For the Fun of the Game Worldwake Spoiler Extravaganza
(Author’s Note: This is a quick run through of the first weeks worth of spoilers from mainly an EDH perspective. Again, it’s real quick run through and I didn’t even get to hit all of the cards, but we certainly will on MTG Radio)
Celestial Colonnade:
It’s a dual land, and a man land, and blue white. Man lands, or the old ones at least, felt a little lackluster: they lacked power and toughness, came into play tapped, and only made one color. While this cycle also comes into play tapped, but they produce two colors and their man-forms impress me greatly. These could replace the m10 duals since most EDH decks don’t run to many basics anyway. The fact that Colonnade because a 4/4 flying, vigilant beat stick is just wonderful, especially since it can still tap for mana after attacking.
Lavaclaw Reaches:
The fact that this 2/2 man land only costs 1(B)(R) to use impresses me for EDH (and standard even). The colorless fire breathing is great, especially since the card is an elemental which means it combos with [c]Ceaseless Searblades[/c]. Also, it’s great since many EDH decks run many colors but that doesn’t make this card much worse. It gets my approval.
Raging Ravine:
Red Green dual land which hangs onto 1/1 counter after each attack. There are some tricks with this guy like activating his ability twice (in one turn, before attacking, using mana from say [c]Mana Reflection[/c]) would net this two 1/1 counters instead of his usual one. Also, I am intrigued to see this land/man in a green/red/blue deck with all of the Simic counter shenanigans and [c]Gilder Bairn[/c].
Dread Statuary:
Colorless man land, [c]Stalking Stones[/c] cousin, this could go in some Mono EDH decks that don’t get access to the ZEN man lands, other then that, not too fantastic.
Terra Eternal:
Cheap enchantment with an unusual effect, all lands are indestructible. I see this being played in EDH groups with heavy land destruction meta, or in newfangled man land/zendikon five color decks (who knows, it could be the next big thing).
Vastwood/Crusher/Wind Zendikon:
I feel like these cycle is just doesn’t hold up to the sheer power in EDH. It makes lands reusable which is nice, but other then that (which [c]Cruicble of Worlds[/c]) does mighty fine in its own right.
Explore:
I feel like this alternate [c]Rampant Growth[/c] actually works well. It may seem some play but I am not sure. With all of the nonbasics in EDH I could see this being used, though, honestly, I have to play it before I can give this a definite yay or nay.
Urge to Feed:
Vampires get more spells, yay Lorywn 2.0. For all of those (cough, Bernie Smith) tribal vamprie EDH decks as a kill/pump spell. To me it seems a bit lacking, but I am sure there are those EDH Vampire fans that drool over this spell. (Also, this just in, [c]Isochron Scepter[/c] + this = win)
Pulse Tracker:
One drops don’t fair too well in EDH but maybe in a super aggressive or beat down type vampire strategy maybe, but I doubt it.
Ruthless Cullblade:
Hey look, [c]Gruul Draz Vampire[/c]‘s sister! Who is significantly worse! Moving on!
Kalastria Highborn:
A Vampire I can get behind! In a vampire heavy EDH deck this turns all our dead undead (are vampires undead, I am still unsure to the details of that part of the lore) into [c]Siphon Life[/c]. Also, cool combo for a Black/White EDH deck with this and [c]Mirror Entity[/c], so if someone plays a sweeper you can pay zero and then play black for each creature that died, gaining a bunch of life and causing a royal pain to many other players at the table. The aforementioned combo because even awesome-er with [c]Sanguine Bond[/c].
Hada Freeblade:
One drop ally! Hello standard potential. Also, makes the EDH five color ally deck that more much playable. One drops may not be too relevant, but for allies they help a lot since they make everyone else on the team/raid/treasure hunt a lot happier.
Harabaz Druid:
Mana ally. This guy/girl/anthropomorphic cat makes allies that much better in EDH. Mana ramp is great, and I am looking forward to playing with or against this card in my EHD group.
Join the Ranks:
Instant allies. I don’t think anything more needs to be said, unless you want me to, then email me, and I will.
Halimar Excavator:
I don’t really see many mill decks but if anyone wants to go ally mill, this is your guy! Other then that, really no place in EHD.
Joraga Warcaller:
One mana, or many mana this is an extreme elf lord. As someone who has tried to build a tribal elf EDH deck, this guy just oozes awesome (though not literally… that’d be cool, tribal – elf ooze). Especially with [c]Bramblewood Paragon[/c] giving him another 1/1 counter (and Trample!) this guy could really find a place. (Pro tip: If you build tribal EDH, try to include [c]Patriarch’s Bidding[/c]
Comet Storm:
Another [c]Blaze[/c]/[c]Fireball[/c] variant but much better with excess mana running around. Basically, it outclasses other X burn in EDH since games usually last longer (if not forever) and the ability to simply target other things for massive damage has end game potential.
Mysteries of the Deep:
Expensive blue card draw, if necessary this may see some play, though I doubt it, much better card draw exists in an eternal (casual) format.
