I feel like Oubliette's out of color pie for black. A white version would fit the color pie much better.
Definitely, especially the part where it’s an enchantment. But Wizards does need to serve the player base that loves old, quirky cards. Part of eternal formats is exploiting the variations in design technology over the lifespan of the game.
I mean we’ve been getting white versions for years now.
Black gets exile effects these days though. There was a time when it was usually ‘black destroys white exiles’. But current standard has infernal reckoning, necrotic wound, grotesque demise, reaver ambush, settle the score, and vraska’s contempt. And the also not-white Hostage Taker, which is exactly this sort of ‘exile by a permanent but can get reversed with permanent removal’ sort of effect.
I think they ought to explore Capturing (you gain control of the creature, and as long as it's your captive it can't attack or block and you can't activate its abilities) as an action word for WUB. White can use capturing as a form of law enforcement (much like it does with Arrest), black uses it for more criminal purposes (hostaging, ransom, slavery, torture, etc), and blue can use it for interrogation, experimentation, or to simply neutralize a nuisance. Capturing wouldn't undermine WUB's respective color pie weaknesses, but it would expand the range of possible effects and interactions for low complexity cost.
But this isn't the topic for mechanic speculation, so I digress.
No doubt we'll probably get some good reprints, but I'm more interested in new cards. Could we see new mechanics? Maybe tweaks on old mechanics that don't currently have a better home, like Affinity for creatures or Splice onto instant/sorcery?
MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
I mean we’ve been getting white versions for years now.
Black gets exile effects these days though. There was a time when it was usually ‘black destroys white exiles’. But current standard has infernal reckoning, necrotic wound, grotesque demise, reaver ambush, settle the score, and vraska’s contempt. And the also not-white Hostage Taker, which is exactly this sort of ‘exile by a permanent but can get reversed with permanent removal’ sort of effect.
I think they ought to explore Capturing (you gain control of the creature, and as long as it's your captive it can't attack or block and you can't activate its abilities) as an action word for WUB. White can use capturing as a form of law enforcement (much like it does with Arrest), black uses it for more criminal purposes (hostaging, ransom, slavery, torture, etc), and blue can use it for interrogation, experimentation, or to simply neutralize a nuisance. Capturing wouldn't undermine WUB's respective color pie weaknesses, but it would expand the range of possible effects and interactions for low complexity cost.
But this isn't the topic for mechanic speculation, so I digress.
No doubt we'll probably get some good reprints, but I'm more interested in new cards. Could we see new mechanics? Maybe tweaks on old mechanics that don't currently have a better home, like Affinity for creatures or Splice onto instant/sorcery?
This is the thing I hope for the most. I do love when they bring back old mechanics, even if it's just on one or two cards. If they are thinking of making the allied swords then seeing protection is highly likely, which is nice to see.
I'm interested in seeing how they outdate the fetch lands and some of the expensive cards in the format. This is basically moderns first commander set and the print run is probably going to be big, but constrained to prevent market flooding.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
I feel like Oubliette's out of color pie for black. A white version would fit the color pie much better.
Definitely, especially the part where it’s an enchantment. But Wizards does need to serve the player base that loves old, quirky cards. Part of eternal formats is exploiting the variations in design technology over the lifespan of the game.
So, why black shouldn't be allowed to have a crappy version of Journey to Nowhere? Yes, we can say that the card is a bend because, it's true, normally black doesn't "prison" things. But it's not a break of the color pie, because this is nothing black can't do in already better and more efficent ways.
Don't think Oubliette is out of the color pie (or breaks it) in fact it is a think black can do (Slithery Stalker, Faceless Butcher, Faceless Devourer, Parallax Nexus, Brain Maggot, Kitesail Freebooter and do sometimes). Holding cards/resources from a opponent in a "prison" is a thing black does but doesn't do often just because straght killing or exiling or discarding is always better, and in the color pie black is the color with best removal/discard soo why should the developers always do "ok-ish" removal/discard when they can do good ones? If it wasn't for pauper(in devotion) do you think people would Oubliette over Cast Down (if it was legal in pauper) or any other removal, or Ravenous Chupacabra, or a Nekrataal-creaturetype that costed 2?
I know many people want Oubliette, but Black could really use a 2cmc unconditional exile target creature at instant speed. 2cmc makes it different enough from Path that I think you could even get away with a small bonus stapled to it... maybe.
I do think a 2cmc Nekratall would see Pauper play though.
