Yep, post what your favorite card in BoK is and why... may-b even a top 5 or 10 list... just post WHY you like them...
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Brian Tinsman, Set Designer :?mana::snow::snow:
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block. "Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
Patron of the Kitsune (... I love Foxes... and this well... eh... the white shoal=big sexy as well)
Ninja of the Deep Hours (mm... Card draw never hurt like this dose)
Toshi (I... MUST... have... so... *drools*)
Sowing Salt (TO THE BALLS RAFFINNITY!)
Isao, Enlightened Bushi (Super bomb in draft and sealed... this guy is well... he reminds me of a Mongoose I once knew...:))
The Jitte and Niko-Te are damn good to... I love this block... if I can't make it to the pre-re... Sheppkuii might be in order...
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Brian Tinsman, Set Designer :?mana::snow::snow:
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block. "Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
I like Ire but I love the milling Soratami the best. So far it's my favorite card in the set. I like Ire high up on the list too. I also enjoy the techliciousness of Soratami and the Gift of Life.
Snakes and rats look like they will be fun decks to make. I especially like the Sniper.
I like the Bushi to, he's DAMN sexy... 2/1 with Bushido 2 is already good... throw in regin and uncounterability= HOT DAMN! if Blue con ever sees light again, this is one of your best pals... as for Toshi... I have a deck based around him... still tweaking it... but it's damn fun to play...
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Brian Tinsman, Set Designer :?mana::snow::snow:
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block. "Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
I can't say there's any rares really that appeal to me. Umezawa's Jitte I suppose. The two ninja rares are easily accessable (ink-eyes is the PR promo, Higure i beleive is in the Precon) so I'm not really looking for those. Toshi is alright, but still seems pretty casual. My favorite cards in the set would have to be the Genju, all of which are uncommon. Also, God's Eye is another cool uncommon. But it seems everything cool will be good in either Block, casual, or limited only (well, maybe some of the genju in some decks in extended: black in MBC, blue in landstill). The set really looks like it will have zero relevance on T2.
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Currently Playing:
Legacy: Something U/W Controlish EDH Cube
Hypercube! A New EDH Deck Every Week(ish)!
Quash - My lovely counter against Wrath.
Kira - Target twice please
Hirobi's Whisper - Re-usuable Dark Banish, who wouldn't love that?
Eradicate - Darksteel Colossus? I don't think so.
Sickening Shoal - New Contagion?
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"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door." - Harvey Milk, from a tape that was to be played only after his assassination.
"Kids don't beat me, I beat kids!" - Homer
"Serve no master but your ambition." - Illyria
"The best government is the government that is powerlessly afraid of overstepping it's bounds." - Denver'D
Well, here's my top 5. I took into consideration constructed-playability and coolness.
5. Final Judgement - Shouldn't make a splash in Standard just now IMO, but block just needed a white mass removal spell *badly*.
4. Sowing Salt - Tooth and Nail's time has came. At least the Urzatron build.
3. Yuroka the Prisoner - I don't think this fits into current MBC builds, but, given the right build, this should be awesome as a drawbackless 5/5 for four.
2. Hokori, Dusk Drinker - This is just what White Weenie needs to compete against slower decks. Unfortunately, we still have Raffinity.
1. Iwamori of the Open Fist - This guy is a beating machine. Even in block, with all the legends around, it should be good.
Edit: I hadn't quite figured out what the white shoal did yet. It redirect damage from a creature or player to another CREATURE or PLAYER. Oh my God. It should definitely be #1 now, which is awesome, since I LOVE white!
5. Opal-Eye, Konda's Yojimbo - its like Oracles Attendents, except good. Combine with the new sandskin enchantment or kitsune healer or 8.5 tails for some real fun.
4. Shining Shoal - What's that, pyroclasm my 3 2/2s huh? Nah, you take 6 to the dome instead.
3. Gyoro's Vengeance - Mmmmm tap 2, reanimate my Kuro, pay 8 life to one-side wrath, swing for 9. heheheheh
2. Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker - this card just screams "ABUSE MEH!" to me. Plus, I like the flavor.
1. Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot - why? because, honestly, how can you not love a card named "Ishi-Ishi"?
1. Crack the Earth. Cheap disruption, fits the Akki theme, and a carrier for Glacial Ray.
2. Akki Raider. A solid beatdown creature, a 4/1 if both players sac land to a Crack the Earth. Interacts well with his little brother Akki Avalanchers. At worst, a typical red bear.
