U of the 15

As where we left off, here are the uncommons!

• Act on Impulse

Similar to Chandra, Pyromaster's 2nd ability. It's quite good per say, giving RDW decks some sort of fuel or extra draw when needed.

• Ajani's Pridemate

If your deck happens to revolve around lifegain synergies, YES. If not, avoid him.

• Altac Bloodseeker

I'm telling you, this card is very sick. Play it every time in limited, just play it! 2 mana 2/1 is underwhelming but if you can remove a creature during declare attacking or before combat phase, it's a different story altogether. 

• Ancient Silverback

Good fatty to curve into for limited. Plus a cheap regeneration ability is really something that you can jump into for late game strategies.

• Back to Nature

Whatever you do, don't play it mainboard in limited. There is absolutely no reason to. Its best as a sideboard card.

• Battle Mastery

Er.... Don't. If you are enchanting a big creature, he's winning games already.

• Belligerent Sliver

Not a bad card, but for its ability, 2/2 seems a bit underwhelming... If it's in a sliver deck, it's different story.

• Blood Host

Neat combat trick clean up. Buffs itself, gives you life and the ability is repetitive, it's a draft bomb to be honest.

• Boonweaver Giant

Hey Soverigns!!! Well, almost... It's viable in limited and actually in EDH. It searches auras and automatically enchants itself. So it's a great bomb to use if you have some decent auras to play with.

• Brawler's Plate

In limited, it's a good card to play 1 piece or something like that. Most of the time you'll realise equipments will become a dead draw in mid game when you rather have creatures or removals to keep pushing on the game.

• Brood Keeper

If you have plenty of auras and in a mood for a fun deck, this would be a deck to play. It is screaming "work a deck around me!" Anyone else heard it? No? Ah well... In limited it's a decent card to play, given the ability actually spawns 2/2 dragons. Just 1-2 aura is enough to create havoc. It's a decent card to play and keep. At least for my opinion.

• Caustic Tar

Limited only. It's a game winner on its own. Puts opponent on a clock if left alone

• Circle of Flame

Okay card to use... but I'm not sure how deep the impact it will have in the formats... Honestly I have never seen anyone use this yet.

• Cone of Flame

Sick sick card in limited. I've used it in pre-release and it saves me games. Constructed may see some play to remove

• Congregate

Probably a good sideboard card for limited. Nothing else to use with this card really. I think there are better cards to use in limited.

• Constricting Sliver

A bomb on its own. Has Journey to Nowhere on it, hence it removes threats and well.. if you have other slivers...

• Darksteel Citadel

You know why it's good already. Artifact land, you have the Ensoul Artifact, you have Shrapnel Blast, And it's used in Constructed. So yes, this is a good can in constructed. For limited... unless you have artifact theme revolving the deck, if not I guess it's still a land.

• Dauntless River Marshal

It's at best a curve filler. At best it's a 2 mana 3/2, which is good. A 4 mana to tap creature is annoyingly expensive, but it is okay on the curve. If you are asking why this is an okay card, but Tyrant's Machine is crap, that's because, this is still a creature and I can attack with it still.

• Devouring Light

Incredibly powerful removal in limited. Play it everytime!

• Diffusion Sliver

A must-have for any sliver tribal decks. if not, just drop him in limited and stack some auras and laugh. Wait...

• Dissipate

Remember how Dissipate impacted Standard in Innistrad period? Expect the same.

• Endless Obedience

Potentially to see play in constructed. It has potential to be a free reanimation spell in the right deck. 

• Ensoul Artifact

I'm telling you, this card have potential in breaking standard as an archetype of its own. As I am writing this, there are already deck ideas and brews of it. It's a sick limited bomb if you manage to get artifacts. It's incredibly powerful in constructed if you happen to lay it on turn 2. It has potential to impact other formats like modern or legacy.

• Feast on the Fallen

Not really for limited IMO, it can be used, but I feel it goes in better in EDH or in casual multiplayer decks.

• Feral Incarnation

If you are casting this and still not winning, something is wrong... 9 mana for 9/9 power across 3 bodies is absolute insanity. Plus, having able to convoke it means you can cast it earlier. This means your board position can easily change to be ahead.

• First Response

Upkeep, give a free soldier, it's a game turning card! Wait, if you lose life... Hmm... basically you trade 1 life for a soldier, it's okay, if you work it out that way, but don't forget combat damage. The 1/1 would be okay as chump blockers, buying you time, but if an army of flyers are what you are up against, then...

• Frenzied Goblin

Sweet combat strategies ahead! I would think it deserves a spot in goblin decks. 

• Furnace Whelp

It's fine... but pick other things if possible. But as it is, red usually have dragons as their main flyers... so this is a relatively cheap dragon with a bonus buff.

• Gargoyle Sentinel

Blocker or attacker, it's still a decent pick in limited

• Garruk's Packleader

Wooo... card draw as a creature with huge power enters, it's a great card in limited! 5 mana 4/4 with an ability that may be easily used. But, don't expect to reap a lot from the ability in a single game.

• Gather Courage

This, Mutagenic Growth or Giant Growth is better? It's not really that comparable actually. It has its uses in different deck, but if given a choice, why not just Giant Growth?

• Geist of the Moors

If you have other cards, play it. It's rather fragile. Thanks to its flying ability, it is less exposed to blockers, but I would presume most decks would draft a significant amount of flyers.

• Gravedigger

A decent card to play in limited for its card recursion ability. 

• Heat Ray

Basically a removal in any timing of the game. It's a good creature removal if you have the mana

• Hot Soup

A fine card in limited. In combat, equipped creature is unblockable. The only way to remove it is through non-combat means, which sticking it on a bomb you have is relatively hard for your opponents to remove it. It's a double edge sword still though.

• Illusory Angel

Too powerful to ignore. It has a drawback of course, but you can easily work around it in any format. She is not really meant to be casted in early game, but we have Ornithopter... so who knows?

• Into the Void
• Jace's Ingenuity

Closest to Sphinx's Revelation in post RTR Standard. Good card to play in any format if there are no better draws

• Jorubai Murk Lurker

He falls in between "meh... average" to a pretty decent card. What is the idea of drafting him into your deck pool? blocker? attacker? I'm not sure what to put him as. He can be great in either as well as bad in both cos there are better blockers and attackers than it. It's not a bad choice, but more of a filler that comes into mind if I play B/U in limited. 

• Juggernaut

Draft bomb. Period. Nothing else.

• Kapsho Kitefins

Don't underestimate this card. It can tap down a bomb you have, then swing for 3 in air, it's a good pick in limited actually.

• Kird Chieftain

Decent draft pick. Good on the curve for late game.

• Leeching Sliver

I think if this card is really to be used, its maximum effectiveness will only be in a sliver deck. By itself is fine, taking it as a 2 mana 2/1 essentially, but if you have better picks, don't hesitate to pick the others.

• Meteorite

I can write an essay on how I misjudged this card in pre-release and it costed me games. Most of the games, in fact, I lost is due to this card. Dealing 2 damage to any creature means a lot of my creatures are in target range for this as a removal, it gives the opponent mana fixing, so whole in all it's a viable card in limited. Just don't underestimate falling rocks. I'm not saying this is an auto priority pick; I'm merely saying this is a good last pick over a lot of things.

• Might Makes Right

A very interesting card which will appeal more to the EDH or casual group. Constructed formats may avoid this card, but who knows? There may be a right deck for it once rotation hits.

