So, of the new cards/reprints previewed from M12, what do all of you see as the MVP's? What about the sleepers? And when I say MVP, I'm not just talkin' 'bout cost per se, but overall power and fun level.
Here are my MVPs:
1) Gideon's Avenger: control decks are gonna love this guy
2) Grand Abolisher: as in the Avenger's case, more white control
3) Lord of the Unreal: looks just fun for casual illusion jank
4) Smallpox: Cheers to black control, and helps out the graveyard themed decks too
5) Vengeful Pharoah: just like Bloodghast, a real pain to deal with
6) Chandra, the Firebrand: a great, splashable 'Walker
7) Goblin Grenade: Now there'll be some serious Goblin/RDW contenders in standard
8) Grim Lavamancer: a RDW staple for standard and EDH loves him
9) Garruk, Primal Hunter: this 'Walker is mighty versatile.
10) Rites of Flourishing: one more notch on any ramp deck
11) Adaptive Automaton: Very well rounded creature, will find itself in ALL tribal decks, as well as EDH. It can even be thrown into "tribe-ish" creature decks that are w/o a lord
12) Solemn Simulacrum: Well, it's about time! EDH, standard, casual, etc... can all have fun with this guy.
13) Sundial of the Infinite: now those "opps events" on your turn or a bad unexoected turn of events on your turn have a way to disapear... as long as you notice is it before an apponent doesn't see it before you do
14) Buried Ruin: Well, we're in a artifact themed standard, where can this go wrong?
Here are my Sleepers:
1) Angelic Destiny: the new Rancor (not as fast, but a much more heavy hitter)
2) Turn to frog: blue removal that's fun and unexpected
3) Visions of Beyond: with a graveyard theme and the most-likely-future-popularity of mill decks, this'll take off
4) Call to the Grave: Also, Innistrad will have zombies, so this'll be a potent reprint, The Abyss for undead lovers
5) Rune-Scarred Demon: an EDH staple
6) Chandra's Phoenix: RDW gets another staple
7) Skinshifter: very flavorful and versatile/adaptable
8) The "Empires series", Crown of Empires, Scepter of Empires, & Throne of Empires: looks very fun and reminds me a lot of the Urza land trio (Urzatron)
9) Druidic Satchel: the versatility is just plain fun, no matter what, you win a prize!
10) Manalith: EDH and casual mutli-colored decks will eat this up
11) Swiftfoot Boots: pretty much Lightning Greaves2.0 - great way to protect the ones you love
Do you agree or disagree with any of my picks? Did I miss anything? Please, talk amongst yourselves...
Phantasmal Image. Not only can this guy be a staple in Illusions theme, but he can be a VERY well-rounded creature for defense. (It can copy Thrun and cards alike, preventing them from targetting it.)
Phantasmal Image. Not only can this guy be a staple in Illusions theme, but he can be a VERY well-rounded creature for defense. (It can copy Thrun and cards alike, preventing them from targetting it.)
True, but with Thrun being a legend and all... *POOF*, where'd'go?!?! But I get your thought, the Hexproof love this guy
Is it just me or is personal sanctuary + manabarbs not an awesome kill-con in RW control? Slagstorm choosing players... Guess I won't take 3
Also I think Hunter's Insight will really push green above the curve or at least make them a good supporting color in control decks.
Sanctuary + Manabarbs is too tough to assemble for too little reward in this format... It's fun, but having a two-card interaction that doesn't just murder your enemy isn't competitive in the land of rampant removal, disruption and pressure. Also, there's not really that much support for RW control... it'll always leave you wondering, "why aren't I just UW?"
Hunter's Insight is another card that I find fun and powerful, but just doesn't really have a place in this Standard format. Removal is *everywhere* and there aren't enough powerful big guys that you want to use this on. I mean, hitting them with a Titan and drawing 6 is awesome, but when are you not already winning if you're hitting with a Titan? Likewise, using this on a Squadron Hawk or a Vengevine just doesn't seem like a good use of time. I'd love to see this work, but tragically I just don't.
As for the actual MVP cards, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Smallpox, Grand Abolisher, Chandra, Garruk, Goblin Grenade, Grim Lavamancer, Solemn Simulacrum, Visions of Beyond, Skinshifter, or Chandra's Phoenix. It depends pretty heavily on what's in INN, but those cards all have a pretty high power level in the right atmosphere.
Return of Auramancer, Mesa Enchantress, and Oblivion Ring has me excited, perhaps a little enchantment theme in the future?
