Thunder Cloud Shaman and Stinkdrinker Daredevil could make playing a giant deck fun.
Ashling is like a bloodfire creature ( example Bloodfire Colossus).
I would rather use Ashling it's effect to make it big.
Incandesent Soulstroke could get Horde of Notions out and then brought out with a Zombify like effect.
I forgot about the Thunder Cloud guy. He's probably the #1 thing Giant's have going for them. Wrath on a big stick. Oh wait that just reminded me. Desolation Giant much? It's so obvious now...
sadly looks like I missed one so my bro caught me before I went to sleep to post it for yall.
Soaring Hope casting cost: 4W
Enchant aura
Enchant creature
When soaring hope comes into play, you gain 3 life. Enchanted creature has flying.
W: Put Soaring Hope on top of its owners library.
common
Well hopefully I can actually go to sleep now. enjoy and stay safe yall.
Thanks, I was afraid we'd all have to spend the day in anticipation of the one last card.
Unfortunately, it's also completely terrible. This could easily cost 3W or even 2W and be fine in limited (as if constructed was even a consideration for this one).
The blue one is awful. The only games that go that long are control mirrors, and I don't think this hideaway lands is going to tip that balance, especially considering how many anti control cards are in this block.
With Ashling the pilgrim, I think you should be able to explode him (by triggering his ability a third time in a turn), and then, in response to his ability, add 3 more counters. it costs 6RRRRRR, but it should save him
i could be wrong on timing
Ashling is a she.
Also, I like how Heat Shimmer is soooooo much better than Hero's Demise.
I don't see that many exciting cards in here.. a lot of these cards seem weak even for limited. The elemental lord is cool.
A lot of people are remarking "Oh wizards has it in for control." I don't think thats the case, I just think they want to emphasize control decks that play creatures, as opposed to control decks that don't. I can definitely see some Giant/Treefolk control decks emerging, probably more likely treefolk than giants as I don't really see many viable giant cards (although the boggart mana reducer helps). That said, I'm really glad they printed Eyes of the Wisent because I hate counterspells with a passion.
Other thoughts:
I'm disappointed with the treefolk kithkin maker. The sacrifice ability is just so subpar compared to the others in the cycle, and it doesnt even get extra power (white gets 6 power for 5, treefolk get 7 for 7).
I'm also disappointed that there aren't any Treefolk/Giant Champions, because I was hoping for some really frickin huge guys at like the 6 mana slot, but I guess they felt the normal Treefolk and Giants were big enough.
Lots of really cool cards here, especially the Treefolk Korlash-impersonator. Goes great with cards like imperiosaur in a monogreen fat-type deck, and with all the green removal they've printed, that could just be viable.
At this point there's too many cards to comment on all of them, but I'm definitely psyched.
Boggart Harbinger - 2B
Creature - Goblin Shaman (U)
When Boggart Harbinger comes into play, you may search your library for a goblin card, reveal it, then shuffle your library and put that card on top of it.
2/1
It's weak but all the boggart decks will play it because it tutors
Dreamspoiler Witches - 3B
Creature - Faerie Wizard (C)
Flying
Whenever you play a spell during an opponent's turn, you may have target creature get -1/-1 until end of turn.
2/2
Could be playable in block, more of a limited card though. A 2/2 flyer for 4 in black is welcome, and the possibility of free removal makes this a strong pick for faerie decks.
Someone was surprised this doesn't cost 4. I'm not. I'm also betting that this gets BETTER in constructed than in limited--Changelings will be ALL over limited, significantly reducing how good this is.
Facevaulter - B
Creature - Goblin Warrior (C)
B, Sacrifice a Goblin: Facevaulter gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
1/1
Between this, the knucklebone witch, and festering goblin, I wouldn't be surprised to see a true sligh build of b/r goblins. In t2 it also neutralizes tendrils, and I think it's safe to say B/x with tendrils and damnation is going to get played with all the tribal cards coming in.
Lys Alana Scarblade - 2B
Creature - Elf Assasin (U)
:symtap:, Discard an Elf card: Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of Elves you control.
