I think it seems pretty decent. Obviously, Affinity prefers things that are cheaper, but a 5/5 might be just what it needs to compete with Gurmag Angler and Fangren Marauder et al. Is 4 mana too much to pay for a 5/5 in Pauper?
Rusted Relic seems too much for Affinity to pay, but if Flame Slash and Gurmag Angler start becoming a problem for the deck, I can see it slotting 1-2 as a mid-to-late game card. It could already play the aggro-midrange game with Carapace Forger and Ardent Recruit, so I'd say that it's becoming more Zoo-like by the moment (play efficient, undercosted creatures to exert pressure since turn 1).
However, I think that an artifact-control based deck could be possible with Relic as a solid beef-guy. Something like the Caw Blade deck but more artifact-heavy with playsets of all artifact lands. Perhaps a Dimir Trinkets with more artifacts to turn it on?
Also what's in everybody's downgrade wishlist? I'm hoping for Remand, although between it's price tag and the fact that one of the archetypes will likely be Eldrazi ramp I find it rather unlikely...
Just recently, I saw Silumgar Sorcerer and really wished that card was common. That would have made a really good common.
I actually really wish they would print more good creatures with Flash. It's a good ability that they haven't explored enough, in my opinion.
But yeah, it happens all the time that I see an uncommon and think that it would have been more valuable as a common. I'll keep my eyes peeled and start making a wish list!
I would like more flash creatures as well! Unfortunately, I don't feel there are a lot of Uncommon options that can be seen as a Common since they all have strong effects.
Gluttonous Slime would be a powerful addition to the available creatures, and a plausible one since GB's theme this time around is Aristocrats (tokens and sac for profit) and I don't think it's too busted for a Common, specially in a format like MM.
Also I wouldn't mind a downgrade to Pongify. I know, blue hate and Blue shouldn't have creature removal at common rarity in order to not be essentially the catch-all color, but a 3/3 in Pauper is nothing to sneeze at, especially when Mono U decks can only remove it with bounce. And it's downgrade is severe enough that it wouldn't wreck Limited, but I doubt something like this gets the common treatment in your average set, so I'm crossing my fingers on this one.
In the same vein of Gluttonous Slime, Marrow Chomper would be an exciting downgrade if they're making Gold commons that help push the archetype of each color pair, although at 5 I doubt it will be making any waves.
Timberwatch Elf can pump another elf to survive plus having a 2 butt himself, also Lys Alana Huntmaster doesn't die to Electrickery. I don't know, but the card seems very potent, and while Elves themselves might not use it, maybe another green deck like Stompy can?
EDIT: Seems like Thief of Hope also got a downgrade. Seems like a good bleeding and recursion engine similar to Blood Artist if we get enough Spirit support at common to build a deck around it, especially a good Soulshift 3 guy. Also brings back Nameless Inversion!
I'm more excited right now about Thief of Hope since it's one hell of an engine card, and there are never too many engine cards in Pauper, especially if they can spawn an entire archetype. If Tallowisp, which I think would be in, gets a downgrade in rarity (not too crazy considering it has a precedent in Heliod's Pilgrim and the fact that there might not be that much auras to fetch), we're in for a big deck.
Thief of hope seems like a notable downgrade. It might open up some new strategies, although I doubt Spirits will be a thing. Maybe there's some value out of Arcane, though.
We also got Scion of the Wild that just tumbled all the way down from rare! Pretty exciting! It definitely felt lackluster as a rare, but could prove to be a pretty beefy common.
I'm also crossing my fingers really hard for Tallowisp to be downgraded. I've been testing this afternoon a mostly janky draft of a deck with 4 Thief of Hope, 4 Tallowisp and 4 Guardian of the Guildpact alongside an Aura toolbox and lifegain land and it has been the nuts. We crush MBC under hard CA with both Soulshift and the tutoring from Tallow, and Delver countering us does nothing since the two spirits abilities trigger upon casting and not upon resolving. If Wisp gets downgraded (which is my #1 in the wishlist now), this will be the real deal.
Ooh, a card I've often wished was legal in Pauper is Pyroclasm. We could really use such an efficient mass burn spell. I imagine it will never become common because it would completely destroy a limited environment. I can always dream.
Also, I think they should fix the discrepancy between online and Paper magic. They should downgrade Tangle, Chainer's Edict and company in a paper set sometime (though these cards are not Modern legal).
I finished updating the first post with all the downgrades. I don't think I missed any. Red got quite a few, and there are also many downgraded artifacts. I'm pretty happy with the lot! Especially Telling Time, though. I think it will do amazingly well in Pauper. Blue, man...
Black and Green got kinda screwed on the downgrades, in my opinion. Red and Blue probably made out the best with Gut Shot, Viashino Slaughtermaster (double strike has never come so cheap on a creature, crappy second ability aside), Telling Time and Thrummingbird (could something be done with this last one?). I can definitely see Conclave Phalanx being used in token decks, both in the main and side. Skyhunter Skirmisher is powerful, but probably not playable.
