Thoughts:
Wizards is really trying to get Mutilate to work as the mass-removal spell of choice in Standard, and Alms Beast is the latest rare that would slot into that deck, if that deck exists. If midrange aggressive decks start dominating Standard, Alms Beast is an excellent sideboard card to battle those decks (beats Thragtusk in a fight!). I think the downside of this card is one that turns off casual players; they generally don’t like giving beneficial abilities to their opponent’s creatures.

Thoughts: “Whenever High Priest of Penance is dealt damage, you may destroy target nonland permanent.”

This is a card that looks exciting but is basically a 1/1 unblockable creature that doubles as Loyal Sentry. For casual play, High Priest of Penance combos well with indestructible (as indestructible creatures still take damage, they just don’t die), so if you end up with Darksteel Plate and Goblin Sharpshooter in Commander, you can wipe the board clean of all opposing creatures, and then some. Probably will settle in the $1 range, as it really only has casual applications right now.

Thoughts:
The best spoiled uncommon in the set so far. When Flames of the Blood Hand was Standard legal, it went for $2-$3. It still commands a $1.50 price tag; Skullcrack fills the same role for aggressive and burn decks and should see similar play and popularity.

Thoughts:
There are a lot of people who think they can make this card work in Modern, with the aid of either Cackling Counterpart / Phantasmal Image or by using mana-accelerating creatures and Mirrorweave. I still don’t think either is viable, but keep an eye on the aforementioned cards just in case someone actually makes this deck work.

Thoughts:
Still a solid removal spell, and I still feel it’s outclassed by Bonfire. Either way, we sold out multiple times at $2, so I raised the price to $3, and it continued to sell well. Could have a short-term ceiling (1-2 weeks past set release) of $4 like Mizzium Mortars, but I don’t think it has long-term value as a rare.

Thoughts:
Revealed as the Theme Deck rare, in addition to being the Prerelease rare for Boros. Dropped to $0.50, as the oversaturation on what is already likely a bulk rare will certainly make it a bulk rare.

Thoughts:
I’ve heard a lot of positive opinions about Gideon from people whose opinion I respect. $30 is still at the ceiling I saw for Gideon post-release if it’s Standard-played. Keep in mind that Standard-played planeswalkers tend to spike to $50 for about 2-3 weeks after release while supply catches up to demand (happened with Tezzeret from Mirrodin Beseiged, Liliana from Innistrad, and Jace from Return to Ravnica), so there is room for a very short-term gain on Gideon; but if you can’t get rid of them within 2 weeks of release, you’ll only stand to lose.

Thoughts:
Continues to be one of our stronger-selling Gatecrash cards.

Thoughts:
As pointed out by Brandon Smith in the forums of yesterday’s article, Lazav triggers on creature cards going to the graveyard from ANYWHERE, not just from play. This makes Lazav a lot more powerful than I initially gave credit for because it’s much easier to force the issue with either discard or mill than by having to wait for your opponent to play a creature. I’m again reserving full judgment on Lazav until all cipher cards are spoiled, but I have a higher opinion based on the correct reading of Lazav’s ability.

Thoughts:
So far, the strongest card spoiled from this set. I still compare Obzedat to other high-value mythics like Geist of Saint Traft, Olivia Voldaren, and Falkenrath Aristocrat. Could hit $30 before the set is released.