Community

I've been incredibly busy with work the last couple weeks, so i apologize for the long delay between posts, i'm well aware the new core set is almost entirely spoiled, so i know i'm quite behind. So without further delay, here's the scale, and lets begin: 

1 - This card shouldn't see much, if any play in EDH. Either very limited uses to one or two specific generals, or just bad.
1.5
2 - This card might see a little play, and it's not totally unplayable, but by no means should it see tons of play.
2.5
3 - This card is solid. Will see a respectable amount of play from decks in it's colors, and isn't too limited in it's strategy. 
3.5
4 - This card will see a large amount of play. Bordering on becoming a staple for that color, the power level of this card is obvious, and it's something decks want.
4.5
5 - Something that will become a staple of that color. These cards are cards that are simply good enough to be played in every deck of that color regardless of strategy.

For those not familiar with my methods, I will mention all cards that are Rare or Mythic, along with any card that could potentially be relevant. The limited filler that has no place in this format will be left alone to keep the articles short and to the point. 


Black:

Appetite for Brains : Hitting four or greater will hit close to 35% of most decks in the format, however there are still much stronger discard options for black.

1/5

Barter in Blood : Already seeing play in a lot of black decks, solid answer to indestructable cards that isn't player-specific, and commonly run along-side Fleshbag Marauder .

3/5

Dark Imposter : Fragile body, even as a three converted mana cost drop, however the ability is solid enough that it may be worth a look for some strategies. I can see this being played in a deck that has green for the ramp options. If you're only able to hit one target per turn, it's not worth the slot. If you're in a deck with say... Seedborn Muse and Mana Reflection however, it can be incredibly solid. Lots of potential.

3.5/5

Demonic Rising : Generally, the format fluctuates between clogged board-states, and wraths. The idea of securing one creature with consistency is difficult, but it's appealing enough that i'm in the middle of brewing around the idea of "land a bomb and defend it" type of deck at the moment. But the average deck will not want this type of card, as it's not going to be something that happens too frequently.

1.5/5

Demonic Taskmaster : I bring this up because of the previous card, and a card later. This is solid for a strategy trying to stick with one guy on the board. With no help from equipment or other such cards, it swings for 10% of starting HP and it comes in at the three converted mana cost slot, which is solid. It also comes with the added bonus of having a sac outlet for something along the lines of say, a Solemn Simulacrum .

1.5/5

Demonlord of Ashmouth : The body is a good value, even for this format. Undying is good, and sacrificing a creature for the first trigger will be relatively easy, and more than likely not too terrible for the player, since you're in a color that has a plethora of reanimation options. The second trigger on the other hand from undying, if it was following a wrath, may be a little more challenging. 

2/5

Descent into Madness : Black option for a game reset. If you're ahead in permanents rather far, for instance after a large Genesis Wave , there may be a time when this card is slightly less degenerate, and more of a win condition, but those circumstances it's probably just a "win more" card. 

1.5/5

Dread Slaver : Low power for this effect, if it can pick up some swords it's not so bad. I can't see this making the cut in most lists though.

2/5

Exquisite Blood : May end up in a list where someone is trying to utilize cards like Sanguine Bond , Exsanguinate , and so forth. But it's going to be a very niche-style strategy.

1/5

Gloom Surgeon : Just....don't.

1/5

Grave Exchange : If the card was reanimating instead of gravedigging, it'd be playable.

1/5

Griselbrand : One of the posterboys for the set, and a card everyone and their brother is excited for, myself included. I shouldn't have to say much, his power level is pretty obvious. Watch out with purchasing him, as there's a decent amount of chance that he gets banned. (The problem for this is in competitive EDH, he enables the already-existing monoblack storm decks even more consistently than they were running before.) That said, there are alternatives to take care of it, so stay tuned on the announcements if you do have him, or if you don't mind keeping him around for Legacy or something else, feel free to grab him anyways, and enjoy him.