3. God's Eye Gate to the Renkai. Fodder for Crack the Earth or Akki Avalanchers.
4. Frostling. A 1/1 for R with a removal ability. Mogg Fanatic was at its best targeting guys anyway.
5. Akki Blizzard-Shepherd. Obviously designed to work with Crack the Earth and God's Eye. I really hate paying 1r for a 1/1 that doesn't kill guys though. He can also backfire on you and sit in your hand when you yourself can't afford to lose land. Still, it's hard for me not to put a theme-consistent Pete Venters Goblin on the list.
I'm not crazy about Goblin Cohort ... as I mentioned in another thread, you *really* need a lot of creatures -- like 24, most of which are cheap -- to make full use of him. If the swarm approach to the Akki deck turns out to be best, obviously he'll shine. If the burn-heavy approach, or the one with Stone Rains, turns out to be best, not so good.
I also think Genju of the Spires will be solid -- though not as a 4-of -- in the aggressive red decks in Block, and red decks with Pyroclasm/Flamebreak in Standard. Granted, it costs 3 lands to activate/attack, but remember that you can drop it and attack with the Mountain that same turn as long as the Mountain began your turn in play under your control. Opponents will have to play very carefully around that potential.
Anyway, that should give an idea of where my head is at in terms of Block, at least.
This is my Jackal Pup. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Jackal Pup is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My Jackal Pup without me is useless. Without my Jackal Pup, I am useless. I must tap my Jackal Pup true. I must tap faster than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must beat him down before he beats me down. I will.
Now that we basically have the full spoiler, its Top Ten List time! (I started the last 2 we've had, so it's sort of become a duty for me to start it, heh).
BoK is a great limited set, and I also note that it's a lot harder to make a top ten for heh, with the power being more evenly spread. My list is generally for constructed/casual MTGO judgments. kind of general, Constructed and Limited implications(the best cards are those which excel in both, heh). Here we go:
10-Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
5/4 regenerators are nasty, period. Especially for only 6. And then it has Ninjitsu and reanimates stuff. :yikes: Virtually an auto-scoop in limited; even Hero's Demise apparently doesn't get rid of it, and that's a rare.
9-Fumiko the Lowblood
That provoking plus the bushido is nasty. Great way to take out irritating support creatures, repeatedly("COME OUT OF THAT ******* VAULT AND GET SOME, DISCIPLE!"-Fumiko the Lowblood). Plus being additionally useful on offense. An efficient, versatile little lady.
8-Umezawa's Jitte
2 and then 2 for equip is a low price for any decent equipment, and this thing is ridiculous. Each time the equipped creature deals damage, you can give it +4/+4 next time, -2/-2(!) something, or gain 4 life, or mix and match.
7-Toshiro Umezawa
Speaking of Toshiro...A solid little bushido-ing body even if you don't utilize that ability, which has some fascinating Constructed implications which can only grow with time. Not to mention for added Limited fun he's also a Samurai(Oathkeeper on a Toshi?). Fun.
6-Lifespinner
(The 3/3 for 3G that has T, sac 3 spirits: search for a spirit legend and put it INTO PLAY) There's gotta be half a dozen ways to break this in half. Shirei(the lifeline guy), Zuberas, the various other cards that generate spirits...Jeez. On a 3/3 body for 4. Uncommon. A brute, heh.
5- EDIT: Originally I had Frostling here. And then I read it more carefully(doesn't target players). So my number 5 is instead Genju of the Cedars
Cedars is the best of the Genjus, which are all pretty good(though if they keep getting killed, your mana base would start hurtin'). The Genju all are a double-edged sword(powerful, but tie up a lot of your mana), but Cedars excels with the fact that its harder to kill while also being an offensive force. GENJUUUUU!
4-Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
A 2/2 flying Legend with this ability only for itself would be pretty good. But for every creature you control? With the general lack of flying defense in limited/block for other colors, this thing is an early beater, as well as making every creature you control a pain in the ***. There's ways around it(random creature with an ability like Kitsune Healer, then have Kira meet her Hero's Demise or something of that sort), but its darn efficient, making it at the very least clean/cute.
3-Shining Shoal
Removal-level redirection, unexpected prevention, free spells, and powerful white spells are all good things. In one card?
2-Patron of the Orochi
The easiest to get out cheap/fast, and screw the abilities, its a 7/7! Compare to Delraich, a favorite of mine. Reminds me of the old Urza's block fatties like Argothian Wurm, Endless Wurm, and Child of Gaea. Monstrous, and cheap, especially with all the medium-sized Snakes there are that are useful in limited at the very least(Kashi-Trive Reaver; the 3GG Warrior; etc). On top of everything else, the instant speed, the cheap cost, the frikkin SIZE...it has [i]that[i] ability. A powerhouse, heh.
