Premier Draft AKR 31 August 2022
31 August 12:34 - Jaskier 7 Wins - 1 Losses
Pack 1 Pick 1: Shefet Monitor
Failure
1.5 The Failure half of the card is where most of this card’s value comes from, as two mana to effectively counter a spell isn’t too bad. The Comply half is less impressive, though the idea here is to cast both and name the spell you bounced, but even doing that isn’t always very good, since your opponent can just play their other stuff and be perfectly happy until they have the ability to cast the other thing.
1.5 The Failure half of the card is where most of this card’s value comes from, as two mana to effectively counter a spell isn’t too bad. The Comply half is less impressive, though the idea here is to cast both and name the spell you bounced, but even doing that isn’t always very good, since your opponent can just play their other stuff and be perfectly happy until they have the ability to cast the other thing.
Shefet Monitor
3.5 This card is really good. In the early game, you can cycle it away, and you get to draw two cards in the process! One will be a basic land of course, but that’s fine, it is still giving you a 2-for-1 off of a Cycle, which is pretty awesome – and good for your mana! Then, in the late game, Shefet Monitor towers over many board states, and can be a passable finisher.
3.5 This card is really good. In the early game, you can cycle it away, and you get to draw two cards in the process! One will be a basic land of course, but that’s fine, it is still giving you a 2-for-1 off of a Cycle, which is pretty awesome – and good for your mana! Then, in the late game, Shefet Monitor towers over many board states, and can be a passable finisher.
Honored Crop-Captain
3.5 RW is very aggressive int his format, and Honored Crop-Captain is a big part of that! It has great stats as a two mana 3/2, and pumping the power of your whole board is quite potent, especially in combination with exert.
3.5 RW is very aggressive int his format, and Honored Crop-Captain is a big part of that! It has great stats as a two mana 3/2, and pumping the power of your whole board is quite potent, especially in combination with exert.
Vizier of Deferment
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Brute Strength
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
Khenra Eternal
2.5 This has okay stats, an okay keyword ability, and it’s a Zombie, so its perfectly fine.
2.5 This has okay stats, an okay keyword ability, and it’s a Zombie, so its perfectly fine.
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Strategic Planning
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Crash Through
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
Desert of the Fervent
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Pitiless Vizier
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Hashep Oasis
Fetid Pools
3.0 These all add two colors mana, which is great fixing, and if you get them at a point in the game where you no longer need lands, you can just Cycle them away. Don’t underestimate how good that is. Just imagine every time you’ve flooded out in a game of Magic, now imagine you can just throw away some of those lands for new cards, and you’ll know what I mean.
3.0 These all add two colors mana, which is great fixing, and if you get them at a point in the game where you no longer need lands, you can just Cycle them away. Don’t underestimate how good that is. Just imagine every time you’ve flooded out in a game of Magic, now imagine you can just throw away some of those lands for new cards, and you’ll know what I mean.
Consign
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
Protection of the Hekma
1.0 If you play this, obviously you’ll be winning the game. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty big “if,” in this format.
1.0 If you play this, obviously you’ll be winning the game. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty big “if,” in this format.
Hashep Oasis
3.0 These Desert utility lands are all pretty nice! In addition to counting as deserts for several cards in the set, they come into play completely untapped and can give you colored mana – even if you do have to pay life for it. If you don’t want that mana, it can also just tap for cololorless. Then, they can all do a thing by giving up a Desert. In this case, you get to pump a creature. And sure, it is only at Sorcery speed, but keep in mind that this thing has been a nice land for you all game, and in the late game it is having a very real impact! If you have enough deserts, you can do these effects repeatedly, which is sometimes nice.
3.0 These Desert utility lands are all pretty nice! In addition to counting as deserts for several cards in the set, they come into play completely untapped and can give you colored mana – even if you do have to pay life for it. If you don’t want that mana, it can also just tap for cololorless. Then, they can all do a thing by giving up a Desert. In this case, you get to pump a creature. And sure, it is only at Sorcery speed, but keep in mind that this thing has been a nice land for you all game, and in the late game it is having a very real impact! If you have enough deserts, you can do these effects repeatedly, which is sometimes nice.
Cartouche of Zeal
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
Seer of the Last Tomorrow
1.0 Not really a mill deck in this format, and that makes this pretty bad.
1.0 Not really a mill deck in this format, and that makes this pretty bad.
Hieroglyphic Illumination
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
Sacred Cat
2.5 A one mana 1/1 with lifelink isn’t usually anything special, but this effectively ends up being two mana for 2 1/1s with Lifelink, and that’s actually quite nice.
2.5 A one mana 1/1 with lifelink isn’t usually anything special, but this effectively ends up being two mana for 2 1/1s with Lifelink, and that’s actually quite nice.
Desert of the Glorified
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Solitary Camel
2.0 A 3-mana 3/2 that will have lifelink a decent chunk of the time is fine.
2.0 A 3-mana 3/2 that will have lifelink a decent chunk of the time is fine.
Soulstinger
2.5 All on its own, Soulstinger is a 4-mana 2/3 that puts two -1/-1 counters on something when it dies. That’s the kind of card that can really create 2-for-1s, and that’s sort of the baseline here. You can also just play the Soulstinger as a larger creature if that’s what you need, and put the counters somewhere else.
2.5 All on its own, Soulstinger is a 4-mana 2/3 that puts two -1/-1 counters on something when it dies. That’s the kind of card that can really create 2-for-1s, and that’s sort of the baseline here. You can also just play the Soulstinger as a larger creature if that’s what you need, and put the counters somewhere else.
Life Goes On
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Cartouche of Strength
Khenra Charioteer
3.0 This kind is a little underwhelming as far as signpost uncommons go, but he is very efficient and grants your creatures a nice keyword, so its still a pretty nice card.
3.0 This kind is a little underwhelming as far as signpost uncommons go, but he is very efficient and grants your creatures a nice keyword, so its still a pretty nice card.
Ipnu Rivulet
2.5 This is the weakest of the cycle, mostly because milling isn’t that relevant in the format, but it is still a desert with some upside.
2.5 This is the weakest of the cycle, mostly because milling isn’t that relevant in the format, but it is still a desert with some upside.
Censor
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
Forsake the Worldly
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
Oasis Ritualist
3.5 This card is really nice. It has enough toughness to stand up to most common Exert creatures, and it provides significant fixing and ramp.
3.5 This card is really nice. It has enough toughness to stand up to most common Exert creatures, and it provides significant fixing and ramp.
Cartouche of Strength
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
Dune Beetle
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
Binding Mummy
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
Khenra Scrapper
3.0 Like a lot of these Exert creatures, once this starts Exerting itself, it is difficult to block effectively, and a 4/3 with Menace can do a ton of damage in a hurry.
3.0 Like a lot of these Exert creatures, once this starts Exerting itself, it is difficult to block effectively, and a 4/3 with Menace can do a ton of damage in a hurry.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Compulsory Rest
3.5 This is a premium removal spell. It is a little bit worse than Pacifism, since you do give your opponent the option of sacrificing the creature and gaining life, but that’s mostly negligible. This shuts down most creatures very effectively.
3.5 This is a premium removal spell. It is a little bit worse than Pacifism, since you do give your opponent the option of sacrificing the creature and gaining life, but that’s mostly negligible. This shuts down most creatures very effectively.
Aven Initiate
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Desert of the Indomitable
Eternal of Harsh Truths
2.0 The idea here is that your opponent would rather leave this unblocked than take two damage, but it just doesn’t pan out that way very often. A 1/3 is quickly outclassed, and you just won’t find this drawing you cards all that often.
2.0 The idea here is that your opponent would rather leave this unblocked than take two damage, but it just doesn’t pan out that way very often. A 1/3 is quickly outclassed, and you just won’t find this drawing you cards all that often.
Chandra's Defeat
0.5 Like the rest of this cycle, this is great out of your sideboard, but terrible too often to put anywhere else.
0.5 Like the rest of this cycle, this is great out of your sideboard, but terrible too often to put anywhere else.
Sacred Cat
2.5 A one mana 1/1 with lifelink isn’t usually anything special, but this effectively ends up being two mana for 2 1/1s with Lifelink, and that’s actually quite nice.
