I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you've got the text of Marchesa wrong. The correct text from the spoiler actually reads:
Deathtouch, haste
When Queen Marchesa enters the battlefield, you become the monarch.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if an opponent is the monarch, put a 1/1 black assassin creature token with deathtouch and haste onto the battlefield.
From my understanding, I don't think her second ability will work in EDH unless your oppoonent somehow becomes the monarch.
Some fairly nice reprints in this set that I wasn't expecting, especially Desertion of all cards. Then again, I feel like conspiracy 1.0 did a better job at getting reprints into circulation than most of the masters sets have, so it's not unsurprising. The urge to rare draft is strong in this set. As for the new cards:
Ballot Broker: An additional Brago's Representative for the votes matter/advisor tribal decks. I'd probably play the broker over the representative, as an extra point of power goes a long when when looking to trade creatures or poke a planeswalker. It's also worth noting that you don't have to use the additional vote with the Broker, which is useful if other people in your playgroup start tinkering with the council's dilemma cards.
Protector of the Throne: We've had this effect several times over by now, and on creatures with better stats, but playing with the monarchy means it's also a delayed cantrip of sorts, which is a nice bonus to have on a card whose purpose is jump into the line of fire for you.
Custodi Lich: I have to wonder now if you can become the monarch again while being the monarch, as it would make for a reasonable recursion target if true. Played fairly, he's a 4/2, a sacrifice effect, and a cantrip, all of which together seem worth the initial investment, though trying to keep him alive while also passing around the monarchy seems less worthwhile for him than it does Marchesa or her knights.
Throne Warden: Has the potential to build up fairly largely if you can reliably grab the monarchy when you need it, though without any combat abilities of his own, and only triggering on your own end step, it seems like he'd take far too long to build for what he promises. At least in limited he's a bear with upside, which is always solid.
Wings of the Guard: The common melee cards aren't really designed for Commander, which is perfectly fair, as this is already above the curve for limited formats even if it wasn't a multiplayer focused set. Still, it will be nice to see some of the more potent melee cards down the line, as any creature that can give itself +3/+3 almost at a whim probably warrants more than a casual glance at the least.
Adriana, Captain of the Guard: I mean, speaking of which, yay for a Melee Commander. Commander damage looks to be the rule of the day with her, as she hits the magic number of 7 in any four player game, and making it so all the creatures you needed to use to trigger melee also get the bonus is a good way to avoid them just becoming easy blocks for your opponents. Assemble the Legion and Odric feels like they've made a new friend. Also, melee stacks with melee, so turning a 1/1 bird into a 7/7 bird is a thing that can happen...
Recruiter of the Guard: Okay, so I didn't ask for a Karmic Guide tutor that can be recurred by Reveillark or Sun Titan but I'll take it. I mean, how many of us were expecting to get a colorshifted Imperial Recruiter this set, let alone in any set? I don't know where this guy will end up going (though at the least in Saffi for my above-mentioned shenanigans), but it seems hard to believe that he'll be hard pressed to find a home in any deck that plays W.
The new white tutor is completely bonkers. I cant wait to get my hands on that. Sadly I will want to get like..... 3+ of them and I suspect that it might be idealistic to think it will only be a $30.00 card. It all depends on what else shakes out in this set I guess.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
IIRC, normal rares from the first Conspiracy really dropped fairly quickly in price, especially non-foils. Even the 'chase' rares like Exploration, Stifle, and Misdirection really tanked.
Also, Recruiter of the Guard is bonkers. And I'm really digging Custodi Witch for OG Marchesa. Even if I can't proc the Sac trigger multiple times a turn, I'm sure I can get tons of value out of it.
I probably won't be using any monarch-related cards spoiled so far, but other people playing them will add a fun dynamic to our EDH games. And yes, Recruiter of the Guard is definitely insane.
To be honest, I am particularly excited for what this set means for Cube. The guys over on that forum are going nuts over Arcane Savant (and for good reason).
Recruiter of the Guard is one of the last things I was expecting to see in this set. Almost a colorshifted Imperial Recruiter. I'll be happy to run this all over the place.
White has been getting some tutoring love recently between this and Thalia's Lancers.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
[Pr]Jaya | Estrid | A rotating cast of decks built out of my box.
The new Recruiter of the Guard is bonkers. Sucks for the Animar decks, but now the rest of us that don't have many red decks have a functional sort-of-a reprint.
So, what's the tradeoff? I guess it can't find something like Gray Merchant of Asphodel, but, as Hunding Gjornersen mentioned above, it finds a variety of 3/2 creatures instead. Are we gaining more than we are losing with this pseudo-reprint?
I mean, with Prophet of Kruphix banned, this may actually be better than Imperial Recruiter for most decks. This just became a white staple, imo.
Great things ahead for the format with these reprints/pseudo-reprints. WotC does care!