The artifacts seem okay, but nothing spectacular. Sphere of the Suns seems like the most powerful, and I'm sure Cathodion has some potential somewhere.
What a terrible, terrible set It's way worse than MM1 in terms of value and draft archetypes, and the only relevant/interesting downgrades seem to be Gut Shot, Thief of Hope, Scion of the Wild and Telling Time
It's not that bad. I think the spirit theme is weak, but everything else seems great! I definitely want to pick up a draft of this!
When you can name four relevant downgrades, I think we have an impactful set. I think many of these cards will definitely be used. Phalanx, Gut Shot and especially Telling Time will all see play in known archetypes. Many others might bolster fringe archetypes and encourage brewing. This is a success to me!
Sometimes I wish Mental Misstep wasn't banned across the table, because it could have been downgraded in a set like this and give us a pretty interesting tool, since not so many 1 drops are seen in Pauper (Burn spells, Delver of Secrets, Disfigure, Trinkets, and some Elves and Goblins).
Mental Misstep would likely destroy the Pauper format even more than any other out there. I'm very happy it's both banned and uncommon (even if I bought my playset at a high price when they came out).
Seriously, though, Gut Shot is going to be pretty darn good against Delver and Faeries. I wonder if many will maindeck it. This is going to be an interesting couple of months.
I was thinking a little harder about Telling Time. My initial impression is that it's a really good card to have at common. Then I thought: "if we don't use Impulse, what makes Telling Time better?"
Is being putting a card back on top of your library worth seeing one less card? They seem pretty even in terms of power, in my opinion.
The problem comes if you see jank and have to put it on top of your deck again, though. But generally, whenever a new 2 CMC blue cantrip comes out, the best comparison is Impulse (which is not played often due to the very fact that 1 more mana is a world of difference when it comes to cantrips). If it can't do something better, it's usually not worth it.
Also, Gut Shot is the nuts. Phyrexian mana cards are always welcome as all colors can access them and they are good role players most of the time (Gitaxian Probe is a free cantrip that feeds graveyard and gives you info, Vault Skirge and Porcelain Legionnaire are solid beaters and pretty good equipment carriers, Mutagenic Growth is surprise pump...). Been testing it in UG Madness and it significantly boosts a lot of the matchups where all I needed to do in order to win was to ping a pesky X/1.
I am confused as why you think Misstep would destroy Pauper. Are there so many important 1 drops besides Delver, Cantrips and some trinkets that make Misstep worth a 4 of in all decks to counter said 1-drops and other Missteps? Pauper lacks a lot of the strong 1-drops that made it a monster in Legacy.
I'm getting less and less pumped about Telling Time... oh well! It's still a strong card, and situationally better than Impulse.
Red was missing it's good phyrexian spell at common, and I'm excited they finally downgraded it. Free spells are just so powerful, especially when they can be used by any colour.
Mental Misstep would be widely used, both to fight 1-drops and to fight other Missteps. The fact that any colour can use it (for zero mana) makes it way beyond the power level of what should be seen at common. There are tons of tempo plays that are possible by countering 1-drops; every deck runs them (in large numbers), so this card is almost never dead.
Scion of the Wild
Conclave Phalanx
Skyhunter Skirmisher
Telling Time
Thrummingbird
Vigean Graftmage
Ghostly Changeling
Plagued Rusalka
Thief of Hope
Dragonsoul Knight
Gut Shot
Inner-Flame Igniter
Viashino Slaughtermaster
Alloy Myr
Cathodion
Runed Servitor
Rusted Relic
Sickleslicer
Sphere of the Suns
Looks like we have our first downgraded common from the newest Modern Masters edition: Rusted Relic.
I think it seems pretty decent. Obviously, Affinity prefers things that are cheaper, but a 5/5 might be just what it needs to compete with Gurmag Angler and Fangren Marauder et al. Is 4 mana too much to pay for a 5/5 in Pauper?
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
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UB Ramses OverdarkUB
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Rusted Relic seems too much for Affinity to pay, but if Flame Slash and Gurmag Angler start becoming a problem for the deck, I can see it slotting 1-2 as a mid-to-late game card. It could already play the aggro-midrange game with Carapace Forger and Ardent Recruit, so I'd say that it's becoming more Zoo-like by the moment (play efficient, undercosted creatures to exert pressure since turn 1).
However, I think that an artifact-control based deck could be possible with Relic as a solid beef-guy. Something like the Caw Blade deck but more artifact-heavy with playsets of all artifact lands. Perhaps a Dimir Trinkets with more artifacts to turn it on?
Also what's in everybody's downgrade wishlist? I'm hoping for Remand, although between it's price tag and the fact that one of the archetypes will likely be Eldrazi ramp I find it rather unlikely...
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
I actually really wish they would print more good creatures with Flash. It's a good ability that they haven't explored enough, in my opinion.