2.5 A one mana 1/1 with lifelink isn’t usually anything special, but this effectively ends up being two mana for 2 1/1s with Lifelink, and that’s actually quite nice.
Pouncing Cheetah
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
Cartouche of Knowledge
3.5 This Cartouche draws you a card to get around the risk of getting 2-for-1’d, and I’m all for that. This actually gives you a lot for only two mana, as Flying and +1/+1 is no joke.
3.5 This Cartouche draws you a card to get around the risk of getting 2-for-1’d, and I’m all for that. This actually gives you a lot for only two mana, as Flying and +1/+1 is no joke.
Strategic Planning
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
Slither Blade
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
Desert of the Indomitable
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Gilded Cerodon
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
Trespasser's Curse
0.5 This doesn’t do anything apart from the life drain effect, and that just isn’t going to be worth a card most of the time.
0.5 This doesn’t do anything apart from the life drain effect, and that just isn’t going to be worth a card most of the time.
Hooded Brawler
2.5 This 3-mana 3/2 can swing as a 5/4 once his base stats aren’t doing it for you anymore, and that’s enough size to be relevant all game long.
2.5 This 3-mana 3/2 can swing as a 5/4 once his base stats aren’t doing it for you anymore, and that’s enough size to be relevant all game long.
Pack 1 Pick 5: Aerial Guide
Vizier of Deferment
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
Desert Cerodon
2.5 Like a lot of creatures with cycling, this doesn’t have great stats, but the fact you can throw it away for a new card when the 6/4 isn’t worth it makes it pretty solid.
2.5 Like a lot of creatures with cycling, this doesn’t have great stats, but the fact you can throw it away for a new card when the 6/4 isn’t worth it makes it pretty solid.
Puncturing Blow
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
Aven of Enduring Hope
2.5 A 5-mana 3/3 flyer isn’t great, but the +3 life effect plays surprisingly well in this format, and can help you stabilize while adding a flying threat to the board.
2.5 A 5-mana 3/3 flyer isn’t great, but the +3 life effect plays surprisingly well in this format, and can help you stabilize while adding a flying threat to the board.
Soulstinger
2.5 All on its own, Soulstinger is a 4-mana 2/3 that puts two -1/-1 counters on something when it dies. That’s the kind of card that can really create 2-for-1s, and that’s sort of the baseline here. You can also just play the Soulstinger as a larger creature if that’s what you need, and put the counters somewhere else.
2.5 All on its own, Soulstinger is a 4-mana 2/3 that puts two -1/-1 counters on something when it dies. That’s the kind of card that can really create 2-for-1s, and that’s sort of the baseline here. You can also just play the Soulstinger as a larger creature if that’s what you need, and put the counters somewhere else.
Aerial Guide
3.5 This is a great Common. Wind Drake stats are kind of passable, and giving another attacker Flying is a pretty big deal, and Aerial Guide can quickly account for a ton of damage as a result of that ability.
3.5 This is a great Common. Wind Drake stats are kind of passable, and giving another attacker Flying is a pretty big deal, and Aerial Guide can quickly account for a ton of damage as a result of that ability.
Pathmaker Initiate
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Compelling Argument
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Pouncing Cheetah
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
Pack 1 Pick 6: Evolving Wilds
Vizier of Deferment
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
2.0 This can be nice in conjunction with ETB abilities, or to remove an Aura based removal spell from one of your creatures, but those things just don’t seem to happen enough for this to be especially good.
Sixth Sense
1.0 This kind of Aura is always sort of hard to get behind. Because it gives no stats boost, the creature you put it on has to already be capable of getting in to draw you the card, and you’ll find yourself unable to create that situation pretty frequently.
1.0 This kind of Aura is always sort of hard to get behind. Because it gives no stats boost, the creature you put it on has to already be capable of getting in to draw you the card, and you’ll find yourself unable to create that situation pretty frequently.
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Horror of the Broken Lands
3.0 In the early game, you can cycle this away, and in the late game it can be a very legitimate finisher in a deck with a reasonable amount of Cycling. It has a very reasonable floor, and a decent enough ceiling.
3.0 In the early game, you can cycle this away, and in the late game it can be a very legitimate finisher in a deck with a reasonable amount of Cycling. It has a very reasonable floor, and a decent enough ceiling.
Blur of Blades
1.5 Sometimes this will get a blocker out of the way and damage your opponent, and suddenly their dead to an Alpha strike. That makes it a reasonable inclusion in aggressive decks, especially because it will always have a pretty decent effect in those decks.
1.5 Sometimes this will get a blocker out of the way and damage your opponent, and suddenly their dead to an Alpha strike. That makes it a reasonable inclusion in aggressive decks, especially because it will always have a pretty decent effect in those decks.
Ancient Crab
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
Bitterbow Sharpshooters
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Pursue Glory
2.0 This is a very inefficient Trumpet Blast, but unlike Trumpet Blast it can actually do something even when you aren’t able to do lethal with it! You can cycle it away.
2.0 This is a very inefficient Trumpet Blast, but unlike Trumpet Blast it can actually do something even when you aren’t able to do lethal with it! You can cycle it away.
Pack 1 Pick 7: Appeal
Appeal
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
Zealot of the God-Pharaoh
2.5 A 4-mana 4/3 is reasonable, and this has an ability that is a solid enough mana sink.
2.5 A 4-mana 4/3 is reasonable, and this has an ability that is a solid enough mana sink.
Ancient Crab
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
Pitiless Vizier
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
Desert Cerodon
2.5 Like a lot of creatures with cycling, this doesn’t have great stats, but the fact you can throw it away for a new card when the 6/4 isn’t worth it makes it pretty solid.
2.5 Like a lot of creatures with cycling, this doesn’t have great stats, but the fact you can throw it away for a new card when the 6/4 isn’t worth it makes it pretty solid.
Pouncing Cheetah
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Aven of Enduring Hope
2.5 A 5-mana 3/3 flyer isn’t great, but the +3 life effect plays surprisingly well in this format, and can help you stabilize while adding a flying threat to the board.
2.5 A 5-mana 3/3 flyer isn’t great, but the +3 life effect plays surprisingly well in this format, and can help you stabilize while adding a flying threat to the board.
Pack 1 Pick 8: Consign
Consign
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
By Force
0.5 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
0.5 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
Miasmic Mummy
1.5 The symmetrical discard isn’t something you’re all that interested in in the format, and this is just a 2/2. It is a Zombie, so that matters, but you won’t play this all that often.
1.5 The symmetrical discard isn’t something you’re all that interested in in the format, and this is just a 2/2. It is a Zombie, so that matters, but you won’t play this all that often.
Marauding Boneslasher
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
Binding Mummy
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
Trespasser's Curse
0.5 This doesn’t do anything apart from the life drain effect, and that just isn’t going to be worth a card most of the time.
0.5 This doesn’t do anything apart from the life drain effect, and that just isn’t going to be worth a card most of the time.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Pack 1 Pick 9: Initiate's Companion
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Brute Strength
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Crash Through
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
Pitiless Vizier
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
Pack 1 Pick 10: Consign
Consign
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
3.0 Thing thing really over performs. In the early game, you can bounce a problem permanent to slow your opponent down, or maybe blow them out when they try to use a trick or something, and then in the late game you have a Mind Rot sitting around in your graveyard. Basically, the consign half of this is already a solid playable, and the Oblivion half gives you some nice late game value. Now, your opponent won’t always have the cards to discard, but they do often enough that this card often feels like a steal.
Cartouche of Zeal
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
Seer of the Last Tomorrow
1.0 Not really a mill deck in this format, and that makes this pretty bad.
1.0 Not really a mill deck in this format, and that makes this pretty bad.
Life Goes On
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Ipnu Rivulet
Ipnu Rivulet
2.5 This is the weakest of the cycle, mostly because milling isn’t that relevant in the format, but it is still a desert with some upside.
2.5 This is the weakest of the cycle, mostly because milling isn’t that relevant in the format, but it is still a desert with some upside.
