Now that we've had some time looking at the RNA spoilers, what are your wishlists for the set for which decks? For me, it comes down to this:
Arcades, the Strategist:
- Resolute Watchdog
A powerful 1 drop that can protect Arcades when called upon? I'll take it and then some.
- Guardian Project
The deck combos out with Glimpse effects, and this being a permanent one...it might fall off in the end but it's still good.
- Saruli Caretaker
While not exactly a mana dork it's still a 1 mana 3/3 that can bump me up a mana in a pinch.
- High Alert
Funny enough, Assault Formation isn't in the deck anymore, but this card has a high chance of going infinite with Axebane Guardian.
Prime Speaker Zegana:
- Sphinx of Foresight
Even if this thing does end up falling out of favor, it'll always be neat to have around for various U-based builds.
- Frilled Mystic
A more powerful Mystic Snake? Yes please. Creature-based counterspells are this deck's bread and butter.
- Growth Spiral
More explores more better.
- Simic Ascendancy
Zegana's wet dream. This card is gonna harvest some salt simply by being on the field given how fast the deck can harvest +1/+1 counters.
- Prime Speaker Vannifar
Birthing Bod is a good Simic card but you should never build the deck if you're not going competitive. Putting it in the 99 though...hell yes.
- Incubation//Incogruity
Versatile in that it can be powerful removal or a quick draw spell, both modes will see use.
- Repudiate//Replicate
Versatility is again key. On their own I wouldn't have played these options, but with them combined, it's actually good.
Zacama, Primal Calamity:
- Nikya of the Old Ways
Yet another mana doubler. By the time I'm ready to win, Zacama doesn't need to play noncreature spells anymore anyway.
- Rhytm of the Wilds
Making everything uncounterable is really powerful, everything else is just a cherry on top.
Child of Alara:
- Dead Revels
Common recursion that can cost 2 mana for 2 creatures...I'm not sure if it'll stick but for those 2 pennies...
Edgar Markov:
- Vindictive Vampire
Falkenrath Noble just got cut out, but this is so, so much better in this deck...
- Pitiless Pontiff
A decent 2 drop that can live through board wipes. More of a filler card more than anything.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance:
- Electrodominance
A way to cast Wheel of Fate immediately while sniping something away, I'm game for it.
- Light up the Stage
Act on Impulse effects generally aren't great, but a near guaranteed 1 mana variety is very intriguing.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Edgar Markov
- Vindictive Vampire - Somehow I missed this in the spoilers. Bleeder effects are nice, so it might be worth looking into.
- Pitiless Pontiff - It's cheap. That's really all it has going for it, but that might be enough.
Light Up the Stage - I've had a lot of success with Commune with Lava and this is the second card that has a "long" impulse draw, so I'm optimistic.
Electrodominance - Probably. Sticking something like Gauntlet of Might EOT seems like a great play and it's another decent x-cost burn spell.
Estrid:
Nada. I'm not seeing anything here for grindy enchantress lists, which is not a big surprise.
EDIT - After thinking on it for a little, Wilderness Reclamation could be good here. Estrid already wants mana sinks, so it's not a major deckbuilding cost to make it good.
Miscellaneous:
Teysa Karlov - I'm a sucker for the kinds of decks that she goes into, so I'll play her a lot.
Rhythm of the Wild - I really like having a haste source that isn't dead when you draw a second one. The decks that want those usually want enough to guarantee finding one early.
Smothering Tithe - Good value card. Potentially suffers from the same problems as Rhystic Study. I can see people being much more likely to let you have a treasure than a card though.
Bedevil - Good spot removal spell. Casting cost is a little rough if you need to cast it early, but manageable.
Shimmer of Possibility - My blue decks are generally loaded with cantrips, and this is on the border for making the cut. While it's not bouncing any of the usual suspects, I've tried to make turbo xerox decks in the past and I will certainly try again. Any passable selection cantrip in the 1-2 CMC range makes that more possible.
Sunder Shaman - Trygon Predator is decent and this is in better colors for haste. Needs some evasion, which also isn't too tough in these colors.
Various other stuff. I usually pick up everything that I might play someday, so this is more of a greatest hits/I have some idea of the decks I would stick these in already. A couple of the Orzhov cards I'll grab if for no other reason than the art. Pitiless Pontiff and Seraph of the Scales are both great looking cards that can probably make the cut somewhere. Seraph in particular I think is a solid card, if a little unexciting.
