I actually think that Khans will be a strange artifact-centred block--seriously, what's with all the "as long as you control an artifact", "enchant artifact", "whenever you activate an ability of an artifact", and "sacrifice an artifact" stuff? These sound really out of place in the RTR-THS Standard context, so I think they're foreshadowing.
I think all the GY stuff are just remnants of Innistrad block-inspired hosing.
I wouldn't mind me some Artifact themed Khans. It's the exact last thing I'd be expecting from this type of set but it's an interesting idea....and I will admit, all these artifact interactions do seem strangely out of place, especially on cards like the ogre guy.
I wouldn't mind me some Artifact themed Khans. It's the exact last thing I'd be expecting from this type of set but it's an interesting idea....and I will admit, all these artifact interactions do seem strangely out of place, especially on cards like the ogre guy.
I don't really buy Tormod's Crypt and Dissipate being pointers to graveyard strategies in Khans. Usually it's the enablers, such as Arbor Elf and Farseek in M13, that point to where a future set is going to go, not the anti-cards. And even then it's not a sure bet. Remember Steel Overseer in M11? So many people took that card to mean that artifact creatures were gonna be back in a big way in Scars of Mirrodin, which was a reasonably logical assumption. As it turned out though, very few of the artifact creatures printed in that whole block saw any real standard play. Instead it was all about the swords and Batterskull.
I don't really buy Tormod's Crypt and Dissipate being pointers to graveyard strategies in Khans. Usually it's the enablers, such as Arbor Elf and Farseek in M13, that point to where a future set is going to go, not the anti-cards. And even then it's not a sure bet. Remember Steel Overseer in M11? So many people took that card to mean that artifact creatures were gonna be back in a big way in Scars of Mirrodin, which was a reasonably logical assumption. As it turned out though, very few of the artifact creatures printed in that whole block saw any real standard play. Instead it was all about the swords and Batterskull.
I thought there might be a small graveyard theme in khans as well, then I realized that dissipate and tormod's crypt are likely just safety valves on the existing gy strategies, and some just in case protection if the Souls cycle turned out to be better than we have been giving it credit for. There are a few other gy cards already in the core set though- new jace could be an enabler if a gy theme presents it self, reprinting wayfinder is an interesting (if redundant) choice, Necromancer's Stockpile can be an enabler for shenanigans, souls as mentioned have gy abilities, Waste Not could actually turn out to be a hoser card, nothing stops lilly from targeting her controller if need be, necromancer's assistant is an enabler if a bit weak as one, rotfeaster maggot can remove a dead soul in limited, stain the mind can be used as targeted gy hate at a high cost with a bonus, tangentially, Kurkesh can let you double up on whip activations, restock might be playable at some point, undergrowth scavenger likes well stocked graveyards, grindclock might be meant to point at your own face, perilous vault doing exile rather than reprinting the modern playable edh staple oblivion stone could also hint at the gy being important soon... None of this in whole or part is a clear indicator of gy matters being a theme in khans, but it certainly adds up to a lot of potential interplay with the yard considering the large number of gy relevant cards already in theros block as well.
I actually think that Khans will be a strange artifact-centred block--seriously, what's with all the "as long as you control an artifact", "enchant artifact", "whenever you activate an ability of an artifact", and "sacrifice an artifact" stuff? These sound really out of place in the RTR-THS Standard context, so I think they're foreshadowing.
I think all the GY stuff are just remnants of Innistrad block-inspired hosing.
I hope they don't do an artifact block any time soon. I don't trust them with it after this whole "enchantment matters" block. Better to wait and let them do it right in the future.
There're usually two things every core set will introduce every year. One, they'll bring in hosers to kill problematic cards in current standard. Two, they'll bring cards that might be a precursor to the next block.
With regards to Dissipate and Tormod's Crypt, I wager is for the former. I believe they think Dredge will be a thing for standard. They've always believe in the wrong things anyway.
There is something you need to remember about M15: Warden of the beyond. While Khans could have a graveyard theme, these cards could be in here just to help enable the Warden.
actually, those 3 cards also imply another zone: the exiled zone. perhaps....
I believe it's safe-holds for dredge. Nemisis of mortals, nighthowler, kruphix's insight, whip of erebos and ashen rider arn't going anywhere and they all enable a junk gy or reanimator deck nicely.
Scooze is gone
as always the gy is one of the most potent areas you can edge out card advantage by having things in your deck that care about it, so it's just natural to have a few safe-holds for these kind of strategies which seem to be heavily supported, loved and based in white and black these days.
Well large armies lead to large amount of death. I wouldn't be surprised to see a graveyard matter subtheme in khan. Dissipate, the tomb and Jace really feel weird.
As for Khans being a GY-centric block... I can see it. Communion with dead dragons and all that jazz.
I think all the GY stuff are just remnants of Innistrad block-inspired hosing.
Well Kurkesh, Onakke Ancient is connected to The Chain Veil so he is justified.
GGG [Primer] Omnath, Big Green Beatstick Machine GGG
Tempered Steel was a deck.
I hope they don't do an artifact block any time soon. I don't trust them with it after this whole "enchantment matters" block. Better to wait and let them do it right in the future.
With regards to Dissipate and Tormod's Crypt, I wager is for the former. I believe they think Dredge will be a thing for standard. They've always believe in the wrong things anyway.
UR Melek, Izzet ParagonUR, B Shirei, Shizo's CaretakerB, R Jaya Ballard, Task MageR,RW Tajic, Blade of the LegionRW, UB Lazav, Dimir MastermindUB, UB Circu, Dimir LobotomistUB, RWU Zedruu the GreatheartedRWU, GUBThe MimeoplasmGUB, UGExperiment Kraj UG, WDarien, King of KjeldorW, BMarrow-GnawerB, WBGKarador, Ghost ChieftainWBG, UTeferi, Temporal ArchmageU, GWUDerevi, Empyrial TacticianGWU, RDaretti, Scrap SavantR, UTalrand, Sky SummonerU, GEzuri, Renegade LeaderG, WUBRGReaper KingWUBRG, RGXenagos, God of RevelsRG, CKozilek, Butcher of TruthC, WUBRGGeneral TazriWUBRG, GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
actually, those 3 cards also imply another zone: the exiled zone. perhaps....
........................
Scooze is gone
as always the gy is one of the most potent areas you can edge out card advantage by having things in your deck that care about it, so it's just natural to have a few safe-holds for these kind of strategies which seem to be heavily supported, loved and based in white and black these days.