Forsake the Worldly
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
Binding Mummy
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Pack 1 Pick 12: Chandra's Defeat
Chandra's Defeat
0.5 Like the rest of this cycle, this is great out of your sideboard, but terrible too often to put anywhere else.
0.5 Like the rest of this cycle, this is great out of your sideboard, but terrible too often to put anywhere else.
Slither Blade
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
Gilded Cerodon
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
Pack 1 Pick 13: Compelling Argument
Pathmaker Initiate
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
Compelling Argument
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Pack 1 Pick 14: Sixth Sense
Sixth Sense
1.0 This kind of Aura is always sort of hard to get behind. Because it gives no stats boost, the creature you put it on has to already be capable of getting in to draw you the card, and you’ll find yourself unable to create that situation pretty frequently.
1.0 This kind of Aura is always sort of hard to get behind. Because it gives no stats boost, the creature you put it on has to already be capable of getting in to draw you the card, and you’ll find yourself unable to create that situation pretty frequently.
Pack 2 Pick 1: Glorybringer
Glorybringer
5.0 So, this is a 5-mana 4/4 with Flying and Haste, a card that can end the game rapidly for the opponent. That’s already a great card for Limited! But it of course can exert itself and also kill the vast majority of creatures in the format! So, this is a huge hasty flyer that can end games in a hurry with damage, and it can also easily pick off opposing creatures. That’s definitely a bomb.
5.0 So, this is a 5-mana 4/4 with Flying and Haste, a card that can end the game rapidly for the opponent. That’s already a great card for Limited! But it of course can exert itself and also kill the vast majority of creatures in the format! So, this is a huge hasty flyer that can end games in a hurry with damage, and it can also easily pick off opposing creatures. That’s definitely a bomb.
Burning-Fist Minotaur
4.0 A two mana 2/1 with First Strike is something you always sign up for, and this one has the ability to pump its power. That’s something your opponent has to pretty much always respect, making it quite challenging to attack through or block the Minotaur. Of course, sometimes if they don’t block, you can also do lethal, so you put your opponent in a really rough situation.
4.0 A two mana 2/1 with First Strike is something you always sign up for, and this one has the ability to pump its power. That’s something your opponent has to pretty much always respect, making it quite challenging to attack through or block the Minotaur. Of course, sometimes if they don’t block, you can also do lethal, so you put your opponent in a really rough situation.
Hope Tender
3.0 If you’re not exerting this, it doesn’t do a whole lot other than be a 2-mana 2/2. Simply untapping a single land just isn’t that big of a deal, you’re essentially just filtering mana. Still, it can ramp for you when it exerts and it has fine base line stats.
3.0 If you’re not exerting this, it doesn’t do a whole lot other than be a 2-mana 2/2. Simply untapping a single land just isn’t that big of a deal, you’re essentially just filtering mana. Still, it can ramp for you when it exerts and it has fine base line stats.
Hazoret's Monument
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Final Reward
3.0 This is expensive, but it also answers any creature – and because it exiles them, it can even shut down annoying cards with Embalm. This is premium removal.
3.0 This is expensive, but it also answers any creature – and because it exiles them, it can even shut down annoying cards with Embalm. This is premium removal.
Lethal Sting
2.5 This is a cheap way to kill any creature, and the downside can turn into upside in some situations. Still, the set up is real, and that makes it hard for it to be premium.
2.5 This is a cheap way to kill any creature, and the downside can turn into upside in some situations. Still, the set up is real, and that makes it hard for it to be premium.
Cartouche of Solidarity
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
Greater Sandwurm
2.5 This is a solid finisher, and when he’s not what you’re looking for, you can just cycle him away.
2.5 This is a solid finisher, and when he’s not what you’re looking for, you can just cycle him away.
Haze of Pollen
0.5 Fog effects are bad in Limited – usually unplayable. Even adding cycling doesn’t help that out a whole lot.
0.5 Fog effects are bad in Limited – usually unplayable. Even adding cycling doesn’t help that out a whole lot.
Binding Mummy
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
Aven Initiate
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
Thresher Lizard
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
Pack 2 Pick 2: Feral Prowler
Never
4.0 Obviously, the “Never” side here is premium removal, and a card that always makes the cut. This has a huge added bonus too, in that you can pay 4 mana to make a 2/2 Zombie from your graveyard later in the game, and the fact you also get to exile a card from a graveyard actually matter sometimes too.
4.0 Obviously, the “Never” side here is premium removal, and a card that always makes the cut. This has a huge added bonus too, in that you can pay 4 mana to make a 2/2 Zombie from your graveyard later in the game, and the fact you also get to exile a card from a graveyard actually matter sometimes too.
Censor
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
Renewed Faith
2.0 You will almost always end up cycling this. Two mana for 2 life and a card is pretty decent. Three mana for six life and no card isn’t, but you do have the option to do that, and sometimes you’ll want to – like if you’ll die without doing it.
2.0 You will almost always end up cycling this. Two mana for 2 life and a card is pretty decent. Three mana for six life and no card isn’t, but you do have the option to do that, and sometimes you’ll want to – like if you’ll die without doing it.
Appeal
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
Feral Prowler
2.0 It is unfortunately pretty hard to trade Feral Prowler for anything, since basically all the best small creatures in the format can evade it or get to big when they are exerted. That doesn’t make it terrible, but it is definitely worse here than in most sets.
2.0 It is unfortunately pretty hard to trade Feral Prowler for anything, since basically all the best small creatures in the format can evade it or get to big when they are exerted. That doesn’t make it terrible, but it is definitely worse here than in most sets.
Nef-Crop Entangler
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
Thresher Lizard
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
Shed Weakness
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
Aven Initiate
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
2.5 4-mana 3/2 flyers are okayish. Adding Embalm here is quite nice, since it will give you another copy of the Initiate in the late game, albeit at a very steep price.
Cartouche of Solidarity
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
Dune Beetle
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
Pack 2 Pick 3: Puncturing Blow
Canyon Slough
3.0 These all add two colors mana, which is great fixing, and if you get them at a point in the game where you no longer need lands, you can just Cycle them away. Don’t underestimate how good that is. Just imagine every time you’ve flooded out in a game of Magic, now imagine you can just throw away some of those lands for new cards, and you’ll know what I mean.
3.0 These all add two colors mana, which is great fixing, and if you get them at a point in the game where you no longer need lands, you can just Cycle them away. Don’t underestimate how good that is. Just imagine every time you’ve flooded out in a game of Magic, now imagine you can just throw away some of those lands for new cards, and you’ll know what I mean.
Shefet Dunes
3.0 Pumping your whole board is a pretty nice thing for a nice unassuming land to do, and if you have multiple deserts, you can do it on back to back turns, which is pretty awesome.
3.0 Pumping your whole board is a pretty nice thing for a nice unassuming land to do, and if you have multiple deserts, you can do it on back to back turns, which is pretty awesome.
Censor
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
2.5 Counterspells that only ask the opponent to pay 1 to ignore them usually aren’t very good except for in the very early game. The nice thing here, is that once you get to the late game and Censor doesn’t look so good, you can just Cycle it away and get another card.
Seeker of Insight
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Pitiless Vizier
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
2.5 This guy has a very real threat of activation. A 4/2 hits hard, and there aren’t that many creatuers that can block this and survive, and in those situations your opponent has to gauge whether or not you have the Cycling card that just blows them out entirely.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Bitterbow Sharpshooters
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
Crash Through
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
1.5 In the UR spell deck this is okay, as just triggering all your Prowess stuff and drawing a card, AND giving trample to your board is worth the one mana.
Puncturing Blow
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
Mighty Leap
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
Winds of Rebuke
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
Pack 2 Pick 4: Rhonas's Stalwart
Hour of Revelation
3.0 Wrath effects are pretty hard to replace, and even though this is symmetrical, I still think it is a pretty nice reset button to have, as it can get you out of just about any situation. It does cost triple White, which is rough, and it is pretty unlikely you can ever cast it for the reduced cost, but that’s okay.
3.0 Wrath effects are pretty hard to replace, and even though this is symmetrical, I still think it is a pretty nice reset button to have, as it can get you out of just about any situation. It does cost triple White, which is rough, and it is pretty unlikely you can ever cast it for the reduced cost, but that’s okay.