Cards that I’m interested in, but not sold for any one particular deck:
Verity Circle – Could go into Vorel to combo with Opposition, or Derevi, or perhaps Niv-Mizzet, but I just don’t see it being better than the other options I run. Font of Agonies – I’m not 100% sure where the tipping point on this is going to be. My guess is that I would need at least 14 repeatable life payment effects plus 7-10 one-shot life payment effects to trigger this enough to get 2 activations on it. I just don’t know if I have a deck that can support it, or that wants/needs it. Immolation Shaman – Reminded me of Harsh Mentor, but I don’t think Shaman makes the cut. Biogenic Ooze – This is one of a long list of cards that begs to be combo’d with Doubling Season, but none of my Doubling Season decks really need another 5-drop that needs to sit in play for several turns to really have an impact. Wilderness Reclamation – I don’t have a deck that really takes advantage of this kind of effect. Biomancer's Familiar – I just don’t have a deck that wants or needs a Training Grounds. Lavinia, Azorius Renegade – Would have gone into my GAAIV deck, but I have no place for this right now. Nikya of the Old Ways – All the decks that I have that run RG all run way too many non-creature spells to make this worthwhile. Teysa Karlov – I really like this card, but I don’t have a deck in the right colors with enough death trigger cards to make use of it. Varina Zombies is the closest with 6 cards with death triggers. Perhaps this gives me an idea for a WRB deck that just focuses on creating death triggers for things like Stalking Vengeance, Vicious Shadows, etc.
Teysa Karlov – I really like this card, but I don’t have a deck in the right colors with enough death trigger cards to make use of it. Varina Zombies is the closest with 6 cards with death triggers. Perhaps this gives me an idea for a WRB deck that just focuses on creating death triggers for things like Stalking Vengeance, Vicious Shadows, etc.
Just wanted to add a comment for reconsidering Teysa for Varina. The double death triggers is only half the benefit here. Not only does she double Grave Pact/Dictate of Erebos triggers if you've built for that, but she also gives your zombie tokens lifelink AND vigilance. At 4 cmc her double token buff alone is strong, the double death triggers is a situational extra bonus IMO.
Teysa Karlov – I really like this card, but I don’t have a deck in the right colors with enough death trigger cards to make use of it. Varina Zombies is the closest with 6 cards with death triggers. Perhaps this gives me an idea for a WRB deck that just focuses on creating death triggers for things like Stalking Vengeance, Vicious Shadows, etc.
Just wanted to add a comment for reconsidering Teysa for Varina. The double death triggers is only half the benefit here. Not only does she double Grave Pact/Dictate of Erebos triggers if you've built for that, but she also gives your zombie tokens lifelink AND vigilance. At 4 cmc her double token buff alone is strong, the double death triggers is a situational extra bonus IMO.
That's a good point. I generate tons of Zombie tokens in that deck (I have over 20 cards that generate tokens including Varina).
I'm actually considering re-creating Edgar Markov Vampires as my RWB deck, focusing not only on Vampire tribal but on sac outlets and cards like Falkenrath Noble and Blood Artist (in addition to V-Shad type effects) to do damage outside the combat step and maximize Teysa Karlovs ability to double up on death triggers. This theme might just give me the impetus to want to build and keep a Mardu deck.
Arcades, the Strategist:
- Resolute Watchdog
A powerful 1 drop that can protect Arcades when called upon? I'll take it and then some.
- Guardian Project
The deck combos out with Glimpse effects, and this being a permanent one...it might fall off in the end but it's still good.
- Saruli Caretaker
While not exactly a mana dork it's still a 1 mana 3/3 that can bump me up a mana in a pinch.
- High Alert
Funny enough, Assault Formation isn't in the deck anymore, but this card has a high chance of going infinite with Axebane Guardian.
Prime Speaker Zegana:
- Sphinx of Foresight
Even if this thing does end up falling out of favor, it'll always be neat to have around for various U-based builds.
- Frilled Mystic
A more powerful Mystic Snake? Yes please. Creature-based counterspells are this deck's bread and butter.
- Growth Spiral
More explores more better.
- Simic Ascendancy
Zegana's wet dream. This card is gonna harvest some salt simply by being on the field given how fast the deck can harvest +1/+1 counters.
