For some reason, it's easy to look at spoilers and sort of go "Meh", but then have a different experience the more you open packs.
Here's what I've been liking the more I think about the set and why I'm excited:
Fetchlands: these are obviously the darlings of the set and what's driving sales. Personally I'm just excited at how good they are for the game. They're a boon for every format, and I'm especially excited for Modern and Commander. Plus, we get some cool new artwork too.
The Ascendancies: most of the aren't format warping (I have a feeling Jeskai Ascendancy storm builds will be a thing), but they're pretty solid cards overall. Sultai Ascendancy has been compared to a different spin on Sylvan Library, and has some cool implications for other formats because of its interaction with cards like Dark Confidant and Delver of Secrets. Mardu Ascendancy is nice tech for aggro.
The Khans: it's really nice to get a new round of Commanders for wedges. There are several good ones now of course, but greater selection is the spice of Commander. All of them have cool effects/abilities that are fun to build around, so I'm excited at the prospect of new Commander archetypes spinning up.
Delve (particularly DTT): I'm glad to see Delve coming back, and I think there are some reasonable competent Delve cards in Dig Through Time, Treasure Cruise and Murderous Cut. I think Dig might have a shot in several formats; going through 7 cards is some serious reach, putting two into your hand is great for combo, and the fact that it's instant speed can't be overstated. I could see it showing up in Storm/Twin builds, or even Scapeshift builds come to think of it.
Control even got some love: I think people have been unhappy about some of the cards in this set for control, but I actually like some of the new additions. There are two new sweepers in End Hostilities and Duneblast, three new counterspells that are pretty good in Disdainful Stroke, Mindswipe and Stubborn Denial, and some good removal spells with Utter End and Crackling Doom. I like Clever Impersonator quite a bit too and can see it fitting multiple archetypes due to its flexibility.
Rattleclaw Mystic: I love this card. I'm always a fan of mana fixers and mana dorks, but the explosiveness of Rattleclaw Mystic really impressed me. I'm excited to see some crazy plays morphing this guy. I'm not sure if it'll see play in Modern or not but I'm hoping it will. This is another card I'm incredibly excited for in Commander, because it plays well with Riku of Two Reflections, Maelstrom Wanderer and especially Animar, Soul of Elements due to the morph ability.
Bloodsoaked Champion: I also love recurring weenies like Bloodghast and Gravecrawler, so Bloodsoaked Champion really appeals to me. Not sure how widely played he'll be, but the template is great.
Beatsticks: there are some very competent beaters in this set, which isn't terribly exciting on its own but can help build a threat foundation that both experienced and new players can enjoy. Butcher of the Horde is reminiscent of Falkenrath Aristocrat. Savage Knuckleblade is a pretty good threat for 3 mana. Siege Rhino isn't Thragtusk, but it does a halfway decent impersonation. Sagu Mauler is a pretty intimidating threat.
There are several solid commons and uncommons I haven't mentioned here. Ultimately I didn't want to turn this into too much a novel so I thought I'd hold back and focus on rares.
I know there's always a propensity to really bash new sets and be down on Magic, but I don't feel that way with Khans, especially after spending more time with the cards. The power level isn't on the same level as sets like Scars or RtR, but it fills some holes that Magic has had for a while and gives players of varying skill and format preference some new toys to play with, potentially inspiring new archetypes.
Personally, I call that a win for the game and a win for the players.
I've opened one box and still have another to open, and my experience was similar. I split up the cards I want to trade and the ones I want to keep. Most sets, I usually have 1/3 of the rares in the keep pile and 2/3 to trade, but with Khans it was the opposite.
Do you guys think that WOTC created dud boxes for people who opened them before the prerelease? Because you guys had awesome pulls!
Not even a little. I truly feel bad for those who get boxes that suck; I've had it happen to me and I know how disheartening it can be. That said, it's random: some boxes will be garbage and some will be godly.
I agree, my box was really good and got me thinking about brewing. I ended up opening two khans, Sidisi and Anafenza, and I think both could see play, at the very least in EDH but also standard and possibly modern for Anafenza. Fetchlands are awesome, of course. The Ascendancies are awesome. I'm hesitant, but I think Temur Ascendancy might be a halfway decent haste enabler. Abzan Ascendancy seems very strong as well.
There are some other gems that I pulled that aren't getting attention, but that I really like:
Here's what I've been liking the more I think about the set and why I'm excited:
Fetchlands: these are obviously the darlings of the set and what's driving sales. Personally I'm just excited at how good they are for the game. They're a boon for every format, and I'm especially excited for Modern and Commander. Plus, we get some cool new artwork too.
