Friday, July 12, 2013
Explore: M14 Standard
Hello
girls and boys, it has been a minute or two since our last
engagement, so let us make up for lost time. Today, I want to look
at the cards from M14 that I believe are going to impact Standard.
Without too much rabble rousing, let us delve a bit deeper.
Archangel
of Thune
While
this is not Baneslayer Angel, it sure is not far from it. Archangel
of Thune is a disgusting curve topper in an aggressive white deck.
It offers a sizeable body against other aggressive decks, and
punishes them with lifelink and a free Gavony Township. Just one
successful attack from the Angel allows an aggressive deck to play
midrange, which is a powerful transitional tool.
Banisher
Priest
Another
card that will help out aggressive white strategies, Banisher Priest
brings the pain unlike Fiend Hunter with a power of two. Not as
adept defensively as the Hunter, the Priest can actually score a
meaningful hit against the opponent on occasion. There are no cute
tricks with stacking the ability of the Banisher Priest though, as
the wording has been “fixed” for whenever the card leaves the
battlefield.
Barrage
of Expendables
I
can not wait to toss Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham at the
opponent. If that does not win the intimidation war, nothing will.
This is nowhere the caliber of Goblin Bombardment, and it may be too
expensive with the activation cost involving mana, but the effect is
good enough to warrant some experimentation.
Brave
the Elements
It
would seem that white aggressive strategies are being supported fully
with the new core set. Brave the Elements saw play during it’s
last foray into Standard, and there is no reason to expect anything
different this time. The mana cost is right, and, in some
situations, the card is absolutely backbreaking. While Brave is
Standard legal, one has to constantly consider it when facing down a
lone white mana.
Burning
Earth
Yay!
Burning Tree Emissary decks get a tool to fight the three color
midrange decks. Okay, maybe I am not really excited about this, but
Burning Earth is an incredibly potent tool for one or two color red
decks to capitalize upon. In fact, Burning Earth is so powerful in
the current Standard, that it warrants serious main deck
consideration. That said, I would relegate it to the sideboard
because I anticipate the red/green aggressive decks to make a up
enough of the metagame to be a discouragement against playing a
potential four mana do-nothing. However, when Earth is good, it will
be terrific.
Celestial
Flare
This
is not an exciting card, but it is a two mana answer to hexproof
strategies, which I anticipate will be more abundant for the next few
months. The double white mana cost is a big handicap, so Celestial
Flare will be difficult to incorporate into the existing white
control shells without a major overhaul to the mana base. However,
it may be worth it to give the deck a good way to dispose of
Invisible Stalker and Geist of Saint Traft. More than likely though,
those decks will adopt black, and play the easily splashable assorted
Edict effects.
Chandra’s
Phoenix
I
am not certain that Chandra’s Phoenix will be a good card in the
hyper aggressive world of current Standard, but the card is good
overall. Pillar of Flame being the go to removal spell for anything
with red mana due to the Voice of Resurgence effect hurts the
Phoenix’s playability severely. She may need to wait until post
rotation, but Phoenix will rise again.
Chandra,
Pyromaster
Alright,
there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the new Chandra incarnation.
As is the case with most planeswalkers, Chandra, Pyromaster has the
ability to take over a game if unchecked. Of course, one could make
that same argument for any planeswalker (Tibalt included... poor,
maligned Tibalt). Her plus one ability is, fairly unexciting. It can
protect against assorted X/1 creatures, so she is probably
serviceable against decks that are heavily reliant on mana creatures.
Against aggressive decks, Chandra, Pyromaster is probably not going
to help stymie the tide of aggression because most of those creatures
will be X/2 or greater. It is difficult to put Chandra into an
aggressive main deck because at four mana her effect on the board
against other aggressive strategies is so mediocre. Her plus zero
ability is certainly powerful, though not being able to curve into it
on turn four is disappointing. Untapping with Chandra in a stalled
game is certainly game changing, but being in red, that game plan is
unpopular. In tandem with Oliva Voldaren, Chandra, Pyromaster could
be completely dominating. I would also look for a Arc-Slogger type
of animal in Theros to fully take advantage of the abilities of
Chandra. Lastly, her ultimate ability is one of the weakest to date.
