For the X time in the last year I’ve told KYT I would come back to write for Mana Deprived. Each time I said it, I was convincing myself more than KYT and I wound up writing nothing. Fast forward to about Christmas, where I started writing a GP Toronto report and was prepping an article for the upcoming PTQ season about the deck I’ve been playing: Jund. In the past five days I prepped two articles and had them ready to go and then [Card]Bloodbraid Elf[/Card] got banned making my two articles completely irrelevant.
I’m not gonna get into a long diatribe or argument about how the articles aren’t completely irrelevant or Bloodbraid being banned. The fact is, it’s gone and regardless of your opinion that’s not changing. We move forward. Althought, I did stay bummed a bit because I had put the time and effort in to write these articles and now they are up in smoke. Unlike the past, I decided that I had promised KYT an article and chose to deliver. So…welcome to my Gatecrash Set Review.
There’s a lot of ways to do a set review so I’ll quickly breakdown the format I used. I reviewed every single card, leaving none out and broke them into 8 different articles: White/Blue, Black/Red, Green/Artifact/Lands, Boros, Dimir, Gruul, Orzhov and Simic. Further any mono color card that is guild affiliated is in the guild review article and not in the mono colored section. Lastly, I wrote up a makeshift rating for both constructed and limited. I tried to abide by that scale as much as possible though I may have made some mistakes so if that is the case, I apologize.
Without further ado here is my set review and thanks for reading,
William
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Constructed Rating
5 – Not only does this card go in every deck that plays those colors but you should warp your deck so that this card is part of it.
4 – If you play these colors this card will appear in your maindeck.
3 – This card will appear in a large portion of the decks across formats that can support it or a guaranteed sideboard staple for years to come.
2 – This card will see moderate play in Standard or Modern or will be a decent sideboard card in all formats.
1 – A moderate sideboard card at best and may see some main deck play.
0 – This should never see any serious constructed play.
Limited Rating
5 – Pack 2, Pick 1. Yeah it’s that good you should warp your deck for after opening this.
4 – This will always see play in if your deck can support it or it will be hate drafted for sure.
3 – A limited deck staple that will push your deck over the top and win games.
2 – The bread and butter of most limited decks.
1 – Cards that will be added to your deck to fill those last slots.
0 – NEVER play this card.
* * * * * * *
White
[card]Aerial Maneuver[/card]
Constructed – 0
You might not need an aerial maneuver to avoid playing this card but you’ll certainly get points for creativity.
Limited – 1
Combat tricks are always in favour and providing first strike and a pump can be backbreaking.
[card]Angelic Edict[/card]
Constructed – 0
Too expensive. Sorcery speed. You name it this card has everything working against it. Also Edict is a little weird for a white card, which actually isn’t an edict.
Limited – 2
Permanent creature removal in limited is nice. It still has the sorcery and expensiveness working against it but it is less detrimental in Limited and a necessary evil in most cases.
[card]Angelic Skirmisher[/card]
Constructed – 0
If [Card]True Conviction[/Card] & [Card]Akroma’s Memorial[/Card] are barely fringe playable then this is even less playable.
Limited – 4
Even if you can’t play this card in your deck, I don’t see how you can pass this to your opponents. It affects all combat steps which will make losing combat near impossible.
[card]Assault Griffin[/card]
Constructed – 0
It’s like playing a flipped [Card]Delver of Secrets[/Card] on turn 4. Playing this would be an assault to common sense.
Limited – 2
The casting cost is one more than most people would like but that doesn’t make this bad as a 3 power flyer can very easily dominate a game with some decks having no answer.
[card]Court Street Denizen[/card]
Constructed – 0
Normally cycles are fun and can see some play here and there. Wizards decided to buck the trend with this awful cycle.
Limited – 2
While it’s slightly worse than a [Card]Grizzly Bear[/Card] the tap clause makes it slightly more relevant.
[card]Debtor’s Pulpit[/card]
Constructed – 0
Too expensive, not relevant, blah, blah, blah… don’t play this
Limited – 0
My gut says this is unplayable and my head supports that notion but I can see this as a 23rd card required though that mana cost is too high for it to have a significant impact on the game.
[card]Gideon, Champion of Justice[/card]
Constructed – 2
Here’s my planeswalker scorecard: Mind Sculptor is 5, Knight-Errant is 4, Jura is 3, Vengeant is 2, Chandra is 1 and Tibalt is 0 or in English: Broken is 5, Game Controlling is 4, A Bomb is 3, Decent is 2, It’s Mythic Must Be Good is 1 and Tibalt is 0. Yes Tibalt gets its own category.
It doesn’t protect itself or anyone else. This version of Gideon is a front line soldier for the Boros, not an Eldrazi eliminating badass like Jura. That said he is at least a 5/5 for four on an empty board with evasion which is at least a 2, see [Card]Deadbridge Goliath[/Card]. The more creatures your opponent has, the bigger he gets. I expect him to see a little play. He also gets points for beating out [Card]Karn Liberated[/Card] for the most expensive Ultimate. Hello Turbo Fog!
