[Rise of the Eldrazi] Set Discussion Thread

[eq.firemind]

So we have first card (http://wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/arcana/396) from the new set:

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth 10
Legendary Creature - Eldrazi (M)
When you cast Kozilek, Butcher of Truth, draw four cards.
Annilihator 4 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices four permanents.)
When Kozilek is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library.
12/12
6/248
Go-go, colorless non-artifacts!

[Some Guy]

So we have first card (http://wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg.daily/arcana/396) from the new set:

Go-go, colorless non-artifacts!


wow , I've been waiting for the rize of the eldrazi spoiler since like world wake was 2/3rds spoiled.

:laugh:

[Aggro_zombies]

WOW. That card is just...wow.

Even if you somehow cheat him into play, you get a 12/12 that eats half your opponent's board when it attacks. And if it gets countered when you pay the ten, you still draw four cards.

Too bad it's not green, then I could NO him into play.

[IsThisACatInAHat?]

Spoiled within 24 hours of Reanimator winning the biggest MtG tournament to date for a combined total of 3 T8 finishes. Epic.

[arebennian]

Spoiled within 24 hours of Reanimator winning the biggest MtG tournament to date for a combined total of 3 T8 finishes. Epic.

Am I missing something, or did you miss the shuffle clause?

[Brizzle]

Am I missing something, or did you miss the shuffle clause?

It's a triggered ability, so it still hits the Graveyard briefly. However, I don't believe traditional Reanimator builds have a chance to exploit this.

[arebennian]

It's a triggered ability, so it still hits the Graveyard briefly. However, I don't believe traditional Reanimator builds have a chance to exploit this.

Err, really?
You're telling me I can Survival this guy and sacrifice Loyal Retainers to get him into play?

[crow_mw]

Err, really?
You're telling me I can Survival this guy and sacrifice Loyal Retainers to get him into play?

I wonder if you would really prefer him over Iona. Obviously the card draw ability is irrelevant here. He is just a fat ass, which does nothing before he attacks. The only time that Iona doesn't seem enough to grant a victory is when the opponent is already swarming you on board. In that case however this guy might be simply too slow. Including him would allow for some trickplays, which I always love, such as tutorable Goyf size control and tutorable creature recursion, but that doesn't make up for the difference between how much he does and how much Iona does.

I am looking forward however to some pesky evasion + anihilator 1 or 2 creatures.

[JeroenC]

Yeah, this one is a very mediocre reanimation target, but we still have more Eldrazi coming. Let's see what that brings. All I know is: I'd like to get a Retainers now.

But I wanted that before the Eldrazi being spoiled.

[Morim_Brightsmoke]

Yeah, this one is a very mediocre reanimation target, but we still have more Eldrazi coming. Let's see what that brings. All I know is: I'd like to get a Retainers now.

But I wanted that before the Eldrazi being spoiled.

The annihilator mechanic seems like a really strong one on a reanimator target in a deck like survival if it runs, Anger. This guy then makes the huge creature rush less of an issue as tutor sac loyal retainers swing, seems pretty good.

Keep in mind that the mechanic reads whenever they attack, not when they successfully deal damage, so like goblin guide, this happens before blockers are declared, basically before anything accept responses to entering the attack phase.

[arebennian]

I wonder if you would really prefer him over Iona. Obviously the card draw ability is irrelevant here. He is just a fat ass, which does nothing before he attacks. The only time that Iona doesn't seem enough to grant a victory is when the opponent is already swarming you on board. In that case however this guy might be simply too slow. Including him would allow for some trickplays, which I always love, such as tutorable Goyf size control and tutorable creature recursion, but that doesn't make up for the difference between how much he does and how much Iona does.

I am looking forward however to some pesky evasion + anihilator 1 or 2 creatures.

Oh I'm not suggesting it is better, I was just not aware that you could physically cast a reanimate type effect targeting something with the suffle clause. I'm far from a DCI Level 8 Judge :-)

[godryk]

So we have first card (http://wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg.daily/arcana/396) from the new set!


That link seems to be broken.

[Corto]

I don't think anger would work as the shuffle effect would take place before the attack phase, and thus the big guy loses haste...

Or nevermind as you can tutor for anger after the shuffle, but that makes the whole thing a 4 mana combo

[Nihil Credo]

Even though it's not an artifact, your average Metalworker deck should be able to pony up the 10 mana rather easily, and once you do it's an utter and complete beating.

The main problem seems to be that, since it's wholly un-pitchable, you never ever want to draw it until you just untapped with Metalworker in play, but I can't think right now of a useful tutor effect that can fetch it. Maybe you just play it as a 2x and hope to get lucky with Rack or Top.

Regardless, I wholeheartedly approve of Wizards' ongoing design trend in favour of "smart" fatties (see: Terastodon, Iona). At the very least, the stats and Annihilator ability alone are enough to make it a fantastic inclusion for the Sneak Attack deck, and power bumps to fun Tier 3 decks are welcome no matter how small.

[Barook]

Aside from Sneak Attack and Metalworker, there is also Show and Tell to put it into play.

[Maveric78f]

Aside from Sneak Attack and Metalworker, there is also Show and Tell to put it into play.

Sneak Attack guarantees CA by forcing the opponent to sacrifice 4 permanents.
Metalworker guarantees CA with the triggered draw4 when you play it.
SnT just puts a 12/12 into play that needs to survive 1 turn to do something relevant. Looks far worse.

Dream Halls + Painter's Servant ;-)

More seriously. Elves can play it too.

[eq.firemind]

At the very least, the stats and Annihilator ability alone are enough to make it a fantastic inclusion for the Sneak Attack deck, and power bumps to fun Tier 3 decks are welcome no matter how small.
100% Agree.
Also, Food Chain combo can use this card.
I even think about Cabal Coffers+Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth+Eye of Ugin to abuse Kozilek...

[Maveric78f]

About Food Chain, it looks strictly worse than Myojin of Seeing Winds

[Atwa]

Am I the first one to notice the art spreads all over the card? It still has black borders, but where you'd normally see the color of the card in the border, now the art is spread all over the card. Man I love it. Seems like Wizards finally took the hint from player who are playing with altered cards.

[MMogg]

Am I the first one to notice the art spreads all over the card? It still has black borders, but where you'd normally see the color of the card in the border, now the art is spread all over the card. Man I love it. Seems like Wizards finally took the hint from player who are playing with altered cards.

http://www.mananation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/kozilek.jpg

For those of you, like me, who saw no image in the links above.

That is so cool. Too bad it's probably limited to Eldrazi. Still, nice to see innovation.

[atropos]

So does anyone think it's worth it to pick up Eye of Ugin yet? Also, these aren't artifacts, so is colorless a new "color"? For example in Vintage you couldn't Tinker this into play, right?

[Maveric78f]

So does anyone think it's worth it to pick up Eye of Ugin yet? Also, these aren't artifacts, so is colorless a new "color"? For example in Vintage you couldn't Tinker this into play, right?

What do you fail to understand? That Tinker can't search for non artifact cards?

[rockout]

It's not an artifact so you can't tinker for it. Too bad that would be hilarious attacking and blowing up my opponents board.

[jrsthethird]

So anyone think that Walking Atlas is going to be errata-ed back to printed wording?

[Jeff Kruchkow]

If all the colorless spells have that kinda see-through border, it'll be a nice looking set.

While the fatty is cool and all, what excites me more if the possibility of a cheaper creature with Annihilator 1 that can come out fast and lock people out.

[Nihil Credo]

So anyone think that Walking Atlas is going to be errata-ed back to printed wording?Doubt it. Read the flavour text and the subtype: it's clearly a construct, not a Lovecraft rip-off.

[Tacosnape]

This is kind of weak, actually. You guys do realize the reason that Iona and Progenitus dominate the giant creature portion of this format is that they're immune or can be immune to Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile, right?

[DownSyndromeKarl]

So does anyone think it's worth it to pick up Eye of Ugin yet?

Considering since the card is currently useless and sells for $5+ online, I think a lot of people think the Eye is worth picking up.

as for the preview: the gimmick they used to show it off was MaRo 100%. I liked it.

[arebennian]

This is kind of weak, actually. You guys do realize the reason that Iona and Progenitus dominate the giant creature portion of this format is that they're immune or can be immune to Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile, right?

I think it is the potential of more Legacy applicable Eldrazi that have people interested. That and it is always fun to think about the best case senario.

[Fatestitcher]

I am itching to sleeve these up so that some lucky scrub can netdeck the list already.

http://img37.imagefra.me/img/img37/2/3/1/superdon2/f_14207g0e6q3m_c3f8468.jpg

[Nihil Credo]

This is kind of weak, actually. You guys do realize the reason that Iona and Progenitus dominate the giant creature portion of this format is that they're immune or can be immune to Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile, right?

Iona can be reanimated, Progenitus can be Natural Ordered. Kozilek isn't supposed to compete with them; his partners are stuff like Metalworker and Sneak Attack, with which those other guys don't really work very well.

[LegacyDan]

Am I the first one to notice the art spreads all over the card? It still has black borders, but where you'd normally see the color of the card in the border, now the art is spread all over the card. Man I love it. Seems like Wizards finally took the hint from player who are playing with altered cards.

I think they are going to just use these for the Eldrazi, sadly. The card looks awesome and great for EDH/Sneak Attack decks though.

[kicks_422]

Is the art going through the whole card real? Or is it just an after effect of the animations they used? They could just have put a translucent card frame on top of the art to keep the whole picture intact, but was it stated that that's how it will be printed?

[Barook]

Is the art going through the whole card real? Or is it just an after effect of the animations they used? They could just have put a translucent card frame on top of the art to keep the whole picture intact, but was it stated that that's how it will be printed?

Considerung how special the Eldrazi are, I see no reason why it shouldn't look like that. People love fancy-looking things.

[DownSyndromeKarl]

the art is no different than what they do with the Planeswalkers

[android]

With Painter in play, this guy's green as is Painter. Does that make it better than Progenitus? I'm not going to make that call, just sayin'.

[Mark Sun]

This is kind of weak, actually. You guys do realize the reason that Iona and Progenitus dominate the giant creature portion of this format is that they're immune or can be immune to Swords to Plowshares and Path to Exile, right?

If this does see a hardcast (doubtful), I don't think people would care, as you get to draw the 4 cards anyways.

Anyhow, Eye of Ugin is sold out everywhere at the moment. Haha, $20 mythic from online stores. Fun.

[Nidd]

O_O

DO WANT!

*Goes back to his Timmy Phase*

[Cire]

Fist of the suns seems good with eldrazi..... If there's a bunch of good ones like this we could simply have a deck that search's for fist, alliterates to WUBRG and then just beats down with eldrazi...

[Pastorofmuppets]

am I the only person who realized that this is #6 in the set?
This means that there's at least 6 Eldrazi or colorless non-artifacts...