Manglehorn
0.5 There aren’t really enough artifacts in this set for it to be worth it.
0.5 There aren’t really enough artifacts in this set for it to be worth it.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Rhonas's Stalwart
3.5 Look, yet another really good common two-drop with Exert! Like the others, this has a fine baseline that can attack reasonably well, and then in the later game in can start exerting to make itself larger and more evasive.
3.5 Look, yet another really good common two-drop with Exert! Like the others, this has a fine baseline that can attack reasonably well, and then in the later game in can start exerting to make itself larger and more evasive.
Brute Strength
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
1.5 This is a decent trick. The small toughness boost is a bit of a bummer, and means that sometimes you won’t be able to avert a 2-for-1 when you use it, but it can also result in a ton of unexpected damage for your opponent.
Naga Oracle
1.0 This isn’t very good. A 4-mana 2/4 needs to do something pretty relevant to be good, and it just doesn’t. It gives you a bit of card selection/graveyard stocking, but that’s not really enough.
1.0 This isn’t very good. A 4-mana 2/4 needs to do something pretty relevant to be good, and it just doesn’t. It gives you a bit of card selection/graveyard stocking, but that’s not really enough.
Desert of the Glorified
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Sidewinder Naga
2.0 This will sometimes be a 4/2 with Trample, which is fine, but it wouldn’t be an incredible card even if it was always a 4/2 with trample.
2.0 This will sometimes be a 4/2 with Trample, which is fine, but it wouldn’t be an incredible card even if it was always a 4/2 with trample.
Cartouche of Ambition
3.5 Sticking a -1/-1 counter somewhere, +1/+1 and lifelink is a pretty good deal for three mana, and the whole package usually makes it so one of your creatures can rumble that just couldn’t before. Sometimes the counter part of the card will outright kill something too, in which case you’re going to feel pretty great about things.
3.5 Sticking a -1/-1 counter somewhere, +1/+1 and lifelink is a pretty good deal for three mana, and the whole package usually makes it so one of your creatures can rumble that just couldn’t before. Sometimes the counter part of the card will outright kill something too, in which case you’re going to feel pretty great about things.
Desert of the True
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Winds of Rebuke
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
Pack 2 Pick 5: Hour of Promise
Hour of Promise
3.0 Most of the desert payoffs in this set are fairly doable, but this one is a bit more of a challenge, since you need to have at least three deserts to make it worth playing. Five mana for ramp just isn’t great in this format, and is a good way to get run over. However, if you can ramp and get those 2/2 zombies, then you’re in business, since you’re actually impacting the board. The good news is, as long as you get one of those three deserts in play before you cast it, you’ll be getting those Zombies. So, basically, value deserts a little higher if you have this – and that’s true of a lot of Desert cards in the set!
3.0 Most of the desert payoffs in this set are fairly doable, but this one is a bit more of a challenge, since you need to have at least three deserts to make it worth playing. Five mana for ramp just isn’t great in this format, and is a good way to get run over. However, if you can ramp and get those 2/2 zombies, then you’re in business, since you’re actually impacting the board. The good news is, as long as you get one of those three deserts in play before you cast it, you’ll be getting those Zombies. So, basically, value deserts a little higher if you have this – and that’s true of a lot of Desert cards in the set!
Trial of Ambition
3.0 Playing this on turn two to kill your opponent’s only creature feels great, and all game long it will at least subtract from the opposing board some. Because it is so cheap, it also isn’t that difficult to play a cartouche and replay the Trial in the same turn, which will feel pretty great.
3.0 Playing this on turn two to kill your opponent’s only creature feels great, and all game long it will at least subtract from the opposing board some. Because it is so cheap, it also isn’t that difficult to play a cartouche and replay the Trial in the same turn, which will feel pretty great.
Quarry Hauler
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
Khenra Eternal
2.5 This has okay stats, an okay keyword ability, and it’s a Zombie, so its perfectly fine.
2.5 This has okay stats, an okay keyword ability, and it’s a Zombie, so its perfectly fine.
Splendid Agony
2.5 This is pretty solid, though not premium. There are enough small creatures in this set that it sometimes give you a 2-for-1, but it isn’t that impressive against larger creatures, though weakening them still has some value.
2.5 This is pretty solid, though not premium. There are enough small creatures in this set that it sometimes give you a 2-for-1, but it isn’t that impressive against larger creatures, though weakening them still has some value.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Naga Vitalist
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
Nef-Crop Entangler
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
Beneath the Sands
2.0 This can help you fix and ramp, which some decks wants, and unlike a lot of ramp spells – which are terrible late game top decks – you can Cycle away Beneath the Sands.
2.0 This can help you fix and ramp, which some decks wants, and unlike a lot of ramp spells – which are terrible late game top decks – you can Cycle away Beneath the Sands.
Strategic Planning
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
Pack 2 Pick 6: Naga Vitalist
Watchers of the Dead
2.0 This is a two-mana 2/2 that can hate on the graveyard a bit in a set that has graveyard stuff, so its fine.
2.0 This is a two-mana 2/2 that can hate on the graveyard a bit in a set that has graveyard stuff, so its fine.
Naga Vitalist
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
Forsake the Worldly
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
Pathmaker Initiate
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
Ancient Crab
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
Pouncing Cheetah
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
1.5 This is kind of okay. It can flash in and ambush block stuff, but there’s not much that it can survive blocking because of its mediocre stats.
Seeker of Insight
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
In Oketra's Name
1.5 This just doesn’t pan out most of the time. Sure, if you have a bunch of Zombies and you’re going wide, it gives a nice boost for the cost, but having both of those things happen isn’t guaranteed.
1.5 This just doesn’t pan out most of the time. Sure, if you have a bunch of Zombies and you’re going wide, it gives a nice boost for the cost, but having both of those things happen isn’t guaranteed.
Blighted Bat
2.0 A 3-mana 2/1 that can gain Haste is alright, and it comes with a useful creature type!
2.0 A 3-mana 2/1 that can gain Haste is alright, and it comes with a useful creature type!
Pack 2 Pick 7: Trial of Strength
Watchers of the Dead
2.0 This is a two-mana 2/2 that can hate on the graveyard a bit in a set that has graveyard stuff, so its fine.
2.0 This is a two-mana 2/2 that can hate on the graveyard a bit in a set that has graveyard stuff, so its fine.
Trial of Strength
2.5 3-mana for a 4/2 is fine, and you might find yourself casting this more than once over the course of the game, which feels pretty nice.
2.5 3-mana for a 4/2 is fine, and you might find yourself casting this more than once over the course of the game, which feels pretty nice.
Mighty Leap
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Ornery Kudu
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
Compelling Argument
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
1.0 There’s not really a mill deck in this format, but this does cycle for only one Blue mana, so you’ll play it sometimes.
Cartouche of Zeal
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
Unburden
2.0 Mind Rot usually isn’t very good in Limited, but you can use that part of the card when its good, and Cycle it away when its not, which makes it somewhat playable.
2.0 Mind Rot usually isn’t very good in Limited, but you can use that part of the card when its good, and Cycle it away when its not, which makes it somewhat playable.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Hooded Brawler
Shadowstorm Vizier
3.0 This can do some decent damage in the air when combined with discard and cycling effects, and there are certainly enough of those in this format for the Vizier to be pretty good – though it may be the most underwhelming of this cycle of signpost uncommons.
3.0 This can do some decent damage in the air when combined with discard and cycling effects, and there are certainly enough of those in this format for the Vizier to be pretty good – though it may be the most underwhelming of this cycle of signpost uncommons.
Pathmaker Initiate
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
Hooded Brawler
2.5 This 3-mana 3/2 can swing as a 5/4 once his base stats aren’t doing it for you anymore, and that’s enough size to be relevant all game long.
2.5 This 3-mana 3/2 can swing as a 5/4 once his base stats aren’t doing it for you anymore, and that’s enough size to be relevant all game long.
Pursue Glory
2.0 This is a very inefficient Trumpet Blast, but unlike Trumpet Blast it can actually do something even when you aren’t able to do lethal with it! You can cycle it away.
2.0 This is a very inefficient Trumpet Blast, but unlike Trumpet Blast it can actually do something even when you aren’t able to do lethal with it! You can cycle it away.
