Magmatic Force Bolts Celestial Force Salves Verdant Force Sprouts
And now we have Baleful Force, which has the classic Necropotence draw
What will the final Force do? It's clearly a 7/7 at 5UUU, what do you think it's going to be it's ability? I don't think it will be just drawing a card, as it would overlap with Baleful Force. It could Unsummon, or perhaps Boomerang, or perhaps it will just mill seven, which would be disappoint. Also, is it safe to say it will be printed in a commander set?
I can't say I'm surprised by the hateful comments, most of the people here seem to be a bunch of spoiled, ungrateful whiners. Just because you didn't get another broken black enchantment doesn't mean you need to dismiss it like it's utter garbage.
Playing cards like Akroan Crusader and Young Pyromancer with Cipher cards, and Thalia and similar to give evasion, sounds too fun to pass up. While it might not be good enough out the gate, it might make the cut as the block develops.
I wanted to start a small discussion over the cards that have the potential of having an impact in Standard. I base the following on my sole opinion, as I would like to share opinions with others before we see the format rotate.
First of all, the Standard Staples:
- Thoughtseize: This card needs little introduction or discussion. It is well known in all formats, and will most certainly see play. Not much to argue here
-Purphoros, God of the Forge: A behemoth in RDW decks, and has a massive impact on the board, even if it's not a creature right away. The fact that every creature you play comes with a shock to your opponent's face really puts on the pressure. I hear indestructible 6/5s are pretty good.
-Xenagos, the Reveler: I find him more powerful than Garruk Relentless, as the 2/2s have haste, thus having an immediate impact on the board if you are in the offensive. It helps you ramp into larger spells, though this depends on your board state. Of course, this is the main strategy in a GR deck, therefore you will usually have a significant amount of creatures for his +1 to do some work, except after a Supreme Verdict. If that is the case, he can start spitting hasty 2/2s turn after turn. The ultimate, as is expected of most planeswalkers, will rarely trigger, given you do not gain loyalty counters for producing satyrs. It's there mostly for casual or slower games.
-Anger of the Gods: Slagstorm saw play because of it's first mode, and it does have the advantage of being a finisher when you're about to win. Anger of the gods does have the bonus of exiling the casualties, therefore it's a good answer to Voice of Resurgence, one of the most relevant cards now, It's very good mass removal. I think this is the card a midrange deck wants, rather than an aggro deck. After all, you want to win as quickly as possible in a RDW deck, and if you have to wipe the board you are doing something wrong.
-Magma Jet: an excellent card, Shock with Scry 2 for 1 is excellent in many decks, specially if you're that aggro guy who wants to send lands to the bottom of your deck. I see it being played much more than the functional Searing Spear reprint.
-Stormbreath Dragon: protection form Azorius Charm, Detention Sphere, and many of the relevant removal spells in the colors of Sphinx's Revelation decks makes control players unhappy. Monstrosity just makes it more evident how Wizards wants to give aggressive decks a good curve topper, allowing it to hit control players in the face for some damage and growing in the process. Definitely a staple.
-Dissolve: Dissipate was good, 2 mana hard counters are not a thing anymore and we have to do with our Cancels. Dissipate was good because there were a lot of graveyard based decks, which will be very different with the rotation of Innistrad. I'd love playing four copies of Dissolve in a control deck.
-Gainsay: this is at least a 2 of in every sideboard of every deck playing blue. It will be most relevant in the Sphinx's Revelation mirror match.
-Fleecemane Lion: Wizards loves printing aggressively costed creatures, and we love playing them. I do feel that people are overestimating the cat. Call of the Conclave in not really a card, and monstrosity comes until turn 5 without ramp (we have all heard about the Magical Christmas Land Elvish Mystic scenarios at least once). That gives you opponent 3 to 4 turns to answer to it, assuming you are not casting a five drop. I say do not pre-order these. This is not a $8 card.
-The Scry Land Cycle: I love the scry land cycle and do believe that people are spoiled if they want "free" scry 2 attached to their duals. The guildgates see play, and these lands provide long term advantage. Hate on them all you want.
Uncertain cards I just like and believe in their potential:
-Peak Eruption: We know Wizards is not bringing back Stone Rain. This card is something that gets me very exited on Jund/Gruul/Mono Red decks. I do believed that a Stone Rain that bolts you to the face is really powerful, and even better if you're getting their Stomping Grounds or their Blood Crypts.
