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Premier Draft LTR 16 July 2023

16 July 01:54 - avrege15 7 Wins - 1 Losses
Maindeck
Creature (15)
1 Éowyn, Lady of Rohan image
1 Rosie Cotton of South Lane image
1 Eastfarthing Farmer image
2 Eagles of the North image
1 Westfold Rider image
2 Soldier of the Grey Host image
1 King of the Oathbreakers image
1 Denethor, Ruling Steward image
1 Shire Shirriff image
4 Errand-Rider of Gondor image
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (9)
2 Hobbit's Sting image
3 Morgul-Knife Wound image
2 Fog on the Barrow-Downs image
1 Banish from Edoras image
1 Shadow Summoning image
Land (16)
8 Plains image
8 Swamp image
Sideboard
1 Generous Ent image
2 Nimble Hobbit image
2 East-Mark Cavalier image
1 Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire image
1 Tom Bombadil image
1 Mirrormere Guardian image
1 Knights of Dol Amroth image
1 Ent-Draught Basin image
1 Lash of the Balrog image
2 Lost to Legend image
1 Stone of Erech image
1 Sauron's Ransom image
1 Entish Restoration image
1 Elven Farsight image
1 Mines of Moria image

Pack 1 Pick 1: Éowyn, Lady of Rohan
Ent-Draught Basin image 0.0 This looks pretty bad. Sure, one mana to put a counter on a 1/1 isn’t a terrible deal, and as a mana sink you could do worse, but it will eventually be fairly expensive to put counters on things, and the fact it does it only at Sorcery speed is a pretty big problem too. This just seems too clunky
Grond, the Gatebreaker image 2.0 If your deck can’t make an Army, this doesn’t look especially good. Crew 3 is higher than you might think, and the payoff – while certainly a large creature, isn’t exactly amazing. Even if you do have an Army, the absolute ceiling of this card is a 4-mana 5/5 Trampler – and that’s certainly efficient, but you have to keep in mind the times where you won’t be able to crew it and you don’t have an army. And, trust me, those times will come.
Bilbo, Retired Burglar image 3.5 Bilbo is going to be tough to block most of the time, since once the Ring tempts you a single time, your ring-bearer becomes very difficult to block. This means getting treasure out of Bilbo is fairly easy, and its great that even if he goes down, he makes sure you can get an additional effect and choose a new ring-bearer.
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Westfold Rider image 2.0 This has passable base stats and an ability that will actually do something sometimes. It is nice to be able to have a Disenchant in your main deck without having to pay much of a cost.
Sam's Desperate Rescue image 2.0 One mana to return a creature from your graveyard to your hand is a passable card, though I’d usually pay three mana to get two things back, as that gives you a more significant advantage by the later stages of the game. That said, paying one will often mean you can play the thing you get back right away, and getting tempted by the ring even makes this have a decent fail case if you don’t have something in your graveyard
Escape from Orthanc image 2.0 This gives a reasonable boost for only one mana, and the toughness means it will do enough to save it from a decent amount of removal too. The fact it gives Flying also means you can use this sometimes before you attack to get in for lethal. It is cheap and has enough different uses that it seems like a quality trick for white aggressive deck.
Glorious Gale image 2.5 This is a strictly better Essence Scatter, and Essence Scatter is always decent in Limited. It is cheap and counters the most common type of spell in your typical game.
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Shire Terrace image 2.5 This can’t grab you a land for no mana the way Evolving Wilds can, but the fact it can tap for mana in the mean time makes up for that.
Swarming of Moria image 2.5 A three mana 2/2 that gives you a treasure is decent, as is a three mana spell that puts two counters on something and gives you a Treasure. It is always nice having fixing and ramp in Red, as it doesn’t always have access to it
Galadhrim Bow image 1.5 Thanks to Flash and the fact it attaches for free on ETB this can function as a trick. The bad news is, three mana for +1/+2, reach, and an untap normally isn’t very good. The good news is, that equation changes a bit when the +1/+2 and Reach, as well as an Equipment in general, sticks around.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Ent-Draught Basin
Gimli, Mournful Avenger image 3.0 This feels very weird for a Red/Green card, since he loves it when stuff dies. He also doesn’t give you a way to make your creatures die either, which seems really awkward. In other words, setting it up so Gimli is indestructible during combat – which is usually when you want that to be a case – is incredibly difficult! Getting a +1/+1 counter on him here or there is doable, but I wouldn’t really count on it resolving for the third time in a turn very often. But hey, a three mana 3/2 that grows throughout the game and has some additional niche upside is a pretty good card
Rosie Cotton of South Lane image 4.0 So, provided you have at least one other creature in play, she’s a three mana 1/1 that gives you a food token and puts a +1/+1 counter somewhere. That’s a decent rate, especially because creating more tokens means you can really go crazy with +1/+1 counters. I like the baseline, and the upside here is massive.
Stew the Coneys image 3.5 This is a great removal spell. Sure, you need to have a big enough Green creature, but that’s never a huge ask. Even without the Food this would be a very nice Uncommon.
Stern Scolding image 0.0 This is definitely here for constructed formats, as it is far too narrow to ever be worth including in a Limited deck. It just won’t have enough targets. There may be a corner case where your opponent has tons of creatures with 2 or less toughness and you side it in.
Isolation at Orthanc image 3.0 This is nice removal. You always trade 1-for-1 with it, and because it is an Instant, sometimes you’ll be able to really get your opponent if you cast it in response to a trick or something.
Uruk-hai Berserker image 2.0 These are definitely below-rate stats these days, and if this didn’t do anything else it would be a 1.0, even with a useful creature type. Getting tempted by the Ring is real upside, but it also isn’t so insane that I’m thrilled about the idea of playing this
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Easterling Vanguard image 2.0 You get three 3/2 worth of stats for two mana here. And sure, you don’t get it all at the same time, but this still looks like a solid two drop.
Revive the Shire image 1.5 This type of effect usually isn’t anything special, as 9 times out of 10 you’d rather just be adding to the board, and the fact that this is almost a blank card in the early game is an issue. Using it to get back a bomb or some other powerful permanent is definitely nice, and the Food makes it a little more attractive, but this seems like the kind of card that just doesn’t make the cut most of the time because it doesn’t usually do enough
Fire of Orthanc image 1.0 Demolish is almost never worth it in Limited, and tacking on this unblockable angle doesn’t do enough to change that.
Fog on the Barrow-Downs image 3.0 This is solid removal. Three mana Pacifisms tend to be fine, though they aren’t usually amazing because they don’t entirely get rid of 100% of creatures, since they don’t stop things like activated or triggered abilities. Enchantment-based removal also isn’t great against things like bounce or flicker effects. Still, this does shut down most creatures for a fairly reasonable cost.
Took Reaper image 2.0 This has mediocre stats that would make it a 1.0 at best these days. Getting tempted by the ring is nice upside, and does mean you’ll come out ahead in most trades, but it also isn’t the type of upside to get that excited over.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Rosie Cotton of South Lane
Gimli, Mournful Avenger image 3.0 This feels very weird for a Red/Green card, since he loves it when stuff dies. He also doesn’t give you a way to make your creatures die either, which seems really awkward. In other words, setting it up so Gimli is indestructible during combat – which is usually when you want that to be a case – is incredibly difficult! Getting a +1/+1 counter on him here or there is doable, but I wouldn’t really count on it resolving for the third time in a turn very often. But hey, a three mana 3/2 that grows throughout the game and has some additional niche upside is a pretty good card
Rosie Cotton of South Lane image 4.0 So, provided you have at least one other creature in play, she’s a three mana 1/1 that gives you a food token and puts a +1/+1 counter somewhere. That’s a decent rate, especially because creating more tokens means you can really go crazy with +1/+1 counters. I like the baseline, and the upside here is massive.
Stew the Coneys image 3.5 This is a great removal spell. Sure, you need to have a big enough Green creature, but that’s never a huge ask. Even without the Food this would be a very nice Uncommon.
Stern Scolding image 0.0 This is definitely here for constructed formats, as it is far too narrow to ever be worth including in a Limited deck. It just won’t have enough targets. There may be a corner case where your opponent has tons of creatures with 2 or less toughness and you side it in.
Isolation at Orthanc image 3.0 This is nice removal. You always trade 1-for-1 with it, and because it is an Instant, sometimes you’ll be able to really get your opponent if you cast it in response to a trick or something.
Uruk-hai Berserker image 2.0 These are definitely below-rate stats these days, and if this didn’t do anything else it would be a 1.0, even with a useful creature type. Getting tempted by the Ring is real upside, but it also isn’t so insane that I’m thrilled about the idea of playing this
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Easterling Vanguard image 2.0 You get three 3/2 worth of stats for two mana here. And sure, you don’t get it all at the same time, but this still looks like a solid two drop.
Revive the Shire image 1.5 This type of effect usually isn’t anything special, as 9 times out of 10 you’d rather just be adding to the board, and the fact that this is almost a blank card in the early game is an issue. Using it to get back a bomb or some other powerful permanent is definitely nice, and the Food makes it a little more attractive, but this seems like the kind of card that just doesn’t make the cut most of the time because it doesn’t usually do enough
Fire of Orthanc image 1.0 Demolish is almost never worth it in Limited, and tacking on this unblockable angle doesn’t do enough to change that.
Fog on the Barrow-Downs image 3.0 This is solid removal. Three mana Pacifisms tend to be fine, though they aren’t usually amazing because they don’t entirely get rid of 100% of creatures, since they don’t stop things like activated or triggered abilities. Enchantment-based removal also isn’t great against things like bounce or flicker effects. Still, this does shut down most creatures for a fairly reasonable cost.