[MattH]

Considering since the card is currently useless and sells for $5+ online, I think a lot of people think the Eye is worth picking up.

as for the preview: the gimmick they used to show it off was MaRo 100%. I liked it.

did you notice the kor firewalker in the ad on the right?

[forceofwillhk]

About Food Chain, it looks strictly worse than Myojin of Seeing Winds

I will definitely include this as a 1 of in my food chain deck
Myojin, most of time, draws 4 cards, 2 lands + food chain + myojin itself
this draws 4 too
and it's a 2 turn clock
I think 1 of will be a nice alternative win con for my food chain

[Atwa]

With Painter in play, this guy's green as is Painter. Does that make it better than Progenitus? I'm not going to make that call, just sayin'.

With Painter in play, wouldn't you just rather activate a Grindstone and win now?

[forceofwillhk]

With Painter in play, wouldn't you just rather activate a Grindstone and win now?

Exactly...
First turn show and tell this will be cool
But probably Iona will be much better choice
At first turn, this may well get sworded or pathed, while Iona is untouchable

[sunshine]

Urzatron back in M11... Calling it now.

Edit: Ghostflire was already mentioned but I wouldn't be surprised to see the future shifted card reprinted here.

[majikal]

This guy is going straight into my EDH. Holy shit.

[forceofwillhk]

Urzatron back in M11... Calling it now.

Edit: Ghostflire was already mentioned but I wouldn't be surprised to see the future shifted card reprinted here.

That guy spoiled Annaihilator X keyword along with Level Up X keyword way before but his post got deleted from MTG Salvation.
Now that this spoil proves that guy is right.
So I do think Eldrazi Temple and Ghostfire are perfectly legit in the new set.

[android]

With Painter in play, wouldn't you just rather activate a Grindstone and win now?

I wasn't saying it was good. I was responding to someone who mentioned it didn't work with NO.

[Barook]

Level Up X keyword
And what function has this keyword?

[Pltnmngl]

I bought 6 Eye of Ugin's when I saw the first card spoiled. I plan on riding the hype wave and profiting off of them by the time this set is released.

Also, I plan on drafting the hell out of this set. When the draft season ends, I'll use my cards and make a crappy Eldrazi deck. lol...

[forceofwillhk]

And what function has this keyword?

that's what the guy spoiled in his orginal post, later got deleted by MTG salvation

Hey guys, I've never posted spoiler info before, and I have come into possession of some really cool stuff. Before I attempt to post it, I'd like to ask a couple questions.

1. Is it ever too early to spoil cards for a set? The ones I've got are from Rise of the Eldrazi.

2. What's the best/easiest way to scan foil sheets? My source is a foil sheet. I'd rather get you guys the scans but if I can't I'll spend my lunch typing out the cards.

Thanks and as a show of good faith, I will give you a little bit of info:

Annihilate X: When this creature attacks, the defending player sacrifices X permanents.

Level up X(pay X, put a level counter on this creature. Level up only as a sorcery) ...Creature has different (progressively better) abilities as it levels up.

And a whole card for you:

Eldrazi Temple
Tap: 1 colorless to your pool
Tap: 2 colorless to your pool. Spend this only on colorless Eldrazi spells or permanents.

[Aggro_zombies]

There are clearly more than six Eldrazi/colorless cards in the set. Colorless non-artifacts seem to be placed before white cards in the set list, and this guy is just before the middle of the alphabet with the collector number 6. We're probably looking at around 15 or so colorless non-artifacts, then.

This guy is a huge beating in EDH. Only token decks will be able to shrug off that kind of destructive power, and it's pretty easy to race him into play given the artifact acceleration available. Having (possibly) several alternatives to Karn is kind of nice, actually, although that's an expensive deck to build with only limited ways to build it.

[android]

What if...

Affinity II
2
Eldrazi Enchantment
All Eldrazi spells you play cost 2 less

I guess I would have to eat my shorts.

[godryk]

Just rumours, so they can be kind of fake (not really fake as they're published as "rumours").
http://www.mtgmintcard.com/static_rise_of_the_eldrazi_spoiler.php
(Scroll down)

[Mark Sun]

Just rumours, so they can be kind of fake (not really fake as they're published as "rumours").
http://www.mtgmintcard.com/static_rise_of_the_eldrazi_spoiler.php
(Scroll down)

Those were already confirmed to be mockups somewhere, iirc.

Six spoiled cards are supposed to come out Monday...

[DownSyndromeKarl]

Who is that in the seventh image down? he appears on the cover of one of the boosters for this set, but who is he? any word?

EDIT: I clicked on the properties, and the photo is labeled "Gideon"....soo...who's Gideon?

[Wargoos]

What astonishes me the most is the great artwork of this set.
I have the impression that it's gonna be the best looking set so far and I totally dig beautiful fantasy artworks.
Lofty blonde angels with golden hair, big boobs and apparantly no money to buy more cloth than a white diaphragmatic scarf.
Huuuuuuuuuge big walking Flying Spaghetti Monsters and their brothers in human form but with tentacles everywhere in the lower body which have also more arms than Vishnu etc.

Also anyone already seen the playmats?
http://www.germagic.de/news/eldrazi127450b.jpg
http://www.germagic.de/news/eldrazi127286b.jpg

Both look great, hope my local store will have some in stock.
Very hyped about this set so far.
Can't wait for new spoiled stuff.

[Aggro_zombies]

Who is that in the seventh image down? he appears on the cover of one of the boosters for this set, but who is he? any word?

EDIT: I clicked on the properties, and the photo is labeled "Gideon"....soo...who's Gideon?
Gideon is apparently a white-aligned planeswalker from the Chandra novel, according to what people have said on Salvation.

[DownSyndromeKarl]

Gideon is apparently a white-aligned planeswalker from the Chandra novel, according to what people have said on Salvation.

Ah. makes sense. I saw the image on the booster packs the other day and was discussing it with a friend, I described the guy as "looking like he was from Bant. A very proper knight"

[jrsthethird]

So not only are there about 12-15 colorless Eldrazi spells with no colored mana in their mana costs, one of the guys in the link above costs 8UUU but is a colorless Eldrazi, so there's no telling how many Ghostfire-like colorless Eldrazis there will be.

[JeroenC]

If you see any cards from RoE (or future spoilers), check the bottom. A card with GATHERINGMAGICMOCKUP on them is nothing more than that- a mockup. Not an actual card. If you'd read the 8UUU one, you'd realise that.

[jrsthethird]

Yes, but the mockups have to come from some sort of data. One of the mockups is the land previously mentioned in this thread, so I suppose there is another reference that they got the card from and then made a mockup for it.

[DrJones]

First, Wizards pairs with Square Enix to make a videogame.

And now, we get a Final Fantasy set with huge creatures awakening because we are emptying the world of materia... I wouldn't be surprised if we see a meteorite in the set, and some knights of the round table for my white deck.

[Amon Amarth]

First, Wizards pairs with Square Enix to make a videogame.

And now, we get a Final Fantasy set with huge creatures awakening because we are emptying the world of materia... I wouldn't be surprised if we see a meteorite in the set, and some knights of the round table for my white deck.

Best. Set. Ever.

[Broham]

First, Wizards pairs with Square Enix to make a videogame.

And now, we get a Final Fantasy set with huge creatures awakening because we are emptying the world of materia... I wouldn't be surprised if we see a meteorite in the set, and some knights of the round table for my white deck.

I got more of a Indiana Jones meets Cthulu mythos feel from this block. Seriously, alot of the cards, including the Eldrazi, look like they crawled out of a H.P. Lovecraft book.

That being said, I think this block has the coolest theme and art seen in a long time.

And I can't wait to see an official pic of a new 2mana land!

[Amon Amarth]

I got more of a Indiana Jones meets Cthulu mythos feel from this block. Seriously, alot of the cards, including the Eldrazi, look like they crawled out of a H.P. Lovecraft book.

That being said, I think this block has the coolest theme and art seen in a long time.

And I can't wait to see an official pic of a new 2mana land!

I'm pretty sure the parallels to the Cthuhlu mythos are intentional. Many other fantasy series have explored this territory as well, almost to the point where it would be cliche if they weren't so fucking cool. Seriously, unfathomable beings of infinite power that never die and induce insanity in the most hardened adventurer.

I really like the art revealed for RoE so far. Everything just feels really epic (speaking of cliche...) and super badass. Hopefully, the Eldrazi are the "new phyrexians". I liked the longer storylines, a la Weatherlight, instead of the one-shots offered by the newer blocks.

[Zork]

I got more of a Indiana Jones meets Cthulu mythos feel from this block. Seriously, alot of the cards, including the Eldrazi, look like they crawled out of a H.P. Lovecraft book.

That being said, I think this block has the coolest theme and art seen in a long time.

And I can't wait to see an official pic of a new 2mana land!

This.

I think this new set actually needs a Jones character, whether a legend or a planeswalker.

[Sims]

Who is that in the seventh image down? he appears on the cover of one of the boosters for this set, but who is he? any word?

EDIT: I clicked on the properties, and the photo is labeled "Gideon"....soo...who's Gideon?

I know this question was already answered and consider this a spoiler warning if you wanted to actually read the book, but yes, he was a white-aligned planeswalker in The Purifying Fire. Belonged to a mulit-plane Order that was set on bringing people under it's rule to establish Order and Peace amongst it's people, and outlaw the use of fire/red magics and uncontrolled summoning of beasts via green magics. He does some chasing of Chandra as she tries to steal a magical scroll that is supposedly a map to some great power (re-steal, as she took it once and it got taken back by a blue, nameless planeswalker who kicked her ass... i say Jace) to try and bring her to the leader of the Order on one plane in particular so she can face the Purifying Fire, they end up getting stuck in a black plane unable to escape for a while and get almost close emotionally. She turns herself in to face the purifying fire (which supposedly will strip her of her powers) instead of letting the order destroy a monastery of red mages, keeps her powers after gideon tells her how, and then kills the leader of the order and destroys his palace.

Punchline: Gideon asks how Chandra could have done it, the order is only trying to help. Then she tells him the story of how a Multi-Planar order of White-Aligned Knights and Mages tried to supress the use of red magic on her home plane, she was reckless and made a big boom at the edge of her Village, and the Order thought the village was practicing Red magic to revolt. They locked everyone in a hut and let it burn, killing the village and Chandra's entire family. No wonder she has issues. They part ways in the end with him saying something to the effect of "If we meet again we won't be friends" or something.

I'm actually kind of glad they're working him in as a character, I expected him to be in the book and then never alluded to again.

[BreathWeapon]

Anybody else thinking the price of Show and Tell is going to sky rocket with this set?

