Last week sure was fun, wasn’t it! 321 forum responses, and Matt Sperling going bananas. I wish I could duplicate that, but it’s just not possible.
It’s time for something new!
It’s that time of the year again. You should know the drill by now. I make bold predictions about cards in M11 so I can be judged my peers, and then I judge you when I’m right and you aren’t.
Humble, aren’t I?
First, let’s take a brief look at my hits and misses from Rise of the Eldrazi:
Cards About Which I Was Correct:
1) Gideon Jura – I felt this could be a format defining card, and around GP: DC it truly was. I still love this card even though I hate playing against it.
2) Emrakul, The Aeons Torn – I never felt like this card was going to be very good, and I feel as though I was right. Outside of Polymorph decks (which were never very good), Emrakul hasn’t really had much of an effect on formats.
3) Student of Warfare – I know a good White Weenie card when I see it, and Student of Warfare isn’t one of them. I’m very pleased that I got this one correct, or my credibility as the White Weenie guy would have gone up in flames.
4) Sea Gate Oracle – Comparing this to Court Hussar was a little unfair, but I never thought this card was going to very good to begin with. The creatures nowadays are just too good. I understand that Kibler won a Grand Prix with this card in his deck, but that still doesn’t make the card good. I think it has a lot more to do with Kibler being good.
5) Inquisition of Kozilek – Too many holes for it to be very good.
6) Kargan Dragonlord – I compared this card to Plated Geopede in my review, and I still feel that Plated Geopede is better. The more important thing here is that neither card is seeing a lot of play, and Hellspark Elemental has made his return to the spotlight.
7) Boar Umbra – Moldervine Cloak or Elephant Guide you are not.
8) Sarkhan the Mad – While I didn’t say this card was going to be great, I did recognize its power. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to be the best card in the Jund mirror.
Cards About Which I Was Incorrect:
1) Deathless Angel – I felt that this would serve as a win condition in certain control decks, due to its high power and toughness and its useful ability. I’m still surprised that it hasn’t seen play anywhere, but I was incorrect nonetheless.
2) Hyena Umbra – Pretty far off on this one. I thought it would see some play in a White Weenie-ish type deck. Unfortunately those don’t currently exist.
3) See Beyond – I boldly proclaimed that this was the most underrated card in Rise of the Eldrazi. I was very wrong.
4) Mul Daya Channelers – I felt that there was really no drawback on this guy, but it turns out that both “benefits” aren’t really that beneficial.
5) Overgrown Battlement – Mana walls usually see quite a bit of play, but this one simply hasn’t.
6) Vengevine – *slaps forehead*
Cards I Didn’t Even Mention:
1) Linvala, Keeper of Silence – While Linvala isn’t the best card in the world, it is something fierce against Mythic. I’m sure it will have more applications down the road, as at the very least it is aggressively costed flyer.
2) Coralhelm Commander – A major threat from a Merfolk deck, Coralhelm Commander has made its impact in Legacy Fish.
3) Eldrazi Conscription – The bane of my existence for the past month, I’m not sure who is more to blame. I hate whenever my opponents cast Sovereigns of Lost Alara, but I hate even more when I am taking 16 damage on turn 3.
4) Narcolepsy – A wonderful sideboard card for a Blue deck without much removal. Suck on that, Putrid Leech!
5) Nest Invader – A card that has really made these Eldrazi Monument decks get going.
6) Kiln Fiend – I’m glad everyone is past the point in their life where they think this card is good. It took longer than expected, but we are finally there.
7) Staggershock – Somehow I missed that this is basically a flexible Char without a drawback. Staggershock truly is a great card with great design.
8) Wall of Omens – I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think it was necessary. Everyone knew this one was going to be the real deal.
Here is how I wrapped up my review of Rise of the Eldrazi:
For now, I will say that Vengevine is the most overrated card, See Beyond is the most underrated card, and Wall of Omens will have the greatest impact on our Standard format.
At least I was right about Wall of Omens!
Moving right along…
Underrated Card # 1: Condemn
Condemn
W
Instant
Put target attacking creature on the bottom of its owner’s library. Its controller gains life equal to its toughness.
I find this to be a very interesting addition to White-based control decks. Will this take over the role of Path to Exile as the spot removal spell of choice? Not entirely. I think Path to Exile and Condemn can work side by side to get the job done. There are going to be times where Condemn is going to be better than Path to Exile and vice versa, so perhaps a nice mix is in order. The great thing about these two removal spells is that they are both great against Vengevine, Sprouting Thrinax, Sovereigns of Lost Alara, and plenty of other bothersome creatures. I could see the road for aggressive strategies becoming a little bumpier in the near future.
