The new edition is coming!
Here are a few impresions:
Æther Adept 1uu
Creature - Human Wizard Common
When Æther Adept enters the battlefield, return target creature to its owner's hand.
2/2
The new Man'O War. With double blue mana less attractive.But it's still a new strong card for Mono-U-Skies and UG-aggrocontrol.
Augury Owl 1u
Creature - Owl Common
Flying
When Augury Owl enters the battlefield, scry 3.
1/1
Since the first Spire Owl [US], Sage Owl [WL]I liked ´such cards.But I always asked myself what shall I do with the ordered Cards. Now at last there is a good version of this old concept. Another good card for Mono-U-Skies and UG-aggrocontrol.(But maybe there isn't space for it)
Diminish u
Instant Common
Target creature becomes 1/1 until end of turn.
Another good and cheap card like ovinize. Another good card for Mono-U-Skies and UG-aggrocontrol since such decks are weak on removal.
Preordain u
Sorcery Common
Scry 2, then draw a card.
Clone of Serum Visions, would improve Nastaboi's High Tide for his Spellweaver Volute.
Liliana's Caress 1b
Enchantment Uncommon
Whenever an opponent discards a card, that player loses 2 life.
In earlier time Megrim was the main card fur combo decks in several formats. Let's see how much impact this card will have.
Liliana's Specter 1bb
Creature - Specter Common
Flying
When Liliana's Specter enters the battlefield, each opponent discards a card.
2/1
The first good version of Ravenous rats. I think this will see play in heavy black aggro decks.
Ember Hauler rr
Creature - Goblin Uncommon
1, Sacrifice Ember Hauler: Ember Hauler deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
2/2
Looks very interesting 2 times Mogg Fanatic. And so it's the perfect card for RDW and Goblin-RDW.(Such interesting like Goblin Legionaire, but this time mono red)
Chandra's Spitfire 2r
Creature - Elemental Uncommon
Flying
Whenever an opponent is dealt noncombat damage, Chandra's Spitfire gets +3/+0 until end of turn.
1/3
Like Kiln Fiend but this time with flying and more expensive.
Cultivate 2g
Sorcery Common
Search your library for up to two basic land cards, reveal those cards, and put one onto the battlefield tapped and the other in your hand. Then shuffle your library.
Clone of Kodama's Reach, interesting!
Garruk's Companion gg
Creature - Beast Common
Trample
3/2
Reminds me of Watchwolf. Perfect card for RG-Beats and Mono-G-aggro. Good card for UG-aggrocontrol if you can afford early 2 green mana.
Sacred Wolf 2g
Creature - Wolf Common
Sacred Wolf can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
3/1
Another card with Super-Shroud. And the final improvement of Pincher Beetles[TE]
Sylvan Ranger 1g
Creature - Elf Scout Common
When Sylvan Ranger enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, and put it into your hand. If you do, shuffle your library.
1/1
Another version of Civic Wayfinder and Borderland Ranger. But it's a good question if it's really better than these 2 2/2 since it only has half power and thougness.
I'm personally looking forward to the Spitfire for my monored ramp deck ^^
I was going to make set review when the set is fully spoiled, but since I finished evaluating the already revealed cards, what the heck.
- WHITE -
Ajani's Pridemate - Likes to spend time in the kitchen, looking for ouphes to hang out with. As long as you don't build your deck with this guy in mind, I could see him appearing somewhere competitive. Probably needs to see couple more good life gain spells printed though.
Baneslayer Angel - I think this could see play. Get them while they are still cheap.
- BLUE -
AEther Master - I like. Decks that play Man-o'-War are usually heavy blue (well, UG might not always be), so this mana cost should not be a big problem. Tribal synergies should not be ignored either.
Diminish - I don't think it's good enough, but man, is it cheap or what?
Preordain - Strictly better than Sleight of Hand, and is almost always better than Serum Visions. I think it's going to be nearly as good as ponder. Combo decks better find something to drop in favor of this.
Jace's Erasure - Interesting. As long as you plan to target yourself and wizards keep printing cards to go with it, this theoretically could see play. Right now, it needs more help.
Jace's Ingenuity - 40counterspells.dec got a nice addon.
- BLACK -
Captivating Vampire - Eventually there may be enough vampires around for this to be nice anthem, but as of now, quite miserable.
Liliana's Specter - Give him a good equipment and he is decent. Cool way to get your ninjas across too. Without synergy, seems too weak.
Reassembling Skeleton - If there is a combo, or you have huge amounts of mana and a sacrifice outlet, this could see play. Obviously, completely unplayable without synergy.
- RED -
Chandra's Firespitter - Your kiln fiend/wee dragonauts/w/e deck just got better. I doubt this have impact in burn or monoR. Flying is nice, but three mana is enough to keep this away from burn and less aggressive strategies are having trouble to find enough burn to make this good.
Chandra's Outrage - Four mana is probably the reason this will never see play, but four damage is usually enough to kill any creature. Hard to imagine a deck that would want this, even if it costed three though.
Ember Hauler - Burn, baby, burn. Very solid creature.
- GREEN -
Cultivate - I don't like Kodama's Reach, but it's nice to have two in case there will be a deck that can use some those extra lands.
Garruk's Companion - As long as dropping this on the second turn gives you no problems, it's bound to cause them.
Sacred Wolf - Armadillo Cloacks and equipments wanted. Not too exciting, but should be good enough to see play in decks that are loaded with aforementioned cards and removal for small creatures to avoid bad trades.
Sylvan Ranger - Very nice. Almost any deck that plays Elvish Visionary is going to want this (and some decks that don't want visionary, will want this, go figure).
- COLORLESS -
Sorcerer's Strongbox - Theoretically this could see play. Probably too weak, but certain colors might need to resort desperate measures. I highly doubt it though, but drawing multiple cards is something artifacts get very rarely, and there is also a potential for abusing this effect.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 11-06-2010, 06:45:46 PM
Chandra's Firespitter - Your kiln fiend/wee dragonauts/w/e deck just got better. I doubt this have impact in burn or monoR. Flying is nice, but three mana is enough to keep this away from burn and less aggressive strategies are having trouble to find enough burn to make this good.
Firespitter isn't really another Kiln Fiend/Wee dragonauts unless played in monoR. In some kind of UR tempo deck where kiln/dragonauts are good, there are many bounce/draw/counter/tap spells that doesn't work with Firespitter. On the other hand, it might be possible to abuse Firespitter in some sort of Goblin Bombardment-Sharpshooter-token-Murderous Redcap-Recurring Nightmare-engine deck.
True. I just wanted to point out the similarities of the card, as I really don't think kiln fiend/wee dragonauts is something you want to build your highlander deck around. I've yet to be truly impressed by kiln fiend and this guy just seems way worse. Potential abuse is always nice, but I rather build my decks to support something other than three mana 1/3. I am not implying this is a bad card, but I have serious doubts about him appearing anywhere.
I also missed the interaction between Ajani's Pridemate and Soul Warden. This is not improving pridemates chances of appearing in highlander by much, but that seems decent interaction in type two, although that format is more than equipped to handle a big creature with no evasion nor trample.
I don't think the Pridemage will be played much, it's a 2/2 beater for 2. Sure it's nice if you got a Knight of the Meadowgrain, Baneslayer Angel or other solid source of life gain. But if you don't?... It also lack evasion and protection.
Quote from: Kristian on 12-06-2010, 01:17:59 PM
I don't think the Pridemage will be played much, it's a 2/2 beater for 2. Sure it's nice if you got a Knight of the Meadowgrain, Baneslayer Angel or other solid source of life gain. But if you don't?... It also lack evasion and protection.
This is pretty much the idea. If you have a deck that already plays several cards that gain life like Meadowgrain, Kitchen Finks, BSA, and the like, this could see enough synergy for it to be worhwhile. White Weenie does traditionally get two mana 2/2's, so the base stats are on par. Lack of evasion hurts, but I would not write him off the list of playables just yet. I mean, just by dropping this on turn two and then playing Finks puts this slightly above curve for monoW. More redundancy in the "good life gain" - department, and this guy could eventually find it's way to decks. As of now, I don't think it's quite good enough.
