The truth is, if you're talking Standard Constructed playable, all sets are "weak" simply because 70% of the cards in a set (more or less) aren't playable. If you look at any top tier Standard deck, you will find that you maybe have 4 or 5 cards from each set.
So "weak" is a relative term. And you can't even compare power levels of sets in general because again, interacting with other sets, some cards, even if in a vacuum are "weaker" than other cards, when combined with those "other cards" make for some potent interactions.
Look at the top tier decks right now and break each one down by set. You'll discover that they're pretty evenly distributed.
Who the heck was saying Avacyn Restored was a bad set? I was seeing the exact opposite with some complaints cards in it were too good.
I think for a short period right in the beginning, people were saying it was weak. Then they found out there were a lot of playables.
I agree with Jaykec's ranks...
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Legacy - Sneak Show, BR Reanimator, Miracles, UW Stoneblade
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/ Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander - Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build) (dead format for me)
You have to remember, a lot of us got really used to Scars block, which had some of the better cards to ever see print, so it isn't surprising that a lot of people thought the following blocks weren't as "good." Say what you will about Geist of Saint Traft, Hellrider, Boros Reckoner, etc, but this time last year we were playing in an enviornment with Ponder, Preordain, Swords, Batterskull, Wurmcoil Engine, Elesh Norn, etc.
There's been some good stuff lately, especially things like Snapcaster Mage, Liliana, etc, but people tend to forget those were in a set, and just put them up on a pedestal.
I just feel Gatecrash has more to offer than DKA simply because of all the Shocklands, Boros goodies (Boros charm has launched an entier architype) and Obzedat.
DKA had some good cards like Huntmaster, Geralf's messenger and gravecrawler but if you've ever drafted the set its....its just so weak in terms of almost all the cards including rares.
I think gatecrash is the weakest link really. It brought the duals, but other than that the set really felt lacking. There are a few things that are big now, but get weaker in an established format that kind of warp that list a little. Burning-Tree Emissary being one of them and Aurelia's Fury being another. Boros Reckoner is a flavor of the month that will still see play after and command some respect... but he's nowhere near as good once there's a few good control decks around. That said, As control regains it's footing in a new format, Domri and Aurelia get better. Ghost Council is the other really interesting one. He's really solid all around and is just a great play overall. I think he'll see play all the way through, but I'm still disappointed by him because I think of the power level of other 5-drops in the format and I just don't feel like he's really enough as he's not going to bring out of a losing position like Thrag, Geist-Honored Monk or Thundermaw will. All of this changes regularly in standard though as sets come and go. So you also have to always consider contextual cards like Crypt Ghast, Wright of Pricinct 6, the Primordials and Guild Leaders in context of a block style format that comes months down the road to see their real value in the long road, because what establishes itself then tends to be your front runners in the new format.
On another note.. I would also make sure to include the zombies in your list. They've definitely done a lot in the format and are good control resilient Aggro that keeps the format changing week to week.
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I think gatecrash is the weakest link really. It brought the duals, but other than that the set really felt lacking.
All of the charms are relevant. Gyre Sage will see play all the way through. Aurelia will likely see play after we boot Gisela since they kind of do the same thing. (Win you the game.)
Gatecrash had a lot more relevant commons and uncommons, but that's totally a fine place to be.
Players are still split on Domri Rade, personally I think he's underperforming heavily.
Remember the metagame though. Domri shines in a longer game. Until Sweeper.dec Control hit's the top-8 again he's not going to be great. Once it make's its return and brings the aggro % down in the meta he becomes infinitely better. I run 3 in sideboard with Naya midrange and bring them in against any midrange or control matchups. Right now that means I'm bringing him in 2 matches in 5. Normally at my shop being good agains midrange and control would make him maindeck as that would be 4 out of 5 matches. I'll say the same thing I tell everyone though... think about the cards in context and where they fit. Right now you're seeing a good number of things around you normally wouldn't because aggressive strategies are better in an unestablished meta game.
Although I really do like Domri (in a few weeks) I still think the set overall is a disappointment.
Now that Gatecrash has come out, once again im hearing about how its bad too.
Which is very surprising to me.
What in your opinion is the weakest set in standard atm?
Here are some notables...