It will range from amazing to awful, and that is not what most folks
are in the market for when they build up a planeswalker’s loyalty
to seven. At the end of the day, Chandra, Pyromaster is okay, but
probably homeless for a while. She could see some sideboard play to
give red decks more staying power against midrange or control decks,
but Burning Earth probably does that job more effectively.
Corrupt
Is
mono black control back? No, it is not, but it is only fair to ask
the question. There are many tools available to black right now to
be competitive. Between Mutilate, both Lilianas, Doom Blade, and the
plethora of Edict effects in Standard, no creature can realistically
live for very long. Sign in Blood can help to hit the necessary land
drops to reach Liliana of the Dark Realms, and then she can power out
massive Corrupts aimed at the opponent’s dome. However, the
threats in Standard are extraordinarily fast, resilient, and
efficient. Also, mono black has, basically, no way to beat an
Ætherling. I have a fondness for Corrupt though, and I hope that it
becomes a major player in Standard at some point.
Domestication
Control
Magic variants are always hit or miss during their Standard runs.
Last time, Domestication was a big miss. What makes it different
now? Quite simply, the lack of Maelstrom Pulse for Bloodbraid Elf to
cascade into. It may be too slow by itself, but Domestication backed
up by Azorious Charm, Izzet Charm, Pillar of Flame, Celestial Flare,
Supreme Verdict, Jace, Architect of Thought, Tamiyo, the Moon Sage,
and even Terminus can turn any aggressive matchup into something
borderline laughable. Domestication has always been good enough, but
I believe this Standard environment is a true chance for it to shine.
Doom
Blade
That
about sums up my feelings on Doom Blade. The card is efficient, and
does exactly what is needed at most all times. Standard control and
midrange decks with access to black mana will be happy to have this,
as a flexible catch-all (catch-most?).
Elvish
Mystic
Move
over Arbor Elf, we need a reliable mana bug. While I am saddened
that Lanny, King of Beats (a.k.a. Llanowar Elf) is not being
reprinted, I am overjoyed at the sight of this little elven druid.
As a lover of the green mana, I like being able to reliably get more
of it. Avacyn’s Pilgrim plays around on the plains too much for my
liking, and Arbor Elf does nothing with a buddy land. Elvish Mystic
will always produce green mana, because Elvish Mystic knows that
other colors are for chumps.
Encroaching
Wastes
A
lot of people are bemoaning the fact that this is not Tectonic Edge
or Dust Bowl. I am thankful that it is not Tectonic Edge, as
aggressive decks do not need another efficient way to cause control
or midrange to stumble. Five mana is crucial for the non-aggro decks
in Standard right now, and Tectonic Edge shoots that in a back alley.
As for Dust Bowl, repeatable land destruction is frowned upon and
viewed as a negative play experience, and Dust Bowl can just lock
another player out of the game. Wizards of the Coast has done a lot
of work to remove the one-sided nature of Magic’s early years from
the game, and, most would agree it is for the best.
Encroaching
Wastes is just about perfect. It provides a desirable effect, but
not at a negligible cost. It can be used aggressively with mana
acceleration, which allows the card to be a potential game clincher,
which I love, but it requires a some work to make it happen. All in
all, the card is designed well enough to offer an effect that many
decks will want, but it will not saturate Standard.
Fiendslayer
Paladin
Fiendslayer
Paladin has a laundry list of abilities that are really good.
