UPDATE: I played in two pre-release touraments this weekend, so I thought I would update some of my thoughts after playing with and against some of these. I ran a BRGu and WBGr (<--third place with that one) decks. I know sealed isn't always the best indicator of how something is going to play in constructed or EDH but it gives you an idea of how good it is in actual practice, not just in a vacuum.
So, I've never done anything like this so I thought I'd give it a shot. My plan is to write a small tidbit about why I like that card, why I think it's good for EDH and then if I will be buying a copy and for which deck! SO without further adeu, my EDH Picks from Dragon's Maze.
I LOVE this card. I think it fits a neat niche and would love to see more cards in this vein. (That's kind of a penis joke. They actually did a good job not making this one look like a penis.) It is unfortunate that is the same cost as Parallel Lives, but in my opinion, curving out isn't as important in EDH as it is in Standard. In reality you could still play this on turn 4 and Parallel Lives turn 3 if you really wanted to. This will fit perfect in any GW or Bant colored decks that want a bit of a surprise 5/5. I think you'll see plenty of this around standard for the next year or so and I think it will do the same in EDH.
I can get behind this and I will be buying one for my Rhys, the Redeemed Deck
This was the first card spoiled from this set and it's a doozie. A 6/6 for 6 with abilities is playable as demonstrated so well by the Titan Cycle of M11 and M12. Vigilance and Reach are very relevant in the format. Attacking every turn is not my favorite tactic, but it is very Gruul. It's the third 'ability' that gets down to brass tacks. EDH is full of big fun splashy stuff. Some turns can have numerous spells cast a turn. This guys puts a halt to that. He also puts the brakes on one of my least favorite cards, Eye of the Storm.
While I generally like this guy, I'm not sure I'm going to pick one up right away, but I might look at altering my Maelstrom Wanderer / Animar Deck to include this guy, less spells and more creatures.
UPDATE: I opened one of these in my second tournament for the day. I splashed red just for him. WBGr. Let me tell ya, this guy is a BEATING if he sticks. Reach and vigilance were easily the best part of him with his 6 damage thing being great too, though harder to play around since I was just splashing for him, and therefore running actual spells and not just creatures. In terms of EDH, if you build around him, I think this guy is going to win some games for sure.
Council of the Absolute
The only reason I put this on here is because I think it would be hilarious to name Sol Ring with it. That is all.
I don't think this is particularly good for EDH, and I will not be buying one.
Zhur-Taa Ancient
Group Hug decks are going to love this! Except, I'm not sure how many group hug decks are in these colors. It's pretty good if you don't care what the opponent is doing. The mana flare bit is fun and it actually gives you good protection against whatever it is your opponents are going to be doing with the extra mana that they will be most likely using before you will. Interesting card, just not my cup o' tea.
I will not be buying.
Varolz, the Scar-Striped
Oh how I wish this guy was an Elf Warrior. I love these kind of cards that give an ability to everything else. This one in paticular is pretty sweet. He's a +1/+1 generator and sac outlet all in one. I'm for sure going to be trying this one out in my GB Jarad Elf Tribal deck. Seems like he fits the Golgari theme very well.
I will be buying one.
UPDATE: I didn't actually play him, or against him, but heard a number of players that had him note that he was definitely the MVP. I can't wait to start sacrificing and scavenging my BG Elves.
Bet you didn't expect to see this card on this list. It's really just a combat trick for limited, but what a blowout this could lead to. I'm known with a few of my friends that regularly play against me that I usually keep some kind of trick up my sleeve and this just sings to me. I honestly won't put it in any decks but I may pick one up just for the LOLZ. I don't have a lot of mountains in any of my EDH decks, but I think it would be fun with goblins.
UPDATE: I played one of these in my first go-round in a BRGu deck. It didn't do much for me but to be fair I only drew it once. I can see though, how this card could be a total blowout.
Debt to the Deathless
Exsanguinate in BW? Yes please. This is one of a few cards that are tempting me into switching my Mirri, the Cursed Vampire Tribal to BW with Vish Kal. It's really nothing special but black can generate some excess mana fairly well along with some artifact accelerants and you all the sudden have a kill everyone at the table spell. I will buy one of these in foil if I can find it mainly cause the art is so metal, but I don't have a deck to put it in yet.
UPDATE: I opened one in my pool but didn't play it. I was staring one down on the other side of the table though, and it was scary. I was doing all I could to keep the guys white mana tied up enough to not be able to cast it. I like it still and am currently trying to decide where to put it in EDH.