I must admit that I have only a minor familarity with WW. It's also nice to have on the board when the opponent is forced to use Swords to Plowshares or Oust on one of your other creatures. If a Grizzly Bear is good enough for white weenie, then this is of course better, but isn't there any better 2cc creatures to fill that slot?
I feel like playing WW now, curse you! :P
EDIT: Oh yeah, Ember Hauler seems to be if not, then almost autoinclude in my monored goblin deck.
EDIT EDIT: Can anyone see Sacred Wolf being played? I mean it's no Troll Ascetic, but troll-shroud have always appealed to me because of equipments and rancor :D.
Goblin Piledriver when you mentioned Mogg Fanatic compared to Ember Hauler, I think you should also care to mention Goblin Legionnaire since it's the exact copy except for the white color and the name. Strikes me even more.
Ember Hauler is going to be an amazing card in Highlander. Goblin Legionnaire ruled standard and Extended as well in the Boros days.
Quote from: Kristian on 12-06-2010, 03:48:36 PM
I must admit that I have only a minor familarity with WW. It's also nice to have on the board when the opponent is forced to use Swords to Plowshares or Oust on one of your other creatures. If a Grizzly Bear is good enough for white weenie, then this is of course better, but isn't there any better 2cc creatures to fill that slot?
Grizzly bears are not good enough, and there are plethora of good two drops to choose from, but base stats for a white two drop are almost always 2/2, so this is not terribly behind on curve and after couple of activations, it's quite nice. This should not be going to any WW deck as of now, or atleast I wouldn't recommend. Just keep an eye out everytime white gets a WW staple lifelinker or another kitchen finks.
Quote from: Kristian on 12-06-2010, 03:48:36 PMI feel like playing WW now, curse you! :P
Believe me, that will not last.
Quote from: Kristian on 12-06-2010, 03:48:36 PMEDIT EDIT: Can anyone see Sacred Wolf being played? I mean it's no Troll Ascetic, but troll-shroud have always appealed to me because of equipments and rancor :D.
Rancor is not good enough to make this spectacular. 5/1 trampling guy is easy to chump with, but I think it might have a shot if you find yourself playing equipments and are not playing too many three drops.
--
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 12-06-2010, 07:17:56 PMGoblin Legionnaire ruled standard and Extended as well in the Boros days.
Same was true with mogg fanatic, but that was before M10 and the dreaded rules change. Now hauler is "just" a solid creature, but it's not going to cause problems in any format. The power creep would also make sure of this not being broken even if the damage still stacked. It's still an automatic include in aggressive red strategies in HL.
Tiggupiru everything you said is true. Ember Hauler is going to see much play. Trust me.
The new Sun Titan seems cool, but I don't think it'll get beyond casual. Simply too vulnerable.
Sun Titan 4ww
Creature - Giant Mythic
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
Sun Titan will not get any close to the Highlander format. Simply too weak and too expensive at the same time. Pure casual card
Quote from: Kassow-RossingSun Titan will not get any close to the Highlander format.
How do you know? Name another creature card that has a similar unique effect the Titan now possesses.
You can't find (http://magiccards.info/query?q=t%3Acreature+o%3A%22return+target+permanent+card%22&v=card&s=cname) any, meaning you can't dismiss it all that fast.
Poor casual card?
I don't think so. He returns a card to the battlefield just by coming into play. And he do it every round if he doesn't get shot down.
Yeah of course 6 Mana is much but the effect reminds me of cards like Baneslayer Angel or Jace the Mind Sculptor and these cards could get removed quite easily as the Titan.
I misread it earlier, thought it only was when it attacked. I can think of alot of good cards which it can get, everything from staple creatures like Kitchen Finks/Trinket Mage/Dark Confidant/Goyf to other utility/removals like Pernicious Deed/Recurring Nightmare/Jace Beleren/Vedalken Shackles and the like. I can see it fill some niches, but I still think it's too expensive to be a new Baneslayer Angel.
Quote from: GoblinPiledriver on 11-06-2010, 03:47:55 PM
Æther Adept 1uu
Creature - Human Wizard Common
When Æther Adept enters the battlefield, return target creature to its owner's hand.
2/2
The new Man'O War. With double blue mana less attractive.But it's still a new strong card for Mono-U-Skies and UG-aggrocontrol.
Preordain u
Sorcery Common
Scry 2, then draw a card.
Clone of Serum Visions, would improve Nastaboi's High Tide for his Spellweaver Volute.
I cannot tell which one I like more, but they'll both be in my High Tide from the midst of July. Preordain is infinitely better than both Serum Visions and Sleight of Hand, it's almost Ponder good.
Sun Titan will probably see play in some decks. Unique ability and potentially multiple triggers makes this creature attractive enough. Six mana is a lot, and Baneslayer this is not. Just think of this as a mini-cascade that triggers even when cheated in to play. Vigilance is also a big plus because you don't need to give up any defence to get the trigger.
As long as you avoid putting this to a deck that is not loaded with synergy and potential targets, this can be good or even great. I think I want to try this in my Pattern-Rector deck.
I also wonder if there is a way to win just by oathing into this guy (I mean, you do get two activations, as you are obviously playing dragon breath).
I think it's not good idea of oathing into Sun Titan. You would need to hit excatly or (at least) 3 cards. Dragon Breath and the two card combo. And you would be in a bad position if this don't happen.
If you seek a combo for Oath, why don't you try out Auriok Salvager + Lions Eye Diamond + Pyrite Spellbomb or Sunbeam Spellbomb.
There you would need to hit 2 cards.
Quote from: GoblinPiledriver on 18-06-2010, 01:00:20 AM
I think it's not good idea of oathing into Sun Titan. You would need to hit excatly or (at least) 3 cards. Dragon Breath and the two card combo. And you would be in a bad position if this don't happen.
You are most likely correct, but there exists numerous ways to give Oathed guy haste, and if the combo pieces are redundant, you could hit it more often than not. Not to mention, Oathing again on the next turn is okay, if you have Krosan Reclamation or something similar. I just wonder if there is a better combo than Squirrel Nest + Earthcraft.
Quote from: GoblinPiledriver on 18-06-2010, 01:00:20 AMIf you seek a combo for Oath, why don't you try out Auriok Salvager + Lions Eye Diamond + Pyrite Spellbomb or Sunbeam Spellbomb.
Mostly because Lion's Eye Diamond is banned.
Quote from: pyyhttu on 15-06-2010, 06:10:26 PM
Quote from: Kassow-RossingSun Titan will not get any close to the Highlander format.
How do you know? Name another creature card that has a similar unique effect the Titan now possesses.
You can't find (http://magiccards.info/query?q=t%3Acreature+o%3A%22return+target+permanent+card%22&v=card&s=cname) any, meaning you can't dismiss it all that fast.
Of course there exists no creature with the same effect yet! That doesn't mean I can't argue for the fact that this guy won't see competitive Highlander play. You can't name another creature for six mana that doesn't have any kind of protection existing in the Highlander competitive environment. By "protection" I mean stuff like Indestructible, Protection, Shroud, Persist and/or Regeneration and similiar stuff.
Quote from: GoblinPiledriver on 15-06-2010, 07:41:09 PM
Poor casual card?
I don't think so. He returns a card to the battlefield just by coming into play. And he do it every round if he doesn't get shot down.
Yeah of course 6 Mana is much but the effect reminds me of cards like Baneslayer Angel or Jace the Mind Sculptor and these cards could get removed quite easily as the Titan.
How can a CvmCost 6 creature remind you of a CvmCost 5 creature or a Planeswalker? And Sun Titan doesn't have ANY ability that looks like Baneslayer og Jace. Not even remotely. Sun Titan is a bomb in drafting and Cube games. It is a collector's card. It won't see standard or Highlander play. At least I won't lose to a deck that includes Sun Titan :) The reason why Baneslayer actually sees play, is because it's a finisher and a great one of the kind. The reason why Jace sees play, is because it's a utility box filled with awesome stuff. Don't compare the two most expensive cards in standard with a Core Set participation prize card ;)
I will tell you what reminds me of Baneslayer(Budgetslayer) or Jace 2.0.