• Military Intelligence

One of the more hyped cards and I did not introduce this card when I made the post on the first look on M15. Thing is this card has a lot of potential to be extremely power in the standard format right now. Even a deck is revolving around this  and Ensoul Artifact as I am writing this article.

• Necrogen Scudder

One of my favourite draft bombs. 3 mana 3/3 flying, lose 3 life is a fine deal. It either baits a kill spell or removal, or it will just fly through most things or take them down with it.

• Nightfire Giant

A limited bomb if you are playing B/R. Play it every time you draft that colour. I guarantee you, it's a sweet pick. Having the ability to remove creatures makes a whole load of difference when it comes to blocking. Also, the ability also directs to players. All in one package!

• Nissa's Expedition
• Overwhelm

A beast in limited at first glance, but looking at the card, the convoke ability is a little redundant to the spell's ability.. you need to "sacrifice" creatures for the convoke ability, meaning you can't attack with them... unless you pay the 7 mana, you need find that right balance.

• Paragon of Eternal Wilds
• Paragon of Fierce Defiance
• Paragon of Gathering Mists
• Paragon of New Dawns
• Paragon of Open Graves

Regardless of what Paragon. All of them are limited-worthy. They may see constructed play if the strategies works around mono-colours.

• Profane Memento
• Quickling
• Reclamation Sage

A card that is good in elf decks. Even not in one, it's a good card with a good ability. May be quite relevant in limited and constructed.

• Restock

I think this card is meant more for constructed play or for EDH if any applications available.

• Roaring Primadox

Decent bomb to play in limited. Just be careful of its upkeep cost.

• Rogue's Gloves

With the options of different evasion tactics and means, it's quite easy to get a bit of bonus out from this card.

• Sacred Armory

Just no... not even as a filler.

• Sengir Vampire

This is a good bomb. 5 mana 4/4 flyer and potentially to grow, it's a powerhouse by itself if underestimated.

• Seraph of the Masses

I'm telling you, avoid this where possible. Ideally it's a huge flyer, but in the worst case scenarios, it's an expensive 1/1 flyer..

• Serra Angel

Classic white bomb. Just play it in limited. It may even see play in constructed for budget versions.

• Shrapnel Blast

It saw constructed play, but I doubt it will as the format is not exactly artifact heavy... 

• Stab Wound

Sick card in limited. Enchant this on any 3 toughness creature, you'll see them bleed to death... I lost and won games in pre-release (including RTR pre-release) because of this card. However, it won't see constructed play.

• Staff of the Death Magus
• Staff of the Flame Magus
• Staff of the Mind Magus
• Staff of the Sun Magus
• Staff of the Wild Magus

The Staffs are situational. If by happen that you are going into a mirror match with heavy mono-colours, this will help. If not, you are better off freeing the slots for something else.

• Stoke the Flames

Even without convoke, 4 mana to deal 4 damage to creature or player is fine in limited. In constructed, it will be playable if convoke is used properly.

• Sunblade Elf

A good card in G/W aggro to be honest. 1 mana 2/2 is fine, the 5 mana sinking in is a little much, but if you ramp it can work out.

• Tormod's Crypt

Please do not play it in limited.. please please do not. Constructed is fine, but still has limited application with Relic of Progenitus and many "better" cards out there. Competition for the deck slot is stiff. So use sparingly.

• Turn to Frog

Fun card in any format. Turn the biggest creature into a frog and smile.

• Ulcerate

You remember how sick Lightning Bolt was? This is a black dysfunctional reprint. It makes the creatures -3/-3, meaning indestructible creatures will die, but it makes you lose 3 life. So... essentially you still take the 3 damage if the creature ideally is a 3/3 or something.

• Venom Sliver

Even if you are not playing sliver decks, a 2 mana 1/1 deathtouch is pretty insane as a blocker.

• Wall of Essence

2 mana 0/4... It's great as a wall! plus it has pseudo-lifelink! Great in limited, in constructed... hey, defender decks anyone?

• Wall of Frost

A decent wall in both limited and constructed for specific uses only.

• Wall of Limbs

If somehow you have a deck revolving lifegain, this is a good card. All else, it's a wall.... you know, wall to block off creatures...

• Wall of Mulch

This is actually a very good wall. A low casting cost, with a low activation to draw a card, it's actually decent. Good blocking and draw when needed.

• Warden of the Beyond

If somehow you have a way to exile something your opponent has, it's a great card; else, 3 mana 2/2 with vigilance is fine in limited.

• Xathrid Slyblade

It's not exactly a bomb per say, but it's a powerful in combat in limited. In constructed... it may see play.

C of the 15...

Apologies for the delay for this post. I was busy with work and research and I needed time to organise the post before posting.

I was intending to follow the format like how I did with the rares, but as it comes to organizing the post and trying to create the content, I realized it's actually very difficult to actually pin-point what is good and what is bad for commons and uncommons. The reason is simply because these cards, will be more prominent in limited, rather than constructed. I'm not saying that they are completely unplayable in constructed; Maybe 80% may not see constructed play, but they are bombs in limited due to the vary in pool size and format limitations. I'm referring that 20% making the cut to be constructed, they have value to the cardboard. As I discussed last month in the article whether there are value in commons and uncommons, the 20% will form the backbone for most of the decks. In fact, most of the cards that are required to "glue" some of the deck to form the required synergy are the commons and uncommons. 

That being said, I'll review the cards based on the algorithm that I have created back on the post when I'm discussing on how to review whether a card may be good or bad. To recap, I mentioned that a basic analysis of the card would be determined by these 5 factors:

1. Is the card mainly for flavour or ability? Judging from name alone won't help. Read the ability.
2. Is the card ability good?
3. Cost to ability ratio? 
4. Has the card been reprinted? If yes, value of the card prior reprint?
5. Demand and supply of card?

So if I were to focus on constructed, basically I can pin-point only a couple that is worth constructed play or may have some sort of potential to see play. But, if I were to expand my classification, I would have to discuss a larger set of cards and whether they are viable in which particular type of format.

Underlined cards are possible cards viable for constructed.

• Accursed Spirit 

Good draft bomb. 4 mana for 3/2 body, pseudo-evasion. Won't be seeing any constructed play.

• Aeronaut Tinkerer 

More for limited; without any artifacts it's a 3 mana 2/3. Anything else it's a bonus.

• Amphin Pathmage 

Sick sick sick card in limited... 4 mana 3/2. Bonus, it gives any creature unblockable!

• Black Cat

Interesting pick for limited but not the priority pick. More of a filler than a need. Not viable for constructed.

• Blastfire Bolt 

Maybe a 1-2 of in limited. Too slow and not applicable for constructed at the moment.

• Borderland Marauder 

2 mana 3/2 when attacking. Absolute top pick in limited. Not so much viability in constructed

• Bronze Sable 

Bulk

• Carnivorous Moss-Beast 

Nice bomb to curve into for limited. But, not something that you want in excess. Maybe 1-2 piece at max.

• Carrion Crow 

Decent in limited. Not first pick but a good filler.

• Centaur Courser 

3 mana 3/3 vanilla creature; decent in limited, absolutely wrecked in constructed.

• Charging Rhino 

Situational. Madcap Skills is still in constructed so it may see budget constructed play. In limited it's a good curve ender actually

• Child of Night 

Classic Limited bomb. 2/1 lifelink for 2 mana is very worth it!

• Chronostutter 

Strong ability for a decent cost. Constructed may see vague play, but limited is absolutely beast.

