Here are my picks for the best card designs in Avacyn Restored.
#1 leap of faith - relationship of card name to its effect is masterfully done.
#2 battle hymn - subtly evokes the original one-shot mana booster, dark ritual. an inspired homage.
#3 guise of fire - swiss army knife without feeling contrived
#4 terrifying presence - here's a new idea. an enjoyable card
#5 gloom surgeon - i don't think it's been done before. anyway, it's thought-provoking as to the game effect a simple ability can have.
Others I like:
falkenrath exterminator - better attempt at a quest card than the Quest cards themselves?
geist trappers - thank you for not making this a spider. in seriousness, good naming/flavor choice of this probably required entry in the set.
sheltering word - another card that contributes a pretty good amount of playability for a simple twist.
druids' repository
#1 Teminus - Great costs on both sides. And is solid enough to see play in block, standard and EDH.
#2 Desolate Lighthouse - Activation cost is perfect IMHO and is a solid ability as games drag on.
#3 Archwing - I think this kind of ability is fun and makes for interesting situations for your opponent. Red needs more cards that require thought and timing instead of just empty your hand and play everything you draw when you draw it.
Others: (too good list)
Cavern of Souls - This needed a drawback of some type. It taps for colorless, taps for any color you need it for your creatures, and makes them uncounterable. Also, doesn't even come in tapped.
Temporal Mastery - Time walk is a broken card and this is that card when used in a deck that messes with your top deck. (brainstorm) Mark my words it'll be banned in modern and probably legacy.
Reforge the Soul - I'm not as sure about this one as the others. Time will tell if the miracle cost is too low but the high end cost should have been 1 higher. Wheel of Fortune is banned for a reason and legacy decks that would run this can hit 5 mana without issue with mana left over (some times).
Deadeye Navigator gets my vote, as it demonstrates the agile modularity built into the soulbond mechanic. It was smart of the designers to allow soulbond to trigger and reapply itself when a non-keyworded creature enters the battlefield on your side. D-eye's built-in bounce effect should create all kinds of novel interactions in limited, standard, and edh where other soulbond and etb creatures are plentiful.
Best Designed
5: Deadeye Navigator (A very creative implementation of the Soulbond mechanic, and I like how it is modular. The only reason why it's not higher on the list is how high-cost and fat it is; the art and ability belong on a smaller, cheaper creature.)
4: Ulvenwald Tracker (Modular, and it adds removal to green. Plus, I like seeing "Fight" pop up.)
3: Treacherous Pit Fiend (I love creatures with drawbacks, and this manages to change Undying into a drawback, which is very creative. Also, great flavor.)
2: Thatcher's Revolte (Interesting way of promoting tribal, and it really emphasizes Red's emphasis on short-term gain.)
1: Mad Prophet (Not just for this card's design, which is nice with the interaction between haste and tap effects, but for what it represents; WotC is finally giving Red more design space.)
Worst Designed: Misthollow Griffin (The exile zone should stay off-limits; this sort of interaction will slowly turn it into a second graveyard, and we really don't need that.)
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The wedding is over. Now it's time for the honeymoon.
5: Deadeye Navigator (A very creative implementation of the Soulbond mechanic, and I like how it is modular. The only reason why it's not higher on the list is how high-cost and fat it is; the art and ability belong on a smaller, cheaper creature.)
Agreed on theme~mechanics snafu. I wish the art depicted the spirit captain on a Fying Dutchman-style ghost ship or leviathan carcass; something big and/or submersible (= exile mechanic).
Agreed on theme~mechanics snafu. I wish the art depicted the spirit captain on a Fying Dutchman-style ghost ship or leviathan carcass; something big and/or submersible (= exile mechanic).
There are quite a few cards in this set that I like:
Terminus- A real sweeper against everything except Pod. Rewards proper deckbuilding and is a can't miss in W/x Control
Ulvenwald Tracker- Solid, well-costed removal for green. Fits a previously unoccupied role
Restoration Angel- A 3/4 flier for 3W isn't bad. Add Flash and it's pretty good. Add a very relevant secondary ability and it's awesome. This card can perform a wide variety of tricks. I can't imagine it not seeing play in constructed at some point.
Favorable Winds- I predict I will be losing to this card a lot, but I think this is a very nice anthem effect
Tamiyo the Moon Sage- I'll probably be making a U/x Control deck built around Tamiyo and Frost Titan in the near future. I really want to do broken stuff with that emblem
Griselbrand- They managed to print a Necropotence effect that isn't broken. It's a really tempting ramp/reanimator target, especially in Legacy where you can draw 7 into free counterspells in response to removal.
Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded- I don't like this card because I think it's particularly powerful, because it's really not. I do like this card because I'm glad they didn't jump into a powerful 2 mana planeswalker without testing a weaker one first. There are decks that want this guy, but he's not something everyone is going to shove into their decks just because he's so cheap
Bower Passage- A good answer to Lingering Souls for green decks. I like this better than Corrosive Gale in a green deck
Slayers' Stronghold- RW is looking like a viable combination for once, and this card is a large reason why. An ability granting haste on a land is pretty powerful. 3 mana is probably a lot, but there are lots of ways to make use of this land
Delver of Secrets is NOT based on The Fly. It's based on Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
Conjurer's Closet is based on The Fly.
Gregor Samsa was a traveling salesman who just randomly woke up as a cockroach one day. That doesn't fit the theme of someone delving into secrets and accidently transforming themselves into a giant flying bug (but it fits The Fly perfectly)
Gregor Samsa was a traveling salesman who just randomly woke up as a cockroach one day. That doesn't fit the theme of someone delving into secrets and accidently transforming themselves into a giant flying bug (but it fits The Fly perfectly)
Also, The Metamorphosis is not horror; it's tragic and absurdist, but it's not scary.
The Fly, on the other hand, is two (Because both the original and the remake are well-remembered) of the most famous horror movies of all time.
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All of them are very original, even the conscripts, using the classical hijack mechanic with a haste body, making it extra lethal.
All the other cards are better or worst by power level, but there's nothing too original about them. I like the miracle mechanic, but it should NEVER be used in cards that require targets (for obvious reasons).
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Alea iacta est
I'm a Spike Vorthos - I love lore and flavor, but only if the cards are competition worthy.
Gregor Samsa was a traveling salesman who just randomly woke up as a cockroach one day. That doesn't fit the theme of someone delving into secrets and accidently transforming themselves into a giant flying bug (but it fits The Fly perfectly)
*Sigh*... Here we go again...
Gregor Samsa turned into a beetle. He had a split carapace, something that roaches do not have. Thus, Gregor could have been capable of flight (being a beetle) until Gregor's father lodged an apple between the parts of his shell and that became infected and crusted over.
Based on art for Eaten by Spiders, which depicts a demon being, well, eaten by spiders, we can ascertain nothing of this argument. However, Delver of Secrets's lore suggests that he experimented with insects and turned himself into one, a la The Fly.
Gregor did not necessarily turn himself into the beetle. Instead the cause is not discussed at all. However, we can guess that, judging from his situation in life, he did not experiment and turn himself into an insect. Thus, logically Delver is based on The Fly and not Kafka's The Metamorphosis.
As for best design, I'd go with Tibalt, because it's pretty groundbreaking and makes enough sense to me.
The one card that really stuck out to me Melvin-wise was Griselbrand.
8 cmc? Meh.
7/7? OK.
Flying? Ja, carry on.
Lifelink? Why would a demon want to gain life?
"Pay 7 life: Draw 7 cards"? Now that's why Griselbrand has Lifelink and is a 7/7!
On another note, in Avacyn vs. Griselbrand, Avacyn may win the air war (being an 8/8) and be indestructible, but Griselbrand can keep Draw 7'ing until he draws "Avacyn's controller sacrifices her".
Delver of Secrets is NOT based on The Fly. It's based on Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.
Conjurer's Closet is based on The Fly.
Actually, it is. Just ask Maro. He has said so in multiple places. Though I could theoretically see how you could get the same card out of The Metamorphosis.
The one card that really stuck out to me Melvin-wise was Griselbrand.
8 cmc? Meh.
7/7? OK.
Flying? Ja, carry on.
Lifelink? Why would a demon want to gain life?
"Pay 7 life: Draw 7 cards"? Now that's why Griselbrand has Lifelink and is a 7/7!
On another note, in Avacyn vs. Griselbrand, Avacyn may win the air war (being an 8/8) and be indestructible, but Griselbrand can keep Draw 7'ing until he draws "Avacyn's controller sacrifices her".
I have to agree. Griselbrand is probably the best card design for a rare of the set. I don't have any plans to play with him, I don't think I ever will, but he is a BEAST when you look at all of those abilities put together; he deserves to be respected. I may just have to find a reason to play him.
what? nobody thinks Treacherous Pit-Dweller is like, the most awesomest card ever printed? (-_-) TROOOOOLLLL
but on a serious note, I really like Blood Artist for limited. Aside from the great flavor of Renaissance vampires, its a much cheaper Falkenrath Noble, and that's one of my favorite draft picks in INN/DKA draft, so i'll be happy to see this guy at many an FNM to come, hopefully in multiples.