However, I am not sure if this card will make a splash in Standard
because of the competition at three mana in white. It is hard to
justify Fiendslayer over Boros Reckoner, and the disparity between
two white and colorless and three hybrid red/white mana is,
typically, not going to be enough to dissuade one from using the
minotaur wizard of doom. However, this is very much like a white
Vampire Nighthawk, that wears auras and equipment incredibly well. I
would not count out Fiendslayer Paladin, but it probably will not
create major ripples in the Standard pond.
Garruk,
Caller of Beast
Oh
Garruk, why do you keep costing me more mana? At six mana, Garruk,
Caller of Beast had better do something impressive. The plus one is
a Lead the Stampede, which was unexciting despite Patrick Chapin’s
attempts to sell the world on it Being repeatable though, is a step
in the right direction, and in the right deck, it is abusive.
Garruk, Caller of Beast is a lot like Domri Rade, but at half the
mana, Domri is better overall. Domri does not swing the game as much
with his plus ability as Garruk can, but being able to fight
creatures for a pithy two loyalty is much better than Garruk’s
Dramatic Entrance. Garruk, Caller of Beast minus three ability is a
tough sell, as at six mana, a green deck is not likely to have many
creatures left in hand. Realistically, Garruk, Caller of Beast is
going to plus one the turn it comes down an overwhelming majority of
the time, which does not bode well for him driving the competitive
scene. The ultimate ability is fantastic though, and it will be
difficult to lose a game with the emblem. Top to bottom, Garruk,
Caller of Beast has a good ability for gaining loyalty, though
nowhere as good as Garruk, Primal Hunter’s plus ability. His minus
three ability is uninspired, and Caller of Beast’s ultimate is the
best that Garruk has seen to date. If he sees play in Standard, it
will be as a one or two of at the top of a midrange green deck’s
curve, though I doubt there will be an overabundance of Garruk’s
showing up at the top tables.
Goblin
Diplomats
On
the surface, Goblin Diplomats is not awe-inspiring. Yet, if we look
at them from the eyes of a red mage, then the world starts to warp
from the heat of the vast assortment of incendiaries at our disposal.
Being able to eliminate big blockers is a boon for red. Being
castable off of Burning Tree Emissary is even better. Goblin
Diplomats do not stand out as allstars, but they are decent enough to
be considered as a two drop in aggressive red shells.
Haunted
Plate Mail
I
enjoy the duality of this card, and it could be used an option by
creatureless control decks. Unfortunately, those are typically blue,
and why play Haunted Plate Mail if Ætherling is available? The
design of the card is well done, and being able to get an extra
effect at virtually no cost is a definite plus. Perhaps once the
resilience of creatures against sweepers drops a bit, Haunted Plate
Mail will see a triumphant arrival to Standard. Currently though,
this is probably too slow and low impact to see much play.
Imposing
Sovereign
I
love me a Blind Obedience. I really love me a Blind Obedience that
can get into the red zone. The push to make white aggro better with
the inclusion of M14 is quite evident. Craig Wescoe and Cedric
Phillips are probably doing somersaults looking at the complete M14
spoiler. Imposing Sovereign offers a lot of punch for only two mana.
I anticipate this card will see a lot of play out of white
aggressive decks. Not playing well with Burning Tree Emissary is a
definite strike against Imposing Sovereign, as it slides nearly
perfectly into Naya Aggro strategies. It may not a have an obvious
home at this time, but Imposing Sovereign will certainly be played in
Standard.
Kalonian
Hydra
It
may not have an enter the battlefield ability, but Kalonian Hydra
only needs to swing once to completely alter a game. In a deck based
around counters, such as scavenge or evolve, Kalonian Hydra is a
chart-topper. The mere thought of Corpsejack Menace into Kalonian
Hydra gives me a fever, and the only prescription... is more
counters. Additionally, it quickly grows to unmanageable size with no
assistance, so it does not require a massive commitment to make it
relevant. Not the value that we have become used to out of our green
five drops, Kalonian Hydra is certainly a mythic monster that gets my
full endorsement.