• Clear a Path 

Bulk

• Coral Barrier 

It's actually really good in limited 3 mana 2/4 over 2 bodies with one having island-walk is really good!

• Covenant of Blood 

May see play in constructed due to the convoke cost. 4 life gain and loss means 8 damage difference. If used right it's really a game changer. If worse come to worse, it's still 4 life gain/loss.

• Crippling Blight 

It's actually good. 1 mana to disable the large threats essentially.

• Crowd's Favor

Really sick card. +1/+0 at 1 mana is bad, but with convoke and first strike is a total different story!

• Divination 

Don't care. A draw card is always a good ability. Just play it.

• Divine Favor 

Limited use in limited. Not something that I'll pick unless necessary.

• Divine Verdict 

Decent removal in limited. No seriously. It's decent.

• Elvish Mystic 

Functional reprint of Llanowar Elves. Staple in any green ramp strategies so...

• Encrust 

Limited "removal". It's still good in its own ways but not first pick.

• Ephemeral Shields

Beginner's mistake; don't rely too heavily on it. It's good, but not ideally the best or even close to as good as you think

• Eternal Thirst 

IT's A Trap! It's not as good as it seem. Too many situational conditions to fulfill before you can get the best out of the card. If you have a way to make removal consistently available, good. If not, you are better off playing something else.

• Evolving Wilds 

Budget mana-fixers... Hey why not?

• Festergloom 

Not the best removal or the worst. Actually who am I kidding? It's quite bad. I don't really think it will fit in any deck. Not that I can think of at the top of my head.

• Flesh to Dust 

2 more mana for an "can't be regenerated"on Murder. Very power removal in limited. Let's stick to Doom Blade for constructed shall we?

• Forge Devil 

I'll struggle with this to even consider him as a filler. At best, he is a removal for 1 mana and 1 life. At worst, he basically eat up 1 life and hits a fatty for a 1/1 body.

• Foundry Street Denizen 

Going heavy red? This card will be a bomb! If not, try stay away from him if you don't plan to draft red. Heck! If you know someone does, make sure he doesn't take this!

• Frost Lynx 

Very powerful pseudo-removal. ETB, tap a fatty, swing! It's rather good in limited. 3 mana 2/3 is decent and its ability is really good. I'll take this as a priority pick if needed!

• Fugitive Wizard 

Bulk

• Generator Servant

It's a good card. It gives a rare mana ramp for red, gives the creatures casted that way haste, it's pretty darn awesome honestly. 2 mana for 2/1 is a bit weak though. But you'll get by as a 2/1 at worst, at best it ramps 2 mana to give you a bigger threat with haste!

• Glacial Crasher 

Classic draft bomb! 6 mana 5/5 trample with conditional that you must play with mountains. So unless you are more or less fixed into playing Izzet Colours, maybe there would be a better fatty to curve into.

• Goblin Roughrider 

3 mana 3/2 vanilla. Something that you would want to fill in your curve actually. In constructed, please no...

• Hammerhand 

Decent Aura... Decent.. May or may not see constructed though..

• Heliod's Pilgrim 

This card has serious potential in Standard constructed. It may not be that good limited unless you have some seriously good auras to play it with. Unless the former is fulfilled, I'd say leave this card to see  its potential in constructed instead.

• Hunt the Weak 

"Fight"mechanic is pretty darn underestimated till now actually. It's actually quite useful as it engage opponent's creature into a combat damage step without going into combat step. (I'm shooting myself in the foot here, but you get what I mean.) 4 mana to put a +1/+1 counter and sort of remove a creature, it's still great! This applies to limited. In constructed, there would be better ways for removal.

• Hunter's Ambush

A very unique card solely for mono-green decks. It's a one-sided fog if you use it in that kind of deck. Anything else, it's an expensive fog 

• Hydrosurge 

-5/-0 may seem worth it at first. But..... No.

• Inferno Fist 

It's a good card in both limited and constructed. Limited is a sick bomb; pumping creature by +2/+0 and shooting creature or player 2 damage. A very flexible card and potentially viable for some aura decks or enchantment-based decks.

• Inspired Charge

Good finisher in limited. Seems abit underwhelming for constructed.

• Invasive Species 

Seems decent enough to play if you have ETB/LTB shenanigens. If not it's pretty much just a 3 mana 3/3 with a draw back on board position.

• Invisibility 

Pseudo-unblockable for 2 mana? Why not? Just note that playing a high number in limted will be a disaster as your creature count is lower generally.

• Kinsbaile Skirmisher 

It's not a bad creature. Its ability is an upside so just play him. 2 mana 2/2 with a potential of him going 3/3 is great! Just that he has no haste so don't make that mistake.

• Krenko's Enforcer 

3 mana 2/2 with intimidate? Play it! Just play it in limted.

• Lava Axe 

If really no choice, then use this card. If not, there are other alternatives!

• Lightning Strike 

Standard constructed staple. Limited bomb removal. So yea...

• Living Totem 

Underestimated bomb IMO. This guy buffs any creature and has convoke to make him cheaper to cast. It's possible to see some constructed play if the things are in the right place.

• Marked by Honor 

This... is a bit too much on the casting side. a +2/+2 buff with vigilance is nice, but at the expanse of 4 mana to do it, it's pretty expensive. If it goes off, it's fine to give that additional +2/+2 buff. Vigilance is just cherry on the topping, but like I said, it's expensive

• Meditation Puzzle 

1 word. Avoid. Just avoid playing this in mainboard at all costs!

• Midnight Guard 

Pretty cool post-combat trick to gain you pseudo-vigilance; on top of that 3 mana 2/3 is decent by itself.

• Mind Rot 

Despite how much it is being played over the years, it's still a good card in both limited and constructed. making opponents to discard 2 is actually a huge advantage that people often overlooked. That is unless you play this guy or in fact, these...

• Mind Sculpt 

2 mana to rid you 7 cards? why not? Have chance to hit your bomb into the graveyard, in constructed it means less 7 cards as answers.

• Miner's Bane 

A nice bomb to curve into in late game. Especially with all that mana to sink into. Just that he will pretty much die to any 3 power creature. But, hey! Trample!

• Naturalize 

Decent SB card in any format. No really; it's a good card to play as a sideboard. Especially with all the enchantments running about nowadays in standard constructed.

• Necrobite 

Not a top pick, but if you happen to have it, it's a neat combat trick. If not, you pretty much off playing something else if you really want something else. I won't pick it in limited as priority pick, but it's still a pick I will choose over other a lot of things.

• Necromancer's Assistant 

If there are any graveyard strategies, you pretty much can play him. Else he is a 3 mana 3/1... which is quite underwhelming...

• Negate

Classic counterspell for non-creatures. It is very versatile that it has seen constructed play. Enough said.

• Netcaster Spider 

Beast in limited. Potential to hit 4/3 when blocking a flyer. Anything else, it's a 3 mana 2/3 which is decent actually.

• Nimbus of the Isles 

Bomb in limited. 5 mana 3/3 is a bit pressing, but he has evasion! So it kind of makes up for it.

• Oppressive Rays 

It's not bad... just that there are better cards to play over this...

• Oreskos Swiftclaw 

2 mana 3/1 seems to be great and all, but with his 1 toughness you kinda will think that this poor guy will be blocked and removed pretty much by ANYTHING... So play it with caution...

