since: 8/15/2008
|
| Wow, ben. Your starting to sound alot like me! That being said, you and christian are right. I think that any world where the fae are imune to cloudthresher is a sad standard world. And volcanic fallout just isnt that good. If they didnt print mark of asylum it would be good vs the fae and " okay " vs weenie stratagy but with forge tender and mark this fallout card is just going to be an ineffectual sweeper in a land of 3/3 and 4/4 dudes. Its 2 to 3 stars at best. Now that my rant is finished, i want to say well done to both josh and tony for their conflux reviews. It was good work. Oh, one last thing. Josh, you are someone who creates origional decks all the time. I was wondering if you could come up with something like what i did when i made the bant deck a little while back. My goal was to make a deck that could be both competitive and cheap to build. I would like to see your take on this and see what you would build. |
|
