Below are my thoughts on each Born of the Gods card. I have broken them up by color so you can easily jump to whatever color you want to read up on. Why should you care about my thoughts? Good question. I attended four Theros Sealed PTQs, my combined record was 20-8-2 (70% win percentage). Of my eight losses two came in win and in situations, two of them I had the win and simply punted game three away. Twice I simply got stomped 2-0 by a vastly better deck. I feel like I have a great grasp on the Theros environment. Currently the PTQ season is Standard Format, this will continue until March 9th. On March 15th PTQ season will return to Theros Sealed. After being so close during last sealed season I am very much motivated to close the deal on a PTQ in season three. I know this is an awful lot of talk about limited, what about Standard? Born of the Gods does not seem poised to shake up the standard environment all that much.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Born of the Gods - Green Review
116 Archetype of Endurance
Worst Archetype by far. It costs
way too much and actually does way too little.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.0
117 Aspect of Hydra
Generally the construced mono green devotion decks are doing way bigger
cooler things than using a one shot pump spell.
In limited this card will have the chance to shine. Any more than +2/+2 is pure bonus. Green did not have a one mana trick in
Theros, so keep an eye open when the opponent leaves a lone forest untapped.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
118 Charging Badger
In a world where you want to create a bigger monster trample is always
a good way to keep them from being chump blocked. Play this guy if you have ordeals and lots of
bestow.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
119 Courser of Kruphix
Courser does not let you play an ADDITIONAL land per turn like Oracle
of Mul Daya. That being said it should
let you basically draw a card every few
turns, with the draw back of your opponent knowing every card you draw. Courser is a good card in both limited and
standard.
Standard – 2.5
Limited – 3.0
120 Culling Mark
There are better more reliable options for killing a creature. If you cast this and attack with more than one
guy they get to choose who to block, sometimes that might not be enough to
remove their threat.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.0
121 Fated Intervention
Six power for five mana is an ok investment, being instant speed is
slightly better. I think this is
probably just worse than Advent of the Worms in standard.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 3.0
122 Graverobber Spider
Another solid card that gets way better if you are in the G/B graveyard
deck. Giant Spiders are always playable,
ones with bonus abilities are even more so.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
123 Hero of Leina Tower
Hero of Leina Tower has a lot going on.
A one drop that in a heroic build is maybe even better late in the game
than early. She has the chance to be
really big from time to time. Is at
least worth exploring. In limited I just
want to slam an Aqueous Form on this with lots of mana open.
Standard – 2.5
Limited – 3.0
124 Hunter’s Prowess
With a big enough creature built up, this card might just end the game
on the spot, your opponent will be faced with letting you draw a lot of cards
or block away their team. I am not
convinced that this is strong enough for constructed play, but I could be
wrong.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 3.5
125 Karametra’s Favor
Mana fixing is a premium in the world
of Theros. This will enable all
sorts of greedy green decks.
Standard – 1.0
Limited - 2.5
126 Mischief and Mayhem
Sorcery speed combat tricks are generally not that good. But giving two creatures +4/+4 seems worth
giving a try. Lets a lowly Voyaging Satyr take down even the mightiest Nessian
Asp.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 3.0
127 Mortal’s Resolve
I know this looks sweet but it feels pretty small. I just do not know if this will make the cut
of many decks. It might see some
standard play to occasionally counter a removal spell.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 1.5
128 Nessian Demlock
Now this is a tough choice for an opponent. Sometimes they will have to protect something
good and give you a 6/6 and hope they can deal with it. Or they let you blow up one of their extra
lands. Still seems fine.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
129 Nessian Wilds Ravager
Pretty sure that if you’re in green you should always play this
Hydra. Neither choice is going to be
good for the opponent and I wouldn’t be unhappy with either side of this
Tribute.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 3.5
130 Noble Quarry
I think that this is the little unicorn that could….could always make
my deck. I really like a good lure
effect. You can either send him in and
swing with a bunch of guys to kill them, or bestow up a big creature and go for
a one sided Wrath of God.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
131 Nyxborn Wolf
If this was a 3/2 I would like it a whole lot more. As it is I think that it might be a little
over costed in the bestow department.