If you play Sun Titan you get directly a permanent with comc 3 or less back into play.
And in every round which he attacks you also get this effect.
This means pure card advantage, just like Jace,the Mind Scupltor he draws cards and can bounce creatures.
And the Baneslayer makes a 10 lifeswing, which made it nearly impossible to make a damage race against.
So with such card or life advantage all 3 cards need a quick removal from the opponent or it's too late.
Well, I just see the Sun Titans potential compared to Jace and Baneslayer.
Only Baneslayer is 1 mana cheaper, but he is exact vulnerable against removal like the Sun Titan.
Quote from: Troll?That doesn't mean I can't argue for the fact that this guy won't see competitive Highlander play. You can't name another creature for six mana that doesn't have any kind of protection existing in the Highlander competitive environment. By "protection" I mean stuff like Indestructible, Protection, Shroud, Persist and/or Regeneration and similiar stuff.
You can argue, but not as an fact (emphasis mine). You are only entitled to your opinion, as am I. So let's dance.
m t:creature cmc=6 NOT (o:indestructible or o:shroud or o:persist or o:regeneration)http://magiccards.info/query?q=t%3Acreature+cmc%3D6+NOT+%28o%3Aindestructible+or+o%3Ashroud+or+o%3Apersist+or+o%3Aregeneration%29&s=cname&v=card&p=2
Take your pick. I found Exalted Angel with your terms and it's being played on a pretty competitive level. (http://blog.magicplayer.org/2010/05/17/a-deck-a-day-pt-1-uw-stax-control/)
Regardless of a creature being HL staple it doesn't need fancy protection keywords or castable mana cost. Sometimes an unique* ability alone is enough. Remember Reveillark?
And if you wanted the critter to be competitive AND "unique" (subjective) scroll onward, you should find something...
i aggree, the titan will surely see some play. It's not as broad as a jace 2.0 or baneslayer IMO, since you need to buid around it (not entirely, but more than with jace or baneslayer).
It won't probably be a staple, but it's unique ability is quite powerful and it has an ETB ability so, it's not a completely wasted card even if it gets STP or whatever. And i for one can see some nice deckbuilders making some awesome mini-combos with this.
QuoteNecrotic Plague 2bb
Enchantment - Aura Rare
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature."
When enchanted creature is put into a graveyard, its controller chooses target creature one of his or her opponents controls. Return Necrotic Plague from its owner's graveyard to the battlefield attached to that creature.
This one looks interesting. A pity that it has to "swap" sides.
Quote from: Kristian on 23-06-2010, 11:45:57 AM
QuoteNecrotic Plague 2bb
Enchantment - Aura Rare
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature has "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature."
When enchanted creature is put into a graveyard, its controller chooses target creature one of his or her opponents controls. Return Necrotic Plague from its owner's graveyard to the battlefield attached to that creature.
This one looks interesting. A pity that it has to "swap" sides.
A bit expensive IMO, but can work well with tokens (awakening zone). But if you want a wog effect this will just take forever.
It's just too circumstantial imo :(
It could see play as a really, really bad edict (innocent blood, is probably more accurate comparison), if it would cost one mana. I don't mean a broad play, just some not-the-most-powerful-decks like MBC, or similiar that don't like to play that many creatures. It gets unplayable after you need to play two or more mana for it.
Though, I think it is an interesting option in limited play. Crappy option, but hey, whatever gets rid of those stupid, overpowered bombs you otherwise lose to, has a shot in basic set limited.
Also, comparing Sun Titan to BSA is just plain stupid. They are completely different puppies. One is practically an auto-include in control decks that play the right colors, and other one's playability depends of the rest of your deck.
Necrotic Plague works really well in multiplayer games. Especially if you're the only player without creatures in the deck. Doesn't work in standard. Not sure about Highlander. Stuff like Elspeth and Awakening Zone will help, but doubt it'll be enough for it to work properly.
Quote from: pyyhttu on 21-06-2010, 07:33:38 PMhttp://magiccards.info/query?q=t%3Acreature+cmc%3D6+NOT+%28o%3Aindestructible+or+o%3Ashroud+or+o%3Apersist+or+o%3Aregeneration%29&s=cname&v=card&p=2
Take your pick. I found Exalted Angel with your terms and it's being played on a pretty competitive level. (http://blog.magicplayer.org/2010/05/17/a-deck-a-day-pt-1-uw-stax-control/)
Regardless of a creature being HL staple it doesn't need fancy protection keywords or castable mana cost. Sometimes an unique* ability alone is enough. Remember Reveillark?
And if you wanted the critter to be competitive AND "unique" (subjective) scroll onward, you should find something...
Reveillark doesn't cost 6 mana. Exalted Angel actually do, but would never see the light of day if it didn't have "Morph 2WW". So out goes Exalted as well!
I'm sorry but I stand firm. I don't think it will see competitive play more than once (meaning all cards can get lucky one or two times). It is simply too expensive (6 mana) and it's not strong enough to "cheat" into play. Arguments: If you wish to hard cast it, then it's too expensive compared to what it does. If you wish to "cheat" it to battlefield, then it's too weak. Baneslayer is one mana cheaper and stronger still. Jace is a Planeswalker and two mana cheaper! Exalted Angel attacks in turn 4. I don't see Sun Titan doing that. I haven't seena one single creature at 6 mana being really good in Highlander without any of the protective abilities yet.
Guys this is not noob casual EDH. This is Highlander. Sun Titan WILL see play. But not competitive.
Maybe I should compare Sun Titan more to Rampaging Baloths. Both are 6/6, both cost 6 Mana including 2 colored Mana. The green Man has trample and the white Vigilance. Both with unique abilitys which create card adavantage.
Rampaging Baloths is also a creature for 6 mana whithout protection which has already been played seriously in several decks.
Couple of cards from SCG.com (http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/19597_Exclusive_M11_Spoiler_Hoarding_Dragon.html), Channel/Fireball (http://strategy.channelfireball.com/featured-articles/official-m11-preview-card-knight-exemplar/) and MTGSalvation Rumor Mill (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=252035). The names might not be 100% correct.
Knight Exemplar - A decent follow up of your standard WW play of "random 2/2 knight on the second turn", but I still would not like the idea of giving this guy a slot. Same case as the Captivating Vampire, there might be enough good Knights that this could see play, eventually.
Warmage of Thune - An aggressively costed enchantment hater. Some Naya or Bant decks will probably like to see this, but is far from auto-include. WW traditionally plays too many enchantments to consider this, unless your meta is filled with Moats and such. If there is a BW aggro, they might be delighted to get rid of their own necropotence or phyrexian arena every once in a while.
Hoarding Dragon - The stats are bad and I really don't like the idea of paying five mana for a fabricate that needs to die to get the effect. I just wonder if they are going to print some nice card to go with this in Scars of Mirrodin. Hard to imagine such card being any good, though.
Hardheaded Baloth - Very nice. Built-in protection from discard, and otherwise Loxodon Hierarch (without the ability that everyone likes to think is relevant, but almost never is). If Wizards did not print this to neuter Blightning, I'll eat my breakfast.
Overwhelming Assault - Any deck that wants to play Overrun is not going to be able to can guarantee this as an second Overrun. That being said, work the numbers and this might be a little better. Nothing too spectacular, though.
Warpriest of Thune doesn't have - as for now - "When Warpriest of Thune enters the battlefield, destroy target enchantment" but "When Warpriest of Thune enters the battlefield, you may destroy target enchantment" which makes is pretty much better in WW!
Overwhelming Assault is clearly better than Overrun. Doubt I would ever make a deck featuring either card though.
Hardheaded Baloth is a mix of Loxodon Hierarch and Wilt-Leaf Liege. This card may be designed to beat Blightning, but I doubt it. Blightning won't be around for long anyways. I am more likely to think this card is build to beat Liliana's Caress decks that will maybe show in the future once M11 is out.