-Glare of Heresy: I like it, though not as much as Gainsay nor Peak Eruption. The fact that it's a Sorcery really turns me down, but it exiles so many good things that I would not not include at least 2 in a white deck's sideboard.
-Thassa, God of the Sea: The only reason why I include this card is because of it's cost. I love the idea of scrying every turn. The unblockability I believe is hardly relevant. I also doubt that we'll see many, if any, mono blue decks going around. I am aware that i overvalue the potential of this card, but I wouldn't take my eyes of of it yet.
-Heliod, God of the Sun: Heliod could only see play in White aggressive decks. Global vigilance as a 4 drop is worthless in Standard, and the tokens are a tad expensive. I can only see Heliod as a worthy 4 drop if you are counting it to have immediate board presence as a 5/6, but, then again, who wants to depend on your board state to be able to use Heliod as a creature? I feel like it's too conditional to see any action in these type of decks.
-Nylea, God of the Hunt: I like green. I think mono green will be a thing, though not too important in the meta. With Elvish Mystics, Kalonian Tuskers, Scavenging Oozes.... anyways, I think there are enough good cards in green to make it "a thing". I also believe that green has some of the most color heavy cards in Magic, so devotion can actually work here.
-Firedrinker Satyr: Jackal Pup is a good card. This is strictly better than a Jackal Pup, but I feel like Wizards was a little scared of making it too good. I think that if it had had firebreathing it would have been fantastic. I feel like if it had firebreathing that pinged you for one it would have been pretty good. The fact that its activation cost is of 1R really makes me sad. Still, I'm pretty confident Red players will play it.
-Soldier of the Pantheon: An Elite Vanguard with a relevant upside. I love it. It eats Voice of Resurgence for breakfast. It gains you life. I have no doubt it will see abundant play, still I felt It would be better to include it in this list.
-Mistcutter Hydra: I have mixed feelings about this card. I hate paying 4 mana for a 3/3. I HATE paying 6 mana for a 5/5. Yes it basically reads "suck it, blue", but I feel like it ONLY reads "suck it, blue". Sideboard material if you ask me.
-Arbor Colossus: Again, I believe in the power of mono green. It's color heavy, it dresses with Stormbreath Dragon's hide, has a nice power&toughness .vs. cost ratio, and has a potential ability to make it better late game. Of couse, it's ONLY for mono green, but I can see this showing up in decklists.
-Sylvan Caryatid: Utopia Tree 2.0. It's ok, it's good enough, but I don't like it as I have seen most do. I would rather play farseek, and I feel like a 0/3 body is easy enough to kill with all the undercosted creatures popping up everywhere.
-Hero's Downfall: Murder sees some play, nothing fantastic. Killing Planeswalkers at instant speed is, well, nothing that makes me too happy to see this card printed. I feel i am underestimating this card, and I wont be auto-including it in a black deck, but that's just me.
-Elspeth, Sun's Champion: I love the new elspeth, and I will be playing it in all the white commander decks, I will be playing it in casual decks. I think, though, that it's very expensive. I expect it to see it in decklists, but I would certainly not auto-include it in a white weeny deck. Considering you are RDW's alter ego, a 6 drop is somewhat awkward when you are planning to kill your opponent as fast as possible. I think it has more potential in midrange decks. I think it's second ability is what i'm looking forward the most. Spitting out 1/1s is also pretty cool. Now that I'm writing this, perhaps Purphoros into Assemble the Legion into Elspeth will be a thing.
-Chained to the Rocks: It's just a cheaper Journey to Nowhere. On the other hand, it's a cheaper Journey to Nowhere. It's good, not amazing, and it's not only vulnerable to enchantment hate but to land hate as well. It also gets bonus points for flavor. I can't think of anything else to add.
-Curse of the Swine: I think this more of a sideboard card against midrange and ramp decks. Of course you get to exile an entire board, but at the cost of giving them an army of adorable 2/2 boars. I think it's only worth it if you are playing a deck with a generous amount of creatures (not something that blue is most known for) and your opponent has a bunch of fatties, because, wouldn't you just rather be playing a playset of Supreme Verdicts?