I'm curious to see what 50 cards they chose to reprint as well as all the new ones. I'm happy they're printing cards powerful enough to be in Modern now and aren't handcuffed by having them pass through Standard. Does anything think Serra the Benevolent is good enough to be competitive? If so, in what type of decks?
I'm curious to see what 50 cards they chose to reprint as well as all the new ones. I'm happy they're printing cards powerful enough to be in Modern now and aren't handcuffed by having them pass through Standard. Does anything think Serra the Benevolent is good enough to be competitive? If so, in what type of decks?
I think you mostly put Serra in sideboard of Lingering Souls decks. Otherwise, maindeck in some sort of BW tokens dedicated deck with Bitterblossom and things like that.
The -4 is just a plus. I predict people playing Serra for the +1 or for the ultimate mainly.
UBRGrixis Shard: Grixis believes in a bold and impassioned search for satisfaction, perfection, and self expression. Those of Grixis colors have an eagerness to break the status quo and remake things in their own image. They disregard tradition and conventional approval, seeing them as unnecessary to achieve their goals, the well behaved rarely make history. Blue wants perfection. Black wants power. Red wants freedom.
I was wondering the same. The video announcement did not mention that, only that they are all new to Modern expect for basics. Are people getting the 50 from what they did in Conspiracy and Battlebond?
I was wondering the same. The video announcement did not mention that, only that they are all new to Modern expect for basics. Are people getting the 50 from what they did in Conspiracy and Battlebond?
If the set was mostly new cards, I'd be thrilled as that increases the room for new legend cards, but I'd think something closer to a 50/50 split would be likely, to allow ample room for reprints.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
MTGS Wikia Article about "New World Order"
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
PSA to everyone who keeps forgetting about the Reserved List:
You're on a website dedicated to talking about MtG. You're only a few keystrokes away from finding out what cards are on the Reserved List. You're also only a few keystrokes away from finding out why some cards on the Reserved List got foil printings in FtV, as Judge promos, or whatnot, as well as why that won't happen again. Stop doing this.
I just hope the packs aren't $9.99 each, but I bet they will be.
Impossible the print run is gonna be no different to what they did with conspiracy and battlebond sets
While the MTGO pricing being shown as $6.99 a pack seems to indicate a price point higher than they had in Conspiracy and Battlebond...
...you're replying to a bot that's just copypasting the first reply in this thread. Its only other post is also a copypaste of a post from earlier in that thread. It's not a real person.
I'm very close to putting my money down on the cycle of "Words" cards from Onslaught. I think they would make a neat addition and launch their own archetype. If Enchantress is reprinted, Words of War would definitely fit the archetype.
I just hope the packs aren't $9.99 each, but I bet they will be.
Impossible the print run is gonna be no different to what they did with conspiracy and battlebond sets
yet, if you look at other masters sets (MM2015, Eternal Masters, NN2017, Iconic Masters and Masters 25) that had an MtGO price of 6.99 per pack, they had an msrp of 9.99 per paper pack.
Battlebond and BOTH Conspiracy had a 3.99 MSRP for the actual paper product.
If they didn't decide to retire the MSRP you would have most likely seen a 9.99 msrp price tag on the paper boosters.
I just hope the packs aren't $9.99 each, but I bet they will be.
Impossible the print run is gonna be no different to what they did with conspiracy and battlebond sets
yet, if you look at other masters sets (MM2015, Eternal Masters, NN2017, Iconic Masters and Masters 25) that had an MtGO price of 6.99 per pack, they had an msrp of 9.99 per paper pack.
Battlebond and BOTH Conspiracy had a 3.99 MSRP for the actual paper product.
If they didn't decide to retire the MSRP you would have most likely seen a 9.99 msrp price tag on the paper boosters.
while its true the others masters sets had 6.99 packs on mtgo, everything else released about the set points to packs being cheaper than the 9.99 that we've come to expect from masters (6-8). unlimited print run, actual 'week before' prerelease in-store events, and 36 packs per box. its early, but the word on the grapevine is that distributors are ordering boxes at ~$164; and seeing how power sellers can (for the most part) order as much as they want the online sales will be a race to the bottom. there will be margins for online sellers, and slightly bigger ones for local game stores; however pack prices, even in stores, will have a ceiling thanks to the rampant competition/under-cutting.
i have no doubt that stores will treat this like a masters product, and with no msrp guideline will price accordingly. however the scope of the demand, and being able to order as much as people are willing to buy means the margins to be had will be slim; much like standard sets. you can preorder boxes right now for 199.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Modern: UWGSnow-Bant Control BURGrixis Death's Shadow GWBCoCo Elves WCDeath and Taxes (sold)
Well, nice to hear that this product doesn't seem to be a "limited print" one like some of the masrters products. With the abundance of brand new cards they need to make it widely available at a reasonable price.
