Tracker App

Premier Draft PIO 21 December 2024

21 December 06:35 - PintoPedro 7 Wins - 2 Losses
Maindeck
Instant, Sorcery, Enchantment, Artifact (11)
2 Audacity image
1 Wild Slash image
1 Selesnya Charm image
1 Unflinching Courage image
1 Sage's Reverie image
1 Knightly Valor image
1 Oath of Chandra image
1 Fight with Fire image
1 Secure the Wastes image
1 Dictate of Heliod image
Creature (11)
2 Boundary Lands Ranger image
1 Ghirapur Gearcrafter image
1 Heliod's Pilgrim image
1 Pilgrim's Eye image
1 Voyaging Satyr image
1 District Guide image
1 Zurgo Bellstriker image
1 Gnarlback Rhino image
1 Honored Hydra image
1 Monastery Swiftspear image
Planeswalker (1)
1 Elspeth, Sun's Champion image
Land (17)
1 Selesnya Guildgate image
1 Gruul Guildgate image
1 Boros Guildgate image
5 Plains image
4 Mountain image
5 Forest image
Sideboard
1 Boundary Lands Ranger image
1 Purphoros's Emissary image
1 Stormchaser Mage image
1 Labyrinth Champion image
1 Akoum Warrior image
1 Makindi Sliderunner image
1 Windrider Patrol image
1 Akroan Crusader image
1 Syndicate Messenger image
1 Nivix Cyclops image
1 Gurmag Angler image
1 Wild Slash image
1 Knightly Valor image
1 Darksteel Ingot image
1 Crumble to Dust image
1 Courier's Briefcase image
1 Boulder Salvo image
1 Quicken image
1 Izzet Guildgate image

Pack 1 Pick 1: Audacity
Ashen Rider image 4.5 This is hard to cast, but well worth the effort. It adds a big evasive body to the board that permanently eliminates a permanent, and even if your opponent kills it, they lose another one. Make sure to take Orzhov gates when you see them, though.
Steward of Solidarity image 4 This can attack like mos ttwo mana 2/2s early, and then it can crank out a 1/1 for free every couple of turns once it can't attack anymore. That's pretty great.
Rogue's Passage image 1.5 This is a decent late-game mana sink, but it hurts your mana base in the mean time.
Hero of Leina Tower image 2 Having the mana left over after triggering Heroic is a pretty big ask, even if the ceiling here is really impressive.
Voyaging Satyr image 3 This is a nice way to ramp your mana.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Rimrock Knight image 3.5 This was surprisignly great last time we saw it. The buff doesn't always let your creature survive combat, but even just chipping in for extra damage and then adding a 3/1 to the board is a pretty good deal.
Darksteel Ingot image 1.5 3-mana mana rocks are rarely good in Limited, but if you really need fixing or ramp, you'll use this.
Fallaji Archaeologist image 3 This was a SUPER good common last time we saw it. If you're in Blue with lots of spells, you're going to frequently make this a two mana 0/3 that draws a card on ETB, and the fail case is a two mana 1/4 that helps you load the graveyard.
Keening Apparition image 2 This has okay stats, and the format has enough Enchantments for this ability to be relevant sometimes.
Supernatural Stamina image 2.5 This is a very nice trick because it's so cheap, and great in combat or against removal.
Savage Punch image 3 When you have Ferocious this is incredible. When you don't, it's pretty bad. Good news is, Green decks will often get there on Ferocious.
Audacity image 3 This offers a buff that makes most creatures into decent attackers, and it doesn't really matter if your opponent trades for that creature because you get to draw a card.
Gruul Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Goblin Heelcutter image 3.5 This was an excellent Common last time we saw it. Turning off blockers is an aggro deck's dream, and the Heelcutter can Dash in and do it every turn. Your opponent also has to account for it every single turn, or risk dying.
Pack 1 Pick 2: Wild Slash
Conclave Naturalists image 0.5 This is a great sideboard card, but there aren't enough enchantments or artifacts in this set for it to be good in the main deck.
Blackbloom Rogue image 3 This is a pretty decent creature when you need it to be -- and you can always play it as a land when it's in your opening hand.
Steward of Solidarity image 4 This can attack like mos ttwo mana 2/2s early, and then it can crank out a 1/1 for free every couple of turns once it can't attack anymore. That's pretty great.
Coordinated Assault image 3 This can generate 2-for-1s incredibly efficiently, and it gets even better in a heroic format.
Wild Slash image 3.5 Shock is always great in Limited, and this is Shock with upside. Killing 3 or 4 mana creatures with this can swing a game wildly in your favor.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Fallaji Archaeologist image 3 This was a SUPER good common last time we saw it. If you're in Blue with lots of spells, you're going to frequently make this a two mana 0/3 that draws a card on ETB, and the fail case is a two mana 1/4 that helps you load the graveyard.
Rimrock Knight image 3.5 This was surprisignly great last time we saw it. The buff doesn't always let your creature survive combat, but even just chipping in for extra damage and then adding a 3/1 to the board is a pretty good deal.
Gladecover Scout image 1 // 3.5 This is a great creature to augment thanks to hexproof, but it's very bad if you can't do that.
Returned Centaur image 1.5 The stat-line is bad, and there are better ways to load the graveyard in the format.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is a bit clunky since you need to effectively spend a mana on it, but the gate typing definitely matters.
Orzhov Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Nissa's Pilgrimage image 2 Paying three to ramp your mana and not add to the board can be a liability, but this is a pretty potent way to do it, especially if you have spellmastery.
Pack 1 Pick 3: Selesnya Charm
Tomebound Lich image 3.5 This will always improve your hand while giving you a body that gains you life and can trade with anything -- that's all stuff Blue/Black decks are happy to do.
Bala Ged Recovery image 3.5 You'll always play this as a land early, and then in the late game it can get your best card back from the graveyard -- which is often exactly what you want at that stage of the game.