-Spellheart Chimera: I love this card. We already saw that Runechanter's Pike could have a significant change in the game, but of course that was when Delver was the deck to play. I think I included this guy here because I like the design a lot, but I don't expect it to be showing up in significant competitive play. Loose the trample and get the first strike back if you ask me. Also, it can be very good with:
-Steam Augury: The reverse Fact or Fiction. FoF is an amazing card, but it is better than Steam Augury because it gives your opponent the chance to screw up splitting the piles, while here it the exact opposite. Anyways, I still love it. It's great.
-Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver: This is more difficult card to talk about. I very much like the design, whilst i would have really, REALLY liked if he exiled the top four cards. It cannot defend itself, which is a huge weakness with all the powerful low cost creatures running around. On the other hand, it CAN be very powerful against this type of decks if he survives long enough. I love that wizards made it's first ability a +2 rather than making it enter with 4 and making it a +1. Let's say that you opponent has a Fleecemane Lion. You +2 him, and say you hit another cat. If you opponent doesnt attack Ashiok, you can drop a cat of your own. If he does, you keep pushing his +2 while you make other significant plays. After all, you're esper control. I guess only time will tell the role of one of my favourite planeswalkers in the metagame.
-Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx: it's like a cabal coffers. Of course, it has the drawback of being legendary, and it depends on your board state, but it can be very, very good in mono decks. I wouldn't play more than 2 myself regardless. I'm more exited to think of this thing doing some work in EDH.
Well, that's it. I would like to know what do you think about these cards, as well as if you consider there are other cards you believe will see Standard Play. I should add that i personally have little faith on Heroic making an appearance in standard. Depending of having spells to target my creatures is something that doesn't get me too excited. Comments?
Standard playable. It kills boros reckoner and pretty much all 0 through 3 drops in standard. One of the most efficient creatures right now, and it isnt even color heavy. 10/10 would play
The flavour of the horse is amazing, though it's not particularly strong. The flavour of the whip is amazing, and my god it is powerful. Fanatic of mogis seems fantastic in RDW
People will realize these are very good with time. Whine all you want, controlling your draws by playing your dual lands is very powerful. We all would have liked scry 2, but they would be a tad too good.
Able to manipulate the top card of your library, repeatedly, isn't good?
Excuse me, I think I may have stumbled into an alternate reality where people are crazy.
Seriously, this card is quite good. Particularly considering that it is a repeatable effect, at the small cost of 2 mana and a tapped creature.
I agree. This card is being underrated by the looks of the comments. While it's not impressive at first, I think I will be definitely considering it for my limited decks. This in a stall is pretty good, tapping something at the end of their turn for repeatable library manipulation. Also, THE FLAVOUR
If her +1 were explore and the -1 her +1, then she would be awesome. She could hab veen so much more. How does her +1 make any sense flavorwise?
Celestial Force Salves
Verdant Force Sprouts
And now we have Baleful Force, which has the classic Necropotence draw
What will the final Force do? It's clearly a 7/7 at 5UUU, what do you think it's going to be it's ability? I don't think it will be just drawing a card, as it would overlap with Baleful Force. It could Unsummon, or perhaps Boomerang, or perhaps it will just mill seven, which would be disappoint. Also, is it safe to say it will be printed in a commander set?
Thalia?
First of all, the Standard Staples:
- Thoughtseize: This card needs little introduction or discussion. It is well known in all formats, and will most certainly see play. Not much to argue here
-Purphoros, God of the Forge: A behemoth in RDW decks, and has a massive impact on the board, even if it's not a creature right away. The fact that every creature you play comes with a shock to your opponent's face really puts on the pressure. I hear indestructible 6/5s are pretty good.
-Xenagos, the Reveler: I find him more powerful than Garruk Relentless, as the 2/2s have haste, thus having an immediate impact on the board if you are in the offensive. It helps you ramp into larger spells, though this depends on your board state. Of course, this is the main strategy in a GR deck, therefore you will usually have a significant amount of creatures for his +1 to do some work, except after a Supreme Verdict. If that is the case, he can start spitting hasty 2/2s turn after turn. The ultimate, as is expected of most planeswalkers, will rarely trigger, given you do not gain loyalty counters for producing satyrs. It's there mostly for casual or slower games.