I think that people are overblowing what would be reprinted here... if only a little. Wizards will probably dredge up a few filler cards to fill out any draft archetypes that it is trying to push. If wizards pushes cycling, we'll probably get Krosan Tusker or Stoic Champion to go with our Astral Slide. If wizards pushes tribal, we'll probably get sparksmith to stand by our goblin recruiter. I keep hearing that about 50 of the cards are going to be reprints and I still expect to see some degree of chaff (at least by modern standards).
Actually... let me see if I can assemble a list of 52 cards that I think could reasonably be reprinted in the set to support a couple of themes (cycling and tribal for my purposes), fill out a couple of cycles, and maintain a rough color balance.
1. Astral Slide: One of the primary reasons for including cycling as a main theme. I doubt that it would do much to the modern scene but it would be fun to test out.
2. Battle Screech: A decently powered card to throw around tokens. Works with cards like Triplicate Spirits and Lingering Souls to pump out the fliers fast.
3. Catapult Squad: White hasn't had much in the way of quality tribal cards (especiallly pre-8th) so let's go with one of the better soldier cards. The idea of throwing down Raise the Alarm and killing something out of the blue is fun... but not particularly strong.
4. Containment Priest: Primo sideboard material against unfair decks.
5. Decree of Justice: Uncounterable soldier tokens (fitting with the tribal theme) on a cycling card checks all of the boxes for this set. If cycling is a theme, I think that this might be our cycle of rare reprints... (though the avatar cycle from prophecy is possible if this set lacks cycling)
6. Mobilization: The other halfway decent soldier support card (the warchief and catapult master are too expensive)... and I still don't expect it to do anything.
7. Recruiter of the Guard: A reasonably priced tutor with a relevant creature type (Soldier).
8. Soulcatcher: Another card to be combined with Lingering souls and the like. I doubt that it would get anywhere but it's fun to consider.
9. Arcane Artisan: I generally love the design of this card as it provides a slower and more fragile version of the sort of degenerate effects Modern is known for. It's no show and tell but this is the closest that we might get in modern.
10. Cloud of Faeries: Helps spellstutter sprite and fits into the cycling theme of the set. Otherwise, it's a free 1/1.
11. Counterspell: Feels like a pretty safe inclusion on this list.
12. Decree of Silence: Filling out that cycle (heh) of cards.
13. Fact or Fiction: The other envelop-pushing card they may slot into blue.
14. Information Dealer: Just a filler wizard tribal card.
15. Patron Wizard OR Riptide Laboratory: I'm honestly not sure which one is safer for modern. Reusing a spellstutter or clique is pretty mean... but tapping them right as they arrive to counter something is gross. Still leaning toward the Patron Wizard as it is easier to destroy.
16. Carrion Feeder: Free sac outlet and relevant creature type gets my attention. I almost went for Putrid Imp but the thought of what that does for dredge made me throw up in my mouth a little.
17. Decree of Pain: Filling out that cycle (har) of cards.
18 Innocent Blood: Fair destruction for one Diabolic Edict is still possible, though I'm rooting for this card.
19. Oubliette: Look. It was mentioned in a video that wizards had plans to reprint oubliette in the future not long before Modern Horizons was announced. Can't blame a guy for reaching some conclusions.
20. Toxic Deluge: Another kill spell with some modern potential.
21. Undead Gladiator: A cycling creature with a relevant creature type.
22. Zombie Master: A card that could make modern zombies a real contender (especially with urborg).
23. Beetleback Chief: A reasonable goblin to help throw out bodies.
24. Decree of Annihilation: Filling the cycle (hoho) of cards.
25. Flametongue Kavu: Completely reasonable card by modern standards and an excellent callback.
26. Goblin Bombardment: Like Carrion Crawler, this is a good (and cheap) sac engien that can use all of the tokens goblisn produce (synergizes with the beetleback chief).
27. Goblin Matron: Solid goblin that would give the deck gas without overpowering it.
28. Lightning Rift: Another payoff card for cycling as having just one wouldn't be enough for a limited format (hoping that wizards would produce a green one as one of the new cards in the set to complete the cycle).
