Consider this as a part 2 to my previous entry. Last time, I covered the first 31 Ally cards that appeared in Zendikar Block. Now, with the spoilers for Battle for Zendikar, I will be discussing the new Ally cards. This is not the [[First Look]] article. That will come later in the week. Again, support cards will not be discussed. I want to do that as a [[Flash!]] article later down the pipeline.
Before I proceed the review, I will not be discussing the Finance aspect for Commons and Uncommons unless I see a reason to. With that out of the way, let's start off the review.
 | Angelic Captain Card Review: What I personally think is that she is a draft bomb and as well as a strong contender for constructed. However, I personally will not be using her due to her relatively high mana cost. At 5 mana, it's going to take a lot more to convince me to slot her into my deck. Finance Current price tag for her is at $0.50 on TCGmid. While I personally think that an Ally deck will see play in both standard and modern constructed, I don't think this will fall into the latter and even if in play for standard, the deck may not use her as a 4-off. |
 | Angel of Renewal Card Review: Maybe a good pick in limited if we are going Ally deck in the drafts or sealed. Damn... I'm going to be missing one hell of a pre-release :( 6 mana for a 4/4 flyer is decent already. With the additional ETB is just sweet for late game. Gaining that few life off her can help break tempo for your opponents. On the topic of lifegain, she is nowhere near Ondu Cleric level of powerful. Because of that I'll pass this for the old clerics instead. |
 | Beastcaller Savant Card Review: This is a hard one. It has a strong contender for being one of the best mana ramps. If only he didn't have the clause "spend this mana to only cast Personally, I want both. I'm greedy. But, this guy has HASTE! The first mana dork with f'king HASTE! He is definitely and will be a constructed staple. Finance Harabaz Druid is a $3.00 as I'm writing this article. I personally think he is a better mana ramp than Beastcaller. Beastcaller on the other hand, fixes mana better. And while he is an Ally card, the notable clause is that the mana can be spent on any creatures. He's basically an Ancient Ziggurat on a stick. Looking at the prices, Ancient Ziggurat is about $5-$6. The mana dorks in standard also seems to be in that price range as well. From there, I can assume that the bare minimum of the price for this card would be $4 -$6. I'm not surprised if he hits $8 during his time in standard. Eldrazis may be colourless, but they definitely need ramps. This + Rattleclaw Mystic will definitely see play in standard! |
 | Bloodbond Vampire Card Review: I'll pass on this one. 4 mana 3/3 is bare average. Double black symbols means taxing to splash colour. Her condition to grow larger is to gain life. Well, we do have Ally cards that gain life and we do have more in this set, but that sets up an entirely different synergy from the old Ally cards. I'm not too sure where to fit her in. The vampire tribal decks if there any? Lifegain decks like soul sisters? Ally decks which nets lifegain and have her as a beatstick? There are options, but they won't be explored much. |
 | Chasm Guide Card Review: I'll pass on this one as well. 4 mana for 3/2 is worse that the prior. Only plus side is that he gives everyone haste whenever an Ally ETB. Not really a useful effect to be honest. SKIP! |
 | Cliffside Lookout Card Review: I did get what i want... another 1 mana Ally creature card. But, the abilities are total crap in constructed. 5 mana for an anthem effect, it is more for limited format. I really don't mind it being a rare and being able to pump it with just 2 mana or something, but 5 mana is just outrageously expensive. So even if that is the second 1-mana Ally card, I'll hard-pass on this one. |
 | Coralhelm Guide Card Review: I'll pass on this one as well. Similar to Cliffside Lookout, the activation cost for its otherwise sweet ability is too high. If the cost is just 1 or 2 mana lower, She can be considered for constructed. But for now, She's more for limited format. Also, the stats are rather poor and if we are looking in constructed, she die to pretty much anything. |
