If you've been playing standard; you've probably realized that many of the tribes of Innistrad are so close to being well-rounded decks that complete their strategy. In fact, Wizards put out an article just to show how close these decks are to becoming top-tier. I wanted to make a thread to try and discuss what each tribe seemingly needs to make it a functional deck in standard.
WHumansG
Humans aren't missing much. In fact, some might say they're one of the top powerhouses of standard at the moment, so anything they get from this point on is just icing on the cake. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing more equipment for the good ol' humies holding down the fort. Give me a Slayer's Sword card and maybe an improvised weapon or two, and I'll be happy. I like the "Equipment Matters" theme a lot; even though the current standard is pushing them towards white weenie. With that being said, I'll gladly take some more humans that get benefit from being equipped. I also wouldn't mind seeing a Fencing Ace or Youthful Knight kind of card.
GWerewolvesR
I'm actually not too up to date on my wolves, but considering they're an aggro deck, I think that they could use some more aggressive wolves, and likely a bigger finisher. I think one thing that Werewolves are missing are some solid instants, activated abilities, or cards with flash to gain advantage on your opponent's turns, as well as allow your wolves to transform during your turn. Speaking of such things, Moonmist was a very important card for Werewolves back in the day. I think we could use something like that again.
RVampiresB
Vampires are quick! Unfortunately they're lacking the late-game reach like most super-hasty decks. Aside from a few more hyper-aggressive vampire cards, I think the vampires need some sort of lord or bigger brother that has an immediate impact on the board to seal the deal.
BZombiesU
My personal favorite, and likely the one suffering most from "I need cards". As for Zombies, they really need some cheap, effective zombies to help them remain aggressive early game, and also maybe a late-game beater that's better than, well, Geralf's Masterpiece (Come on Geralf, that's the best you can do?) As for cheap zombies, I'm not even asking for Gravecrawler (Although it would be very kind of them). I'm fine with just some cheap but solid common zombies. Walking Dead is the Perfect common zombie to bring back; it hasn't been printed in an eternity and fits well with the set. If not that, I'd gladly take a new functional reprint of Reassembling Skeleton except remade as a zombie. Carrion Feeder could easily be remade (because I imagine it is also too strong for standard with Wizard's current mindset) into a 2 cmc zombie that can block. Typhoid Rats as a Zombie and not a Rat would be a solid common zombie for them to give us. Black Cat was always a nice budget option; maybe give us something like it except not random and more beefy? All in all, zombies need more effective, low-cost creatures, and maybe a bomb or two.
USpiritsW
To me, Spirits are missing some cards on both the small cmc and large cmc of the spectrum. Original Innistrad block had Drogskol Captain, a favorite of mine, alongside Nibilis of the Urn, Spectral Rider, and Lantern Spirit to make Spirits more of a tempo deck. I would like to see more of these spirits as this deck was a very fun one to play. On the other end of the spectrum we had big Spirits like Drogskol Reaver, Sturmgeist, and Deadeye Navigator. The Navigator is a very well-known and fun card; offering both evasion and a way to get more out of ETB effects. Personally, I would love to see a new Navigator type of card for Spirits; as well as some small, evasive spirits to help them come back as the tempo deck they once were.
These are just my opinions after a study of Standard. What cards do you think the tribes need to be better? What kinds of cards do you think we will get? Discuss!
Humans are the most played deck in standard, but vampires seem to be getting a good deal of support. Werewolves, Eldrazi, and Allies are still in standard too and some of them can be powerhouses (Eldrazi). With all this tribal stuff going around I think a reprint of Cavern of Souls would be a nice card to support these decks, as well as provide a much needed reprint for modern.
I think humans needs a few more jank cards, because they are to powerful. Werewolves a real bomb or too. Their creatures are just average on curve even after being flipped. Vampires need a draw engine. Zombies need at least one more super solid one or two drop. And spirits just need more spirits, and not humans that make spirits as it really bolsters the human decks more (or at least gives them more options.)
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W Humans G
Humans aren't missing much. In fact, some might say they're one of the top powerhouses of standard at the moment, so anything they get from this point on is just icing on the cake. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing more equipment for the good ol' humies holding down the fort. Give me a Slayer's Sword card and maybe an improvised weapon or two, and I'll be happy. I like the "Equipment Matters" theme a lot; even though the current standard is pushing them towards white weenie. With that being said, I'll gladly take some more humans that get benefit from being equipped. I also wouldn't mind seeing a Fencing Ace or Youthful Knight kind of card.
G Werewolves R
I'm actually not too up to date on my wolves, but considering they're an aggro deck, I think that they could use some more aggressive wolves, and likely a bigger finisher. I think one thing that Werewolves are missing are some solid instants, activated abilities, or cards with flash to gain advantage on your opponent's turns, as well as allow your wolves to transform during your turn. Speaking of such things, Moonmist was a very important card for Werewolves back in the day. I think we could use something like that again.
R Vampires B
Vampires are quick! Unfortunately they're lacking the late-game reach like most super-hasty decks. Aside from a few more hyper-aggressive vampire cards, I think the vampires need some sort of lord or bigger brother that has an immediate impact on the board to seal the deal.
B Zombies U
My personal favorite, and likely the one suffering most from "I need cards". As for Zombies, they really need some cheap, effective zombies to help them remain aggressive early game, and also maybe a late-game beater that's better than, well, Geralf's Masterpiece (Come on Geralf, that's the best you can do?) As for cheap zombies, I'm not even asking for Gravecrawler (Although it would be very kind of them). I'm fine with just some cheap but solid common zombies. Walking Dead is the Perfect common zombie to bring back; it hasn't been printed in an eternity and fits well with the set. If not that, I'd gladly take a new functional reprint of Reassembling Skeleton except remade as a zombie. Carrion Feeder could easily be remade (because I imagine it is also too strong for standard with Wizard's current mindset) into a 2 cmc zombie that can block. Typhoid Rats as a Zombie and not a Rat would be a solid common zombie for them to give us. Black Cat was always a nice budget option; maybe give us something like it except not random and more beefy? All in all, zombies need more effective, low-cost creatures, and maybe a bomb or two.
U Spirits W
To me, Spirits are missing some cards on both the small cmc and large cmc of the spectrum. Original Innistrad block had Drogskol Captain, a favorite of mine, alongside Nibilis of the Urn, Spectral Rider, and Lantern Spirit to make Spirits more of a tempo deck. I would like to see more of these spirits as this deck was a very fun one to play. On the other end of the spectrum we had big Spirits like Drogskol Reaver, Sturmgeist, and Deadeye Navigator. The Navigator is a very well-known and fun card; offering both evasion and a way to get more out of ETB effects. Personally, I would love to see a new Navigator type of card for Spirits; as well as some small, evasive spirits to help them come back as the tempo deck they once were.
These are just my opinions after a study of Standard. What cards do you think the tribes need to be better? What kinds of cards do you think we will get? Discuss!
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