Emmara Tandris
This card is beyond disapointing. This was the last of the champions to be spoiled and after I saw Voice of Resurgence, I was convienced that I would soon have a new General for my Rhys, the Redeemed deck. Alas it was not to be. MaRo was quoted saying that they basically switched this and Voice at the time they decided that all the Maze Runners would be at rare. It's really a shame because I was looking forward to what this beauty could do.
Alas, I will not be buying one.
Master of Cruelties
This should be an instant inclusion to Kaalia of the Vast, BUT I'm not a dick. The fact that his ability happens before damage is dealt means that with Kalia and a little mana rock, this guy is a turn 4 kill. Because you just put him into play, you can basically attack with Kalia and drop MoC, and if they have no blockers (which in our games is 50/50 by turn 4) then bam. Dead. 40 to -1. I like the idea, but I'm not one to put cheap win conditions in my decks. I don't even play with Disciple of the Vault in my Sharuum Deck.
I will not be buying.
Gaze of Granite
A basically better version of Pernicious Deed? Where do I sign? My biggest complaint, WHY DOES THE ART NOT DEPICT VRASKA?! This would be perfect. Really what can you say about this? It's a sorcery, you can activate PD at instant speed. This hits more types than PD. Regardless, It's a great homage and well balanced.
I will snap buy any foil of this card for Jarad.
Renounce the Guilds
There are not a whole lot of mono-colored decks running around standard right now, I don't see this as being a very good card in general, but it intreagues me in EDH. There are a few mono-colored decks that run around in EDH, Darien, King of Kjeldor is one of them. I'm toying with the idea of picking one of these up for that deck and seeing how it works out. No one in my playgroup plays mono color except me and this might be a good way to wipe out some pesky Generals, or even a few creatures. It's a low cost, thing but is very dependent on what your opponents have in play. It could be an all-star, it could be a dud.
I will be buying one none-the-less.
Melek, Izzet Paragon
This is a 'Build-around-me" General if I've ever seen one. This card nails the Izzet flavor in my opinion. 6 mana is a bit steep but, really if you can protect this guy, look out. I can see this card working great with creatures like Chandra's Spitfire, Kiln Fiend, and the new Nivix Cyclops. I really dig EDH decks that have a certain theme and I think it would be a blast to build an Izzet themed deck around this guy. Not just red and blue, but actually THEMED.
If I can find one in foil I'm going to pick one up as a project deck.
Pontiff of Blight
This is in the same category as Varolz in the terms of granting all of your creatures an ability. I LOVED Extort in Gatecrash maybe a bit to much as I tried to cram it into every deck. I love the idea of extort with free spells ala Cypher. This card will make it much easier to create this kind of deck because you don't have to cram a whole lot of Extort into a deck. I think this is going to be a fun card in EDH because Extort hits all of your opponents and all of your creatures can have it. I'm sad that the creature type isn't Vampire, but I may make an exception.
I'll buy one for Mono Black Mirrri, and possibly to start a new zombie theme deck, as there has been tremendous support for zombies lately.
A junk colored card? Strange. I think this may be a plant for the next block. I honestly have nowhere to put this card in terms of EDH but it's so flippin awesome that I want one. Sure its essentially a 6 mana combat trick, but what a great combat trick. I can't wait to see the look on my opponents face when I bust this out. then flash it back next turn with Snappy.
I'll buy one, but it will most likely sit in my binder for a while, while I come up with a idea for Junk EDH. Maybe all defenders and combat tricks!
Beck//Call
Boy, this post is getting long. Hang in there with me. This card is going to be silly I think. Both sides are useful, but I see Beck getting the lion's share of the work here. What's this in my hand? Avenger of Zendikar? with 9 lands? I'll draw 10, thanks. I think it's going to be my goal to see what the highest number I can draw off of Beck will be.
I'll buy one for my Rafiq deck. It's mainly enchantment based, but this could come in hand for sure.
Notion Thief
Format Staple alert. I think this card was printed to help hose cards like Consecrated Sphinx and Trade Secrets even though it was just banned. I just love this. Creatures with flash are just dirty. Hahah, go ahead cast your Sphinx's Revelation. Gain some life, but I'm going to draw those cards for you. Blue Sun's Zenith going to restock your hand? I'll take those. Necropotence? Mine. The only thing I don't really like about it, is that its in the two best colors to draw cards already.
I'll pick one up. Sharuum maybe. Maybe Lazav.
UPDATE: It was pointed out to me that I was wrong about Necropotence in my assessment of this card and that things like Consecrated Sphinx are not particularly good for this card. I still like it and think it's a great card for the format. Sadly I didn't even see one in two release events.