 | Drana, Liberator of Malakir Card Review: Now we come to another playable Ally card. Drana is a 3 mana for 2/3 stats, flying, first strike. She is considerably strong just like that. Only draw back is that her double black symbol requirement is quite taxing for splashes into more than 1-2 colours. Her second ability is given her an extra boot to be considered in Mono-Black or main black aggro strategies in constructed and maybe in EDH as a general as well. The note is the ability pumps each attacking creature. So this means that non-Ally creatures gets the buff as well. In addition, She herself gets the benefits. Finance Current price on TCG Mid is about $11-$12. I don't expect it to hold on to that price tag for long. Maybe at a $3 price tag upon the release party week, with the foils varying on the casual/EDH demand. I'll definitely be picking up 2 copies of her. |
 | Drana's Emissary Card Review: This card is not bad by all means. 3 mana for 2/2 flying is okay I guess. But, it's not a card that may see play in Modern. I don't know, the more I look at the cards, the more they are pushing Ally into the B/W colours with lifegain/lifeloss mechanic in them. If that variant of creature decks comes out, sure, this will be included as the effects are stackable. But, in the current form of decks I see for Ally, I won't consider it as this is too slow to make any considerable impact in Modern or in Standard. Note that Modern decks can end games in turns 4-5 consistently, whereas Standard now has Eldrazis. Go figure. |
 | Firemantle Mage Card Review: This is actually not bad. I admit i overlooked this card when I first looked at the spoilers. Potentially, this card is a pseudo-unblockable ability for all Ally cards. No really, the more I look into this card, the more I'm starting to like this card. We have to know that the biggest problem in Ally decks have is the pushing of the last bit of damage and as well as escape bolt range. This helps in the first part. the latter? Let's just say the support cards are needed here. But, other than that, this actually does help in many ways as you thwart blocking strategies. |
 | Grovetender Druids Card Review: Not sure where this card first. I'm not even sure how this card helps in any of the decks. Probably in limited where you have the extra mana to improve board state? Other than that, I'll pass on this one. |
 | Halimar Tidecaller Card Review: Another card that I'm confused with the identity of the card. It doesn't help the tribe in any way, the man lands in this set is not yet significant unless you play Nissa, Worldwaker or the Awaken mechanic. Basically, she is not an Ally card per say. She will fit better in decks playing lands. |
 | Hero of Goma Fada Card Review: Very viable game ender. Giving everyone indestructible is nightmare to deal with. However, at 5 mana, The clock in modern is very risky to play this. I'm not saying this is unplayable. It is fringe playable actually. Only for the fact it gives everyone indestructible. Also at a 4/3 states, it's just a little disappointing. if it were a 3/4 states, Everything changes. Finance Currently, it's holding at around $0.50. As mentioned, this is fringe playable. Even if it appears in standard, I'm not too sold in this being a 4-off in decks. This would probably stay in the bulk bin. |
 | Kalastria Healer Card Review: A lot of talk on this as a combo deck with Rally the Ancestors and the shenanigans like march from the tomb and stuff. I'm not sure if that will work out, but just keep an eye on it. The good thing on this card is that the trigger happens for every Ally card ETB. So this can work well in several Ally strategies. Personally, I'm not really keen as my deck is aggro-strategy. It would suit better for combo shells. |
 | Kalastria Nightwatch Card Review: Another life-gaining Ally which is selfish... Next! Oh, wait. Correction: Lifegain effect Ally which does nothing other than abusing the Rally triggers of other allies, but it doesn't contribute. Good or bad, it really depends on your deck. As a creature by itself, it is quite decent in limited. Not a bomb, but it's just so-so kind of decent. |
 | Kor Bladewhirl Card Review: I'm just going to say that an army of first strike creatures is scary. 2 mana splashable with 2/2 body is good as well. Not a bad card overall. Personally, I'll pass this for Kazandu Blademaster. |
 | Kor Castigator Card Review: Uhm... 2 mana Ally for a 3/1 body? Pass... The rest is useless more or less. (Modern Perspective) |
 | Kor Entanglers Card Review: 5 mana for 3/4 is stretching on the curve. I thought that it is bad, but it makes up for the abilities. This one taps out a creature opponent control. And the best part is that this triggers for every Ally entering the battlefield. It's good in limited. But anywhere else, I don't think it would be that viable. |
