In terms of raw power level impact, I think this is the same as recent sets with about one major new card per set (Ghitu Lavarunner in Dominaria, Devious Cover-Up in Guilds of Ravnica). In terms of unique effects and build-arounds, though, this set seems much bigger than average. And it's not just as if WotC is adding complexity to common, but it feels like they're creating more cards with depth and lenticular complexity.
Is about all that may make some inroads. Everything else seems like SB tech or fringe stuff. And notice what color 3 of these 4 are. Blue as always.
RE: "Blue as always"...I think Skewer the Critics is going to be the one card to truly impact competitive Pauper, and it's totally un-blue.
Clear the Mind is interesting, but I think Devious Cover-Up is probably better. Persistent Petitioners and Growth Spiral are interesting and might go into fringe rogue decks, but even though they're blue, they're not gonna go anywhere near the dominant Delver strategy. So even if they're blue I see them as pro-diversity, not anti-diversity.
Rubble Reading is probably the best new land destruction spell WotC has printed in ~13 years. I used to play Implode in UR LD deck during Invasion-Odyssey block Standard, and wished that effect were in Pauper for grindy LD decks. Scry 2 is often comparable to draw 1, so maybe this might make RG Ponza more of a thing in addition to Mono-G Ponza.
Ill-Gotten Inheritance is a unique effect that might find a home. It's comparable to Pristine Talisman in UB Teachings decks, although this is also a win-con. Maybe this could go in GWB Enchantress decks, cutting the U they use for Curse of the Bloody Tome as a win-con?
I'm definitely gonna be playing Burn the week after RNA becomes legal. Skewer is gonna push that archetype forward...everyone make sure to pack some life gain in your SBs!
Persistent Petitioner could spawn a new janky archetype. Don't know if it'll be good, but I did lose to a Relentless Rats deck in the final round of a tournament last week.
It's not the splashiest card, but I'm actually considering running Titanic Brawl in my GW Tethmos deck. Those colors are light on instant-speed removal, and I'd even consider playing Pounce/Pit Fight since it's instant speed removal and gives a Heroic trigger on Tethmos High Priest. Also the deck runs 4x Travel Preparations, so the +1/+1 counter effect is a slight upside over those cards.
RE: "Blue as always"...I think Skewer the Critics is going to be the one card to truly impact competitive Pauper, and it's totally un-blue.
Clear the Mind is interesting, but I think Devious Cover-Up is probably better. Persistent Petitioners and Growth Spiral are interesting and might go into fringe rogue decks, but even though they're blue, they're not gonna go anywhere near the dominant Delver strategy. So even if they're blue I see them as pro-diversity, not anti-diversity.
Sagittar's Volley is interesting compared to Aerial Volley. Unlike the latter, it's still a good SB card vs. Boros Monarch. You can kill one Kor Skyfisher or Glint Hawk, as well as all their Battle Screech tokens.
Two other cards I haven't seen mentioned:
Rubble Reading is probably the best new land destruction spell WotC has printed in ~13 years. I used to play Implode in UR LD deck during Invasion-Odyssey block Standard, and wished that effect were in Pauper for grindy LD decks. Scry 2 is often comparable to draw 1, so maybe this might make RG Ponza more of a thing in addition to Mono-G Ponza.
Ill-Gotten Inheritance is a unique effect that might find a home. It's comparable to Pristine Talisman in UB Teachings decks, although this is also a win-con. Maybe this could go in GWB Enchantress decks, cutting the U they use for Curse of the Bloody Tome as a win-con?
Corrupt Control B | Burn R | UG Turbofog UG | White Weenie W | GW Tethmos WG | BG Cycling Combo BG
Enchantress GBW | Colorless Tron C | Red Deck Wins R | UG Madness UG | Mono-G Tron G | UR Puzzlehorns UR
Rhystic Tron WU| WU Prowess WU | BR Reanimator BR | Mono-R Control R | Stompy G | Temur Tron URG
Mardu Infinite Priest WBR | 85-Card Dredge BRG | Elves GU | Boros Bully RW | Jeskai Familiars RWU
Persistent Petitioner could spawn a new janky archetype. Don't know if it'll be good, but I did lose to a Relentless Rats deck in the final round of a tournament last week.
It's not the splashiest card, but I'm actually considering running Titanic Brawl in my GW Tethmos deck. Those colors are light on instant-speed removal, and I'd even consider playing Pounce/Pit Fight since it's instant speed removal and gives a Heroic trigger on Tethmos High Priest. Also the deck runs 4x Travel Preparations, so the +1/+1 counter effect is a slight upside over those cards.
Corrupt Control B | Burn R | UG Turbofog UG | White Weenie W | GW Tethmos WG | BG Cycling Combo BG
Enchantress GBW | Colorless Tron C | Red Deck Wins R | UG Madness UG | Mono-G Tron G | UR Puzzlehorns UR
Rhystic Tron WU| WU Prowess WU | BR Reanimator BR | Mono-R Control R | Stompy G | Temur Tron URG
Mardu Infinite Priest WBR | 85-Card Dredge BRG | Elves GU | Boros Bully RW | Jeskai Familiars RWU