Exploring the Khans: [First Look!]

The Wedges

credits: http://mtg-realm.blogspot.sg/2014/08/khans-of-tarkir-art.html

RWB (Red/White/Black) ---------- Mardu Horde

BUG (Black/Blue/Green) ---------- Sultai Brood

GBW (Green/Black/White) ---------- Abzan Houses

UWR (Blue/White/Red) ---------- Jeskai Way

RUG (Red/Blue/Green) ---------- Temur Frontier

So here we are, the 5 wedge colours with the respective official names. Tell me I'm not the only one not used to the new names? Though I admit calling UWR, "Jeskai" seems cool, and respectively the other wedges their respective names, it's gonna take awhile before I get used to it. 

The interesting thing is that now, the wedges also have an awesome logo to go with! I don't think the Shards colours had one.. So kudos to the research and design teams! Great job at the development of the Wedges to give them a strong profile and flavour to the colours! (Admittedly, I think the flavour will fit more based on the Khans of Tarkir storyline, but who cares!)

I initially wanted to do another post before this, discussing on the other spoilers that were spoilt along the way, but I decided against the idea and just focus on one proper article instead. Hence, In continuation and referring from my previous article, what I mentioned then, and in comparison to what was spoilt, it's mostly in line. Well, almost... 

Firstly, let's take a look at the mechanics!!!

Returning Mechanics:

• Morph
• Delve

I didn't have much chance to play around with Morph and Delve, but in my minimal experience, I quite like Morph a lot. Only thing is that just hope that the opponent don't bolt your morph creatures... That's pretty darn sad actually. But, actually being able to activate Morph with its powerful abilities, it's actually worth the effort to protect most of them. The good thing about Morph ability is that it's rather good in early and in late game draws. Draw them too early? Morph! Draw them in later game? Either choice of Morphing them or hard-casting them! It's still good!

Delve on the other hand works by abusing your spare resources in the graveyard to cheapen the cost of your casting spell. Ideally, it's a good thing, but with the amount of graveyard hates running around in constructed formats, it wouldn't be a surprise that Delve may not see as much appearance as many anticipated. Then again, I'm speaking in the modern format, not so sure what Standard constructed will have for hates. In the latter, The grave hates are significantly lesser, so yes, maybe it would see some play in standard. Apparently, this mechanic will be centred around the Sultai clan.

New Mechanics

• Raid
• Outlast
• Prowess
• Ferocious

Okay, let's start off with the first new mechanic: Raid. Raid is quite similar to Bloodthirst, but the former is slightly easier to activate. In limited it's actually quite powerful given that 90% of the time, it's just a matter of who can bring out a bigger creature to beat. Hence, taking advantage of this, the Raid mechanic would likely to be a limited all-star. 

In constructed play, it's going to test the players' use of the second main phases to build up and play accordingly to ensure the Raid mechanic aids to continue to pressure the board after they pass their turn. Honestly speaking however, I don't see Raid to be breaking the format alone. It will be used in certain decks as a synergy or in-addition to. Not really something that will be as impactful as it will be in limited.

Outlast mechanic, IMO, is strictly a limited format mechanic. Even then, it will only shine in late-game. The good thing for Outlast mechanic is that if you have excess mana to sink in, it's a great sinker to sink your excess mana. However, as much as in ideal cases goes, we usually would rather play a bigger threat when possible. Also, Outlast  doesn't impact the board as much as an extra creature. A bigger creature is definitely a threat, yes, but having two bodies is far much better than having one.

The Jeskai's Way is Prowess. I think the joke and relation of this clan to the Kungfu Pandas got quite stale already right? I mean... everyone is Kungfu Fightning!~

Okay, back to topic. Prowess is a mechanic that denotes explosiveness. Look at it! 

"Whenever you cast a non-creature spell, this creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn." 

Essentially, any other spells other than a creature will grant them a buff! On top of that, look at the colours they are in! U/R decks! This MAY be the supporting cards for Delver to rise back up in Modern, U/R midrange? Why not? Drop them and couple them with counterspells and burns, you actually get a pretty explosive deck. 

That said, Limited and constructed will definitely see play with the Prowess mechanic. It's one of those mechanic that is seemingly underrated until you actually play it. How good it is? Please don't forget that Heroic and Strive are still in standard constructed.