Limited – 3
Simply put your playing this guy as a creature and nothing else and the two guilds that can play him are well suited for him. In many Boros decks he will enable that first and/or second battalion attack and in Orzhov, where you are content to sit back and play defense all day he can be protected and serves as a distraction for your opponent while you get Extort going fully.
[card]Guardian of the Gateless[/card]
Constructed – 0
I haven’t read the storyline but I get the feeling that the non-guild citizens of Ravnica are rising up against the guilds and starting a war. If someone has read the storyline let me know. Also I hope that the Dragon in Dragon’s Maze is not Nicol Bolas, that guy needs to take a break and relax every once in a while.
Limited – 2
A 3/3 flyer for 5 is acceptable in and of itself but where this card will really shine is blocking as it then becomes a 4/4 flying blocker which for five mana is quite good.
[card]Guildscorn Ward[/card]
Constructed – 0
The only spot for this is the Auras deck but unless a drastic shift in creatures occurs, this won’t see play.
Limited – 0
I’ve never been a fan of spells in Limited that do not have a significant impact on the game, and while the protection might be relevant, it is only marginally so, which means it should not be played.
[card]Hold the Gates[/card]
Constructed – 0
Hold the phone and bar the gates. This isn’t getting into any constructed decks.
Limited – 1
I see this enchantment as a 3 mana spell that gives all your guys Vigilance, which might make the cut as a 23rd card, although the number of Gates in my deck would be the final determinant for whether this sees play.
[card]Holy Mantle[/card]
Constructed – 0
Too expensive for the Auras deck in Standard and Spirit Mantle already exists in Modern. Sorry but this just isn’t making it anywhere.
Limited – 3
HELLO!!! Yeah this wins games and with the amount of Vigilance in White this will be backbreaking for your opponent. This is one of those cards I can’t see myself ever passing.
[card]Knight Watch[/card]
Constructed – 0
Five mana for four power is not good enough for Standard. Also I’m a little disappointed this isn’t a Black card.
Limited – 2
In limited getting four power for five mana is perfectly acceptable but what pushes this over the top is this card instantly turning on Battalion
[card]Luminate Primordial[/card]
Constructed – 0
The Mana Deprived preview card! While Mr. Lansdell’s article was quite elaborate it was missing one comment about the card: It’s unplayable. What makes it even worse? [Card]Angel of Serenity[/Card] is in the same block.
Limited – 2
It’s a fatty with the ability to remove your opponent’s best creature. Not every game allows you to get to seven mana but if it does, this card will take over games.
[card]Murder Investigation[/card]
Constructed – 0
The flavour text has me missing Varys and Game of Thrones which comes back March 31st.
Limited – 1
The upside is that you can use this to enchant your opponent’s bomb. The downside is you then need to find a way to murder it!
[card]Righteous Charge[/card]
Constructed – 0
White [Card]Overrun[/Card] is not as good as the Green version.
Limited – 2
WHITE PSEUDO OVERRUN!!!
[card]Shielded Passage[/card]
Constructed – 0
I don’t understand the Flavour Text, were Izzet and Selesnya people?
Limited – 1
While I’m personally not a fan of these kinds of combat tricks, there are certain decks where this would make a decent last card
[card]Smite[/card]
Constructed – 0
Critical spell for any character that wants to Jungle and even those that don’t need it should still bring it to help secure team goals like Dragon and Baron. What’s that? Oh, wrong game. My bad.
Limited – 2
This is conditional removal in the sense that you need a blocker but it’s unconditional that it can kill any creature. A must play.
[card]Urbis Protector[/card]
Constructed – 0
Urbis is a Football Museum in Manchester and last I heard it doesn’t have any Angels protecting it.
Limited – 2
While it might not be [Card]Serra Angel[/Card] it does however trigger Battalion, which is weird for a card that has Flavour Text suggesting Angels are leaving the Boros.
[card]Zarichi Tiger[/card]
Constructed – 0
Lions and … No you weren’t invited Tiger, please leave.
Limited – 1
The ability on the card, while cute, doesn’t make up for the power level loss on the card. This isn’t a snap inclusion but sometimes you just need those extra creatures.
* * * * * * *
Blue
[card]AEtherize[/card]
Constructed – 1
The deck where this will really shine is against Mono Red or Aggro strategies who will tap out before combat.
Limited – 2
This can be a huge blowout if your opponent taps out before combat and at worst it slows down his board development.
[card]Agoraphobia[/card]
Constructed – 0
This card had best stay inside and not show its face.
Limited – 0
Personally I wouldn’t play this but I understand there exist people who have a fear of playing better cards.
[card]Diluvian Primordial[/card]
Constructed – 0
My wish list for Jurassic Park 4: Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum reunite for the first time since the original. (Neill was in 3 and Goldblum 2 but not together since 1)
Also Spelltwine is a better and not played.
Limited – 3
5/5 flyers are always good if a tad expensive and the other line of text will potentially deliver some value though I wouldn’t hold this card back waiting for it.