[DownSyndromeKarl]

Anybody else thinking the price of Show and Tell is going to sky rocket with this set?

or be reprinted? lol


@Sims: Gideon sounds pretty awesome. I love that 'secret order to keep the peace' angle.

[Valdez]

http://www.mtgmintcard.com/images/marketing/roe/sojuka_1.jpg
krovikan squee, wtf..?
hell yes!

//€: fake... 8[

[Atwa]

And then to think I'll need them all for my legendary creature collection..........

Eldrazi, got to catch em all....

[crow_mw]

First, Wizards pairs with Square Enix to make a videogame.

And now, we get a Final Fantasy set with huge creatures awakening because we are emptying the world of materia... I wouldn't be surprised if we see a meteorite in the set, and some knights of the round table for my white deck.

We already did get the KOTR.

[Maagler]

These big dudes are going to make jhora busted in EDH. Maybe not Rofellos busted, but busted none the less.

[TorpidNinja]

New spoilers today:

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=227964

Rebound (If you cast this spell from your hand, exile it as it resolves. At the beginning of your next upkeep, you may cast this card from exile without paying its mana cost.)

Totem armor (If enchanted creature would be destroyed, instead remove all damage from it and destroy this Aura.)

But the biggest WTF is:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102765&d=1268625870

[Piceli89]

This is going to be the best set ever.












To make proxies.

[majikal]

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102765&d=1268625870
Anybody else get the feeling we might see some kind of Mana Drain variant?

[Cthuloo]

Anybody else get the feeling we might see some kind of Mana Drain variant?

Looking at the mana cost and effect of the black spoiled card I can imagine something like

3UU
*I WISH I WAS MANA DRAIN*
Instant - Uncommon
Counter target spell, put 2 0/1 mana generating tokens on the battlefield.

or

2UU
*I WISH I WAS MANA DRAIN*
Instant - Rare
Counter target spell, put 2 0/1 mana generating tokens on the battlefield.

or

1UU
*I WISH I WAS MANA DRAIN*
Instant - Mythic Rare
Counter target spell, put 2 0/1 mana generating tokens on the battlefield.

The third is definitely too strong in an enviroment where Cancel is the standard, but one never knows...

[Nidd]

But the biggest WTF is:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=102765&d=1268625870
Questions to ask when drafting:
1. Is it a bomb?
2. Is it removal?
3. Is it playable?
4. Should I hate it?

#2 is true for this card. Surely will get drafted quite high. Irrelevant for Legacy, however.

[Nihil Credo]

Rise of the Eldrazi will be drafted on its own, so it's hard to say exactly how good Corpsehatch will be. But since RotE is very unlikely to be nearly as fast a format as Zendikar, I don't see it going under 6th pick.

[Seb]

Is it me or the Sojuka, Arms of Abnegation spoiler seems too well done to be a fake? If you compare it to the other "fake" spoilers, this one seems quite real.

[MMogg]

Rise of the Eldrazi will be drafted on its own, so it's hard to say exactly how good Corpsehatch will be. But since RotE is very unlikely to be nearly as fast a format as Zendikar, I don't see it going under 6th pick.

I have a completely different perspective: if RotE is drafted on its own and it's a slow set, I imagine this card would be a higher pick because I'm guessing removal is going to be hard to come buy. It's not a bomb, but it is solid removal in an environment with 10/10s. It would be closer to "bomb" if it were an Instant. :smile:

By "I don't see it going under 6th pick" I meant "it will be picked 1st to 6th", not "it will be picked 7th to 15th". We are actually in agreement. ~NC

[Mark Sun]

Is it me or the Sojuka, Arms of Abnegation spoiler seems too well done to be a fake? If you compare it to the other "fake" spoilers, this one seems quite real.

Nah, on Salvation the guy who posted the card messed up the Annihilator keyword (it's lower case?), and he fixed it real quick and posted another picture. :tongue:

[Forbiddian]

Hope that card's not printed as it's just amazingly better than Squee.

The new set looks awful, though. Timmy all the way.

[majikal]

The new set looks awful, though. Timmy all the way.
The tournament player in me is bored to tears, but the EDH player in me is squealing with delight!

[xTrainx]

I'm still trying to work my head around the 'Rebound'. Am I right in assuming that the "as it resolves" clause means that the spell resolves, does its ability, and is then exiled, only to go off again?

[Nizmox]

Is it me or the Sojuka, Arms of Abnegation spoiler seems too well done to be a fake? If you compare it to the other "fake" spoilers, this one seems quite real.

Am I mistaken or does it also kill itself when "cast"

[menace13]

Am I mistaken or does it also kill itself when "cast"

Pfft!...Don't be silly, of course it doesn't, it's just crazy that way.:tongue:

[majikal]

Is it me or the Sojuka, Arms of Abnegation spoiler seems too well done to be a fake? If you compare it to the other "fake" spoilers, this one seems quite real.
Unless they stopped ordering cards alphabetically, Sojuka is absolutely fake. Check that collector number again and you'll see why.

[rufus]

Since the out of graveyard stuff appears to be triggered, any chance that Annihilator + Shallow Grave/Goryo's Vengeance would work out well?

[Malchar]

Since the out of graveyard stuff appears to be triggered, any chance that Annihilator + Shallow Grave/Goryo's Vengeance would work out well?

Not to mention the fact that it stays in the graveyard until the beginning of the next end step.
Anyway, the collector's number does appear to be messed up, unless it's different on account of the fact that this card was printed early or something. It might be a "7", which would mean that the Pathrazer has to be fake. Then again, maybe Wizards mixed them up on purpose when they released that card early in order to confuse us. Maro always seems pissed when we get cards leaked too soon.

[Aggro_zombies]

Not to mention the fact that it stays in the graveyard until the beginning of the next end step.
Anyway, the collector's number does appear to be messed up, unless it's different on account of the fact that this card was printed early or something. It might be a "7", which would mean that the Pathrazer has to be fake. Then again, maybe Wizards mixed them up on purpose when they released that card early in order to confuse us. Maro always seems pissed when we get cards leaked too soon.
It's 100% fake.

The first version of the card had Annihilator capitalized, but then when people began pointing out that it violated modern templating rules (only first keyword in a string should be capitalized), a second version was quickly released that "fixed" the problem. Big templating fuckups tend to stick through all the print runs (see: Walking Atlas), so it was pretty obvious at that point that the card's creator realized his screwup and was eager to cover it. The card is very well done, yes, but it's fake. Whoever made it apparently doesn't get enough attention and love or something.

[Atwa]

Holy Shit :)

http://www.berzerk.org/%7Ealex/emrakul.jpg

I think I'm going to stock up on Norwood Priestess and Elvish Piper. Add some Show and Tell to the mix and this set brings us UG Bomb.dec, it isn't going to win Legacy tournaments, but I sure as hell want to beat some face with these in casual.

[Nidd]

Holy Shit :)

http://www.berzerk.org/%7Ealex/emrakul.jpg

I think I'm going to stock up on Norwood Priestess and Elvish Piper. Add some Show and Tell to the mix and this set brings us UG Bomb.dec, it isn't going to win Legacy tournaments, but I sure as hell want to beat some face with these in casual.
I know in what I'll sink my money.

Elfdrazi.dec, here I come!

[Peter_Rotten]

You have to CAST him - actually get to 15 mana somehow. Sneaking him into play via Show and Tell, Eureka, Sneak Attack, etc. only gives you a 15/15 critter with Annihilator 6.

[Atwa]

You have to CAST him - actually get to 15 mana somehow. Sneaking him into play via Show and Tell, Eureka, Sneak Attack, etc. only gives you a 15/15 critter with Annihilator 6.

I love the [i] tags around only :)

I'd rather have him in play on turn 3, then wait untill turn 8ish and get a timewalk.

Also, Weathered Wayfarer with Urzatron makes this thing actually castable.

[morgan_coke]

I was thinking more Cloudposts/Vesuvas for hardcasting these things rather than UrzaTrons. 3 posts is 9 mana, 4 is 16. Going with that action seems the better option. Maybe toss in some Expidition Maps and whatnot to help too.

[Willoe]

You have to CAST him - actually get to 15 mana somehow. Sneaking him into play via Show and Tell, Eureka, Sneak Attack, etc. only gives you a 15/15 critter with Annihilator 6.

...And protection from colored spells as well. That includes being immune to STP, PtE and whatnot.

This has to be the most exaggarated non-Un-serious card ever printed. I love it tho'.

This dude in a Survival shell with Loyal Retainers, and you're pretty much off to victory once you get it online.

[Rizso]

Maelstrom angel lets you cast thoes silly eldrazi creatures to get thoes triggers on cast :D

[Jak]

Ummm that thing is awesome. Makes me want to run Anger just to get a 15/15 and wipe their board.

[hi-val]

It makes me happy we don't have Channel - how sick to drop that on the first or second turn!

[Nidd]

It makes me happy we don't have Channel - how sick to drop that on the first or second turn!
Unban Channel! NOW!

On a more serious note, does anyone think that there is a deck that can consistently cast these dudes?

[jrsthethird]

Picking up my set of Sneak Attack now!

Or, secret tech: Impromptu Raid + Worldly Tutor.

[Angelfire]

This dude in a Survival shell with Loyal Retainers, and you're pretty much off to victory once you get it online.

Do people not read cards anymore or at least think about the interaction? Every redonkulous creature has some sort of stipulation like

"When Emrakul is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library."

Despite not getting an extra turn he is still amazing with Sneak Attack, Show and Tell, Piper etc...

[Zappa]

On a more serious note, does anyone think that there is a deck that can consistently cast these dudes?

Maybe that 1 blue deck that runs those lands like Urza's Mine, Tower and power plant stuff? I don't know what it's called.

[jrsthethird]

Do people not read cards anymore or at least think about the interaction? Every redonkulous creature has some sort of stipulation like

"When Emrakul is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles his or her graveyard into his or her library."

I don't know, why don't you read the card and think about how instant-speed reanimation can work with this? No one does it with Progenitus or Darksteel Colossus since all they do is swing, but Eldrazi also annihilate some shit so it's more worth it.

Zappa: Urzatron.

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

Holy Shit :)

http://www.berzerk.org/%7Ealex/emrakul.jpg



http://ckyrobert.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/south-park---timmy-in-wheelchair--c10054740.jpg

[whienot]

Apparently Emrakul is the prerelease foil. Hot damn, this will be the first prerelease I attend.

[Nihil Credo]

I don't know, there's a point at which awesomeness becomes boring. For me, Emrakul hits it: it's a Sorcery that reads "You win the game" in all but the weirdest of circumstances. Which is what you'd expect for fifteen freaking mana, but that doesn't make it any more enjoyable to play with. Even Progenitus or Cruel Ultimatum are a lot easier to interact with, and I'm not just talking about non-Mindbreak Trap countermagic.