Ornery Kudu
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Life Goes On
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
Pack 2 Pick 9: Greater Sandwurm
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Greater Sandwurm
2.5 This is a solid finisher, and when he’s not what you’re looking for, you can just cycle him away.
2.5 This is a solid finisher, and when he’s not what you’re looking for, you can just cycle him away.
Haze of Pollen
0.5 Fog effects are bad in Limited – usually unplayable. Even adding cycling doesn’t help that out a whole lot.
0.5 Fog effects are bad in Limited – usually unplayable. Even adding cycling doesn’t help that out a whole lot.
Binding Mummy
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
3.0 This has a baseline of a 2-mana 2/2 and it has some very real upside. This set is loaded up with Zombies – and remember, anything that is Embalmed comes back as a zombie too, so the Binding Mummy tends to be quite good at tapping down blockers and letting you go all out.
Thresher Lizard
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
Pack 2 Pick 10: Nef-Crop Entangler
Renewed Faith
2.0 You will almost always end up cycling this. Two mana for 2 life and a card is pretty decent. Three mana for six life and no card isn’t, but you do have the option to do that, and sometimes you’ll want to – like if you’ll die without doing it.
2.0 You will almost always end up cycling this. Two mana for 2 life and a card is pretty decent. Three mana for six life and no card isn’t, but you do have the option to do that, and sometimes you’ll want to – like if you’ll die without doing it.
Appeal
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
2.0 If you can cast both halves of this in the same turn, this can have a pretty big impact, since one of your creatures will get a decent boost and trample, two opposing blockers will be tapped, and your creatures will have vigilance. Still, you did not some decent set up for this to do that ideal thing, including a decent number of creatures. And, in the end, you use up a card here for temporary effects that don’t permanently add to the board in any way, and I don’t love that.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
Nef-Crop Entangler
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
Pack 2 Pick 11: Initiate's Companion
Seeker of Insight
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
2.0 This doesn’t have the most impressive spell payoff effect there is, but looting with this sometimes is solid.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Mighty Leap
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
1.5 This is always a decent trick that has the upside of giving you some reach in the late game.
Winds of Rebuke
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
Pack 2 Pick 12: Sidewinder Naga
Manglehorn
0.5 There aren’t really enough artifacts in this set for it to be worth it.
0.5 There aren’t really enough artifacts in this set for it to be worth it.
Sidewinder Naga
2.0 This will sometimes be a 4/2 with Trample, which is fine, but it wouldn’t be an incredible card even if it was always a 4/2 with trample.
2.0 This will sometimes be a 4/2 with Trample, which is fine, but it wouldn’t be an incredible card even if it was always a 4/2 with trample.
Winds of Rebuke
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
2.5 Two mana to bounce a nonland permanent is always an okay card in Limited. It doesn’t let you trade 1-for-1 all the time, but the tempo is sometimes worth it. On occasion, you may also mill something useful into your graveyard.
Pack 2 Pick 13: Naga Vitalist
Quarry Hauler
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
Naga Vitalist
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
2.5 This is pretty decent at ramping you, and sometimes you’ll be interested in that.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Ancient Crab
Ancient Crab
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
1.0 This format has lots of cheap creature who can gain evasion or stats boosts as a result of exerting or other effects, and that makes Ancient Crab pretty unimpressive here.
Pack 3 Pick 1: Cartouche of Strength
Grind
4.5 The Grind Half of this will sometimes just allow you to kill a couple of X/1s, which is really good, but the ideal use of this card is to Grind and Dust on the same turn, or on subsequent turns. When you do that, you end up paying 6 mana to exile at least two creatures, which is a great deal, even at Sorcery speed! If your deck has some other -1/-1 counter stuff going on – or if your opponent does – it can be even more backbreaking.
4.5 The Grind Half of this will sometimes just allow you to kill a couple of X/1s, which is really good, but the ideal use of this card is to Grind and Dust on the same turn, or on subsequent turns. When you do that, you end up paying 6 mana to exile at least two creatures, which is a great deal, even at Sorcery speed! If your deck has some other -1/-1 counter stuff going on – or if your opponent does – it can be even more backbreaking.
Unconventional Tactics
1.5 +3/+3 and flying for three mana isn’t that great at Sorcery speed. It is tempting to look at this as giving you that effect every turn or something, but even with all the Zombies around, it just won’t happen that often. Plus, it isn’t that hard for your opponent to respond to.
1.5 +3/+3 and flying for three mana isn’t that great at Sorcery speed. It is tempting to look at this as giving you that effect every turn or something, but even with all the Zombies around, it just won’t happen that often. Plus, it isn’t that hard for your opponent to respond to.
Trial of Ambition
3.0 Playing this on turn two to kill your opponent’s only creature feels great, and all game long it will at least subtract from the opposing board some. Because it is so cheap, it also isn’t that difficult to play a cartouche and replay the Trial in the same turn, which will feel pretty great.
3.0 Playing this on turn two to kill your opponent’s only creature feels great, and all game long it will at least subtract from the opposing board some. Because it is so cheap, it also isn’t that difficult to play a cartouche and replay the Trial in the same turn, which will feel pretty great.
Riddleform
0.0 // 3.0 If you’re in a spell deck, Riddleform can do some pretty serious work. If you’re not, it is pretty terrible.
0.0 // 3.0 If you’re in a spell deck, Riddleform can do some pretty serious work. If you’re not, it is pretty terrible.
Disposal Mummy
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
Impeccable Timing
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
Wasteland Scorpion
2.5 Deathtouchers can trade with anything, and that’s pretty nice! That does mostly make this a defensive card, though. And, like a lot of cards in the set, you can also cycle this away when it isn’t very good.
2.5 Deathtouchers can trade with anything, and that’s pretty nice! That does mostly make this a defensive card, though. And, like a lot of cards in the set, you can also cycle this away when it isn’t very good.
Slither Blade
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
Dauntless Aven
2.5 A 3-mana 2/1 flyer is reasonably playable already, so adding the ability to untap something definitely matters. You can use this on the Aven itself, or more ideally, use it on an Exert creature so it can attack and Exert again on the very next turn.
2.5 A 3-mana 2/1 flyer is reasonably playable already, so adding the ability to untap something definitely matters. You can use this on the Aven itself, or more ideally, use it on an Exert creature so it can attack and Exert again on the very next turn.
Desert of the Mindful
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Cartouche of Strength
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
Countervailing Winds
2.0 This will sometimes perform quite well as a counterspell, and if you’re in a situation where it doesn’t, you can just Cycle it away.
2.0 This will sometimes perform quite well as a counterspell, and if you’re in a situation where it doesn’t, you can just Cycle it away.
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Pack 3 Pick 2: Ramunap Ruins
Magmaroth
2.5 Keeping this a 4-mana 5/5 or 4/4, even in a spell deck, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. And, even when you can, the card isn’t exactly a worldbeater.
2.5 Keeping this a 4-mana 5/5 or 4/4, even in a spell deck, isn’t always the easiest thing to do. And, even when you can, the card isn’t exactly a worldbeater.
Vizier of the Anointed
3.0 As long as you have at least a couple of Embalm/Eternalize creatures, Vizier of the Anointed is going ot be pretty darn good. He searches one of them up – ideally one you can use from the graveyard on your next turn, at which point you not only get value out of a card in your graveyard, you also get to draw an additional card! It isn’t that easy to turn the Vizier into a straight up engine – doing the card draw more than once doesn’t happen very often – but its pretty good even when that’s the case.
3.0 As long as you have at least a couple of Embalm/Eternalize creatures, Vizier of the Anointed is going ot be pretty darn good. He searches one of them up – ideally one you can use from the graveyard on your next turn, at which point you not only get value out of a card in your graveyard, you also get to draw an additional card! It isn’t that easy to turn the Vizier into a straight up engine – doing the card draw more than once doesn’t happen very often – but its pretty good even when that’s the case.
Ramunap Ruins
3.0 The Ruins make it so you have some serious reach in the late game, especially if you have multiple deserts.
3.0 The Ruins make it so you have some serious reach in the late game, especially if you have multiple deserts.
Shimmerscale Drake
3.0 A 5-mana ¾ flyer is solid, and you can cycle this one away in situations where that doesn’t help you.
3.0 A 5-mana ¾ flyer is solid, and you can cycle this one away in situations where that doesn’t help you.
Cartouche of Solidarity
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
3.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is quite nice. +1/+1 and First Strike is already the kind of boost that makes a creature significantly more formidable, and this also makes sure to give you a spare 1/1 body, which helps the threat of a 2-for-1 not loom quite as large.
