Wow. This feels like it could deliver a disgusting punch to the face. Given it doesn't have haste and kind of wants a couple friends around, how viable do you think it could be in standard?
I am going to do the unthinkable and rate Lavaclaw Reaches as No.1.
I'm mainly a Commander player, a format where there's plenty of mana and plenty of board wipes, where people underestimate Reaches just as much as they do in sanctioned formats. Being able to hit for 20 out of nowhere is pretty funny and have won quite a few games like that.
If I am going to talk Commander again, I should probably move Hissing Quagmire up to possibly second or third, as it's pretty good on the defensive. Just having it around will make people less inclined to attack you.
As a fanatic dragon lover I am sad to point out it a standard Red Dragon from the Dungeons & Dragons I.P., and likely not meant for anything Magic.
I doubt they will use art clearly made for another property (although Tyrant's Familiar does raise a few eyebrows once you learn what the D&D dragons look like).
My focus is the design goals behind the set and how they change Commander for us... and how Commander expansions relate to James Bond films starring Daniel Craig.
On another note, Part the Waterveil cast with Awaken and Radiate is very, very funny. Sure it requires about 14 lands to happen, but that's 14 extra turns and 6/6's, and 14 lands isn't too hard in Commander. Can't wait
Just watched the PAX panel, and I don't know if I heard correctly, but I swear Rosewater or Wil Wheaton said '...as the only remaining titan...' or words to that effect when they were introducing Ulamog. Did anyone else pick up on the same thing? If so, does that mean we won't be seeing Kozilek or Emrakul?
Also interesting side note I haven't mentioned elsewhere on these forums is the flavour text for that 8/9 common eldrazi is attributed to 'Kalitas, Thrall of Ulamog'. Maybe Kalitas will come back in this or the next set too.
It was easily the best pool in the entire prerelease, and there were two Temple of Malice just to add to the $$$ value.
AND SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO COME TO SECOND-LAST
First match I was ready to drop Elspeth and win and he drops a Perplexing Chimera (WTF);
Second match just randomly lost to Purphoros, God of the Forge triggers;
Third match I drew no removal and the wall-of-creatures stand-offs we kept having routinely ended when his Staggershock Giant went monstrous
Fourth match (against the guy who ended up dead last) I almost lost as well
Most awkward Prerelease of life. Frustratingly back luck, but made back almost double value with all the money I cracked. Won two boosters at the end and cracked more money
Besides the completely weird Chromanticore (I thought Manticores were supposed to be 3/3 to 5/5 mono-red fliers!) I really like Peregrination and Snake of the Golden Grove. I was not expecting Cultivate and Thragtusk wannabes and hopped with joy when I saw them.
That said, we haven't seen any more Amphin or Surrakar
Metallurgic Summonings and Demon of Dark Schemes are pretty cool, and I like the flexibility of Saheeli's Artistry, Insidious Will and Fateful Showdown.
But seriously I think the best card in the set is Filigree Familiar.
I'm mainly a Commander player, a format where there's plenty of mana and plenty of board wipes, where people underestimate Reaches just as much as they do in sanctioned formats. Being able to hit for 20 out of nowhere is pretty funny and have won quite a few games like that.
Other than that:
1) Lavaclaw Reaches
2) Celestial Collonade
3) Raging Ravine
4) Creeping Tar Pit
5) Shambling Vent
6) Wandering Fumarole
7) Stirring Wildwood
8) Hissing Quagmire
9) Lumbering Falls
10) Needle Spires
If I am going to talk Commander again, I should probably move Hissing Quagmire up to possibly second or third, as it's pretty good on the defensive. Just having it around will make people less inclined to attack you.
I doubt they will use art clearly made for another property (although Tyrant's Familiar does raise a few eyebrows once you learn what the D&D dragons look like).
http://nyxathidgoestotown.com/2015/12/05/daxos-ezuri-meren-the-commander-2015-review/
My focus is the design goals behind the set and how they change Commander for us... and how Commander expansions relate to James Bond films starring Daniel Craig.
Also interesting side note I haven't mentioned elsewhere on these forums is the flavour text for that 8/9 common eldrazi is attributed to 'Kalitas, Thrall of Ulamog'. Maybe Kalitas will come back in this or the next set too.
Woodfall Primus
Terastodon
Bane of Progress
Personally I'd love to see Bane of Progress start making an impact- pity it poops on my Mana Reflection but
Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Xenagos, God of Revels
Forgestoker Dragon
Ornitharch
Fellhide Spiritbinder
2x Fearsome Temper (beast of a common, especially on Two-Headed Cerberus
as well as some really solid red/white removal.
I even cracked Gray Merchant of Asphodel, some Lash of the Whips and an Ashen Rider if I randomly wanted to splash in some black.
It was easily the best pool in the entire prerelease, and there were two Temple of Malice just to add to the $$$ value.
AND SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO COME TO SECOND-LAST
First match I was ready to drop Elspeth and win and he drops a Perplexing Chimera (WTF);
Second match just randomly lost to Purphoros, God of the Forge triggers;
Third match I drew no removal and the wall-of-creatures stand-offs we kept having routinely ended when his Staggershock Giant went monstrous
Fourth match (against the guy who ended up dead last) I almost lost as well
Most awkward Prerelease of life. Frustratingly back luck, but made back almost double value with all the money I cracked. Won two boosters at the end and cracked more money
My 2nd vote would go to Razia, for much the same reasons.