Gleemax was a far more interesting design in that regard. Also, both Gleemax and Progenitus are extremely elegant cards: this guy has the kind of kitchen-sink rules text you usually find in masturbatory card creation threads. White Akroma did the same thing, better, in 2003.

[conboy31]

Whats a comprehensive list of possibilities look like? Feel free to add on options

White - Loyal Retainers via Survival of the fittest

Red - sneak attack,

Blue - polymorph, show and tell, djinn of wishes

Green - elvish piper, tooth and nail, eureka, hypergensis, defense of the heart, call of the wild, summoners trap

Black - necromancy, shallow grave

Colorless -

Gold -Jhoira of the Ghitu, fist of suns, impromptu raid,

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

I don't know, there's a point at which awesomeness becomes boring. For me, Emrakul hits it: it's a Sorcery that reads "You win the game" in all but the weirdest of circumstances. Which is what you'd expect for fifteen freaking mana, but that doesn't make it any more enjoyable to play with. Even Progenitus or Cruel Ultimatum are a lot easier to interact with, and I'm not just talking about non-Mindbreak Trap countermagic.

Gleemax was a far more interesting design in that regard. Also, both Gleemax and Progenitus are extremely elegant cards: this guy has the kind of kitchen-sink rules text you usually find in masturbatory card creation threads. White Akroma did the same thing, better, in 2003.

Yeah, I agree with all this. This card (once it's in play) is basically so awesome that it becomes completely banal and boring. Luckily though, right now there's not too many efficient ways to actually play it. I mean, yeah, you could make a Eureka/ Show and Tell deck or something, but I doubt it would actually be better than Reanimator already is. There are going to be plenty of people in Standard trying to pop it with Summoning Trap, and it's probably going to be Timmy-tastic, which is basically exactly how they want Standard to be, because their consumer research suggests that players don't like to think too much, and newbies think it's not fun when the format is so fast that they can't cast their :12: and :15: mana spells and blah blah blah...

This card makes me go, "Whoa, that's kind of... funny." It does not make me go, "Whoa, I'm going to buy packs of this set."

EDIT: Plus, if this thing actually ever makes it into a serious Legacy deck, we can all rest easy that it gets pwned all day long by Aether Spellbomb and Executioner's Capsule.

[ktkenshinx]

I have been doing some independent testing with these new Eldrazi cards, but the new one breaks serious ground. Yes, there will probably be some new card in the new set that gives colorless removal (ala Ghostfire), but for the most part, this is a win condition that effectively reads: Can't be countered. Shroud.

What a badass.

So how do we get him in play? The trick is to make a deck that most abuses his mechanics. The time walk is extremely powerful, because it effectively gives him haste. This means that a resolved Emrakul clears the opponents board on the spot, and gives you a turn to untap, draw new cards, replenish your hand, and so on.

The question remains. How do you best get Emrakul into play? Reanimation has been discussed, abusing the shuffle mechanisms wording. Sneak Attack engines have come to mind, as have Defense of the Heart, Pattern of Rebirth, and Eureka combinations. The problem with all of these cards is simple: they don't cast Emrakul. This is a huge problem for two reasons.
1) The extra turn is too good to pass up.
2) Emrakul can't be countered if cast.
With FoW and Daze the main checkers of combo in the format, does it not seem logical that the best cards would be uncounterable? If creatures, does it not seem logical that in the Swords/Path format, they would also have Shroud? Emrakul has all of the above. The trick is to cast him.

And that is where Fist of Suns comes into play. I have been browsing the threads regarding Eldrazi for a while now. Fist of Suns has come up. But I do not think people fully understand the power of Fist and Emrakul. Quite simply put, this is a devastating pair that puts the opponent on a lethal clock. I will quickly outline the reasons that this combo is extremely good.
1) It is a two card combo, provided you have WUBRG capabilities (Lotus Petal, Chrome Mox, Mox Diamond, Birds, City of Brass, Manamorphose, etc.)
2) Half of the combo is uncounterable.
3) The other half of the combo is a mere 3 mana, which means you can probably cast it on turn 2 in the right deck.
4) Neither card forces you to commit to any one color. Any deck base, that can produce WUBRG, can graft this combo in.
5) While not an instant kill, an unchecked Emrakul effectively ends the game.
6) Legacy, a format without serious mass removal, is a great home for the otherwise unkillable Emrakul.
7) This combo is not dependent on the graveyard. Given that many combos are these days, most decks' sideboards cannot handle Emrakul.
8) The combo is resilient against CounterTop (Arguably the most dominant deck in the format). While a turn 2 Fist has a chance of getting countered, the turn 3-4 Emrakul is flatly uncounterable.
9) The combo is immune to Iona (Reanimator being an extremely popular deck these days)
10) Legacy has an excellent tutor base to find the cards it needs. It also has the best countermagic and discard to protect the combo.

I admit that I am trying to sell this idea, and therefore my reasons might be overblown. But I believe that further analysis of the Fist of Suns/Emrakul combo is worth the innovative Legacy player's time. This is a deck that, similar to Hulk Flash (but not half as bad, so do not think this is a serious comparison), can play a full contingent of counterspells and discard effects. 4 Daze/FoW/Duress are all easily added into this deck, along with Brainstorm, Ponder, Grim Tutor, and whatever other searching effects you might choose. There would still be ample room for Lotus Petal/Ritual/Birds/Mox acceleration, as well.

In summary, Fist of Suns and Emrakul have excellent combo potential. I would be willing to argue this point, if there are objections. I am also more than happy to discuss possible testing ideas and further expansion of such a deck. I make no predictions, but I do observe that a combo that fits the above 10 points has not been seen in some time. It is a powerful mix.

-ktkenshinx-

[Rood]

EDIT: Plus, if this thing actually ever makes it into a serious Legacy deck, we can all rest easy that it gets pwned all day long by Aether Spellbomb and Executioner's Capsule.
Aether Spellbomb also destroys Iona which would make it even more appealing to people.

[ktkenshinx]

I have been doing some independent testing with these new Eldrazi cards, but the new one breaks serious ground. Yes, there will probably be some new card in the new set that gives colorless removal (ala Ghostfire), but for the most part, this is a win condition that effectively reads: Can't be countered. Shroud.

What a badass.

So how do we get him in play? The trick is to make a deck that most abuses his mechanics. The time walk is extremely powerful, because it effectively gives him haste. This means that a resolved Emrakul clears the opponents board on the spot, and gives you a turn to untap, draw new cards, replenish your hand, and so on.

The question remains. How do you best get Emrakul into play? Reanimation has been discussed, abusing the shuffle mechanisms wording. Sneak Attack engines have come to mind, as have Defense of the Heart, Pattern of Rebirth, and Eureka combinations. The problem with all of these cards is simple: they don't cast Emrakul. This is a huge problem for two reasons.
1) The extra turn is too good to pass up.
2) Emrakul can't be countered if cast.
With FoW and Daze the main checkers of combo in the format, does it not seem logical that the best cards would be uncounterable? If creatures, does it not seem logical that in the Swords/Path format, they would also have Shroud? Emrakul has all of the above. The trick is to cast him.

And that is where Fist of Suns comes into play. I have been browsing the threads regarding Eldrazi for a while now. Fist of Suns has come up. But I do not think people fully understand the power of Fist and Emrakul. Quite simply put, this is a devastating pair that puts the opponent on a lethal clock. I will quickly outline the reasons that this combo is extremely good.
1) It is a two card combo, provided you have WUBRG capabilities (Lotus Petal, Chrome Mox, Mox Diamond, Birds, City of Brass, Manamorphose, etc.)
2) Half of the combo is uncounterable.
3) The other half of the combo is a mere 3 mana, which means you can probably cast it on turn 2 in the right deck.
4) Neither card forces you to commit to any one color. Any deck base, that can produce WUBRG, can graft this combo in.
5) While not an instant kill, an unchecked Emrakul effectively ends the game.
6) Legacy, a format without serious mass removal, is a great home for the otherwise unkillable Emrakul.
7) This combo is not dependent on the graveyard. Given that many combos are these days, most decks' sideboards cannot handle Emrakul.
8) The combo is resilient against CounterTop (Arguably the most dominant deck in the format). While a turn 2 Fist has a chance of getting countered, the turn 3-4 Emrakul is flatly uncounterable.
9) The combo is immune to Iona (Reanimator being an extremely popular deck these days)
10) Legacy has an excellent tutor base to find the cards it needs. It also has the best countermagic and discard to protect the combo.

I admit that I am trying to sell this idea, and therefore my reasons might be overblown. But I believe that further analysis of the Fist of Suns/Emrakul combo is worth the innovative Legacy player's time. This is a deck that, similar to Hulk Flash (but not half as bad, so do not think this is a serious comparison), can play a full contingent of counterspells and discard effects. 4 Daze/FoW/Duress are all easily added into this deck, along with Brainstorm, Ponder, Grim Tutor, and whatever other searching effects you might choose. There would still be ample room for Lotus Petal/Ritual/Birds/Mox acceleration, as well.

In summary, Fist of Suns and Emrakul have excellent combo potential. I would be willing to argue this point, if there are objections. I am also more than happy to discuss possible testing ideas and further expansion of such a deck. I make no predictions, but I do observe that a combo that fits the above 10 points has not been seen in some time. It is a powerful mix.


As an addendum, I wish to address a few possible "weaknesses" to the deck and its constituent parts.

Aether Spellbomb: It doesn't stop Reanimator. Why should it stop us? Especially true in a Fist of Suns engine where you can just recast the monster.

Enemy countermagic: Given that you can support the combo with as many as 16 cards (4 each of FoW/Daze/Duress/Thoughtseize) if you really needed to, I do not think that your Fist will be that vulnerable. After all, they can't even counter the Emrakul.

Executioner's Capsule: Is black. Emrakul laughs.

Krosan Grip: A potential problem on turn 3. Try to discard it. Otherwise, have backup Fists at the ready.

Blood Moon: A potential problem to achieve WUBRG. Thankfully, decks that run Blood Moon tend to also run no countermagic and discard. Moreover, their usual threats like Trinisphere and Chalice simply are not a problem for you. So Moon is easily dealt with.

-ktkenshinx-

[Nonex]

Emrakul has protection from colored spells. Executioner's Capsule kills through an activated ability.

[FoolofaTook]

Ux control shell with Wind Zendikon, Proteus Staff and a few big whonking Eldrazi as the product. Add Corrupted Zendikon for a black splash or Crusher Zendikon/Guardian Zendikon for red and white respectively. Run Wasteland for the fast recursion with Wind Zendikon and enough removal and counters to live until you find a Proteus Staff, which shouldn't take that long in a Ux shell.

[alderon666]

I feel stupid for actually posting this card as a potential card for a Legacy deck, but if we're all into it.

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=189272&type=card

Comes down turn 1/2, cantrips and fixes all your mana problems.