Took Reaper image 2.0 This has mediocre stats that would make it a 1.0 at best these days. Getting tempted by the ring is nice upside, and does mean you’ll come out ahead in most trades, but it also isn’t the type of upside to get that excited over.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Eastfarthing Farmer
Meriadoc Brandybuck image 3.0 Meriadoc itself is a Halfling so at worst it is a two mana 2/2 that makes a food when it attacks, and that’s a solid card to have around. It gets even better when you’ve got more Halflings and food payoffs, and neither of those seems like a big stretch for Green
Elrond, Lord of Rivendell image 3.5 A three mana 3/2 with Scry 1 isn’t terrible, and adding Scry 1 to all of your creatures is a nice deal. Triggering it more than once isn’t impossible either, and the value you get from the Ring gives you even more upside
Arwen's Gift image 2.0 Having two legendary creatures in play is very doable in this set, but you also shouldn’t always expect to be able to cast this for three. At four mana it is definitely a little bit clunky, but at least you can see up to 4 cards – which is a ton in Limited.
Brandywine Farmer image 2.0 The stat-line is horrendous, but getting two foods out of one card is a nice thing in Green, and especially in Green-White, where you can find many uses for Food
Quarrel's End image 1.5 This is an interesting take on the obligatory Tormenting Voice effect. It costs one more, but you also get to add something to the board, and I think that’s pretty nice. Still, it is the kind of card that gets cut a lot as it doesn’t actually do that much
Took Reaper image 2.0 This has mediocre stats that would make it a 1.0 at best these days. Getting tempted by the ring is nice upside, and does mean you’ll come out ahead in most trades, but it also isn’t the type of upside to get that excited over.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Troll of Khazad-dûm image 2.0 This 6/5 is pretty tough to block and can alter combat even in the later stages of the game, and if you draw it early and you need a land, it can fetch one for you
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Wizard's Rockets image 1.5 If you need fixing, there are worse ways to do it. In total, you end up spending one more mana than you get back, but the fact that they replace themselves helps soften the blow. Still, it doesn’t really feel like this is a card that will make the cut in all of your decks or anything
Eastfarthing Farmer image 2.5 A three mana ⅔ that makes a food is probably already playable, so giving +1/+1 to something when this ETBs is nice too, and sometimes it will be more than +1/+1!
Pack 1 Pick 5: Hobbit's Sting
Ent-Draught Basin image 0.0 This looks pretty bad. Sure, one mana to put a counter on a 1/1 isn’t a terrible deal, and as a mana sink you could do worse, but it will eventually be fairly expensive to put counters on things, and the fact it does it only at Sorcery speed is a pretty big problem too. This just seems too clunky
Mirrormere Guardian image 2.5 3-mana 4/2s tend to be reasonable, and in this set there are several cards that like it when you have a creature with 4 or more power, and this is one of the earliest ways you can meet that requirement. The ring tempting you when it dies is some very nice additional upside, too
Hobbit's Sting image 3.0 White has a decent amount of food and lots of cards that help it go wide, so this will often have no problem doing at leas three damage. There are of course the awkward times where your board isn’t where it needs to be to take full advantage, and that probably prevents this from being premium removal.
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Ent's Fury image 3.5 This looks like a nice removal spell for Green. +1/+1 + Fight for two mana is a good enough rate for this to be a nice card, so the 4 toughness or greater upside is enough to push this into “premium removal” range. You do always need to be careful with fight spells and choose a spot where you don’t risk getting completely blown out – like if your opponent removes your fighter in response – but there are plenty of windows where casting this will have a big impact
Shelob's Ambush image 2.5 This is a really nice trick. Death touch and the toughness boost for only one mana means many creatures will be capable of taking down an opposing creature and surviving to tell the tale, and that’s likely to give you some pretty awesome tempo since it only costs a single mana. Its great that you also get some Food out of the deal!
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Soothing of Sméagol image 2.0 Two mana to bounce a nontoken creature isn’t an amazing deal these days. Remember, you’re only getting tempo and are actually going down a card. Still, this does allow you to impact the board and getting tempted by the ring is never a bad thing.
Orcish Medicine image 1.5 This trick isn’t that likely to help your creature win combat, but it does blank an attack and gain you some life at worst, and the fact it blanks most removal isn’t too bad either. Add Amass to the mix and I think you have a card that makes the cut in your deck sometimes, but for a trick to really be worthwhile it does need to be more useful in combat than this is
Pack 1 Pick 6: Morgul-Knife Wound
Gríma Wormtongue image 2.5 Shutting off lifegain isn’t that big of a deal in Limited, but the rest of the card seems reasonable. It has passable defensive stats and an ability that can be great if you have sacrifice fodder. One awkward thing about it is that you aren’t usually going to be interested in sacrificing legendary creatures to this effect. Most of the time holding on to your legendary creature will just be better than Amassing 2. So this is a case where you’ll only end up doing it in response to removal and things like that, and that narrows how good this ability can be.
Cast into the Fire image 0.5 This has two modes that aren’t useful often enough, and while the fact that you can choose between them helps offset how narrow each effect is, we’re still looking at a card that won’t do anything meaningful far too often. This feels like sideboard material.
Shire Terrace image 2.5 This can’t grab you a land for no mana the way Evolving Wilds can, but the fact it can tap for mana in the mean time makes up for that.
Morgul-Knife Wound image 0.0 I don’t think this is very good. I know it looks like a really cheap removal spell, but it has some serious problems. It is basically a Black version of the kind of removal spell Blue usually gets that makes a creature into a 0/2 or whatever, and those are always pretty underwhelming. So, let’s go through this card’s problems: The biggest thing is that it it doesn’t entirely remove a creature on its own. That effectively means you’re going down a card, and not taking a full card from your opponent.. Just lowering a creature’s power means that it can still block – perhaps even really effectively since its toughness is unaffected. It can also use all of its abilities. And heck, if it has high enough power it might still be a decent attacker! All of that is bad news. Additionally, giving your opponent an option about whether to pay life or exile the creature is way worse than it looks, because your opponent can always choose whichever option doesn’t really matter for them, and most of the time – neither of them will matter. Basically, even when this does operate as removal it isn’t going to give you a full card of value, and there will be plenty of times where it is far worse than that
Ithilien Kingfisher image 3.0 This isn’t quite as good as a three mana 2/1 with Flying that draws when it enters the battlefield, but it is still quite good. It is a reasonable threat in the air, and it can deliver a two-for-one pretty often.
Wizard's Rockets image 1.5 If you need fixing, there are worse ways to do it. In total, you end up spending one more mana than you get back, but the fact that they replace themselves helps soften the blow. Still, it doesn’t really feel like this is a card that will make the cut in all of your decks or anything
Gimli's Fury image 1.5 +3/+2 is a decent boost for two mana, but you do need to be getting trample out of this pretty often for it to be worth it.
Galadhrim Guide image 2.0 Stats aren’t good, but there are enough Scry payoffs for the first copy of this to make the cut pretty often
Pack 1 Pick 7: Morgul-Knife Wound
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Rush the Room image 1.5 +1/+0 and First Strike can help a creature win a decent number of combats, but not so many that I’m super excited about this as a trick. The extra Goblin/Orc upside is good, and occasionally giving something Haste will make a difference, but this seems pretty weak overall
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Pippin's Bravery image 2.0 One mana for +2/+2 is usually a decent enough trick, and the food upside here is very real. This can allow your creature to win combat very efficiently, and that’s always what you want from a combat trick
Pack 1 Pick 8: Generous Ent
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Rush the Room image 1.5 +1/+0 and First Strike can help a creature win a decent number of combats, but not so many that I’m super excited about this as a trick. The extra Goblin/Orc upside is good, and occasionally giving something Haste will make a difference, but this seems pretty weak overall
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Pippin's Bravery image 2.0 One mana for +2/+2 is usually a decent enough trick, and the food upside here is very real. This can allow your creature to win combat very efficiently, and that’s always what you want from a combat trick
Pack 1 Pick 9: Eagles of the North
Forge Anew image 0.0 There is certainly Equipment in this set, but this card is so all in on it that it just won’t do enough in your typical White deck in the format. It isn’t like Equipment regularly ends up in the graveyard, so mostly what you’re going to get here is something that makes Equipping things a lot more flexible and efficient.
Bombadil's Song image 2.5 The stats boost here isn’t great, and that means there are a more narrow number of creatures who can win a previously unwinnable combat with the help of Bombadil’s Song. It makes up for that some by also being capable of blanking removal spells and tempting you with the ring, so in the end I think you get a reasonable return on your investment
Isolation at Orthanc image 3.0 This is nice removal. You always trade 1-for-1 with it, and because it is an Instant, sometimes you’ll be able to really get your opponent if you cast it in response to a trick or something.
Eagles of the North image 2.5 The stat-line is ugly, but the ETB ability will often be enough to drastically alter combat. +1/+0 and First Strike together makes a whole lot of your board into effective attackers. Of course, you do need to have a significant board for it to really make a difference, but that’s not the biggest ask by the time you have six mana. The fact it has Plainscycling is really nice, because in the early game this is going to feel really bad in your opening hand, especially when you need to get your hands on some more land drops.
Soothing of Sméagol image 2.0 Two mana to bounce a nontoken creature isn’t an amazing deal these days. Remember, you’re only getting tempo and are actually going down a card. Still, this does allow you to impact the board and getting tempted by the ring is never a bad thing.