-Anger of the Gods: Slagstorm saw play because of it's first mode, and it does have the advantage of being a finisher when you're about to win. Anger of the gods does have the bonus of exiling the casualties, therefore it's a good answer to Voice of Resurgence, one of the most relevant cards now, It's very good mass removal. I think this is the card a midrange deck wants, rather than an aggro deck. After all, you want to win as quickly as possible in a RDW deck, and if you have to wipe the board you are doing something wrong.
-Magma Jet: an excellent card, Shock with Scry 2 for 1 is excellent in many decks, specially if you're that aggro guy who wants to send lands to the bottom of your deck. I see it being played much more than the functional Searing Spear reprint.
-Stormbreath Dragon: protection form Azorius Charm, Detention Sphere, and many of the relevant removal spells in the colors of Sphinx's Revelation decks makes control players unhappy. Monstrosity just makes it more evident how Wizards wants to give aggressive decks a good curve topper, allowing it to hit control players in the face for some damage and growing in the process. Definitely a staple.
-Dissolve: Dissipate was good, 2 mana hard counters are not a thing anymore and we have to do with our Cancels. Dissipate was good because there were a lot of graveyard based decks, which will be very different with the rotation of Innistrad. I'd love playing four copies of Dissolve in a control deck.
-Gainsay: this is at least a 2 of in every sideboard of every deck playing blue. It will be most relevant in the Sphinx's Revelation mirror match.
-Fleecemane Lion: Wizards loves printing aggressively costed creatures, and we love playing them. I do feel that people are overestimating the cat. Call of the Conclave in not really a card, and monstrosity comes until turn 5 without ramp (we have all heard about the Magical Christmas Land Elvish Mystic scenarios at least once). That gives you opponent 3 to 4 turns to answer to it, assuming you are not casting a five drop. I say do not pre-order these. This is not a $8 card.
-The Scry Land Cycle: I love the scry land cycle and do believe that people are spoiled if they want "free" scry 2 attached to their duals. The guildgates see play, and these lands provide long term advantage. Hate on them all you want.
Uncertain cards I just like and believe in their potential:
-Peak Eruption: We know Wizards is not bringing back Stone Rain. This card is something that gets me very exited on Jund/Gruul/Mono Red decks. I do believed that a Stone Rain that bolts you to the face is really powerful, and even better if you're getting their Stomping Grounds or their Blood Crypts.
-Glare of Heresy: I like it, though not as much as Gainsay nor Peak Eruption. The fact that it's a Sorcery really turns me down, but it exiles so many good things that I would not not include at least 2 in a white deck's sideboard.
-Thassa, God of the Sea: The only reason why I include this card is because of it's cost. I love the idea of scrying every turn. The unblockability I believe is hardly relevant. I also doubt that we'll see many, if any, mono blue decks going around. I am aware that i overvalue the potential of this card, but I wouldn't take my eyes of of it yet.
-Heliod, God of the Sun: Heliod could only see play in White aggressive decks. Global vigilance as a 4 drop is worthless in Standard, and the tokens are a tad expensive. I can only see Heliod as a worthy 4 drop if you are counting it to have immediate board presence as a 5/6, but, then again, who wants to depend on your board state to be able to use Heliod as a creature? I feel like it's too conditional to see any action in these type of decks.
-Nylea, God of the Hunt: I like green. I think mono green will be a thing, though not too important in the meta. With Elvish Mystics, Kalonian Tuskers, Scavenging Oozes.... anyways, I think there are enough good cards in green to make it "a thing". I also believe that green has some of the most color heavy cards in Magic, so devotion can actually work here.
-Firedrinker Satyr: Jackal Pup is a good card. This is strictly better than a Jackal Pup, but I feel like Wizards was a little scared of making it too good. I think that if it had had firebreathing it would have been fantastic. I feel like if it had firebreathing that pinged you for one it would have been pretty good. The fact that its activation cost is of 1R really makes me sad. Still, I'm pretty confident Red players will play it.
-Soldier of the Pantheon: An Elite Vanguard with a relevant upside. I love it. It eats Voice of Resurgence for breakfast. It gains you life. I have no doubt it will see abundant play, still I felt It would be better to include it in this list.
-Mistcutter Hydra: I have mixed feelings about this card. I hate paying 4 mana for a 3/3. I HATE paying 6 mana for a 5/5. Yes it basically reads "suck it, blue", but I feel like it ONLY reads "suck it, blue". Sideboard material if you ask me.
