WorldWake Visual Spoiler!
Card Tags: Abyssal Persecutor; Iona, Shield of Emeria; Malfegor
In case you did not hear, this is the Lotus Cobra of the set. As in, it's worth the most. There is some debate about whether or not this card is overhyped or not. I honestly don't think it is. I'm not saying it will be worth as much as a Baneslayer Angel or something, but it might. The card is a 6/6 flying for 4 mana. It's drawback only happens after you've already won, at which point it becomes a 6/6 blocker that causes you to win if it leaves play. It's better in constructed than limited because its earlier to kill after its done its job, but even in limited it's a bomb.
Limited: Seems like most Mythics in this set are solid choices for limited. Again, only problem with this guy is his color commitment. He is the other multicolored spell in the set.
Constructed: I want this guy to see play. This is the kind of card that I get really excited about. Swampwalk seems pretty good and his ability is AWESOME! But, when it comes right down to it, this card is really niche. Memory Plunder did not see any play, but at least this guy is also a 5/8 for 6. I will not lie to you, I don't think he will see play... outsideof the FNM deck I will be building with him.
Limited: Really good in limited. Chances are you will be playing it on your turn for that landfall effect. I bet people will also be playing it at EOT, maybe using the two mountains they got off of a Harrow. Lots of X/1's to kill in this format, so it will probably be played for one damage more than you might expect.
Constructed: I don't know if this card will see play over Lightning Blot. One more red for damage to the player AND the creature is not too bad, so some Red Deck Wins out there will run it. Some of them are running Resounding Thunder in a mono-red deck, and this card is a better choice than that.
Limited: Probably the best limited card in the set. It goes in every deck. Every guy you own can kill every guy they have AND gain you life. Swing with it and then re-equip it on a blocker. I don't know how people are going to beat you when you have this card on your side of the table.
Constructed: This is an interesting question, will this card see play? I know equipment seems to be seeing less and less constructed play, and this one does not beef up P/T. I don't think this card will see any play in constructed, outside of FNMs. But, it is one of the better equipments we have seen in a bit.
Limited: Seems really good in limited to me. Most rares in this set are. A 5/4 for 5 that simply must be answered or they can't attack you and play spells the same turn. I really like the flavor of this guy. He makes Ogres jump out of nowhere to block.
Constructed: If he was blue or white or something I would say he would see play. This guy is better in a control deck than in an agro deck, I feel. I guess he does prevent them from swinging back, but unless there is a red/black control deck or something coming up, I don't think he will see much play. Maybe he will see play at the top of a curve of an aggressive deck, but they probably have better choices. With this guy and Stone Idol Trap why do I get the feeling like Wizards is trying to make red more... well... white?
Limited: Why can't he fly? Well, anyway, he is pretty good in limited. You will just need one of the common lands in either this set or the last to make him worth it. Gaining two life or making a 0/1 every turn can be pretty darn good in limited.
Constructed: There are some rumblings of a 42 land deck or something, but I don't think this guy will see any play in it or otherwise, not unless they print even better lands. If you could still stack damage he might be fun with some manlands... but you can't. This card is one of those cards were you look at it and say "If it cost one less, or one less to use, it would see play."
Limited: You might find yourself running this card even if you don't run green. One free blocker is pretty good when it comes with a land. Not first pickable, I don't think, but it will always make the cut into your deck.
Constructed: If there IS going to be a 40+ land deck, this will be one of the cards in it. With cards like Oran-Reif, manlands, and this card you really don't need to run creature cards anymore to win. I think this card will see constructed play, and I'm interested in seeing the list that runs it.
Limited: Yeah, every time I drafted Swerve it was a mistake. Seems like a great idea, you kill one of their own guys with their removal. But, they don't seem to cast removal spells when they have the best creature in play. This card is twice the mana for the same effect.
Constructed: Swerve does see play in constructed sideboards, occasionally. This card will see play in older formates where blue is more heavily played. I don't think it will see sideboard play in current standard. Over all this is a very "meh" card. At least it's monored. Looking at Deflection it tells you about Magic's past.
Limited: This guy is pretty darn good in limited. He does not get you your special lands, but he does get you color fixing. I really like this guy. He seems like a really well designed common. He is not first pickable, or even 3rd pickable, but I will be putting him in many a draft deck.
Constructed: More than a few Jund lists ran Borderland Ranger and this guy is basically a colorless version. He can go in ANY 3 color deck, not just green ones. I really feel like this set might have helped Esper out more than Alara Reborn did. I think there is an Esper tier one deck somewhere in this set, and this card might be part of it.
Limited: Well, same as with the other ones. Only drawback is it's color requirements. It seems like a solid pick, and it's really good last game.
Constructed: A few people are bemoaning this card as the weakest of the cycle. It costs 3 mana to activate, then you have to start playing for its power, and it has no toughness. I think that might be selling it short. While it is one of the weaker one, it's one of the strongest late game. If a black red control deck every can get its act together, and I think that it can because the cards ARE there, this card might very well be its finisher. Late game you can just win with it, especially if you have been using discard to remove their answers.
Limited: I'd run it.
Constructed: If someone builds a deck this card can go in, and there are no better options, it will see play in that deck.
Ummm...... I guess we know what will becoming in the next set.... Rise of the Eldrazi!