Rush the Room image 1.5 +1/+0 and First Strike can help a creature win a decent number of combats, but not so many that I’m super excited about this as a trick. The extra Goblin/Orc upside is good, and occasionally giving something Haste will make a difference, but this seems pretty weak overall
Pack 1 Pick 10: Westfold Rider
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Westfold Rider image 2.0 This has passable base stats and an ability that will actually do something sometimes. It is nice to be able to have a Disenchant in your main deck without having to pay much of a cost.
Escape from Orthanc image 2.0 This gives a reasonable boost for only one mana, and the toughness means it will do enough to save it from a decent amount of removal too. The fact it gives Flying also means you can use this sometimes before you attack to get in for lethal. It is cheap and has enough different uses that it seems like a quality trick for white aggressive deck.
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Fog on the Barrow-Downs
Took Reaper image 2.0 This has mediocre stats that would make it a 1.0 at best these days. Getting tempted by the ring is nice upside, and does mean you’ll come out ahead in most trades, but it also isn’t the type of upside to get that excited over.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Pack 1 Pick 12: Nimble Hobbit
Took Reaper image 2.0 This has mediocre stats that would make it a 1.0 at best these days. Getting tempted by the ring is nice upside, and does mean you’ll come out ahead in most trades, but it also isn’t the type of upside to get that excited over.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Pack 1 Pick 13: Soldier of the Grey Host
Ent-Draught Basin image 0.0 This looks pretty bad. Sure, one mana to put a counter on a 1/1 isn’t a terrible deal, and as a mana sink you could do worse, but it will eventually be fairly expensive to put counters on things, and the fact it does it only at Sorcery speed is a pretty big problem too. This just seems too clunky
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Pack 1 Pick 14: Banish from Edoras
Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire image 0.0 Sharkey won’t do a whole lot in Limited. There are some rare lands that he can shut down and steal the abilities of, and there’s a couple of Commons too, but the ones that aren’t Rare don’t really matter very much, and gaining and shutting down their abilities is meaningless. That, combined with a bad stat-line means that this isn’t something you’re going to play in Limited
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Strider, Ranger of the North image 4.0 This has solid base stats and a really strong landfall effect. He can always give the boost to himself, which means he can rumble as a 5/5 with First Strike, something that is formidable on virtually every board state! He can also spread the love around, of course, which is great because it can enable you to attack with more of your creatures
Ioreth of the Houses of Healing image 3.0 The best use for this is to ramp your mana, but the ability to untap permanents has lots of other upsides too, and I like that flexibility. A three mana ¼ isn’t amazing, but it isn’t too bad of a defensive body
Dunland Crebain image 3.5 This looks like a nice Common. A three mana 1/1 Flyer that also gives you a 2/2, or alternatively, puts two counters on a creature you already control, is a very nice rate.
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Relentless Rohirrim image 2.5 These aren’t great stats these days, but because the ring tempts you on ETB you are at worst going to give this one extra ability – although if it’s the first time the ring has tempted you it isn’t going to feel very good. If it is the second time or later though, the Rohirrim will feel like a solid card
Lash of the Balrog image 3.0 This is another nice removal spell for Black decks. This is Bone Splinters when that’s what you need, but having the option of paying 5 to kill something with it is nice, since it means in the later stages of the game you don’t need to give up a creature. Neither mode is super efficient of course – individually each of those cards is probably a 2.0 or a 2.5, but I think the modality – plus the presence of good sacrifice fodder makes it a 3.
Dúnedain Blade image 2.5 If you are paying three to equip this, it is basically unplayable. If you’re paying one to equip it enough of the time, it becomes a solid playable. There are certainly enough Humans in White, as well as some equipment synergies in the set.
Mordor Trebuchet image 2.0 Obviously you’re going to be happiest with this in a Black-Red deck, but in that deck this seems like a pretty legit payoff. A three mana ¼ isn’t anything to write home about, but throwing a 2/1 Boulder at your opponent every time you attack with a Goblin or Orc is pretty sweet. It also works quite well alongside sacrifice outlets
Slip On the Ring image 1.0 This is cheaper than most versions of this effect that we see, but most versions of this effect also draw you a card, and The Ring Tempts You isn’t quite as good as that. Still, this will be effective in decks that end up with enough cards with ETBs. It is a bit of a bummer it can only hit creatures, as blinking Sagas can be particularly valuable. You can of course use it to help a creature dodge removal and stuff like that too. But Still, it seems like this type of card basically never makes the cut in Limited formats these days. It isn’t a disaster in the right deck, but actually generating a card of value with it is harder than you think. We’ve seen this be the case with basically every version of this effect in countless Limited formats at this point. While the list of situations where this is good seems long, the percentage of the time they come up just isn’t enough.
Enraged Huorn image 2.0 A 5-mana 4/5 Trample is probably a 1.5 these days, but the ring tempting you does mean that at the very least, you can give the Huorn some extra abilities – or do the same for some other creature
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Cirith Ungol Patrol image 2.5 This is a fairly powerful sacrifice effect. Normally we just get “draw a card” on this type of thing and that ends up being fine, so also getting a Food out of it is some serious business. Gaining life on top of drawing a card can be a powerful way to pull ahead in a game. This has sort of decent stats too, and a useful creature type, and there’s plenty of good sacrifice fodder around
Pack 2 Pick 1: Lash of the Balrog
Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire image 0.0 Sharkey won’t do a whole lot in Limited. There are some rare lands that he can shut down and steal the abilities of, and there’s a couple of Commons too, but the ones that aren’t Rare don’t really matter very much, and gaining and shutting down their abilities is meaningless. That, combined with a bad stat-line means that this isn’t something you’re going to play in Limited
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Strider, Ranger of the North image 4.0 This has solid base stats and a really strong landfall effect. He can always give the boost to himself, which means he can rumble as a 5/5 with First Strike, something that is formidable on virtually every board state! He can also spread the love around, of course, which is great because it can enable you to attack with more of your creatures
Ioreth of the Houses of Healing image 3.0 The best use for this is to ramp your mana, but the ability to untap permanents has lots of other upsides too, and I like that flexibility. A three mana ¼ isn’t amazing, but it isn’t too bad of a defensive body
Dunland Crebain image 3.5 This looks like a nice Common. A three mana 1/1 Flyer that also gives you a 2/2, or alternatively, puts two counters on a creature you already control, is a very nice rate.
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Relentless Rohirrim image 2.5 These aren’t great stats these days, but because the ring tempts you on ETB you are at worst going to give this one extra ability – although if it’s the first time the ring has tempted you it isn’t going to feel very good. If it is the second time or later though, the Rohirrim will feel like a solid card
Lash of the Balrog image 3.0 This is another nice removal spell for Black decks. This is Bone Splinters when that’s what you need, but having the option of paying 5 to kill something with it is nice, since it means in the later stages of the game you don’t need to give up a creature. Neither mode is super efficient of course – individually each of those cards is probably a 2.0 or a 2.5, but I think the modality – plus the presence of good sacrifice fodder makes it a 3.
Dúnedain Blade image 2.5 If you are paying three to equip this, it is basically unplayable. If you’re paying one to equip it enough of the time, it becomes a solid playable. There are certainly enough Humans in White, as well as some equipment synergies in the set.
Mordor Trebuchet image 2.0 Obviously you’re going to be happiest with this in a Black-Red deck, but in that deck this seems like a pretty legit payoff. A three mana ¼ isn’t anything to write home about, but throwing a 2/1 Boulder at your opponent every time you attack with a Goblin or Orc is pretty sweet. It also works quite well alongside sacrifice outlets
Slip On the Ring image 1.0 This is cheaper than most versions of this effect that we see, but most versions of this effect also draw you a card, and The Ring Tempts You isn’t quite as good as that. Still, this will be effective in decks that end up with enough cards with ETBs. It is a bit of a bummer it can only hit creatures, as blinking Sagas can be particularly valuable. You can of course use it to help a creature dodge removal and stuff like that too. But Still, it seems like this type of card basically never makes the cut in Limited formats these days. It isn’t a disaster in the right deck, but actually generating a card of value with it is harder than you think. We’ve seen this be the case with basically every version of this effect in countless Limited formats at this point. While the list of situations where this is good seems long, the percentage of the time they come up just isn’t enough.
Enraged Huorn image 2.0 A 5-mana 4/5 Trample is probably a 1.5 these days, but the ring tempting you does mean that at the very least, you can give the Huorn some extra abilities – or do the same for some other creature
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Cirith Ungol Patrol image 2.5 This is a fairly powerful sacrifice effect. Normally we just get “draw a card” on this type of thing and that ends up being fine, so also getting a Food out of it is some serious business. Gaining life on top of drawing a card can be a powerful way to pull ahead in a game. This has sort of decent stats too, and a useful creature type, and there’s plenty of good sacrifice fodder around
Pack 2 Pick 2: Morgul-Knife Wound
Tom Bombadil image 1.0 // 4.0 There are Sagas at Uncommon in this set, but it still seems like it will be a significant challenge getting Bombadil going. That, combined with a challenging mana cost, means only a very narrow number of decks can actually make him work. That said, if you do have great mana and 5 or more Sagas, he is completely insane. I think that means we need to use a buildaround grade
Rise of the Witch-king image 2.0 4 mana is a lot for a symmetrical edict, but the ability to return any permanent to the battlefield makes up for that some. Since it lets you get any permanent, you have a better chance than usual of having something worth bringing back, although the best thing to bring back is usually still going to be a creature. It does also take something away from your opponent, but it will frequently not be a very meaningful creature
Gimli, Counter of Kills image 2.5 A 4-mana 4/3 Trampler just isn’t enough these days, and while his ability will allow you to get in some extra damage, the only time it will feel significant is when you find yourself in a spot where you can attack with everything, at which point it can wreak havoc on combat. Meanwhile, Gimli dies to lots of cheap removal and that ceiling you’re hoping for just won’t happen that often.