• Ornithopter 

Oh come on... Do I really need to explain this guy? A free casting creature, 0/2 body and please do not pick him off as first choice unless you have solid plans for him. Constructed, go right ahead.

• Peel from Reality 

Kinda of a cheap and useful bounce spell if used right. Anything else is just wrong use of the card...

• Pillar of Light 

Insane removal! Play it! But, watch its text!

• Plummet 

Sideboard card and rarely see play, but it's essential still, given the format and meta will forever have flying creatures so similar to Naturalize, it's a needed reprint.

• Radiant Fountain 

You know how mutavaults are like... This guys won't replace them but if needed and all else fails, they still net you 2 life points..

• Raise the Alarm 

Powerful card... It's already seen constructed play for its board advantage reasons so I won't discuss too much about it.

• Ranger's Guile 

Neat combat trick! Use sparingly....

• Razorfoot Griffin 

4 mana 2/2 flying, first strike. Not a bomb, but it's a powerful threat to be reckoned. In limited only.

• Research Assistant 

It's a bad card. 4 mana to "loot" is just bad...

• Rotfeaster Maggot 

A very interesting card in limited. It saves me a game or two, but I only used 1 copy. If all else possible, don't use him unless needed. He can easily be a trap for new players to use 2-3 copies cos the ability is really good, but realistically speaking, most of the creatures in drafts do not have toughness beyond 3 or 4. So watch the game and yourself if you have the means to play him to your advantage or not.

• Rummaging Goblin 

What's going on? This goblin loots better than the blue guy above... Okay... He's fine in limited as a filter or "card draw"but you won't get any card advantage out from this but more of additional options.

• Runeclaw Bear 

2 mana 2/2 bear! This is the card that benchmarks all creatures whether they are good for limited or not.

• Sanctified Charge 

Similar to inspired charge, it's a good finisher, especially for white creatures. But, just don't play too many of this guy in any format. 5 mana sinking in means you are trading off a bomb to buff your army. Make it count.

• Satyr Wayfinder 

Mana ramps are a little out of place nowadays. He is a good mana finder, just that he waste a lot of things...

• Scrapyard Mongrel 

IF you have an artifact, it's a beast by itself. If you don't have an artifact, play him anyway. He is still a 4 mana 3/3...

• Seismic Strike 

It may see some constructed play if he is targeting player also... Anything else it's still just a creature removal at instant speed.

• Selfless Cathar 

Not a bad card for combat trick; Sac him, gives your army a +1/+1 buff... it changes games when the time is right actually.

• Shadowcloak Vampire 

5 mana 4/3 flying (if you pay that 2 life) it's a bomb. It's a good draft bomb.

• Shaman of Spring

4 mana 2/2 with a draw card ability? It's fine. Anything that let's you draw card is good!

• Siege Wurm 

7 mana 5/5, trample, convoke. It's a killer bomb in limited! For constructed, you have this guy!

• Sign in Blood 

Staple in any black deck (generally). 2 mana, 2 life to draw 2 cards is worth it every time when you play it. Anything else, it's a finisher by itself. Really awesome as a common and a definite play in both limited and constructed

• Solemn Offering 

Sideboard card actually... But if you are playing green, Naturalize is better.

• Soulmender 

meh... use him if you run heavy life-gain strategies or just don't play with him at all

• Statute of Denial 

If there is no Dissipate, use this if you really need counterspells. In constructed, name 5 cards better than this! Easy right?

• Sungrace Pegasus 

Only good as a limited filler. 1/2 flyer with lifelink is good. But, you'll consider adding him in only if you have spare slot

• Thundering Giant 

5 mana 4/3 haste is good. It's good such that it was a Uncommon previously. No seriously; in limited this guy is a great curve finisher!

• Tireless Missionaries

Filler. If not no point playing him mainboard; even for drafts.

• Titanic Growth 

An alright pump spell that see minimal play. So draft with caution. No point getting more than 2-3 piece and have nothing to target on.

• Torch Fiend 

Fine in limited and constructed if really needed. If nothing else, it's a sideboard card.

• Triplicate Spirits

Very playable. It's one of the few commons that are constructed viable and is really strong if played right.

• Typhoid Rats

Hah! Priority pick! Deathtouch is sick on this guy! 1 mana 1/1 deathtouch is a huge upside! It's an extremely powerful blocker!

• Tyrant's Machine

Really? 6 mana sinked to tap a creature? Pass....

• Undergrowth Scavenger

Situational, but some things can still work out... Not a priority pick but it grows overtime in the game, so it's still good in its own ways

• Unmake the Graves

Potentially a recurring strategy for standard constructed. May see play. In limited... I think that 5 mana is better sunk into another fatty to help put pressure on the clock

• Verdant Haven

What's wrong with this card? It's a great mana-fixer! pick it late if you really needed it. Else it's a bonus if it ends up to you and you have nothing else to play.

• Vineweft

Decent card with a bonus ability that can be taken advantage of if you have cards with ETB triggers

• Void Snare

Sorcery speed, but still a good removal.

• Walking Corpse

2/2 for 2, vanilla, drafts will want him.

• Wall of Fire

If you somehow need a defensive wall which can kill off something, THIS! Other than that, it would be a decent blocker for limited. But, do not run too many of this guy.

• Welkin Tern

In limited, he is still a flying bomb!

• Will-Forged Golem

I love this guy. although 6 mana 4/4 is a little stretched, it's still decent due to its convoke ability, making it able to enter the battlefield as early as turn 3 or 4

• Witch's Familiar

3 mana 2/3... decent curve filler actually.

• Zof Shade

4 mana 2/2 with the option to sink mana to buff it... It will be a tough choice to choose between this or the other shade... But, by itself, it's still good.

This should cover the commons for M15... The next post coming up will cover the uncommons!

Khans of Tarkir... The new something?

Some previews regarding Khans of Tarkir has recently been revealed. The information is easily found in MTG Salvation website so I will take no credit for the information.  The main article can be found here.

In just a quick summary, 

• Khans of Tarkir will be in a plane that was torned by Warlords. (Some sort of separation?)
• Dragons that used to roam the planes are dead (undead Dragons? graveyard mechanic?)
• Sarkan is involved in the plane (New Sarkan planeswalker variant!)
• 2 things that the MTG players always wanted; 1 new, 1 old
• There may be a reference to a wedge. (Wedge colours?)

Now, I'll give a quick discussion on the first 3 points; Khans of Tarkir will feature Warlords and the plane is torned by war. Dragons used to roam, but now dead. From the first point, I can infer that there may be some sort of mythic rare or rare legendary creature that will feature these Warlords. If we were to do some research, Khans are a formal title given to a ruler from Mongolia. So... We can make some sort of references to Mongolia? (Theros made some references from the Greek mythology.. So hey! We can start guessing from there?)

Marked in red is Mongolia. It's basically surrounded.

Geographically speaking, Mongolia is landlocked. Meaning that it is completely surrounded by other countries. If I were to make a wild story out of how Khans of Tarkir would turn out based on the geography, My wild guess would be 5 Warlords from the plane are living in their own territories before a fight break out to conquer more territories. If any references can be made directly from that, it would be Genghis Khan right? He was the Khan of Khans. So if any loose relations, these Warlords would probably want to claim the title of a supreme ruler, hence started to wage a huge war. 

The colours of these Warlords may follow the wedge colours of the colour pie. Now as to why wedge colours? Strategically speaking, it would be more wise to attack the opposing team than your own neighbors right? Even more logical that you have an ally on an opposing side, so in the end, you have a neighbouring ally and an ally at the opposing side to help fend off attacks. So with that description, it will match the wedge colours. But, if you think about it, if every Warlord have these kind of "wedge" alliance, then the war would be messy isn't it?