GoblinPiledriver If you ever see a winnner of a Grand Prix featuring a Sun Titan, please note me. I doubt it will happen :)
Time Reversal {3}uu
Sorcery Mythic Rare
Each player shuffles his or her hand and graveyard into his or her library, then draws seven cards. Exile Time Reversal.
I'm not sure I like Time Reversal. Also I miss trample on overwhelming assault.
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 25-06-2010, 11:23:34 AM
Warpriest of Thune doesn't have - as for now - "When Warpriest of Thune enters the battlefield, destroy target enchantment" but "When Warpriest of Thune enters the battlefield, you may destroy target enchantment" which makes is pretty much better in WW!
Then it probably becomes one the staples in that deck. Most likely kicking out Ronom Unicorn or KOALa. Makes this a bit more attractive in Naya and Bant also.
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 25-06-2010, 11:23:34 AMOverwhelming Assault is clearly better than Overrun. Doubt I would ever make a deck featuring either card though.
I don't think Overrun type of effects ever see play beyond some token deck, as those are the cards that need the most help. Overrunning in a green aggro decks is a classic example of a "win more" - card.
If you have a board full of 1/1's, this is bad beyond belief. Random 4/4's can boost this to solid proportions, but opponents are always able to respond to this with their spot removal (or bounce) to make this simply bad, which I originally missed. I think I need to revise my statement about this one and claim it too weak to see real play.
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 25-06-2010, 11:23:34 AMBlightning won't be around for long anyways. I am more likely to think this card is build to beat Liliana's Caress decks that will maybe show in the future once M11 is out.
Blightning is legal in most (all?) nationals. And I really don't think there is ever going to be Liliana's Caress deck in any format, even if they reprinted Hymn to Tourach.
Time Reversal I like. Not very broken with that mana cost, but draw 7 is draw 7 and some combo deck(s) want to play this.
There is another Titan showed up out of the nothing: Inferno Titan
Inferno Titan 4RR
Creature - Giant Mythic Rare
{R}: Inferno Titan gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
Whenever Inferno Titan enters the battlefield or attacks, it deals 3 damage divided as you choose among one, two or three target creatures and/or players.
Illus. Kev Walker #146/249 6/6
Well this card doesn't remind me of Budgetslayer Angel at all. 3 damage divided at any way like Arc Lightning is nice but with 6 mana this this is clearly expensive.
It's not like the Sun Titan where you can revive nearly every permanent(creatures, lands, artifacts and enchantments) which has been killed (or being milled).
And the firebreathing ability is just senseless,it's not like vigilance,haste,trample or flying.
Will this be a cycle of 5 Titans?
Well we have to wait and see.
Squadron Hawk will clearly be a highlander stable :P
Squadron Hawk {1}w
Creature - Bird Common
Flying
When Squardon Hawk enters the battlefield, you may search your library for up to three cards named Squadron Hawk, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle your library.
Illus. Rob Alexander #33/249 1/1
Inferno Titan is clearly lacking. Good news is that it has CIP (or ETB) ability that is not bad at all. The problem is that there are so many better creatures (like Crater Hellion and it's kin). You shouldn't ever need to resort to this, no matter what the deck.
I am interested of the blue and black ones. Assuming it's a cycle.
Quote from: Kristian on 26-06-2010, 04:05:50 AM
Squadron Hawk will clearly be a highlander stable :P
Squadron Hawk {1}w
Creature - Bird Common
Flying
When Squardon Hawk enters the battlefield, you may search your library for up to three cards named Squadron Hawk, reveal them, put them into your hand, then shuffle your library.
Illus. Rob Alexander #33/249 1/1
Yeah, I mean Attack with your Squadron Hawk, use Kiki-Jiki to copy it, respond by condemning the original. This nets you one life for one card and three mana. And if you do all of this after damage has been dealt, you don't even miss a point.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 25-06-2010, 03:46:59 PM
I don't think Overrun type of effects ever see play beyond some token deck, as those are the cards that need the most help. Overrunning in a green aggro decks is a classic example of a "win more" - card.
If you have a board full of 1/1's, this is bad beyond belief. Random 4/4's can boost this to solid proportions, but opponents are always able to respond to this with their spot removal (or bounce) to make this simply bad, which I originally missed. I think I need to revise my statement about this one and claim it too weak to see real play.
Yeah well. Overrun was never a good card. Now there's a card that actually CAN be good in some cases. Try Giant Growth'ing your 2/2 and cast Overwhelming Stampede. You get the idea. That said, Overwhelming Stampede also only costs 3GG and not 2GGG which makes a huge difference as well. Now it's possible to play with Blue/White fliers as well.
Quote from: Kristian on 25-06-2010, 12:48:39 PM
... Also I miss trample on overwhelming assault.
Overwhelming Stampede does have Trample.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 25-06-2010, 03:46:59 PM
Blightning is legal in most (all?) nationals. And I really don't think there is ever going to be Liliana's Caress deck in any format, even if they reprinted Hymn to Tourach.
I actually think you're right: There won't be a Liliana's Caress deck in any format. BUT.. I still don't think Obstinate Baloth was meant to beat Blightning's because Wizards are not that short-sighted. Maybe it's in M11 to beat Blightning for now and a new card in M11 or Scars.
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 26-06-2010, 01:54:16 PMYeah well. Overrun was never a good card. Now there's a card that actually CAN be good in some cases. Try Giant Growth'ing your 2/2 and cast Overwhelming Stampede. You get the idea. That said, Overwhelming Stampede also only costs 3GG and not 2GGG which makes a huge difference as well. Now it's possible to play with Blue/White fliers as well.
Many token decks played Overrun, and some of them were very successful. It just ends the game, so I would not say it is bad or anything. Very limited in uses, sure, but not bad by any stretch of the imagination.
Giant Growthing a guy and the stampeding leaves you even more exposed to spot removal while also requiring two cards
and six mana to pull off. Seems really, really bad. The easier mana cost could be a relevant, but I still predict that this kind of effect is not needed in non-token decks, and in those decks this is way worse than overrun. Token decks are also almost always heavy green so the mana cost is not much of an issue.
Quote from: Kassow-Rossing on 26-06-2010, 01:54:16 PMI still don't think Obstinate Baloth was meant to beat Blightning's because Wizards are not that short-sighted. Maybe it's in M11 to beat Blightning for now and a new card in M11 or Scars.
There are numerous examples of wizards printing a card trying to fix previously printed cards. Tsabo's Web and Teferi's Response were printed trying to quell Rishadan Port. They tried to kill Affinity with several different ways during Kamigawa-block, and when they realized nothing was good enough, they banned all of it. Just before nationals, by the way.
Not to mention, Combustion is clearly printed for one target in mind.
Back on track:
Frost Titan (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=252378) - Even worse than the red one. Makes me a very sad panda :(
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 26-06-2010, 08:49:42 PM
Many token decks played Overrun, and some of them were very successful. It just ends the game, so I would not say it is bad or anything. Very limited in uses, sure, but not bad by any stretch of the imagination.
Giant Growthing a guy and the stampeding leaves you even more exposed to spot removal while also requiring two cards and six mana to pull off. Seems really, really bad. The easier mana cost could be a relevant, but I still predict that this kind of effect is not needed in non-token decks, and in those decks this is way worse than overrun. Token decks are also almost always heavy green so the mana cost is not much of an issue.
Okay you win. I don't know enough about Overrun to argue any longer.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 26-06-2010, 08:49:42 PM
There are numerous examples of wizards printing a card trying to fix previously printed cards. Tsabo's Web and Teferi's Response were printed trying to quell Rishadan Port. They tried to kill Affinity with several different ways during Kamigawa-block, and when they realized nothing was good enough, they banned all of it. Just before nationals, by the way.
Not to mention, Combustion is clearly printed for one target in mind.