Brandywine Farmer image 2.0 The stat-line is horrendous, but getting two foods out of one card is a nice thing in Green, and especially in Green-White, where you can find many uses for Food
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Morgul-Knife Wound image 0.0 I don’t think this is very good. I know it looks like a really cheap removal spell, but it has some serious problems. It is basically a Black version of the kind of removal spell Blue usually gets that makes a creature into a 0/2 or whatever, and those are always pretty underwhelming. So, let’s go through this card’s problems: The biggest thing is that it it doesn’t entirely remove a creature on its own. That effectively means you’re going down a card, and not taking a full card from your opponent.. Just lowering a creature’s power means that it can still block – perhaps even really effectively since its toughness is unaffected. It can also use all of its abilities. And heck, if it has high enough power it might still be a decent attacker! All of that is bad news. Additionally, giving your opponent an option about whether to pay life or exile the creature is way worse than it looks, because your opponent can always choose whichever option doesn’t really matter for them, and most of the time – neither of them will matter. Basically, even when this does operate as removal it isn’t going to give you a full card of value, and there will be plenty of times where it is far worse than that
Mordor Trebuchet image 2.0 Obviously you’re going to be happiest with this in a Black-Red deck, but in that deck this seems like a pretty legit payoff. A three mana ¼ isn’t anything to write home about, but throwing a 2/1 Boulder at your opponent every time you attack with a Goblin or Orc is pretty sweet. It also works quite well alongside sacrifice outlets
Birthday Escape image 2.5 This seems like a nice deal for only a single Blue mana. Most of the time getting two effects for one mana ends up being pretty nice, and I think that’s the case here.
Haradrim Spearmaster image 2.0 It is a little sad it can’t buff itself, as that would have made it significantly better, but offering +1/+0 to something every turn does do enough to improve combat for you often enough for this to be fine
Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin! image 1.0 // 3.0 This is a nice payoff for going wide. Vigilance is a great addition to the counters, because it makes it a lot easier for you to play offense and defense with your newly buffed board. The Ring Tempting you will usually also mean you get to upgrade one of your creatures too. This probably needs a build around grade. Because if you aren’t a deck playing tons of creatures and cards that make multiple bodies, you probably don’t play this most of the time, and if you are a deck that’s good at that, you probably always want the first copy of this.
Elven Farsight image 2.5 This is a surprisingly powerful draw spell for green. You get to see up to four cards and you should be able to make sure you draw a creature most of the time when you play it. On top of that, Scrying is something you’re going to want to do a lot of when you’re playing Green. It doesn’t effect the board, but this feels like it is going to do such a good job of making your draws smoother and more consistent for so little mana that I’m tempted to go all the way up to a 3
Mordor Muster image 3.0 Two mana 1/1s that draw you a card are always solid in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially because the format has extra Orc and Army synergy all over the place
Lash of the Balrog image 3.0 This is another nice removal spell for Black decks. This is Bone Splinters when that’s what you need, but having the option of paying 5 to kill something with it is nice, since it means in the later stages of the game you don’t need to give up a creature. Neither mode is super efficient of course – individually each of those cards is probably a 2.0 or a 2.5, but I think the modality – plus the presence of good sacrifice fodder makes it a 3.
Pack 2 Pick 3: King of the Oathbreakers
King of the Oathbreakers image 4.0 This is a 4-mana 3/3 Flyer that is pretty impossible for your opponent to kill. If you do put them in a bind where they have to make it phase out in order to avoid dying, that’s pretty sweet, since it will just come back and bring a friend along for the ride. Of course, if you have other spirits around it gets even better, but even without them this is a fairly efficient flyer that your opponent is going to be hard-pressed to permanently deal with
Faramir, Field Commander image 3.5 The ideal thing here is to play him in your second main phase after a creature you control dies during combat. If you do that, you’re looking at a 2-for-1, and one that can also crank out a 1/1 token every now and then. The bad news is that Hill Giant stats aren’t great, and it takes some work for either of his effects to matter.
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Breaking of the Fellowship image 1.5 We have seen cards like this before, and they are always surprisingly difficult to set up correctly. First your opponent needs to have two creatures, second one has to be able to kill the other. That sounds simple enough, but the stat-lines don’t always line up correctly. The fact this is a Sorcery makes it even harder to make it work. Basically, this is a removal spell that asks too much to be very good. Especially because you don’t have that much control over what its asking for
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Wose Pathfinder image 3.0 This is fragile and inefficient when it comes to stats, but it also fixes and ramps your mana, and in the extreme late game it has an effect that isn’t a terrible one to sink your mana into
Protector of Gondor image 2.5 We see versions of this card a lot, and its always fine. It is pretty much exactly what you expect to get from a 4-mana Common – 4/4 of stats spread across two bodies.
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Fog on the Barrow-Downs image 3.0 This is solid removal. Three mana Pacifisms tend to be fine, though they aren’t usually amazing because they don’t entirely get rid of 100% of creatures, since they don’t stop things like activated or triggered abilities. Enchantment-based removal also isn’t great against things like bounce or flicker effects. Still, this does shut down most creatures for a fairly reasonable cost.
Nasty End image 1.5 This type of spell is never amazing, but it does often find a niche. If you have a legendary creature that is worth sacrificing this can feel particularly good, but the problem with this kind of card is always that you don’t always have something worth giving up. Using it in response to removal is often the ideal situation, and that can potentially be quite impressive. However, it still ends up being too situational to be anything special.
Olog-hai Crusher image 2.5 This isn’t exactly the Goblin/Orc payoff you’re hoping for, but a 4-mana 4/4 Trampler is fairly formidable, and it will often be capable of blocking
Pack 2 Pick 4: East-Mark Cavalier
Shortcut to Mushrooms image 2.5 Normally this kind of enchantment is kind of rough to get going. Sure, things you control leave the battlefield in Magic – no doubt about it, but they have to do it a lot for this to really deliver. There will be many turns when this does nothing, and the times where you do a counter don’t always make up for it. However, the Ring Tempting you does mean this always does something up front, and you can also wait to play the shortcut until your second main phase when it is clear it will spit out a +1/+1 counter, in which case it doesn’t feel too bad. It also works well with Food!
Stone of Erech image 0.5 There’s some graveyard stuff going on in this format, but not really enough for this to be main deck material. Sure, it replaces itself in a worst case, but that’s not really enough
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Oliphaunt image 2.0 A 6-mana 6/4 with Trample isn’t very good, but offering +2/+0 and Trample to something else when it attacks can result in some pretty potent attacks. Adding Mountcycling for only one mana to the mix is a big deal though, as it means you can use this to help you hit a land drop early, and if you get it later in the game it can come down and impact the board
East-Mark Cavalier image 1.5 This has passable stats as a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance, but the other upside it has is very underwhelming. There will be some occasions where it lines up nicely since it can trade with a larger Goblin or Orc, but a lot of the time the ability doesn’t matter, and even when your opponent does have a creature with one of those types, they are often already just going to trade with the cavalier.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Enraged Huorn image 2.0 A 5-mana 4/5 Trample is probably a 1.5 these days, but the ring tempting you does mean that at the very least, you can give the Huorn some extra abilities – or do the same for some other creature
Quarrel's End image 1.5 This is an interesting take on the obligatory Tormenting Voice effect. It costs one more, but you also get to add something to the board, and I think that’s pretty nice. Still, it is the kind of card that gets cut a lot as it doesn’t actually do that much
Glorious Gale image 2.5 This is a strictly better Essence Scatter, and Essence Scatter is always decent in Limited. It is cheap and counters the most common type of spell in your typical game.
Ithilien Kingfisher image 3.0 This isn’t quite as good as a three mana 2/1 with Flying that draws when it enters the battlefield, but it is still quite good. It is a reasonable threat in the air, and it can deliver a two-for-one pretty often.
Bag End Porter image 3.0 This starts with solid stats, and there are enough legendary creatures in this set for this to attack as a 5/5 or 6/6 a decent chunk of the time.
Pack 2 Pick 5: Eagles of the North
The Bath Song image 2.5 I don’t love that none of what this does impacts the board in any way, and that’s a pretty big liability when you’re at 4 mana. Sure, it does net you a couple of cards and then gives you a mana boost, but I’m not sure that’s enough for me. It does trigger the cards in the set that like it when you draw extra cards, but the mana this can give you is often going to go unused. There is some value in shuffling a bunch of nonlands back into your deck, both keeping you from decking and improving your spell density, but this is expensive enough and slow enough that I think its just decent.
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Lothlórien Lookout image 1.5 This card’s pretty awkward, because 1/3 doesn’t exactly scream “Attack with me!” While Scrying is definitely important for Green decks in the format, there are lots of better ways to do it, so I don’t think this will usually make the cut unless you’re desperate for the synergy or two drops
Improvised Club image 1.5 Giving up a real creature for this is not very good, as you end up 2-for-1ing yourself, but if you have a treasure or food, or expendable body to sacrifice, this will do a decent job. Its nice that it can go after the opponent, and that will sometimes close out games. Still, it takes enough set up to actually be worthwhile that you’re not always going to play it
Lash of the Balrog image 3.0 This is another nice removal spell for Black decks. This is Bone Splinters when that’s what you need, but having the option of paying 5 to kill something with it is nice, since it means in the later stages of the game you don’t need to give up a creature. Neither mode is super efficient of course – individually each of those cards is probably a 2.0 or a 2.5, but I think the modality – plus the presence of good sacrifice fodder makes it a 3.