Turn 1, Kaleidostone.
Turn 2, Fist of Suns - with FoW/Daze backup
Turn 3, Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Is that the new defining play in Legacy? Probably not. But you have to admit it, it would be helluva fun to pull this off on a real match.

[FoolofaTook]

I feel stupid for actually posting this card as a potential card for a Legacy deck, but if we're all into it.

http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=189272&type=card

Comes down turn 1/2, cantrips and fixes all your mana problems.

Turn 1, Kaleidostone.
Turn 2, Fist of Suns - with FoW/Daze backup
Turn 3, Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

Is that the new defining play in Legacy? Probably not. But you have to admit it, it would be helluva fun to pull this off on a real match.

Where is the 5 mana to sacrifice the Kaleidostone coming from?

[Sanguine Voyeur]

I'm appreciating the amount of Lovecraft in these cards.

[Nihil Credo]

Where is the 5 mana to sacrifice the Kaleidostone coming from?
The combination of Ancient Tombs, Cities of Traitors, Lotus Petals, Chrome Moxes Diamond, and puppies that everybody always draws in Magical Christmas Land.

[Tivon]

between priests, archdruids and Quirion Rangers/wirewood symbiotes, it could definately be hardcast in elves - especially with a survival engine and anger... then again, you could just win that turn with Mirror Entity... (although it wouldn't require a white splash)

I might have to screw around with this in elves

[alderon666]

Where is the 5 mana to sacrifice the Kaleidostone coming from?

Ancient Tomb, City of Traitors, Crystal Vein. Or even Dark Ritual.

This is janktastic!

[jrsthethird]

I love the Cloudpost/Vesuva ramp idea. Add in some Amulet of Vigor for shenanigans.

I have my own twisted, secret plans for this puppy.

[jrsthethird]

Hey, if you preorder a box you get this:

http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/tcg/products/riseoftheeldrazi/kkrrvlsqi5_EN.jpg

The RotE product website is up, so we can start checking the visual spoiler for official spoilers, also I think the Orb is up for anyone who wants to play with it.

[conboy31]

Hey, if you preorder a box you get this:

http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/tcg/products/riseoftheeldrazi/kkrrvlsqi5_EN.jpg

The RotE product website is up, so we can start checking the visual spoiler for official spoilers, also I think the Orb is up for anyone who wants to play with it.

Maybe I am somewhat of a purist at heart, but that card and keyword makes me cringe.

[kicks_422]

It kind of looks nice, actually. Is "Level up" just for the set, or would it show up in every set from now on?

[Aggro_zombies]

Maybe I am somewhat of a purist at heart, but that card and keyword makes me cringe.
What's a good place to go grinding? Can you hire some kid to power level your creatures for you?

EDIT: What are the game rules about buying stuff from mana farming companies? Like, ten mana at a time for $19.99 or something.

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

Dude, please tell me that thing's a fake. That's a terrible idea for a mechanic. Figure of Destiny is an elegant design. This... looks like garbage.

[Aggro_zombies]

Dude, please tell me that thing's a fake. That's a terrible idea for a mechanic. Figure of Destiny is an elegant design. This... looks like garbage.
That's an official Wizards spoiler, broski. (http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/riseoftheeldrazi/spoiler)

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

That's an official Wizards spoiler, broski. (http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=mtg/tcg/riseoftheeldrazi/spoiler)

Yeah, I just checked it. "Ugh" is pretty much my only reaction. I don't see any of these "level up" creatures being worthwhile based on the two they've spoiled so far, and I don't see why they didn't just stick to the Figure of Destiny template.

[coraz86]

"Ugh" is pretty much my only reaction...I don't see why they didn't just stick to the Figure of Destiny template.

+1 to that mold of card looking like complete shit. Somehow they even look worse than those flip cards from Kamigawa.

There are a couple decks I could see the vampire going into though, the late-game ability to both be decent-sized and do something constructive is interesting. I'm also interested to see what the red ones will do, if they're holding to their usual policy of doing an equal amount in each color (and I see a common, a rare, and a mythic, so three or four per color in this case?).

[TheDarkshineKnight]

I think it's looks pretty good. Then again, I've always enjoyed it when Wizards messed with the card layout.

[Some Guy]

if they werent so busy trying to be the only game on the market , maybe they could have used this mechanic for a new game. just saying 'level up' kind of makes me puke in my mouth a little.

[Malchar]

If these are what the offensive bombs look like, I can't wait to see the defensive bombs...

[Some Guy]

I'm appreciating the amount of Lovecraft in these cards.

yes , just too bad it is not in an actual horror setting like The Dark was. I dont even give shits about magics story line anymore , none of it ever makes sense anyways. just a bunch of random fantasy elements someone sharted onto cardboard.

[Jeff Kruchkow]

Personally I like how this set is shaping up. Yeah outside of some Show and Tell decks dropping the fatties there isnt a whole lot for legacy since level up just begs for tempo loss. However, the newest totem aura (+1/+1 and first strike for W) isn't that bad and hopefully the set will have some more big goodies for the timmy in me. That and theres always a chance of some broken rebound card

[Nihil Credo]

Compared to the Figure of Destiny template, or similar twists like Ashling the Pilgrim or Goblin Razerunners, the level-up cards don't seem to me like they provide enough extra oomph to make up for their ugliness. But I like to see Wizards willing to experiment with the card frame, even if I think this particular one is a bit of a dud. And the Eldrazi frames in the same set are actually very beautiful (as is anything that gets closer to full-art frames, really).

[Skeggi]

This dude in a Survival shell with Loyal Retainers, and you're pretty much off to victory once you get it online.
Read the bottom line of that card.

[Jak]

Read the bottom line of that card.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww damn

[Nihil Credo]

For the record, the combo technically works: Loyal Retainers' ability does work at instant speed, even though it has a timing restriction. However, you need to discard [Squee] to fetch the Retainers, play them, then discard something else (or Squee next turn) to fetch Cthulhu, then discard Cthulhu and sacrifice the Retainers while the Survival activation and the anti-reanimation triggers are still on the stack. Quite a bit more cumbersome than discard [Squee] to fetch Iona, discard Iona to fetch Retainers, play Retainers, win: one extra G and one more creature in hand, or with Squee one extra turn and a significant chance of getting the Retainers killed.

[Skeggi]

Alongside the fact that the entire graveyard you've build up is shuffled back into your library. Although it is awesome if you fear Solidarity, but since Iona@blue is also 'pretty good' against Solidarity, I wouldn't go for it :wink:

[Nidd]

I think it's looks pretty good. Then again, I've always enjoyed it when Wizards messed with the card layout.
Seconded.

I really think I might play T2 again - if this set will end the reign of Jund.

[Maveric78f]

The big problem with Level Up is the sorcery speed. I don't see how one would like to spend that much mana for so little effect.

[spirit of the wretch]

one extra G and one more creature in hand, or with Squee one extra turn and a significant chance of getting the Retainers killed.

Huh? Cast Restainers, without passing priority activate Survival, as the discard is part of the cost you can instantly reanimate the Cthulhu. I don't think they're able to kill your Retainers.
It's still the question, if the extra mana is worth it, as Iona improves your Combo MU. On the other hand, this guy is pretty impressive even if you're in a horrible situation.

[MMogg]

Meh, I like those level up cards. They look cool to me and have a lot of D&D/Baldur's Gate flava. Maybe, as Some Guy said, it would be better with another game, but I don't want to play another game and I don't mind (actually, I enjoy) how they continue to develop the game in more ways than random keyword abilities (e.g. Flanking, Phasing, Fading, Vanishing, etc.). For those who consider it tacky/ugly there's not much that can be done there. Aesthetics are, by and large, subjective.

[Valdez]

Alongside the fact that the entire graveyard you've build up is shuffled back into your library. Although it is awesome if you fear Solidarity, but since Iona@blue is also 'pretty good' against Solidarity, I wouldn't go for it :wink:

Emrakul can block Progenitus!

[Eddy Wally]

Emrakul can block Progenitus!

No he can't. Progenitus has protection from creatures.

[Valdez]

argh, damn, your right.
nevertheless he would race him as long as the oponent hasn't 7+ permanents.

[Barook]

Funny how Shriekmaw can actually kill non-hasted Emrakul. Waterfront Bouncer should also work very well (assuming it wasn't hardcast or Sneak Attack involved), considering it's a Merfolk now.

On another note:
Good idea: Figure of Destiny
Bad idea: Level up - shitty card layout and completely ruined via sorcery speed.

Makes me sad, considering the idea had potential.

[sunshine]

Apparently Emrakul is the prerelease foil. Hot damn, this will be the first prerelease I attend.

Is there any confirmation on this?

[Skeggi]

Yup

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103209&stc=1&d=1269384665

The other card is something like this

Lord of Shatterskull Pass (Rare)
Creature - Minotaur Shaman
Level up (Play only as sorcery)
3/3 Level 1-5: 6/6
Level 6+: 6/6, Whenever Lord of Shatterskull Pass attacks, it deals 6 damage to each creature defending player controls.

[Nightmare]

Personally, I'm more excited about this set than I was for Zendikar. And that shit had Fetchlands!

I'm beyond stoked for playing limited with these HUGE BOMBS in it. And if it weren't for the fact that they're likely going to suck in standard, I'd be working on an Everflowing Chalice/Overgrown Battlement (Check the spoiler) ramp deck into hardcasting these fuckers.





Also, Lighthouse Chronologist is making it into my Azami EDH deck.

[Skeggi]

Overgrown Battlement
4 Overgrown Battlement
4 Wall of Roots
4 Vine Tendrils
4 Tinder Wall

Awesome :smile:

Perhaps Jungle Patrol? :wink:

[MMogg]

4 Overgrown Battlement
4 Wall of Roots
4 Vine Tendrils
4 Tinder Wall

Awesome :smile:

Perhaps Jungle Patrol? :wink:

Why not add in Wall of Blossoms, Jungle Barrier, Wall of Mulch and Wall of Kelp? :laugh: That's so cheesy I may try it in casual.

[Maveric78f]

4 Overgrown Battlement
4 Wall of Roots
4 Wall of Blossoms
4 Wall of Mulch
4 Tinder Wall
4 Carven Caryatid
4 Vine Trellis

16 forest
2 Gaea's Cradle
4 Eldrazi Temple

10 Eldrazi with triggered-when-played effects.

(you might want to play Natural Order => Progenitus + Terastodon)

[Julian23]

From magicthegathering.com:


Die Verteidiger und Wächter von Zendikar sind im Angesicht der Bedrohung durch die Eldrazi wichtiger denn je. Darum hat Aufstieg der Eldrazi ein ausgeprägtes Unterthema: Kreaturen mit Verteidigerfähigkeit.

