As some of these new spoilers from Journey are coming in, I'm noticing that the cards most likely to impact Standard are ones that can absolutely hose control decks (Iroas, Athreos, Launch the Fleet, Eidolon of the Great Revel, etc), and that the direction of Standard is likely to move towards more aggro. The two remaining spoiled Gods (Keranos and Kruphix) both clearly fit best in a control shell of some sort, but both cost 1 or 2 too much to do too much to be of much use against an aggro deck (plus, the aggro-centric Gods are soooo much stronger).
I'm wondering if we have yet to see a card that will give control any support for early game tempo against aggro decks, or if Journey will just create an aggro-dominated format.
I would love that... but Wizards seems to have a hate out for actually good control cards now a days.
I think that's because good control cards have the potential of warping multiple formats. Still, I hope that Wizards finds something to replace Sphinx's Revelation for when it rotates because, dang, that card alone makes control decks soooooo much better.
In Journey, I was hoping for an efficient creature/permanent bouncer. I really like the mechanics of Kiora's Dismissal, but being able to target only enchantments seems like sideboard material only.
There is Anger of the Gods and Drown in Sorrow in the format. I dont really now why you are worried about aggro to be honest. Also Iroas, God of Victory has blank text against control decks.
The Azorius control cards were pushed and they are even playable in non-rotating formats. Of course there wont be many more tools for UW-based control decks. It's one of the best decks in Standard already.
Wait till M15 and the fall set to get something new.
I would love that... but Wizards seems to have a hate out for actually good control cards now a days.
They hate combo too but they made Dictate of Karametra and Whip of Erebos. Control will hopefully get some new cards, and it probably will get something in M15.
There is Anger of the Gods and Drown in Sorrow in the format. I dont really now why you are worried about aggro to be honest. Also Iroas, God of Victory has blank text against control decks.
The Azorius control cards were pushed and they are even playable in non-rotating formats. Of course there wont be many more tools for UW-based control decks. It's one of the best decks in Standard already.
Wait till M15 and the fall set to get something new.
Yeah, there are actually plenty of goodies for a Grixis control deck in the Theros block. Keranos is perfect for such a deck (or a UWR control deck). My primary concern, though is making sure that I can still play Kiora in a competitive Standard deck, so I want to keep playing GU in a control shell (which is by far the best deck type to play Kiora). Athreos in particular freaks me out because aggro decks can get him out by turn 3, making Supreme Verdict into an uncounterable, sorcery-speed Evacuation (i.e. a much worse card). EDIT: Actually, a one-sided Evacuation that requires you to send any creatures that you may have out to the graveyard.
There is Anger of the Gods and Drown in Sorrow in the format. I dont really now why you are worried about aggro to be honest. Also Iroas, God of Victory has blank text against control decks.
The Azorius control cards were pushed and they are even playable in non-rotating formats. Of course there wont be many more tools for UW-based control decks. It's one of the best decks in Standard already.
Wait till M15 and the fall set to get something new.
Yeah, there are actually plenty of goodies for a Grixis control deck in the Theros block. Keranos is perfect for such a deck (or a UWR control deck). My primary concern, though is making sure that I can still play Kiora in a competitive Standard deck, so I want to keep playing GU in a control shell (which is by far the best deck type to play Kiora). Athreos in particular freaks me out because aggro decks can get him out by turn 3, making Supreme Verdict into an uncounterable, sorcery-speed Evacuation (i.e. a much worse card). EDIT: Actually, a one-sided Evacuation that requires you to send any creatures that you may have out to the graveyard.
Athreos is good but I wouldnt worry about him. There are many ways to deal with that guy, they have to have it in their starting hand or draw it basically every time and it doesnt do anything on its own. They will also have only 1-2 creatures out anyway if they want to play him on turn 3.
I'm wondering if we have yet to see a card that will give control any support for early game tempo against aggro decks, or if Journey will just create an aggro-dominated format.
I think that's because good control cards have the potential of warping multiple formats. Still, I hope that Wizards finds something to replace Sphinx's Revelation for when it rotates because, dang, that card alone makes control decks soooooo much better.
In Journey, I was hoping for an efficient creature/permanent bouncer. I really like the mechanics of Kiora's Dismissal, but being able to target only enchantments seems like sideboard material only.
The Azorius control cards were pushed and they are even playable in non-rotating formats. Of course there wont be many more tools for UW-based control decks. It's one of the best decks in Standard already.
Wait till M15 and the fall set to get something new.
They hate combo too but they made Dictate of Karametra and Whip of Erebos. Control will hopefully get some new cards, and it probably will get something in M15.
Storm Crow is strictly worse than Seacoast Drake.
Yeah, there are actually plenty of goodies for a Grixis control deck in the Theros block. Keranos is perfect for such a deck (or a UWR control deck). My primary concern, though is making sure that I can still play Kiora in a competitive Standard deck, so I want to keep playing GU in a control shell (which is by far the best deck type to play Kiora). Athreos in particular freaks me out because aggro decks can get him out by turn 3, making Supreme Verdict into an uncounterable, sorcery-speed Evacuation (i.e. a much worse card). EDIT: Actually, a one-sided Evacuation that requires you to send any creatures that you may have out to the graveyard.
Athreos is good but I wouldnt worry about him. There are many ways to deal with that guy, they have to have it in their starting hand or draw it basically every time and it doesnt do anything on its own. They will also have only 1-2 creatures out anyway if they want to play him on turn 3.