29. Sparksmith: A reasonable tribal inclusion.
30. Argothian Enchantress: A decently priced enchantment engine that protects itself. I feel that this is marginally more likely than the Grove (which would make boggles a nightmare) or Presence (which was reprinted in commander last year).
31 Bind: A more reasonable stifle variant that lets players pop their first fetch without too much worrying.
32. Bloodline Shaman: A reasonable tribal card in general that happens to be an elf.
33. Decree of Savagery: The cycle (ugh) of cards is completed.
34. Krosan Tusker: A simple common that cycles for profit.
35. Muscle Sliver: Because it's about darn time.
36. Timberwatch Elf: A reasonable elf to support the tribal theme.
37. Wild Growth: More enchantress support.
38. Wirewood Symbiote: While this card is pretty darn powerful, it feels a bit safer than wellwisher and priest of titania. In a world where the big mana comes from tapping 3 creatures (heritage) or a 3-drop (archdruid), I fele that this thing could see print.
39. Aura Shards Just a pet choice for my personal preferences. Realistically, something a bit more general like Gerrard's Verdict could fill this slot.
40. Crystalline Sliver: Another awesome sliver that we need from the past.
41. Hibernation Sliver: Yet another sliver that is greatly needed and appreciated.
42. Pernicious Deed: Excellent destruction that half of this forum seems to be expecting.
43. Psychatog: Iconic card that takes advantage of cycled cards in your grave.
44. Vindicate: It's about tiem that this thing entered the modern card pool. I don't think that a 3-mana kill spell with one target is going to upset too many people.
45. Fluctuator: A missing piece of the cycling deck that nobody seems to be recommending so far.
46. Rishadan Port: A fair way to stop greedy mana-bases.
47. Thran Quarry: A reasonably powerful card to help with mana fixing.
48-52: Drifting Meadow, Polluted Mire, Remote Isle, Slippery Karst, Smoldering Crater: While the one-mana cycling cards are certainly more powerful, colorless cycling makes it easier to sort through colors (which is a boon for limited environements)... and these ones work really well with that fluctuator.
Honestly, I don't even expect things to be quite as good as that list. I think we'll get some gems and much-needed support but... well... the draft format will probably come first (even among the 50-something reprints).
I think that people are overblowing what would be reprinted here... if only a little. Wizards will probably dredge up a few filler cards to fill out any draft archetypes that it is trying to push. If wizards pushes cycling, we'll probably get Krosan Tusker or Stoic Champion to go with our Astral Slide. If wizards pushes tribal, we'll probably get sparksmith to stand by our goblin recruiter. I keep hearing that about 50 of the cards are going to be reprints and I still expect to see some degree of chaff (at least by modern standards).
Actually... let me see if I can assemble a list of 52 cards that I think could reasonably be reprinted in the set to support a couple of themes (cycling and tribal for my purposes), fill out a couple of cycles, and maintain a rough color balance.
1. Astral Slide: One of the primary reasons for including cycling as a main theme. I doubt that it would do much to the modern scene but it would be fun to test out.
2. Battle Screech: A decently powered card to throw around tokens. Works with cards like Triplicate Spirits and Lingering Souls to pump out the fliers fast.
3. Catapult Squad: White hasn't had much in the way of quality tribal cards (especiallly pre-8th) so let's go with one of the better soldier cards. The idea of throwing down Raise the Alarm and killing something out of the blue is fun... but not particularly strong.
4. Containment Priest: Primo sideboard material against unfair decks.
5. Decree of Justice: Uncounterable soldier tokens (fitting with the tribal theme) on a cycling card checks all of the boxes for this set. If cycling is a theme, I think that this might be our cycle of rare reprints... (though the avatar cycle from prophecy is possible if this set lacks cycling)
6. Mobilization: The other halfway decent soldier support card (the warchief and catapult master are too expensive)... and I still don't expect it to do anything.
7. Recruiter of the Guard: A reasonably priced tutor with a relevant creature type (Soldier).
8. Soulcatcher: Another card to be combined with Lingering souls and the like. I doubt that it would get anywhere but it's fun to consider.
9. Arcane Artisan: I generally love the design of this card as it provides a slower and more fragile version of the sort of degenerate effects Modern is known for. It's no show and tell but this is the closest that we might get in modern.