Translation: In the face or the Eldrazi menace the defenders and guardians of Zendikar are more important than ever. That's why Rise of the Eldrazi will have a dedicated sub-theme: creatures with defender.


Giant Walls and 8 mana creatures. That's how I started playing Magic.

[jrsthethird]

Seconded.

I really think I might play T2 again - if this set will end the reign of Jund.

Build a deck that beats Jund, don't just give up.


Huh? Cast Restainers, without passing priority activate Survival, as the discard is part of the cost you can instantly reanimate the Cthulhu. I don't think they're able to kill your Retainers.
It's still the question, if the extra mana is worth it, as Iona improves your Combo MU. On the other hand, this guy is pretty impressive even if you're in a horrible situation.

Why don't you just run both? And if you're going to grab Emrakul, the GY trigger will still be on the stack so you will shuffle Retainers back into your library to be able to reanimate Iona later. Sure, you lose Squee, but with Emrakul out, who cares?

[Fatestitcher]

This new expansion RotE tends to bring out the innovativeness in us, the Legacy players. First, Fist of Suns + WURBG. This takes at least 4 turns +1 attack phase assuming you are able to tutor for the artifact, drop a Rainbow land each turn (Brass, Mine, Quarry, Orchard) and your bird, elf or druid doesn't get burned down in flames.

Second, can a 24-green Walls deck pack countermagic? If not, do you expect your opponent to just sit down and wait 5-6 turns while you sandbag yourself with little green defenders? No, he will thoughtseize, sinkhole, hymn to tourach you until your brain gets twisted enough to realize wtf you are doing.

A :u:/:r: Sneak Attack player on the other hand can just go ballistic on you turn 3 (AT LEAST) by casting Seething Song, Sneak Attack, Annihilator *cough* wipes your board. On his next turn take a 2-second Ponder, rinse & repeat.

[Fatestitcher]

I am itching to sleeve these up so that some lucky scrub can netdeck the list already.

http://img37.imagefra.me/img/img37/2/3/1/superdon2/f_14207g0e6q3m_c3f8468.jpg

Here's the secret tech. So secret you can't even read it. LOL.

[Barook]

Shitty Doppelganger seems awful. But Sneak Attack + Show & Tell + Burning Wish to fetch S&T or utility, backed up with counters, sounds like a plan now.

Assuming you would run library manipulation (Brainstorm, maybe Top), you could also add a single Erratic Explosion to your board as another win condition that can be fetched with BW. Blowing up such high CC creatures is definitely going to hurt.

[Fatestitcher]

Assuming you would run library manipulation (Brainstorm, maybe Top), you could also add a single Erratic Explosion to your board as another win condition that can be fetched with BW. Blowing up such high CC creatures is definitely going to hurt.

Why blow them up when you can toss them to their face! FFFFLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!! (http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/sf/sf47_3Cards1.jpg)

[OurSerratedDust]

I can't really imagine how drafting this will play out. It seems like everyone will race to get an eldrazi.

[Nightmare]

I can't really imagine how drafting this will play out. It seems like everyone will race to get an eldrazi.

We know 19 non-basic-land cards out of the set. It's a little early for that kind of speculation.

[Bardo]

I really like the "level up" card frame. Very creative and they look great.

[Otter]

We know 19 non-basic-land cards out of the set. It's a little early for that kind of speculation.

On the other hand, we know that another theme of the set is "creatures with defender," so I really wouldn't be surprised if, "Camp on some walls until annihilator dude," is a legitimate limited strategy.

[Nidd]

On the other hand, we know that another theme of the set is "creatures with defender," so I really wouldn't be surprised if, "Camp on some walls until annihilator dude," is a legitimate limited strategy.
As long as this ridiculous "Oh, I drew a land. You're dead" shit stops, I'm happy. Seriously, I hate drafting Zendikar. I liked Limited for the challenges in deckbuilding and for the awesome feeling when dropping a bomb, but when drafting Zendikar I feel like playing t2 sometimes. Once a dude played T1 Lynx, T2 Geopede, T3 Lynx and Bushwacker with Kicker. God, this is so ridiculous.

[Aggro_zombies]

Agreed that triple Zen limited is shit. Actually, Zen-Zen-Wwk didn't do very much to make the format more interesting.

*wishes fervently for the days of Ravnica limited, in any combination of sets*

[Pltnmngl]

I am all over this set. Drafting the hell out of it and then making an Eldrazi.dec

[Malchar]

There's also volrath's shapeshifter, which never seems to get much love. At least it's about $100 less than loyal retainers.

[Fatestitcher]

You can't copy the Eldrazis as they will be shuffled back to your library.

edit: i see you're talking about the weaker Eldrazis.

[Cire]

{Deck} There Be Giants

4 Show and Tell
4 Fist of Suns

8 Legendary Eldrazi

2 Progentius
4 Natural Order

4 Birds of Paradise
4 Noble Heirach

4 Lotus Petal
4 Mox diamond

22 Lands

no protection what so ever but boy is it rediculous. andomly getting any eldrazi or prog into play turn 2 is bad enough...but playing any eldrazi on turn 3 is devestating....Also the beasts just keep coming...

lol..this set is just so....Timmy...i love it

[Meister_Kai]

I can't wait to see the other colorless cards coming our way, like the (seemingly) obligatory colorless removal.

At the risk of being egged, I actually really enjoy Zendikar limited for a variety of reasons. One thing I love is something that I guess a lot of you hate, the fact that in this format drawing a land as your only out is not only encouraged, but sort of the norm (that and the fact that I win a lot by drafting U/W skies, one of the top 3 archetypes IMO).

Sitting behind walls for 7 turns before casting a giant creature that makes short work of the board sounds like it will be a very boring format unless Wizards does something to change this dichotomy (which I assume they will).

[Tacosnape]

Wow. Emrakul is actually possibly better than Progenitus. Harder to get into play, but possibly better. It makes me want to go buy a playset of Eurekas and Defense of the Hearts and be scrubby for the win.

Also, anyone hoping Oath would ever get unbanned? I laugh at you.

Immediate list thought would look like this:

4 Taiga
4 Savannah
7 Forest
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Survival of the Fittest
3 Sneak Attack
1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
1 Anger

4 Orcish Lumberjack
4 Birds of Paradise
4 Wild Mongrel
4 Loyal Retainers
4 Emrakul, The Aeons Torn
3 Eternal Witness
1 Qasali Pridemage

[MMogg]

Also, anyone hoping Oath would ever get unbanned? I laugh at you.

That would be me. I have a hard on for Oath and dream of its unbanning. I know it's just a dream, especially now. Still, I'll pick this guy up for casual play.

[Maveric78f]

Wow. Emrakul is actually possibly better than Progenitus. Harder to get into play, but possibly better. It makes me want to go buy a playset of Eurekas and Defense of the Hearts and be scrubby for the win.

Also, anyone hoping Oath would ever get unbanned? I laugh at you.

Immediate list thought would look like this:

4 Taiga
4 Savannah
7 Forest
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills

4 Swords to Plowshares
4 Survival of the Fittest
3 Sneak Attack
1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
1 Anger

4 Orcish Lumberjack
4 Birds of Paradise
4 Wild Mongrel
4 Loyal Retainers
4 Emrakul, The Aeons Torn
3 Eternal Witness
1 Qasali Pridemage

Squee and Anger look pretty useless actually.
Birds still look inferior to Noble Hierarch.
23 lands + 4 Lumberjack + 4 Birds/Noble are too many mana providers.
I would play 4 Qasali before playing the Witness#2. Considering how often you're going to lose your graveyard.

[Tacosnape]

Squee and Anger look pretty useless actually.
Birds still look inferior to Noble Hierarch.
23 lands + 4 Lumberjack + 4 Birds/Noble are too many mana providers.
I would play 4 Qasali before playing the Witness#2. Considering how often you're going to lose your graveyard.

Probably all valid points for a list I admittedly put about ninety seconds of thought into.

That said, I've got much much better plans for this guy.:)

[Cthuloo]

That said, I've got much much better plans for this guy.:)

Going to date him?

[Tacosnape]

Going to date him?

If "date" is the word you want to use.

[yankeedave]

If "date" is the word you want to use.

Be sure to wrap him in clingfilm first, helps to stop staining...

[eq.firemind]

Ermakul, the Aeons Torn is on top of the Food Chain...

[Maveric78f]

There is also Mosswort Bridge, to play it for free.

[Arrowni]

There is also Mosswort Bridge, to play it for free.

Do you mean cast it?

[Cire]

I really like that Mosswort idea...i reminds me of the CaND winner from a yea back Mossnaught...although instead of a arguably fragile combo you only need Eon's torn.

Heres a two second deck i thought of quickly based on Mossnaught

4 Wordly tutor
4 Slyvan Tutor
2 Enlightened Tutor

4 Stiffle
4 Force of Will
4 Daze
4 Brainstorm

4 Dreadnaught
4 Eons Torn

4 Crop Rotation.
4 Mossnaught

18 Lands

----

I know the orginial played ponders, lim-dul vault, yet i just wanted to throw in the tutors to speed the deck up and make bridge more consistent.

i proxy it up and see how fast/resilient it is.....eitherway i love Eon's torn simply because of how its sparking creativity across the forums...who knew they needed to print a 15mana i win spell in order to shake things up.

[Skeggi]

Calling Emrakul, the Aeons Torn 'Eons Torn' may be a bit confusing though. Emrakul is probably a better way to shorten it.

[yankeedave]

Calling Emrakul, the Aeons Torn 'Eons Torn' may be a bit confusing though. Emrakul is probably a better way to shorten it.

Let's just call him Ian?

[Cire]

Can we just nickname cthulhu?

anyway for the previous list i posted playing it would look something like this:

1

Land
Search --> Dreadnaught

2
Draw- Dreadnauht
Search --> Cthulhu on top of deck
Land
Crop rotation --> Mossnaught

3
Win!!

so to win on turn 3 (well not win but CASTING Emrakul) you only need at most

Land
Land
Search/Dread Naught
Search
Crop rotation/Mossnaught

that means for the opening hand you have room to have force of will/ Daze or even Stiffle/Dreadnaught etc....

[Mayk0l]

My Jhoira deck is going to love these Eldrazi :D

[jrsthethird]

When you rotate crops you shuffle him into your library. You need to tutor him on top in response to the bridge trigger.

[Maveric78f]

4 Wordly tutor

4 Stifle
4 Force of Will
4 Daze
4 Brainstorm
2 Rushing River

4 Dreadnaught
4 Cthulu
4 Tarmogoyf

4 Crop Rotation

4 Mossbridge
18 Lands (including 4 wastes, 7 fetches, 4 trops, 2 island, 1 forest)

Rather like this. I love the tempo package. It looks difficult to lose once dreadnought has not been removed in resp to mossbridge activation.