The Ascendancies: most of the aren't format warping (I have a feeling Jeskai Ascendancy storm builds will be a thing), but they're pretty solid cards overall. Sultai Ascendancy has been compared to a different spin on Sylvan Library, and has some cool implications for other formats because of its interaction with cards like Dark Confidant and Delver of Secrets. Mardu Ascendancy is nice tech for aggro.
The Khans: it's really nice to get a new round of Commanders for wedges. There are several good ones now of course, but greater selection is the spice of Commander. All of them have cool effects/abilities that are fun to build around, so I'm excited at the prospect of new Commander archetypes spinning up.
Delve (particularly DTT): I'm glad to see Delve coming back, and I think there are some reasonable competent Delve cards in Dig Through Time, Treasure Cruise and Murderous Cut. I think Dig might have a shot in several formats; going through 7 cards is some serious reach, putting two into your hand is great for combo, and the fact that it's instant speed can't be overstated. I could see it showing up in Storm/Twin builds, or even Scapeshift builds come to think of it.
Control even got some love: I think people have been unhappy about some of the cards in this set for control, but I actually like some of the new additions. There are two new sweepers in End Hostilities and Duneblast, three new counterspells that are pretty good in Disdainful Stroke, Mindswipe and Stubborn Denial, and some good removal spells with Utter End and Crackling Doom. I like Clever Impersonator quite a bit too and can see it fitting multiple archetypes due to its flexibility.
Rattleclaw Mystic: I love this card. I'm always a fan of mana fixers and mana dorks, but the explosiveness of Rattleclaw Mystic really impressed me. I'm excited to see some crazy plays morphing this guy. I'm not sure if it'll see play in Modern or not but I'm hoping it will. This is another card I'm incredibly excited for in Commander, because it plays well with Riku of Two Reflections, Maelstrom Wanderer and especially Animar, Soul of Elements due to the morph ability.
Bloodsoaked Champion: I also love recurring weenies like Bloodghast and Gravecrawler, so Bloodsoaked Champion really appeals to me. Not sure how widely played he'll be, but the template is great.
Beatsticks: there are some very competent beaters in this set, which isn't terribly exciting on its own but can help build a threat foundation that both experienced and new players can enjoy. Butcher of the Horde is reminiscent of Falkenrath Aristocrat. Savage Knuckleblade is a pretty good threat for 3 mana. Siege Rhino isn't Thragtusk, but it does a halfway decent impersonation. Sagu Mauler is a pretty intimidating threat.
There are several solid commons and uncommons I haven't mentioned here. Ultimately I didn't want to turn this into too much a novel so I thought I'd hold back and focus on rares.
I know there's always a propensity to really bash new sets and be down on Magic, but I don't feel that way with Khans, especially after spending more time with the cards. The power level isn't on the same level as sets like Scars or RtR, but it fills some holes that Magic has had for a while and gives players of varying skill and format preference some new toys to play with, potentially inspiring new archetypes.
Personally, I call that a win for the game and a win for the players.
Want to be a better Magic player? Read the rulings forum and check out the comprehensive rules!
Pointless bragging about my pulls below:
Well, in ONE box, I opened (not counting various rares I want but aren't particularly valuable, like the ascendencies):
2 [card]Bloodsoaked Champoin[card]
2 Savage Knuckleblade
Butcher of the Horde
Narset, Enlightened Master
Sorin, Solemn Visitor
Foil Surrak Dragonclaw
Polluted Delta
Wooded Foothills
2 Windswept Heath
a FOIL Windswept Heath
and, best of all:
FOIL TREASURE CRUISE
Not even a little. I truly feel bad for those who get boxes that suck; I've had it happen to me and I know how disheartening it can be. That said, it's random: some boxes will be garbage and some will be godly.
Want to be a better Magic player? Read the rulings forum and check out the comprehensive rules!
There are some other gems that I pulled that aren't getting attention, but that I really like:
Retribution of the Ancients
Jeering Instigator
Meandering Towershell (Really, I believe all this needs is a Bant or possibly Sultai control shell (Hehe, shell.) It works great with board wipe, and it also happens to synergize nicely with Temur Ascendancy.)
WUBRGCommander Decklists - PaperWUBRG
CCCCCommander Decklists - TheorycraftCCCC
Sig Credit: Pegasus Bishop
For the millionth time, no.
Playtesting | Karador, Ghost Chieftain | Narset, Enlightened Master | Ephara, God of the Polis
Established | Gahiji, Honored One | Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker | Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo | Rubinia Soulsinger
Retired | Medomai the Ageless | Diaochan, Artful Beauty