INN-GoST, dual lands, utility lands (drownyard, moorland) , Snapcaster, Garruk, Lilliana, Champion of the Parish, Stromkirk Noble, Olivia, Sever the Bloodline, Unburial Rites
DA-Huntmaster, Thalia, Zombies, Strangleroot Geist, Lingering Souls, Pyreheart Wolf, Falkenrath Aristocrat, Hellrider
AVR-Cavern of Souls, Bonfire, Pillar of Flame, Entreat the Angels, Terminus, Silverblade Paladin, Restoration Angel, Tamiyo, Wolfir Silverheart, Zealous Conscripts, Angel of Glory's Rise, Gisela, Temporal Mastery, Craterhoof, Griselbrand
M13-Dual lands, Rancor, Augur of Bolas, Farseek, Searing Spear, Ajani, O-Ring, Sublime Archangel, Garruk, Thragtusk, Thundermaw
RTR-Shock lands, Deathrite Shaman, Rakdos Cackler, Abrubt Decay, Azorious Charm, Ash Zealot, Dreadbore, LoL Troll, Mizzium Mortars, Selesnya Charm, Detention Sphere, Supreme Verdict, Sphinx's revelation, Angel of Serenity, Loxodon Smiter, Jace, Vraska
GC-Shock lands, Aurelia's Fury, Burning Tree Emissary, Boros Charm, Skullcrack, Boros Reckoner, Domri, Ghost Council, Aurelia
So "weak" is a relative term. And you can't even compare power levels of sets in general because again, interacting with other sets, some cards, even if in a vacuum are "weaker" than other cards, when combined with those "other cards" make for some potent interactions.
Look at the top tier decks right now and break each one down by set. You'll discover that they're pretty evenly distributed.
This is actually what I was getting at (in a roundabout way).
M13 has one of the fewest amount of constructed playable cards.
But Thragtusk and Thundermaw are format warping.
I think for a short period right in the beginning, people were saying it was weak. Then they found out there were a lot of playables.
I agree with Jaykec's ranks...
Premodern - Trix, RecSur, Enchantress, Reanimator, Elves https://www.facebook.com/groups/PremodernUSA/
Modern - Neobrand, Hogaak Vine, Elves
Standard - Mono Red (6-2 and 5-3 in 2 McQ)
Draft - (I wish I had more time for limited...)
Commander -
Norin the Wary, Grimgrin, Adun Oakenshield (taking forever to build)(dead format for me)There's been some good stuff lately, especially things like Snapcaster Mage, Liliana, etc, but people tend to forget those were in a set, and just put them up on a pedestal.
Because we care about facts.
INN>RTR>AVR>GTC>DKA>M13
I just feel Gatecrash has more to offer than DKA simply because of all the Shocklands, Boros goodies (Boros charm has launched an entier architype) and Obzedat.
DKA had some good cards like Huntmaster, Geralf's messenger and gravecrawler but if you've ever drafted the set its....its just so weak in terms of almost all the cards including rares.
On another note.. I would also make sure to include the zombies in your list. They've definitely done a lot in the format and are good control resilient Aggro that keeps the format changing week to week.
If you hate the deck, I'm probably playing it!
All of the charms are relevant. Gyre Sage will see play all the way through. Aurelia will likely see play after we boot Gisela since they kind of do the same thing. (Win you the game.)
Gatecrash had a lot more relevant commons and uncommons, but that's totally a fine place to be.
Because we care about facts.
This. Gatecrash doesn't have quite the format defining cards as Thundermaw Hellkite or Thragtusk.
Players are still split on Domri Rade, personally I think he's underperforming heavily.
Remember the metagame though. Domri shines in a longer game. Until Sweeper.dec Control hit's the top-8 again he's not going to be great. Once it make's its return and brings the aggro % down in the meta he becomes infinitely better. I run 3 in sideboard with Naya midrange and bring them in against any midrange or control matchups. Right now that means I'm bringing him in 2 matches in 5. Normally at my shop being good agains midrange and control would make him maindeck as that would be 4 out of 5 matches. I'll say the same thing I tell everyone though... think about the cards in context and where they fit. Right now you're seeing a good number of things around you normally wouldn't because aggressive strategies are better in an unestablished meta game.
Although I really do like Domri (in a few weeks) I still think the set overall is a disappointment.
If you hate the deck, I'm probably playing it!