Overrated Card # 1: Knight Exemplar
Knight Exemplar
1WW
Creature – Human Knight
First Strike
Other Knight creatures you control get +1/+1 and are indestructible.
2/2
As the resident White Weenie master, I can safely say that I am not a fan of Knight Exemplar. Knight Exemplar reminds me a lot of Dauntless Escort, and he isn’t exactly tearing things up right now, is he? Yes, having two Knight Exemplars in play is a soft lock, but with so many removal spells in the format that don’t destroy or deal lethal damage (Path to Exile, Oblivion Ring, Consuming Vapors, All Is Dust), I don’t expect that soft lock to stay intact for too long. Much like Student of Warfare, I don’t expect to see this guy to see much play.
Underrated Card # 2: Leyline of Sanctity
Leyline of Sanctity
2WW
Enchantment
If Leyline of Sanctity is in your opening hand, you may begin the game with it on the battlefield.
You can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
I’m a little surprised this card hasn’t gotten more positive vibes. Ivory Mask, while not the greatest card in the world, was often played in sideboards to deal with certain strategies. The fact that there are times where you won’t have to waste a turn to actually cast this Ivory Mask variant is a pretty big deal. If you’re looking for an Ivory Mask type effect, Leyline of Sanctity is an upgraded version with no drawback at the exact same casting cost. Do I expect Leyline of Sanctity to light the world on fire? Of course not. But I do expect it to have some relevance in the near future.
And hey! When I have one in play, I can’t be targeted by Esper Charm. What more could I ask for?
For My EDH fans # 1: Serra Ascendant
Serra Ascendant
W
Creature – Human Monk
Lifelink
As Long as you have 30 or more life, Serra Ascendant gets +5/+5 and has flying
1/1
I am not-well versed in Elder Dragon Highlander, but it is easy to see why this card is great in that format. I am only bringing this up so I can ask a question to those who are well-versed in EDH. Is Serra’s Ascendant too good in the format? Is it going to be banned immediately? I’m more curious than anything, but please express your opinion in the forums, if you have one.
Overrated Card # 2: Squadron Hawk
Squadron Hawk
1W
Creature – Bird
Flying
When Squadron 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.
1/1
Maybe I just don’t get it with Squadron Hawk. Maybe I am missing something that is so elementary that I need someone to knock some sense into me. But for the life of me, I don’t understand why I would want a bunch of 1/1’s in my hand or in my deck. I understand that for 1W I am drawing three cards, but if those cards don’t actually do anything relevant, why does it matter? I understand that Squadron Hawk is good in combination with Vengevine, but how many more cards do you need to make Vengevine good? We already have Ranger of Eos and Bloodbraid Elf in addition to just holding creatures in your hand.
My gut is telling me that Squadron Hawk isn’t a very good card, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if I was wrong.
Underrated Card # 3: Sun Titan
Sun Titan
4WW
Creature – Giant
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
While I have read enough about the Titan cycle to make my head explode, I like Sun Titan the most because I feel it is the most breakable. Being able to return a permanent from the graveyard means that there is plenty of room in deckbuilding to break the ability. Fauna Shaman is one route to go. An enchantment like Oblivion Ring is another. I am also a big fan of having Dauntless Escort around to protect Sun Titan and then having the option of getting it back if that comes up. Even returning a Jace Beleren could get filthy.
The point is this. Sun Titan gives you a lot of flexibility in deckbuilding. It is as good as you want it to be. Grave Titan brings creatures with it. While that is great, the last thing Magic needs is more efficient creatures. We have lots of those. Primeval Titan brings man-lands or Eldrazi Temples with it. That is quite good, but not broken. We haven’t seen an effect like Sun Titan before. That makes me think it can be broken.
Overrated Card # 3: Aether Adept
Aether Adept
1UU
Creature – Human Wizard
When Aether Adept enters the battlefield, return target creature to its owner’s hand.
2/2
It’s not that I think Aether Adept is a bad card. Bouncing a guy as an enters-the-battlefield ability is always pretty good. The issue I have with it is the same issue I had with Sea Gate Oracle: the body attached. Realize that right now, people are debating between Broodmate Dragon and Grave Titan in Jund. People are arguing about two 4/4 flyers for six mana or ten power worth of groundpounders for six mana. So when I say that I am not excited about a 2/2 for three mana with an average enters-the-battlefield ability, it shouldn’t really surprise you. I’m sure Aether Adept will have some applications somewhere, but it doesn’t really have me excited. I played when Man-O’-War was a great card. That time is long gone.