Eagles of the North image 2.5 The stat-line is ugly, but the ETB ability will often be enough to drastically alter combat. +1/+0 and First Strike together makes a whole lot of your board into effective attackers. Of course, you do need to have a significant board for it to really make a difference, but that’s not the biggest ask by the time you have six mana. The fact it has Plainscycling is really nice, because in the early game this is going to feel really bad in your opening hand, especially when you need to get your hands on some more land drops.
Arwen's Gift image 2.0 Having two legendary creatures in play is very doable in this set, but you also shouldn’t always expect to be able to cast this for three. At four mana it is definitely a little bit clunky, but at least you can see up to 4 cards – which is a ton in Limited.
East-Mark Cavalier image 1.5 This has passable stats as a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance, but the other upside it has is very underwhelming. There will be some occasions where it lines up nicely since it can trade with a larger Goblin or Orc, but a lot of the time the ability doesn’t matter, and even when your opponent does have a creature with one of those types, they are often already just going to trade with the cavalier.
Escape from Orthanc image 2.0 This gives a reasonable boost for only one mana, and the toughness means it will do enough to save it from a decent amount of removal too. The fact it gives Flying also means you can use this sometimes before you attack to get in for lethal. It is cheap and has enough different uses that it seems like a quality trick for white aggressive deck.
Cast into the Fire image 0.5 This has two modes that aren’t useful often enough, and while the fact that you can choose between them helps offset how narrow each effect is, we’re still looking at a card that won’t do anything meaningful far too often. This feels like sideboard material.
Pack 2 Pick 6: Denethor, Ruling Steward
Denethor, Ruling Steward image 3.5 Playing this in your second main phase after something died in combat is going to feel pretty good, as at that point Denethor is a three mana 2/4 and a 1/1 token, which is an amazing rate! Plus, he can give up creatures to drain life, and you can do that once every turn without really giving anything up, because he can just sacrifice the token every time
Lothlórien Lookout image 1.5 This card’s pretty awkward, because 1/3 doesn’t exactly scream “Attack with me!” While Scrying is definitely important for Green decks in the format, there are lots of better ways to do it, so I don’t think this will usually make the cut unless you’re desperate for the synergy or two drops
Haunt of the Dead Marshes image 2.0 Having a legendary creature isn’t a guarantee in this format, but it is easier than normal because of both the Ring Tempts You and a large number of legendary creatures in general. I like that you get to Scry 1 every time too!
Mushroom Watchdogs image 3.0 This is a pretty solid food payoff. The Watchdogs can quickly become a problem, and the fact that they gain Vigilance can really help out in a race. I’m giving this a 3.
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Stalwarts of Osgiliath image 2.5 This starts out with bad stats, but it does have the ability to grow reasonably well. The fact the Ring tempts you could actually help you get the Stalwarts going too, since one of the Ring’s bonuses is that your creature loots when it attacks, which will mean the Stalwarts get a counter.
Breaking of the Fellowship image 1.5 We have seen cards like this before, and they are always surprisingly difficult to set up correctly. First your opponent needs to have two creatures, second one has to be able to kill the other. That sounds simple enough, but the stat-lines don’t always line up correctly. The fact this is a Sorcery makes it even harder to make it work. Basically, this is a removal spell that asks too much to be very good. Especially because you don’t have that much control over what its asking for
Mirrormere Guardian image 2.5 3-mana 4/2s tend to be reasonable, and in this set there are several cards that like it when you have a creature with 4 or more power, and this is one of the earliest ways you can meet that requirement. The ring tempting you when it dies is some very nice additional upside, too
Shire Terrace image 2.5 This can’t grab you a land for no mana the way Evolving Wilds can, but the fact it can tap for mana in the mean time makes up for that.
Pack 2 Pick 7: Lost to Legend
The Ring Goes South image 1.0 Because the Ring Tempts you upfront here, you will have at least one legendary creature, and that means you’ll get to grab the first land in your library and put it on the battlefield tapped. A 4-mana ramp spell that doesn’t usually help you fix isn’t really what you want to be doing in Limited, but it does get more interesting if you can quickly accumulate legendary creatures. The awkward thing, though, is that by the time you do have several legendary creatures, getting a bunch of mana is no longer going to be something you’re that desperate to do. I think you’re only going to end up playing this in some very specific decks
Lost to Legend image 3.0 There are enough Historic permanents in this format for Lost to Legends to be quite good. While it may not permanently get rid of a card, it is still a 1-for-1 trade, and 4 cards deep means you don’t need to worry about it for awhile.
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Ithilien Kingfisher image 3.0 This isn’t quite as good as a three mana 2/1 with Flying that draws when it enters the battlefield, but it is still quite good. It is a reasonable threat in the air, and it can deliver a two-for-one pretty often.
Glorious Gale image 2.5 This is a strictly better Essence Scatter, and Essence Scatter is always decent in Limited. It is cheap and counters the most common type of spell in your typical game.
Bombadil's Song image 2.5 The stats boost here isn’t great, and that means there are a more narrow number of creatures who can win a previously unwinnable combat with the help of Bombadil’s Song. It makes up for that some by also being capable of blanking removal spells and tempting you with the ring, so in the end I think you get a reasonable return on your investment
Morgul-Knife Wound image 0.0 I don’t think this is very good. I know it looks like a really cheap removal spell, but it has some serious problems. It is basically a Black version of the kind of removal spell Blue usually gets that makes a creature into a 0/2 or whatever, and those are always pretty underwhelming. So, let’s go through this card’s problems: The biggest thing is that it it doesn’t entirely remove a creature on its own. That effectively means you’re going down a card, and not taking a full card from your opponent.. Just lowering a creature’s power means that it can still block – perhaps even really effectively since its toughness is unaffected. It can also use all of its abilities. And heck, if it has high enough power it might still be a decent attacker! All of that is bad news. Additionally, giving your opponent an option about whether to pay life or exile the creature is way worse than it looks, because your opponent can always choose whichever option doesn’t really matter for them, and most of the time – neither of them will matter. Basically, even when this does operate as removal it isn’t going to give you a full card of value, and there will be plenty of times where it is far worse than that
Erebor Flamesmith image 2.5 We see this type of spell payoff pretty often, and they are always pretty reasonable, especially when you can get multiples of them. Pinging your opponent can really add up if you’re doing a good job casting instants and sorceries.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Mines of Moria
Mines of Moria image 2.5 I’m not quite as impressed with the upside on this one as I am with the others in this cycle. You have to invest a hefty amount of mana and have a well-stocked graveyard to get it going, and by the time you are actually able to use this ability, getting Treasure isn’t exactly going to be a big deal most of the time
Ioreth of the Houses of Healing image 3.0 The best use for this is to ramp your mana, but the ability to untap permanents has lots of other upsides too, and I like that flexibility. A three mana ¼ isn’t amazing, but it isn’t too bad of a defensive body
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Escape from Orthanc image 2.0 This gives a reasonable boost for only one mana, and the toughness means it will do enough to save it from a decent amount of removal too. The fact it gives Flying also means you can use this sometimes before you attack to get in for lethal. It is cheap and has enough different uses that it seems like a quality trick for white aggressive deck.
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Knights of Dol Amroth image 2.0 We’ve seen this card before by a different name, and it was pretty underwhelming. Starting out as a Hill Giant is pretty rough these days, and even in a deck built around drawing extra cards, getting this to 4/4 isn’t always going to happen – and even if it does you don’t really feel like you’re getting there
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Pack 2 Pick 9: Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire
Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire image 0.0 Sharkey won’t do a whole lot in Limited. There are some rare lands that he can shut down and steal the abilities of, and there’s a couple of Commons too, but the ones that aren’t Rare don’t really matter very much, and gaining and shutting down their abilities is meaningless. That, combined with a bad stat-line means that this isn’t something you’re going to play in Limited
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Dúnedain Blade image 2.5 If you are paying three to equip this, it is basically unplayable. If you’re paying one to equip it enough of the time, it becomes a solid playable. There are certainly enough Humans in White, as well as some equipment synergies in the set.
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Cirith Ungol Patrol image 2.5 This is a fairly powerful sacrifice effect. Normally we just get “draw a card” on this type of thing and that ends up being fine, so also getting a Food out of it is some serious business. Gaining life on top of drawing a card can be a powerful way to pull ahead in a game. This has sort of decent stats too, and a useful creature type, and there’s plenty of good sacrifice fodder around
Pack 2 Pick 10: Tom Bombadil
Tom Bombadil image 1.0 // 4.0 There are Sagas at Uncommon in this set, but it still seems like it will be a significant challenge getting Bombadil going. That, combined with a challenging mana cost, means only a very narrow number of decks can actually make him work. That said, if you do have great mana and 5 or more Sagas, he is completely insane. I think that means we need to use a buildaround grade
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Mordor Trebuchet image 2.0 Obviously you’re going to be happiest with this in a Black-Red deck, but in that deck this seems like a pretty legit payoff. A three mana ¼ isn’t anything to write home about, but throwing a 2/1 Boulder at your opponent every time you attack with a Goblin or Orc is pretty sweet. It also works quite well alongside sacrifice outlets
Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin! image 1.0 // 3.0 This is a nice payoff for going wide. Vigilance is a great addition to the counters, because it makes it a lot easier for you to play offense and defense with your newly buffed board. The Ring Tempting you will usually also mean you get to upgrade one of your creatures too. This probably needs a build around grade. Because if you aren’t a deck playing tons of creatures and cards that make multiple bodies, you probably don’t play this most of the time, and if you are a deck that’s good at that, you probably always want the first copy of this.