Death Wind has great art and flavor text, as well as Killing Wave. Die you stupid pigeons, DIE!
favorite card of the set though has to be Evernight Shade. Shades are usually very strong in limited because they're hard to beat in combat and with most removal. Giving it Undying for no extra cost is so beast i almost lost it when i saw the thing spoiled.
Soul-Cage Fiedn is another cool common that i'll enjoy pissing people off with. It has no upside for your opponent in draft unless they're playing a better aggro deck than you.
Undead Executioner and Driver of the Dead are also fantastic commons that easily splash...black is going to be wicked in draft, where there wont be many if any PPGs flying around.
Oh and another great card im glad they reprinted: Peel from Reality. This card can be such a blowout in the right situations. Nix your removal and bounce your best dude at the same time i love it. Also works wonders with Soulbond effects, which by the way blue got the best of for limited. Ophidian uncommon and Hexproof common, sweet.
#1 leap of faith - relationship of card name to its effect is masterfully done.
#2 battle hymn - subtly evokes the original one-shot mana booster, dark ritual. an inspired homage.
#3 guise of fire - swiss army knife without feeling contrived
#4 terrifying presence - here's a new idea. an enjoyable card
#5 gloom surgeon - i don't think it's been done before. anyway, it's thought-provoking as to the game effect a simple ability can have.
Others I like:
falkenrath exterminator - better attempt at a quest card than the Quest cards themselves?
geist trappers - thank you for not making this a spider. in seriousness, good naming/flavor choice of this probably required entry in the set.
sheltering word - another card that contributes a pretty good amount of playability for a simple twist.
druids' repository
#2 Desolate Lighthouse - Activation cost is perfect IMHO and is a solid ability as games drag on.
#3 Archwing - I think this kind of ability is fun and makes for interesting situations for your opponent. Red needs more cards that require thought and timing instead of just empty your hand and play everything you draw when you draw it.
Others: (too good list)
Cavern of Souls - This needed a drawback of some type. It taps for colorless, taps for any color you need it for your creatures, and makes them uncounterable. Also, doesn't even come in tapped.
Temporal Mastery - Time walk is a broken card and this is that card when used in a deck that messes with your top deck. (brainstorm) Mark my words it'll be banned in modern and probably legacy.
Reforge the Soul - I'm not as sure about this one as the others. Time will tell if the miracle cost is too low but the high end cost should have been 1 higher. Wheel of Fortune is banned for a reason and legacy decks that would run this can hit 5 mana without issue with mana left over (some times).
*Spoiler*
The Delver gets eaten by a spider.
-Dolono
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
5: Deadeye Navigator (A very creative implementation of the Soulbond mechanic, and I like how it is modular. The only reason why it's not higher on the list is how high-cost and fat it is; the art and ability belong on a smaller, cheaper creature.)
4: Ulvenwald Tracker (Modular, and it adds removal to green. Plus, I like seeing "Fight" pop up.)
3: Treacherous Pit Fiend (I love creatures with drawbacks, and this manages to change Undying into a drawback, which is very creative. Also, great flavor.)
2: Thatcher's Revolte (Interesting way of promoting tribal, and it really emphasizes Red's emphasis on short-term gain.)
1: Mad Prophet (Not just for this card's design, which is nice with the interaction between haste and tap effects, but for what it represents; WotC is finally giving Red more design space.)
Worst Designed: Misthollow Griffin (The exile zone should stay off-limits; this sort of interaction will slowly turn it into a second graveyard, and we really don't need that.)
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Agreed on theme~mechanics snafu. I wish the art depicted the spirit captain on a Fying Dutchman-style ghost ship or leviathan carcass; something big and/or submersible (= exile mechanic).
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
Outwit an interesting, original counterspell
Bone Splinters sure, it's a reprint, but a sweet lovable card, nice flavor
Dark Imposter
Homicidal Seclusion
Dangerous Wager
...I could go on...
In general white and green look a little bland while black and red (and some blue) look flavorful and sweet.
By the way Gloom Surgeon comes from Crumbling Sanctuary (which was an awesomely cool card).
Nice spot.
Conjurer's Closet is based on The Fly.
Terminus- A real sweeper against everything except Pod. Rewards proper deckbuilding and is a can't miss in W/x Control
Ulvenwald Tracker- Solid, well-costed removal for green. Fits a previously unoccupied role
Restoration Angel- A 3/4 flier for 3W isn't bad. Add Flash and it's pretty good. Add a very relevant secondary ability and it's awesome. This card can perform a wide variety of tricks. I can't imagine it not seeing play in constructed at some point.