No Wizards have never - to my record - printed a card to beat another card that would only be legal for three more months. Jund is not even the strongest deck out there any longer, so I really doubt this theory. It is natural for Green to fight the discard effect, because Black is one of the enemy colours to Green. We've seen this several times before. Obstinate is printed to beat Black and not to beat Blightning. Combustion is printed to beat Moneyslayer Angel (probably) but Baneslayer will be legal for 14 more months at least, so that makes sense.
Grave Titan - Six mana 10/10? Probably still not good enough, but p/t is very respectable and tokens are something black can use very well outside of combat as well.
Gaea's Revenge - Seven mana is a lot, but 8/5 haste that has practically a shroud are stats that Hypergenesisters will most likely want to sleeve up. Could be included in reanimator, if you find yourself needing hasted shrouds that can end game in three swings. Might be a little better than simic sky swallower, but this is certainly debatable as the lack of evasion really hurts.
Primeval Titan - If there is some sick land combo, this could find it's way in. G/x ramp decks might also be interested of this, if they have a deck full of landy goodiness. This fetching Cabal Coffers + Urborg, and you have all the mana in the world. Especially, if he gets to bash. Valakut is a potent target in red/green ramps, also. I am not surprised if this ends up seeing no play at first, and then Wizards print something that makes this a nice combo enabler.
My deck doesn't like that Gaea's Revenge one bit :S... Grave Titan will probably be played in MBC, but don't know about outside those decks.
IMO Grave Titan is comparable to Oona, Queen of the Fae which is a respectable finisher and has seen play. I will play it, you don't have to.
Gaea's Revenge will likely go into Hypergenesis. Lack of evasion is really bad, but shroud almost makes it up.
Quote from: Nastaboi on 28-06-2010, 12:58:36 PM
IMO Grave Titan is comparable to Oona, Queen of the Fae which is a respectable finisher and has seen play. I will play it, you don't have to.
I never really liked Oona, mostly because you needed to untap with her to get value. This at least gives you couple of guys even if they terminate it. This does not require any additional mana to be invested after playing, which is another part of Iona I really hate, you get creatures simply by hitting them to the face. Lack of evasion makes this vulnerable in combat, but if your opponent gangblocks your 6/6 deathtouch guy, that netted you 4 2/2's, you are most likely winning. Only downside, compared to Iona, is that this cannot block fliers. I'd say this is better than Queen of the Fae, so if you find her attractive, this should be a small upgrade.
Only real problem is that I don't see many decks this would go. MBC is kinda obvious, but other than that, I just don't know.
-
Pyretic Ritual - Easy to figure out if you want this in your TPS or R/X storm or something, as it's a functional reprint.
Phylactery Lich - By the time you go through all that trouble of getting artifact into play and finding BBB for the mana cost, this is might not be the most impressive creature on the board. Nice blocker still, might have home in MBC, most likely too hard to tinker with in MBA.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 30-06-2010, 10:22:33 AM
Quote from: Nastaboi on 28-06-2010, 12:58:36 PM
IMO Grave Titan is comparable to Oona, Queen of the Fae which is a respectable finisher and has seen play. I will play it, you don't have to.
I never really liked Oona, mostly because you needed to untap with her to get value. This at least gives you couple of guys even if they terminate it. This does not require any additional mana to be invested after playing, which is another part of Iona I really hate, you get creatures simply by hitting them to the face. Lack of evasion makes this vulnerable in combat, but if your opponent gangblocks your 6/6 deathtouch guy, that netted you 4 2/2's, you are most likely winning. Only downside, compared to Iona, is that this cannot block fliers. I'd say this is better than Queen of the Fae, so if you find her attractive, this should be a small upgrade.
Only real problem is that I don't see many decks this would go. MBC is kinda obvious, but other than that, I just don't know.
-
Pyretic Ritual - Easy to figure out if you want this in your TPS or R/X storm or something, as it's a functional reprint.
Phylactery Lich - By the time you go through all that trouble of getting artifact into play and finding BBB for the mana cost, this is might not be the most impressive creature on the board. Nice blocker still, might have home in MBC, most likely too hard to tinker with in MBA.
You better decide wether it's Iona or Oona you don't like :P
Whiops. A typo. I was referring to Oona the whole time.
Leyline of Anticipation - Not going to cut it in HL. I doubt it sees play elsewhere either as it is horrible if you draw multiples. It's powerful, but you almost never want to pay four mana and a card for this effect which makes this very awkward in HL.
Fauna Shaman - Comparing this to survival is stupid, they both give you the same effect, but this requires full turn to get active, activates only once per turn, and it's much more easy to remove. That being said, this is a solid creature. If you are combo, or some kind of aggro-control, you might want to enlist her. Just don't dust off your old Survival decks and replace it with this expecting everything to be like it used to. Genesis, Squee and other bad cards should not be in your deck just because this gives them a little synergy.
Fauna Shaman is an elf. Yet another very good creature for them.
Leyline will see play in Legacy/vintage because it pitches to Force. The only question is if there will be a deck taking full advantatge of it. Personal tutor, Timetwister, duress, seize, etc. are all very good EOT plays.
Crystal Ball will be played. Especially decks like the Mono-U-artifact can take full advantage. Sensei + Ball = dig 5 cards deep each turn for 2 mana.
Quote from: coldcrow on 01-07-2010, 01:10:10 PM
Fauna Shaman is an elf. Yet another very good creature for them.
True. Good tribal synergies.
Quote from: coldcrow on 01-07-2010, 01:10:10 PMLeyline will see play in Legacy/vintage because it pitches to Force. The only question is if there will be a deck taking full advantatge of it. Personal tutor, Timetwister, duress, seize, etc. are all very good EOT plays.
I am not sure about it seeing play. I know very little of legacy and even less about vintage, but I would guess they prefer plays that are not card disadvantage. It's good in control mirrors and stuff (and only if it's in your opening hand), but elsewhere not so much. And you have better cards in control mirrors anyway.
Quote from: coldcrow on 01-07-2010, 01:10:10 PMCrystal Ball will be played. Especially decks like the Mono-U-artifact can take full advantage. Sensei + Ball = dig 5 cards deep each turn for 2 mana.
Another one that I dismiss as a unplayable. Three mana for a card that gives no card advantage, has no legs, and requires mana to be used for an effect that is not that good, is just too much. Sure, you could argue about the virtual card advantage it will bring, but there aren't many cases this even provides that. I mean, once you have like three good cards on top your deck, this does nothing for two turns.
The sensei synergy is nothing too spectacular either, if you need to dig for a specific card, there are tutors that actually finds the card in question in a reasonable time. And even with sensei, this is really bad once you filter couple of lands on the bottom and need to draw those good cards first to start using this for a profit again.
--
Edit -
Temple Bell - Missed this one completely. It's a weak howling mine, but the decks that want this effect, will want to see if this is good enough. I've played horn of greed in my howling mine decks and it was playable. This is almost like horn, so I would imagine this getting a slot. Obviously, has also potential to draw multiples in one turn with artifact untappers. Granted, there aren't many that are playable, but Tezzert is okay.
Fauna Shaman... Survival on a creature... It probably will be played.
I don't know about Crystal Ball. I feel a little ambivalent about it. On one hand, it's awesome once it's in play, but it still only provides card selection and it costs 3 to cast. It's good with the top, but wouldn't monoBlue wait until turn 5 so they can have counter backup?
Leyline of Anticipation is kind of weird. But for 4 mana, it just does too little imo :(
Temple Bell? Only included in my silly monored ramp. That's my guess.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 01-07-2010, 02:08:18 PM
Temple Bell - Missed this one completely. It's a weak howling mine, but the decks that want this effect, will want to see if this is good enough. I've played horn of greed in my howling mine decks and it was playable. This is almost like horn, so I would imagine this getting a slot. Obviously, has also potential to draw multiples in one turn with artifact untappers. Granted, there aren't many that are playable, but Tezzert is okay.
Quote from: Kristian on 01-07-2010, 02:15:58 PM
Temple Bell? Only included in my silly monored ramp. That's my guess.