1/1
This is going to severely wreck a lot of limited games. It's got potential in block constructed too, vs some of the smaller creature tribes.
Makeshift Mannequin - 3B
Instant (U)
Return target creature from your graveyard to play with a mannequin counter on it. As long as that creature has a mannequin counter on it, it has "When this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability, sacrifice it."
I think all the people lamenting the removal of zombify from Xth can breathe easy now. This card is situationally both stronger and weaker. Probably stronger in limited and weaker in constructed.
Marsh Flitter - 3B
Creature - Faerie Rogue (U)
Flying
When Marsh Flitter comes into play, put two 1/1 black goblin rogue creature tokens into play.
Sacrifice a Goblin: Marsh Flitter becomes 3/3 until end of turn.
1/1
I like how WotC has done these cross tribal cards. I wouldn't be surprised to see this in block boggart decks, if only because it makes goblins. And flies.
Nectar Faerie - 1B
Creature - Faerie Wizard (U)
Flying
:symtap:: Target Faerie or Elf gains lifelink until end of turn.
1/1
Behold the bleeding of lifelink into black (as foretold by MaRo in one of his columns). I hope theres a black creature in the set with lifelink and a decent size to go with it. On the other hand, this is Bog Imp++2.0 and definitely goes well with the big green elves.
Nettlevine Blight - 4BB
Enchantment - Aura (R)
Enchant creature or land
Enchant permanent has "At the end of your turn, sacrifice this permanent and attach Nettlevine Blight to a creature or land you control."
This card looks so good, and then you realize you have to keep the enchanted permanent alive until the end of every turn. This could see play in some kind of b/g land destruction deck (and there's a lot of that in the new T2). Between acidmoss, rootgrapple, primal command, small pox, rain of tears, and this, it could be playable. primal command also gives you life vs aggro decks or tutors up a giant beater to end the game with.
Scarred Vinebreeder - 1B
creature - elf shaman (C)
2B, Remove an elf card in your graveyard from the game. Scarred Vinebreeder gets +3/+3 until end of turn.
1/1
Limited. But a 4/4 is nothing to sneeze at.
Spiderwig Boggart - 2B
creature - goblin shaman (C)
When Spiderwig boggart comes into play target creature gets fear until end of turn.
2/2
Great limited card. Potential 1 of in Boggart decks to be tutored for.
Sqeaking Pie Sneak - 1B
creature - Goblin Rogue (U)
As an additional cost to play Squeaking Pie Sneak, reveal a goblin card from your hand or pay 3.
Fear
2/2
Someone was saying "This was supposed to be a cycle of overpowered cards for the reduced cost" or something along that line. No one said that. They said it was a cycle of cards that had reduced costs. This will get played in boggarts because, overpowered or not, its still a great 2 drop. Boggarts doesnt seem like it really needs to play anything besides boggarts and land, so there wont be much trouble getting him out for cheap.
Thorntooth Witch - 5B
creature - Treefolk shaman (U)
Whenever you play a treefolk spell you may have target creature get +3/+3 until end of turn.
3/4
Obviously overcosted for constructed, even in block. It doesn't really seem very black to me, but I guess they had to put it somewhere. This seems decent in limited, but nothing to write home about (who writes home anymore anyway?)
so here's a question: your opponent has a Call of the Herd token out and its bothering you. You need to kill it in the near future.The following three cards are your choices which of them do you prefer: Last Gasp, Essence Drain, or Profane Command for 3?
Tendrils of Corruption, obv.
You can't really judge this card based on situations like that. If I had all 3 cards in hand, I would obviously choose Last Gasp. If i had to make a choice of whether to play Last Gasp OR Profane Command, that would depend 90% upon the metagame that we're considering this card in. If I know that I'm more likely to face control decks than aggro decks, Profane Command is the clear winner, as it can send X to the head for the win (like angelfire tends to do with its namesake Demonfires).
Of course, assuming we're talking Standard, Last Gasp isn't really an option, and Nameless Inversion, while i decent replacement, is both less and more useful.