[Cire]

4 Wordly tutor

4 Stifle
4 Force of Will
4 Daze
4 Brainstorm
2 Rushing River

4 Dreadnaught
4 Cthulu
4 Tarmogoyf

4 Crop Rotation

4 Mossbridge
18 Lands (including 4 wastes, 7 fetches, 4 trops, 2 island, 1 forest)

Rather like this. I love the tempo package. It looks difficult to lose once dreadnought has not been removed in resp to mossbridge activation.

yay nickname and deck catching on just some ideas

1. Sucks you can't play slyvan tutor because of it's socery speed (but sylvan tutor can be used to tutor up mossbridge as well...hmm...) but i think the goyf slot (i know blasphemous) can be put into more search/draw or protection... I justdon't think a 2 mana 4/5 is that good in a deck that tries to win turn 3 with reliability...

2. Just had the thought...since were running crop rotation...we might as well run bog, for the reanimator and dredge matchup with a suprise instant tromods...

3.Do we even need all 4 Cthulu? I mean the chances of drawing into him and brainstorm at the same time is slim...we just need more ways to get him on top of the library how about

-2 Cthulu
+2 Sylvan tutor

4. how bout a bouce package split between rushing river and chain of vapor? I mean you will only ever need to get rid of one problem permenant and the major ones i can think of are Chalice @ 1 and Moon effects everything else is either too late or too weak..

[Phoenix Ignition]

4. how bout a bouce package split between rushing river and chain of vapor? I mean you will only ever need to get rid of one problem permenant and the major ones i can think of are Chalice @ 1 and Moon effects everything else is either too late or too weak..

Well, Humility, Moat, Karakas, Blood Moon, Magus of the Moon, Chalice @1, Pithing Needle, Nev's Disk, Counterbalance, Solitary Confinement, Isochron Scepter (+ chant), Wasteland (with no stifle ready), Marit Laage token (faster than you), Reanimated Blazing Archon, but other than that you're right.

Keep in mind for every dream hand you get with your deck (Turn 3 ermrakul) your opponent will get that many dream hands (turn 1 AdN with protection).

[Malchar]

Well, Humility, Moat, Karakas, Blood Moon, Magus of the Moon, Chalice @1, Pithing Needle, Nev's Disk, Counterbalance, Solitary Confinement, Isochron Scepter (+ chant), Wasteland (with no stifle ready), Marit Laage token (faster than you), Reanimated Blazing Archon, but other than that you're right.

Keep in mind for every dream hand you get with your deck (Turn 3 ermrakul) your opponent will get that many dream hands (turn 1 AdN with protection).

But those cards will beat any deck.

[Fatestitcher]

Keep in mind for every dream hand you get with your deck (Turn 3 ermrakul) your opponent will get that many dream hands (turn 1 AdN with protection).

His list has 4 Stifles, 4 FoWs, 4 Dazes. On this one, I will bet on Emrakul bashing Johnny Combo player's face after punting against this deck.

[Aggro_zombies]

His list has 4 Stifles, 4 FoWs, 4 Dazes. On this one, I will bet on Emrakul bashing Johnny Combo player's face after punting against this deck.
Competent combo players learn to play through at least this much quickly or spend the day punting against pretty much every deck with blue they encounter. This package is in Merfolk and Canadian in addition to the previous list; combo isn't totally dead to these decks, and therefore it's reasonable to assume it won't be totally dead to Cthulhu.deck either.

[Lothian]

Time to play Æther Spellbomb

[Rizso]

My plan with the Moss is something like this:

4 Phyrexian Dreadnought
4 Dark Confidant
1 Emrakul, the Aeons Torn

2 Worldly Tutor
3 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Stifle
4 Brainstorm
4 Ponder
4 Force of will
4 Daze
4 Spell Pierce
4 Thoughtseize

4 Mosswort Bridge
4 Misty Rainforest
3 Polluted Delta
2 Verdant Catacomb
2 Tropical Island
2 Underground Sea
1 Island

4 Stifle 12 Counters, 4 Discard as protection, 8 cantrips 3 tops 2 tutors and 4 Moss for the search.

[Barook]

Are there ways to utilize Spinerock Knoll as well?

Edit: I guess there is no way to abuse Temporal Aperture, right?

[Vacrix]

Facepalm.. This set... is like fusing magic, pokemon, and yugioh. Level up? Sounds like evolve to me. Giant 15/15 smash face creatures? Yugioh much? I can't wait to see what Tarmogoyf evolves into. Goyfizard I choose you!

[Aggro_zombies]

I can't wait to see what Tarmogoyf evolves into. Goyfizard I choose you!
I dunno, but I can't wait to go dungeon crawling with my level 80 Tarmogoyf. I'm thinking of getting him in the Exalted gear with, like, a Jitte or something for melee, but I don't want to go tanking because that gets boring after a while.

EDIT: What's a good pet for a melee Tarmogoyf?

[morgan_coke]

I dunno, but I can't wait to go dungeon crawling with my level 80 Tarmogoyf. I'm thinking of getting him in the Exalted gear with, like, a Jitte or something for melee, but I don't want to go tanking because that gets boring after a while.

EDIT: What's a good pet for a melee Tarmogoyf?

Most people like the Bear because it has high life points, but really, i think the wolf pack is the way to go if you hotkey their quick cast to replace them. The dogs will totally occupy several enemies so you don't really have to worry so much about getting swarmed yourself. They also pick up more MSLE bolts than the bear does.

[kicks_422]

What's a good pet for a melee Tarmogoyf?

Snorlax.

[jrsthethird]

Are there ways to utilize Spinerock Knoll as well?

Since you're stacking your deck, you can run Stomping Slabs to hit the 7 damage!

[ktkenshinx]

I present Realms Uncharted

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=230593

Good for Lands? Bad for lands? Regardless of what you all think, you will have to admit that this question WILL be discussed. This card has "Eternal format" written all over it, specifically the Lands archetype. But did Wizards hit the mark?

My inclination is yes. Here's the breakdown...

Same cost (U vs G, however)
3 cards vs. 4 cards (advantage to Realms)
All cards vs. just lands (advantage to intuition)
gives you 1 card vs. gives you 2 cards (Advantage to Realms)
Instant vs. Instant

Lands already runs 4 Intuitions (in some builds). Why not run 8? The first Intuition gets you Loam. Then Realms gets your toolbox of lands. This is a powerful addition to the archetype that allows for serious streamlining. It greatly increases Lands' consistency in certain matchups, and gives it greater resilience in others. Testing should prove that Realms Uncharted has a permanent home in this decktype.

-ktkenshinx-

[conboy31]

Wow, I am really impressed with Realms Uncharted. I have played a bunch with intuition, gifts, even tried out guided passage. Never occurred to me that a giftsy land card could be created.

Edit, a notable plus is that it actually gets around REB and Pyroblast. A minus is that Iona owns it harder.

[Aggro_zombies]

I present Realms Uncharted

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=230593

Good for Lands? Bad for lands? Regardless of what you all think, you will have to admit that this question WILL be discussed. This card has "Eternal format" written all over it, specifically the Lands archetype. But did Wizards hit the mark?

My inclination is yes. Here's the breakdown...

Same cost (U vs G, however)
3 cards vs. 4 cards (advantage to Realms)
All cards vs. just lands (advantage to intuition)
gives you 1 card vs. gives you 2 cards (Advantage to Realms)
Instant vs. Instant

Lands already runs 4 Intuitions (in some builds). Why not run 8? The first Intuition gets you Loam. Then Realms gets your toolbox of lands. This is a powerful addition to the archetype that allows for serious streamlining. It greatly increases Lands' consistency in certain matchups, and gives it greater resilience in others. Testing should prove that Realms Uncharted has a permanent home in this decktype.

-ktkenshinx-
The problem here is that Loam is absolutely, positively necessary for the Lands deck to be any good at all. You can get all the toolboxy crap you want, but without Loam you're slow and have no real way to refuel past your initial explosion.

Maybe as a two-of, but what do you cut? Stuff that finds Loam? Seems pretty bad.

[MMogg]

Am I the only one that finds it funny how the artist on this card is named "Volkan"? I'm not even a Star Trek fan. :laugh:

http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103352&d=1269575997

So, does this mean we are going to start seeing a cycle of these? Is Gifts Ungiven the new tutor standard? :eyebrow: I wonder if they'll eventually do one for instants or sorceries or enchantments, etc.

[conboy31]

The problem here is that Loam is absolutely, positively necessary for the Lands deck to be any good at all. You can get all the toolboxy crap you want, but without Loam you're slow and have no real way to refuel past your initial explosion.

Maybe as a two-of, but what do you cut? Stuff that finds Loam? Seems pretty bad.

You might be right in that it turns out to be intuition 5 or 6.
I am interestesd in trying it in vintage with crucible/fastbond. Realms uncharted: wasteland, strip mine, ghost quarter, (bojuka bog, academy ruins, tabernacle?)

It might just blow as it is slower than other options like crop rotation.

[jrsthethird]

http://www.gatheringmagic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skitteringinvasion.jpg

Tribal is making another appearance in this set. Tarmogoyf is happy.

[Nihil Credo]

I haven't found this anywhere else and it's not really part of this set, but there is a Robot Chicken promo card on magiccardsdotinfo.

Artifact Creature - Chicken Construct 2/2, 4

Whenever you cast a spell, put a 0/1 colorless Egg artifact creature token onto the battlefield.

Whenever an Egg you control is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, destroy target artifact or creature.

I wish so bad it were tournament legal. Not only is it quite powerful, it looks like the kind of card that creates all sorts of interesting scenarios. Hopefully they'll recycle the design for a black-border card.

[The_Red_Panda]

Has anyone else considered just putting Kozilek & kin into survival elves? It's not uncommon to hit about 10 mana with that deck, and you've already got the survival/anger package. Little green men might be the way to put cthulu into legacy.

[Nekrataal]

It is much better to play Emrakul, the Aeons Torn in GW Survival Deck s with Retainer.

[MattH]

http://www.gatheringmagic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/skitteringinvasion.jpg

Tribal is making another appearance in this set. Tarmogoyf is happy.

The brood spread faster than they can kill 0/1 guys? They deserve whatever they get.

[Infinitium]

What is that starfish shaped thingy in the background for? Here's predicting an Eldrazi Nuisance Engine.

[MattH]

What is that starfish shaped thingy in the background for? Here's predicting an Eldrazi Nuisance Engine.

I think it's just some hedrons that got together? It's on the art for one of the basic mountains.