1-Eradicate
One word: Ownage. Was a favorite then, is a favorite now. Arcbound what? Oh, a key legend? Oh, you managed multiple Teller of Tales or Frostwielders in a draft? BOOOOM!
That, as usual, took a while heh. Watch one of the last 5 or so cards trump everything here...
that's not what happened at all. kamahl stabbed phage, akroma, and some old lady and they became korona. then korona got stabbed by her "prophets" and kamahl got drunk with a mutant centaur
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer :?mana::snow::snow:
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block. "Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
BoK is a great limited set, and I also note that it's a lot harder to make a top ten for heh, with the power being more evenly spread.
What's funny is that you say how great the set is for limited and then 7 of the 10 cards on your list are rares.
My list is generally for constructed/casual MTGO judgments... 10-Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
Virtually an auto-scoop in limited; even Hero's Demise apparently doesn't get rid of it, and that's a rare.
the ... is a bridge to connect to dissimilar statements
Hero's Demise destroys Legends, btw.
I just wanted to get those out of the way because not pointing those out and then continuing to see them was like rubbing brillo pads on my eyes.
I, personally, think this set is... Well, it's Mercadian Freaking Masques. No, this is freaking Prophecy or Nemesis... ENTWINED
Here's my top 10 for standard and/or casual:
10: Ninja of Deep Hours- It's a 2-damage Ophidian for 1 more mana that you can get into play for one less mana if you're up to doing crazy tricks. I'll be really happy to know a Ninja made it into standard if this thing turns out to be standard playable.
9: Shoal of Being Red- Much like the Ninja, this card should see standard play, but should and does are two totally different things. The card, as designed, is good enough to be standard playable. This card, alone, will not make Big Red Tier 1. It will, however, make the deck slightly better, if it can find the room. I can't wait to see a turn 1 hand basically pitched for an 11/1 Slith Firewalker, that would truely make my day. L-Mox-red.imprint-Slith-Shoal-10.Mana.Red.Spell:rofl:
8: Throat Slitter- It goes well with the next card on the list.
7: Toshiro- Ok, so this guy is probably block only. I, for one, really like the idea of RB Kill Creatures-Burn.
6: Ishi-Ishi- This card has "I'm playable in block and casual" written all over him. 3-to-the-dome suddenly turns into a non-sacrifice Shrapnel Blast (oh, yeah, like you REALLY target creatures other than Platinum Angel w/ the Blast)
5: Mirror Gallery- *WARNING*: For CASUAL PLAY ONLY. You can do some really really off color things with this thing in play.
4: Genju of the Blue
3: Genju of the Spires
2: Genju of the Fens
1: Genju of the Forests- if I had to pick any card/s from this set that will see some kind of standard play in some form, I'd pick the man-inites. I don't think they'll impact standard (I don't think anything in this set will), but these things become really quality creatures for their respective colors.
The end.
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer :?mana::snow::snow:
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block. "Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
5. Hired Muscle
Could be good in my spirit deck.
4. Shirei
It makes my spirit deck happy.
3. Lifespinner
It makes my spirit deck very happy.
2.Splinter
My spirit deck could already deal with affinity. This makes it much happier.
1. Eradicate
It makes my spirit deck jump for joy with the ability to beat T&N (and combo with Soilshaper)
Just one card for me - Disrupting Shoal. Judging by the reactions in this forum, I'll be able to pick these up for about 50 cents each, then make a fortune once people realize that THEY REPRINTED FORCE OF WILL.
I agree that disrupting shoal is underrated. While its no force of will, a free countering of an eternal witness or disciple etc. could be a great help. Especially since many T2 players aren't used to getting spells countered when their opponent is tapped out.
in the rares:
Oyobi, who split the heavens- its expensive but its also splashable flying difficult to kill a mass flying token producer and a limited bomb.
Kira, the great glass-spinner- cheap flying and gives semi protection to all your creatures.
Toshiro umezawa- its yawgs will on a stick(close enough anyway) gotta abuse it.
Iwamori of the open fist-a 5/5 green trampler for 2GG with almost no drawback.
Umezawa's jitte- cheap equipment which gives pump, kill and life gain to colours which can't usually.
that's my top 5 rares in no real order, but the cards which i think are the best in the set are all the new creature control and sideboard cards in the common and uncommon slots, like:
The scour cycle
Terashi's grasp(the lifegain sorcery speed disenchant)
Terashi's verdict(the instant 1W kill spell)
Threads of disloyalty(the 1UU control magic variant)
Hirobi's whisper(the 1BB dark banishing with splice)
Aura barbs(reds new best friend against enchantments)
crack the earth(cheap arcane land D)
and many others.