Dark Deal image 0 This kind of card is almost never going to do something good. Sure, maybe you make your opponent discard some cards they wanted to hold on to, but that upside is negated by the fact that you are the one who used the card -- and it's just as likely that they draw into what they were looking for.
District Guide image 4 This at Common is pretty amazing! It gives you amazing fixing, especially if you're in a gate deck -- and it's almost always going to generate a 2-for-1.
Opal Lake Gatekeepers image 0 // 2.5 This is a solid build around for gates decks, where it's virtually always a 2-for-1.
Selesnya Charm image 3.5 Making a 2/2 for two is fine, and while the other two modes are more situational, they are both great in the right situation.
Heliod's Pilgrim image 0 // 3 If you don't have a few Enchantments to get with this, it's unplayable. If you do have some Enchantments -- especially if they are creatures or removal spells -- this ends up being a really good Common.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Scion of Ugin image 1 A 6-mana 4/4 flyer doesn't real move the needle in Limited these days.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Basilica Screecher image 2 Extort is never as good as it looks, mostly because it's tough having the extra mana available at the right time.
Golgari Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Retraction Helix image 2 This doesn't have the silly combo potential it has in 60-card formats, but it is a roundabout way to bounce something for one mana. Granted, having an untapped creature is a requirement, and that holds it back -- but it's a playable card.
Pack 1 Pick 4: Unflinching Courage
Zephyr Winder image 2.5 This basically gives itself or another creature pseudo-vigilance. You're not going to usually be able to pull off any shenanigans, but a two mana 2/1 flyer with this ability is pretty solid anyway.
Priest of the Blood Rite image 4 5-mana for a 5/5 flyer and a 2/2 is pretty great, and Black has plenty of ways to get rid of the 2/2 so you can shut off the downside. Your opponent often won't want to block or attack into the 2/2 either -- which is itself a disadvantage.
Unflinching Courage image 1.5 // 3.5 It's a little risky playing this on just any creature, although the lifelink does mean you can usually get some value out of it before your opponent 2-for-1s you by destroying your creature. But if you have some of the hexproof creatures in the set, this can be a devastating play.
Ghirapur Gearcrafter image 3.5 This was Red's best Common last time we saw it, and it'll be in the conversation here too. Three mana for a 2/1 and a 1/1 flyer is excellent.
Keening Apparition image 2 This has okay stats, and the format has enough Enchantments for this ability to be relevant sometimes.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Silundi Vision image 2 This is super situational, and not all decks will really be able to get a card out of it. But in decks that can, it's a land with some pretty solid upside.
Savage Punch image 3 When you have Ferocious this is incredible. When you don't, it's pretty bad. Good news is, Green decks will often get there on Ferocious.
Scion of Ugin image 1 A 6-mana 4/4 flyer doesn't real move the needle in Limited these days.
Orzhov Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Oath of Gideon image 2 This has a kind of passable baseline, and while the Planeswalker bonus sheet is active, you might actually be able to get some additional value out of it.
Pack 1 Pick 5: Sage's Reverie
Lotleth Troll image 4.5 This is very difficult to deal with if your opponent has mana up, and it's ability to grow makes it a very real threat. That's a devastating combination.
War Oracle image 2 A 4-mana 3/3 lifelink isn't very good, and that stat-line also means it'll be tough for this to ever become renowned.
Artisan of Forms image 2 This certainly has some blowout potential, and it can permanently change into another creature -- but it's also a 2-mana 1/1 that takes some significant set up to be relevant.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Ingenious Skaab image 3 2/3s with Prowess tend to feel pretty good, as the high toughness that can go even higher makes them tough to block, and the Skaab is a pretty nice threat even when you can't trigger Prowess, because your opponent has to respect it.
Artful Maneuver image 1.5 This is pretty expensive for the buff, and while Rebound does mean you get it twice -- the second time your opponent knows it's coming.
Purphoros's Emissary image 2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace is passable, and if you draw it late, it's likely to drastically improve your attack.
Boros Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Sage's Reverie image 1.5 Even in a format with an Aura theme, I'm skeptical of this. On it's own it's terrible, and putting a ton of Auras on a single creature is a good way to lose -- although, there is a decent amount of hexproof in the format.
Pack 1 Pick 6: Knightly Valor
Sire of Insanity image 2 This puts both players in top-deck mode, and in theory the 6/4 you just put on the board will make it likely that you're ahead, although it's not a guarantee.
Humble Defector image 2.5 This is better than it looks! Sure, symmetrical draw isn't awesome -- nor is giving your opponent a card, but you always get to draw cards with it first, and that makes a huge difference. It can get especially nice if you sacrifice it in response to the ability.
Rapid Hybridization image 0 This is terrible in Limited. If you use it on your opponent's creature, you effectively 2-for-1 yourself, and using it on your own is only moderately better.
Consider image 2.5 This is always a nice card selection spell, and in a format with plenty of Prowess and similar effects, it'll be solid.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is a bit clunky since you need to effectively spend a mana on it, but the gate typing definitely matters.
Wild Slash image 3.5 Shock is always great in Limited, and this is Shock with upside. Killing 3 or 4 mana creatures with this can swing a game wildly in your favor.
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Izzet Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 1 Pick 7: Wild Slash
Cruel Revival image 3 There are enough Zombies in this set for this to generate a 2-for-1 pretty often.
Stormchaser Mage image 3.5 This is tough to block all game long because of Prowess, and if you get it down early it can put the game away on it's own.
Windrider Patrol image 2 This is a bit overcosted, but the combat damage trigger is nice.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Ingenious Skaab image 3 2/3s with Prowess tend to feel pretty good, as the high toughness that can go even higher makes them tough to block, and the Skaab is a pretty nice threat even when you can't trigger Prowess, because your opponent has to respect it.
Tah-Crop Skirmisher image 2.5 You get two bodies out of one card which is always nice, even if they are overcosted in both cases.