I doubt any deck would run Profane Command as a 4x, but it's clearly well suited as a 2x in control decks, or even aggro decks. It's just so versatile, and can straight up win you the game, or pull you out of a bad spot (kill their guy, get one of yours back).
I don't think anyone can argue that this isn't a first pick in limited though. It pretty much says "Win" on it.
Glen Elendra Pranksters casting cost: 3U
Creature Faerie Wizard
Flying
Whenever you play a spell during an oponents turn, you may return target creature you control to its owners hand.
1/3
uncommon
Um.. this seems broken in a prison deck, some of those new sphere of resistances, then 4 mystic snake, and 4 of the faeries that counter a spell with cost X or less where X is the converted mana cost, throw in a few teferi, maybe 4 fierie harbingers.. So basically you play mystic snake on their turn countering their spell and bouncing your snake back to your hand, repeat infinitely.
You cant bounce the snake because it's still on the stack when the Pranksters ability needs to pick a target. you'll need two counter creatures + the pranksters + a way to not die to the cards they've already cast by the time you get that set up.
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The spoiler has ringskipper as a Faerie, but it's blue and doesn't have flash--are we sure its not an elemental? Or do all non-red/non-incarnation elementals have evoke?
no I didn't miss it, but I saw people compare the first part to life drain... but it is most certainly not. Drain life gives you a way to gain life, which is a valuable resource as a black player.
Yeah this one can hurt a player and/or creature (or both), but that's not as interesting as drain life, which is a combination of effects too, and one that black loves.
Not as interesting to you maybe. Besides, it's not like this card is going to make black players stop playing tendrils, which is arguably a better life gain spell than Drain Life ever was. This just adds so many options. X to a creature and X to the face for XBB would be a solid card on it's own.
Also, to the people complaining about Gaddock: we're in black here. Just Slaughter Pact him and move on.
Take Kithkin Greatheart as an example. This card encourages you to build a deck with both Kithkin and Giants, but sticks to the race-matters theme. Unlike a class-matters card, it's also playable in an all-Kithkin or all-Giant deck in limited.
Except it wouldn't be an "all-Giant" deck anymore.
Okay, I just realized a rather drastic drawback to this spell:
You need a creature in the graveyard or in play in order to cast it. I guess that isn't so hard for aggro decks, but control decks looking to send X to the head might not always have a creature in the graveyard.
EDIT: Okay its not that drastic, but it's subtle and I bet people will forget a lot.
I forgot about the Thunder Cloud guy. He's probably the #1 thing Giant's have going for them. Wrath on a big stick. Oh wait that just reminded me. Desolation Giant much? It's so obvious now...
Thanks, I was afraid we'd all have to spend the day in anticipation of the one last card.
Unfortunately, it's also completely terrible. This could easily cost 3W or even 2W and be fine in limited (as if constructed was even a consideration for this one).
Ashling is a she.
Also, I like how Heat Shimmer is soooooo much better than Hero's Demise.
I don't see that many exciting cards in here.. a lot of these cards seem weak even for limited. The elemental lord is cool.
Other thoughts:
I'm disappointed with the treefolk kithkin maker. The sacrifice ability is just so subpar compared to the others in the cycle, and it doesnt even get extra power (white gets 6 power for 5, treefolk get 7 for 7).
I'm also disappointed that there aren't any Treefolk/Giant Champions, because I was hoping for some really frickin huge guys at like the 6 mana slot, but I guess they felt the normal Treefolk and Giants were big enough.
Lots of really cool cards here, especially the Treefolk Korlash-impersonator. Goes great with cards like imperiosaur in a monogreen fat-type deck, and with all the green removal they've printed, that could just be viable.
At this point there's too many cards to comment on all of them, but I'm definitely psyched.
They're all completely awful.
And people thought the green one was bad... It's easily the second best!
It's weak but all the boggart decks will play it because it tutors
Could be playable in block, more of a limited card though. A 2/2 flyer for 4 in black is welcome, and the possibility of free removal makes this a strong pick for faerie decks.
