Review/Preview
This week Dragon's Maze was completely revealed and I'd like to spend this column not only previewing the upcoming commons that I think will make an impact in the standard pauper meta game, but also to review the top commons from the last set, Gatecrash. Let's start with the review, listed in alphabetical order.
Gatecrash All-Stars
Used both for it's ability to clog the ground attack and as another extort trigger in Orzhov, Basilica Guards became a staple in Orzhov extort decks from the very beginning of the set's release. It also saw play in a few iterations of White Weenie and Esper Control. It's especially useful in control decks where it can hold up quick yet weak ground creatures and provide a mana sink in the late game to either bring up a dangerous life total or bring home the win when creatures can't make it through to attack.
The Screecher was the lynch pin of mono black aggro decks throughout this season of standard pauper and saw most of its play in the Black Flag style decks utilizing tons of cheap removal. Of course, it was also a mandatory four-of in extort decks as the preeminent turn two play. With Orzhov's abundance of cheap removal Basilica Screecher allows for instant extortion and should continue to see major play throughout its lifetime in standard pauper.
Cloudfin Raptor quickly found it's way into most blue decks and has become the best blue creature since Delver. It is a vulnerable card, but it make up for its vulnerability with its instant threat status. Raptor made mono blue aggro into a valid deck archetype and if nothing else can be used to hold off Boros decks for a couple turns.
Skyjek almost instantly found it's way into Boros decks and proved it's value over and over again. Even with a weak toughness it's three in the air is a big deal that usually forces opponents to remove it instead of a more well-rounded threat. At two mana it slots perfectly into Boros and is another mandatory four-of in the powerful boros archetype.
Not many cards have had such an impact on the meta game as Prism has had. Not only does it allow for mana fixing, it replaces itself as well. It may also be the best Flicker target and in a meta with basically no reason to carry artifact removal it becomes essentially invulnerable. The scary part is we may yet see even more uses for this versatile card in the next set depending on what it does with artifact and/or permanent shenanigans.
Making a Boros deck? Add four, move on. It's a no-brainer. It was such a crowd pleaser during original Ravnica that they brought it back and guess what? It's just as good now as it was then.
Dragon's Maze Prospects
Golgari graveyard recursion might make a comeback in this upcoming season and if it does this will appear in all sideboards containing black and all mirror matches. Even without graveyard shenanigans this card takes away targets for Stitched Drake in the early game when most decks can't deal with a big flyer yet. This could be a sleeper pick that I see as a mandatory four-of in the sideboard.
In my opinion this is the best creature of the set. A prime flicker target as well as being cheap and versatile. Even when used as a surprise chump blocker you get extraordinary value by returning another ETB or removal target to your hand. All the tools for a straight Azorius deck are here, this may be a card that brings that archetype into competition.
White Weenie, Boros and the aforementioned Azorius all love this card. A super cheap two-for-one that prevents blocking without having to adjust for damage on the back swing. This card can cripple most aggro decks as well as being slotted into most aggro decks. Unbelievably versatile card due to only one mana color requirement. Another mono color hidden gem in the multi color set that should stick around until RtR rotates out.
At first this seems way to expensive and there is a chance this is completely unusable. Unless graveyard recursion is a thing. In which case this is a bomb. If it were only able to target a creature OR a player it would be unplayable, but having the choice means this is such a huge swing in the late game when you've lost your best creature. It's cost is generally too much for standard pauper, but Wizards has put a good number of six mana commons in this set and I have to believe one of them gets play. My choice is this one.
All of the Gatekeepers are interesting to me but I think only a couple will still be seeing play after the new set rotates in and this is one of them. A 2/4 is a good body and any deck playing two colors or more wants gates. The fact that it replaces itself seals the deal. Blue is probably the most heavily played color in the meta game today and this should slot in nicely at the top of the curve.
If it seems like I'm banging the graveyard recursion drum a little too loud it's only because the archetype seems to rear its morbid head in every set and Dragon's Maze seems to be its intro point. Drawing two cards for one card is good. Putting potential targets into your yard is good and this card can do it early. If nothing else you can draw two cards and dig through those two lands you don't need.
Wizards seems to be pushing two-for-ones in this block and this may be the best yet. As with all Gatekeepers it's a good, solid defender. The upside of this one however, outperforms the rest in my opinion. Removal is critical and -2/-2 is the standard definition of good removal. Put a good body on the battlefield and remove a pesky flyer or evasive creature to boot. Of course, you have to make sure you're getting maximum value when casting him, but there is virtually no downside to this four drop.
You didn't think Boros was going to disappear did you? Another quality weapon added to the Boros arsenal. How many more does this archetype need? Apparently one more. Put four of these in your deck and move on. Your only quandary may be which other great creature do you take out.
A quick note on the meta game
Over the evolution of the meta game we've seen mono color decks stick around despite such availability of multi color choices. In fact, in this week's SPDC, hosted by Jamuraa, both decks in the finals were mono color decks.
On the one hand this is surprising because this is supposed to be a multi color set, but on the other hand it's not so surprising when we stop to examine what multi color cards actually do. While they may seem at first to provide flexibility to decks and create new deck archetypes, they are equally as restrictive. You MUST cast both colors, there is no choice in that, only limitations. It's easy to dismiss the notion because after all, if you're playing a multi color deck your going to have both colors on hand anyway right? Not necessarily. Often decks with more than one color still find themselves in a mana jam that forces players to make inefficient plays or have inefficient turns.
Control decks, however thrive on these color combinations and gives players the ability to splash for one specific card that brings a whole new depth to an already proven archetype. At this point in the meta game it looks to be a flip-flopping battle between mono color aggro and multi color control.
Looking over the new set, I'm interested to see if Dragon's maze will shift the balance of power. We haven't seen much competition from Golgari or Azorius and I would expect those two styles to have a better showing in the upcoming season. Speculation is the fun part, so until next week, let's get testing.
Flavorful Musings
The aspect of Magic that first attracted me to the game was the beautiful artwork and the flavor which ties each block together. The talented artists that bring the cards to life are some of the best fantasy artists in the world and as the game has evolved so too has the quality of art. I am constantly in awe of the quality of art that appears in those little boxes on each card and in honor of that, when a new set is released I like to mull over each card and admire the art and flavor of each card. Obviously art appreciation is a subjective matter, but I'm always interested to know where my taste stands in relation to the general consensus so if you post a reply or a comment I'd love to know your favorite common art from the set. Here are are my top five commons artwork.
5. Haazda Snare Squad- David Palumbo. Faces are often the most difficult to get right and these are both excellent. Plus that guy is using a bola, which is awesome.
4. Hired Torturer- Winona Nelson. Wonderful sadistic face and the use of light and shadow is enchanting.
3. Uncovered Clues- Jaime Jones. Another wonderfully done, cloaked figure. Not too much is given away in his face or figure. That hologram scroll is amazing.
2. Opal Lake Gatekeepers- Seb McKinnon. The Vedalken are a beautiful race and this is a perfect example. Great use of cityscape in the background.
1. Simic Guildgate- Svetlin Velinov. I'm a sucker for lands and cityscapes and this one does both beautifully. All of the guildgates are well done but this is my favorite.
0 Responses to "This Week in Pauper April 22-26"
Post a Comment