Wild Slash image 3.5 Shock is always great in Limited, and this is Shock with upside. Killing 3 or 4 mana creatures with this can swing a game wildly in your favor.
Izzet Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Stain the Mind image 0 These "Lobotomy" effects are always terrible in Limited. It's tough to name the right card, and even if you do, you're spending lots of mana and/or tapping a bunch of creatures without affecting the board at all, and there are many games where you just whiff entirely.
Pack 1 Pick 8: Selesnya Guildgate
Phalanx Tactics image 2 This can help you trigger Heroic while buffing yoru whole board, and certainly has it's moments. However, if you don't have Heroic and/or don't have a built out board, it's just a bad combat trick.
Lotus-Eye Mystics image 2 The stat-line is bad, and even in a format with a decent number of Enchantments, you frequently don't have one to get back.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Zendikar Incarnate image 2 This is just a big vanilla creature. It'll never feel bad, but it'll never feel great either.
Supernatural Stamina image 2.5 This is a very nice trick because it's so cheap, and great in combat or against removal.
Ingenious Skaab image 3 2/3s with Prowess tend to feel pretty good, as the high toughness that can go even higher makes them tough to block, and the Skaab is a pretty nice threat even when you can't trigger Prowess, because your opponent has to respect it.
Selesnya Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Fog image 0 Fog is terrible in Limited. It's easy to imagine the ideal scenario -- your opponent swings out and you Fog, and then swing back for lethal. But that scenario is incredibly rare. Most of the time, you go down a card for an almost meaningless effect.
Pack 1 Pick 9: Gruul Guildgate
Rogue's Passage image 1.5 This is a decent late-game mana sink, but it hurts your mana base in the mean time.
Rimrock Knight image 3.5 This was surprisignly great last time we saw it. The buff doesn't always let your creature survive combat, but even just chipping in for extra damage and then adding a 3/1 to the board is a pretty good deal.
Darksteel Ingot image 1.5 3-mana mana rocks are rarely good in Limited, but if you really need fixing or ramp, you'll use this.
Keening Apparition image 2 This has okay stats, and the format has enough Enchantments for this ability to be relevant sometimes.
Supernatural Stamina image 2.5 This is a very nice trick because it's so cheap, and great in combat or against removal.
Gruul Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Goblin Heelcutter image 3.5 This was an excellent Common last time we saw it. Turning off blockers is an aggro deck's dream, and the Heelcutter can Dash in and do it every turn. Your opponent also has to account for it every single turn, or risk dying.
Pack 1 Pick 10: Knightly Valor
Blackbloom Rogue image 3 This is a pretty decent creature when you need it to be -- and you can always play it as a land when it's in your opening hand.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Returned Centaur image 1.5 The stat-line is bad, and there are better ways to load the graveyard in the format.
Gateway Plaza image 2.5 This is a bit clunky since you need to effectively spend a mana on it, but the gate typing definitely matters.
Nissa's Pilgrimage image 2 Paying three to ramp your mana and not add to the board can be a liability, but this is a pretty potent way to do it, especially if you have spellmastery.
Pack 1 Pick 11: Boundary Lands Ranger
Dark Deal image 0 This kind of card is almost never going to do something good. Sure, maybe you make your opponent discard some cards they wanted to hold on to, but that upside is negated by the fact that you are the one who used the card -- and it's just as likely that they draw into what they were looking for.
Opal Lake Gatekeepers image 0 // 2.5 This is a solid build around for gates decks, where it's virtually always a 2-for-1.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Scion of Ugin image 1 A 6-mana 4/4 flyer doesn't real move the needle in Limited these days.
Basilica Screecher image 2 Extort is never as good as it looks, mostly because it's tough having the extra mana available at the right time.
Pack 1 Pick 12: Ghirapur Gearcrafter
Ghirapur Gearcrafter image 3.5 This was Red's best Common last time we saw it, and it'll be in the conversation here too. Three mana for a 2/1 and a 1/1 flyer is excellent.
Keening Apparition image 2 This has okay stats, and the format has enough Enchantments for this ability to be relevant sometimes.
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Oath of Gideon image 2 This has a kind of passable baseline, and while the Planeswalker bonus sheet is active, you might actually be able to get some additional value out of it.
Pack 1 Pick 13: Purphoros's Emissary
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Ingenious Skaab image 3 2/3s with Prowess tend to feel pretty good, as the high toughness that can go even higher makes them tough to block, and the Skaab is a pretty nice threat even when you can't trigger Prowess, because your opponent has to respect it.
Purphoros's Emissary image 2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace is passable, and if you draw it late, it's likely to drastically improve your attack.
Pack 1 Pick 14: Izzet Guildgate
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Izzet Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 1 Pick 15: Stormchaser Mage
Stormchaser Mage image 3.5 This is tough to block all game long because of Prowess, and if you get it down early it can put the game away on it's own.
Pack 2 Pick 1: Oath of Chandra
Oath of Chandra image 3.5 This is a Sorcery-speed two mana deal 3 that has some actually relevant Planeswalker upside (at least when the Planeswalker bonus sheet is on Arena)
Destructive Revelry image 0.5 This is a great sideboard card, but even though this format has a decent number of Enchantments, it isn't really enough for you to ever want this in your main deck.
Alpha Authority image 1 This looks pretty exciting -- but it's kind of like Swiftfoot Boots -- that is to say, awful in Limited, because the creature you put it on already has to be good, and that really limits it's utility.
Jhessian Thief image 2.5 This was surprisingly hard to get in with last time we saw it, but when you do it feels pretty amazing.
Bloodtithe Harvester image 3.5 This isn't going to be as insane as it was in Crimson Vow, because there isn't much Blood in the format. But this is still an excellent card because of the stat-line, the useful blood token, and on occasion you can turn the Harvester into removal.
Ardenvale Tactician image 2.5 This is pretty nice in aggro decks, as it can get a couple blockers out of the way and then add a reasonable creature to the board.