As for the Dragons? These dragons were killed by the Warlords before the war. (Wiki it up!) As they are some kind of mythical creatures, maybe there has to be some sort of ways to revive them to help end the war or help unify the Warlords. In the same line, Sarkan Vol will have an impact to the storyline as far as the dragons are concerned. Heck, he may even be a Khan or a Shaman originally before getting the planeswalker spark!

Now for the second point, I'm merely giving a strong speculation that dragons will appear. As they have been slain or hunted, this may mean that some sort of legendary artifact or ground that has some relation to the dragons' killing. There may be like a mechanic or two that allows some interaction with the graveyard. Maybe more form of reanimation or effects that occurs that when a card is a graveyard. (Threshold, dredge as recurring mechanic? Or some new mechanic?)

Sarkan will return and well... Sarkan, being Sarkan, will have some sort of affinity with dragons. He would be some sort of R/B planeswalker. So far we have mono and bi-coloured planeswalker. Will we have a tri-coloured planeswalker?

We know the Shard colours from the Alara block; Wedge colours made an appearance once, but little emphasis on the development of the characteristics of the different wedge colours had been placed. We had a strong characteristic development for the shards colour, giving us relevant flavour, creature abilities and mechanics that helps the shards to emphasize their uniqueness, but for the wedge colours... let's just say more could be done.

As mentioned, 2 things as to what the players want. My question to you all is, what do you all want from this set? My guess would be reprints that everyone very much anticipated or may unexpected but would definitely want. I'm speculating some sort of lands that helps tri-colours. Whether or not its in wedge colours, I'm guessing a tri-colour rare land for all combinations; both shards and wedge colour. 

Reprint of onslaught or zendikar fetchlands is a very hot discussion. I'm wanting a reprint for Tarmagoyf actually. In fact, I'd rather see Tarmagoyf reprint than fetchlands. 

More speculation articles

• General speculation mill
• General speculation 2
• Token based strategies
• Something old?

More to be updated when more information comes. In the meantime, start anticipating!

M15 pre-release Experience

Yes, that's how the box looked like if you didn't go to the pre-release and this is the color I picked.

I went with this!

Deck Idea is a simple R/B beatdown plan. Just spawn threats after threats and lay down Indulging Tormentor to continue to fuel the aggression. At worse, opponents will take 3 or lose 1 creature if there are no responses. Chandra will help to push away smaller creatures or basically give me card advantage. 

The decklist includes a few notable cards as listed;

2x Indulgent Tormentor

1x Chandra, Pyromaster

2x Inferno Fist

1x Sign in Blood

1x Cone of Flame

1x Necrogen Scudder

My unused card pool.

The thing about my unused card pool is that blue didn't do much for me if I were to use it. Most of the spells delay time and doesn't give a lot of pressure as how my red and black colour pool does. 

Green was slighly better, but the curve for green is very high with no mana accelerators. 

White was my ideal sideboard, as I had Avacyn, Guardian Angel and a couple of lifegain spells. But, the creatures were quite small to begin with and with the presence of removals all around in limited, I cannot risk that as mainboard. 

Artifacts? Let's just say I overlooked Meteorite,

Score: 1-2

Round 1: (2-1) 

Met a really nice guy and I really enjoyed our game. Most of the time I'm able to get my plan out and start beating through. The only issue was the moment Soul of Innistrad enters the battlefield, I have no way around it other than outracing the opponent. It's not the ability that is the threat. It's the fact that it is a 6/6 deathtouch that makes it a problem.

Lost Game 1 due to his creatures are out bigger than mine and I'm basically banging into a wall while he continuously applied pressure and had a few combat tricks up his sleeves to bounce or remove my creatures.

My opponent's Hornet Queen showed up in game 2 and it deserves a mention as a relevant limited bomb becuase it gave me a hard time to swing out without sacrifices. Luckily Chandra, Pyromaster was on board for me to pick off the creatures slowly while laying threats. Indulgent Tormentor is an all-star here. Laying him on board basically means a 2-turn clock. 

Game 3 basically is a curve into Indulging Tormentor and a straight beatdown as the opponent lacks another green source to cast the Hornet Queen. It is revealed that he had 2 of those on hand.

Notable cards: 

• Typhoid Rats (extremely powerful blocker)
• Hornet Queen
• Inferno Fist (Good buff with a good ability. Able to remove some creatures or target a 2 damage to player)
• Soul of Innistrad (pain in the ass to remove or deal)

Round 2: (1-2) 

Basically this game is an interesting one. Meteorite, Grindclock and Souls of xxxxxxx can really foil any game plans. I lost in round 1 due to that 3 cards. The Soul on board here was Soul of Shandalar. I thought Soul of Innistrad was bad. Let me tell you, Shandalar is worse. As most of my creatures are quite small, his 3 damage can basically deal with most of my threats. I could bring back a game in game 2 because my creatures are slightly faster, but I eventually lost game 3 for the same reason as game 1. I was at 11 life when I conceded the game but I could not survive the next round as Soul of Shandalar and another creature would deal me for lethal.

Notable cards: 

• Meteorite (limited bomb. Don't underestimate this card! blows out small threats + mana fixing)
• Soul of Shandalar

Round 3: (1-2) 

This round is very simple; who has a faster plan? I lost out this one for the fact that his Meteorites blew out my early game plan, setting me back quite a bit. He also had removals on hand to remove my Indulgent Tormentors. He was also a mirror in the colours so intimidate also didn't work on him.

I came close to winning for most of the rounds, except one or two which I had conceded or lost with opponent with more than 10 life. Generally I would manage to bring him down to below 7 or 6 life which is pretty close I think as it would be a 1-turn difference or so that would make or break the game. In short, I really enjoyed my 3 games. The prize pack was disappointing; I opened up Aggressive Mining, which is not bad if I am playing RDW on a casual level. Nevertheless, it's still a good game.

This also my first post dedicated in posting my own games. I think you would have realised that I normally would discuss about trades, finance, etc, but Magic is not just about that. The fun and best element to that entire Trading Card Game is the play of the game itself. No, I'm not some big time or strong player who will kill the FNM or Pre-releases. I'm just another average player who wants to go there to have fun. It's an attempt and also an excuse for me to go play more events so I have more coverage for the blog. So I'll look at the response and my time to see if I want to continue on this kind of posts. If the response is good and my time permits, I'll do more coverage with the focus on Modern, EDH and casual pre-release games.

Meantime, stay tuned!

Core Set 2015: FULL REVIEW

Mythics

Planeswalkers

We kick start the review with the prime of any set. The most anticipated set of cards that everyone will look into it first before jumping their heads over on other stuffs. I'm looking at planeswalkers to be exact. Look at that! 6 planeswalkers to look forward to! 2 reprints and 4 completely new guys to add into any planeswalker collection! In my opinion, this time round they actually done them right! The right amount of power, design, synergy and overall feel to the hunting theme. Well. kind of if you think about it. Whole in all, I love the new planeswalkers and the reprints are certainly a good welcome! Now for the specifics..

Ajani Steadfast

In my opinion, this is really Ajani being pushed to a new level. As a support card, this is a great card! I've talked about him how sweet he is and all, I still stand by that comment, only thing is that he won't be fetching a high price as well, planeswalkers can't protect themselves = walking target board... So as much as I like the card, he won't be the planeswalker to look at for the high price. But again, he is a good support card.