I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't work the way I want him to, but I still think he could be fun. I think he's a bomb in limited and good way for Boros to keep Battalion active. I doubt I will be using this but he might be fun. He doesn't really fit into my Kalia or Maelstrom Wanderer decks. I'm praying that say if I cast Bonfire of the Damned against a stocked board that I get two soldiers for each time it does damage, but im 99% sure it just means "did Bonfire do damage?" Yes... Then you get two Soldiers.
Seeing as he won't slot into anything and I'm 99% sure he doesn't work in Magical Christmas Land fashion, I most likely won't buy.
Spike Jester
There's not much to say about this guy, but I like em. I doubt he will fit into anything seeing as the only deck I have that supports the colors is Kaalia, but that deck DOES need some filler that is not and Angel, Demon or Dragon. 3/1 Haste puts the pressure one early, though not as well in EDH. I do love love love this and hope I get one in all 4 of my DGM packs in the pre-release.
I may pick one up for Kalia. Who knows.
Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts
Teysa, Teysa, Teysa. People were generally disapointed with this card I think. Given how good her first one is in EDH. I say people aren't looking broad enough. Can you image this out on the field with Darien? Holy cow. Vigilance AND protection from creatures? So you have to burn her off or Doom Blade and their ilk. She can attack into a full board, and gives you pseudo protection from creatures in the form of a built in No Mercy. 7cc is high, but really for what she gives you, I think it's fair. She won't be seeing much constructed play methinks, but Teysa may see some play in EDH.
I'll pick this one up, really just to have one, cause the art is nice in foil. I don't have a spot open, but she may fit well into the BW Vamps I may put together in the future.
This card is sweet. Talk about options. 2cc for a destroy artifact is pretty run of the mill. 1cc for destroy enchantment is ok, as Erase is better because it will exile it. But put them together... It's like peanut butter and chocolate.
This has a spot open in Kaalia. Hopefully I can find a foil.
Gruul War Chant
Is it me or is this card bonkers? 4 mana is kind of steep for something like this in standard, but EDH? I'd be hard pressed to find a spot for this in Maelstrom Wanderer, but I may well do the hard work to find one. Beefing all your attackers and making them be blocked by two each? Where's the downside? You want to be attacking in that deck anyway, might as well make it harder for them to block you.
If I can find room, I'll be picking one of these up!
This is not a particularly good card except for it's CMC of ONE. This is so good as Cipher. Not just for Cipher alone. This card could say anything. U, Pick your nose. Cipher. This card is good because it helps the Esper Cipher Extort decks so much. I'm sure the actual spell might be useful in some way, I'm just excited to have a 1CMC Cipher spell to use with Extort. To bad I won't be using it in EDH though.
No Buys here.
Legion's Initiative
This card is bonkers. Just nuts. This card single handedly makes me want to change Generals for my Mono White Soldier deck to Boros. Maybe I'll just make a new one. I know Ghostway is a thing, but two mana. This thing is a huge rattlesnake. Espeically if you have a ton of creatures on board that have ETB effects. wow. not to mention its basically a two mana anthem. This plus Assemble the Legion would be pretty damn fun. This plus Assemble the Legion and Doubling Season/Parallel Lives in a Naya build would be silly.
I'm going to buy one of these once the hype dies down, then shoehorn it into something. most likely it will fit pretty well into Kaalia right now.
This guy looks awesome. But that's it. He's like the self centered girl in middle school that you somehow managed to talk into being your girlfriend. It's so awesome at first but you soon realize that it was all hype. She's boring and useless. This card is a trap. While it's protections are surely relevant, the 30 or more life, and opponent have 10 or less life... it's just a win more. Sure it can be a finisher and I may be totally wrong here, but I just think that if you are in that position, you've likely got something good going for you. In EDH it's even worse, though he could be used politically.
The jury's out on this guy. I'll have to wait and see. Though yet ANOTHER Vampire to go into this ever growing BW Vamps. If they print an Oros colored Legendary Vampire.... oooo... it would be so good.
UPDATE: Warning. If you open this guy in any limited event, do whatever you have to to be able to play him. He is so good in a limited environment. I underestimated how good. The +6/+6 wasn't even relevant really. It's the protections that do it. In my second event I played a guy that had one of these and he got it out 2 out of the 3 games we played. Being in WB as my main two colors, this guy just drove me nuts! I stick to my original assessment that his bomby nature in limited will not translate as well into constructed and EDH success, but playing against it sure has made me think about it a bit. There are just a ton more answers in other formats.