Ob Nixilis's Cruelty image 4 This kills almost anything for three mana, and even turns off graveyard shenanigans -- including death triggers.
District Guide image 4 This at Common is pretty amazing! It gives you amazing fixing, especially if you're in a gate deck -- and it's almost always going to generate a 2-for-1.
Purphoros's Emissary image 2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace is passable, and if you draw it late, it's likely to drastically improve your attack.
Ghostblade Eidolon image 1.5 A three mana 1/1 with double strike is way too fragile to be great, and paying 6 for +1/+1 and double strike doesn't really move the needle either.
Gust of Wind image 2.5 Paying two for this feels pretty incredible, as it replaces itself and gives you some nice tempo. Paying 4 makes it a little harder to feel good about the tempo, but that's a passable card too.
Read the Bones image 2.5 This is always a nice draw spell. You can see up to 4 cards, which is great for 3 mana.
Leafcrown Dryad image 2.5 This feels fine on two, and Bestowing it for 4 is often going to make one of your creatures much more effective.
Dimir Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Thopter Engineer image 3.5 Getting a 1/3 and a 1/1 with Haste for three mana is excellent, and this makes your other artifact creatures better, too.
Pack 2 Pick 2: Labyrinth Champion
Priest of the Blood Rite image 4 5-mana for a 5/5 flyer and a 2/2 is pretty great, and Black has plenty of ways to get rid of the 2/2 so you can shut off the downside. Your opponent often won't want to block or attack into the 2/2 either -- which is itself a disadvantage.
Labyrinth Champion image 2 The stat-line is bad, but Shocking something every time you trigger Heroic is pretty nice.
Tormented Hero image 2 This is a fine one drop for Black aggro decks.
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Gust of Wind image 2.5 Paying two for this feels pretty incredible, as it replaces itself and gives you some nice tempo. Paying 4 makes it a little harder to feel good about the tempo, but that's a passable card too.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Nessian Asp image 2 A 4-mana 4/5 with Reach plays reasonably well, and in the late game it turns into a very big monster.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Ardenvale Tactician image 2.5 This is pretty nice in aggro decks, as it can get a couple blockers out of the way and then add a reasonable creature to the board.
Fall of the Hammer image 3.5 Getting this effect at instant speed for two mana has always played well. Sure, you need a creature -- and you have to be careful not to play it when your opponent can interact, but because it's an instant finding that window isn't too hard.
Scion of Ugin image 1 A 6-mana 4/4 flyer doesn't real move the needle in Limited these days.
Silumgar Butcher image 2.5 The stat-line is bad, but there's plenty of fodder in the format -- and in a pinch it can sacrifice itself for the effect.
Simic Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Call the Gatewatch image 0 // 1.5 There's going to be a planeswalker bonus sheet during part of this set's run, and when that's the case it might be sort of kind of playable, but you're still basically paying 3 extra mana for it, which tends to make a card a lot worse.
Pack 2 Pick 3: Boros Guildgate
Zurgo Bellstriker image 2 If you could always play him on turn one he'd be really good -- but that's not how Magic works. In the later stages of the game it's just a bad card.
Coordinated Assault image 3 This can generate 2-for-1s incredibly efficiently, and it gets even better in a heroic format.
Guild Summit image 0 // 2.5 This is a decent gate buildaround, though not usually one of the premium ones you're after. It is nice that it gives you value whether you already have Gates when it comes into play or if you play them after.
Gatebreaker Ram image 0 // 3.5 This is a great gate payoff that can serve as a very legitimate win condition when you have a bunch of Gates.
Nantuko Husk image 3 Free sacrifice outlets always have a ton of potential, and the threat of activation on the Nantuko makes it hard for your opponent to block it.
Devour Flesh image 2 Edicts are nice, but letting your opponent gain life isn't the best. You can use it to gain life yourself in a pinch, but if you're forced to 2-for-1 yourself like that, you're probably losing.
Artful Maneuver image 1.5 This is pretty expensive for the buff, and while Rebound does mean you get it twice -- the second time your opponent knows it's coming.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Savage Punch image 3 When you have Ferocious this is incredible. When you don't, it's pretty bad. Good news is, Green decks will often get there on Ferocious.
Tah-Crop Skirmisher image 2.5 You get two bodies out of one card which is always nice, even if they are overcosted in both cases.
Lyev Skyknight image 3.5 This removes a creature from the equation for a whole turn, while adding a pretty solid body to the board. That's some seroius tempo.
Wild Slash image 3.5 Shock is always great in Limited, and this is Shock with upside. Killing 3 or 4 mana creatures with this can swing a game wildly in your favor.
Boros Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 2 Pick 4: Heliod's Pilgrim
Priest of the Blood Rite image 4 5-mana for a 5/5 flyer and a 2/2 is pretty great, and Black has plenty of ways to get rid of the 2/2 so you can shut off the downside. Your opponent often won't want to block or attack into the 2/2 either -- which is itself a disadvantage.
Crackdown Construct image 0 The base stat-line is awful, and buffing the Construct isn't particularly easy.
Heliod's Pilgrim image 0 // 3 If you don't have a few Enchantments to get with this, it's unplayable. If you do have some Enchantments -- especially if they are creatures or removal spells -- this ends up being a really good Common.
Lyev Skyknight image 3.5 This removes a creature from the equation for a whole turn, while adding a pretty solid body to the board. That's some seroius tempo.
Makindi Sliderunner image 2 A two mana 2/1 trample is bad -- and a two mana 3/2 trample isn't insane either. This makes you jump through hoops to get there.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Rimrock Knight image 3.5 This was surprisignly great last time we saw it. The buff doesn't always let your creature survive combat, but even just chipping in for extra damage and then adding a 3/1 to the board is a pretty good deal.
Leafcrown Dryad image 2.5 This feels fine on two, and Bestowing it for 4 is often going to make one of your creatures much more effective.