Just one card for me - Disrupting Shoal. Judging by the reactions in this forum, I'll be able to pick these up for about 50 cents each, then make a fortune once people realize that THEY REPRINTED FORCE OF WILL.
Disrupting Shoal is as close to FoW as Hisoka, Minamo Sensei is close to Ertai, Wizard Adept. Actually, fix that: the Shoal is not NEARLY as close. We shall find out soon enough.
I like to make my list BEFORE reading others' lists, so to make sure people know I'm not jumping on any bandwagons and also because sometimes people overlook cards. I really didn't find 10 cards that deserved a top-ten nomination. The set overall is fine, but there aren't a lot of high-powered (and good) cards. I'm not complaining, though, I think WotC did a great job making a set with a lot of decent cards but not too powerful. Anyways, without further ado (I'm sure at least 3 people are going to read this) here is my list... the last few are kind of like "meh, whatever, throw 'em on." And honorable mention for being really cool: shuriken.
1 disrupting shoal
2 kira, great glass-spinner
3 fumiko the lowblood
4 cunning bandit/azamuki, treachery incarnate
5 callow jushi/jaraku the interloper
6 isao, enlightened bushi
7 soratami mindsweeper
8 patron of the akki
9 mirror gallery
10 that which was taken
These are cards that are of interest to me for my casual singleton deck on MTGO. I play it in multiple formats, so the Eradicate cycle is still good:
Final Judgement: Can always use more Wrath effects. Anything that kills Troll Ascetic makes me happy
Patron of the Kitsune: Righteous Cause for 1 more mana, with a 5/6 body attached
Scour: Can never have too much enchantment removal in casual, and this one takes care of the problem for the rest of the game
Shining Shoal: An amazing trick, most people will never see it coming
Terashi's Grasp: White gets a decent Disenchant, I'm happy
Sway of the Stars: Start the game over??? Something to tutor for in desperate situations
Eradicate: Replace enchantment in my description of Scour with creature
Patron of the Nezumi: Powerful effect and a big body for a reasonable cost
Iwamori of the Open First: Cheap fatty with a negligible drawback
Splinter: Replace enchantment in my description of Scour with artifact
Genju of the Realm: 8/12 trample that doesn't die
Tendo Ice Bridge: Strange name, but a very good 5 color land. Probably even better than Mirrodin's Core
Lifegift would be a must have if playing mutliplayer weren't such a pain on MTGO.
My top cards, almost in order (I think the white shoal is better than Higure):
Black:
Toshiro Umezawa: Holy cow. This guy is crazy. Forbidden Orchard + Night of Soul's Betrayal anyone?
Ink-Eyes: A ninja that takes your opponent's dead guys and gets them for your side? And it's good p/t for the cost? And you can regen her? DEAL!
Horobi's Whisper: Splicable removal that can be free is great.
Goryo's Vengeance: Splicable Shallow Grave for Legends is pretty good, I hear.
Blue:
Higure, the Still Wind: Neeeeeeenja attaaaaaack! And pretty decent himself.
White:
Shining Shoal: Makes attacking for the win into a gamble more often than you'd think!
Kentaro, the Smiling Cat: Soooo good for Samurai, making all of them easier to cast
Red:
Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot: This guy seems like the only good red card out of the set besides Blazing Shoal.
Blazing Shoal: Great, except for when you lose the +X bonus to basic critter removal. 3-for-1 is pretty good for your opponent.
Green:
Fork-Branched Garami: Bifurcation as a card! Neat! In any case, really good for the cost and card advantage it can provide just by dying.
Isao, Enlightened Samurai: Can't be countered, regens itself or any other Samurai and he's cheap too? Sign me up.
Loam Dweller: A really good Bears when you get to play speed up just by playing cards you're playing anyway.
Petalmane Baku: Gaining free mana for playing spirits/arcane is nice.
Artifact:
Slumbering Tora: Good enough for shoals, even better to make critters with!
Umezawa's Jitte: Really good too, very versatile.
--Jed
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L5R or MTG, if it's got Samurai, Knights or Soldiers, it's all good as far as I'm concerned.
My list is of cards is for what I think will be good or fun in competitive Type 2 because I haven't tested block at all and I have no idea what's what in it, and in limited there are a ton of bomb creatures and removal in this set, so many that picking only 10 would be hard.
In no particular order:
Shining Shoal - Not as good as everyone thinks, but still pretty good. The pitch aspect of the card is actually the only think that makes me consider this playable.
Terashi's Verdict - Reciprocate is probably just better (and still not played), but I'll give it a shot.
Callow Jushi - A blue green spiritcraft deck is already pretty viable with what we have from CHK, and this guy makes it all the better by not letting your opponent get back into it. Plus, I think he's way too big for what he does.