Will be better in decks with fliers.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
132 Peregrination
It is a ramp spell, those have histories of making their ways into
standard. I do not think that scry 1 is
worth the entire mana that makes this not Cultivate.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 2.0
133 Pheres-Band Raiders
Pheres-Band Raiders is an Inspire card that enables itself
basically. 5/5s are made to be attacking
if he lives through the battle you get to cast a Nessian Courser. Not a bad deal at all.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
134 Pheres-Band Tromper
Tromper seems like he will be quite fine in Theros limited, after just
a couple of successful attacks he becomes a huge headache for your opponent.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.6
135 Raised by Wolves
I am very interested to actually play with this card in limited as I
cannot quite figure out if it is good enough or just a trap in wolves
clothing. Just remember that if a wolf
dies after your enchanted creature has
been dealt damage, it could also die since it will shrink in size.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
136 Satyr Wayfinder
Another card that puts stuff in your graveyard, the recursion deck
looks fun. This can get any land card
not just a basic.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.0
137 Scourge of Skola Vale
I want this baby hydra to be good, but having to tap to activate its
growth mechanic eliminates the ability to use it as an offensive combat
trick. Basically if your opponent is
smart this guy just turns into a flagbearer and forces them to kill this
instead of the target they want to kill.
Which is not the worst.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 3.0
138 Setessan Oathsworn
Think of this a green version of Wingsteed Rider. After just a couple of targets this thing
will be huge.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 3.0
139 Setessan Starbreaker
Starbreaker is really good. The
ability to get rid of a bestow is huge.
Getting a 2/1 for your troubles is pure gravy.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
140 Skyreaping
Most fliers in this format have four toughness, getting four devotion
in green is not a difficult feat. This
will be one of the better sideboard cards in Theros limited. It might even be strong enough to see some
sideboard play in green devotion decks in constructed.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.5
Standard -
141 Snake of the Golden Grove
You will almost always gain four life when you cast this spell. It isn’t the worst but it is far from the
best five drop in green.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
142 Swordwise Centaur
GG is a pretty demanding mana cost to cast on curve. Unless you are devoted to green, I would try
to find easier to cast two drops to play.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
143 Unravel the Aether
Deglamer reprinted with a new name.
It will sometimes be your 23rd card and that is ok, plenty of
things to target with it. Deglamer has
seen sideboard play in modern as an answer to Wurmcoil Engine, I can see decks
using this in their sideboards in standard to deal with Gods.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.5
Born of the Gods - Red Review
87 Akroan Conscriptor
Akroan Conscriptor is likely one of the best heroic creatures in the
environment. Too expensive and fragile
to see constructed play outside of possibly block. In limited this shaman is going to lead to
huge blow outs.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 3.5
88 Archetype of Aggression
A 3/2 for three mana is slightly above the curve for most red
creatures. The fact that he gives your
team the ability to push through damage is all upside, nevermind that he takes
trample from your opponent. In
constructed it should be noted that this guy battles vs Elspeth very well,
small enough to not be wrathed and basically neutralizes her tokens if you have
any board presence at all.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.5
89 Bolt of Keranos
Solid red removal spell, not as good as Lightning Strike, but the
double red cost might make it stick around a little longer in the draft
packs. Sorcery speed is a big
downside.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 2.5
90 Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Curving out Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass into bestowing Spearpoint Oriead
gets you a 7/4 First Striker. That is
one serious threat. This guy on his own is not all that impressive as he will
generally only trade down on the attack.
Defending in red is not exactly where you want to be.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.5
91 Epiphany Storm
Has your two drop been outclassed by larger creatures? Turn it into a looter! Problems solved.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
92 Everflame Eidolon
I do not care much for this little spirit. Tempo is so important in this limited
environment. The turn you bestow him he
does very little. There is room for
upside, firebreathing a flier is strong, but I just think there are better guys
to have in your deck.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.5
93 Fall of the Hammer
One sided fight! Nothing better
than landing a solid sucker punch out of nowhere. They do not even get to fight back. Will be better in the RG decks but still
quite serviceable in most other decks.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 2.5
94 Fated Conflagration
This card might see some small play in the sideboard of red decks. It is interesting to note that this is the
first red spell that specifically targets Planeswalkers as opposed to players
with the option to redirect.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.0
95 Fearsome Temper
On the surface this seems good enough.
