There hasn't been a full-scale review of the commons of Shadowmoor yet (at least not to my knowledge), and as the would-be purveyor of all things block, I thought I would take a little time to address some of the choice offerings of the newest block, a new member of the Lorwyn Block, and of course for all of PDC as well. Everybody in PDC judges these commons differently, using the lens of their preferred formats to make the calls, so it will serve you well to bear in mind that I am a player who enjoys smaller, more limited cardpools where new cards have a bigger impact. Therefore, my enthusiasm for some of these cards may not carry over into Extended or Classic. But I'm sure you'll enjoy the read anyway!
WHITE
Ballynock Cohort - For White Weenie, a Nessian Courser on crack. Takes the curve to a whole new level.
Last Breath - A relatively potent, if limited, removal spell for white. Not for aggro decks, certainly, but an interesting tool in control's arsenal.
Rune-Cervin Rider - Pretty much on the curve for 2/2 white fliers with an ability, and this ability is actually pretty sweet. It's like a poor man's shade. Maybe it won't hold up in constructed as well as in limited, but it's worth a shot. Gives aggro decks something to do with mid-game mana when the hand is drying up.
BLUE
Briarberry Cohort - Good card for a blue aggro deck, which is still viable as long as Time Spiral is in Standard. Another faerie.
Drowner Initiate - I'm probably just excited about this card because I like playing Merfolk in block, but it's a one-drop with a repeatable milling ability, which seems better than the other one-drop Merfolk abilities.
Merrow Wavebreakers - For 5, a 3/3 with a costly flying and vigilance ability... Not sure if this guy deserves his spot on my list but I'm intrigued.
Spell Syphon - Another chip added onto the MUC pile for Standard. Can it happen?!
BLACK
Cinderbones - Maybe a bit mana-hungry, but this seems like a first-rate defense card in control decks. He sits back, eats away at attackers, and regenerates all day long.
Cinderhaze Wretch - This guy will have a target on him the size of China. Repeatable discard effect? Say no more.
Disturbing Plot - Everything about this card is cool, from the name to the art to the effect. Return two dead creatures to your hand with one spell? Potentially abuseable.
Faerie Macabre - Everybody's raving about this 'colorless' graveyard hoser. About time they did something like this!!
RED
Burn Trail - I may be overrating this spell, but it seems like the perfect late-game topdeck for red decks with 1/1s sitting there useless on the board and the opponent a mere sliver of life from defeat. A glorious rip.
Power of Fire - Another potentially abuseable spell from the set, though nothing we haven't seen before.
Smash to Smithereens - Fare thee well, Shatter. Good riddance.
(And once again, red gets the total shaft when it comes to the common cardfile. What a crock.)
GREEN
Devoted Druid - A fast little number, and combolicious in broader formats.
Farhaven Elf - Is this guy strictly better than Wood Elves? What gives?
Hungry Spriggan - Savage, 4/4 trampler for 3... who can be felled by a single -1/-1 counter.
Juvenile Gloomwidow - With reach and wither, this guy is a flier-hater's best friend. The art depicts the spider stalking one of the most ferocious beasts of the sky: a rabbit.
Presence of Gond - This is a combo waiting to happen in some wider format.
Green looks pretty strong in this set. There are a couple more cards that look solid: Nurturer Initiate and Wildslayer Elves.
WHITE-BLUE
(Not Azorius, please.)
Curse of Chains - Pretty unique ability for blue.
Turn to Mist - Next generation Momentary Blink.
BLUE-BLACK
(...or, if you must, Dimir.)
Helm of the Ghastlord - Tricky to employ successfully, but devistating if pulled off correctly.
Memory Sluice - The potential to mill for 8 with one card borders on Glimpse the Unthinkable.
Scarscale Ritual - Two cards for two mana and a -1/-1 token is certainly workable.
BLACK-RED
(Rakdos colors.)
Fists of the Demigod - The combination of abilities on this aura are pretty brutal in hand-to-hand combat. It's also very cheap. However, these colors have no way to prevent the death of an aura-wearer. Worth the risk?
Sootstoke Kindler - A hasty guy who gives all your other guys haste. He served me well at the prerelease and he will continue to do so in PDC.
RED-GREEN
(It's Gruul.)
Giantbaiting - One hasty 4/4 giant is scary enough. Tap two goblins and get twice the beats. This card is sick!
Scuzzback Marauders - 5/2 trampler that returns from the grave to kill again. Seeing this guy across the board is akin to a nightmare.
GREEN-WHITE
(Selesnya returns.)
Barkshell Blessing - White targetted pump. Coo.
Medicine Runner - A great friend of the Scuzzback Marauders.
Shield of the Oversoul - The thought of beating down with indestructable fliers is enough to make me find some green-white creatures to put into a deck together.
ARTIFACTS
Chainbreaker - An interesting combo piece who works with the -1/-1 counter theme.
Pili-Pala - This is a wacky combination of abilities, a flying attacker, and a color-fixer.
Scuttlemutt - Another decent attacker and color-fixer.
10:04 PM, 21 May 2008
I think Steel of the Godhead is pretty nuts (along with a lot of the UW stuff already). I also like Breath a LOT... Some aggro decks wouldn't mind RFGing a key blocker or maybe that irritating recurring creature in Grimdrifter and the like. Just a solid card all around.
8:03 AM, 20 May 2008
I think Farhaven Elf might be better compared with Sakura Tribe Elder. He's a turn slower but at least you get the land and the chump blocker at the same time.
12:05 PM, 19 May 2008
Wood elves puts the land in play untapped.
8:12 AM, 19 May 2008
How can anyone talk about shadowmoor and not bring up "Rite of Consumption"? This card is nuts for a common. Direct damage, life gain and a cost of 2. Pump yourself up a fatty attack than sac away! This will also be a great way to abuse the persist ability.
6:45 PM, 18 May 2008
I followed kehmesis steps and commented many cards on his review of Shadowmoor.
http://www.pdcmagic.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1391
This set got me excited! I thinks itīs tools can power up a lot of decks but probably nothing too powerfull to dethrone Time Spiralīs goodness.
3:41 PM, 17 May 2008
Scuttlemut and Scuzzback are my picks for PPS! :)
8:19 AM, 17 May 2008
Does Manamorphose not interest you? Being able to effectively run a 56 card deck should be gold I'd have thought. Most obviously useful in a storm deck.
12:02 AM, 17 May 2008
Farhaven Elf - Is this guy strictly better than Wood Elves? What gives?
Cant search out dual lands...oh right. Anyway thanks for the review, I havent even gotten the chance to look at the spoiler yet.
8:22 PM, 16 May 2008
Favor us with your picks, icaro! :)
8:13 PM, 16 May 2008
Nice review, but also a short one. I think youīve skipped a lot of nice cards.
I literaly ROFL with the rabbit joke :D