[xTrainx]

As of yet, cards that I'm going to try and pick up:

Realms Uncharted
Cthulu - only gonna need like two
Kozilek - really epic trade fodder

And then cards that will be good in limited:

Ulamog's Crusher
Hyena Umbra - simply insane, first strike, and has unkillable for a bit.
Lighthouse Chronologist - with the amount of high end creatures running around, you should have plenty of time to buff him up, and a mana dump if you need it.
Knight of Cliffhaven - havn't decided if he'll be good yet or not. Depends on the amount of removal.
Corpsehatch - its gonna be great. Can remove those Eldrazi, remove creatures, and get you some mana/chumps.
Pawn of Ulamog - Gets you chumps, or can get you mana. Also a decently sized beater.
Lord of Shatterskull Pass - I would play him just to get the 6/6 on turn five. Also turns into a mana dump that gets sexy.
Prey's Vengeance - +2/+2 and rebound. Pump is always decent in limited.
Boar Umbra - not as good as hyena, but still good.
And, if you get a decent amount of Eldrazi, picking up Eldrazi Temple's will be pretty good too.

I have a theory that the rest of the Eldrazi will be hard to play in Limited, which is why only the Crusher is listed - he's cheaper, and he's uncommon.
Everyone will just grab Eldrazi, and be left with no plays for the first five turns.

[frolll]

The art on Realms Uncharted is hot. Like that card, a lot.

Rest of the set seems really Timmy oriented; also dislikes the level-up card frame. It made me puke a lil' between my closed teeth.
Hope this set will still be somewhat draft-friendly and/or enjoyable, though. ATM, it's kinda unclear...

[bruno_tiete]

I am somewhat bored by this Yu-Gi-Oh-like "Ignore mana costs. How am I gonna cheat this thing into play?" trend.

Natural Order, Show and Tell, Hexmage, Reanimate, Retainers, meh. I mean, Razia was played in Oath a couple years ago. Since then, the Biggest Baddest Monster in town title changed hands several times.

I hope there are some Legacy playable (as in "castable") spells in this set. Everything so far looks like a huge mana sink.

[morgan_coke]

I hope there are some Legacy playable (as in "castable") spells in this set. Everything so far looks like a huge mana sink.

You saw Realms Uncharted, right? That's definitely getting looked at in decks like Slide, and may, in conjunction with Knight of the Reliquary and Life from the Loam encourage most G/W/x decks to run something of a "lands.dec" subtheme. I know I'm considering it.

[UrDraco]

Realms Uncharted seems awesome but not so much in lands. Intuition is better so it might have a chance at replacing gamble/tolaria west. The problem is that the former can get you non-land cards, which is very important. If anything I feel like gifts ungiven would be better than Realms Uncharted because it can get Life from the Loam.

[rufus]

Realms seems like it's got potential in aggro loam and thresh decks - Knight of the Reliquiary, Terravore, Countryside Crusher.
Cute, but probably insufficient interaction withPetrified Field, Recross the Paths and Scorched Earth, Raven's Crime anyone? I wonder if there's an Ice Floe/Maze of Ith/Island of Wak-Wak pile that actually makes sense.

[Infinitium]

All Is Dust. 7 mana. Everyone sacrifices all colored permanents. MUD Stax running Eldrazi Temple suddenly seems somewhat viable.

[morgan_coke]

Just for fun, some potential piles for Realms Uncharted:

Anti-Land:
Ghost Quarter
Wasteland
Tectonic Edge
Rishadan Port

Anti-Creature:
The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale
Maze of Ith
Kor Haven
Cabal Pit

Recursive:
Petrified Field
Volrath's Stronghold
Academy Ruins
Mistveil Plains

Draw:
Mikokoro, Center of the Sea
Cephalid Coliseum
Horizon Canopy
Cycling Land

Creature:
Mishra's Factory
Mutavault
Dread Statuary
Blinkmoth Nexus

Lifegain:
Nomad Stadium
Diamond Valley
Miren, the Moaning Well
Kabira Crossroads

Damage:
Piranha Marsh
Barbarian Ring
Leechridden Swamp
Keldon Megaliths

In other news, I'm insanely annoyed they printed a sweeper at mythic. Seriously, All is Dust is a very good card, but it really, really should be rare.

[dahcmai]

I'm just kind of sad that Vampire Hexmage not only spawned a goofy Depths archtype, but now kills a whole subtheme of a new set by killing Level up.

[Antonius]

silver staxx con "All is dust"? si.

[hungryLIKEALION]

I will totally try to play Lands Ungiven in my extended Tron deck, maybe just as a 1 or 2 of, but it'll be totally sick.

[Happy Gilmore]

all is dust actually gives mono-brown agro and stacks an out to agro decks, Very cool. I still prefer Powder keg but it seem decent so far.

[Sims]

all is dust actually gives mono-brown agro and stacks an out to agro decks, Very cool. I still prefer Powder keg but it seem decent so far.

Also seems Pricey if your metalworker bites the dust. I'm digging it as maybe a card that might get some loving somewhere in my Wildfire decks' 75, though.

[sunshine]

In other news, I'm insanely annoyed they printed a sweeper at mythic. Seriously, All is Dust is a very good card, but it really, really should be rare.

That's a pretty valid complaint, at least it seem to be so far. We haven't seen enough of the set yet to know how relevant the card will be in standard, but unless the format is blisteringly fast Dust could see a lot of play outside the "ROFL ALL MY CARDS IS HUGE COLORLESS ELDRAZI DUDZ" deck. Of course, if Eldrazi Brown establishes itself as a top tier deck in standard (God help the format...reminds me of Masques block, who can drop their busted legend first?), well... Dust is less than stellar in the brown mirror - don't forget the next block coming down the pipes is supposed to be artifact heavy.

[Sureshot]

All is Dust can easily be abused with Eldrazi lands and 2-mana lands. Much powerful than Wrath of God. It will be hilarious to see this being cast with Painter's Servant on the board. It will Obliterate everything.

[FoolofaTook]

All is Dust can easily be abused with Eldrazi lands and 2-mana lands. Much powerful than Wrath of God. It will be hilarious to see this being cast with Painter's Servant on the board. It will Obliterate everything.

You can get most of this effect with Jokulhaups which doesn't see play in Legacy at all - and it doesn't require an easily removable creature as the combo piece.

[Arrowni]

Or simply you know, playing obliterate so your huge sweeper remains uncountered.

[Sureshot]

I did not mention about playing both these cards. I meant successfully playing All is Dust against a Painter deck will be hilarious.

[menace13]

It is more like a Scourglass-better-than Hops or Oblit, it leaves your mana base intact along with your artifacts.

[dahcmai]

Unfortunately, Painter paints it also.

[pingveno]

New off the WOTC site tonight:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=231253

New Sarkhan seems so... bad

[Damnosus]

Yea I am really disappointed in the card-especially cause I really like the art. There was a mockup of the card which had him as a U/R card that would have been so much more interesting. Lame.

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

New off the WOTC site tonight:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=231253

New Sarkhan seems so... bad

Well, to be fair, it's not like "Old Sarkhan" was all that good, at least in the context of Legacy.

I mean, does Sarkhan 1.0 actually see play in any competitive format?

[Bardo]

New off the WOTC site tonight:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=231253

New Sarkhan seems so... bad

I like him. Bob on a stick + converting any of your random duders into a 5/5 flyer seems fine. If the second ability said "target opponent's creature," then yeah, total drek, but that isn't the case.

[Malchar]

Maybe there will be another card that lets you put more counters on him? I'd say the 0 ability is quite promising in standard along with with Jace 2.0.

[Vacrix]

I like him. Bob on a stick + converting any of your random duders into a 5/5 flyer seems fine. If the second ability said "target opponent's creature," then yeah, total drek, but that isn't the case.

Its hard to hit 5 mana in legacy early and even then it doesn't win you the game like dream halls. Turning all your dudes into tombstalkers seems good, but where would you play it? Also, unlike other planeswalkers, he can't gain counters. Seems bad to me. Planeswalkers are sick because they are an investment. You can reuse their abilities multiple times. 5 mana for 3 5/5's over the course of 3 turns? Meh I'd rather run Tombstalker and cast it for BB and not have to also be sacrificing my creatures.


all is dust actually gives mono-brown agro and stacks an out to agro decks, Very cool. I still prefer Powder keg but it seem decent so far.

You're right, Keg is better. I doubt All is Dust will see much play in Legacy Mono-brown aggro. Too much wasteland. Its a decent board card against something like zoo, but most other aggro decks play wasteland.

[Malchar]

The only use I see for All Is Dust would be a one or two-of in mono brown as a win condition. The problem is that it's quite rare that it will be much better than a wrath of god. Perhaps it's biggest advantage is that the mana cost allows it to fit into mono brown where wrath of god wouldn't have.

[DukeDemonKn1ght]

The only use I see for All Is Dust would be a one or two-of in mono brown as a win condition. The problem is that it's quite rare that it will be much better than a wrath of god. Perhaps it's biggest advantage is that the mana cost allows it to fit into mono brown where wrath of god wouldn't have.

Well, also the fact that in MUD or something like that, it kills all your opponent's shit while leaving yours alive...

[pingveno]

One thing I definitely do like about new Sarkhan is the loyalty costs. Though he may not be the best, I think it will be interesting to see what else they can do with a 'high loyalty' planeswalker that only has minus abilities. A different way to do a planeswalker for sure, which I appreciate. On a side note:


I like him. Bob on a stick + stuff

I thought Bob was already Bob on a stick.

[Grollub]

The only use I see for All Is Dust would be a one or two-of in mono brown as a win condition.
"On color" board sweeper for mono blue is pure sex tho.

[Nightmare]

I like him. Bob on a stick + converting any of your random duders into a 5/5 flyer seems fine. If the second ability said "target opponent's creature," then yeah, total drek, but that isn't the case.

You realize that Bob himself is "on a stick," right?

[gnat]

so:

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2518/darkcon2iy2.jpg
http://images.kapaza.com/photos/8900000/8948981.jpg

=

http://www.wizards.com/mtg/images/daily/features/fems8wsmbz.jpg

!!

[Maveric78f]

you meant +
http://blog.femmeactuelle.fr/Upload/Users/157372/UsedImages/af502a38-8eef-43b4-894d-8d11a62f7124.gif

[gnat]

It's hard to get 'on' those, isn't it?

But the former could lead to the latter; good point ;)

[Mark Sun]

The name is actually what disappoints me. The mockup was so much better, imo. Sarkhan, Slave of Bolas rather than Sarkhan the Mad. Sigh, silly WOTC :rolleyes: On par with Gigantomancer from this set as a dude name. Can be abused with Top in Legacy if anyone chooses to run a deck with him, but why not just Bob?

In Standard, putting 5/5 dragons in play is cool (especially with Thrinax), but he can be a pro at sucking up a Lightning Bolt and not being able to use his "Ultimate." Not to mention the second ability can fizzle if you remove its target first. /shrugs

Timmys of the World, rejoice.

[jrsthethird]

Well the ultimate is a little silly if you ask me. 90% of the time I see him used purely for card draw. And non-blue card draw is always nice.