 | Card Review: When this card is first spoilt, I went bananas! Finally a Talus Paladin upgrade that is Coco-able! It's not exactly a direct upgrade or "strictly better". It's just playable with Collected Company. If your deck is not running Collected Company (it should!) for whatever reasons, Talus Paladin is actually better. Finance Like all Ally cards, this one will be under the radar. It's currently $0.75 on TCG Mid. It will stay that way for awhile. |
 | Makindi Patrol Card Review: I love the art and flavour of this card. Patrol = Vigilance. Nice one! Abilities? Giving all vigilance is something; having able to attack and block at the same time is really sweet! Will I play it? Probably, but I have better options. This is playable in limited and maybe in Standard Ally decks. |
 | Munda, Ambush Leader Card Review: A great card! This was a serious contender for my deck as a 2-off because how well it synergises with collected company. 3/4, Haste for 4 mana is okay I guess. But, the sweet deal is that this card triggers for every Ally ETB trigger, so this allows you to set-up your deck for the next few turns. It's quite essential and more important than you will admit it is actually. That's why Serum Visions is $10 or something like that. (Also cos Preordian/Ponder is banned.) Finance Bulk rare status sadly. But keep an eye on this card if there is a Boros or Naya Ally deck out there in standard. |
 | Nirkana Assassin Card Review: A card for limited. Another lifegain card.. hais... Pass. |
 | Noyan Dar, Roil Shaper Card Review: I get the idea of a synergy with this, Halimar Tidecaller, awaken spells The other way to look at it is that unless those land-based decks which brings out man-lands or sorts as their main win condition, this likely to be a limited bomb and pretty much like that as it is. Finance Likely to be bulk rare. Unless land decks are a thing in Constructed. |
 | Ondu Champion Card Review: 1 more mana, and we get the better Kazuul Warlord... So... |
 | Reckless Cohort Card Review: Not exactly anything fantastic. Good filler for limited only. Pass. |
 | Resolute Blademaster Card Review: Getting the abilities like flying, double strike, vigilance is fine, but if that's all the card does, it really pushes it to a "no" zone. It's really hard to consider this card given that it is at 5 mana for a 2/2 creature which only gives double strike to everyone, which is cool don't get me wrong, but it doesn't scream out anything more. 5 mana in the same colour gives us better Allies than this. even the 4 mana one as mentioned earlier is slightly better at what it does for the mana cost. |
 | Serene Steward Card Review: Okay, so if I were to consider another archetype of lifegain/lifeloss in within the ally tribe, then yes, maybe we want cards like this. All I'm saying that prove to me that there is a viability of the deck and all of these cards that mentioned "whenever you gain life" will get more attention. Heck, if Soul Sisters deck does end up using any of those cards, it's game on for these cards. As a card, it is a bear. The best it gives the boost in the scaling damage that some decks need. |
 | Shatterskull Recruit Card Review: 5 mana 4/4 near-vanilla, almost unblockable. Pass. |
 | Skyrider Elf Card Review: So basically this is a 2 mana 2/2 flyer at worst. If you have more mana to dump and have ways to tick up the counters as the same for the other creatures, knock yourself out. Personally I don't this in favour that I won't easily hit the 3rd colour and beyond in a game. Even if I do hit them by then, either this card is on the battlefield earlier than expected, or it's just very taxing on the mana base. It's not a bad card actually. If you happen to play this card, do consider this card. |
 | Tajuru Beastmaster Card Review:
Ahh... Finally!!! the old mechanic, which is now termed Rally. The frustrating thing is that I really don't want another vanilla Tarmogoyf-like creature that just grows. The old set gave us a ton of them and I assure you, it's really quite a substantial number. Also, this is really high in the curve. What to expect, this is a 6 mana 6/6 creature. So obviously it's a curve ender. But, will it see constructed? I doubt so.
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 | Tajuru Stalward Card Review: You know how I was saying do consider Skyrider Elf? Don't do this for this card. That is much much better. |
 | Tajuru Warcaller Card Review:
It's fine if you have an ideal scenario of Allies ETB every turn, making it a 4/3. But, realistically, when you are hitting to that mana curve in constructed or in limited. your 5 mana cards better make more impact than this. Pass.