Eradicate - Another answer to the Colossus, but also avoids Dragon/Solemn triggers. Too slow for main deck use in anything, I think, but will be in a lot of sideboards.
Goryo's Vengeance - Shallow Grave was one of my favorite cards for a long time, and having a reusable, near-reprint seems good to me. I think that re-animator can probably make a go of it in Standard, if it can do anything about affinity. I can hope anyhow.
Ire of Kaminari - This seems like it will be good in a red blue control deck, but I don't think one of those has been playable for a long time. Again, though, I'll give it a shot.
Frostling - Cheap, sligh-ish, ability that matters against affinity, what's not to like?
Ninjas - I'm grouping all the ninjas together since they all serve the same purpose for the example I'm using. Blue black has always been really good at running the tempo game, and if people can get the ninjas fast enough, these will definitely make an impact. I think of the ninjutsu cost like a madness cost. Time will tell.
Other cards - Everyone will get screwed once or twice by Toshiro and think to themselves how powerful he is. The next game they'll just hold the Shock and take care of him when it matters. He might be good against affinity, but I expect most decks to not care about him. Slumbering Tora also seems very good, but as an artifact, I don't think it will have any impact for now, maybe in 9 or 10 months.
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Forever known, whenever said, ancient rhyme, forgotten dead.
And as I half-expected, one of the last cards revealed is now my favorite in the set, easily
So, adding to my list:
0-Heartless Hidetsugu
Holy crap. I looove how this comboes with Spirit Link(if you haven't seen him, hes a 4/3 Legend Ogre for 3RR that taps to deal damage to each player equal to half their life total). For one one-mana enchant creature on him, you can basically end the game. Best/coolest card in the set, hands down
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Quote from Skullum »
that's not what happened at all. kamahl stabbed phage, akroma, and some old lady and they became korona. then korona got stabbed by her "prophets" and kamahl got drunk with a mutant centaur
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block.
"Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
Ninja of the Deep Hours (mm... Card draw never hurt like this dose)
Toshi (I... MUST... have... so... *drools*)
Sowing Salt (TO THE BALLS RAFFINNITY!)
Isao, Enlightened Bushi (Super bomb in draft and sealed... this guy is well... he reminds me of a Mongoose I once knew...:))
The Jitte and Niko-Te are damn good to... I love this block... if I can't make it to the pre-re... Sheppkuii might be in order...
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block.
"Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
Snakes and rats look like they will be fun decks to make. I especially like the Sniper.
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block.
"Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
Currently Playing:
Legacy: Something U/W Controlish
EDH Cube
Hypercube! A New EDH Deck Every Week(ish)!
Kira - Target twice please
Hirobi's Whisper - Re-usuable Dark Banish, who wouldn't love that?
Eradicate - Darksteel Colossus? I don't think so.
Sickening Shoal - New Contagion?
"Kids don't beat me, I beat kids!" - Homer
"Serve no master but your ambition." - Illyria
"The best government is the government that is powerlessly afraid of overstepping it's bounds." - Denver'D
5. Final Judgement - Shouldn't make a splash in Standard just now IMO, but block just needed a white mass removal spell *badly*.
4. Sowing Salt - Tooth and Nail's time has came. At least the Urzatron build.
3. Yuroka the Prisoner - I don't think this fits into current MBC builds, but, given the right build, this should be awesome as a drawbackless 5/5 for four.
2. Hokori, Dusk Drinker - This is just what White Weenie needs to compete against slower decks. Unfortunately, we still have Raffinity.
1. Iwamori of the Open Fist - This guy is a beating machine. Even in block, with all the legends around, it should be good.
Edit: I hadn't quite figured out what the white shoal did yet. It redirect damage from a creature or player to another CREATURE or PLAYER. Oh my God. It should definitely be #1 now, which is awesome, since I LOVE white!
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4. Shining Shoal - What's that, pyroclasm my 3 2/2s huh? Nah, you take 6 to the dome instead.
3. Gyoro's Vengeance - Mmmmm tap 2, reanimate my Kuro, pay 8 life to one-side wrath, swing for 9. heheheheh
2. Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker - this card just screams "ABUSE MEH!" to me. Plus, I like the flavor.
1. Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot - why? because, honestly, how can you not love a card named "Ishi-Ishi"?
1. Crack the Earth. Cheap disruption, fits the Akki theme, and a carrier for Glacial Ray.
2. Akki Raider. A solid beatdown creature, a 4/1 if both players sac land to a Crack the Earth. Interacts well with his little brother Akki Avalanchers. At worst, a typical red bear.