Since everyone has already commented on recruiter, I'll just say how happy I am seeing how many cards so far have "You Become The Monarch". It will make it more likely to see it in EDH, and it is a great set of rule text that is both flavor and function.
Monarchy is a really interesting mechanic because it encourages a sort of round-robin aggression. I could see some aggro decks play cards that make them the monarch to encourage fighting among the other players. And if you don't attack the aggo player gets to enjoy that extra card. I'm also very curious if there will be a card that makes you the monarch and is also efficiently costed enough for Legacy.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
EDH playing competitive Magic cast away
Current Decks GTitania midrange RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
The only deck I run Muse in is mono-green Omnath with other flash enablers, so it would never find it for me anyway.
I'm sure there are plenty of 3/2, 4/2, 3/1, etc. that this can find that Recruiter cannot. White is also a better EDH color as it provides better support than red, via removal and now it has another tutor added to its mix. Hell, it even finds Zurgo Helmsmasher so that's something, right?
But when going for the color pie, white has more uses for it, and also the card type of Recruiter of the Guard is better, as it has Soldier that can be used for tribal stuff. So I think they pretty much match up, I just wished Imperial Recruiter was also reprinted, as it is such a great card, but so salty on the price because of the low printage :/.
After reviewing Marchesa, she may not be as powerful as her old version but I think with the right cards, you will have a long reign as a monarch. Solitary Confinement, slapping a "Holy Day" effect on Isochron Scepter. Although this isn't really something that only Marchesa can do since there are other "you are the monarch" cards out, but at least having one in the command zone is nice. Alhammarret's Archive works well with monarch too.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To the people that say that a card needs to be a higher rarity because of Limited... I hate you guys so much. I present to you with this.
There can only be one Monarch, but no one starts the game as the Monarch. The Monarch draws a card at the end of each of their turns. A player remains the Monarch until a card makes another player the Monarch or the Monarch takes combat damage to the Monarch. When a creature deals combat damage to the Monarch, that creature's controller becomes the New Monarch.
Edit to avoid Double Posting:
Contention of the Throne 7UU
Sorcery
Council's dilemma - Starting with you, each player votes Time or Money. For each player that voted Time, take an extra turn.
For each player that voted Money, gain control of a permanent that player owns. Exile Contention of the Throne.
One Turn or Mind Control per Player? I'd love to keep a struggling player alive long enough to get the extra vote for this. (Needless to say, that struggling player will die right after I play this unless they give me something good. >:D)
From my understanding, I don't think her second ability will work in EDH unless your oppoonent somehow becomes the monarch.
Current Decks
GTitania midrange
RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal
GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron
U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher
RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
Goes to show how much I know about conspiracy. My bad. Carry on!
Ballot Broker: An additional Brago's Representative for the votes matter/advisor tribal decks. I'd probably play the broker over the representative, as an extra point of power goes a long when when looking to trade creatures or poke a planeswalker. It's also worth noting that you don't have to use the additional vote with the Broker, which is useful if other people in your playgroup start tinkering with the council's dilemma cards.
Protector of the Throne: We've had this effect several times over by now, and on creatures with better stats, but playing with the monarchy means it's also a delayed cantrip of sorts, which is a nice bonus to have on a card whose purpose is jump into the line of fire for you.
Custodi Lich: I have to wonder now if you can become the monarch again while being the monarch, as it would make for a reasonable recursion target if true. Played fairly, he's a 4/2, a sacrifice effect, and a cantrip, all of which together seem worth the initial investment, though trying to keep him alive while also passing around the monarchy seems less worthwhile for him than it does Marchesa or her knights.
Throne Warden: Has the potential to build up fairly largely if you can reliably grab the monarchy when you need it, though without any combat abilities of his own, and only triggering on your own end step, it seems like he'd take far too long to build for what he promises. At least in limited he's a bear with upside, which is always solid.
Wings of the Guard: The common melee cards aren't really designed for Commander, which is perfectly fair, as this is already above the curve for limited formats even if it wasn't a multiplayer focused set. Still, it will be nice to see some of the more potent melee cards down the line, as any creature that can give itself +3/+3 almost at a whim probably warrants more than a casual glance at the least.
Adriana, Captain of the Guard: I mean, speaking of which, yay for a Melee Commander. Commander damage looks to be the rule of the day with her, as she hits the magic number of 7 in any four player game, and making it so all the creatures you needed to use to trigger melee also get the bonus is a good way to avoid them just becoming easy blocks for your opponents. Assemble the Legion and Odric feels like they've made a new friend. Also, melee stacks with melee, so turning a 1/1 bird into a 7/7 bird is a thing that can happen...
Recruiter of the Guard: Okay, so I didn't ask for a Karmic Guide tutor that can be recurred by Reveillark or Sun Titan but I'll take it. I mean, how many of us were expecting to get a colorshifted Imperial Recruiter this set, let alone in any set? I don't know where this guy will end up going (though at the least in Saffi for my above-mentioned shenanigans), but it seems hard to believe that he'll be hard pressed to find a home in any deck that plays W.