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 | Veteran Warleader Card Review:
When this is spoilt, it is really controversial to me. On one hand, it is almost the same Rally mechanic I wanted with the other abilities and trust me, if that is true, it's an auto 2-3 off in my deck.
However, this card is not. It grows with the board and can be easily manipulated. I got 1 for my deck but I took it out eventually when the full spoiler was released. The second ability is awesome, but as I said, you need a decent board state. Also, If you are playing Ally in those colours and if you are not winning with a good board state, there is something wrong.
Finance It is decent on paper, but personally, I think it belongs to where it is now; in the dollar bin. |
 | Zada, Hedron Grinder Card Review:
Firstly, it's a Goblin. Secondly it can function without the Ally tribe. I personally think the Ally tribe to it is wasted. Not that having the clause: "other Ally creatures you control" will be better, but him as an Ally is rather wasted. In an Ally deck, he can contribute, but like what a lot of discussions have mentioned, he is better in a goblin deck.
The best given is that he would be at around $1-$2 upon game day. I'm not sure how EDH players will react to him as a commander, but as a goblin in Modern? I'm not too sure if there is a need for him. Maybe some sort of home-brew we have yet to see? |
 | Zulaport Cutthroat Card Review:
This card works well thanks to the "creature you control" clause. This means you are not just restricted to Ally creatures, but basically you can use this as a combo piece and that + Kalastria Healer can make up for some serious threat. Likely this may fall into the route of the Rally the Ancestors deck shenanigans.
Again, this works better in combo-variants. Aggro decks won't have a use for it.
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In the flavour of Ally cards, I'm really confused in how come the mechanics differ so much from the individual cards. On one hand, we have Rally, which is what we know Ally is all about. On the other, we have these...
Seriously, are we in the horizon to see these cards becoming an inclusion for Soul Sisters deck or a 2.0 version of the deck? I'm not sold on the concept of gaining incredible amount of life just because Felidar Soverign is reprinted. If that works that way, Why not just leave them out without the Ally tribal? Nevermind.
The looks of this is two-fold. One, sure we are getting more utility, but those genuinely useful ones are cmc 3 and up! Which is not ideal for aggro strategies. Maybe midrange Ally decks would find it useful. For me, There are some up for consideration, but I really don't think most will make the cut as solid replacements other than the handful as I discussed.
In finance perspective, the card with most potential I think would be Drana, Liberator of Malikar. I personally think that she has the best potential to be the most expensive Ally to date. The price will definitely drop due to supply and demand, but I think she has the potential to be seen in constructed play the most out of all the Ally.
Okay, of course I'm neglecting Beastcaller Savant. He is without a doubt a Birds of Paradise, or Sylvan Caryatid 2.0. He definitely will see play in constructed for the mana dork that he is. But, the only draw back is that he has ancient ziggurat stapled onto him, so Rattleclaw Mystic has potential and will be a close fight between them to be the mana dork in standard till the next rotation. Hence, I didn't mention him in my previous paragraph.
In finance perspective, the card with most potential I think would be Drana, Liberator of Malikar. I personally think that she has the best potential to be the most expensive Ally to date. The price will definitely drop due to supply and demand, but I think she has the potential to be seen in constructed play the most out of all the Ally.
Okay, of course I'm neglecting Beastcaller Savant. He is without a doubt a Birds of Paradise, or Sylvan Caryatid 2.0. He definitely will see play in constructed for the mana dork that he is. But, the only draw back is that he has ancient ziggurat stapled onto him, so Rattleclaw Mystic has potential and will be a close fight between them to be the mana dork in standard till the next rotation. Hence, I didn't mention him in my previous paragraph.
Okay, this is a long enough article as it is. Come back as I go down the countdown of my top 10 picks in BFZ! Trust me, it's not hard for this set.
Edit:
Experdition Envoy
Card Review:
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Edit:
Experdition Envoy
Card Review:
Missed out this card in my review. Honestly, there is nothing to talk about this card. Fragile body but at a 1 mana cost. It doesn't grow like how Hada Freeblade does or give a bonus ability or effect like Cliffside Lookout. Pass...
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