Golgari Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Brood Monitor image 4.5 This gives you a ton of value for 6 mana. Even if those tokens couldn't be sacrificed for mana, this is a card that gives you four very real bodies. If you're behind, it brings you to parity. If you're at parity it pulls you ahead, and if you're ahead, the game's probably over.
Pack 2 Pick 5: Pilgrim's Eye
Jhessian Thief image 2.5 This was surprisingly hard to get in with last time we saw it, but when you do it feels pretty amazing.
Crypt Incursion image 0 This can gain you a bunch of life, but a graveyard has to be well-stocked, and just gaining life is rarely worth a card anyway.
Valakut Awakening image 3 This is a great design for a MDFC, since early you'll just play it as a land -- and late, it can become a pretty nice draw spell.
Darksteel Ingot image 1.5 3-mana mana rocks are rarely good in Limited, but if you really need fixing or ramp, you'll use this.
Dreg Mangler image 3 Scavenge means this gives you value in addition to being a solid three mana 3/3 haste. While it's not quite a 2-for-1, getting 3 +1/+1 counters is pretty close to a card of value.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Makindi Sliderunner image 2 A two mana 2/1 trample is bad -- and a two mana 3/2 trample isn't insane either. This makes you jump through hoops to get there.
Pilgrim's Eye image 3.5 The body you get is bad, but it draws you a card that usually fixes your mana. It's great fixing.
Azorius Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Stain the Mind image 0 These "Lobotomy" effects are always terrible in Limited. It's tough to name the right card, and even if you do, you're spending lots of mana and/or tapping a bunch of creatures without affecting the board at all, and there are many games where you just whiff entirely.
Pack 2 Pick 6: Fight with Fire
Fight with Fire image 4 Three mana to deal 5 is already a card you'd always play, and this has absolutely absurd late-game upside.
Conclave Naturalists image 0.5 This is a great sideboard card, but there aren't enough enchantments or artifacts in this set for it to be good in the main deck.
Shipbreaker Kraken image 2 A 6-mana 6/6 is a reasonable top-curve creature -- and if this ever goest Monstrous you probably win the game, as it's probably smashing in for 10 all on it's own. Problem is, getting to 8 mana doesn't happen that often in Limited.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Tah-Crop Skirmisher image 2.5 You get two bodies out of one card which is always nice, even if they are overcosted in both cases.
Witch's Mark image 2.5 You get a pretty good return on your two mana investment + a card, since you add something to the board while digging deeper into your deck.
Devour Flesh image 2 Edicts are nice, but letting your opponent gain life isn't the best. You can use it to gain life yourself in a pinch, but if you're forced to 2-for-1 yourself like that, you're probably losing.
Dreadbore image 4 Two mana to kill any creature or planeswalker is an incredible deal. This will be extra good when the Planeswalker bonus sheet is around.
Khalni Ambush image 3 The Ambush is a mediocre removal spell, but having a land that can also be a removal spell is amazing.
Crumble to Dust image 0.0 Land destruction is rarely where you want to be in Limited, and even with a Gate theme this will typically be a blank and/or irrelevant card.
Pack 2 Pick 7: Akoum Warrior
Brineborn Cutthroat image 2 A two mana 2/1 with Flash really isn't worth playing, but if you have enough ways to grow it, it ends up being a solid card.
Azorius Charm image 4 This is a very nice removal spell that happens to have two other useful modes.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Akoum Warrior image 2.5 You'd never play a card that's always a 6-mana 4/5 trample, but this is a land in the early game -- and it's a land that if you draw late, adds a pretty real body to the board.
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Windrider Patrol image 2 This is a bit overcosted, but the combat damage trigger is nice.
Returned Centaur image 1.5 The stat-line is bad, and there are better ways to load the graveyard in the format.
Azorius Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Smash to Smithereens image 0.5 This is a sideboard card. There aren't enough artifacts in this format for it to be main deck material -- but when your opponent has a few targets for it, it's pretty good.
Pack 2 Pick 8: Voyaging Satyr
Quicken image 1.5 It replace itself so that it's not a complete dud, but you just don't have this and a Sorcery worth giving Flash to in your hand often enough for it to be very good.
Nyx Weaver image 3 This is a good enabler for graveyard decks, and a passable payoff, too.
Cartel Aristocrat image 3.5 This is a great sacrifice outlet, and protection is pretty good at keeping it alive and/or allowing it to get in for damage.
Sejiri Shelter image 2.5 This is a more situational modal double-faced land, but it's always nice when a land has the potential to be a real card.
Gust of Wind image 2.5 Paying two for this feels pretty incredible, as it replaces itself and gives you some nice tempo. Paying 4 makes it a little harder to feel good about the tempo, but that's a passable card too.
Voyaging Satyr image 3 This is a nice way to ramp your mana.
Zendikar Incarnate image 2 This is just a big vanilla creature. It'll never feel bad, but it'll never feel great either.
Clutch of Currents image 3 This is solid when you only spend one mana on it, and great when you can also get a 3/3 out of the deal.
Pack 2 Pick 9: District Guide
Destructive Revelry image 0.5 This is a great sideboard card, but even though this format has a decent number of Enchantments, it isn't really enough for you to ever want this in your main deck.
Bloodtithe Harvester image 3.5 This isn't going to be as insane as it was in Crimson Vow, because there isn't much Blood in the format. But this is still an excellent card because of the stat-line, the useful blood token, and on occasion you can turn the Harvester into removal.
District Guide image 4 This at Common is pretty amazing! It gives you amazing fixing, especially if you're in a gate deck -- and it's almost always going to generate a 2-for-1.
Purphoros's Emissary image 2.5 A 4-mana 3/3 Menace is passable, and if you draw it late, it's likely to drastically improve your attack.
Gust of Wind image 2.5 Paying two for this feels pretty incredible, as it replaces itself and gives you some nice tempo. Paying 4 makes it a little harder to feel good about the tempo, but that's a passable card too.