10. Cloud of Faeries: Helps spellstutter sprite and fits into the cycling theme of the set. Otherwise, it's a free 1/1.
11. Counterspell: Feels like a pretty safe inclusion on this list.
12. Decree of Silence: Filling out that cycle (heh) of cards.
13. Fact or Fiction: The other envelop-pushing card they may slot into blue.
14. Information Dealer: Just a filler wizard tribal card.
15. Patron Wizard OR Riptide Laboratory: I'm honestly not sure which one is safer for modern. Reusing a spellstutter or clique is pretty mean... but tapping them right as they arrive to counter something is gross. Still leaning toward the Patron Wizard as it is easier to destroy.
16. Carrion Feeder: Free sac outlet and relevant creature type gets my attention. I almost went for Putrid Imp but the thought of what that does for dredge made me throw up in my mouth a little.
17. Decree of Pain: Filling out that cycle (har) of cards.
18 Innocent Blood: Fair destruction for one Diabolic Edict is still possible, though I'm rooting for this card.
19. Oubliette: Look. It was mentioned in a video that wizards had plans to reprint oubliette in the future not long before Modern Horizons was announced. Can't blame a guy for reaching some conclusions.
20. Toxic Deluge: Another kill spell with some modern potential.
21. Undead Gladiator: A cycling creature with a relevant creature type.
22. Zombie Master: A card that could make modern zombies a real contender (especially with urborg).
23. Beetleback Chief: A reasonable goblin to help throw out bodies.
24. Decree of Annihilation: Filling the cycle (hoho) of cards.
25. Flametongue Kavu: Completely reasonable card by modern standards and an excellent callback.
26. Goblin Bombardment: Like Carrion Crawler, this is a good (and cheap) sac engien that can use all of the tokens goblisn produce (synergizes with the beetleback chief).
27. Goblin Matron: Solid goblin that would give the deck gas without overpowering it.
28. Lightning Rift: Another payoff card for cycling as having just one wouldn't be enough for a limited format (hoping that wizards would produce a green one as one of the new cards in the set to complete the cycle).
29. Sparksmith: A reasonable tribal inclusion.
30. Argothian Enchantress: A decently priced enchantment engine that protects itself. I feel that this is marginally more likely than the Grove (which would make boggles a nightmare) or Presence (which was reprinted in commander last year).
31 Bind: A more reasonable stifle variant that lets players pop their first fetch without too much worrying.
32. Bloodline Shaman: A reasonable tribal card in general that happens to be an elf.
33. Decree of Savagery: The cycle (ugh) of cards is completed.
34. Krosan Tusker: A simple common that cycles for profit.
35. Muscle Sliver: Because it's about darn time.
36. Timberwatch Elf: A reasonable elf to support the tribal theme.
37. Wild Growth: More enchantress support.
38. Wirewood Symbiote: While this card is pretty darn powerful, it feels a bit safer than wellwisher and priest of titania. In a world where the big mana comes from tapping 3 creatures (heritage) or a 3-drop (archdruid), I fele that this thing could see print.
39. Aura Shards Just a pet choice for my personal preferences. Realistically, something a bit more general like Gerrard's Verdict could fill this slot.
40. Crystalline Sliver: Another awesome sliver that we need from the past.
41. Hibernation Sliver: Yet another sliver that is greatly needed and appreciated.
42. Pernicious Deed: Excellent destruction that half of this forum seems to be expecting.
43. Psychatog: Iconic card that takes advantage of cycled cards in your grave.
44. Vindicate: It's about tiem that this thing entered the modern card pool. I don't think that a 3-mana kill spell with one target is going to upset too many people.
45. Fluctuator: A missing piece of the cycling deck that nobody seems to be recommending so far.
46. Rishadan Port: A fair way to stop greedy mana-bases.
47. Thran Quarry: A reasonably powerful card to help with mana fixing.
48-52: Drifting Meadow, Polluted Mire, Remote Isle, Slippery Karst, Smoldering Crater: While the one-mana cycling cards are certainly more powerful, colorless cycling makes it easier to sort through colors (which is a boon for limited environements)... and these ones work really well with that fluctuator.
Honestly, I don't even expect things to be quite as good as that list. I think we'll get some gems and much-needed support but... well... the draft format will probably come first (even among the 50-something reprints).
Nice list overall.
Mobilization: alread in modern;
Cloud of Fearies: don't think it is safe, it is ok, but abusable, could become a problem easy;
Muscle Sliver i think is a bit too much, the other two i m okish. Hibernation and some of the slivers from onslaught block should be/"are ok" in modern tho.