Ral Zarek
Here he is. The long awaited planeswalker. First revealed in DotP on consoles, Ral Zarek was a neat character. Is he a good card? Time will tell but I think Wizards is finally learning how to balance Planeswalkers and make them 'fair'. He does make for some interesting plays in standard, but I really don't see him pulling his weight in EDH. Without some shenanigans to get up to 7 loyalty quickly, he just seems kind of... blah to me. I will be proven wrong I'm sure when someone drops him turn 3 on me and proceeds to blow me out then take 6 turns in a row.
I'm holding off on this one on principle alone. It's a dumb bet to buy Planeswalkers early these days.
UPDATE: True to form, when there is a Planeswalker I don't care about, I'll open one in a pre-release event. I was in BRG and I splashed U just for this guy and another card on this list I'll get to. I only got to play him once and luck would have it that I was able to hold off my opponent long enough to pop off his ultimate, netting me 3 extra turns. The thing is, I had the game well in hand by that time and didn't even have to do it. I won the same turn I popped off his ult. He's definitely better than I gave him credit for and he will see some play in Standard I think, but Ral, I just don't think you're good enough for my 99.
I actually got to play AGAINST a Ral as well in my second event, but it was pretty much the same situation as when I used it. He just seems like a 'win more' kind of card.
Zhur-Taa Druid
This guy's pretty sweet. Reminds me somewhat of Llanowar Dead. The kicker though is that damage clause. That gets real fun with some untap effects. Real simple here, not much to say.
I'll get one if I can find it in foil. Should fit ok into Maelstrom Wanderer
UPDATE: I got two of these guys for my first event (BRGu) and honestly was kind of underwhelmed. He was decent, but one on one I'm not sure if he's going to get there. Now in multi-player I still think he's going to be awesome, I just haven't had a chance to find out yet.
Blood Scrivener
Is the the second coming of Bob? While it's not quite the card advantage of Dark Confidant, this card is pretty good. Same CMC and stats as Bob, but it allows you to play out your hand alot better while mitigating the loss of life. Again, I lament that this is a Zombie and not a Vampire, as I would love it for Mirri, the Cursed, but I believe this card is going to see play everywhere there are small quick decks that want to play out their hands quickly.
I'm picking up at least one and I suggest you do to.
UPDATE: GAR!!! I didn't get one of these and could not trade for them to save my life!! Still on the hunt.
Tajic, Blade of the Legion
This guy could take the mantle of General away from Darien and usher in a new age of Soldier deck in my playgroup. I adore my mono white deck that is really just centered around equipment and getting as many anthem effects on the board as I can then dropping Darien and start using Tarnished Cathedral and Jade monolith to generate an army of soldiers. Tajic is indestructible though and makes it easier to keep him on the board. I really am starting to like switching to boros...
I'll buy one with the intent of exploring changing from mono white to Boros. Though that kills my plan of getting a Renounce the Guilds...hmmm decisions decisions.
Progenitor Mimic
At 6 mana this is an expensive clone. But it's the gift that keeps on giving. I wish wish wish this were Selesnya colors instead, but I will make due. I guess this cards real power comes from whatever is on the board like most clones. I don't really have a lot to say about this card besides I like it and I hope the foil is nice.
I'm going to get one eventually for Rafiq of the Many. Just start pumping out copies of stuff, and send it your way with double strike.
UPDATE: I got one and splashed blue for it along with Ral Zarek in my first event. Sadly I can't tell you how it did, because I never got to play it. Still seems like fun though.
Dragonshift
I honestly won't play this card, but I just love the idea of it. When I first saw this card I immediately thought of playing it in Maelstrom Wanderer, having Avenger of Zendikar out with Kiki Jiki making tons and tons of plant tokens. Then playing this. Laughter erupts around the table. Oh wait, that's just me laughing. hah!
If I come across one, I'll hold onto it. Just in case.
Voice of Resurgence
This was the first card I saw from this set that I thought, "I NEED ONE". This will slot directly into my Rhys, the Redeemed deck and not look back. I HATE the art though. I really wish this was the Selesnya champion like originally intended. Hell, I'd still play this at 4CMC. This gives you an advantage over so many things its not even funny. Great card and I imagine you will be seeing it a ton, from kitchen tables to spotlight matches at the next Pro Tour.
I'm hunting down a foil ASAP.