Someone was surprised this doesn't cost 4. I'm not. I'm also betting that this gets BETTER in constructed than in limited--Changelings will be ALL over limited, significantly reducing how good this is.
Between this, the knucklebone witch, and festering goblin, I wouldn't be surprised to see a true sligh build of b/r goblins. In t2 it also neutralizes tendrils, and I think it's safe to say B/x with tendrils and damnation is going to get played with all the tribal cards coming in.
This is going to severely wreck a lot of limited games. It's got potential in block constructed too, vs some of the smaller creature tribes.
I think all the people lamenting the removal of zombify from Xth can breathe easy now. This card is situationally both stronger and weaker. Probably stronger in limited and weaker in constructed.
I like how WotC has done these cross tribal cards. I wouldn't be surprised to see this in block boggart decks, if only because it makes goblins. And flies.
Behold the bleeding of lifelink into black (as foretold by MaRo in one of his columns). I hope theres a black creature in the set with lifelink and a decent size to go with it. On the other hand, this is Bog Imp++2.0 and definitely goes well with the big green elves.
This card looks so good, and then you realize you have to keep the enchanted permanent alive until the end of every turn. This could see play in some kind of b/g land destruction deck (and there's a lot of that in the new T2). Between acidmoss, rootgrapple, primal command, small pox, rain of tears, and this, it could be playable. primal command also gives you life vs aggro decks or tutors up a giant beater to end the game with.
Limited. But a 4/4 is nothing to sneeze at.
Great limited card. Potential 1 of in Boggart decks to be tutored for.
Someone was saying "This was supposed to be a cycle of overpowered cards for the reduced cost" or something along that line. No one said that. They said it was a cycle of cards that had reduced costs. This will get played in boggarts because, overpowered or not, its still a great 2 drop. Boggarts doesnt seem like it really needs to play anything besides boggarts and land, so there wont be much trouble getting him out for cheap.
Obviously overcosted for constructed, even in block. It doesn't really seem very black to me, but I guess they had to put it somewhere. This seems decent in limited, but nothing to write home about (who writes home anymore anyway?)
Tendrils of Corruption, obv.
You can't really judge this card based on situations like that. If I had all 3 cards in hand, I would obviously choose Last Gasp. If i had to make a choice of whether to play Last Gasp OR Profane Command, that would depend 90% upon the metagame that we're considering this card in. If I know that I'm more likely to face control decks than aggro decks, Profane Command is the clear winner, as it can send X to the head for the win (like angelfire tends to do with its namesake Demonfires).
Of course, assuming we're talking Standard, Last Gasp isn't really an option, and Nameless Inversion, while i decent replacement, is both less and more useful.
I doubt any deck would run Profane Command as a 4x, but it's clearly well suited as a 2x in control decks, or even aggro decks. It's just so versatile, and can straight up win you the game, or pull you out of a bad spot (kill their guy, get one of yours back).
I don't think anyone can argue that this isn't a first pick in limited though. It pretty much says "Win" on it.
You cant bounce the snake because it's still on the stack when the Pranksters ability needs to pick a target. you'll need two counter creatures + the pranksters + a way to not die to the cards they've already cast by the time you get that set up.
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The spoiler has ringskipper as a Faerie, but it's blue and doesn't have flash--are we sure its not an elemental? Or do all non-red/non-incarnation elementals have evoke?
Not as interesting to you maybe. Besides, it's not like this card is going to make black players stop playing tendrils, which is arguably a better life gain spell than Drain Life ever was. This just adds so many options. X to a creature and X to the face for XBB would be a solid card on it's own.
Also, to the people complaining about Gaddock: we're in black here. Just Slaughter Pact him and move on.
Except it wouldn't be an "all-Giant" deck anymore.
.... Did you miss the whole -X/-X to target creature bit? Because your statement doesn't make sense otherwise.
You need a creature in the graveyard or in play in order to cast it. I guess that isn't so hard for aggro decks, but control decks looking to send X to the head might not always have a creature in the graveyard.
EDIT: Okay its not that drastic, but it's subtle and I bet people will forget a lot.