M12 Spoilers + Another Banning!

At this moment we are just a couple of weeks away from M12 core set premier, and spoiled cards are coming from every side of the world. Well, let’s see the most interesting ones and how could they affect limited/constructed play.

Yeah, i know, this one isn’t particularly interesting, but i just wanted to show the mechanic that’s making it’s big comeback in this set – Bloodthirst. Originally from Gruul guild in Ravnica, Magic R&D highlighted it as one of the evergreen mechanics and printed it once again. As this particular card goes, it won’t be played anywhere near constructed, but it will be solid in limited play. Fourth turn 5/5 is nothing to sneeze at.

Oh, yes, we all know who this is! Grim Lavamancer was played in mono red in any format in which mono red deck could be played ever since it was printed. And no doubt it will be played in today’s standard mono red decks. Especially in the next 4 months while fetch lands are still in the format. Fetches, Grim Lavamancers, Goblin Guides(finally another quality 1 drop to accompany Goblin Guide), Lightning Bolts, Searing Blazes, Incinerates, Staggershocks… This will be some mighty burn deck.

Another card spoiled just today. It’s excellent in limited of course, but it could also see some play in older formats in dredge decks. You can mill him first couple of turns and after that every attack destroys their creature(s) and get this guy back on top, and back in graveyard again via dredge mechanic. Looks good for the sideboard, if not maindeck.

Another card with Bloodthirst mechanic, this time featured on a much better card and more adequately on a vampire. Another vampire lord, but will it be good enough for another vampire deck, only time will tell…

Another core set, another ridiculous Hydra. This time even more than before, i think. There is no doubt how absurd this is in limited, only question is: is this good enough to see some constructed play? In some mono green ramp deck, maybe? When you play it for as little as 4 mana you’ve got a 3 turn clock. If you play it for 6, it’s 2 turn clock. Additionally, when you play it for 7 or more mana you got yourself 10+ trampling monstrosity on the first turn it’s able to attack.

This is another card that brought up much discussion. If Goblins needed something to push them over the “playable/not playable” line, this is it! You can even sac Goblin Arsonist (which is also being reprinted in M12) for some additional damage.

Also, this picture is just so adorable, so beautiful and funny at the same time. Fantastic work, Mr. Walker!

And for the end of today’s spoilers, let’s add some unique red craziness. Some random goofy wackiness only an 8 mana red sorcery spell could provide. This probably won’t be played anywhere but you can be sure it will boggle Johnnies minds for the months to come.

For today’s article I’ve got some additional news! When Jace, the Mindsculptor and Stoneforge Mystic got banned there was another banning that went off the radar.

no more!

That’s right, just 1 day after I wrote about Familiar Storm’s pauper dominance, Frantic Search got banned in pauper.

players were united in this reaction

Majority of the players took this news positively as Familiar Storm was a real menace in Pauper format. Well, no more. I expect Familiar Storm to remain a viable deck in pauper but far less powerful and dominating than before.

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