Read the Bones image 2.5 This is always a nice draw spell. You can see up to 4 cards, which is great for 3 mana.
Dimir Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 2 Pick 10: Boundary Lands Ranger
Sanitarium Skeleton image 0 // 2.5 If you've got a sacrifice deck, this is a decent build around since it can constantly give you fodder, albeit inefficiently.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Nessian Asp image 2 A 4-mana 4/5 with Reach plays reasonably well, and in the late game it turns into a very big monster.
Scion of Ugin image 1 A 6-mana 4/4 flyer doesn't real move the needle in Limited these days.
Silumgar Butcher image 2.5 The stat-line is bad, but there's plenty of fodder in the format -- and in a pinch it can sacrifice itself for the effect.
Call the Gatewatch image 0 // 1.5 There's going to be a planeswalker bonus sheet during part of this set's run, and when that's the case it might be sort of kind of playable, but you're still basically paying 3 extra mana for it, which tends to make a card a lot worse.
Pack 2 Pick 11: Zurgo Bellstriker
Zurgo Bellstriker image 2 If you could always play him on turn one he'd be really good -- but that's not how Magic works. In the later stages of the game it's just a bad card.
Nantuko Husk image 3 Free sacrifice outlets always have a ton of potential, and the threat of activation on the Nantuko makes it hard for your opponent to block it.
Devour Flesh image 2 Edicts are nice, but letting your opponent gain life isn't the best. You can use it to gain life yourself in a pinch, but if you're forced to 2-for-1 yourself like that, you're probably losing.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Tah-Crop Skirmisher image 2.5 You get two bodies out of one card which is always nice, even if they are overcosted in both cases.
Pack 2 Pick 12: Makindi Sliderunner
Crackdown Construct image 0 The base stat-line is awful, and buffing the Construct isn't particularly easy.
Makindi Sliderunner image 2 A two mana 2/1 trample is bad -- and a two mana 3/2 trample isn't insane either. This makes you jump through hoops to get there.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Pack 2 Pick 13: Darksteel Ingot
Darksteel Ingot image 1.5 3-mana mana rocks are rarely good in Limited, but if you really need fixing or ramp, you'll use this.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Stain the Mind image 0 These "Lobotomy" effects are always terrible in Limited. It's tough to name the right card, and even if you do, you're spending lots of mana and/or tapping a bunch of creatures without affecting the board at all, and there are many games where you just whiff entirely.
Pack 2 Pick 14: Crumble to Dust
Shipbreaker Kraken image 2 A 6-mana 6/6 is a reasonable top-curve creature -- and if this ever goest Monstrous you probably win the game, as it's probably smashing in for 10 all on it's own. Problem is, getting to 8 mana doesn't happen that often in Limited.
Crumble to Dust image 0.0 Land destruction is rarely where you want to be in Limited, and even with a Gate theme this will typically be a blank and/or irrelevant card.
Pack 2 Pick 15: Windrider Patrol
Windrider Patrol image 2 This is a bit overcosted, but the combat damage trigger is nice.
Pack 3 Pick 1: Elspeth, Sun's Champion
Niblis of Frost image 4 Getting the Prowess buff combined with the ability to freeze down creatures allows this to take over the game much of the time.
Sidisi, Undead Vizier image 4.5 The 4/6 death touch body is going to give your opponent pause all game long, and giving up your most useless creature in play for the best card in your deck is usually well worth it.
Azorius Charm image 4 This is a very nice removal spell that happens to have two other useful modes.
Murmuring Mystic image 1.5 // 3.5 This is a pretty great spell build around. A 1/1 flyer is worth pretty close to an entire card, so stapling that to a spell is pretty amazing.
Archway Angel image 1.5 // 4 This was a pretty legit buildaround last time we saw it. Gate decks really want this card, since they often have slow starts because they are playing so many colors and so many tap lands, the Angel helps even things out on turn 5, and often pulls you ahead. If you don't have lots of gates though, she's pretty bad.
Dreadbore image 4 Two mana to kill any creature or planeswalker is an incredible deal. This will be extra good when the Planeswalker bonus sheet is around.
Nimbus Naiad image 2 Wind Drake isn't that exciting, but it's sort of passable, and in the late game putting this on just about any creature makes it a major threat.
Syndicate Messenger image 2.5 4 mana for a 3/4 worth of flying stats is an okay deal.
Nemesis of Mortals image 1 // 3 This is pretty bad in most decks, but if you're good at loading the graveyard it's a pretty slid threat.
Boulder Salvo image 2.5 A 5-mana deal 4 is bad, but Surging with this is pretty doable.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Simic Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Elspeth, Sun's Champion image 5 One of the best Limited planeswalkers of all time, her ability to add three bodies to the board right away virtually guarantees she'll survive to the next turn -- at which point she makes three more 1/1s and the game is pretty much over. Her other abilities are great too.
Pack 3 Pick 2: Audacity
Monastery Swiftspear image 3.5 While not as good in Limited as it is in 60-card formats, the Swiftspear is still very good. It does a ton of damage early, and prowess helps keep it relevant all game.
Mentor of the Meek image 1.5 // 3.5 In a deck with enough ways to trigger this, it turns into quite the engine. Although, you'd be surprised how often you just don't have the spare mana to pay for it.
Fell Stinger image 4 In a pinch this can sacrifice itself for the trigger, and if you have something really expendable it can be particularly great. Holding on to the death touch creature is nice, because it means you can always trade with this.
Ordeal of Purphoros image 1 This is just way too slow. Sure, making your creature bigger and casting Lightning Bolt for two mana is great, but you need a creature who can already attack, and if your opponent finds removal before it goes off, you get brutally 2-for-1'd.
Ardenvale Tactician image 2.5 This is pretty nice in aggro decks, as it can get a couple blockers out of the way and then add a reasonable creature to the board.