Favorable Winds- I predict I will be losing to this card a lot, but I think this is a very nice anthem effect
Tamiyo the Moon Sage- I'll probably be making a U/x Control deck built around Tamiyo and Frost Titan in the near future. I really want to do broken stuff with that emblem
Griselbrand- They managed to print a Necropotence effect that isn't broken. It's a really tempting ramp/reanimator target, especially in Legacy where you can draw 7 into free counterspells in response to removal.
Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded- I don't like this card because I think it's particularly powerful, because it's really not. I do like this card because I'm glad they didn't jump into a powerful 2 mana planeswalker without testing a weaker one first. There are decks that want this guy, but he's not something everyone is going to shove into their decks just because he's so cheap
Bower Passage- A good answer to Lingering Souls for green decks. I like this better than Corrosive Gale in a green deck
Slayers' Stronghold- RW is looking like a viable combination for once, and this card is a large reason why. An ability granting haste on a land is pretty powerful. 3 mana is probably a lot, but there are lots of ways to make use of this land
Gregor Samsa was a traveling salesman who just randomly woke up as a cockroach one day. That doesn't fit the theme of someone delving into secrets and accidently transforming themselves into a giant flying bug (but it fits The Fly perfectly)
Standard:
GU Prophet
Legacy:
WBU Shared Fate
Trades
Also, The Metamorphosis is not horror; it's tragic and absurdist, but it's not scary.
The Fly, on the other hand, is two (Because both the original and the remake are well-remembered) of the most famous horror movies of all time.
Thanks to Rivenor of Miraculous Recovery Signatures!
Druid's Repository
Descendant's Path
Zealous Conscripts
All of them are very original, even the conscripts, using the classical hijack mechanic with a haste body, making it extra lethal.
All the other cards are better or worst by power level, but there's nothing too original about them. I like the miracle mechanic, but it should NEVER be used in cards that require targets (for obvious reasons).
I'm a Spike Vorthos - I love lore and flavor, but only if the cards are competition worthy.
*Sigh*... Here we go again...
Gregor Samsa turned into a beetle. He had a split carapace, something that roaches do not have. Thus, Gregor could have been capable of flight (being a beetle) until Gregor's father lodged an apple between the parts of his shell and that became infected and crusted over.
Based on art for Eaten by Spiders, which depicts a demon being, well, eaten by spiders, we can ascertain nothing of this argument. However, Delver of Secrets's lore suggests that he experimented with insects and turned himself into one, a la The Fly.
Gregor did not necessarily turn himself into the beetle. Instead the cause is not discussed at all. However, we can guess that, judging from his situation in life, he did not experiment and turn himself into an insect. Thus, logically Delver is based on The Fly and not Kafka's The Metamorphosis.
As for best design, I'd go with Tibalt, because it's pretty groundbreaking and makes enough sense to me.
~Lil Kalki
Proud Disciple of the Church of the Wary
8 cmc? Meh.
7/7? OK.
Flying? Ja, carry on.
Lifelink? Why would a demon want to gain life?
"Pay 7 life: Draw 7 cards"? Now that's why Griselbrand has Lifelink and is a 7/7!
On another note, in Avacyn vs. Griselbrand, Avacyn may win the air war (being an 8/8) and be indestructible, but Griselbrand can keep Draw 7'ing until he draws "Avacyn's controller sacrifices her".
Actually, it is. Just ask Maro. He has said so in multiple places. Though I could theoretically see how you could get the same card out of The Metamorphosis.
I have to agree. Griselbrand is probably the best card design for a rare of the set. I don't have any plans to play with him, I don't think I ever will, but he is a BEAST when you look at all of those abilities put together; he deserves to be respected. I may just have to find a reason to play him.
but on a serious note, I really like Blood Artist for limited. Aside from the great flavor of Renaissance vampires, its a much cheaper Falkenrath Noble, and that's one of my favorite draft picks in INN/DKA draft, so i'll be happy to see this guy at many an FNM to come, hopefully in multiples.
Death Wind has great art and flavor text, as well as Killing Wave. Die you stupid pigeons, DIE!
favorite card of the set though has to be Evernight Shade. Shades are usually very strong in limited because they're hard to beat in combat and with most removal. Giving it Undying for no extra cost is so beast i almost lost it when i saw the thing spoiled.
Soul-Cage Fiedn is another cool common that i'll enjoy pissing people off with. It has no upside for your opponent in draft unless they're playing a better aggro deck than you.
Undead Executioner and Driver of the Dead are also fantastic commons that easily splash...black is going to be wicked in draft, where there wont be many if any PPGs flying around.
Oh and another great card im glad they reprinted: Peel from Reality. This card can be such a blowout in the right situations. Nix your removal and bounce your best dude at the same time i love it. Also works wonders with Soulbond effects, which by the way blue got the best of for limited. Ophidian uncommon and Hexproof common, sweet.