Elven Farsight image 2.5 This is a surprisingly powerful draw spell for green. You get to see up to four cards and you should be able to make sure you draw a creature most of the time when you play it. On top of that, Scrying is something you’re going to want to do a lot of when you’re playing Green. It doesn’t effect the board, but this feels like it is going to do such a good job of making your draws smoother and more consistent for so little mana that I’m tempted to go all the way up to a 3
Pack 2 Pick 11: Fog on the Barrow-Downs
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Captain of Umbar image 2.0 This has below-rate states, but looting for one mana isn’t too bad, especially in a format with lots of payoffs for drawing an extra card during your turn.
Fog on the Barrow-Downs image 3.0 This is solid removal. Three mana Pacifisms tend to be fine, though they aren’t usually amazing because they don’t entirely get rid of 100% of creatures, since they don’t stop things like activated or triggered abilities. Enchantment-based removal also isn’t great against things like bounce or flicker effects. Still, this does shut down most creatures for a fairly reasonable cost.
Olog-hai Crusher image 2.5 This isn’t exactly the Goblin/Orc payoff you’re hoping for, but a 4-mana 4/4 Trampler is fairly formidable, and it will often be capable of blocking
Pack 2 Pick 12: Stone of Erech
Stone of Erech image 0.5 There’s some graveyard stuff going on in this format, but not really enough for this to be main deck material. Sure, it replaces itself in a worst case, but that’s not really enough
Ithilien Kingfisher image 3.0 This isn’t quite as good as a three mana 2/1 with Flying that draws when it enters the battlefield, but it is still quite good. It is a reasonable threat in the air, and it can deliver a two-for-one pretty often.
Bag End Porter image 3.0 This starts with solid stats, and there are enough legendary creatures in this set for this to attack as a 5/5 or 6/6 a decent chunk of the time.
Pack 2 Pick 13: East-Mark Cavalier
East-Mark Cavalier image 1.5 This has passable stats as a two mana 2/2 with Vigilance, but the other upside it has is very underwhelming. There will be some occasions where it lines up nicely since it can trade with a larger Goblin or Orc, but a lot of the time the ability doesn’t matter, and even when your opponent does have a creature with one of those types, they are often already just going to trade with the cavalier.
Cast into the Fire image 0.5 This has two modes that aren’t useful often enough, and while the fact that you can choose between them helps offset how narrow each effect is, we’re still looking at a card that won’t do anything meaningful far too often. This feels like sideboard material.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Mirrormere Guardian
Mirrormere Guardian image 2.5 3-mana 4/2s tend to be reasonable, and in this set there are several cards that like it when you have a creature with 4 or more power, and this is one of the earliest ways you can meet that requirement. The ring tempting you when it dies is some very nice additional upside, too
Pack 3 Pick 1: Shire Shirriff
Mount Doom image 3.5 I’m always a pretty big fan of utility lands, and this one is pretty awesome! Lands that do something other than produce mana gives you back some significant value, plus Just having a land that can produce two colors of mana is nice in Limited, so the fact that this can also ping your opponent and then in the really late game basically give you a one-sided Wrath effect is pretty nice! Unfortunately having a legendary artifact to sacrifice is far from a guarantee, so we can’t really give this full credit for having this powerful effect. But still, it fixes your mana and gives you a way to do some extra damage, and on occasion it will completely bust a game wide open in your favor
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Peregrin Took image 4.0 There are many ways to make tokens in this set, and lots of Food and Food payoffs, so Peregrin’s ability to give you more Food and cash in that food for cards is pretty impressive. The stats are underwhelming to be sure, but this is a very real value engine
Shire Shirriff image 3.5 You won’t always be able to exile something with the Sheriff, but there are enough tokens in this set that this will function as removal often enough, and the baseline isn’t a terrible card anyway. Obviously giving up food is the ideal thing, but sometimes giving up a 1/1 or an Army will be worth it too.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Mordor Muster image 3.0 Two mana 1/1s that draw you a card are always solid in Limited, and that’s certainly the case here, especially because the format has extra Orc and Army synergy all over the place
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Banish from Edoras image 2.0 This is passable removal, but certainly not premium. 5 mana is a lot to exile a creature at sorcery speed, and even though it gets a discount on a tapped creature, cards that can only kill tapped creatures at Sorcery speed are kind of rough, because it usually means your opponent got to hit you with the thing that you want to remove. It is still removal, and answers pretty much all creatures, but its so clunky it isn’t the kind of removal you’re going to prioritize.
Birthday Escape image 2.5 This seems like a nice deal for only a single Blue mana. Most of the time getting two effects for one mana ends up being pretty nice, and I think that’s the case here.
Eastfarthing Farmer image 2.5 A three mana ⅔ that makes a food is probably already playable, so giving +1/+1 to something when this ETBs is nice too, and sometimes it will be more than +1/+1!
Warbeast of Gorgoroth image 2.0 On its own, this is a 5-mana 5/4 that Amasses 2 when it dies. That’s not bad, but not really anything to write home about either. Obviously, it does get better the more 4 power or more creatures you have, and it makes any trades you make with those creatures into a pretty decent deal, but its still expensive and has mediocre stats
Uruk-hai Berserker image 2.0 These are definitely below-rate stats these days, and if this didn’t do anything else it would be a 1.0, even with a useful creature type. Getting tempted by the Ring is real upside, but it also isn’t so insane that I’m thrilled about the idea of playing this
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Rohirrim Lancer image 2.0 A one mana 1/1 with Menace can get in for a few swings in the early game, and in the later game you can give this up to get tempted by the ring
Pack 3 Pick 2: Hobbit's Sting
Press the Enemy image 2.5 The ability to bounce a spell off of the stack or a nonland permanent is decent, but not great for 4 mana. This is because you’re usually going to be going down a card, and because this costs 4 mana, you also aren’t that likely to get that much tempo. The flexibility makes up for that some, but for this to really feel good you need to be casting something from your hand for free. Keep in mind, even when you do that you aren’t gaining a card of value, though you are generating some extra tempo. The bad news is, you won’t always be able to pull that off, especially because it is restricted to instants and sorceries. So overall, this seems pretty underwhelming for Limited, at least for a Rare.
Prince Imrahil the Fair image 3.0 This is a nice signpost for Blue-White, which is obviously about drawing two cards a turn. Getting a 1/1 is a very real return on that type of investment
Legolas, Counter of Kills image 2.5 His ability to untap is reasonably easy to trigger in Blue-Green, but also not the most exciting thing ever. His ability to grow is where the real value is, but Green/blue is awkwardly a color pair that isn’t that good at killing things outside of combat, which limits just how good this can be. Additionally, his base stats are not remotely impressive
Horses of the Bruinen image 1.0 You usually go down a card when you cast this without taking any cards away from your opponent. You might get some tempo, provided you bounce things that are expensive enough, but that is far from guaranteed. This can bounce Armies, which might feel pretty good when the Army is particularly large, but overall this doesn’t feel like it can consistently give you what it needs to when you’re spending 5 mana and using up a card.
Great Hall of the Citadel image 1.5 This can certainly help you splash some powerful legendary creatures, but I’m a little skeptical. Most of these lands that normally only produce colorless, but can produce colored mana for a certain type of card end up not being worth it. Producing only colorless for the majority of cards in your deck can be a liability for your mana base, so it ends up sort of canceling out any upside you might get out of it when you have your legendaries around. You’re going to want to go after different fixing than this most of the time
Lembas image 2.5 This seems pretty solid. Scry 1 + Draw 1 when it ETBs is nice, and it is nice that it is Food – not only because it can gain you life, but because the format has lots of payoffs for Food – as well as things like Historic and Artifacts more generally, which it helps you with. The Scry and the extra draw also works well with decks in the format
Sam's Desperate Rescue image 2.0 One mana to return a creature from your graveyard to your hand is a passable card, though I’d usually pay three mana to get two things back, as that gives you a more significant advantage by the later stages of the game. That said, paying one will often mean you can play the thing you get back right away, and getting tempted by the ring even makes this have a decent fail case if you don’t have something in your graveyard
Birthday Escape image 2.5 This seems like a nice deal for only a single Blue mana. Most of the time getting two effects for one mana ends up being pretty nice, and I think that’s the case here.
Shire Terrace image 2.5 This can’t grab you a land for no mana the way Evolving Wilds can, but the fact it can tap for mana in the mean time makes up for that.
Olog-hai Crusher image 2.5 This isn’t exactly the Goblin/Orc payoff you’re hoping for, but a 4-mana 4/4 Trampler is fairly formidable, and it will often be capable of blocking
Mirkwood Spider image 2.5 One mana 1/1 deathtouchers are pretty much always playable, since they are relevant all game long thanks to their ability to trade with anything. Sometimes this will also be able to grant a problematic legendary creature death touch, and that’s some nice additional upside
Hobbit's Sting image 3.0 White has a decent amount of food and lots of cards that help it go wide, so this will often have no problem doing at leas three damage. There are of course the awkward times where your board isn’t where it needs to be to take full advantage, and that probably prevents this from being premium removal.