Kalonian
Tusker
Grizzly
Bears just seem to get better and better as the years pass. Kalonian
Tusker requires a heavy commitment to green, but the payoff is an
above curve beater. Plus, committing heavily to green is exactly
what should be going on anyway.
Lifebane
Zombie
Hello
Reanimator, so nice to see you. This is certainly a step in the
right direction for Standard. I would not call Reanimator
oppressive, but I will say that the cards available to interact with
it up to this point have been lackluster. This is precisely the sort
of card I want to cast against a deck relying on Thragtusk,
Restoration Angel, and Angel of Serenity. Also, the design is
balanced. I like that it also does nothing against the serendipitous
flip off a Mulch or Grisly Salvage, but it does help push against the
midrange plan of just casting big green and white critters. Lifebane
Zombie being a 3/1 intimidator is welcome as well, as it helps create
effective racing scenarios.
Liliana’s
Reaver
This
one may be wishful thinking, but I like the body and the ability.
Only having three toughness probably spells junk rare for the Reaver,
but being able to trade with almost any creature in Standard is
powerful. Additionally, being in black offers a ton of removal
options that allow Liliana’s Reaver to actually connect, and it
only takes one or two successful attacks to create an unenviable
board state for your opponent.
Manaweft
Sliver
We
are going to miss you Farseek. I anticipate seeing a two mana
accelerant that is a bit better in Theros block, but if not, one
could do worse than Manaweft Sliver. I do not believe a dedicated
Sliver strategy will be viable in constructed play without a major
push in Theros. Manaweft is primarily a mana fixer, and secondarily
a Sliver.
Mutavault
For
anyone that played during Lorwyn, it is impossible to forget the
power of Mutavault. It powered up the tribal strategies of the
block, and required a small sacrifice of being a colorless land in a
deck’s landbase. However, with Ravnica shocklands permeating
Standard, including Mutavault in one’s deck comes at a much higher
cost than before. I am not sure where Mutavault will land in
Standard, but I do not expect it to see a large amount of play at
first. Mono red and red/green aggro has a hard time supporting it
between Burning Tree Emissary, Ghor-Clan Rampager, and Boros
Reckoner. It probably slides into white/green Humans best, though
losing the explosive starts of Naya aggro may not be worth staying in
a dedicated one or two color strategy. Mutavault is powerful, but I
believe it will be used in moderation while in Standard.
Opportunity
It
cost six, but sometimes a deck without Sphinx’s Revelation just
needs four more cards. I can not imagine playing more than a couple
of these, but I think they will most likely sneak their way into a
blue/black or Grixis control list.
Ratchet
Bomb
I
imagine Ratchet Bomb on zero, one, or two counters will happen
frequently while it is legal in Standard. It is not incredible, but
if a colorless, potentially early sweeper is needed, Ratchet Bomb is
the spiked football to enlist. It does give control decks a reliable
way to interact with Lingering Souls, which is something they have
desperately needed for a while now.
Scavenging
Ooze
A
card good enough to see play in Legacy, will see play in Standard.
There will be times it does nothing but be a 2/2 for two mana, but
most times, Scavenging Ooze will generate some value. If left alone,
it can completely take over the board by swinging for much more than
a two mana creature should. It is not quite as disruptive in
Standard as it is in the eternal formats, but Scavenging Ooze is too
good to not see play in Standard, although it will probably be more
of a roleplayer, than main deck contributor.
Shock
Instant
or sorcery? That is the question. Voice of Resurgence makes Pillar
of Flame the one mana red spell of choice, but I can speak from
experience, that I would have liked a Shock a time or two in
Standard. I am glad to see it back in the mix, plus it allows red
decks to add a bit more reach to their arsenal. A format where red
aggro is a legitimate threat, is a healthy one in my humble opinion.
I like it when the metagame has to respect the power of hasty red
beatdown.
Shrivel
Shrivel
is a splashable way to answer Aristocrat themed decks. I can
appreciate that, as I have crammed Golgari Charm into a lot of
sideboards because of the presence of Lingering Souls and company.
