Fresh from a midnight prerelease which I won atop an aggressive red-blue tempo deck. My pulls were pretty horrible so this was not a case of bombs winning the game: the rares in my deck were Impetious Devils, Mausoleum Wanderer, and Rattlechains.
First imressions? In their native environment, at least, Brazen Wolves, Smoldering Werewolf, and Blood Mist are quite crazy good. Ingenious Skaab was a positive surprise. My opponents got better value out of it than I did but seems like Wretched Gryff was solid. I am seriously thinking of including Ember-Eye Wolf in my CU/be after seeing it in action. My final opponent had Conduit of Storms and it was very powerful as well. I liked almost all the new werewolves before - after this, I like them even more. I think all the rest of the cards I faced were either rares or limited to their native environments, such as Convolute (which I used to great effect, regardless of Owen Turtenwald's evaluation of the card) and Chilling Grasp. Pretty staple limited fodder which fulfil a role but nothing cube-worthy.
I mean, actual land destruction isn't unique to red, and this is a huge downside. Avalanche riders?
Did not think of Riders, but it's still not quite the same effect.
Riders is cubable at least, so I guess Innkeper is a fringe card if you don't want land destruction or prefer the tapping for some reason. I wonder if that's design space they're going to explore a bit more. Could result in good cards for us.
Here's what I'm planning on including from the set. Along with these inclusions, I'll be making other changes to include DFCs from other sets. I don't think I can avoid including these at this point; between SOI and EMN there's just too many good ones to ignore. With that said, here's what I like from EMN, let me know what you think.
Faith Unbroken - I like that it's essentially a 4 mana 2/2 haste Fiend Hunter as long as you have a guy out. I kind of think of it like a white Traitorous Instinct (clear a blocker out of the way and add some damage to the board to end a game) that also has additional utility at other points in the game.
Curious Homunculus // Voracious Reader - A perfect addition to the spells deck. I think this deck is supported heavily enough in my cube that it should flip somewhat regularly, or threaten flipping and draw out removal.
Tattered Haunter - I'm currently only running one of the available versions of this card, but I should really consider running all three. Not 100% on this guy, but it's a strong contender.
Brazen Wolves - What a beatstick this guy is. Just pure, raw efficiency. I'm a big fan.
Weaver of Lightning - Almost certainly better than Guttersnipe in the spells deck since it blocks better and helps control the board better. Not as good for helping finish off a game, which is a consideration, but I think in most scenarios this guy is better.
Noose Constrictor - While I don't have a lot of use for the discard part of this card, I still think it's better than some of my current green two-drops.
Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus - I think this guy is a lot better than it looks. It can't be chump-blocked, so it's likely going to trade in the early-to-mid game, or just attack through untouched. The flip-side isn't terrific, but it's really mean if it hits. This one isn't 100%, but I'm strongly considering it.
Yep. I forget the exact wording but for the non-first-strike damage step the check is "does this creature not have first strike and has it not already done damage this combat?"
rushing river -> tattered haunter: hard swap but i think the extra cheap flier is good for what i'm pushing.
breakneck rider -> brazen wolves: as much as i wanna live the dream with neck breaker, brazen wolves will have that solidity on offense.
firefist striker -> furyblade vampire: more interesting card to me.
skin invasion -> weaver of lightning: i'm a sucker for spells matter cards.
wild mongrel -> noose constrictor: reach is good.
sentinel spider -> somberwald stag: i have skysnare spider so having both spiders seems redundant.
ambition's cost -> abundant maw: i have high hopes for abundant maw tbh.
darkslick drake -> vexing scuttler: i've been looking for an excuse to cut the drake for a while, and a big archaeomancer does nicely.
foresee -> curious homunculus: more spells, yuss. kinda worried about cutting too many actual spells from blue now though. and draw is getting lowish. should be ok.
bloodfray giant -> smoldering werewolf: more interesting card.
harmonize -> kessig prowler: aggro up my green section a little.
avacyn's pilgrim -> tangleclaw werewolf: cutting 1 mana elves seems bad but i still have enough imo. the tangleclaw seems super good too.
elves of deep shadow -> ulvenwald captive: diversifying my ramp is exciting, especially when it can ramp into itself.
carven caryatid -> strangleroot geist: cause green aggro. love this card too, so finding an excuse feels good man.
Ulvenwald captive, vildin pack outcast, and smoldering werewolf. Kessig prowler didn't outperform expectations because I already expected it to be amazing
The dynamic of a playable early drop that doesnt become invalid in the late game is something we just dont see enough of. If a couple of those did... Yeah I would not be surprised.
Also shrill howler. Forgot about that one (although I wouldn't think that can translate easily
I'm playing all but behemoth and they've all been quite good. Wretched Gryff is a little on the small side for a "game-ending fatty" but it does good work. I've been most impressed with Scuttler. In a control deck, you can sacrifice a random 2 or 3 drop and get a big guy and a removal spell. It's really great for stabilizing.
I'm playing all but behemoth and they've all been quite good. Wretched Gryff is a little on the small side for a "game-ending fatty" but it does good work. I've been most impressed with Scuttler. In a control deck, you can sacrifice a random 2 or 3 drop and get a big guy and a removal spell. It's really great for stabilizing.
I only cubed scuttler, maw, and the lurker... only seen scuttler so far and it has been great. Cubing tomorrow with people if more show up I will give input.