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Hieroglyphic Illumination
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
Wasteland Scorpion
2.5 Deathtouchers can trade with anything, and that’s pretty nice! That does mostly make this a defensive card, though. And, like a lot of cards in the set, you can also cycle this away when it isn’t very good.
2.5 Deathtouchers can trade with anything, and that’s pretty nice! That does mostly make this a defensive card, though. And, like a lot of cards in the set, you can also cycle this away when it isn’t very good.
Gilded Cerodon
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
Spellweaver Eternal
3.0 Afflict and Prowess on a two mana 2/1 is a pretty good deal. The Eternal will make sure it does damage to the opponent one way or another in most scenarios, and because of Prowess your opponent has to be pretty careful about how they block. This is yet another impressive two drop in a format that is loaded up with them!
3.0 Afflict and Prowess on a two mana 2/1 is a pretty good deal. The Eternal will make sure it does damage to the opponent one way or another in most scenarios, and because of Prowess your opponent has to be pretty careful about how they block. This is yet another impressive two drop in a format that is loaded up with them!
Evolving Wilds
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
3.0 As usual, the Wilds provides some nice fixing for you, and is even quite good for your mana in a two-color deck.
Marauding Boneslasher
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
Ornery Kudu
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
2.0 On its own, this is a 3-mana 2/3, which isn’t very good. If you put the -1/-1 counter somewhere else, especially somewhere where you get some nice value, it will feel pretty good.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Deem Worthy
Oketra's Monument
3.5 This is the only card in this cycle that is actively good in Limited. The cost reduction is nice, but the power here really comes from the ability to make 1/1 tokens. One kind of funny thing about this card is that you can actually play it pretty effectively in any deck that has lots of creature spells, and not just White ones, since adding a 1/1 to every creature spell you play is great! Obviously, it is better in White, since it will allow you to more efficiently cast spells, but yeah, it slots into most decks in the format as a pretty powerful card.
3.5 This is the only card in this cycle that is actively good in Limited. The cost reduction is nice, but the power here really comes from the ability to make 1/1 tokens. One kind of funny thing about this card is that you can actually play it pretty effectively in any deck that has lots of creature spells, and not just White ones, since adding a 1/1 to every creature spell you play is great! Obviously, it is better in White, since it will allow you to more efficiently cast spells, but yeah, it slots into most decks in the format as a pretty powerful card.
Hashep Oasis
3.0 These Desert utility lands are all pretty nice! In addition to counting as deserts for several cards in the set, they come into play completely untapped and can give you colored mana – even if you do have to pay life for it. If you don’t want that mana, it can also just tap for cololorless. Then, they can all do a thing by giving up a Desert. In this case, you get to pump a creature. And sure, it is only at Sorcery speed, but keep in mind that this thing has been a nice land for you all game, and in the late game it is having a very real impact! If you have enough deserts, you can do these effects repeatedly, which is sometimes nice.
3.0 These Desert utility lands are all pretty nice! In addition to counting as deserts for several cards in the set, they come into play completely untapped and can give you colored mana – even if you do have to pay life for it. If you don’t want that mana, it can also just tap for cololorless. Then, they can all do a thing by giving up a Desert. In this case, you get to pump a creature. And sure, it is only at Sorcery speed, but keep in mind that this thing has been a nice land for you all game, and in the late game it is having a very real impact! If you have enough deserts, you can do these effects repeatedly, which is sometimes nice.
Deem Worthy
3.5 If you cast this normally, it can deal with just about any creature in the format, and if you cycle it, you can kill a small creature and get a 2-for-1. This is definitely premium removal.
3.5 If you cast this normally, it can deal with just about any creature in the format, and if you cycle it, you can kill a small creature and get a 2-for-1. This is definitely premium removal.
Feral Prowler
2.0 It is unfortunately pretty hard to trade Feral Prowler for anything, since basically all the best small creatures in the format can evade it or get to big when they are exerted. That doesn’t make it terrible, but it is definitely worse here than in most sets.
2.0 It is unfortunately pretty hard to trade Feral Prowler for anything, since basically all the best small creatures in the format can evade it or get to big when they are exerted. That doesn’t make it terrible, but it is definitely worse here than in most sets.
Shed Weakness
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
Cartouche of Zeal
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
3.0 There aren’t enough artifacts in this set for this to be remotely worth putting in your main deck.
Wander in Death
2.5 The first copy of this type of effect is solid in virtually every Limited format. This is because they give you some serious gas in the later part of the game. And, the nice thing here, is that you can cycle it when its useless in the earlier part of the game. There are some serious diminishing returns after that first copy though, even with Cycling.
2.5 The first copy of this type of effect is solid in virtually every Limited format. This is because they give you some serious gas in the later part of the game. And, the nice thing here, is that you can cycle it when its useless in the earlier part of the game. There are some serious diminishing returns after that first copy though, even with Cycling.
Thorned Moloch
2.5 When this attacks, it isn’t very hard for it to be a 3/3 with First Strike, and that’s not an easy creature to block.
2.5 When this attacks, it isn’t very hard for it to be a 3/3 with First Strike, and that’s not an easy creature to block.
Naga Oracle
1.0 This isn’t very good. A 4-mana 2/4 needs to do something pretty relevant to be good, and it just doesn’t. It gives you a bit of card selection/graveyard stocking, but that’s not really enough.
1.0 This isn’t very good. A 4-mana 2/4 needs to do something pretty relevant to be good, and it just doesn’t. It gives you a bit of card selection/graveyard stocking, but that’s not really enough.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Slither Blade
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
Forsake the Worldly
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
Pack 3 Pick 4: Cartouche of Strength
Leave
0.5 This is incredibly difficult to set up in Limited, and should mostly be avoided.
0.5 This is incredibly difficult to set up in Limited, and should mostly be avoided.
Hazoret's Monument
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
Bontu's Monument
1.5 Reducing the cost of your black creature spells and draining your opponent for every creature spell you cast isn’t too bad, though sometimes it won’t really add up enough to feel like you’re getting a full card worth of value.
1.5 Reducing the cost of your black creature spells and draining your opponent for every creature spell you cast isn’t too bad, though sometimes it won’t really add up enough to feel like you’re getting a full card worth of value.
Djeru's Resolve
1.0 Without Cycling, this would pretty much be unplayable. With cycling…well, you’ll play it on really rare occasions.
1.0 Without Cycling, this would pretty much be unplayable. With cycling…well, you’ll play it on really rare occasions.
Anointer Priest
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
2.5 This is a solid little token/embalm payoff. A two mana 1/3 isn’t great, but the bit of life gain it gets + the fact it comes back from the graveyard in the late game is pretty nice.
Lethal Sting
2.5 This is a cheap way to kill any creature, and the downside can turn into upside in some situations. Still, the set up is real, and that makes it hard for it to be premium.
2.5 This is a cheap way to kill any creature, and the downside can turn into upside in some situations. Still, the set up is real, and that makes it hard for it to be premium.
Shed Weakness
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
Nimble-Blade Khenra
2.0 This is fine if you have enough spells, but even when you do, it isn’t exactly the most incredible prowess creature.
2.0 This is fine if you have enough spells, but even when you do, it isn’t exactly the most incredible prowess creature.
Essence Scatter
2.5 Creature spells are the most common type of spell in Magic, so Essence Scatter always tends to be a pretty solid playable in Limited. Its easy to cast and has lots of targets.
2.5 Creature spells are the most common type of spell in Magic, so Essence Scatter always tends to be a pretty solid playable in Limited. Its easy to cast and has lots of targets.
Cartouche of Strength
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
Khenra Scrapper
3.0 Like a lot of these Exert creatures, once this starts Exerting itself, it is difficult to block effectively, and a 4/3 with Menace can do a ton of damage in a hurry.
3.0 Like a lot of these Exert creatures, once this starts Exerting itself, it is difficult to block effectively, and a 4/3 with Menace can do a ton of damage in a hurry.