- Prime Speaker Vannifar
Birthing Bod is a good Simic card but you should never build the deck if you're not going competitive. Putting it in the 99 though...hell yes.
- Incubation//Incogruity
Versatile in that it can be powerful removal or a quick draw spell, both modes will see use.
- Repudiate//Replicate
Versatility is again key. On their own I wouldn't have played these options, but with them combined, it's actually good.
Zacama, Primal Calamity:
- Nikya of the Old Ways
Yet another mana doubler. By the time I'm ready to win, Zacama doesn't need to play noncreature spells anymore anyway.
- Rhytm of the Wilds
Making everything uncounterable is really powerful, everything else is just a cherry on top.
Child of Alara:
- Dead Revels
Common recursion that can cost 2 mana for 2 creatures...I'm not sure if it'll stick but for those 2 pennies...
Edgar Markov:
- Vindictive Vampire
Falkenrath Noble just got cut out, but this is so, so much better in this deck...
- Pitiless Pontiff
A decent 2 drop that can live through board wipes. More of a filler card more than anything.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance:
- Electrodominance
A way to cast Wheel of Fate immediately while sniping something away, I'm game for it.
- Light up the Stage
Act on Impulse effects generally aren't great, but a near guaranteed 1 mana variety is very intriguing.
Taigam, Sidisi's Hand:
Nothing.
Chandra, Torch of Defiance - Oops! All Chandras.
Prime Speaker Zegana - Draw for Power.
Pir & Toothy - Counterpalooza.
Arcades, the Strategist - Another Brick in the Wall.
Zacama, Primal Calamity - Calamity of Double Mana.
Edgar Markov - Vampires Don't Die.
Child of Alara - Dreamcrusher.
Bruna, the Fading Light
- Smothering Tithe - this thing should be great. Everyone wants to draw, and mono white needs to ramp.
Nissa, Vastwood Seer
- End-Raze Forerunners - pretty decent finisher.
Glissa, the Traitor
- End-Raze Forerunners - decent finisher and 8 drop for my Birthing Pod chain.
Edgar Markov
- Vindictive Vampire - Somehow I missed this in the spoilers. Bleeder effects are nice, so it might be worth looking into.
- Pitiless Pontiff - It's cheap. That's really all it has going for it, but that might be enough.
Estrid:
Miscellaneous:
U - Jalira Polymorph – None
B – Endrek Sahr Stax – Priest of Forgotten Gods for sure; possible Vindictive Vampire or Bankrupt in Blood
R – Bosh Artifact Flingage – None
G – Ezuri Elves – Guardian Project for sure, and maybe Incubation Druid
WU – Brago Blink - None. I thought about Dovin's Acuity, but I'll probably pass.
UB – Oona Mill – Thought Collapse
BR – Wort Goblins – Goblin Gathering, Light Up the Stage, Bedevil, Judith, the Scourge Diva, Theater of Horrors will all see some testing time.
RG – Wort Conspiring Tokens – Electrodominance and Light Up the Stage
GW – Sisay Legends – Guardian Project
GW – Trostani Lifegain - Nothing. Impassioned Orator might be good enough to at least consider.
GW – Rhys Tokens/Anthems - None
WB – Obzedat Drain Life – Kaya's Wrath and Revival//Revenge are going to be good here.
UR – Niv-Mizzet Draw – I was t to try Precognitive Perception.
BG – Jarad Sacrifice - It's too bad that Teysa Karlov is not in the right colors.
RW – Gisela Burn – Smothering Tithe, Electrodominance, Light Up the Stage, and Skewer the Critics will all likely make the cut.
GU – Vorel +1/+1 counters – 4 to 5 cards between Skatewing Spy, Biogenic Upgrade, Incubation Druid, Combine Guildmage, Growth Spiral, Hydroid Krasis, Simic Ascendancy, Zegana, Utopian Speaker. I've got a chance to pull out almost everything that is shared with Ghave at this point, so I'm going to try and take advantage of that.
WUB – Varina Zombies – Maybe Awaken the Erstwhile, but the 5 CMC slot is already packed in that deck so I don't know.
UBR – Nicol Bolas Discard - Awaken the Erstwhile might be a better fit here.