Post RTR rotation: ~$10-$15

Jace, the Living Guildpact

This one is controversial. Reason being is that the comments and reviews I have seen around from talking to people and friends is that he is on the extreme ends. That being either really awesome or really terrible. I'm on the stand that he is actually pretty good. He bounce threats and scry, giving you the necessary advantages in a control deck. That being said, his applications don't just apply to only U/X control decks; for standard, I'd say maybe mono-blue devotion Similar that how Ajani may help in mono-white decks. I've yet to see Modern decks discuss about him. I doubt he will find any home in USA variants and Twin. He may be a sleeper card for new decks to build around, just have to wait for the coming Fall expansion set to see if there are any great synergy or ideas that would include him.

Post RTR rotation: ~$5-$10

Liliana Vess

I'm not too sure why she is back, but she is definitely the 2nd best Liliana walker. A discard, tutor and an incredibly insane Ulti- ability, I'm sure she is a great welcome back for all mono-black decks. Rejoice! Waste Not is also in the set, Thoughtseize and Mind Rot are flying around, that's a deck for you there! No really, it's a great welcome back to see this version of Liliana.

Post RTR rotation: ~$8

Chandra, Pyromaster

Oh god... Why.... Can't they just give us a proper chandra? Troll aside, this Chandra was decent. She actually surprise people with her applicability. Personally, I'm never fond of Chandra. But this one is pretty okay I think. But, looking at this a reprint, don't expect the price to be as high or anywhere near where it was. I'd say half of what the curve was previous would be a good start to gauge

Post RTR rotation: ~$5-$10

Nissa, Worldwaker

Oh Nissa... where do I begin? I purposely left her out as top picks because I pretty much want to do a review more in depth here. I also purposefully told people that she is not as great as what people think. Things is that she is the meta-breaking card. If she breaks, her price can go as high as $20-$30. If not, she'll probably see fringe play with a much affordable price. 

Nissa started out as an elf-based planeswalker. Now she kinda makes your forests look painful. 4/4 peeps are not to be trifled with honestly; the forests context and her being (3GG) casting cost almost makes it as though she is pushing for mono-green or G/W aggro with convoke to break standard. As I already did mention that mono-white is going to be awesome with the new Ajani (and Soul of Theros), Pairing Nissa with Ajani seems like an awesome midrange idea. Drop her, spawn a 4/4 dude, power up using ajani's +1 and way to go! Garruk Wildspeaker + Nissa Worldwaker is also a good synergy in casual or EDH that runs heavy green. Synergy aside, she is great in limited and in constructed. As again, whether she makes or breaks the meta with any new deck archetype will depend on how well she can be played with. At the moment, I'd say pretty neat with G/W aggro, having Brimaz, Boon Satyr and that Eidolon guy.

Post RTR rotation: ~$8-$30

Garruk, Apex Predator

For a moment I thought that Nissa replaced Garruk as the key green planeswalker. When the initial spoilers were out, I admit that I was disappointed. Well, turns out he is the first dual-colored planeswalker appearing in core sets. (Yay!) Garruk is sick. As I did mentioned in the previous post, his first 3 abilties are actually pretty darn cool. His final ability, well to clarify, it reads "whenever a creature attacks you, it gets...." so yea I was kind of mind-boggled by the twist of words (wrote that post at 4am in the morning...) So in the twist, the emblem is there actually to make the creatures attacking that opponent more powerful. So that should clarify the misreads.

Garruk won't be as impactful as people would agree or think in constructed. With cards like Hero's Downfall and the rise in permanent removals, Garruk can easily be removed in the right colours. Yes, he slaughters planeswalkers, gives you a deathtouch 3/3 beast, but note that he will be a high priority threat. Of course with the possibility of not answering him, you probably turn tides to your favor. The demand of him will come from Casual/EDH mainly. I won't say he will be absent in constructed formats, but I think that he would see fringe play. Maybe B/G colours as he is already a foot into that deck colours with his casting cost. With the black colours already making impression of a possible powerful discard-disrupt deck or some sort of mono-black control, splashing green may seem not too bad so long as Abrupt Decay is still around in the format. On the other hand, no. I doubt modern will see him in play for his casting cost and relevant abilities are considered slow for the format.

Post RTR rotation: ~$8

I have done a review on them and you can read them here. The only thing is that my personal expectation of the prices is different.

Post RTR rotation:

Soul of Theros (~$4 - $5)

Soul of Ravnica ($1 - $2)

Soul of Innistrad (~$1 - $2)

Soul of Shandalar (~$1 - $2)

Soul of Zendikar (~$2 - $3)

Soul of New Phyrexia (~$10 - $12)

Sliver Hivelord

Sliver Hivelord has been attracting a heck load of attention. Many people are very keen in getting this boss in standard slivers or in EDH. Regardless the way of play. Slivers will be around for awhile with a few more being added in this core set. Strictly speaking, I'd say the price for it will be fueled by casual and EDH. I mean anything outside like Modern won't see a home for this guy. Then again, a 5/5 indestructible sliver is really cool if someone is crazy enough to use that in limited. Hey we can all dream right?

Post RTR rotation: ~$2-$3

Perilous Vault

Have discussed and really nothing much to add on. I still stand on what I mentioned as this may become a new toy for TRON decks. Look at Oblivion Stone's price curve and pretty much that would be the gauge I'm guessing the price with. That being said, there is a new blue guy in town for artifact decks so... 

Post RTR rotation: ~$6

The Chain Veil

As again, I made a mistake in the interpretation and with a followed up edit in the post later on. I'm not too sure if constructed will see play, but I sure know that EDH decks heavy in planeswalkers will rejoice with that card. It's a sick card and all, but with the demand for a relatively small crowd (or huge? I don't know... How received are planeswalkers and how much of them are played in your regions?), the price is not going to be that of all expensive. Ring of Three Wishes had potential, but it's a bulk flop in the end. So who's to say that this card won't follow the curve?

Post RTR rotation: ~$2-$4

Rares

White

• Avacyn, Guardian Angel (bulk to $1)

She won't see heavy play in constructed formats, but she is a beast in limited. A definite first pick for me if there are nothing great. She protects other creatures, and herself is a good 5/4 body. Since unavailable to be useful for constructed, don't expect her price to be anything more than $2 even if she is playable in EDH/Casual. 

• Hushwing Gryff ($1-$3)

This card will be a sleeper. The applicability won't be available now in current standard, but it will see more play in modern as an alternative to Torpor Orb. That being said, I still think Torpor Orb is a better choice out from the two.

• Mass Calcify (bulk)

Worse than Planar Cleansing and Day of Judgement.

• Preeminent Captain ($1-3)

Reprint... so... Nothing special with the card except that Brimaz will be the prime target for his ability. Unless we see more soldier support in the Fall expansion set, he's basically just up there as a reprint for all soldier deck fans.

• Resolute Archangel ($1-3)

Annoying card in Limited, awesome in EDH. Basically quite an overpowering card if used in the right decks and in Limited. Constructed may see play with her, but I won't bet on it.

• Return to the Ranks ($4)

Another sleeper card. I'm personally getting a copy to try out in my reanimator decks. Else worse case it's kinda like a combo piece or a great synergy card. Remember Immortal Servitude? Yea... that sort of thing. It won't see tier 1 play, but I am sure people are going to abuse it. CMC 2 or less. Think about the cards with ETB triggers.