Pack 3 Pick 5: Cartouche of Strength
Cryptic Serpent
3.0 Lowering the cost of this to around 5 isn’t too difficult, and sometimes you’ll be able to go even lower. Still, it isn’t like you’ll be slamming this on turn three or four or anything like that.
3.0 Lowering the cost of this to around 5 isn’t too difficult, and sometimes you’ll be able to go even lower. Still, it isn’t like you’ll be slamming this on turn three or four or anything like that.
Thresher Lizard
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
2.0 This is a 3-mana 3/2 in the early game, and it becomes a 4/4 late. That’s fine, though not something you’ll always be playing in your red decks.
Wander in Death
2.5 The first copy of this type of effect is solid in virtually every Limited format. This is because they give you some serious gas in the later part of the game. And, the nice thing here, is that you can cycle it when its useless in the earlier part of the game. There are some serious diminishing returns after that first copy though, even with Cycling.
2.5 The first copy of this type of effect is solid in virtually every Limited format. This is because they give you some serious gas in the later part of the game. And, the nice thing here, is that you can cycle it when its useless in the earlier part of the game. There are some serious diminishing returns after that first copy though, even with Cycling.
Floodwaters
1.5 This kind of card is always kind of unimpressive. Sure, it can really enable a great attack, but until the extreme late game it won’t really do anything, and even then bouncing two creatures just won’t matter often enough. However, because this has Cycling, you can utilize this card when it is at its best, and just Cycle it away when it isn’t.
1.5 This kind of card is always kind of unimpressive. Sure, it can really enable a great attack, but until the extreme late game it won’t really do anything, and even then bouncing two creatures just won’t matter often enough. However, because this has Cycling, you can utilize this card when it is at its best, and just Cycle it away when it isn’t.
Desert of the Fervent
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Impeccable Timing
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Nef-Crop Entangler
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
3.0 This is yet another Exert two-drop who, once it starts exerting itself, can attack pretty much all game long.
Cartouche of Strength
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
4.0 The whole Cartouche cycle is good, but Cartouche of Strength is the best of the bunch. Giving a creature +1/+1 and trample, and punching an opposing creature is amazing, and often enough to really change the complection of a game.
Pack 3 Pick 6: Puncturing Blow
Neheb, the Worthy
3.0 This set has a decent number of Minotaurs, so granting First Strike to other cards isn’t exactly far-fetched. But, even if your deck has 0 other minotaurs, Neheb is a 3-mana 2/2 with First Strike that becomes a 4/2 when you have few enough cards and it makes the opponent discard every time it hits them, and that’s pretty sweet.
3.0 This set has a decent number of Minotaurs, so granting First Strike to other cards isn’t exactly far-fetched. But, even if your deck has 0 other minotaurs, Neheb is a 3-mana 2/2 with First Strike that becomes a 4/2 when you have few enough cards and it makes the opponent discard every time it hits them, and that’s pretty sweet.
Gate to the Afterlife
1.0 Gaining 1 life and looting every time a creature dies is decent, though probably not something you would play very often. I think the only one this becomes worth playing is if you also have God-Pharaoh’s Gift, since it can search it up.
1.0 Gaining 1 life and looting every time a creature dies is decent, though probably not something you would play very often. I think the only one this becomes worth playing is if you also have God-Pharaoh’s Gift, since it can search it up.
Scarab Feast
1.0 This format has a lot of graveyard stuff, but you still mostly won’t play this. The only reason it isn’t just a sideboard card is because of Cycling.
1.0 This format has a lot of graveyard stuff, but you still mostly won’t play this. The only reason it isn’t just a sideboard card is because of Cycling.
Puncturing Blow
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
3.5 This is definitely a clunky sorcery, but it also kills almost everything in the format, and the “Exile” clause actually matters in this format. This gets into the lower range of “premium” removal for me.
Unquenchable Thirst
3.0 It isn’t that difficult to get enough deserts for this to do the more powerful thing. Not tapping the creature when you don’t have a desert definitely isn’t great, but that is a pretty reasonable floor on a card that can shut down most creatures in the format for only two mana.
3.0 It isn’t that difficult to get enough deserts for this to do the more powerful thing. Not tapping the creature when you don’t have a desert definitely isn’t great, but that is a pretty reasonable floor on a card that can shut down most creatures in the format for only two mana.
Striped Riverwinder
2.5 A 7-mana 5/5 isn’t great, even with Hexproof, but the fact you can Cycle this away early is pretty awesome. Then, in the late game, it is pretty difficult to interact with and not the worst finisher ever.
2.5 A 7-mana 5/5 isn’t great, even with Hexproof, but the fact you can Cycle this away early is pretty awesome. Then, in the late game, it is pretty difficult to interact with and not the worst finisher ever.
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Pathmaker Initiate
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
2.0 Making small creatures unblockable definitely has a place in this format, especially when you can exert them to make them bigger after you make them unblockable.
Dissenter's Deliverance
1.0 There aren’t a ton of Artifacts in this set, but this does Cycle, so you’ll put it in your main deck some.
1.0 There aren’t a ton of Artifacts in this set, but this does Cycle, so you’ll put it in your main deck some.
Pack 3 Pick 7: Prowling Serpopard
Prowling Serpopard
3.0 This is mostly just a creature with nice vanilla stats, which is a nice thing to have, but not something that is especially impactful.
3.0 This is mostly just a creature with nice vanilla stats, which is a nice thing to have, but not something that is especially impactful.
Claim
1.5 Reanimating a small creature for only Black mana is kind of okay, though it is pretty darn restrictive on the mana cost. If you cast both halves in the same turn, you can reanimate a thing, and then also give it +2/+0 and Haste, which is kind of alright, but the reanimation being as restrictive as it is really limits how good this card can be.
1.5 Reanimating a small creature for only Black mana is kind of okay, though it is pretty darn restrictive on the mana cost. If you cast both halves in the same turn, you can reanimate a thing, and then also give it +2/+0 and Haste, which is kind of alright, but the reanimation being as restrictive as it is really limits how good this card can be.
Quarry Hauler
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
3.0 Quarry Hauler brings a decent body to the table, and its ETB trigger will be useful a surprising chunk of the time. You can use it to add -1/-1 counters to opposing things, subtract them from yours, add +1/+1 counters, and so forth.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
Dune Beetle
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
1.0 If you need a defensive two drop, you could do worse than this I guess.
Life Goes On
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
0.5 This is sideboard material that you might bring in against a really aggressive deck, where the life gain legitimately makes it hard for them to win. That’s not going to go down very often, though.
Unburden
2.0 Mind Rot usually isn’t very good in Limited, but you can use that part of the card when its good, and Cycle it away when its not, which makes it somewhat playable.
2.0 Mind Rot usually isn’t very good in Limited, but you can use that part of the card when its good, and Cycle it away when its not, which makes it somewhat playable.
Strategic Planning
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
1.0 You just won’t want to do this most of the time. It has a very minimal effect that doesn’t impact on the board, and it is very replaceable.
Pack 3 Pick 8: Bitterbow Sharpshooters
Synchronized Strike
2.5 Tricks with 2-for-1 potential are always nice, and that’s certainly what you have here. When you have this in your hand, you’ll be surprised how often you can just attack with everything and then use the Strike to blow up blockers and save your creatures. Because the creatures untap, it can also be used defensively, though that’s generally the sub-optimal use of the card.
2.5 Tricks with 2-for-1 potential are always nice, and that’s certainly what you have here. When you have this in your hand, you’ll be surprised how often you can just attack with everything and then use the Strike to blow up blockers and save your creatures. Because the creatures untap, it can also be used defensively, though that’s generally the sub-optimal use of the card.
Disposal Mummy
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
Blur of Blades
1.5 Sometimes this will get a blocker out of the way and damage your opponent, and suddenly their dead to an Alpha strike. That makes it a reasonable inclusion in aggressive decks, especially because it will always have a pretty decent effect in those decks.
1.5 Sometimes this will get a blocker out of the way and damage your opponent, and suddenly their dead to an Alpha strike. That makes it a reasonable inclusion in aggressive decks, especially because it will always have a pretty decent effect in those decks.