I remember the end days of old Extended and how I took a longish break from magic when there was no format legal for Pernicious Deed. If that comes back I might actually look to get into Modern for the first time since the format existed. That is if they actually make Chainer's Edict legal, too. Getting Chainer's Edict, Recoup and Pernicious Deed would be a blast, and I could get over losing Evasive Action, maybe. But downshifting that one would mean all the good stuff you need to make Domain work in Pauper, and that would be really good.
Some advice from a guy who actually played with Fluctuator and Flametongue Kavu. Don't reprint Fluctuator. Just don't. Flametongue Kavu is sneakily much stronger than all the later Flametongues we've been getting for years and either does noting if a fomat is resistant to it (namely, usual threats are too big for him to take them out if you cast him on curve), or it completely wtfpwns dude decks and acts as a power-level gatekeeper even if no deck actually plays him. Meaning he either does nothing, or he really affects the format just by existing. I'd be very careful about that card, unless the format is already opressively dominated by some other gatekeeper with even higher busted-quota requirement for any creature to be playable.
Folks who are nostalgic about FTK often don't really understand how much impact that card can have.
"Masques Block is the worst block ever! There's not one decent card in there! The whole internet say's so, you're literally the only person who ever said it was good!" - random noob in a conversation with an Eldrazi.
Magic was a lot different when FTK was seeing competitive play. I think it’s generally worse than Bloodbraid Elf which doesn’t play outside of one deck. It’s hard to justify spending four mana on anything in this format, and as a person who only plays with red based removal in modern, 4 damage just ain’t doing it on turn 4. The number of matchups where FTK wouldn’t even have a target aside from your own creatures is pretty large.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Definitely, especially the part where it’s an enchantment. But Wizards does need to serve the player base that loves old, quirky cards. Part of eternal formats is exploiting the variations in design technology over the lifespan of the game.
Hostage Taker is also part blue, and blue has explored prison exile before. Not to mention you can cast the exiled card, so it's more straight-up theft than simple imprisonment.
I think they ought to explore Capturing (you gain control of the creature, and as long as it's your captive it can't attack or block and you can't activate its abilities) as an action word for WUB. White can use capturing as a form of law enforcement (much like it does with Arrest), black uses it for more criminal purposes (hostaging, ransom, slavery, torture, etc), and blue can use it for interrogation, experimentation, or to simply neutralize a nuisance. Capturing wouldn't undermine WUB's respective color pie weaknesses, but it would expand the range of possible effects and interactions for low complexity cost.
But this isn't the topic for mechanic speculation, so I digress.
No doubt we'll probably get some good reprints, but I'm more interested in new cards. Could we see new mechanics? Maybe tweaks on old mechanics that don't currently have a better home, like Affinity for creatures or Splice onto instant/sorcery?
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
This is the thing I hope for the most. I do love when they bring back old mechanics, even if it's just on one or two cards. If they are thinking of making the allied swords then seeing protection is highly likely, which is nice to see.
1. (Ravnica Allegiance): You can't keep a good esper control deck down... Or Wilderness Reclamation... or Gates...
2. (War of the Spark): Guys, I know what we need! We need a cycle of really idiotic flavor text victory cards! Jace's Triumph...
3. (War of the Spark): Lets make the format with control have even more control!
Monoblack exiling creatures is in the color pie. ( Gild, Hour of Glory, Sever the Bloodline, Silence the Believers, Vraska's Contempt ).
So, why black shouldn't be allowed to have a crappy version of Journey to Nowhere? Yes, we can say that the card is a bend because, it's true, normally black doesn't "prison" things. But it's not a break of the color pie, because this is nothing black can't do in already better and more efficent ways.
I do think a 2cmc Nekratall would see Pauper play though.
"Reveal a Dragon"
I think you mostly put Serra in sideboard of Lingering Souls decks. Otherwise, maindeck in some sort of BW tokens dedicated deck with Bitterblossom and things like that.
The -4 is just a plus. I predict people playing Serra for the +1 or for the ultimate mainly.
Best MTG colour test ever: https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/8905d5/what_kind_of_mage_would_you_be_test_your_colors/
UBR Grixis Shard: Grixis believes in a bold and impassioned search for satisfaction, perfection, and self expression. Those of Grixis colors have an eagerness to break the status quo and remake things in their own image. They disregard tradition and conventional approval, seeing them as unnecessary to achieve their goals, the well behaved rarely make history. Blue wants perfection. Black wants power. Red wants freedom.