3. God's Eye Gate to the Renkai. Fodder for Crack the Earth or Akki Avalanchers.
4. Frostling. A 1/1 for R with a removal ability. Mogg Fanatic was at its best targeting guys anyway.
5. Akki Blizzard-Shepherd. Obviously designed to work with Crack the Earth and God's Eye. I really hate paying 1r for a 1/1 that doesn't kill guys though. He can also backfire on you and sit in your hand when you yourself can't afford to lose land. Still, it's hard for me not to put a theme-consistent Pete Venters Goblin on the list.
I'm not crazy about Goblin Cohort ... as I mentioned in another thread, you *really* need a lot of creatures -- like 24, most of which are cheap -- to make full use of him. If the swarm approach to the Akki deck turns out to be best, obviously he'll shine. If the burn-heavy approach, or the one with Stone Rains, turns out to be best, not so good.
I also think Genju of the Spires will be solid -- though not as a 4-of -- in the aggressive red decks in Block, and red decks with Pyroclasm/Flamebreak in Standard. Granted, it costs 3 lands to activate/attack, but remember that you can drop it and attack with the Mountain that same turn as long as the Mountain began your turn in play under your control. Opponents will have to play very carefully around that potential.
Anyway, that should give an idea of where my head is at in terms of Block, at least.
BoK is a great limited set, and I also note that it's a lot harder to make a top ten for heh, with the power being more evenly spread. My list is generally for constructed/casual MTGO judgments. kind of general, Constructed and Limited implications(the best cards are those which excel in both, heh). Here we go:
10-Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
5/4 regenerators are nasty, period. Especially for only 6. And then it has Ninjitsu and reanimates stuff. :yikes: Virtually an auto-scoop in limited; even Hero's Demise apparently doesn't get rid of it, and that's a rare.
9-Fumiko the Lowblood
That provoking plus the bushido is nasty. Great way to take out irritating support creatures, repeatedly("COME OUT OF THAT ******* VAULT AND GET SOME, DISCIPLE!"-Fumiko the Lowblood). Plus being additionally useful on offense. An efficient, versatile little lady.
8-Umezawa's Jitte
2 and then 2 for equip is a low price for any decent equipment, and this thing is ridiculous. Each time the equipped creature deals damage, you can give it +4/+4 next time, -2/-2(!) something, or gain 4 life, or mix and match.
7-Toshiro Umezawa
Speaking of Toshiro...A solid little bushido-ing body even if you don't utilize that ability, which has some fascinating Constructed implications which can only grow with time. Not to mention for added Limited fun he's also a Samurai(Oathkeeper on a Toshi?). Fun.
6-Lifespinner
(The 3/3 for 3G that has T, sac 3 spirits: search for a spirit legend and put it INTO PLAY) There's gotta be half a dozen ways to break this in half. Shirei(the lifeline guy), Zuberas, the various other cards that generate spirits...Jeez. On a 3/3 body for 4. Uncommon. A brute, heh.
5- EDIT: Originally I had Frostling here. And then I read it more carefully(doesn't target players). So my number 5 is instead Genju of the Cedars
Cedars is the best of the Genjus, which are all pretty good(though if they keep getting killed, your mana base would start hurtin'). The Genju all are a double-edged sword(powerful, but tie up a lot of your mana), but Cedars excels with the fact that its harder to kill while also being an offensive force. GENJUUUUU!
4-Kira, Great Glass-Spinner
A 2/2 flying Legend with this ability only for itself would be pretty good. But for every creature you control? With the general lack of flying defense in limited/block for other colors, this thing is an early beater, as well as making every creature you control a pain in the ***. There's ways around it(random creature with an ability like Kitsune Healer, then have Kira meet her Hero's Demise or something of that sort), but its darn efficient, making it at the very least clean/cute.
3-Shining Shoal
Removal-level redirection, unexpected prevention, free spells, and powerful white spells are all good things. In one card?
2-Patron of the Orochi
The easiest to get out cheap/fast, and screw the abilities, its a 7/7! Compare to Delraich, a favorite of mine. Reminds me of the old Urza's block fatties like Argothian Wurm, Endless Wurm, and Child of Gaea. Monstrous, and cheap, especially with all the medium-sized Snakes there are that are useful in limited at the very least(Kashi-Trive Reaver; the 3GG Warrior; etc). On top of everything else, the instant speed, the cheap cost, the frikkin SIZE...it has [i]that[i] ability. A powerhouse, heh.
1-Eradicate
One word: Ownage. Was a favorite then, is a favorite now. Arcbound what? Oh, a key legend? Oh, you managed multiple Teller of Tales or Frostwielders in a draft? BOOOOM!
That, as usual, took a while heh. Watch one of the last 5 or so cards trump everything here...