5/5

Harvester of Souls : Will trade when it blocks, and has the potential to draw anywhere from a few to a vast amount of cards. Will be seeing some play in decks wanting to abuse sac engines and get free cards for it. The body isn't entirely awful, but the six converted mana cost slot is incredibly crowded for this format, so probably won't make the cut every time.

3/5

Homicidal Seclusion : If you've drafted this set, or played in any of the sealed events for it, you've become familiar with this card. I'm only listing it because of the potential to see random decks try to stick one threat, as this along with Demonic Rising and such as mentioned earlier. The lifelink will protect somewhat against counterswings, but wraths will obviously still be needed for backup, fun to toy around with brewing at the absolute worst. This is slightly less niche-like, as it could be used in any voltron strategy.

2/5

Killing Wave : This is getting a good amount of buzz as well, and has some fun applications. Not quite a wrath, so don't count it as one when you're deck building, but it can kill a few things more times than not.

2.5/5

Treacherous Pit-Dweller : ..Maybe...if you're playing Homeward Path ...but even then, it just seems so sketchy to have to have a 1-of copy of a land of all things in black. If you want to though, nobody's stopping you, and he's pretty solid at early damage.

1/5


Red:

Archwing Dragon : Might see some fringe play in niche strategies.

1.5/5

Bonfire of the Damned : Very solid in other formats, but unless you get it with miracle, it will be quite lackluster in this format.

2/5

Burn at the Stake : May see some play in stratgies seeking to use tokens and perhaps this as a potential finisher.

1.5/5

Dual Casting : Echo Mage sees play in some decks, but enchantments are obviously notorious for putting you in a 2 for 1 situation should your creature get killed. Also, being limited to what you control is subpar.

1/5

Hound of Griselbrand : Has some potential if you can pump it a little. Undying makes up a little bit for the terribly lackluster body.

1.5/5

Kessig Malcontents : If you're trying for a human deck for whatever reason, you want this.

1/5

Lightning Mauler : I'd personally prefer that my Lightning Greaves not die to a Wrath of God , but some might prefer the guy for one reason or another.

1.5/5

Malignus : Not bad, especially given the increased starting life total. As long as you're in multiplayer, this one isn't too bad at focusing down someone relatively early on, since it checks the highest among all opponents. Lack of evasion makes this stay low in the ratings though.

2/5

Reforge the Soul : Some decks like these effects, Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind off the top of my head, but there are a few others. Most of them cost two mana less, but perhaps you want an extra copy of this effect.

1.5/5

Rite of Ruin : Red has stronger game resets and wraths than this, so if you're using this at all, it's in the removal slot, it's still only meh, but if you're in mono red, it's an answer to enchantments, which is rare for you.

2.5/5

Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded : Most planeswalkers thrive in a format like this, this isn't one of them. The Insurrection "ultimate" is obviously viable, as it's the best red card in the format, but getting up there with the discarding at random, and being so fragile at the start means you have a high percentage chance that this will do more harm than good. Also, the fact that you can't insurrection the turn he hits play with a Doubling Season makes it weaker as well. The Sudden Impact shouldn't be relevant...almost ever.

1.5/5

Tyrant of Discord : I've already seen this running around on occasion. It's cute with Rite of Replication , which i've seen happen once or twice. Otherwise, it's just a red fatty with potential upside.

2/5

Vexing Devil : It's a tempo-based card obviously, and this format isn't terribly tempo based. If you're running non-multiplayer however, might be thrown into some decks, although hitting once for four is relatively lackluster, even if it is for one mana.

1/5

Zealous Conscripts : Easy to splash, so can see play in any deck. The ability is quite versatile since it's any permanent, and this format love versatility. Sub-par body for the cost, but the effect can be powerful.

3/5 


That wraps up this edition, it's early Monday morning, hopefully work settles down a bit this week and i can power out the finishing article for this set sooner rather than later, until then keep an eye out for further reviews, and enjoy slinging some of the awesome cards in this set.