Akoum Warrior image 2.5 You'd never play a card that's always a 6-mana 4/5 trample, but this is a land in the early game -- and it's a land that if you draw late, adds a pretty real body to the board.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Audacity image 3 This offers a buff that makes most creatures into decent attackers, and it doesn't really matter if your opponent trades for that creature because you get to draw a card.
Unravel the Aether image 0.5 This is mostly sideboard material in the format. You can't count on there being a permanent it can hit.
Silundi Vision image 2 This is super situational, and not all decks will really be able to get a card out of it. But in decks that can, it's a land with some pretty solid upside.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Dimir Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Reckless Bushwhacker image 2.5 Surging this is where you really want to be, and it can add tons of damage to the board whether you Surge it or cast it normally. It's not great if you're behind, though.
Pack 3 Pick 3: Secure the Wastes
Secure the Wastes image 5 This always gives you a great deal, and at instant speed! It can allow you to really devastate an opposing attack, or simply add so many bodies to the board that your opponent can never come back from it.
Swift Warkite image 2.5 You don't always have a creature that's worth bringing back, but when you do this feels pretty good.
Pulse of Murasa image 3 This is a great recursive spell because it's an instant, and it gains you a ton of life -- which gives you the time to use the card that you brought back.
War Oracle image 2 A 4-mana 3/3 lifelink isn't very good, and that stat-line also means it'll be tough for this to ever become renowned.
Syndicate Messenger image 2.5 4 mana for a 3/4 worth of flying stats is an okay deal.
Nemesis of Mortals image 1 // 3 This is pretty bad in most decks, but if you're good at loading the graveyard it's a pretty slid threat.
Boulder Salvo image 2.5 A 5-mana deal 4 is bad, but Surging with this is pretty doable.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Silundi Vision image 2 This is super situational, and not all decks will really be able to get a card out of it. But in decks that can, it's a land with some pretty solid upside.
Gruul Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Goblin Heelcutter image 3.5 This was an excellent Common last time we saw it. Turning off blockers is an aggro deck's dream, and the Heelcutter can Dash in and do it every turn. Your opponent also has to account for it every single turn, or risk dying.
Pack 3 Pick 4: Dictate of Heliod
Dictate of Heliod image 4 This buff is huge, and upgrades almost any creature into something that is relevant at the very least. Flash means it can effectively wreck combat on your opponent out of nowhere too -- or at least allow you to augment your board when your opponent doesn't expect it. It's like a mass pump spell that sticks around, which is pretty sweet.
Steward of Solidarity image 4 This can attack like mos ttwo mana 2/2s early, and then it can crank out a 1/1 for free every couple of turns once it can't attack anymore. That's pretty great.
Ordeal of Purphoros image 1 This is just way too slow. Sure, making your creature bigger and casting Lightning Bolt for two mana is great, but you need a creature who can already attack, and if your opponent finds removal before it goes off, you get brutally 2-for-1'd.
Gates Ablaze image 0 // 3 This is a nice build around if you have a controlling version of the 5-color gates deck, but unplayable otherwise.
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Courier's Briefcase image 2 This fixes your mana pretty effectively while also adding a body to the board. I wouldn't count on cashing it in for 3 cards, though.
Hero of Iroas image 3.5 The baseline here is nice, and the format has enough ways to target him -- including Auras -- that the upside is very accessible.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Artful Maneuver image 1.5 This is pretty expensive for the buff, and while Rebound does mean you get it twice -- the second time your opponent knows it's coming.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Basilica Screecher image 2 Extort is never as good as it looks, mostly because it's tough having the extra mana available at the right time.
Cavern Lampad image 2 As with many Bestow cards, both modes are kind of underwhelming, but the modality keeps it from being terrible.
Pack 3 Pick 5: Akroan Crusader
Zephyr Winder image 2.5 This basically gives itself or another creature pseudo-vigilance. You're not going to usually be able to pull off any shenanigans, but a two mana 2/1 flyer with this ability is pretty solid anyway.
Crackdown Construct image 0 The base stat-line is awful, and buffing the Construct isn't particularly easy.
Stab Wound image 3.5 This can outright kill something small, but it's almost better when you put it on a creature that doesn't die. Turning a 4/4 into a 2/2 is usually enough to take away it's relevance, and Stab Wound can bleed your opponent out surprisingly quickly.
Nivix Cyclops image 2 This will be able to rumble as a 4/4 a decent chunk of the time in Blue-Red, but you're only getting a slightly above-rate deal when that's the case.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Ardenvale Tactician image 2.5 This is pretty nice in aggro decks, as it can get a couple blockers out of the way and then add a reasonable creature to the board.
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Izzet Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Stampeding Elk Herd image 2.5 This brings 5 power to the baord on it's own, so getting Formidable is certainly doable.
Pack 3 Pick 6: Gnarlback Rhino
Shipbreaker Kraken image 2 A 6-mana 6/6 is a reasonable top-curve creature -- and if this ever goest Monstrous you probably win the game, as it's probably smashing in for 10 all on it's own. Problem is, getting to 8 mana doesn't happen that often in Limited.
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Pilgrim's Eye image 3.5 The body you get is bad, but it draws you a card that usually fixes your mana. It's great fixing.
Gnarlback Rhino image 3.5 This has a nice baseline, and while it doesn't technically have "Heroic" it works the same way. Combat tricks and fight spells are the Rhino's best friend, and there's enough of that in the format for this to be pretty amazing.
Windrider Patrol image 2 This is a bit overcosted, but the combat damage trigger is nice.
Fall of the Hammer image 3.5 Getting this effect at instant speed for two mana has always played well. Sure, you need a creature -- and you have to be careful not to play it when your opponent can interact, but because it's an instant finding that window isn't too hard.
Dreg Mangler image 3 Scavenge means this gives you value in addition to being a solid three mana 3/3 haste. While it's not quite a 2-for-1, getting 3 +1/+1 counters is pretty close to a card of value.
Supernatural Stamina image 2.5 This is a very nice trick because it's so cheap, and great in combat or against removal.