Prerelease in 2 days!
Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block.
"Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
What's funny is that you say how great the set is for limited and then 7 of the 10 cards on your list are rares.
the ... is a bridge to connect to dissimilar statements
Hero's Demise destroys Legends, btw.
I just wanted to get those out of the way because not pointing those out and then continuing to see them was like rubbing brillo pads on my eyes.
I, personally, think this set is... Well, it's Mercadian Freaking Masques. No, this is freaking Prophecy or Nemesis... ENTWINED
Here's my top 10 for standard and/or casual:
10: Ninja of Deep Hours- It's a 2-damage Ophidian for 1 more mana that you can get into play for one less mana if you're up to doing crazy tricks. I'll be really happy to know a Ninja made it into standard if this thing turns out to be standard playable.
9: Shoal of Being Red- Much like the Ninja, this card should see standard play, but should and does are two totally different things. The card, as designed, is good enough to be standard playable. This card, alone, will not make Big Red Tier 1. It will, however, make the deck slightly better, if it can find the room. I can't wait to see a turn 1 hand basically pitched for an 11/1 Slith Firewalker, that would truely make my day. L-Mox-red.imprint-Slith-Shoal-10.Mana.Red.Spell:rofl:
8: Throat Slitter- It goes well with the next card on the list.
7: Toshiro- Ok, so this guy is probably block only. I, for one, really like the idea of RB Kill Creatures-Burn.
6: Ishi-Ishi- This card has "I'm playable in block and casual" written all over him. 3-to-the-dome suddenly turns into a non-sacrifice Shrapnel Blast (oh, yeah, like you REALLY target creatures other than Platinum Angel w/ the Blast)
5: Mirror Gallery- *WARNING*: For CASUAL PLAY ONLY. You can do some really really off color things with this thing in play.
4: Genju of the Blue
3: Genju of the Spires
2: Genju of the Fens
1: Genju of the Forests- if I had to pick any card/s from this set that will see some kind of standard play in some form, I'd pick the man-inites. I don't think they'll impact standard (I don't think anything in this set will), but these things become really quality creatures for their respective colors.
The end.
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Legendary Creature – Human Designer (MR)
Brian Tinsman, Set Designer can only be cast during the third set of a block.
When Brian Tinsman, Set Designer enters the battlefield, ignore all flavor and mechanics of the first two sets in the block.
"Ok so what do we have here... gothic horror? Scrap it. Expand the Devine Vs. Demonic duel deck to 244 cards and print it!"
2/2
Could be good in my spirit deck.
4. Shirei
It makes my spirit deck happy.
3. Lifespinner
It makes my spirit deck very happy.
2.Splinter
My spirit deck could already deal with affinity. This makes it much happier.
1. Eradicate
It makes my spirit deck jump for joy with the ability to beat T&N (and combo with Soilshaper)
Oyobi, who split the heavens- its expensive but its also splashable flying difficult to kill a mass flying token producer and a limited bomb.
Kira, the great glass-spinner- cheap flying and gives semi protection to all your creatures.
Toshiro umezawa- its yawgs will on a stick(close enough anyway) gotta abuse it.
Iwamori of the open fist-a 5/5 green trampler for 2GG with almost no drawback.
Umezawa's jitte- cheap equipment which gives pump, kill and life gain to colours which can't usually.
that's my top 5 rares in no real order, but the cards which i think are the best in the set are all the new creature control and sideboard cards in the common and uncommon slots, like:
The scour cycle
Terashi's grasp(the lifegain sorcery speed disenchant)
Terashi's verdict(the instant 1W kill spell)
Threads of disloyalty(the 1UU control magic variant)
Hirobi's whisper(the 1BB dark banishing with splice)
Aura barbs(reds new best friend against enchantments)
crack the earth(cheap arcane land D)
and many others.
Machius proudly supports R_E's right to Rumour!
Disrupting Shoal is as close to FoW as Hisoka, Minamo Sensei is close to Ertai, Wizard Adept. Actually, fix that: the Shoal is not NEARLY as close. We shall find out soon enough.