-Arbor Colossus: Again, I believe in the power of mono green. It's color heavy, it dresses with Stormbreath Dragon's hide, has a nice power&toughness .vs. cost ratio, and has a potential ability to make it better late game. Of couse, it's ONLY for mono green, but I can see this showing up in decklists.
-Sylvan Caryatid: Utopia Tree 2.0. It's ok, it's good enough, but I don't like it as I have seen most do. I would rather play farseek, and I feel like a 0/3 body is easy enough to kill with all the undercosted creatures popping up everywhere.
-Hero's Downfall: Murder sees some play, nothing fantastic. Killing Planeswalkers at instant speed is, well, nothing that makes me too happy to see this card printed. I feel i am underestimating this card, and I wont be auto-including it in a black deck, but that's just me.
-Elspeth, Sun's Champion: I love the new elspeth, and I will be playing it in all the white commander decks, I will be playing it in casual decks. I think, though, that it's very expensive. I expect it to see it in decklists, but I would certainly not auto-include it in a white weeny deck. Considering you are RDW's alter ego, a 6 drop is somewhat awkward when you are planning to kill your opponent as fast as possible. I think it has more potential in midrange decks. I think it's second ability is what i'm looking forward the most. Spitting out 1/1s is also pretty cool. Now that I'm writing this, perhaps Purphoros into Assemble the Legion into Elspeth will be a thing.
-Chained to the Rocks: It's just a cheaper Journey to Nowhere. On the other hand, it's a cheaper Journey to Nowhere. It's good, not amazing, and it's not only vulnerable to enchantment hate but to land hate as well. It also gets bonus points for flavor. I can't think of anything else to add.
-Curse of the Swine: I think this more of a sideboard card against midrange and ramp decks. Of course you get to exile an entire board, but at the cost of giving them an army of adorable 2/2 boars. I think it's only worth it if you are playing a deck with a generous amount of creatures (not something that blue is most known for) and your opponent has a bunch of fatties, because, wouldn't you just rather be playing a playset of Supreme Verdicts?
-Spellheart Chimera: I love this card. We already saw that Runechanter's Pike could have a significant change in the game, but of course that was when Delver was the deck to play. I think I included this guy here because I like the design a lot, but I don't expect it to be showing up in significant competitive play. Loose the trample and get the first strike back if you ask me. Also, it can be very good with:
-Steam Augury: The reverse Fact or Fiction. FoF is an amazing card, but it is better than Steam Augury because it gives your opponent the chance to screw up splitting the piles, while here it the exact opposite. Anyways, I still love it. It's great.
-Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver: This is more difficult card to talk about. I very much like the design, whilst i would have really, REALLY liked if he exiled the top four cards. It cannot defend itself, which is a huge weakness with all the powerful low cost creatures running around. On the other hand, it CAN be very powerful against this type of decks if he survives long enough. I love that wizards made it's first ability a +2 rather than making it enter with 4 and making it a +1. Let's say that you opponent has a Fleecemane Lion. You +2 him, and say you hit another cat. If you opponent doesnt attack Ashiok, you can drop a cat of your own. If he does, you keep pushing his +2 while you make other significant plays. After all, you're esper control. I guess only time will tell the role of one of my favourite planeswalkers in the metagame.
-Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx: it's like a cabal coffers. Of course, it has the drawback of being legendary, and it depends on your board state, but it can be very, very good in mono decks. I wouldn't play more than 2 myself regardless. I'm more exited to think of this thing doing some work in EDH.
Well, that's it. I would like to know what do you think about these cards, as well as if you consider there are other cards you believe will see Standard Play. I should add that i personally have little faith on Heroic making an appearance in standard. Depending of having spells to target my creatures is something that doesn't get me too excited. Comments?
This card and griselbrand don't share standard, so the comparison is a fruitless exercise
You're wrong. This is going to see play in every format, except maybe modern
I think it's good enough. Thundermaw spoiled us
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/263
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/ftl/263
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/feature/therosmechanics
http://www.wizards.com/magic/magazine/article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/mm/263
Titan of eternal fire, Phalanx Leader, Hundred headed one, Heliod, and many others
Card image gallery: http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/theros/cig
I agree. This card is being underrated by the looks of the comments. While it's not impressive at first, I think I will be definitely considering it for my limited decks. This in a stall is pretty good, tapping something at the end of their turn for repeatable library manipulation. Also, THE FLAVOUR