Ferocious is one interesting mechanic. I love/hate this mechanic and it is very situational on the card and your board state. Not all decks can fulfill the "power 4 or greater" clause and hence results in basically just using the card for half of its potential. As said, depending on the card, it's either good or bad just as itself. 

Yes, for sure it will see constructed play. Standard G/R/x Monsters or GW aggro would be the few decks to start picking these cards up. Maybe some other form of Midrange decks that will spring up and also start to see play.

Because this set is so awesome, here are my Top 15 Picks (instead of 10) for Khans of Tarkir! (Again, in no particular order!)

Ascendancy Cycle

To start off the top 15 picks, the Ascendancy cycle is a bunch of cards that will be left in the bulk pile, which are really good picks for EDH and casual decks IMO, or are beckoning to be made around them; well I mean casual and EDH decks will pick them up, but I won't say for constructed. Even for limited, I'd say they may not be first picks. They aren't exactly bombs, more of cards to support the deck rather than it's a wincon by itself.

Nevertheless, the artwork for all the 5 Ascendancy cards looks awesome and they really give the feel of the unity and power in the various tribes! Other than that, I won't really think it's a chase rare of any kind. Sure, it hits devotion count, but I don't think it is solely for that people will run the Ascendency. The abilities are relevant, but maybe not for the format as it is now.

Charms Cycle

You remembered how awesome Azorius Charm was? Or maybe Bant Charm? Yes? No? Anyway, these utility cards are one of the top favourites for me as they give so much functions out from a single cost.

I'm sure that these cards will follow the trend as seen in RTR and Alara charms. They'll hover around $1 a piece, and most likely will stay there for a long time. (Boros Charm is obscenely powerful, so it's an outlier.) The foils will be a chase for the EDH fanatics. Personally, I favor Abzan and Jeskai Charms more. The others will get some love, but it will really see the performance. Nevertheless, one Foil Abzan Charm please!

Khans Cycle

• Anafenza, the Foremost
  
  Remember Loxodon Smiter and how he caused mayhem? Well, Anafenza is going to be a lot worse. Sure, she can be countered and all, but if for the fact that she remains on board, she is going to push and the pressure will be more and more difficult to handle. She hates on the graveyard, which is nice in Modern (Not really... I'm running a reanimator deck still..). Yes, She may see play in Modern in Abzan (JUNK) midrange. Constructed, needless to say, she will be one of the most important creatures as a core body for similar decks. 
• Narset, Enlightened Master
  
  Is it just me or she is a Commander that Jeskai needs but don't deserve? No seriously! She, as a commander, is really incredibly sick! Once she attacks, you get to cast anything from the 4 cards exiled for free is really a powerful ability in EDH!
  I don't really think she will see heavy play in constructed, but she is rather viable still. Well, we can still hope and brew that deck!
• Sidisi, Brood Tyrant
  
  You know, when I try to give a brief description on how powerful she is, there are TONS of ways which I can abuse her in that colour. She is just too flexible as a card and really, she is asking to be played around her abilities. I, for one, would. Her abilities are rather incredible and her wedge colours does have support in reanimating creatures or abusing the graveyard.
  I won't see her as viable in constructed as I view her in EDH, but I could be wrong. In my mind, I can really break her in EDH, but not so much in Modern or Standard.
• Zurgo, Helmaster
  
  This was the poster-boy as the first few to be spoiled. The card in general isn't bad and is definitely a limited all-star. Zurgo packs a punch to be indestructible on my combat phases and as well as being able to buff up if he successfully kills a creature. It is, however, not viable in constructed. He may be insane in combat, but unless there are ways to protect him outside of combat, he is quite fragile for 5 mana. I personally also won't see him in as much play in EDH. He can act as a voltron commander, but there are not much cards that will support him well in the format.  
• Surrak Dragonclaw
  
  Do you actually know how sick is this guy? Whether in EDH or in constructed, this guy is really pushing the limits of fairness. Having him with flash, unable to be countered is bad enough. Now OTHER creatures are uncounterable? That's going to be a sick nightmare to control guys! Oh, that trample clause is just cherry on top. Have fun playing with him in standard and EDH as this guy is going into my Nope-ville...
  Who am I kidding, this card is insane! I love this card!