*****
ricklongo and RicardoLongo on MTGO
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1 disrupting shoal
2 kira, great glass-spinner
3 fumiko the lowblood
4 cunning bandit/azamuki, treachery incarnate
5 callow jushi/jaraku the interloper
6 isao, enlightened bushi
7 soratami mindsweeper
8 patron of the akki
9 mirror gallery
10 that which was taken
Final Judgement: Can always use more Wrath effects. Anything that kills Troll Ascetic makes me happy
Patron of the Kitsune: Righteous Cause for 1 more mana, with a 5/6 body attached
Scour: Can never have too much enchantment removal in casual, and this one takes care of the problem for the rest of the game
Shining Shoal: An amazing trick, most people will never see it coming
Terashi's Grasp: White gets a decent Disenchant, I'm happy
Sway of the Stars: Start the game over??? Something to tutor for in desperate situations
Eradicate: Replace enchantment in my description of Scour with creature
Patron of the Nezumi: Powerful effect and a big body for a reasonable cost
Iwamori of the Open First: Cheap fatty with a negligible drawback
Splinter: Replace enchantment in my description of Scour with artifact
Genju of the Realm: 8/12 trample that doesn't die
Tendo Ice Bridge: Strange name, but a very good 5 color land. Probably even better than Mirrodin's Core
Lifegift would be a must have if playing mutliplayer weren't such a pain on MTGO.
Black:
Toshiro Umezawa: Holy cow. This guy is crazy. Forbidden Orchard + Night of Soul's Betrayal anyone?
Ink-Eyes: A ninja that takes your opponent's dead guys and gets them for your side? And it's good p/t for the cost? And you can regen her? DEAL!
Horobi's Whisper: Splicable removal that can be free is great.
Goryo's Vengeance: Splicable Shallow Grave for Legends is pretty good, I hear.
Blue:
Higure, the Still Wind: Neeeeeeenja attaaaaaack! And pretty decent himself.
White:
Shining Shoal: Makes attacking for the win into a gamble more often than you'd think!
Kentaro, the Smiling Cat: Soooo good for Samurai, making all of them easier to cast
Red:
Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot: This guy seems like the only good red card out of the set besides Blazing Shoal.
Blazing Shoal: Great, except for when you lose the +X bonus to basic critter removal. 3-for-1 is pretty good for your opponent.
Green:
Fork-Branched Garami: Bifurcation as a card! Neat! In any case, really good for the cost and card advantage it can provide just by dying.
Isao, Enlightened Samurai: Can't be countered, regens itself or any other Samurai and he's cheap too? Sign me up.
Loam Dweller: A really good Bears when you get to play speed up just by playing cards you're playing anyway.
Petalmane Baku: Gaining free mana for playing spirits/arcane is nice.
Artifact:
Slumbering Tora: Good enough for shoals, even better to make critters with!
Umezawa's Jitte: Really good too, very versatile.
--Jed
L5R or MTG, if it's got Samurai, Knights or Soldiers, it's all good as far as I'm concerned.
In no particular order:
Shining Shoal - Not as good as everyone thinks, but still pretty good. The pitch aspect of the card is actually the only think that makes me consider this playable.
Terashi's Verdict - Reciprocate is probably just better (and still not played), but I'll give it a shot.
Callow Jushi - A blue green spiritcraft deck is already pretty viable with what we have from CHK, and this guy makes it all the better by not letting your opponent get back into it. Plus, I think he's way too big for what he does.
Eradicate - Another answer to the Colossus, but also avoids Dragon/Solemn triggers. Too slow for main deck use in anything, I think, but will be in a lot of sideboards.
Goryo's Vengeance - Shallow Grave was one of my favorite cards for a long time, and having a reusable, near-reprint seems good to me. I think that re-animator can probably make a go of it in Standard, if it can do anything about affinity. I can hope anyhow.
Ire of Kaminari - This seems like it will be good in a red blue control deck, but I don't think one of those has been playable for a long time. Again, though, I'll give it a shot.
Frostling - Cheap, sligh-ish, ability that matters against affinity, what's not to like?
Ninjas - I'm grouping all the ninjas together since they all serve the same purpose for the example I'm using. Blue black has always been really good at running the tempo game, and if people can get the ninjas fast enough, these will definitely make an impact. I think of the ninjutsu cost like a madness cost. Time will tell.
Other cards - Everyone will get screwed once or twice by Toshiro and think to themselves how powerful he is. The next game they'll just hold the Shock and take care of him when it matters. He might be good against affinity, but I expect most decks to not care about him. Slumbering Tora also seems very good, but as an artifact, I don't think it will have any impact for now, maybe in 9 or 10 months.
So, adding to my list:
0-Heartless Hidetsugu
Holy crap. I looove how this comboes with Spirit Link(if you haven't seen him, hes a 4/3 Legend Ogre for 3RR that taps to deal damage to each player equal to half their life total). For one one-mana enchant creature on him, you can basically end the game. Best/coolest card in the set, hands down
And for some reason its dbl spacing????
Shinning Shoal
Heartless Hidetsugu
Ink-Eyes
Horobi's Whisper
Patron of the Nezumi
Overblaze
Ogre Marauder
Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker
Toshiro Umezawa
Umezawa Jitte
Lifespinner