Other cards that interest me are Lore Unbound and Rune-Scarred Demon for EDH purposes. Solemn Simulcrum should see some play, though I don't know what deck is for him right now. Hopefully M12 will diversify the FNM scene so I can quit seeing splinter twin every round.
Hasn't white always-to-often had a small enchantment theme running through it? Or maybe it's just me...
Sad Robot could fit nicely into a lot of decks. He does a lot of useful things no matter what. He may be a four-mana 2/2, but who would argue with that free land that comes with him or the card he gives you as a parting gift? If someone told me he was over-curve, though, I could definitely understand.
Mind Unbound seems really cool, but it comes down pretty late. Definitely could see it getting played in EDH, though.
Phantasmal Image. Not only can this guy be a staple in Illusions theme, but he can be a VERY well-rounded creature for defense. (It can copy Thrun and cards alike, preventing them from targetting it.)
Copy thrun I promise it will work exactly how you want it to.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing standard:
RUG:
10-3-4(ID)
Venser UW control:
3-0-1
Call me crazy, but I think Sundial of the Infinite is a sleeper. I think it's just begging to be broken.
Right now I'm working on a deck that tries to exploit it, but I doubt it will be effective. It uses Glimmerpoint Stag, Venser, the Sojourner, Oblivion Ring, Into the Roil and Aether Adept to try and establish a tempo and eventually start exiling things left and right using Glimmerpoint and ORing with Venser and activating the Sundial.
Vengeful Pharaoh, Swiftboots, Skinshifter, and Sundail are sleepers imho.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
*I COLLECT EHAN106 ALTERS. GOT ANY?*
An actor without a director is but a mannequin.
While a director without a writer is unemployed.
But ultimately a writer without words is dead.
~R. D. Newman
"7,015 creatures in existence. They all die to removal."
Never before has a boy wanted more...zombie slaying.
To be honest, the MVP's are pretty much reprints. The sleepers are mostly new cards that may find a home in some Innistrad deck, though I'm not 100% sure about the new Chandra.
Rune-Scarred Demon is the biggest sleeper in the set, IMO. In the right deck, he's arguably better than Grave Titan. Quicksilver Amulet will also see play (Hey, how about that? Those two cards actually go well together! ).
Given the amount of mill/graveyard-y stuff I do think INN will have a GY theme, and so I'll give Jace's Archivist decent odds on being worth more than his $2 pre=order price. I also like Master Thief in blue, and while I definitely don't think it will break the format, I do think Sphinx of Uthuun will be better than many people think it is now. Visions of Beyond has potential to be good. Not $20 good.
In Black I like anything Zombies right now- they seems stronger than usual. I think Zombie Infestation might be a sleeper.
Red has Goblin Grenade and Grim lavamancer, but everyone already knows about those.
Garruk seems very strong, and I also like that Overrun is back. Doubling Chant might also be a surprise for us.
Rune-Scarred Demon is the biggest sleeper in the set, IMO. In the right deck, he's arguably better than Grave Titan. Quicksilver Amulet will also see play (Hey, how about that? Those two cards actually go well together! ).
I actually agree with this. I can see Rune-Scarred Demon being the type of finisher that control decks love because you immediately get to tutor for backup whatever and seal the win once you've stabilized. It also survives Dismember, which is going to be HUGE as long as that card remains in Standard.
I actually agree with this. I can see Rune-Scarred Demon being the type of finisher that control decks love because you immediately get to tutor for backup whatever and seal the win once you've stabilized. It also survives Dismember, which is going to be HUGE as long as that card remains in Standard.
I don't agree about the comparison to GT!
Demon comes one turn later, so "compared" to dmg he's 10life behinde GT. Both survive doomblades and dismember as well so they're equal in that case.
Yes Tutoring a card is not bad, but this does not win you the game, otherwise Liliane would be the best planeswalker ever and the uncommon Tutor for 4cmc would be picked over Control Magic
Here are my MVPs:
1) Gideon's Avenger: control decks are gonna love this guy
2) Grand Abolisher: as in the Avenger's case, more white control
3) Lord of the Unreal: looks just fun for casual illusion jank
4) Smallpox: Cheers to black control, and helps out the graveyard themed decks too
5) Vengeful Pharoah: just like Bloodghast, a real pain to deal with
6) Chandra, the Firebrand: a great, splashable 'Walker
7) Goblin Grenade: Now there'll be some serious Goblin/RDW contenders in standard
8) Grim Lavamancer: a RDW staple for standard and EDH loves him
9) Garruk, Primal Hunter: this 'Walker is mighty versatile.
