While Conspiracy doesn't add a lot of new cards to Pauper (only 13* total between brand new cards & downgraded reprints) there are a few that show some promise. For easy reference here they are:
Dream Fracture is arguably the best of the reprinted cards. It already sees play in regular EDH and is very similar to Arcane Denial which also sees play.
The most interesting of the brand new cards to me is Custodi Squire. A flying 3/3 that recurs at least one card and possibly more if the votes are divided seems very strong. Splashable and much more versatile than Sanctum Gargoyle, it joins a very short list of white commons that return creatures from the graveyard.
Dream Fracture now seems like the third best counter (after Arcane Denial and Counterspell) for PDH. Didn't realize Custodi Squire could return 2 cards if your opponents mess up (not very likely is it?) - I think most of the time it will be a worse Warren Pilferers, but it still has flying so there's that. Should probably be mandatory in mono white at least. It's also a spirit, which could be useful with some generals.
Dethrone seems like a mechanism MADE for multiplayer PDH, no? 1-2 CMC dudes will now easily and rapidly outgrow the x/4s of the format while staying political with the attacks. Are there any good uncommon dudes with dethrone that can be put to good use as voltron generals? As an aside, I saw Marchesa, the Black Rose and immediately thought of many silly things to do with her (as so often is the case with legendary women).
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It's too bad Flamewright is so focused on defender. Not the kind of thing pauper Boros wants to see. Shame too; I was hoping for a good new Boros option.
I'm excited for a lot of these new printings, and all the downgraded reprints with the exception of Dream Fracture. I simply do not see the benefit to playing an inferior Arcane Denial card at all.
Treasonous Ogre is interesting as a Commander but in Mono Red what do you do with 13 free mana? (Assuming you're at 40 life.) You could cast two 6 mana haste fatties, but then what?
Marchesa's Smuggler looks to easily be the most interesting Pauper Commander choice to come from the whole set; you look at that card and deck idea gears start turning. I'd try something out but I already have too many Izzet PEDH decks as it is.
What to do with 13 mana in mono red PDH? Hmm, lemme think for about two microseconds... I'm gonna go with BURN, more specifically stuff like Rolling Thunder and Fireball. Also a little acceleration can go a long way, for example getting the ogre hasted the turn you drop it so he starts groing. Also good with instants, life gain and obviously voltron stuff... IMO it seems to build itself more than most mono red pdh decks. Of course, it might still not be good, but for a mono red pdh, it's hard to complain.
So many good izzet commanders in pdh now!
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I'm keen on the aberration downgrade. The landcyclers I think are very, very good in this (sub)format, as they provide early game ramp and fixing, and later on can be used as oversized beaters. Aberration will probably go in my PDH cube as soon as it's released.
I'm excited for a lot of these new printings, and all the downgraded reprints with the exception of Dream Fracture. I simply do not see the benefit to playing an inferior Arcane Denial card at all.
Saying a card is inferior to one of the best counter spells in the format isn't a terribly compelling argument. I'd gladly play a counterspell that replaces itself over any other counterspell I could be playing.
woodvine elemental seems like the most promising card to me. Great tokens or voltron commander and is a commander that draws you cards! In not blue or black! It's fantastic except for being 6 cmc, which is probably the only reason not to play it. It is in green though, so you can just load up on ramp and go to town.
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Dream Fracture is okay. I'm not a huge fan of letting opponents draw (hence why I don't rate Denial as high as many other people) but at least it isn't card advantage for an opponent like Denial.
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StaffBrand New Commons:
Downgraded Reprints:
Dream Fracture is arguably the best of the reprinted cards. It already sees play in regular EDH and is very similar to Arcane Denial which also sees play.
The most interesting of the brand new cards to me is Custodi Squire. A flying 3/3 that recurs at least one card and possibly more if the votes are divided seems very strong. Splashable and much more versatile than Sanctum Gargoyle, it joins a very short list of white commons that return creatures from the graveyard.
Tyrant's Choice has potential but I foresee it being a Flame Rift most of the time rather than an Innocent Blood.
What does everyone else think?
* = I excluded the common artifact creatures from this count as their draft related text is moot and essentially makes them functional reprints.
Dethrone seems like a mechanism MADE for multiplayer PDH, no? 1-2 CMC dudes will now easily and rapidly outgrow the x/4s of the format while staying political with the attacks. Are there any good uncommon dudes with dethrone that can be put to good use as voltron generals? As an aside, I saw Marchesa, the Black Rose and immediately thought of many silly things to do with her (as so often is the case with legendary women).
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StaffAs far as commons, Elvish Aberration downgrade isn't bad.
Treasonous Ogre is interesting as a Commander but in Mono Red what do you do with 13 free mana? (Assuming you're at 40 life.) You could cast two 6 mana haste fatties, but then what?
Marchesa's Smuggler looks to easily be the most interesting Pauper Commander choice to come from the whole set; you look at that card and deck idea gears start turning. I'd try something out but I already have too many Izzet PEDH decks as it is.
EDH Decks:
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
Tajic, Blade of the Legion
Oloro, Ageless Ascetic
Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
Purphoros, God of the Forge
Ezuri, Renegade Leader 1v1
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher 1v1
Hythonia the Cruel
Trying to build:
Jenara, Asura of War
Designing a Custom Set:
Clash of the Cultures: 5 Wedges, 5 Cultures
Providing Artwork for:
Archester: Frontier of Steam
So many good izzet commanders in pdh now!
A series of seven articles using Magic to explore the very stuff of the Universe!
"At least for those who can play cards, their present incarnation is not quite wasted."
[Click here for the articles!]
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
Saying a card is inferior to one of the best counter spells in the format isn't a terribly compelling argument. I'd gladly play a counterspell that replaces itself over any other counterspell I could be playing.
woodvine elemental seems like the most promising card to me. Great tokens or voltron commander and is a commander that draws you cards! In not blue or black! It's fantastic except for being 6 cmc, which is probably the only reason not to play it. It is in green though, so you can just load up on ramp and go to town.
BPauper Glissa EDHG
WMaw of the Obzedat PDHB
You seem to be forgetting Faerie Trickery and Memory Lapse. I might even put Muddle the Mixture in the discussion but that is usually more of a tutor.
Dream Fracture is okay. I'm not a huge fan of letting opponents draw (hence why I don't rate Denial as high as many other people) but at least it isn't card advantage for an opponent like Denial.
EDH Decks:
WUBOloro, Combo ControlWUB
UBOona Reanimator ComboUB
BRGProssh, Eater of the Blue MageBRG
UBRGrixis StormUBR
Rebuilding Jenara (stealyourstuff.dec)
Pauper Deck:
UBInspired SirenUB