Underrated Card # 4: Conundrum Sphinx
Conundrum Sphinx
2UU
Creature – Sphinx
Flying
Whenever Conundrum Sphinx attacks, each player names a card. Then each player reveals the top card of his or her library. If the card a player revealed is the card he or she named, that player puts that card into his or her hand. If it’s not, that player puts it on the bottom of his or her library.
4/4
This is my favorite card in the set by a long way! I don’t care if Conundrum Sphinx ever sees competitive play or not. I think it is just a really sweet card!
Favoritism aside, I actually expect this undercosted flyer to see a heavy amount of play. I don’t really think there is really a home for the card right now, but with Blue having so much library manipulation in Jace, The Mind Sculptor and Halimar Depths, hitting with Conundrum Sphinx doesn’t seem especially difficult. I don’t really consider this effect to be symmetrical, because when building a card with this deck in mind, you should hit more often than your opponent. This card reminds me a lot of Longshot from Vs. System, if anyone remembers that deck (I’m sure you do, MJ!)
Love, love, love this card.
Overrated Card # 4: Jace’s Ingenuity
Jace’s Ingenuity
3UU
Instant
Draw three cards
The reason I think this card is overrated is pretty simple. On the surface, Jace’s Ingenuity seems like a very good card. “Draw three cards at the end of my opponent’s turn, and then punish them” is how things used to be. Things aren’t that way anymore, folks. Magic is a much different game now. Control decks have to tap mana on their turn to get their advantages, because there just isn’t good enough countermagic to support the kind of end-of-turn decks we would like to build. Look at UW Control and Super Friends. Those are main phase tap-out control decks.
When given the choice between Jace’s Ingenuity and Mind Spring, I’m going to select Mind Spring every time. When R&D decides to print some really good counterspells, then I’ll be happy to sleeve up some instant speed draw threes. Sadly, I think that day is still pretty far away.
Interesting Card # 1: Mass Polymorph
Mass Polymorph
5U
Sorcery
Exile all creatures you control, then reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal that many creature cards. Put all creature cards revealed this way onto the battlefield and shuffle the rest into your library.
So, who is going to be the first one to break this card in half? It isn’t going to be me, that’s for sure. But when the Mass Polymorph decks start showing up, do not be surprised. I predict it will probably take a StarCityGames.com Open by storm first and then evolve from there. What are your predictions?
It sucks this card has such a stupid name.
Underrated Card # 5: Preordain
Preordain
U
Sorcery
Scry 2, then draw a card
This is another card I absolutely love. Scry is such a great keyword ability, and I am glad it is back in full force. Preordain is a card that might push fringe decks like Polymorph and Pyromancer’s Ascension over the top to respectability. While simple and straightforward, Preordain is a card that probably needed to be made. Ponder is a cool card, but it was growing a bit old. Out with the old and in with the new!
Sideboard Fodder # 1: Redirect
Redirect
UU
Instant
You may choose new targets for target spell
While I don’t expect Redirect to have a ton of impact on Constructed formats, I do expect it to have some. Cards with multiple targets are no longer safe, and I think that is a very good thing. Searing Blaze was a very hard card to stop since it has two targets, but with Redirect, things can get nasty! We’ve seen Swerve turn Time Warp into a very bad idea before, but Swerve wasn’t easy to get into decks due to its casting cost. Now that this effect costs UU, I expect it to see plenty of play in sideboards in the near future. Redirect is a card that won’t cost a lot and it won’t see a lot of play, but it’s a card that you always have to keep in the back of your mind. If your opponent has UU available, something could be up.
Overrated Card # 5: Time Reversal
Time Reversal
3UU
Sorcery
Each player shuffles his or her hand and graveyard into his or her library, then draws seven cards. Exile Time Reversal.
It’s bigger!
It’s badder!
Ladies and gentleman!
It’s too much for Mr. Incredible to handle!
Man, does Time Reversal suck! Look, I get that it’s a draw seven. That’s great. But I don’t like when my opponent is drawing seven cards as well. There aren’t combo decks in Standard that can take full advantage of Time Reversal. The cards just aren’t there! In the Mind’s Desire age, this card would have been completely bonkers, but that card isn’t legal in any relevant formats. The only deck that can generate enough mana to take advantage of the seven cards is Turboland, and that isn’t how that deck works.
It’s easy to get excited about a card that says “draw seven cards,” but here is a very real question: Do you really think Wizards would print Time Reversal without making sure it was safe first?
Just like Emrakul, the Aeons Torn, I think they thought this one through quite a bit before releasing it.
Next week, I’ll be back with more of the same and a complete wrap up.
Until then…