10) Rites of Flourishing: one more notch on any ramp deck
11) Adaptive Automaton: Very well rounded creature, will find itself in ALL tribal decks, as well as EDH. It can even be thrown into "tribe-ish" creature decks that are w/o a lord
12) Solemn Simulacrum: Well, it's about time! EDH, standard, casual, etc... can all have fun with this guy.
13) Sundial of the Infinite: now those "opps events" on your turn or a bad unexoected turn of events on your turn have a way to disapear... as long as you notice is it before an apponent doesn't see it before you do
14) Buried Ruin: Well, we're in a artifact themed standard, where can this go wrong?
Here are my Sleepers:
1) Angelic Destiny: the new Rancor (not as fast, but a much more heavy hitter)
2) Turn to frog: blue removal that's fun and unexpected
3) Visions of Beyond: with a graveyard theme and the most-likely-future-popularity of mill decks, this'll take off
4) Call to the Grave: Also, Innistrad will have zombies, so this'll be a potent reprint, The Abyss for undead lovers
5) Rune-Scarred Demon: an EDH staple
6) Chandra's Phoenix: RDW gets another staple
7) Skinshifter: very flavorful and versatile/adaptable
8) The "Empires series", Crown of Empires, Scepter of Empires, & Throne of Empires: looks very fun and reminds me a lot of the Urza land trio (Urzatron)
9) Druidic Satchel: the versatility is just plain fun, no matter what, you win a prize!
10) Manalith: EDH and casual mutli-colored decks will eat this up
11) Swiftfoot Boots: pretty much Lightning Greaves2.0 - great way to protect the ones you love
Do you agree or disagree with any of my picks? Did I miss anything? Please, talk amongst yourselves...
(U/B)(U/B)(U/B) JUMP IN THE LINE, ROCK YOUR BODY IN TIME
(R/W)(R/W)(R/W) RISING FROM THE NEON GLOOM, SHINING LIKE A CRAZY MOON
(U/R)(R/G)(G/U) STEALIN' WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUYIN'
All of the Titans look good, but they're just passing through from M11, which is why I didn't mention them.
Creatures [28]
4x Extractor Demon
4x Rotting Rats
4x Dregscape Zombie
3x Fatestitcher
4x Viscera Dragger
4x Hedron Crab
2x Kederekt Leviathan
3x Corpse Connoisseur
4x Spell Pierce
2x Consume Spirit
2x Tome Scour
3x Grim Discovery
Lands [23]
4x Terramorphic Expanse
3x Crypt of Agadeem
2x Grixis Panorama
2x Swamp
12x Island
Check out my SELLING LIST of great pricing!
EDH:
:symb::symb: Marrow-Gnawer :symb::symb: - :symw::symu: Grand Arbiter Augustin IV :symw::symu: - :symb::symb: Toshiro Umezawa :symb::symb: - :symg::symg: Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro :symg::symg:
MafiaScum Wiki Page
True, but with Thrun being a legend and all... *POOF*, where'd'go?!?! But I get your thought, the Hexproof love this guy
Also I think Hunter's Insight will really push green above the curve or at least make them a good supporting color in control decks.
Sanctuary + Manabarbs is too tough to assemble for too little reward in this format... It's fun, but having a two-card interaction that doesn't just murder your enemy isn't competitive in the land of rampant removal, disruption and pressure. Also, there's not really that much support for RW control... it'll always leave you wondering, "why aren't I just UW?"
Hunter's Insight is another card that I find fun and powerful, but just doesn't really have a place in this Standard format. Removal is *everywhere* and there aren't enough powerful big guys that you want to use this on. I mean, hitting them with a Titan and drawing 6 is awesome, but when are you not already winning if you're hitting with a Titan? Likewise, using this on a Squadron Hawk or a Vengevine just doesn't seem like a good use of time. I'd love to see this work, but tragically I just don't.
As for the actual MVP cards, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Smallpox, Grand Abolisher, Chandra, Garruk, Goblin Grenade, Grim Lavamancer, Solemn Simulacrum, Visions of Beyond, Skinshifter, or Chandra's Phoenix. It depends pretty heavily on what's in INN, but those cards all have a pretty high power level in the right atmosphere.
Other cards that interest me are Lore Unbound and Rune-Scarred Demon for EDH purposes. Solemn Simulcrum should see some play, though I don't know what deck is for him right now. Hopefully M12 will diversify the FNM scene so I can quit seeing splinter twin every round.