It may be out of place due to the reprinting of Ratchet Bomb, but
Shrivel offers another option to decks looking for this sort of
effect.
Tidebinder
Mage
Another
card that I would have loved to have seen during Lorwyn Standard,
Tidebinder Mage puts the sticks to any deck looking to Tusk up. The
lack of a real merfolk-centric shell will keep the Tidebinder Mage
from making too many waves right now, but I would keep an eye on it
once Theros shows up. Merfolk just need a good lord, and three or
four good creatures to be a real tempo deck. Tidebinder Mage does
not have a home in Standard at this time, but I do not believe that
will always be the case.
Trading
Post
I
am sure Brad Nelson will write fifty-seven articles and record
sixty-three videos attempting to exploit Trading Post in Standard.
Honestly, I hope he is successful. Trading Post brims with
incremental value, which is exactly how I like to play Magic. It is
the Rockiest of artifacts, and I have a hard time resisting a good
Rock deck. I just do not know if it will be good. This is another
card that I anticipate to get better with Theros. Greek mythology is
littered with powerful artifacts, and I expect the block will pay
homage accordingly.
Witchstalker
In
another world, Witchstalker seems like my kind of card. It is green.
It is of Trained Armodon size and stature. It is a wolf, and it
punishes blue mages for fiddling around on my turn. However, the
world we live in now contains a nasty deck revolving around auras and
hexproof. It is an evil deck comprised of all the materials that
went into making Dimir Charm. Regardless, once Geist of Saint Traft
and Invisible Stalker depart the Standard environment, I will let
this dog off the leash. Witchstalker is not going to change the
scope of Standard without the critical mass of playable hexproof
creatures that we currently sit at, but the card is solid enough to
see play from time to time outside of an aura-centric deck.
Wring
Flesh
One
day, we will not have Tragic Slip, and Standard will need a
replacement. Wring Flesh got a little play back during it’s last
run in Standard, so there is no reason to believe it will not again.
Not being able to crush creatures with the morbid trigger is a
drawback, but Wring Flesh allows for some more blocking tricks
because it reduces power so much. Wring Flesh will not change the
landscape of Standard, but it will see play for sure.
Xathrid
Necromancer
A
lot of well qualified folks have reviewed this card, and with good
reason. Xathrid Necromancer is a powerful card that harnesses the
synergy of the myriad of sacrifice effects available in Standard.
While I like Liliana’s Reaver, I full on love Xathrid Necromancer.
The zombies coming into play tapped is the only real negative, and
the majority of the time it will be negligible. Getting multiple
2/2’s for only three mana and little to no actual investment is
potent, and a curve of Doomed Traveler, Cartel Aristocrat, and
Xathrid Necromancer allows for an impressive board presence that is
astonishingly difficult to answer.
Young
Pyromancer
Young
Pyromancer is another card from M14 that has received a sizeable
clamor. The triggered ability on Young Pyromancer is impressive, but
I am not so sure that she will run roughshod over Standard. There is
a dearth of cheap cantrips in Standard that would sufficiently feed
Young Pyromancer, maybe it can work. Flashback cards like Faithless
Looting and Think Twice are the most likely direction to move towards
to truly abuse the ability, but just getting additional value off
Pillar of Flame and Searing Spear is probably good enough. Young
Pyromancer will probably become a default two drop in aggressive red
decks, and I anticipate she will contribute to more than a few wins.
That
wraps up my Standard view on M14. This is always an exciting time in
Magic for people like me. The introduction of a new set causes the
community to look into alternatives from what they have grown used to
playing for the last three months. The feeling of the opponent
picking up a new card, reading it, and being wrecked by it is one of
the best in game. I like to win for sure, but I like to win with
style way more. So long as that style includes a Forest or two.
As
always, thank you for reading.
Jeremy
Skelton
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