Pleasure and pain
Scorpion stings
Pretty things
and the flames of Phoenix wings
—Michelle Schaper
If the set was mostly new cards, I'd be thrilled as that increases the room for new legend cards, but I'd think something closer to a 50/50 split would be likely, to allow ample room for reprints.
Every time I read a comment about "Well if this card had card draw/trample/haste/indestructible/hexproof/life gain...", I think "You're missing the point." They're armchair developer comments that fail to take into account the card's role in the greater Limited and Standard environment. No, it may not be as good as whatever card you're comparing it to. There's a reason for that. Not every burn spell is Lightning Bolt, nor does it need to be or should be.
Impossible the print run is gonna be no different to what they did with conspiracy and battlebond sets
While the MTGO pricing being shown as $6.99 a pack seems to indicate a price point higher than they had in Conspiracy and Battlebond...
...you're replying to a bot that's just copypasting the first reply in this thread. Its only other post is also a copypaste of a post from earlier in that thread. It's not a real person.
Battlebond and BOTH Conspiracy had a 3.99 MSRP for the actual paper product.
If they didn't decide to retire the MSRP you would have most likely seen a 9.99 msrp price tag on the paper boosters.
while its true the others masters sets had 6.99 packs on mtgo, everything else released about the set points to packs being cheaper than the 9.99 that we've come to expect from masters (6-8). unlimited print run, actual 'week before' prerelease in-store events, and 36 packs per box. its early, but the word on the grapevine is that distributors are ordering boxes at ~$164; and seeing how power sellers can (for the most part) order as much as they want the online sales will be a race to the bottom. there will be margins for online sellers, and slightly bigger ones for local game stores; however pack prices, even in stores, will have a ceiling thanks to the rampant competition/under-cutting.
i have no doubt that stores will treat this like a masters product, and with no msrp guideline will price accordingly. however the scope of the demand, and being able to order as much as people are willing to buy means the margins to be had will be slim; much like standard sets. you can preorder boxes right now for 199.
UWGSnow-Bant Control
BURGrixis Death's Shadow
GWBCoCo Elves
WCDeath and Taxes(sold)Actually... let me see if I can assemble a list of 52 cards that I think could reasonably be reprinted in the set to support a couple of themes (cycling and tribal for my purposes), fill out a couple of cycles, and maintain a rough color balance.
1. Astral Slide: One of the primary reasons for including cycling as a main theme. I doubt that it would do much to the modern scene but it would be fun to test out.
2. Battle Screech: A decently powered card to throw around tokens. Works with cards like Triplicate Spirits and Lingering Souls to pump out the fliers fast.
3. Catapult Squad: White hasn't had much in the way of quality tribal cards (especiallly pre-8th) so let's go with one of the better soldier cards. The idea of throwing down Raise the Alarm and killing something out of the blue is fun... but not particularly strong.
4. Containment Priest: Primo sideboard material against unfair decks.
5. Decree of Justice: Uncounterable soldier tokens (fitting with the tribal theme) on a cycling card checks all of the boxes for this set. If cycling is a theme, I think that this might be our cycle of rare reprints... (though the avatar cycle from prophecy is possible if this set lacks cycling)
6. Mobilization: The other halfway decent soldier support card (the warchief and catapult master are too expensive)... and I still don't expect it to do anything.
7. Recruiter of the Guard: A reasonably priced tutor with a relevant creature type (Soldier).
8. Soulcatcher: Another card to be combined with Lingering souls and the like. I doubt that it would get anywhere but it's fun to consider.
9. Arcane Artisan: I generally love the design of this card as it provides a slower and more fragile version of the sort of degenerate effects Modern is known for. It's no show and tell but this is the closest that we might get in modern.
10. Cloud of Faeries: Helps spellstutter sprite and fits into the cycling theme of the set. Otherwise, it's a free 1/1.
11. Counterspell: Feels like a pretty safe inclusion on this list.
12. Decree of Silence: Filling out that cycle (heh) of cards.
13. Fact or Fiction: The other envelop-pushing card they may slot into blue.
14. Information Dealer: Just a filler wizard tribal card.
15. Patron Wizard OR Riptide Laboratory: I'm honestly not sure which one is safer for modern. Reusing a spellstutter or clique is pretty mean... but tapping them right as they arrive to counter something is gross. Still leaning toward the Patron Wizard as it is easier to destroy.
16. Carrion Feeder: Free sac outlet and relevant creature type gets my attention. I almost went for Putrid Imp but the thought of what that does for dredge made me throw up in my mouth a little.