WR Heroic
Modern
FISH
Legacy
FISH
EDH
Hanna, Ship Navigator - Enchantments
Sygg, River Guide - Fish Tribal
Mayael, the Anima - Power5orGreater
Zedruu, the Greathearted - Gifts
Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker - 1 Power Recursion
Roon of the Hidden Realm - ETB Triggers
Edric, Spymaster of Trent - TurboFog
Lazav, Dimir Mastermind - Shapeshifters *IN PROGRESS*
Krenko, Mob Boss - Goblins *IN PROGRESS*
Sad Robot could fit nicely into a lot of decks. He does a lot of useful things no matter what. He may be a four-mana 2/2, but who would argue with that free land that comes with him or the card he gives you as a parting gift? If someone told me he was over-curve, though, I could definitely understand.
Mind Unbound seems really cool, but it comes down pretty late. Definitely could see it getting played in EDH, though.
540 Peasant cube- Gold EditionSomething SpicyTrades
UBRTezzUBR
UMono-Blue-ControlU
RUGRiku of Two ReflectionsRUG
Copy thrun I promise it will work exactly how you want it to.
RUG:
10-3-4(ID)
Venser UW control:
3-0-1
Right now I'm working on a deck that tries to exploit it, but I doubt it will be effective. It uses Glimmerpoint Stag, Venser, the Sojourner, Oblivion Ring, Into the Roil and Aether Adept to try and establish a tempo and eventually start exiling things left and right using Glimmerpoint and ORing with Venser and activating the Sundial.
Want to be a better Magic player? Read the rulings forum and check out the comprehensive rules!
Vengeful Pharaoh, Swiftboots, Skinshifter, and Sundail are sleepers imho.
An actor without a director is but a mannequin.
While a director without a writer is unemployed.
But ultimately a writer without words is dead.
~R. D. Newman
"7,015 creatures in existence. They all die to removal."
Never before has a boy wanted more...zombie slaying.
GP Vegas: It was once in a lifetime!
On Vault of the Archangel
Oblivion Ring, Doom Blade, Grave Titan (& most other assorted Titans), Grim Lavamancer, Gideon Jura, Ponder, Birds of Paradise, Naturalize, Rampant Growth, Elixir of Immortality
Sleepers:
Smallpox, Jace's Archivist, Master Thief, Visions of Beyond (but thanks for quoting that guy Sadams, $20? WotC doesn't want to make Recall that easy to cast, so they won't enable it that hard), Zombie Infestation (maaaybe), Chandra, the Firebrand, Manic Vandal, Garruk, the Primal Hunter, Jace, Memory Adept, Rites of Flourishing
???
Adapative Automaton, Skinshifter, Quicksilver Amulet, Solemn Simulacrum (great card, but what deck? how popular? when?)
To be honest, the MVP's are pretty much reprints. The sleepers are mostly new cards that may find a home in some Innistrad deck, though I'm not 100% sure about the new Chandra.
Given the amount of mill/graveyard-y stuff I do think INN will have a GY theme, and so I'll give Jace's Archivist decent odds on being worth more than his $2 pre=order price. I also like Master Thief in blue, and while I definitely don't think it will break the format, I do think Sphinx of Uthuun will be better than many people think it is now. Visions of Beyond has potential to be good. Not $20 good.
In Black I like anything Zombies right now- they seems stronger than usual. I think Zombie Infestation might be a sleeper.
Red has Goblin Grenade and Grim lavamancer, but everyone already knows about those.
Garruk seems very strong, and I also like that Overrun is back. Doubling Chant might also be a surprise for us.
It seems like a nice addition to Birthing Pod decks. With the graveyard theme from innistrad pod is bound to get more powerful.
How bout that turn 4 Emrakul?
Indianapolis Regionals 2009 (Standard)
Worldwake Gameday (Limited)
See my alters here: http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/jimmy2do/Cards/
I actually agree with this. I can see Rune-Scarred Demon being the type of finisher that control decks love because you immediately get to tutor for backup whatever and seal the win once you've stabilized. It also survives Dismember, which is going to be HUGE as long as that card remains in Standard.
I don't agree about the comparison to GT!
Demon comes one turn later, so "compared" to dmg he's 10life behinde GT. Both survive doomblades and dismember as well so they're equal in that case.
Yes Tutoring a card is not bad, but this does not win you the game, otherwise Liliane would be the best planeswalker ever and the uncommon Tutor for 4cmc would be picked over Control Magic
GT > RSD
That's not a sleeper at all.