But yeah, it happens all the time that I see an uncommon and think that it would have been more valuable as a common. I'll keep my eyes peeled and start making a wish list!
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BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
In the same vein of Gluttonous Slime, Marrow Chomper would be an exciting downgrade if they're making Gold commons that help push the archetype of each color pair, although at 5 I doubt it will be making any waves.
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
EDIT: Seems like Thief of Hope also got a downgrade. Seems like a good bleeding and recursion engine similar to Blood Artist if we get enough Spirit support at common to build a deck around it, especially a good Soulshift 3 guy. Also brings back Nameless Inversion!
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
I'm more excited right now about Thief of Hope since it's one hell of an engine card, and there are never too many engine cards in Pauper, especially if they can spawn an entire archetype. If Tallowisp, which I think would be in, gets a downgrade in rarity (not too crazy considering it has a precedent in Heliod's Pilgrim and the fact that there might not be that much auras to fetch), we're in for a big deck.
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
We also got Scion of the Wild that just tumbled all the way down from rare! Pretty exciting! It definitely felt lackluster as a rare, but could prove to be a pretty beefy common.
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16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
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Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
Also, I think they should fix the discrepancy between online and Paper magic. They should downgrade Tangle, Chainer's Edict and company in a paper set sometime (though these cards are not Modern legal).
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
EDIT: OMG! Gut Shot it common!
I finished updating the first post with all the downgrades. I don't think I missed any. Red got quite a few, and there are also many downgraded artifacts. I'm pretty happy with the lot! Especially Telling Time, though. I think it will do amazingly well in Pauper. Blue, man...
Black and Green got kinda screwed on the downgrades, in my opinion. Red and Blue probably made out the best with Gut Shot, Viashino Slaughtermaster (double strike has never come so cheap on a creature, crappy second ability aside), Telling Time and Thrummingbird (could something be done with this last one?). I can definitely see Conclave Phalanx being used in token decks, both in the main and side. Skyhunter Skirmisher is powerful, but probably not playable.
The artifacts seem okay, but nothing spectacular. Sphere of the Suns seems like the most powerful, and I'm sure Cathodion has some potential somewhere.
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16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
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What a terrible, terrible set It's way worse than MM1 in terms of value and draft archetypes, and the only relevant/interesting downgrades seem to be Gut Shot, Thief of Hope, Scion of the Wild and Telling Time
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
It's not that bad. I think the spirit theme is weak, but everything else seems great! I definitely want to pick up a draft of this!
When you can name four relevant downgrades, I think we have an impactful set. I think many of these cards will definitely be used. Phalanx, Gut Shot and especially Telling Time will all see play in known archetypes. Many others might bolster fringe archetypes and encourage brewing. This is a success to me!
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
Well, at least I hope that Daze + Gut Shot is enough to make a RUG Delver-ish Tempo deck... (splashing G for Hooting Mandrills)
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
In any case, it will at least be an excellent tool for Eye-Candy decks, particularly with Temur Battle Rage becoming popular.
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16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
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Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
Seriously, though, Gut Shot is going to be pretty darn good against Delver and Faeries. I wonder if many will maindeck it. This is going to be an interesting couple of months.
I was thinking a little harder about Telling Time. My initial impression is that it's a really good card to have at common. Then I thought: "if we don't use Impulse, what makes Telling Time better?"
Is being putting a card back on top of your library worth seeing one less card? They seem pretty even in terms of power, in my opinion.
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio
Also, Gut Shot is the nuts. Phyrexian mana cards are always welcome as all colors can access them and they are good role players most of the time (Gitaxian Probe is a free cantrip that feeds graveyard and gives you info, Vault Skirge and Porcelain Legionnaire are solid beaters and pretty good equipment carriers, Mutagenic Growth is surprise pump...). Been testing it in UG Madness and it significantly boosts a lot of the matchups where all I needed to do in order to win was to ping a pesky X/1.
I am confused as why you think Misstep would destroy Pauper. Are there so many important 1 drops besides Delver, Cantrips and some trinkets that make Misstep worth a 4 of in all decks to counter said 1-drops and other Missteps? Pauper lacks a lot of the strong 1-drops that made it a monster in Legacy.
Thanks to DNC from Heroes of the Plane Studios for the sig
Check my Pauper Cube!
Red was missing it's good phyrexian spell at common, and I'm excited they finally downgraded it. Free spells are just so powerful, especially when they can be used by any colour.
Mental Misstep would be widely used, both to fight 1-drops and to fight other Missteps. The fact that any colour can use it (for zero mana) makes it way beyond the power level of what should be seen at common. There are tons of tempo plays that are possible by countering 1-drops; every deck runs them (in large numbers), so this card is almost never dead.
UGTurboFogGU
BRSacrificial AggroBR
16The Paper Pauper Battle Bag16
EDH
BRRakdos, Lord of PingersBR
GTitania, Protector of ArgothG
UB Ramses OverdarkUB
Sig by Ace5301 of Ace of Spades Studio