Temple Bell will be played in the Black Vise deck and it will be quite awesome in there. The deck is already really hard to deal with if you're control player. Luckily it still doesn't prove that good against aggro. Temple Bell won't work in a RDW or aggro deck like Howling Mine and Font of Mythos doesn't. I don't know about ramp but I doubt it.
I like the red and blue Leyline.
The blue reminds me of Teferi, but it didn't have flash. Well the main problem of this card will be that you definetly need it on your starting hand and it's a bad topdeck. So maybe it will see play but definetly not often.
The red Leyline solves the old red problem of not coming along with protection red creatures, or recurring lifegain.
But it's a good question if you really had to lay aside a slot in your red deck for this. So I see here the same expectation as the blue Leyline.
The Fauna Shaman will definetly see play. And it's maybe the best M11 card. Survival was overpowered, now you can use the new version only once in a round and it have a good grizzli bear body. So it's even a better body like Dark Confidant or Lotus Cobra(both 2/1). So Survival is back fixed, maybe more vulnerable but with a offensive body.
Crystal Ball is good no doubt, Crystal Ball is even better than Sensei's Diving Top, but it's far more expensive. And Top could save itself from being destroyed. Crystal Ball don't have this ability.
With Top you couldn't lay aside cards. You had to wait like drawing normal or till you can shuffle. Crystal Ball can automaticly negate bad cards.
The 3 mana in it's casting cost will lead to the problem that it will be played once in while, Sensei's Divining Top meanwhile will still be played in almost every non aggro deck.
I don't see the potencial of Crystal Ball + Top
Quote from: GoblinPiledriver on 02-07-2010, 05:56:17 PM
The red Leyline solves the old red problem of not coming along with protection red creatures, or recurring lifegain.
But it's a good question if you really had to lay aside a slot in your red deck for this. So I see here the same expectation as the blue Leyline.
Would you play the far superior Everlasting Torment (which I think is pretty unplayable in HL) in any deck? If the answer is not, this has no chance.
Sulfuric Vortex > the red leyline, too in all but a few situations. If you're losing a damage race or if you need to kill a pro red creature with a red burn all spell. Of course the leyline is nice on your starting hand, but it'll probably not do much during the first few turns anyway. This does circumvent counterspells but leaves it vulnerable to removal.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 02-07-2010, 06:12:26 PM
Would you play the far superior Everlasting Torment (which I think is pretty unplayable in HL) in any deck? If the answer is not, this has no chance.
I totally agree.
Quote from: Kristian on 02-07-2010, 07:14:03 PM
Sulfuric Vortex > the red leyline, too in all but a few situations. If you're losing a damage race or if you need to kill a pro red creature with a red burn all spell. Of course the leyline is nice on your starting hand, but it'll probably not do much during the first few turns anyway. This does circumvent counterspells but leaves it vulnerable to removal.
I totally agree.
Wow. Is this set bonkers for a core set or what?
Some more playable cards for HL:
Brittle Effigy (1)
Artifact
4,T,Exile ~: Exile target creature
Activation cost is a bit high but can be searched with the Mage increasing the Toolbox by 1.
Sword of Vengeance (3)
Artifact - Equip
3: Equip
Equipped Creature gets +2/+0 FS,Trample,Lifelink,Haste
Not bad at all. One more to search with Mystic.
Elixir of Immortality (1)
Artifact
2,T:gain 5 life.Shuffle ~ and your GY into your library.
Upgraded Feldon's cane. Maybe useful in Oath or other GY combo decks.
Serra Ascendant W
Lifelink
If you have >= 30 life, ~ gets +5/+5 and flying.
1/1
One more for the Martyr deck ;), Seriously with all the goodies white gets lately I can see some MW-Aggro/Control hybrid evolving.
Dark Tutelage 2b
Enchantment Rare
At the beginning of your upkeep, reveal the top card of your library and put that card into your hand. You lose life equal to its converted mana cost.
Dark Confidant without a body? Meh... May be played though not as good I think.
Cyclops Gladiator 1rrr
Creature - Giant Rare
When Cyclops Gladiator attacks, you may have it deal damage equal to its power to target creature defending player controls. If you do, that creature deals damage equal to its power to Cyclops Gladiator.
4/4
4 power for 4 mana and it could shoot blockers allowing you to give even more damage. No haste though. Suited for RDW perhaps.
Hornet Sting g
Instant Common
Hornet Sting deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
Green burn spell... Do they even get played? xD
Quag Sickness 2b
Enchantment - Aura Common
Enchant creature
Enchanted creature gets -1/-1 for each Swamp you control.
Another removal for MBC?
Brittle Effigy 1
Artifact Rare
4,{T}, exile Brittle Effigy: Exile target creature.
Looks interesting, circumvent those pesky protection from {colour}.
Reverberate rr
Instant Rare
Copy target instant or sorcery spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Red twincast? Gonna go straight into my silly red deck ^^.
Wild Evocation 5r
Enchantment Rare
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, that player reveals a card at random from his or her hand. If it's a land card, the player puts in onto battlefield. Otherwise, the players casts it without paying its mana cost if able.
Too random? It seems expensive, so I don't think hypergenesis will like this one.
Deflect UU
Instant Rare
You may choose new targets for target spell.
A swerve that can target spells with multiple targets? I like! Though it probably does too little to see play.
None of those cards will see play. And neither does the Green leyline (as if you needed me to tell you how bad it is). The only even remotely possible exception, is the Brittle Effigy, as it can be fetched with trinket mage. I highly doubt it though, as Executioner's capsule is almost the same deal with less mana, and that has not seen play.
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=254102
Quote***** Leviathan
5UUU
8/8
Islandwalk
All lands are Islands in addition to their original type.
Creatures without flying or islandwalk can't attack.
Rare
Moat that hits for unblockable 8. A bit of an stretch, but is a possible reanimator target, although lacking in the shroud department. I am not familiar enough with the reanimator deck that I could say if this has the stats to be second Blazing Archon, or if they even need one.
Call to Mind (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=254413) - Combo decks will replace Relearn with this, and some will choose to play both, to enable Intuition/Gifts shenanigans.
Destructive Force 5rr
Each players sacs 5 lands. ~ deals 5 damage to each creature.
Stax player rejoice. Slightly more expensive wildfire #3.
Exactly! :) Can't wait for the release now! It is not often you get a bomb of a card in a new set when playing a deck like Staxx in Highlander. Have been lucky: Rise gave Awakening Zone and now M11 gives Desctructive Force
Autumn's Veil g
Instant Uncommon
Spells you control can't be countered by blue or black spells this turn, and creatures you control can't be the targets of blue or black spells this turn.
Autumn's Veil looks nice if there's alot of control in your meta though it's no autoinclude. It's also somewhat decent against deck packing black removals like MBC but simply useless against things like naya. I wonder if we're getting a black counterspell too.
I wonder a little bit about the use of Awakening Zone in Staxx Highlander. Getting a chump blocker for a creature like you had a maze sounds interesting,but on the other Hand you could play mass destruction. And also the Mana Ramp ablity looks not so good as you would play a Mana Stone.
There are already black counterspells Dash Hopes from Planar Chaos. And of course Withering Boon from Mirage, a good old Remove Soul which always surprises th opponent.
Well I found Autumn's Veil horrible. You wait till there is a opportunity to protect one of your creatures or spell. But there is no reward you waited so long and then nearly nothing happens. A 1-1 trade looks not efficient enough for consideringh real play. And then there stands blue or black, so you can't counter a sword or path.
The Brittle Effigy looks interesting as a tutor target for a Trinket Mage, but there are already many tutor targets for him. And usually you play the Mage for Sensei's Divining Top. Executioner’s Capsule was better (different color)and wasn't been played often so this has an even worse probabilty off being played.
I want to discuss an other card the Mystifying Maze.
The picture looked like it's the new Maze of Ith. But in the inside there is just a 5 Mana Khor Haven which can't be used against any CIP creature. And there is no way of using it on your own creature.
Maybe there is one question if I really understanded this card right: There stands 'At the beginning of the next end step, return ... ownder's control.' That's the end step of the opponent, right? So he can attack normally on his next round?