Desert of the Glorified
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Striped Riverwinder
2.5 A 7-mana 5/5 isn’t great, even with Hexproof, but the fact you can Cycle this away early is pretty awesome. Then, in the late game, it is pretty difficult to interact with and not the worst finisher ever.
2.5 A 7-mana 5/5 isn’t great, even with Hexproof, but the fact you can Cycle this away early is pretty awesome. Then, in the late game, it is pretty difficult to interact with and not the worst finisher ever.
Bitterbow Sharpshooters
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
2.5 This thing has pretty good size to stop many of the creatures in this format, and also attacks pretty well.
Supernatural Stamina
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
2.5 This is a pretty impressive combat trigger. The +2/+0 is enough to make many creatures capable of trading when they couldn’t before, and the additional effect on the card makes it so you get that creature back anyway. This can feel especially powerful on an ETB creature. The low cost here is great, and can really accomplish a lot.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Tormenting Voice
Unconventional Tactics
1.5 +3/+3 and flying for three mana isn’t that great at Sorcery speed. It is tempting to look at this as giving you that effect every turn or something, but even with all the Zombies around, it just won’t happen that often. Plus, it isn’t that hard for your opponent to respond to.
1.5 +3/+3 and flying for three mana isn’t that great at Sorcery speed. It is tempting to look at this as giving you that effect every turn or something, but even with all the Zombies around, it just won’t happen that often. Plus, it isn’t that hard for your opponent to respond to.
Disposal Mummy
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
1.0 This set has a graveyard sub-theme, but Disposal Mummy is too inefficient and situational with its effect to really be worth it most of the time.
Impeccable Timing
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
2.5 This is too situational to be “premium” removal, but it does a pretty nice job in a format with lots of small creatures.
Tormenting Voice
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
1.5 This kind of effect is always very replaceable, as you’re just getting some card selection and not impacting the board. It can be at its best, though, in UR spells, as it can trigger your spell payoffs while also hopefully finding you more spells.
Slither Blade
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
1.5 This is a great place to put Cartouches and stuff like that since its unblockable, but it is pretty unimpressive in most other decks.
Countervailing Winds
2.0 This will sometimes perform quite well as a counterspell, and if you’re in a situation where it doesn’t, you can just Cycle it away.
2.0 This will sometimes perform quite well as a counterspell, and if you’re in a situation where it doesn’t, you can just Cycle it away.
Pack 3 Pick 10: Gilded Cerodon
Hekma Sentinels
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
2.0 Opponents do have to respect that this might turn into a ¾ out of nowhere, but it isn’t exactly like a ¾ is a world beater to begin with.
Hieroglyphic Illumination
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
2.5 4 mana to draw 2 at instant speed isn’t the greatest thing ever, but this has an alternate mode where you pay a single Blue to draw a card, and having both of those options is pretty nice.
Gilded Cerodon
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
1.5 While effects that make something unable to block play pretty well in this format, the Cerodon is a little too expensive to be in the same class as something like Ahn-Crop Crasher.
Spellweaver Eternal
3.0 Afflict and Prowess on a two mana 2/1 is a pretty good deal. The Eternal will make sure it does damage to the opponent one way or another in most scenarios, and because of Prowess your opponent has to be pretty careful about how they block. This is yet another impressive two drop in a format that is loaded up with them!
3.0 Afflict and Prowess on a two mana 2/1 is a pretty good deal. The Eternal will make sure it does damage to the opponent one way or another in most scenarios, and because of Prowess your opponent has to be pretty careful about how they block. This is yet another impressive two drop in a format that is loaded up with them!
Marauding Boneslasher
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
2.0 This has decent stats and a useful creature type, so you’ll play it a decent amount of the time.
Pack 3 Pick 11: Initiate's Companion
Shed Weakness
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
Thorned Moloch
2.5 When this attacks, it isn’t very hard for it to be a 3/3 with First Strike, and that’s not an easy creature to block.
2.5 When this attacks, it isn’t very hard for it to be a 3/3 with First Strike, and that’s not an easy creature to block.
Initiate's Companion
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
2.0 Thing is fine. A two mana 3/1 is, as usual, a decent aggro creature, and its combat damage to a player effect kind of matters. Its most notable use is untapping an exerted creature.
Forsake the Worldly
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
1.5 Because of Cycling you can main deck this and have it be kind of okay. In an ideal world, you probably still start in your sideboard.
Pack 3 Pick 12: Hazoret's Monument
Hazoret's Monument
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
1.0 This mostly isn’t worth it. A cost reduction + rummaging just won’t matter that much.
Djeru's Resolve
1.0 Without Cycling, this would pretty much be unplayable. With cycling…well, you’ll play it on really rare occasions.
1.0 Without Cycling, this would pretty much be unplayable. With cycling…well, you’ll play it on really rare occasions.
Shed Weakness
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
1.5 This is an alright trick. One mana for +2/+2 is fairly passable, and sometimes you’ll also get rid of a -1/-1 counter, which will make it feel like Giant Growth!
Pack 3 Pick 13: Desert of the Fervent
Cryptic Serpent
3.0 Lowering the cost of this to around 5 isn’t too difficult, and sometimes you’ll be able to go even lower. Still, it isn’t like you’ll be slamming this on turn three or four or anything like that.
3.0 Lowering the cost of this to around 5 isn’t too difficult, and sometimes you’ll be able to go even lower. Still, it isn’t like you’ll be slamming this on turn three or four or anything like that.
Desert of the Fervent
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
3.0 Deserts are pretty important in this format. Not only do they provide some significant flood insurance thanks to Cycling, they also power up several cards in the format that pay you off for having Deserts. As a result, you should actually value them relatively highly, taking them over most medium cards.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Supply Caravan
Supply Caravan
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
2.0 A 5-mana 3/5 isn’t something you want, but this will give you a 1/1 token like half of the time, and that makes it decent.
Draft Pick Overview
- Pack 1 Pick 1: Shefet Monitor
- Pack 1 Pick 2: Hashep Oasis
- Pack 1 Pick 3: Cartouche of Strength
- Pack 1 Pick 4: Desert of the Indomitable
- Pack 1 Pick 5: Aerial Guide
- Pack 1 Pick 6: Evolving Wilds
- Pack 1 Pick 7: Appeal
- Pack 1 Pick 8: Consign
- Pack 1 Pick 9: Initiate's Companion
- Pack 1 Pick 10: Consign
- Pack 1 Pick 11: Ipnu Rivulet
- Pack 1 Pick 12: Chandra's Defeat
- Pack 1 Pick 13: Compelling Argument
- Pack 1 Pick 14: Sixth Sense
- Pack 2 Pick 1: Glorybringer
- Pack 2 Pick 2: Feral Prowler
- Pack 2 Pick 3: Puncturing Blow
- Pack 2 Pick 4: Rhonas's Stalwart
- Pack 2 Pick 5: Hour of Promise
- Pack 2 Pick 6: Naga Vitalist
- Pack 2 Pick 7: Trial of Strength
- Pack 2 Pick 8: Hooded Brawler
- Pack 2 Pick 9: Greater Sandwurm
- Pack 2 Pick 10: Nef-Crop Entangler
- Pack 2 Pick 11: Initiate's Companion
- Pack 2 Pick 12: Sidewinder Naga
- Pack 2 Pick 13: Naga Vitalist
- Pack 2 Pick 14: Ancient Crab
- Pack 3 Pick 1: Cartouche of Strength
- Pack 3 Pick 2: Ramunap Ruins
- Pack 3 Pick 3: Deem Worthy
- Pack 3 Pick 4: Cartouche of Strength
- Pack 3 Pick 5: Cartouche of Strength
- Pack 3 Pick 6: Puncturing Blow
- Pack 3 Pick 7: Prowling Serpopard
- Pack 3 Pick 8: Bitterbow Sharpshooters
- Pack 3 Pick 9: Tormenting Voice
- Pack 3 Pick 10: Gilded Cerodon
- Pack 3 Pick 11: Initiate's Companion
- Pack 3 Pick 12: Hazoret's Monument
- Pack 3 Pick 13: Desert of the Fervent
- Pack 3 Pick 14: Supply Caravan
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