While 7 mana seems like way to much, this card is actually pretty crazy. Imagine this with Doubling Season/Parallel Lives. It synergyses well with Trostani herself netting you 4 life. Cloudshift her and now you have +8 life, 7 creatures, and 19 power on your side. Sadly nothing she gives you is flying, but hey. This card is also crazy (esp in multiples in modern) with Revilark. You can brink back two of these to the battlefield at once, and even better if you have Doubling Season. Fun design all the way around.
I'm going to find room for this in Rhys, the Redeemed.
Mirko Vosk, Mind Drinker
This guy wins for my favorite proper name. Mirko Vosk. Sounds so Star Warsy. There is nothing particularly great about him though. He's a bomb in limited. Normally I really wouldn't want much to do with him, but the 'Grind' pseudo mechanic they've made here is just so... I don't know. I don't like using mill as a win condition. I really like using it as a resource. That's how I think it should be used in EDH. Play around with cards that interact with everyone's graveyards.
He will find a way into Lazav for sure. Just perfectly.
Hidden Strings
This card is really just a better Hands of Binding. That one may be an instant, but so what? You get to do this twice and you can untap stuff. You can basically play this spell for free if you want to. Just pay 2 then untap those two mana. This is just another Cipher card to use well with Extort if you ask me. It even pays for it's own extort pretty much! I think it shines a bit in EDH though. Want tons of mana? How about tapping that Grim Monolith or Mishra's Workshop three times for mana?
As a common, I'm sure I'll come by one sooner or later, maybe for some Sharuum madness.
UPDATE: I didn't play one of these but played against one in the top 8 of my second event. It's GOOD. Especially in dimir. cast something then untap, untap for counter mana? yeah. its good stuff. It was definitely annoying but it was hilarious when the guy i was playing against was keeping mana untapped to counter my stuff and i dropped an Abrupt Decay on him, having to remind him it was uncounterable after he triumphantly drops his counterspell and taps his mana.
Plasm Capture
Last but not least the 'fixed' Mana Drain. Mana Drain is a fun card. Well for those of us who enjoy casting counterspells. It's pretty evident that people like to, look at it's price tag. This on the other hand, this is fair. If you're going to cast your big ol spell into my four open mana, you kind of deserve to have it thrown back at you. I really like how they changed it from colorless mana to mana of any color combo.
I will be getting one the Rafiq to replace Cancel.
UPDATE: Here are a few cards for EDH that I played with/against that I missed the first time around!
Lavinia of the Tenth
I totally underestimated this gal. I played against a guy that had her out and WOW. It totally effed up my whole day with all my small stuff being detained. The the 'always available' nature of EDH, I can see her getting pretty annoying as a general. I know in that format you are wanting to play a lot of big dudes but really it's all the small ones that get you there. Having them ALL shut down for at least one turn is nuts. And there are so many blink effects that can just perpetuate that. Definitely over looked this one.
Possibility Storm
While I did get one of these, I didn't play it. I'm not really into the whole 'chaos' thing, but for those of you who are, and who build your deck to work with it, I really think this one could be great/annoying. I don't have much more than that to say about it because I don't really play the game that well, but I'll tell you what, I DO NOT want to see that thing land on the other side of the board.
Hazzda Snare Squad
I played with one of these in my deck though it really didn't do a lot for me. I do really like it though. It's a bit expensive for what it does, but it's in popular tribes (soldiers, humans) therefore easy to pump with anthems and such. It's attack ability is pretty cool though. It can be used to 'force' blocks early or tap their big guy later. I may drop one into Darien, if I can find room. I'm still looking for room for the Blind Obedience I picked up this weekend though.
Boros Battleshaper
At 7 mana, this guy is a beast to cast and very well may not be worth it, but he does have good stats. His ability is nuts though. Playing against one of these I could definitely see he is good. Luckily for me my opponent got this one out to late and it didn't really matter to much. Again he is in a popular tribe in soldiers so he would be easy enough to give him bigger better stats. I'm not sure he's great, but for sure something to look at if I ever do switch Darien over to Boros.
Well That's it. That was a lot of cards to cover at once and hope you stuck it out to the end. I thank you if you did. Next time I think I'm going to talk about a few new ideas for decks. I have two empty spots in my deck box and a few ideas floating around. Thraxamundar, Karn, Vish Kal, Oros Vamps, Boros Soldiers... Which ones would you like to see? I'm also going to go over my first completely pimped out EDH deck, Mirri, the Cursed. Ok, I'm still looking for a Alpha or Beta Demonic Tutor and a Judge foil Vampiric Tutor, but who's counting, right? With that, this is Red Six, standing by...
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