Utter End

One word to describe this card. This card is SICK.....

I can go on and on about how this card is sick and crazily powerful, but I guess you know my point; exiling any nonland permanent in EDH is like a Masterball in Pokemon. 1 card, 1 shot, remove. Except that we have plenty more in EDH and means to get it back. You get the drift..

Sometimes the card doesn't need a lot of text to make it obscene. Just the minimal words will do fine. Just like Counterspell.

Thousand Winds

This is a good example as why the return of Morph Mechanic is not to be underrated. Even when it's going at a bulk rare at the point of writing, but there is potential to be seen in certain decks and if done well, it's really devestating. EDH would scream for this as a control card; Constructed is currently overwhelmed with a lot of potential finishers. Having able to Morph and activate its second ability, it's not just game-breaking to see a 5/6 flyer suddenly, but is also for the fact that it returns tapped creatures. 

The draw back is that it only returns tapped creatures and at the curve of 7 mana, I think there are better finishers in formats. If you find a way to tap down everything and then Morph, the achievement unlocked for messing your opponent that badly is sweet. 

Sorin, Solemn Visitor

I think someone in the design team is either a fan of Sorin or tokens in general. Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is a crazy planeswalker for any token deck. (Elspeth Tirel is actually a close match for the title as well) Here, is not exactly an upgrade or a worse version of Sorin, Lord of Innistrad. I'd say it really depends on what you want from the deck. If you are somewhat on the more offensive strategy, that another token doesn't make a difference to your board, go for this! If you are more disruptive, Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is the guy you are looking for!

I discussed in great detail in this post here on my thoughts on BW tokens in general. You can go ahead and read it in the link. The thing is this version of sorin doesn't aim to produce a token immediately, but gives your creatures a small buff and lifegain to sustain the fight. the token produced is a strict upgrade from Sorin, Lord of Innistrad's vampire token and yes, the -2 ability is worth it. The Ultimate ability however.... let's just say Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is better at nuking the board when needed. I don't really think he will see as much play as what we saw in Innistrad block. Also, BW token decks have the other 2 competing for the planeswalker slot. Another guy into the competition is going to make the competition stiffer. Anycase, I still love this guy.

Adamant Negation
Stubborn Denial

This is not a functional reprint of Spell Pierce and neither does it aim to be. It may be meant to be the 5th-8th Spell Pierce that in late game, it becomes a 1-mana Counterspell. I mean, given that you do have a 4-powered creature on board, it becomes the one of the most powerful Counterspell printed. I do like the idea of having a counter-spell that scales into late game. 

Personally, I am picking up a playset to keep. It definitely will see constructed play. Control decks most likely would play it as a playset or maybe 3 pieces. There isn't much good counter-spells around other than Dissipate/Dissolve and Negate ... So it does have some room to be played.

Kheru Lichlord

TL;DR, pay the cost, get a creature back from graveyard at random and it gets flying, trample and haste. After that, exile it. This card goes two ways, either get chucked in a Mimeoplasm EDH and become a beast, or have someone try and try to break this card in Constructed. Either way, it's a pain in the ass with Whip of Erebos and Sidisi, Brood Tyrant.

Raksaha Deathdealer

Decent card that will see some constructed play. Raksaha is an incredibly balanced card that really deserves some attention. 2 mana-2/2 is already a very good card on its own. having additional 2 abilities, one mana sinker and another as a regenerative ability, this card poses a huge threat in early and late game. 

The sinker ability, giving the +2/+2 buff, scales well and accordingly to the pace of the game. Given that we also have accelerators in the green colour, sinking the ability once and having spare to regenerate this guy is not a wish-land. It is possible! It would see the trend how Lotleth Troll or Loxodon Smiter would face; a decent pack price card and may just hover around there for the entire time it see standard play. However, I'm betting it may go slightly higher than that.

Winterflame

I am a sucker for utility. If the card offers me a good amount of utility, I will take a very good look at it and try to defend it. This card is more restricted than it seems. Having that 3 mana to Tap and deal 2 damage, it's fairly good in certain conditions and will see play in both limited and Standard Constructed. Much like a more restricted Electrolyze. Instead of drawing a card, you Tap a creature. It will be a good debate as to which would be more viable, but I still think Electrolyze would be a better option in Modern constructed. Of course, for Standard, this is the closest thing you get to Electrolyze.