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Lost to Legend
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Lost to Legend image 3.0 There are enough Historic permanents in this format for Lost to Legends to be quite good. While it may not permanently get rid of a card, it is still a 1-for-1 trade, and 4 cards deep means you don’t need to worry about it for awhile.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Battle-Scarred Goblin image 2.5 This isn’t the most exciting upside, but it does mean it can trade with X/3s and it basically can’t be blocked at all by X/1s. It can also be kind of funny to pair with death touch. It also has a useful creature type, which matters.
Cast into the Fire image 0.5 This has two modes that aren’t useful often enough, and while the fact that you can choose between them helps offset how narrow each effect is, we’re still looking at a card that won’t do anything meaningful far too often. This feels like sideboard material.
Esquire of the King image 1.5 This ability costing only three mana is pretty sweet, especially if you’ve gone wide enough – and doing that in White certainly seems doable. The bad news is, as a one mana 1/1 it is pretty irrelevant up until the point it can use its ability, and paying 5 for that ability isn’t nearly as appealing.
Breaking of the Fellowship image 1.5 We have seen cards like this before, and they are always surprisingly difficult to set up correctly. First your opponent needs to have two creatures, second one has to be able to kill the other. That sounds simple enough, but the stat-lines don’t always line up correctly. The fact this is a Sorcery makes it even harder to make it work. Basically, this is a removal spell that asks too much to be very good. Especially because you don’t have that much control over what its asking for
Galadhrim Bow image 1.5 Thanks to Flash and the fact it attaches for free on ETB this can function as a trick. The bad news is, three mana for +1/+2, reach, and an untap normally isn’t very good. The good news is, that equation changes a bit when the +1/+2 and Reach, as well as an Equipment in general, sticks around.
Snarling Warg image 2.5 A 4-mana ¾ Menace isn’t the worst stat-line, and this will be a 4/4 sometimes
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Wizard's Rockets image 1.5 If you need fixing, there are worse ways to do it. In total, you end up spending one more mana than you get back, but the fact that they replace themselves helps soften the blow. Still, it doesn’t really feel like this is a card that will make the cut in all of your decks or anything
Knights of Dol Amroth image 2.0 We’ve seen this card before by a different name, and it was pretty underwhelming. Starting out as a Hill Giant is pretty rough these days, and even in a deck built around drawing extra cards, getting this to 4/4 isn’t always going to happen – and even if it does you don’t really feel like you’re getting there
Pack 3 Pick 4: Errand-Rider of Gondor
Saruman the White image 3.0 I don’t love the stat-line here, even with Ward 2, but getting to Amass every time you cast a second spell is great.
Éowyn, Lady of Rohan image 4.0 Even if you have no equipment, Eowyn would be a pretty nice card. First Strike and Vigilance are both very useful keywords to gain access to, and she can even give them to herself, so her three mana 2/4 body combined with that is a nice deal! White decks in the format will often have Equipment around to make her even better too.
Quarrel's End image 1.5 This is an interesting take on the obligatory Tormenting Voice effect. It costs one more, but you also get to add something to the board, and I think that’s pretty nice. Still, it is the kind of card that gets cut a lot as it doesn’t actually do that much
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Cirith Ungol Patrol image 2.5 This is a fairly powerful sacrifice effect. Normally we just get “draw a card” on this type of thing and that ends up being fine, so also getting a Food out of it is some serious business. Gaining life on top of drawing a card can be a powerful way to pull ahead in a game. This has sort of decent stats too, and a useful creature type, and there’s plenty of good sacrifice fodder around
Bag End Porter image 3.0 This starts with solid stats, and there are enough legendary creatures in this set for this to attack as a 5/5 or 6/6 a decent chunk of the time.
Improvised Club image 1.5 Giving up a real creature for this is not very good, as you end up 2-for-1ing yourself, but if you have a treasure or food, or expendable body to sacrifice, this will do a decent job. Its nice that it can go after the opponent, and that will sometimes close out games. Still, it takes enough set up to actually be worthwhile that you’re not always going to play it
Bombadil's Song image 2.5 The stats boost here isn’t great, and that means there are a more narrow number of creatures who can win a previously unwinnable combat with the help of Bombadil’s Song. It makes up for that some by also being capable of blanking removal spells and tempting you with the ring, so in the end I think you get a reasonable return on your investment
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Shower of Arrows image 0.5 We see this type of effect all the time, and it is generally better to leave it in your sideboard. You just don’t have enough targets consistently enough.
Pack 3 Pick 5: Shadow Summoning
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Shadow Summoning image 3.0 This is nothing fancy, but it is a pretty amazing rate. They do enter tapped, which matters – as this will feel pretty miserable when you’re behind. Playing this on turn two will apply some serious pressure on your opponent, though
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Nimrodel Watcher image 3.0 This is a nice Common payoff for scrying. There seems to be a critical mass of Scry at lower rarities, so imagining that you can get in with this an unblockable 3/1 a couple of times isn’t a pipe dream. Sometimes it will be a very real win condition.
Elven Farsight image 2.5 This is a surprisingly powerful draw spell for green. You get to see up to four cards and you should be able to make sure you draw a creature most of the time when you play it. On top of that, Scrying is something you’re going to want to do a lot of when you’re playing Green. It doesn’t effect the board, but this feels like it is going to do such a good job of making your draws smoother and more consistent for so little mana that I’m tempted to go all the way up to a 3
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Eastfarthing Farmer image 2.5 A three mana ⅔ that makes a food is probably already playable, so giving +1/+1 to something when this ETBs is nice too, and sometimes it will be more than +1/+1!
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Breaking of the Fellowship image 1.5 We have seen cards like this before, and they are always surprisingly difficult to set up correctly. First your opponent needs to have two creatures, second one has to be able to kill the other. That sounds simple enough, but the stat-lines don’t always line up correctly. The fact this is a Sorcery makes it even harder to make it work. Basically, this is a removal spell that asks too much to be very good. Especially because you don’t have that much control over what its asking for
Olog-hai Crusher image 2.5 This isn’t exactly the Goblin/Orc payoff you’re hoping for, but a 4-mana 4/4 Trampler is fairly formidable, and it will often be capable of blocking
Pack 3 Pick 6: Nimble Hobbit
The Mouth of Sauron image 3.5 If you get Amass 2 or more out of this, it is going to feel like a great deal, and by the later stages of the game it could make your Army absolutely massive or just create a massive Army for you. There will be some awkward times where you can only Amass 0 or 1, but you do have two separate graveyards to rely on, so your chances of getting good value out of this are pretty high
Hithlain Knots image 2.0 This does a bunch of little stuff that will play reasonably well in multiple decks in the format. Whether you’re interesting in drawing extra cards, casting spells, or Scrying, this has you covered!
Knights of Dol Amroth image 2.0 We’ve seen this card before by a different name, and it was pretty underwhelming. Starting out as a Hill Giant is pretty rough these days, and even in a deck built around drawing extra cards, getting this to 4/4 isn’t always going to happen – and even if it does you don’t really feel like you’re getting there
Breaking of the Fellowship image 1.5 We have seen cards like this before, and they are always surprisingly difficult to set up correctly. First your opponent needs to have two creatures, second one has to be able to kill the other. That sounds simple enough, but the stat-lines don’t always line up correctly. The fact this is a Sorcery makes it even harder to make it work. Basically, this is a removal spell that asks too much to be very good. Especially because you don’t have that much control over what its asking for
Mushroom Watchdogs image 3.0 This is a pretty solid food payoff. The Watchdogs can quickly become a problem, and the fact that they gain Vigilance can really help out in a race. I’m giving this a 3.
Nimble Hobbit image 2.0 Tapping opposing creatures tends to be pretty good in aggro decks, but paying three for the effect is kind of rough. Giving up a Food is more appealing, but you’re still attacking with a 1/3, and there’s a pretty good chance that even when you tap down an opposing creature with this, your opponent can easily take it down in combat, especially after the early stages of the game.
Nimrodel Watcher image 3.0 This is a nice Common payoff for scrying. There seems to be a critical mass of Scry at lower rarities, so imagining that you can get in with this an unblockable 3/1 a couple of times isn’t a pipe dream. Sometimes it will be a very real win condition.
Stalwarts of Osgiliath image 2.5 This starts out with bad stats, but it does have the ability to grow reasonably well. The fact the Ring tempts you could actually help you get the Stalwarts going too, since one of the Ring’s bonuses is that your creature loots when it attacks, which will mean the Stalwarts get a counter.
Wose Pathfinder image 3.0 This is fragile and inefficient when it comes to stats, but it also fixes and ramps your mana, and in the extreme late game it has an effect that isn’t a terrible one to sink your mana into
Pack 3 Pick 7: Errand-Rider of Gondor
Ioreth of the Houses of Healing image 3.0 The best use for this is to ramp your mana, but the ability to untap permanents has lots of other upsides too, and I like that flexibility. A three mana ¼ isn’t amazing, but it isn’t too bad of a defensive body
Tale of Tinúviel image 2.0 This has a pretty high ceiling, mostly as a result of Chapter II. If you can set it up to reanimate something nice, that’s going to be great. Chapter I and III deliver some value too of course, and is value that is more easily accessible, but it is decidedly less. Making something indestructible for a couple of turns is usually going to have at least some impact on the game, whether it allows you to attack or block more effectively, and lifelink can help alter a race. However, if you aren’t able to reanimate something reasonable with Chapter II, this is going to feel pretty bad overall. I think that really limits just how good this Saga can be. Sometimes it will feel amazing, when you reanimate a bomb or something – other times it will have two medium effects that don’t really get close to being worth the mana.