RRR - Bosh's School of Hard(cover) Knocks
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
Also, Recruiter of the Guard is bonkers. And I'm really digging Custodi Witch for OG Marchesa. Even if I can't proc the Sac trigger multiple times a turn, I'm sure I can get tons of value out of it.
To be honest, I am particularly excited for what this set means for Cube. The guys over on that forum are going nuts over Arcane Savant (and for good reason).
Draft my Mono-Blue Cube!
lichess.org | chess.com
White has been getting some tutoring love recently between this and Thalia's Lancers.
Since I can't get my Imperial Recruiter I will have the alternative one, just as good in similar fashion
Shu Yun, the Silent Tempest WUR Voltron Control
Temmet, Vizier of Naktamun WU Unblockable Mirror Trickery
Ra's al Ghul (Sidar Kondo) and Face-Down Ninjas
Brudiclad, Token Engineer
Vaevictis (VV2) the Dire Lantern
Rona, Disciple of Gix
Tiana the Auror
Hallar
Ulrich the Politician
Zur the Rebel
Scorpion, Locust, Scarab, Egyptian Gods
O-Kagachi, Mathas, Mairsil
"Non-Tribal" Tribal Generals, Eggs
So, what's the tradeoff? I guess it can't find something like Gray Merchant of Asphodel, but, as Hunding Gjornersen mentioned above, it finds a variety of 3/2 creatures instead. Are we gaining more than we are losing with this pseudo-reprint?
I mean, with Prophet of Kruphix banned, this may actually be better than Imperial Recruiter for most decks. This just became a white staple, imo.
Great things ahead for the format with these reprints/pseudo-reprints. WotC does care!
EDH:
G[cEDH] Selvala, Heart of the StormG
URW[cEDH] Narset, the Last AirmericanURW
GWUSt. Jenara, the ArchangelGWU
UBGrimgrin, Chaos MarineUB
GOmnath, Mana BaronG
URWNarset, Justice League AmericaURW
GWUBAtraxa, Countess of CountersGWUB
GWUEstrid, Enbantress PrimeGWU
Beating Face with Bane
Beatrice, the Golden Witch
Current Decks
GTitania midrange
RGThromok tokens/goodstuff | UB Grimgrin zombie tribal
GW Sigarda enchantress | R Godo voltron
U Braids aggro | WR Kalemne punisher
RU Mizzix storm | BUG Mimeoplasm competitive reanimator | UG Ezuri infect
Imperial Recruiter finds Seedborn Muse while Recruiter of the Guard does not.
I'm sure there are plenty of 3/2, 4/2, 3/1, etc. that this can find that Recruiter cannot. White is also a better EDH color as it provides better support than red, via removal and now it has another tutor added to its mix. Hell, it even finds Zurgo Helmsmasher so that's something, right?
EDH:
G[cEDH] Selvala, Heart of the StormG
URW[cEDH] Narset, the Last AirmericanURW
GWUSt. Jenara, the ArchangelGWU
UBGrimgrin, Chaos MarineUB
GOmnath, Mana BaronG
URWNarset, Justice League AmericaURW
GWUBAtraxa, Countess of CountersGWUB
GWUEstrid, Enbantress PrimeGWU
But when going for the color pie, white has more uses for it, and also the card type of Recruiter of the Guard is better, as it has Soldier that can be used for tribal stuff. So I think they pretty much match up, I just wished Imperial Recruiter was also reprinted, as it is such a great card, but so salty on the price because of the low printage :/.
amazingly epic sig courtesy of DarkNightCavalier at Heroes of the Planes.
Two legends with white and red and a BW PW? I think the rest of the spectrum needs some love!
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY8h2vp5Xis
UB Vela the Night-Clad BUDecklist
WBG Ghave, Guru of Spores GBW
WUBRGThe Ur-DragonWUBRGDecklist
There can only be one Monarch, but no one starts the game as the Monarch. The Monarch draws a card at the end of each of their turns. A player remains the Monarch until a card makes another player the Monarch or the Monarch takes combat damage to the Monarch. When a creature deals combat damage to the Monarch, that creature's controller becomes the New Monarch.
Edit to avoid Double Posting:
Contention of the Throne 7UU
Sorcery
Council's dilemma - Starting with you, each player votes Time or Money. For each player that voted Time, take an extra turn.
For each player that voted Money, gain control of a permanent that player owns. Exile Contention of the Throne.
One Turn or Mind Control per Player? I'd love to keep a struggling player alive long enough to get the extra vote for this. (Needless to say, that struggling player will die right after I play this unless they give me something good. >:D)
The
Necromancer (or Noob)
Cat.
Don't ask, I don't know why ether...