17. Decree of Pain: Filling out that cycle (har) of cards.
18 Innocent Blood: Fair destruction for one Diabolic Edict is still possible, though I'm rooting for this card.
19. Oubliette: Look. It was mentioned in a video that wizards had plans to reprint oubliette in the future not long before Modern Horizons was announced. Can't blame a guy for reaching some conclusions.
20. Toxic Deluge: Another kill spell with some modern potential.
21. Undead Gladiator: A cycling creature with a relevant creature type.
22. Zombie Master: A card that could make modern zombies a real contender (especially with urborg).
23. Beetleback Chief: A reasonable goblin to help throw out bodies.
24. Decree of Annihilation: Filling the cycle (hoho) of cards.
25. Flametongue Kavu: Completely reasonable card by modern standards and an excellent callback.
26. Goblin Bombardment: Like Carrion Crawler, this is a good (and cheap) sac engien that can use all of the tokens goblisn produce (synergizes with the beetleback chief).
27. Goblin Matron: Solid goblin that would give the deck gas without overpowering it.
28. Lightning Rift: Another payoff card for cycling as having just one wouldn't be enough for a limited format (hoping that wizards would produce a green one as one of the new cards in the set to complete the cycle).
29. Sparksmith: A reasonable tribal inclusion.
30. Argothian Enchantress: A decently priced enchantment engine that protects itself. I feel that this is marginally more likely than the Grove (which would make boggles a nightmare) or Presence (which was reprinted in commander last year).
31 Bind: A more reasonable stifle variant that lets players pop their first fetch without too much worrying.
32. Bloodline Shaman: A reasonable tribal card in general that happens to be an elf.
33. Decree of Savagery: The cycle (ugh) of cards is completed.
34. Krosan Tusker: A simple common that cycles for profit.
35. Muscle Sliver: Because it's about darn time.
36. Timberwatch Elf: A reasonable elf to support the tribal theme.
37. Wild Growth: More enchantress support.
38. Wirewood Symbiote: While this card is pretty darn powerful, it feels a bit safer than wellwisher and priest of titania. In a world where the big mana comes from tapping 3 creatures (heritage) or a 3-drop (archdruid), I fele that this thing could see print.
39. Aura Shards Just a pet choice for my personal preferences. Realistically, something a bit more general like Gerrard's Verdict could fill this slot.
40. Crystalline Sliver: Another awesome sliver that we need from the past.
41. Hibernation Sliver: Yet another sliver that is greatly needed and appreciated.
42. Pernicious Deed: Excellent destruction that half of this forum seems to be expecting.
43. Psychatog: Iconic card that takes advantage of cycled cards in your grave.
44. Vindicate: It's about tiem that this thing entered the modern card pool. I don't think that a 3-mana kill spell with one target is going to upset too many people.
45. Fluctuator: A missing piece of the cycling deck that nobody seems to be recommending so far.
46. Rishadan Port: A fair way to stop greedy mana-bases.
47. Thran Quarry: A reasonably powerful card to help with mana fixing.
48-52: Drifting Meadow, Polluted Mire, Remote Isle, Slippery Karst, Smoldering Crater: While the one-mana cycling cards are certainly more powerful, colorless cycling makes it easier to sort through colors (which is a boon for limited environements)... and these ones work really well with that fluctuator.
Honestly, I don't even expect things to be quite as good as that list. I think we'll get some gems and much-needed support but... well... the draft format will probably come first (even among the 50-something reprints).
Nice list overall.
Mobilization: alread in modern;
Cloud of Fearies: don't think it is safe, it is ok, but abusable, could become a problem easy;
Muscle Sliver i think is a bit too much, the other two i m okish. Hibernation and some of the slivers from onslaught block should be/"are ok" in modern tho.
Some advice from a guy who actually played with Fluctuator and Flametongue Kavu. Don't reprint Fluctuator. Just don't. Flametongue Kavu is sneakily much stronger than all the later Flametongues we've been getting for years and either does noting if a fomat is resistant to it (namely, usual threats are too big for him to take them out if you cast him on curve), or it completely wtfpwns dude decks and acts as a power-level gatekeeper even if no deck actually plays him. Meaning he either does nothing, or he really affects the format just by existing. I'd be very careful about that card, unless the format is already opressively dominated by some other gatekeeper with even higher busted-quota requirement for any creature to be playable.
Folks who are nostalgic about FTK often don't really understand how much impact that card can have.