Skitter of Lizards:
Not the best card, nothing strikingly awesome about him/them/it, but I actually am considering including it in my [c]Ashling, the Pilgrim[/c] deck. Mulitkicker makes cards that much more appealing and with tons of excess mana, this guy can be a big surprise.
Kitesail Apprentice:
A decent soldier, might fit in a soldier EDH deck, but lackluster to me.
Canopy Cover:
Since when have Rafiq/Uril been jaguars? Honestly, this card is ridiculous for General Damage decks. I have never seen a cheaper troll shroud spell and this adds evasion on top of it. Except to have your face beaten by a kitty [c]Rafiq of the Many[/c] soon enough.
Quest for the Nihil Stone:
This cards interaction with cycling is neat, but discard in EDH doesn’t do it for me. The rack already exists and few players play it.
Admonition Angel:
Six mana 6/6 flyer with an abuse-able ability. Play it. Play it often. Expect it to die, but play it anyway. Also, be aware of shenanigans with this and bounce spells/abilities (they work the same way bounce [c]Oblivion Ring[/c] shenanigans work.). (Sidenote, I want this as a textless foil, such superb art.)
Tideforce Elemental:
A tapper varient that can only tap/untap creatures, once he gets broken he will see play. According to some musings over at an unoffical spoiler, he may even be breakable in Worldwake itself (hint: Unlimited landfall triggers anyone), so certainly keep an eye out for this one.
Cunning Sparkmage:
Steampunk Tim! Not too good in EDH! Moving on!
Kor Firewalker;
Another soldier, and more red hate from white, I don’t see this being played apart from soldier EDH decks.
Bestial Menace:
Incramental Dudes! This card will be played in EDH, and hopefully it will be consipered as well (hello there, [c]Wort, the Raidmother[/c]). I really have a fondness for this card (minus the art) and I’m sure EDH decks everyone will welcome it.
Dragonmater Outcast:
Efficient one drop? Cares about lands? I’m on the fence about this guy, but in my opinion he’s better then his insect brother ([c]Scute Mob [/c]) since he makes other creatures that must be dealt with. Know that once you play him, either he’ll die, or you will become a target, but I have to say – I think its pretty great.
Chain Reaction:
EDH is a mulitplayer format, this counts the number of creatures and deals that much damage to all of them. Red really couldn’t hope for a better wrath and in a format where tokens and dudes are a plenty this card will simply work wonder. (CCCombo: This + dudes + [c]Stuffy doll[/c])
Stone Idol Trap:
Surprise [c]Ball Lightning[/c] with a big butt. This card is good, but I’d have to play with it before I gauge it for EDH. Though, mono red may certainly enjoy.
Leatherback Baloth:
Large vanilla dude. Unless your objective is to make the largest [c]Primalcrux[/c] ever, I really don’t see him being sleeved up for EHD.
Abyssal Persecutor:
That’s a four mana 6/6 flying trampling anti-[c]Platinum Angel[/c]. He will see play. His ability isn’t relevant unless you win, and if you’re playing you haven’t won yet. One more thing, the way it’s written, if he is out, “your opponents can’t lose the game,” so if I’m not mistaken you can use this to keep everyone at the table alive… Interesting.
Novablast Worm:
This thing is just nuts. A 7/7 “evading,” huge, multicolored worm. He blows up the world. Many times over. My only warning with this is like most huge bombs, if you play it, expect it to die, or you to die.
Everflowing Chalice:
Cololess mana fixing with no mana symbols on it, this card will see play in EDH. I don’t think there’s much more to say, but watch out for shenanigans with this and [c]Power Conduit[/c] or [c]Guilder Barren[/c].
Amulet of Vigor:
One mana artifact that makes everything you play after it significantly better. This card may see play in every EDH deck, plain and simple. Its interaction with lands is remarkable, and yet it does so much more. Great card, great cost, simply awesome.
Treasure Hunt:
Sorcery speed draw, not fantastic, but it will clear out land clumps and I still think it may break out in some EHD decks.
Quest for Ula’s Temple;
Let’s you sneak Serpents, Kraken, Leviathan, and Octopi into play… I guess that’s a plus.
Jace, the Mind Sculptor:
New favorite planeswalker, I think so. Jace makes me smile. The poster boy for magic just got my brain a storming and I couldn’t be happier. The four abilities looks funny but I am pretty sure most blue EDH decks will run this.
Legends:
Omnath, Locus of Mana:
Awesome mono green General that will not draw hate like [c]Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary[/c], his upwelling pump, honestly, everything that can be said about him has a general has been. But, I am looking forward to building a deck with him, or at least throwing him in a deck.
Anowon, the Ruin Sage:
Vampire legend which will make mono black vampire decks happy. There are plenty of legendary vampires so I don’t know if he will become a general in his own, though he may if some newer EDH players, or newer players in general, may build a more ZEN centric EDH deck, but at the least he will definitely be included in decks that already exist.