[card]Enter the Infinite[/card]
Constructed – 1
[Card]Omniscience[/Card]. In all seriousness outside of the M13 Mythic this card will see zero play. I don’t even expect to see this played in many EDH decks.
Limited – Less Than Zero
Here’s an idea, don’t play this.
[card]Gridlock[/card]
Constructed – 0
Not to [Card]Aetherize[/Card] a dead horse but this is again inferior to [Card]Blustersquall[/Card], unless you run into the Mono Keyrune deck.
Limited – 4
Not only do I not see anyone passing this, barring a ground shattering other card, this will be first picked in pack 3 and splashed for; it’s just that good.
[card]Incursion Specialist[/card]
Constructed – 0
If you can’t afford [Card]Invisible Stalker[/Card] this could be a budget replacement.
Limited – 2
I see this getting a lot of play and annoying a lot of people. Even if you can’t trigger its ability, this card works as a decent blocker.
[card]Keymaster Rogue[/card]
Constructed – 0
Being a keymaster, I would of expected him to open a door to a better ability.
Limited – 2
A 3 power Unblockable creature is above board at four mana and the drawback on the card is not extremely detrimental in blue, where Evolve is an ability.
[card]Leyline Phantom[/card]
Constructed – 0
The word Leyline on a card lead to great excitement and a great letdown.
Limited – 1
It’s a 5/5 for 5 so it passes the vanilla test, but its drawback knocks it down a peg.
[card]Metropolis Sprite[/card]
Constructed – 0
Faerie Rogue? Maybe they are foreshadowing a [Card]Bitterblossom[/Card] unbanning in Modern.
Limited – 2
I would be hard pressed to ever cut this card from my deck as flyers are in short demand. It’s also possible that I am completely wrong as the more I look at it, the more I flip flop between for sure inclusion in a blue deck and why would anyone ever play this.
[card]Mindeye Drake[/card]
Constructed – 0
[Card]Belltower Sphinx[/Card] called and is wondering why this card is uncommon.
Limited – 1
I would have this as a late inclusion if you are on the mill plan and stuck for cards. Otherwise it shouldn’t see the light of day.
[card]Rapid Hybridization[/card]
Constructed – 1
The spiritual reprint of [Card]Pongify[/Card] for people who prefer Frogs to Apes. It certainly has main deck potential and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this in a few sideboards against Reanimator or end game bombs.
Limited – 2
Removal in a color that does not get removal.
[card]Realmwright[/card]
Constructed – 1
There are two problems with this card: First it is not better than [Card]Prismatic Omen[/Card] and though the ability is powerful it leads to our second problem, people thinking this is better than Omen. It certainly has potential as a one of tech but nothing more.
Limited – 1
Playing this card hedges entirely on how greedy you want to be with your deck. If you’re super greedy you’re using this as mana fixing for your splash and even if you aren’t super greedy I would not fault anyone for playing this.
[card]Sage’s Row Denizen[/card]
Constructed – 0
Whoever made the choice of printing this cycle did not listen to sage advice.
Limited – 2
If you are on the mill plan, then this card is a 3 and you want as many of this guy as possible and even if you aren’t, the rating is a 2 as this is still a well costed creature.
[card]Sapphire Drake[/card]
Constructed – 0
[Card]Niv-Mizzet, Dracogenius[/Card] and [Card]Isperia, Supreme Ruler[/Card] cost the same amount as this card and are far superior.
Limited – 2
Obviously in a Simic deck this card’s value is increased exponentially but even without the Combine, a 4/4 flyer for six mana will generally get the job done.
[card]Scatter Arc[/card]
Constructed – 0
The fact that it cantrips doesn’t make it a better card than [Card]Negate[/Card]
Limited – 0
You might bring this in from the sideboard if you see something you need to deal with but a lot of times in limited your opponent is casting creatures while you sit idly by.
[card]Sky Games[/card]
Constructed – 0
The Quidditch reference is wasted on this card.
Limited – 0
This card is a trap at its low casting cost. It’s only going to take up one of your lands.
[card]Spell Rupture[/card]
Constructed – 2
The spiritual successor to [Card]Rune Snag[/Card] and [Card]Mana Leak[/Card], this could cause even more annoyance among people because many a time this will be a hard counter and I expect this to see significant play in the midrange decks.
Limited – 1
I believe the mill decks are going to snap up every copy of this they can to make your day even more miserable.
[card]Totally Lost[/card]
Constructed – 0
Winner of best flavour text in the set.
Limited – 1
Kind of meh as a card though I expect it will see play based solely on its flavour text.
[card]Way of the Thief[/card]
Constructed – 0
A subpar aura considering what is already available this should be showed the way to the door.
Limited – 1
Most decks have a Gate and the Power/Toughness boost will surely be wanting I don’t see this being cut from decks that play blue.
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That wraps up part one of my set review. Thanks for reading. You should also check out the Horde of Notions Podcast, sponsored by Face to Face Games, on MTGCast.
William