Awakening Zone is amazing in Staxx. Read my article to see why I personally believe so.
http://www.magicplayer.org/forum/index.php?topic=424.0
Zone gives: A new blocker each turn. Better than Maze in most cases since it builds up blockers if you don't lose any during a whole turn. When playing this many Planeswalkers, Zone gets even better.
Zone gives: More mana than a mana stone since it builds up mana each turn if you don't sacrifice one each and every turn.
Zone gives: Mana AND blockers even after an Armageddon, a Ravages of War, a Wildfire, a Burning of Xinye + Future M11 Destructive Flow and/or the likes. Zone is also amazing after a Winter Orb, Static Orb, Nether Void or the lighter Sphere of Resistance.
Zone, finally, adds permanents to the battlefield so Smokestack has some "free" food. Same goes for Tangle Wire to a much lesser extend.
The two first reasons are why Zone is really great. The third and fourth reasons is why Zone is better than almost any other ramp in Staxx (Read: Not the best)
Sorry about the off-topic. Back to M11 discussions: Destructive Force is awesome! :)
And to your question: Yes
Mystifying Maze will return the creature to battlefield at the beginning of the next end step and not at the beginning of your or your opponents next end step. In other words: The creature will return at the beginning of the very first end step after activating the ability. So as quickly as possible.
Most likely it will be at the beginning of your opponents end step and he can therefore attack with it during his or her next combat phase.
- GREEN -
Leyline of Sancity - At first, it was rumored to be Ivory Mask, and I thought it would be a decent sideboard card in type 2. This could even become maindeckable in certain decks that want to mess with their opponents. Nullifying discard, burn and Gifts Ungiven is not bad. Too bad it costs four. Maybe some Enchantress type of deck?
- BLACK -
Viscera Seer - One mana sacrifice outlet with weak, but relevant ability.
- RED -
Arc Runner - I have no idea about the playability of Ball Lightning in HL, I would imagine this being decent enough to see play if old balls are still around.
Destructive Force - Worse than Burning of Xinye, Wildfire and Devastation, but still very much playable in a deck already running big red sweepers.
Manic Vandal - I've played Viridian Shaman without tribal interactions (in retrospect, playing Uktabi Orangutan would have been smarter, but I had foil Shaman), so this is obviously playable in a right deck.
- LAND -
Mystifying Maze - Even though it's worse than Maze of Ith and Kor Haven, it's still a land that provides value when you have nothing better to sink your mana into. Colorless acivation is the key here. Probably some monocolored control decks will find some use for this. Too bad you can't blink your own creatures.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 28-06-2010, 09:29:20 AM
Primeval Titan - If there is some sick land combo, this could find it's way in. G/x ramp decks might also be interested of this, if they have a deck full of landy goodiness. This fetching Cabal Coffers + Urborg, and you have all the mana in the world. Especially, if he gets to bash. Valakut is a potent target in red/green ramps, also. I am not surprised if this ends up seeing no play at first, and then Wizards print something that makes this a nice combo enabler.
I think Careful Study followed by Shallow Grave is broken enough with this one...
Also Grave Titan plus Shallow Grave is a good opening.
Primeval Titan promises much potential. This card sounds good from Controll to Midrange to Reanimation-Decks
So lets try to figure out which one is the best of them:
Primeval Titan >> Sun Titan > Grave Titan >> Inferno Titan >>> Frost Titan
Decks for them:
Primeval Titan: 5CC, Land-Controll, UG/X-Controll
Sun Titan: 5CC, Creature-Controll, UW-Controll
Grave Titan: 5CC, Recursion-Creature-Controll, MBC
Inferno Titan: Ponza, Big Red, maybe 5CC
Frost Titan: ----
And again. Comments / criticism / questions for these are welcome.
- WHITE -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMAjani's Pridemate - Likes to spend time in the kitchen, looking for ouphes to hang out with. As long as you don't build your deck with this guy in mind, I could see him appearing somewhere competitive. Probably needs to see couple more good life gain spells printed though.
I still think this could have a deck somewhere in future. In type two this has seen play, but HL is much more harsh for these kinds of cards.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMBaneslayer Angel - I think this could see play. Get them while they are still cheap.
Totally called this one.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMKnight Exemplar - A decent follow up of your standard WW play of "random 2/2 knight on the second turn", but I still would not like the idea of giving this guy a slot. Same case as the Captivating Vampire, there might be enough good Knights that this could see play, eventually.
...probably not, though.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMLeyline of Sancity - At first, it was rumored to be Ivory Mask, and I thought it would be a decent sideboard card in type 2. This could even become maindeckable in certain decks that want to mess with their opponents. Nullifying discard, burn and Gifts Ungiven is not bad. Too bad it costs four. Maybe some Enchantress type of deck?
Enchantress of some sort might want this. Others don't unless you try to hate your metagame out.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PM
Sun Titan will probably see play in some decks. Unique ability and potentially multiple triggers makes this creature attractive enough. Six mana is a lot, and Baneslayer this is not. Just think of this as a mini-cascade that triggers even when cheated in to play. Vigilance is also a big plus because you don't need to give up any defence to get the trigger.
As long as you avoid putting this to a deck that is not loaded with synergy and potential targets, this can be good or even great. I think I want to try this in my Pattern-Rector deck.
I also wonder if there is a way to win just by oathing into this guy (I mean, you do get two activations, as you are obviously playing dragon breath).
I am still waiting something truly broken to find with Oath. The six mana cost is too much for the Pattern-Rector, but he might be upside enough for the UW control to play it. Haven't tried UW, I have no idea will it be enough, though.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMWar Priest of Thune - An aggressively costed enchantment hater. Some Naya or Bant decks will probably like to see this, but is far from auto-include. WW traditionally plays too many enchantments to consider this, unless your meta is filled with Moats and such. If there is a BW aggro, they might be delighted to get rid of their own necropotence or phyrexian arena every once in a while.
Playable, might not be good enough to replace KoALa or Ronom Unicorn in WW, though.
- BLUE -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMAEther Master - I like. Decks that play Man-o'-War are usually heavy blue (well, UG might not always be), so this mana cost should not be a big problem. Tribal synergies should not be ignored either.
Nothing to add. Still very Man-o'-Waresque, still little bit harder to cast, still very much playable.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMDiminish - I don't think it's good enough, but man, is it cheap or what?
Cheap, but unplayable.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 26-06-2010, 08:49:42 PMFrost Titan - Even worse than the red one. Makes me a very sad panda :(
This I did not underrate, blue has many, many better options than this.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 01-07-2010, 09:13:55 AMLeyline of Anticipation - Not going to cut it in HL. I doubt it sees play elsewhere either as it is horrible if you draw multiples. It's powerful, but you almost never want to pay four mana and a card for this effect which makes this very awkward in HL.
Crap.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMPreordain - Strictly better than Sleight of Hand, and is almost always better than Serum Visions. I think it's going to be nearly as good as ponder. Combo decks better find something to drop in favor of this.
Very nice for the combo decks. How obvious was this?
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMJace's Erasure - Interesting. As long as you plan to target yourself and wizards keep printing cards to go with it, this theoretically could see play. Right now, it needs more help.
It needs plenty more help. Maybe after the upcoming Dredge/Flashback/Threshold/Delve - block. Maybe not.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMJace's Ingenuity - 40counterspells.dec got a nice addon.
Nothing to add. Good if you don't fancy the idea of tapping out during your own turn.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 25-06-2010, 03:46:59 PMTime Reversal I like. Not very broken with that mana cost, but draw 7 is draw 7 and some combo deck(s) want to play this.
I still like that this kind of card saw print. One or two of these and I think I could make a High Tide deck without that Spellweaver Volute =)
- BLACK -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMCaptivating Vampire - Eventually there may be enough vampires around for this to be nice anthem, but as of now, quite miserable.
Many cards that might be something in this set already. This is one of the worst.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 28-06-2010, 09:29:20 AMGrave Titan - Six mana 10/10? Probably still not good enough, but p/t is very respectable and tokens are something black can use very well outside of combat as well.