Bag End Porter image 3.0 This starts with solid stats, and there are enough legendary creatures in this set for this to attack as a 5/5 or 6/6 a decent chunk of the time.
Nimrodel Watcher image 3.0 This is a nice Common payoff for scrying. There seems to be a critical mass of Scry at lower rarities, so imagining that you can get in with this an unblockable 3/1 a couple of times isn’t a pipe dream. Sometimes it will be a very real win condition.
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Soothing of Sméagol image 2.0 Two mana to bounce a nontoken creature isn’t an amazing deal these days. Remember, you’re only getting tempo and are actually going down a card. Still, this does allow you to impact the board and getting tempted by the ring is never a bad thing.
Shire Terrace image 2.5 This can’t grab you a land for no mana the way Evolving Wilds can, but the fact it can tap for mana in the mean time makes up for that.
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Pack 3 Pick 8: Sauron's Ransom
Sauron's Ransom image 3.0 No matter what happens, the ring tempts you and get a 2-for-1, and its hard for that not to be good. That said, there’s always a chance you get two lands when you don’t want them, or expensive spells when you can’t cast them – but the fact is you still get significant card advantage coupled with very real upside
Long List of the Ents image 1.0 This is a really neat and flavorful design, and sometimes it will give you a ton of value. Imagine playing it on turn one with a hand that can curve out. Theoretically, if you name the right creatures, you can have all of those come down with extra counters. Of course, problem is, getting this late makes it pretty close to a dead card, and it will really only shine if you play it on turn one and have a hand full of creatures. That makes it too narrow
Banish from Edoras image 2.0 This is passable removal, but certainly not premium. 5 mana is a lot to exile a creature at sorcery speed, and even though it gets a discount on a tapped creature, cards that can only kill tapped creatures at Sorcery speed are kind of rough, because it usually means your opponent got to hit you with the thing that you want to remove. It is still removal, and answers pretty much all creatures, but its so clunky it isn’t the kind of removal you’re going to prioritize.
Cast into the Fire image 0.5 This has two modes that aren’t useful often enough, and while the fact that you can choose between them helps offset how narrow each effect is, we’re still looking at a card that won’t do anything meaningful far too often. This feels like sideboard material.
Arwen's Gift image 2.0 Having two legendary creatures in play is very doable in this set, but you also shouldn’t always expect to be able to cast this for three. At four mana it is definitely a little bit clunky, but at least you can see up to 4 cards – which is a ton in Limited.
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Gimli's Axe image 2.0 +3/+0 and Menace is enough to make just about anything into a threat, but even in a set with this many legendaries, you aren’t going to be able to always count on that. After all, they only appear at Uncommon or higher, and when this isn’t granting menace it seems pretty bad, especially when you take the casting and equip cost into account.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Errand-Rider of Gondor
Arwen Undómiel image 3.5 This is a great payoff for Scrying, which is a big part of what Blue-Green is doing in the format. Getting to put a counter anywhere is powerful, and in the late game she can fuel herself. There will be times where Arwen is just a two mana 2/2 and you don’t find your Scry stuff, but one of the nice things about Scry is, if you find a little bit of it, you increase your chances of finding more, because…you know, you Scried
Generous Ent image 2.5 A 6-mana 5/7 with Reach that gives you a treasure isn’t a terrible late game play. In fact, it is the kind of body that can help you stablize, especially because the Food can gain you life! And if you draw it early and need a land drop, you can always cycle it away
Banish from Edoras image 2.0 This is passable removal, but certainly not premium. 5 mana is a lot to exile a creature at sorcery speed, and even though it gets a discount on a tapped creature, cards that can only kill tapped creatures at Sorcery speed are kind of rough, because it usually means your opponent got to hit you with the thing that you want to remove. It is still removal, and answers pretty much all creatures, but its so clunky it isn’t the kind of removal you’re going to prioritize.
Eastfarthing Farmer image 2.5 A three mana ⅔ that makes a food is probably already playable, so giving +1/+1 to something when this ETBs is nice too, and sometimes it will be more than +1/+1!
Warbeast of Gorgoroth image 2.0 On its own, this is a 5-mana 5/4 that Amasses 2 when it dies. That’s not bad, but not really anything to write home about either. Obviously, it does get better the more 4 power or more creatures you have, and it makes any trades you make with those creatures into a pretty decent deal, but its still expensive and has mediocre stats
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Pack 3 Pick 10: Errand-Rider of Gondor
Prince Imrahil the Fair image 3.0 This is a nice signpost for Blue-White, which is obviously about drawing two cards a turn. Getting a 1/1 is a very real return on that type of investment
Legolas, Counter of Kills image 2.5 His ability to untap is reasonably easy to trigger in Blue-Green, but also not the most exciting thing ever. His ability to grow is where the real value is, but Green/blue is awkwardly a color pair that isn’t that good at killing things outside of combat, which limits just how good this can be. Additionally, his base stats are not remotely impressive
Horses of the Bruinen image 1.0 You usually go down a card when you cast this without taking any cards away from your opponent. You might get some tempo, provided you bounce things that are expensive enough, but that is far from guaranteed. This can bounce Armies, which might feel pretty good when the Army is particularly large, but overall this doesn’t feel like it can consistently give you what it needs to when you’re spending 5 mana and using up a card.
Lembas image 2.5 This seems pretty solid. Scry 1 + Draw 1 when it ETBs is nice, and it is nice that it is Food – not only because it can gain you life, but because the format has lots of payoffs for Food – as well as things like Historic and Artifacts more generally, which it helps you with. The Scry and the extra draw also works well with decks in the format
Errand-Rider of Gondor image 2.5 If you don’t control a legendary creature this gives you some decent card selection, and if you do control one, we’re talking about a 2-for-1. Generally that seems like that means if you play this on turn three it is probably just card selection, but by the mid to late game it will usually draw you a card straight up. The stats aren’t great of course, but this definitely does enough to make the cut pretty often.
Pack 3 Pick 11: Entish Restoration
Entish Restoration image 3.0 We’ve seen cards like this before, and they tend to be pretty good at fixing your mana and ramping. What we haven’t seen before is the “power 4 or greater” upside. When you can trigger that, this will really be a nice way to ramp and fix, although a lot of the time by the time you have a creature with power 4 or greater you won’t be as interested in fixing anyway. This does look like the kind of fixing you’re going to want to pick up if you’re splashing a third color or going with more than two colors, but you probably don’t play it beyond that. Worth noting that this can even potentially help you splash cards with double-costed mana, which isn’t always the case
Galadhrim Bow image 1.5 Thanks to Flash and the fact it attaches for free on ETB this can function as a trick. The bad news is, three mana for +1/+2, reach, and an untap normally isn’t very good. The good news is, that equation changes a bit when the +1/+2 and Reach, as well as an Equipment in general, sticks around.
Treason of Isengard image 2.0 A three mana 2/2 that puts a spell on top of your library is an okay card. This is an effect players often overrate, as they imagine getting back a really great spell – and when you can do that it is pretty good. However, the fact you have to wait to draw that card really makes it significantly worse
Knights of Dol Amroth image 2.0 We’ve seen this card before by a different name, and it was pretty underwhelming. Starting out as a Hill Giant is pretty rough these days, and even in a deck built around drawing extra cards, getting this to 4/4 isn’t always going to happen – and even if it does you don’t really feel like you’re getting there
Pack 3 Pick 12: Soldier of the Grey Host
Éowyn, Lady of Rohan image 4.0 Even if you have no equipment, Eowyn would be a pretty nice card. First Strike and Vigilance are both very useful keywords to gain access to, and she can even give them to herself, so her three mana 2/4 body combined with that is a nice deal! White decks in the format will often have Equipment around to make her even better too.
Dreadful as the Storm image 1.0 Lately, we’ve finally been seeing cards with this type of effect actually be playable, but that’s because they have drawn a card. Once that’s the case, a boost like this can be a 2-for-1 and that’s a big deal! The Ring tempting you isn’t nearly as good as drawing a card, so I don’t think this does enough. The problem with this type of boost is that you end up overpaying for it on most creatures – like a 3/3 that gets +2/+2 from this is not a good deal. Sure, on 1/1s it feels better, but that makes this overly situational
Soldier of the Grey Host image 2.0 This has what are well below-rate stats these days, and while the enter the battlefield ability can be useful, it also isn’t anything special. This does have Flash, so sometimes it can work like a combat trick, but a +2/+0 boost isn’t exactly the sort of thing that helps your creature survive combat a large percentage of the time.
Pack 3 Pick 13: Elven Farsight
Elven Farsight image 2.5 This is a surprisingly powerful draw spell for green. You get to see up to four cards and you should be able to make sure you draw a creature most of the time when you play it. On top of that, Scrying is something you’re going to want to do a lot of when you’re playing Green. It doesn’t effect the board, but this feels like it is going to do such a good job of making your draws smoother and more consistent for so little mana that I’m tempted to go all the way up to a 3
Willow-Wind image 3.0 The last time we saw a 5-mana ¾ Flyer that Scried 2 on ETB it really over-performed, and that wasn’t even in a set with a Scry deck. This is probably one of Blue’s best Commons.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Knights of Dol Amroth
Knights of Dol Amroth image 2.0 We’ve seen this card before by a different name, and it was pretty underwhelming. Starting out as a Hill Giant is pretty rough these days, and even in a deck built around drawing extra cards, getting this to 4/4 isn’t always going to happen – and even if it does you don’t really feel like you’re getting there
Draft Pick Overview