There was 2 major events this past weekend, SCG Indy and PT Return to Ravnica.  I'll start with the Standard cards on the uptick after this weekend:





Thundermaw Hellkite

More Jund Midrange decks move into the metagame and more are bringing new deck innovations like this one.  It hits Lingering Souls and Angel tokens and other flyers, taps them, and hits for 5.  It may have finally found its spot in the metagame with Jund as a finisher.

Dungeon Geists

As WUR decks move from Control to more Midrange, the deck needed a midrange creature to help slow the creature rush and lockdown hard to deal with while still being aggressive.  Enter the return of Dungeon Geists (aka Mini Frost Titan).

Rakdos's Return

Rakdos has returned and brought pain throughout the first few weeks of RTR Standard.  If the idea of hitting midrange, ramp, and control, Rakdos's Return may just be the card for you.

Now, let's look over the Return to Ravnica (and other Standard cards) that made a huge impact on the Modern format this past weekend that you should be looking to pick up:

Faith's Reward

Stanislav Cifka's Second Sunrise combo deck was the breakout deck of the event.  Now there were 8 copies of the deck that were played and 3 that made Day 2.  I don't know how many of these deck ran this card other than Cifka's because there are missing cards in the Modern Decks 18 pts or higher lists.  This card gives the deck more opportunity to go off and win.  Now, I will warn you that if you start investing in Faith's Reward or Second Sunrise or if you plan on playing the deck, it takes a ton of contraction and plotting to play this deck (and I've played a TON of combo decks in my career).

Abrupt Decay

How much do a good portion of the spells cast at this event cost?  Three or less you say?  Well that made Abrupt Decay replace Maelstrom Pulse in Jund this weekend.  Wow.

Deathrite Shaman

As much as you see Deathrite Shaman in standard for its second and third abilities, Modern was the perfect place for it this weekend as it help move Jund back up as one of the most played and powerful decks in the format because it just does more than Bird of Paradise.


Liliana of the Veil


Liliana has not been very sought after in Standard because of the way the format developed.  Modern seems to be where she has found her niche, mostly in Jund but occasionally in others (See Bronson Magnan deck from Grand Prix Lincoln 2012).  Her multiple modes help Jund grind its way to victory.

Slaughter Games

Sideboard card to deal with combo decks was Slaughter Games.  Several of the combo decks were playing Blue and could stop certain spells which made Slaughter Games more attractive.  It didn't help Jund win in the finals however.

Loxodon Smiter

Really?  Yes, this guy saw play both in a Naya (Marco Camilluzzi) and in Doran (Christian Calcano) who both made Day 2.  Think about this, Loxodon Smiter can be cast from Cascade with Bloodbraid Elf and it also is another turn 2 play for Doran deck.

Master of the Pearl Trident

Merfolk are not dead in Modern and Master of the Pearl Trident is one reason.  This deck is stocked with creatures like this one that pump up the team.  Four copies of these decks were played, 3 made Day 2 and 2 over those decks had 18 pts or more.

Nivmagus Elemental

Gerry T and Brad Nelson came up with a brew that played a lot of Phyrexian mana spells, Storm spells and Kiln Fiend but needed another out.  Nivmagus Elemental was that card.  The only problem was that the deck gets destroyed by Jund but destroys every other deck in the format according to their testing.  They had hoped to dodge Jund but with 30% of the field at PT RTR, it just didn't happen.  Regardless, the deck was an absolute blast to see played.