I was off by a mile. This is one of the best black finishers of all time. I put this in my MBC and suddenly I found myself winning.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMLiliana's Specter - Give him a good equipment and he is decent. Cool way to get your ninjas across too. Without synergy, seems too weak.
Very much a decent dude. Better than Ravenous Rats/Corrupt Court Official as this actualy has a decent body and evasion.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 30-06-2010, 10:22:33 AMPhylactery Lich - By the time you go through all that trouble of getting artifact into play and finding BBB for the mana cost, this is might not be the most impressive creature on the board. Nice blocker still, might have home in MBC, most likely too hard to tinker with in MBA.
Maybe after scars, but most likely not.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMReassembling Skeleton - If there is a combo, or you have huge amounts of mana and a sacrifice outlet, this could see play. Obviously, completely unplayable without synergy.
I doubt there is home for this. Sacrifice decks tend to have better things to sacrifice than this.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMViscera Seer - One mana sacrifice outlet with weak, but relevant ability.
The little vampire that could. Should not be used outside of decks that want to sacrifice dudes.
- RED -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMArc Runner - I have no idea about the playability of Ball Lightning in HL, I would imagine this being decent enough to see play if old balls are still around.
Haven't tried burn, so I still am clueles about this one.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMChandra's Firespitter - Your kiln fiend/wee dragonauts/w/e deck just got better. I doubt this have impact in burn or monoR. Flying is nice, but three mana is enough to keep this away from burn and less aggressive strategies are having trouble to find enough burn to make this good.
Not a good creature, at all.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMChandra's Outrage - Four mana is probably the reason this will never see play, but four damage is usually enough to kill any creature. Hard to imagine a deck that would want this, even if it costed three though.
Too expensive.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMEmber Hauler - Burn, baby, burn. Very solid creature.
Solid. Obv.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMDestructive Force - Worse than Burning of Xinye, Wildfire and Devastation, but still very much playable in a deck already running big red sweepers.
Nothing to add.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMHoarding Dragon - The stats are bad and I really don't like the idea of paying five mana for a fabricate that needs to die to get the effect. I just wonder if they are going to print some nice card to go with this in Scars of Mirrodin. Hard to imagine such card being any good, though.
I still don't think there is going to be a card to make this playable, ever.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMInferno Titan is clearly lacking. Good news is that it has CIP (or ETB) ability that is not bad at all. The problem is that there are so many better creatures (like Crater Hellion and it's kin). You shouldn't ever need to resort to this, no matter what the deck.
Wayy better that I originally though. Still has much competition in form of Crater Hellion and similiar creatures, but this does not decimate your own board which is a big plus.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMManic Vandal - I've played Viridian Shaman without tribal interactions (in retrospect, playing Uktabi Orangutan would have been smarter, but I had foil Shaman), so this is obviously playable in a right deck.
Other than bragging about my sweet foil Viridian Shaman, I have nothing to add.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 30-06-2010, 10:22:33 AMPyretic Ritual - Easy to figure out if you want this in your TPS or R/X storm or something, as it's a functional reprint.
Nothing to add. Ritual is a ritual.
- GREEN -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMCultivate - I don't like Kodama's Reach, but it's nice to have two in case there will be a deck that can use some those extra lands.
Again, nice to have this as an option.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 01-07-2010, 09:13:55 AMFauna Shaman - Comparing this to survival is stupid, they both give you the same effect, but this requires full turn to get active, activates only once per turn, and it's much more easy to remove. That being said, this is a solid creature. If you are combo, or some kind of aggro-control, you might want to enlist her. Just don't dust off your old Survival decks and replace it with this expecting everything to be like it used to. Genesis, Squee and other bad cards should not be in your deck just because this gives them a little synergy.
Wayy better than I give credit the first time. Staple in almost any green deck that plays creatures, which includes all of them.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 28-06-2010, 09:29:20 AMGaea's Revenge - Seven mana is a lot, but 8/5 haste that has practically a shroud are stats that Hypergenesisters will most likely want to sleeve up. Could be included in reanimator, if you find yourself needing hasted shrouds that can end game in three swings. Might be a little better than simic sky swallower, but this is certainly debatable as the lack of evasion really hurts.
I have nothing to add. I have only limited experiences with this and so far it's been decent.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMGarruk's Companion - As long as dropping this on the second turn gives you no problems, it's bound to cause them.
Nothing to add. Solid beater.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMObstinate Baloth - Very nice. Built-in protection from discard, and otherwise Loxodon Hierarch (without the ability that everyone likes to think is relevant, but almost never is). If Wizards did not print this to neuter Blightning, I'll eat my breakfast.
Usually better than Loxodon Hierarch. That is reason enough to write this off as a playable.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMOverwhelming Assault - Any deck that wants to play Overrun is not going to be able to can guarantee this as an second Overrun. That being said, work the numbers and this might be a little better. Nothing too spectacular, though.
1) Play this
2) They remove your biggest guy
3) =(
Just bad.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 28-06-2010, 09:29:20 AMPrimeval Titan - If there is some sick land combo, this could find it's way in. G/x ramp decks might also be interested of this, if they have a deck full of landy goodiness. This fetching Cabal Coffers + Urborg, and you have all the mana in the world. Especially, if he gets to bash. Valakut is a potent target in red/green ramps, also. I am not surprised if this ends up seeing no play at first, and then Wizards print something that makes this a nice combo enabler.
Nothing much to add. Decent finisher with the ability to toolbox some answers and it enables you to start dropping eldrazis.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMSacred Wolf - Armadillo Cloacks and equipments wanted. Not too exciting, but should be good enough to see play in decks that are loaded with aforementioned cards and removal for small creatures to avoid bad trades.
If wizards keep printing good creatures with troll-shroud, you could have a nice deck with auras and equipment. It could happen. Not today though.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMSylvan Ranger - Very nice. Almost any deck that plays Elvish Visionary is going to want this (and some decks that don't want visionary, will want this, go figure).
Just compare this to Elvish Visionary and that should give you an idea how much you want to play this in your deck(s).
- ARTIFACT -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 01-07-2010, 02:08:18 PMCrystal Ball - Another one that I dismiss as a unplayable. Three mana for a card that gives no card advantage, has no legs, and requires mana to be used for an effect that is not that good, is just too much. Sure, you could argue about the virtual card advantage it will bring, but there aren't many cases this even provides that. I mean, once you have like three good cards on top your deck, this does nothing for two turns.
The sensei synergy is nothing too spectacular either, if you need to dig for a specific card, there are tutors that actually finds the card in question in a reasonable time. And even with sensei, this is really bad once you filter couple of lands on the bottom and need to draw those good cards first to start using this for a profit again.
Bad. The initial investment is too much. Play Scroll Rack instead.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMSorcerer's Strongbox - Theoretically this could see play. Probably too weak, but certain colors might need to resort desperate measures. I highly doubt it though, but drawing multiple cards is something artifacts get very rarely, and there is also a potential for abusing this effect.
Many good artifacts coming this way in the new Mirrodin, so you probably never need to resort to this.
Quote from: Tiggupiru on 16-06-2010, 12:35:39 PMTemple Bell - Missed this one completely. It's a weak howling mine, but the decks that want this effect, will want to see if this is good enough. I've played horn of greed in my howling mine decks and it was playable. This is almost like horn, so I would imagine this getting a slot. Obviously, has also potential to draw multiples in one turn with artifact untappers. Granted, there aren't many that are playable, but Tezzert is okay.
Playable. Also, much win with Mind over Matter.
- LAND -Quote from: Tiggupiru on 06-07-2010, 02:10:52 PMMystifying Maze - Even though it's worse than Maze of Ith and Kor Haven, it's still a land that provides value when you have nothing better to sink your mana into. Colorless acivation is the key here. Probably some monocolored control decks will find some use for this. Too bad you can't blink your own creatures.
Still playable in monocolored control decks, maybe not worth it if you decide to play multiple colors.