Golgari Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Skyreaping image 0.5 Your deck needs to not have flyers and you need to be able to get your devotion reasonably high AND your opponent has to have a decent number of flyers, otherwise this is irrelevant.
Pack 3 Pick 7: Courier's Briefcase
Quicken image 1.5 It replace itself so that it's not a complete dud, but you just don't have this and a Sorcery worth giving Flash to in your hand often enough for it to be very good.
Humble Defector image 2.5 This is better than it looks! Sure, symmetrical draw isn't awesome -- nor is giving your opponent a card, but you always get to draw cards with it first, and that makes a huge difference. It can get especially nice if you sacrifice it in response to the ability.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Essence Scatter image 3 This counters most spells and is easy to cast. It can generate some great tempo.
Wild Slash image 3.5 Shock is always great in Limited, and this is Shock with upside. Killing 3 or 4 mana creatures with this can swing a game wildly in your favor.
Courier's Briefcase image 2 This fixes your mana pretty effectively while also adding a body to the board. I wouldn't count on cashing it in for 3 cards, though.
Halo Scarab image 1.5 This was pretty weak last time we saw it, and it will be here too. It has bad stats, and while getting Treasure can be nice, paying 2 mana for it isn't.
Knightly Valor image 2.5 This effectively adds 4/4 worth of Vigilance stats to the board, and 2/2 of it basically has Haste. Adding that body to the board really helps offset the downside Auras usually have.
Simic Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 3 Pick 8: Honored Hydra
Cartel Aristocrat image 3.5 This is a great sacrifice outlet, and protection is pretty good at keeping it alive and/or allowing it to get in for damage.
Honored Hydra image 4.5 This is pretty insane at Uncommon. It gives you two very real bodies -- one of which is appropriately costed, and the other is undercosted. You can also mill or discard it and get a 6/6 trampler in the early game.
Artful Maneuver image 1.5 This is pretty expensive for the buff, and while Rebound does mean you get it twice -- the second time your opponent knows it's coming.
Boulder Salvo image 2.5 A 5-mana deal 4 is bad, but Surging with this is pretty doable.
Returned Centaur image 1.5 The stat-line is bad, and there are better ways to load the graveyard in the format.
Opal Lake Gatekeepers image 0 // 2.5 This is a solid build around for gates decks, where it's virtually always a 2-for-1.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Pelakka Predation image 3 Having a free discard spell attached to a land is surprisingly good. You won't always hit something with Predation, but it's great disruption when you can -- and if you're pretty sure that effect won't do anything, you can always play it as a land.
Pack 3 Pick 9: Syndicate Messenger
Niblis of Frost image 4 Getting the Prowess buff combined with the ability to freeze down creatures allows this to take over the game much of the time.
Azorius Charm image 4 This is a very nice removal spell that happens to have two other useful modes.
Syndicate Messenger image 2.5 4 mana for a 3/4 worth of flying stats is an okay deal.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Simic Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 3 Pick 10: Monastery Swiftspear
Monastery Swiftspear image 3.5 While not as good in Limited as it is in 60-card formats, the Swiftspear is still very good. It does a ton of damage early, and prowess helps keep it relevant all game.
Ardenvale Tactician image 2.5 This is pretty nice in aggro decks, as it can get a couple blockers out of the way and then add a reasonable creature to the board.
Akoum Warrior image 2.5 You'd never play a card that's always a 6-mana 4/5 trample, but this is a land in the early game -- and it's a land that if you draw late, adds a pretty real body to the board.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Dimir Guildgate image 3 These offer great fixing, and the format has tons of gate payoffs, too.
Pack 3 Pick 11: Boulder Salvo
War Oracle image 2 A 4-mana 3/3 lifelink isn't very good, and that stat-line also means it'll be tough for this to ever become renowned.
Syndicate Messenger image 2.5 4 mana for a 3/4 worth of flying stats is an okay deal.
Boulder Salvo image 2.5 A 5-mana deal 4 is bad, but Surging with this is pretty doable.
Martial Glory image 2 This is here to enable Heroic stuff in the Red-White deck, and it's a passable combat trick even when you're not pulling that off.
Undead Butler image 2.5 This sets up the graveyard nicely, and even has a decent effect to take advantage of that fact.
Pack 3 Pick 12: Boundary Lands Ranger
Akroan Crusader image 2 This is a solid Heroic trigger, but the ones that make a creature better in combat are the truly backbreaking ones.
Courier's Briefcase image 2 This fixes your mana pretty effectively while also adding a body to the board. I wouldn't count on cashing it in for 3 cards, though.
Possessed Skaab image 3 This is a bit clunky, but it's also a 2-for-1 that usually gets you back a very real card -- like a creature or removal spell.
Boundary Lands Ranger image 3 This has a solid baseline and can really let you dig deeper into your deck by the mid-game.
Pack 3 Pick 13: Nivix Cyclops
Nivix Cyclops image 2 This will be able to rumble as a 4/4 a decent chunk of the time in Blue-Red, but you're only getting a slightly above-rate deal when that's the case.
Mizzium Skin image 2.5 This is a nice cheap way to blank removal, and sometimes it can even win combat.
Imperious Oligarch image 3.5 This is ultimately 2 mana for a 2/1 with Vigilance and a 1/1 Flyer. While you don't get both of those at the same time, the fact remains that you are getting a great rate.
Pack 3 Pick 14: Gurmag Angler
Gurmag Angler image 1 // 3.0 If you are good at loading your graveyard, the Angler is a pretty nice payoff. It's just a big vanilla creature, but playing one of those for 1-3 mana is pretty nice.
Windrider Patrol image 2 This is a bit overcosted, but the combat damage trigger is nice.
Pack 3 Pick 15: Quicken
Quicken image 1.5 It replace itself so that it's not a complete dud, but you just don't have this and a Sorcery worth giving Flash to in your hand often enough for it to be very good.
Draft Pick Overview