• Spectra Ward (Bulk - $1)

It may be a bulk rare, but this is going to be the chase rare for any Voltron Commanders. The foil especially. Basically it is making your Voltron Commanders in EDH an almost-Progenitus.

• Spirit Bonds (Bulk - $3)

Blue

A good card with decent effect. Won't be a limited bomb, but it is possible to see constructed play in the right deck. Basically any creature ETB may net you another body, I kinda think it may have some use in B/W tokens in Modern. I'm not sure but just saying.

• Aetherspouts ($4-$5)

Just remember the lesson Cyclonic Rift Taught us.... This is back under the library! Very playable in control constructed, limited and in EDH! Definite pick if this goes for below $2. (Prophet of Kruphix / Seedborn Muse anyone?)

• Chasm Stalker (Bulk)

TL;DR. Too long to build up to see any play in format other than casual.

• Chief Engineer (Bulk)

Not strong enough for any artifact decks in constructed. Grand Architect actually fares much better,

• Jalira, Master Polymorphist (Bulk)

Another card that aims to copy Birthing Pod... Seems playable... Seems...

• Master of Predicaments (Bulk)

Normally, guessing games don't quite cut it in constructed formats. Worse in EDH. Hence, bulk. BUT, this guy is actually quite strong in Limited.

• Mercurial Pretender (Bulk)

Clone is decent. This is just bad. 

• Polymorphist's Jest (Bulk - $1)

This card is actually not that bad. It's fun from the point that it trolls your opponents and oh... until EOT... In serious note, this card is meant for casual play.

• Stormtide Leviathan (Bulk)

Black

• Cruel Sadist ($2-$3)

She's actually quite strong in Limited if left unanswered. She sacrifice life for power, and in the end rips that power to inflict pain on a creature.. Not bad. It's just whether any decks willing to take her up. In my mind, Mono-Black Aggro will be happy with the introduction of her.

• In Garruk's Wake (Bulk)

Sweepers above 4 cmc generally don't have a good reputation of being expensive. Life's Finale had its moments, but it peaked at $3. 9 mana for a creature + planeswalker sweeper don't actually quite make sense in the value of you casting that. Hero's downfall is 1/3 of the cost and does it at instant speed for targeted removal. Generally you won't see more than 1 or 2 planeswalkers on board. Even in game play, if you are generating 9 mana, the game is almost ending.

• Indulgent Tormentor ($1)

I'm keeping my eye on this. It has a powerful casual appeal. EDH players can pick him up for cheap at the moment because it's one of the promos for pre-release. But for constructed? It dies to Lightning Bolt, the abilities are kind of slow for Modern, but may be available for trial in standard in B/X variants. However, normally, you won't get what you want from the creature. It's like Tribute from Born of the Gods. The opponents have a choice. Just that for this case, either way it more or less gives you an advantage.

• Necromancer's Stockpile (Bulk)

Zombie fans rejoice! Another deck to help your deck, but any other applications? None...

• Ob Nixilis, Unshackled ($1-$3)

This card will be sick... This guy alone shuts down tutors altogether. 10 life, 1 creature loss is a heavy price to pay for the removal you are tutoring for. Or at worse, better be your last combo piece to win. In any other formats.. His tutor ability won't have much use unless you cheat him in like Griselbrand. But if you are already playing Griselbrand, why Ob Nixilis?

• Stain the Mind (Bulk)

Why? Just why? Memoricide was a bulk, Slaughter games saw slight play because it's un-counterable... But this? Tapping your creatures to remove a card (playset)? Worse is that this is in Sorcery speed... 

• Waste Not (~$2)

I'll make this clear first. It's sweet, cool and it's a great card; but overrated and over-hyped for initial price. Ironic huh... taking the mention that I was praising this card a few articles back. Well I did praise the card for its unique ability, but looking at the relevancy, it is viable in some constructed play, but the amount of applicability is very limited. No, it's not going to end up in ANY black deck's strategies in the end.

Red

• Aggressive Mining (Bulk)

Stopping yourself to play lands and losing more lands just to draw cards... That doesn't quite cut it. RDW may be willing to play this if it hadn't been for the "you can't play lands" clause. Probably that is a nice intention to water down the power level but... it's almost unplayable... Sure, RDW can function with 1 or 2 lands, that extra draw would help refill the engine, but... no... just no.

• Burning Anger (Bulk)
• Crucible of Fire (Bulk)
• Goblin Kaboomist (Bulk)

Suicide cards... just go to the bulk bins.. you realized that?

• Goblin Rabblemaster ($3-$6)

Playable... Golbins... Just don't know how. I have no opinions on this card. Goblins are missing in Modern. Legacy may not see play with him. But, I just know that somewhere, the goblins are hiding.

• Hoarding Dragon (Bulk)
• Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient (Bulk)

Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient isn't actually that bad if you think about it. Strictly for EDH and casual play only, but it's tons of fun actually.

• Siege Dragon (Bulk)

Green

• Chord of Calling ($25)

Straight up, this IS one of the chase rares of the set. Strong in any format, it's a staple card essentially. I'd pick this one up quickly if I have the cash.

• Genesis Hydra ($1- $4)

If Genesis Hydra is a thing like how G/R Monsters are it will see a good price. This card is not bad. It has potential and I'm expecting it to be a sleeper card. Genesis Wave had a short moment of play in Modern but quickly died down as the cards comes in without anything else other than gaining more lands. (Could Nissa be the key there?) If they could give a kill on the turn they activated Genesis wave, then, we would see more of it in modern. But, at the moment, it's a very fun card in casual and EDH. I expect Genesis Hydra to follow the same suit.

• Hornet Nest (Bulk) 
• Hornet Queen (Bulk to $1)

Limited Bomb, Not so much for Constructed.

• Kalonian Twingrove (Bulk to $1)

Number one limited bomb for green. I'll take it. Not sure if the application of its big P/T will help anywhere else. It's just 2 big vanilla creatures if you think about it...

• Life's legacy (Bulk) 

Similar cards will fall into the bulk range. Harmonize was good though... This? No.

• Phytotitan (Bulk) 

Combo with Life's Legacy to draw? Maybe. But at the moment, it won't see much play as it is basically a big blocker that will die twice without being able to dish out that 7 damage once, at almost 60% of the time.

• Yisan, the Wanderer Bard (Bulk) 

Hmmmm... No. Just no. I discussed him earlier and no. He may be playable in limted, but won't really cut it in constructed. Too slow without any proliferate abilities. He won't really help in the board presence until probably 3 turns later, but by then it's too late. Then again, maybe he may have some synergy with Return to the Ranks?

Colourless

• Avarice Amulet (Bulk)
• Grindclock (Bulk)
• Haunted Platemail (Bulk)
• Obelisk of Urd (Bulk)
• Phyrexian Revoker ($1-2)
• Scuttling Doom Engine (~$3)

Insane limited bomb. It evades small chump blockers, when it dies, it deals 6 damage direct to opponent, it's almost a guaranteed 6 damage dealt in standard format.

• Shield of Avatar (Bulk)
• Sliver Hive (~$5)

Cavern of Souls was obscenely high when it was in standard. Granted that this is a similar card to Cavern of Souls, the price of the card will be determined by the appeal in casual and EDH formats. 

• Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth ($10-$15)

Battlefield Forge
Caves of Koilos
Llanowar Wastes
Shivan Reef
Yavimaya Coast

Painlands will be in the range of $4-$5 each. Shivan Reef may be slightly higher due to the demand in Modern. If not, they will sit comfortably around the range as standard constructed will be picking them up as staples. It will also depends on the next expansion's dual lands or mana-fixing mechanics to see if the price will go up or dip. As for now, I'd say $4 is a good price to get them.

My reviews for the Commons and Uncommons will be in a later post. Meantime, Enjoy the Pre-Release!

Soul and Titans... And more quick picks!

Titan Cycle + Wurmcoil Engine

Soul Cycle

The Titan cycle (+ Wurmcoil) was awesome! They have very definitive roles when they were in standard, bringing out strategies like Primeval-Wolf-run, Solar Flare, Zombies, Pod, etc. Some (Sun Titan. Primeval Titan (Banned in EDH, saw fringe play in modern)) were even highly sought after post-rotation. For the case of Wurmcoil Engine, well... needless to say it's an extremely powerful card in both limited and in constructed. 

Now the thing is this, Titan cycle saw the titans giving unique effects with ETB trigger and when it attacks. Soul cycle on the other hand, gives effects via mana cost. Very high mana cost. Now with that difference, the Titan cycles were more effective with the effect : cost ratio as they trigger when, as said, ETB and when attacking. We now have to see the abilities and whether or not if it is worth paying that 5-6 mana to activate the ability. On Starcitygames.com preorder site, the price tag of these souls are ranked as followed:

1. Soul of New Phyrexia ($24.99)
2. Soul of Theros ($9.99)
3. Soul of Shandalar ($5.99)
4. Soul of Innistrad ($4.99)
5. Soul of Zendikar ($4.99)
6. Soul of Ravnica ($2.99)

Now it's pretty obvious by looking at the abilities and casting cost, which is the most overpowered from the lot, and the price do show. We know Souls of New Phyrexia and Theros are pretty awesome just by looking at its ability, with no further explanation needed; Shandalar looks neat, not only with its 3/3 damage to player/creature, but its first strike ability, making it harder to kill in combat damage.

Innistrad and Zendikar... They're quite alright I think... but really looks underwhelming honestly. To recur 3 creature cards back to hand, it seems fine but would actually be better if I can recur back cards instead of just creatures. But, hey, 5 mana to return 3 cards, ain't too shabby actually. I'm torn between praising Soul of Zendikar or just downright hating it. 5 mana to produce a 3/3 beast is... I mean... I don't know, 4/4 Rhino or something? or probably 3 1/1 saprolings? More bodies to chump the opponents? I just find that a 3/3 beast for the 5 mana seemed a little.. Average. Too average. Sure, that 3/3 beast can come down at instant speed, able to take down quite a number of creatures but I feel that if it was a 4/4 Rhino/Wurm or something along like 4 1/1 saprolings or 2 2/2 creatures you know, giving more bodies to block. In short, I feel that a 4/4 or combination of up to 4-power would be a better option. Anything more is simply overpowered.

Soul of Ravnica, really? 1 card for each colour, he is heavy on blue, which that already makes him at a disadvantage with that high mana to draw card (yea instant speed, but hey, Opportunity is may be looking much better than this!) and devoting or splashing it doesn't really make good sense paying that kind of mana. Sure, with the next set rumoured to feature tri-colors like Shards of Alara, I'm not too sure about how his ability seem to be able to fit good in mono or dual coloured decks that are focused as of now before rotation. It's okay considering it's a 6/6 evasion with a good ability, don't get me wrong, but expecting to pay out a high mana cost just to draw may require some thinking on how to use the card. For one, I would expect it to be draft bomb, being able to refill my hand with at least 1-2 cards, and that for the same reason in draw/go strategies to maintain tempo. I'll keep in view for this. I'm not saying it's bad, but I'll reckon it's going to be the underdog among the 6 titans. 

More Quick Picks!

Is this Jace good? I'll let you think about it why I say yes. His +1 ability let's you scry 2. The throw into graveyard thing... well we have Snapcaster Mage isn't it? Or how about Reanimator / Dredge strategies? -3 for Jace, the Living Guildpact is basically a trolling Karn's -3 ability. Instead of exile, I'll bounce. You cast again, Bounce again later! -8 is like a Time Reversal ability. It's quite neat but... it won't see much of its effect in constructed play. However, with the same mana casting cost as Jace, AOT, I'm thinking that some form of control variants pre-existing with Jace, AOT will reform itself to suit it with this guy. Is he modern viable? Probably, but a lot of proving his worth will be needed. As of now, not really a control-based planeswalker is suited to fit into the role of any control decks; they kind of out-grew from them.

Orni's back! Take a look at the flavour text and think along of the lines in M15 being an overhaul for Magic: the Gathering. Well played Wizards...

Well we like Pithing Needle... So let's bring back this guy cos we miss it so much once RTR rotates out? Plus side is that this guy is a needle with a body. So he can actually help attack and block, but downside is that it's a creature; it'll be easier to get rid of this guy. Then again it is good and bad, depends on your strategies (*cough* Pod! *Cough*).

I know people who will be overjoyed to see this reprint. I personally will be getting a copy to set into my EDH as a mana fixer. It's too good to pass. Especially when I'm playing 3 colours.

I hate this card.... Not because it sucks or anything. It's going to be a card will be used as a sideboard card in Modern. This stops all ETB triggers. My deck works on ETB triggers. Great... Just when Torpor Orb isn't enough....

This card is a make or break thing... Terrible things can be done with this card, yet it feels like it will require some support to make it work. Any draw is good actually but if you have to sacrifice a creature then draw, the card won't work at its best by itself.

Any love for Harmonic Sliver? Presenting the Elf Version!

This beauty is really screaming to be played with! It's a freaking Doubling Season; Planeswalker's Edition! I'm not sure how much will be played in constructed, if somehow a planeswalker-based deck is made, we'll see this beauty rock out some unfair strategies! Also, EDH decks can look at this deck to abuse their planeswalkers. It's an unfair world out there... But it's even more cool to play unfair from your end. Not convinced? The card ability reads one of its loyalty abilities once FOR EACH PLANESWALKER! You know what are we getting at?! A direct fire off by each walker's ulti-ability, at no cost! Think about how much havoc you create from this. Think about the devastation and madness you'll see on the ground. It's just plain unfair. Yet beautiful.(3/7/14 Edit): I had a discussion with my friends earlier regarding the text ruling of the card. Apparently I may be wrong in that my initial interpretation; it should have been as followed: I am able to activate the loyalty ability twice. Once with the planeswalker itself, another by this card. Yes, it's still unfair actually when we think about it, and the doubling season reference does still apply if you think about it with + abilities (vice-versa for - abilities). In all, it is still a sick card. Having able to activate your planeswalker's ability once can change the game. Being able to activate twice, now that's going to be some unfair stuff to be brewing...

This version of Garruk is looking extremely badass... The artwork really brings out the beast, hunter and the wild-look he have all these while. His abilities are great! two +1 abilities which are pretty relevant and actually really nice to have; considering a planeswalker destroying another and his trademark beast spawn, with deathtouch now included! His -3 ability serves life a Server Soul and oh wait.... nicely done wizards... nicely done... His last ability is great a finish..... wait what? Wait.... whaaaaat?! I just got mind-screwed by this! Not to myself, but to another player?! Why?! It's great for EDH politics, that you help to kill off players posing a threat to you, but... Really? That help will come back to haunt you..