BRG – Prossh Dragons - None
RGW – Uril Enchantress – Rhythm of the Wild for sure, but possibly Cindervines as well.
GWU – Derevi Untap – Maybe Gyre Engineer
WUR – Zerduu Donate – Eyes Everywhere seem likely
UBG – Damia Maros – Frilled Mystic
RGU – Riku Copycat – Prime Speaker Vannifar for sure as this deck already runs Pod, but Repudiate//Replicate seems like it could be good here too.
GWB – Ghave +1/+1 counters – This looke like a good place for Unbreakable Formation.
WUBG – Atraxa Superfriends - None.
C – Karn Eldrazi - None.
Cards that I’m interested in, but not sold for any one particular deck:
Verity Circle – Could go into Vorel to combo with Opposition, or Derevi, or perhaps Niv-Mizzet, but I just don’t see it being better than the other options I run.
Font of Agonies – I’m not 100% sure where the tipping point on this is going to be. My guess is that I would need at least 14 repeatable life payment effects plus 7-10 one-shot life payment effects to trigger this enough to get 2 activations on it. I just don’t know if I have a deck that can support it, or that wants/needs it.
Immolation Shaman – Reminded me of Harsh Mentor, but I don’t think Shaman makes the cut.
Biogenic Ooze – This is one of a long list of cards that begs to be combo’d with Doubling Season, but none of my Doubling Season decks really need another 5-drop that needs to sit in play for several turns to really have an impact.
Wilderness Reclamation – I don’t have a deck that really takes advantage of this kind of effect.
Biomancer's Familiar – I just don’t have a deck that wants or needs a Training Grounds.
Lavinia, Azorius Renegade – Would have gone into my GAAIV deck, but I have no place for this right now.
Nikya of the Old Ways – All the decks that I have that run RG all run way too many non-creature spells to make this worthwhile.
Teysa Karlov – I really like this card, but I don’t have a deck in the right colors with enough death trigger cards to make use of it. Varina Zombies is the closest with 6 cards with death triggers. Perhaps this gives me an idea for a WRB deck that just focuses on creating death triggers for things like Stalking Vengeance, Vicious Shadows, etc.
Jalira, Master Polymorphist | Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder | Bosh, Iron Golem | Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Brago, King Eternal | Oona, Queen of the Fae | Wort, Boggart Auntie | Wort, the Raidmother
Captain Sisay | Rhys, the Redeemed | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight | Obzedat, Ghost Council | Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind | Vorel of the Hull Clade
Uril, the Miststalker | Prossh, Skyraider of Kher | Nicol Bolas | Progenitus
Ghave, Guru of Spores | Zedruu the Greathearted | Damia, Sage of Stone | Riku of Two Reflections
Just wanted to add a comment for reconsidering Teysa for Varina. The double death triggers is only half the benefit here. Not only does she double Grave Pact/Dictate of Erebos triggers if you've built for that, but she also gives your zombie tokens lifelink AND vigilance. At 4 cmc her double token buff alone is strong, the double death triggers is a situational extra bonus IMO.
a Smothering Tithe for the deck in signature and a Growth Spiral and maybe a Teysa Karlov
That's a good point. I generate tons of Zombie tokens in that deck (I have over 20 cards that generate tokens including Varina).
I'm actually considering re-creating Edgar Markov Vampires as my RWB deck, focusing not only on Vampire tribal but on sac outlets and cards like Falkenrath Noble and Blood Artist (in addition to V-Shad type effects) to do damage outside the combat step and maximize Teysa Karlovs ability to double up on death triggers. This theme might just give me the impetus to want to build and keep a Mardu deck.
Jalira, Master Polymorphist | Endrek Sahr, Master Breeder | Bosh, Iron Golem | Ezuri, Renegade Leader
Brago, King Eternal | Oona, Queen of the Fae | Wort, Boggart Auntie | Wort, the Raidmother
Captain Sisay | Rhys, the Redeemed | Trostani, Selesnya's Voice | Jarad, Golgari Lich Lord
Gisela, Blade of Goldnight | Obzedat, Ghost Council | Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind | Vorel of the Hull Clade
Uril, the Miststalker | Prossh, Skyraider of Kher | Nicol Bolas | Progenitus
Ghave, Guru of Spores | Zedruu the Greathearted | Damia, Sage of Stone | Riku of Two Reflections