It might prove to be just too mana hungry to be all that great.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.0
96 Felhide Spiritbinder
Playable just based on its base stats alone. If you get to untap it you can at minimum
have a hasty 3/4 attacker for 1R with much larger potential depending on what
creatures are on the board. Be aware
that if you copy a creature that has lots of enchantments on it, you will only
get a copy of the creature you target with no other bonuses.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 3.0
97 Flame-Wreathed Phoenix
The two modes of this tribute Phoenix are very different from each
other. When you have a haste creature
you are able to sequence your spells in a way to maximize it’s impact. When you do not know if your creature will
have haste it makes things very awkward.
You will always get the mode that your opponent can deal with the
best. That is generally not good for
you. In limited you will most likely be
just fine with either choice.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 3.0
98 Forgestoker Dragon
The best thing about this dragon is that he does not fear Nessian
Asp. The turn you get to attack with him
you can falter three possible blockers allowing for a big alpha strike. Has all the makings of a near bomb.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 3.0
99 Impetuous Sunchaser
Love the flavor of Icarus, too fragile and angry to be very good.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 1.5
100 Kragma Butcher
An Inspired card I can get behind.
If they can’t kill him the first attack he just hits harder the next
attack. Should always trade evenly or
slightly upwards.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
101 Lightning Volley
Not a big fan of this card. I
think it costs too much and requires too much work to get fair value out of the
effect.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 1.5
102 Nyxborn Rollicker
This party goer is playable if you have a few ordeals. Otherwise its ok sidestep dancing with him
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 1.5
103 Oracle of Bones
Lets look at what we get here for 2RR, either a 5/3 Haste; or 3/1 Haste
and the ability to cast one instant or sorcery from our hand for free. I would love a 2RR 5/3 haste, the second side
requires lots of unknowns. What if I
have no cards in hand and top deck this?
Seems pretty lackluster. I would
still play this guy, but I would not put much faith in him being more than just
a 3/1 haste that sometimes is better.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.0
104 Pharagax Giant
Nobody likes taking five to the dome.
Just read this guy as a 5/5 for five and be happy about it.
105 Pinnacle of Rage
This card does too little and costs too much to be played. But it is removal and can possibly be used
post combat to finish off some bigger creatures that blocked.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.5
106 Reckless Reveler
It’s a bear that can double as God Weapon removal. While not amazing it’s very playable.
Standard – 1.0
Limited – 2.5
107 Rise to the Challenge
First strike is a really good trick, tacking on +2/0 is just enough
power boost to really turn around a combat.
Theros is all about the combat tricks and this one is good enough.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
108 Satyr Firedancer
I can see this Satyr taking over for Young Pyromancer in the RW burn
decks. Instead of getting a 1/1 for your
burn spells, you get to use them to just dome your opponent and then kill a
creature. Talk about having your cake
and eating it too.
Standard - 2.5
Limited – 2.0
109 Satyr Nyx-Smith
If you can give this shaman a little bit of evasion he can apply tons
of pressure and possibly take over a game.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
110 Scouring Sands
For decks that were looking to run Electrickery, this will most likely
just replace it. Most likely will be a
good sideboard option in limited.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 1.5
111 Searing Blood
While this card is very similar to Zendikar all star Searing Blaze, it
isn’t quite as good. Searing Blaze did
not care if the creature died to force through damage to the dome. With all that said this is a card that will
see plenty of Standard play.
Standard – 3.0
Limited – 3.0
112 Stormcaller of Keranos
Flamespeaker Adept has found a new BFF.
Repeatable Scry 1 is a really powerful effect, allowing you to dig
through the deck to find answers. Not
quite cheap enough to make the cut in sixty card decks.
Standard – 1.5
Limited – 3.0
113 Thunder Brute
Another tribute card that does not offer the opponent a clear good
choice. Remember that this guy has
trample, I suspect it will be overlooked a lot.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 2.5
114 Thunderous Might
Will almost always get +2/0, that alone wouldn’t be good enough to play
with so many other options around. But
the fact that this will just continue to grow as you develop your board pushes
it into being playable in red based decks.
Standard – 2.0
Limited – 2.0
115 Whims of the Fates
The wacky red chaos card of the set.
If you are very far behind in a game this could put you right back into
things. I would not recommend casting
this spell if you are already winning.
Obligatory “this is primarily an EDH card” comment.
Standard – 0.0
Limited – 1.0
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