Gurmag Swiftwing

The thing about uncommon creatures is that they can be obscenely powerful, and in most cases, trashed. Here, we have an incredibly balanced creature. for 2 mana, I get a 1/2 with flying, haste and first strike. It's a good deal, but if for the fact that if it's a 2/1, it will be crazily broken. Also, any buffs on this guy in limited will be a great idea actually.

No, it's not something on my pick-up list however. it's great as a limited bomb, but pretty much mediocre in constructed formats.

Villanious Wealth

The casual and EDH appeal on this card is really high! When I first read this card, I literally dropped my jaw. Take a look at Genesis Wave and see the similarities. This card is seriously a powerful mana sinker in limited and in constructed as well. It can practically act as a finisher by itself. If not, it can easily turn tables around with the amount of targets it hits. So long as it isn't land, I can play it for free if it is within the X range. The price trend of this most likely would follow Genesis Wave due to its casual appeal.

Hooded Hydra

Another reason why I should love Morph more than I do now. Any G/x decks playing midrange or aggro will definitely see him in play or if not Polukranos. This card allows certain flexibility as what I mentioned earlier in the post, that Morph gives me the option to have it cast early for the Morph ability and reap the rewards later, or hard-cast it later to see effects in a different form. This card does appeal to me in casual and in constructed. In limited, it's definitely a draft bomb that should not be trifled with.

Sarkan, the Dragonspeaker

Where do I begin... for 5 mana, a 4-loyalty planeswalker is more than balanced. Sarkan is immediately the chase mythic of the set. All of his ability is very relevant in whichever format he will be seen. I personally think that he is very viable in both Standard and Modern constructed.
His +1 ability is basically saying I have a 4/4 indestructible dragon. -2 ability is a freak'n Flame Slash! You know how that people always say "this and that dies to bolt" This may define the new era of a creature with toughness of 4 may not be as safe as ever. His ultimate ability may seem underwhelming at first. But, consider this, at that point of the game, I don't actually need a hand size. I just want answers. If I can dig through my library faster, I get my threats, spells and removals faster than my opponent in top-decking wars. Also, most of the time, I can get rid of dead draw and get out the next relevant card faster.
I personally think that Sarkhan will see play in a lot of current top-contender decks like Modern Jund, Standard Jund, R/G/x Monsters, R/x aggro, etc. 

Fetchlands!

Holy smokes!! This is THE BEST present Wizards of the Coast have given to MTG players be far! No, it's not the Tarmogoyf reprint (That's the second best), it beats Return to Ravnica and Innistrad Blocks (Actually... Maybe this is the second best thing as far as I know), It's the return of Onslaught Fetchlands!

Flashback check! I was ALMOST right!

While at the point of writing this article, it's no longer spoilers, but it's sure a great piece of news to see it in print. I'm pretty sure that's what Wizards meant, when mentioning they are bringing back something that players have always wanted.

Well, I did point out that the reprint of Onslaught or Zendikar Fetchlands to be a very hot topic and I actually didn't emphasized, but in offline conversations, I had done my analysis and claimed that Onslaught fetches are the ones that are likely to see the reprint over Zendikar Fetchlands for the fact that the former is almost 12 years before seeing a reprint, and the latter is only about 5. Yes, I'd still rather see Tarmogoyf reprinted. It's too expensive! But, I digress.

Yay for Fetchlands!

Lastly, Check out the screenshot below, or go to mythicspoilers.com for the visual spoilers:

I don't know about you, but I'm still claiming part my initial specs to be right. Tri-lands are there for the colour fixers and the inclusion of the Refuges in all 10 colour combinations are really going to see some powerful manabases. Well, at least for the fact that they come into play tapped... Honestly, with these reprinted as commons, are Scrylands going to be taking hits or still maintain as the most important dual lands in Standard Constructed right now? My guess is the latter, scry is still very important in standard; they don't have much filter/draw mechanisms other than scry at the moment. 

That's all for now, enjoy the Pre-release and let me know which card got you hyped for this set!