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First imressions? In their native environment, at least, Brazen Wolves, Smoldering Werewolf, and Blood Mist are quite crazy good. Ingenious Skaab was a positive surprise. My opponents got better value out of it than I did but seems like Wretched Gryff was solid. I am seriously thinking of including Ember-Eye Wolf in my CU/be after seeing it in action. My final opponent had Conduit of Storms and it was very powerful as well. I liked almost all the new werewolves before - after this, I like them even more. I think all the rest of the cards I faced were either rares or limited to their native environments, such as Convolute (which I used to great effect, regardless of Owen Turtenwald's evaluation of the card) and Chilling Grasp. Pretty staple limited fodder which fulfil a role but nothing cube-worthy.
Did not think of Riders, but it's still not quite the same effect.
Riders is cubable at least, so I guess Innkeper is a fringe card if you don't want land destruction or prefer the tapping for some reason. I wonder if that's design space they're going to explore a bit more. Could result in good cards for us.
Faith Unbroken - I like that it's essentially a 4 mana 2/2 haste Fiend Hunter as long as you have a guy out. I kind of think of it like a white Traitorous Instinct (clear a blocker out of the way and add some damage to the board to end a game) that also has additional utility at other points in the game.
Curious Homunculus // Voracious Reader - A perfect addition to the spells deck. I think this deck is supported heavily enough in my cube that it should flip somewhat regularly, or threaten flipping and draw out removal.
Tattered Haunter - I'm currently only running one of the available versions of this card, but I should really consider running all three. Not 100% on this guy, but it's a strong contender.
Brazen Wolves - What a beatstick this guy is. Just pure, raw efficiency. I'm a big fan.
Smoldering Werewolf // Erupting Dreadwolf - It's no Flametongue Kavu, but it's not far off given the large number of 1-toughness creatures in my cube. The flip-side is bonkers, too.
Weaver of Lightning - Almost certainly better than Guttersnipe in the spells deck since it blocks better and helps control the board better. Not as good for helping finish off a game, which is a consideration, but I think in most scenarios this guy is better.
Kessig Prowler // Sinuous Predator - I'm still trying to support a green aggressive deck, so this guy is a no-brainer.
Noose Constrictor - While I don't have a lot of use for the discard part of this card, I still think it's better than some of my current green two-drops.
Shrill Howler // Howling Chorus - I think this guy is a lot better than it looks. It can't be chump-blocked, so it's likely going to trade in the early-to-mid game, or just attack through untouched. The flip-side isn't terrific, but it's really mean if it hits. This one isn't 100%, but I'm strongly considering it.
CubeTutor: www.cubetutor.com/cubeblog/72
Thread: http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=512410
Wouldn't it be cool if Lone Rider's flip side, It That Rides As One, didn't have first strike?
Lone Rider equipped with Bonesplitter, deal 3 first strike damage, gain 3 life, flip into It That Rides As One, then does 6 more damage, gain 6 more life.
EDIT: Just kidding. He transforms EoT.
My cube discussion thread
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
I'm with you on the testing part. I'm not 100% convinced, but it's just so inteeeerrressstiiiinggggggggg
My Peasant Cube thread !!! (380 cards)
Draft my Peasant Cube on Cube Cobra !!!
rushing river -> tattered haunter: hard swap but i think the extra cheap flier is good for what i'm pushing.
breakneck rider -> brazen wolves: as much as i wanna live the dream with neck breaker, brazen wolves will have that solidity on offense.
firefist striker -> furyblade vampire: more interesting card to me.
skin invasion -> weaver of lightning: i'm a sucker for spells matter cards.
wild mongrel -> noose constrictor: reach is good.
sentinel spider -> somberwald stag: i have skysnare spider so having both spiders seems redundant.
ambition's cost -> abundant maw: i have high hopes for abundant maw tbh.
darkslick drake -> vexing scuttler: i've been looking for an excuse to cut the drake for a while, and a big archaeomancer does nicely.
foresee -> curious homunculus: more spells, yuss. kinda worried about cutting too many actual spells from blue now though. and draw is getting lowish. should be ok.
bloodfray giant -> smoldering werewolf: more interesting card.
harmonize -> kessig prowler: aggro up my green section a little.
avacyn's pilgrim -> tangleclaw werewolf: cutting 1 mana elves seems bad but i still have enough imo. the tangleclaw seems super good too.
elves of deep shadow -> ulvenwald captive: diversifying my ramp is exciting, especially when it can ramp into itself.
carven caryatid -> strangleroot geist: cause green aggro. love this card too, so finding an excuse feels good man.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
And specifically which cRds?
Ulvenwald captive, vildin pack outcast, and smoldering werewolf. Kessig prowler didn't outperform expectations because I already expected it to be amazing
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Also shrill howler. Forgot about that one (although I wouldn't think that can translate easily
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
My 180 Peasant Cube on Cubetutor
Draft it on Cubetutor here, and CubeCobra here.
Treasure Cruise did nothing wrong.
Are Behemoth/Scuttler generally game ending fatties?
Do you feel like you're getting good value out of them?
Is the average discount around 2 mana?
Draft it on Cubetutor here, and CubeCobra here.
Treasure Cruise did nothing wrong.
Modern
Value Town
Amulet Titan
Legacy
4C Loam
My Peasant Cube
http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/11667
I only cubed scuttler, maw, and the lurker... only seen scuttler so far and it has been great. Cubing tomorrow with people if more show up I will give input.