Comments on: The Monday Mulligan: Shadowmoor, what to get?

By: KingRitz

KingRitz — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:53:36 +0000

My mistake on the Latchkey Faerie/Briarberry Cohort interaction. I always assumed that Prowl only worked with damage from Rogues, rather than just appearing on Rogues but triggering on any matching-typed damage.
Niveous Wisps is a cheap cantrip mini-Blinding Beam for White Weenie. It totally embarasses decks that rely on a big blocker or two to survive — much like Somnomancer and even better with the two together. I see it having SB potential at least.
Ballynock Cohort: I repeat that I *HATE* the utility Rebels in WW. I think they’re wrong and fundamentally counter to the deck’s “plan”; Riftwatcher and Zealot are simply not “threats” against the average control deck. Cohort is. Also, as WW moves away from Slivers and toward Kithkin tribal bases, it may turn out that Cohort has all the creature types that really matter. That would push both it and the free-pumping Duo past Avian Changeling.
As for Duo: If WW adopts Duo, Somnomancer, and perhaps some Steels, Thistledown Duo would be a minimum 3/3 for 3 (if you’re WW but are neither casting nor winning on the board, you’re losing) and sometimes 4/4 and/or flying. It’s relevantly-typed, it wears one of the two best auras, and it’s even the second-most-respectable Duo un-pumped (behind Tattermunge, of course).
Decks like Merfolk LOVE Last Breath. In a deck like that, it’s got some significant advantages over other options. In a Blink environment, removal auras are risky. I have also lost a game to an Isolated EE that swung, stacked lethal damage, and then got Skredded by its controler — a cute but dirty trick that reemphasizes Isolation’s shortcomings (not that I could Breath an EE, but still…).
People usually can’t use the untapped-ness of Wood Elves’ Forest, so I prefer Farhaven Elf. Wayfinder, on the other hand, doesn’t accelerate — it just fixes. Farhaven accelerates, which makes it arguably better for Big Mana where all you want is a chump and the acceleration. Farhaven Elf also plays nicer with Blink effects.
Runes is so good because Doublestrike is so nutty. Runes on a Morselhoarder is an autowin from just about any life total/board position. Even Runes on a Tattermunge Duo is 10 evasive (Forestwalk AND Trample) damage just on the turn it’s cast. Something simple as Runes on Gathan Raiders means your opponent is chumping every turn until they find 4+ toughness removal (and god forbid you clear the way somehow — with, I don’t know, burn or Intimidator or something).
And yes, I like Morselhoarder a decent amount, mainly because their after-the-fact discount allows Mana Ramp to chain fatties efficiently (and they enjoy the Runes a lot).

By: Polyjak

Polyjak — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:08:30 +0000

And, of course, if you want to use these awesome new cards in a format where they’ll actually WORK, you’ll want to check out BPDC 3.01 on Monday at 8:30pm EST in /join BPDC — Lorwyn-Shadowmoor Block Constructed Pauper. Check it out!

By: Relwarbeht

Relwarbeht — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:05:17 +0000

Kingritz, you can prowl Latchkey faerie off faeries and rogues, I was surprised when I found out as well. As for the article, very good, the analysis of Giantbaiting and Devoted Druid are spot on, both will be played. The Druid is just stupid good, with Aurochs Herd and drifter alone I could see it being bomby. I have to agree that farhaven elf’s body is a big draw back. I really wanted it to be good, its a shame civic wayfarer is in the format. Kingritz is right, R/G aggro will be strong, even if its mono-red ish with hybrids or green. Tattermunge duo is nasty, as is the U/W duo. I could also see the U/B duo in a rogue build. All in all I’m excited for the new format, should be fun as nothing seems to have been broken by the new set.

By: SypherSun

SypherSun — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:58:38 +0000

Not nitpicking at all King, I forgot the spell checker! I’m typing in Word just to remove those pesky spelling mistakes, but I have to activate that little baby if I want to make use of it. Removed them all.
About Ballynock: I find Avian Changeling to be a must, because of its synergies with the Slivers and Rebel. The next three drop in the deck is usually Riftwatcher/Zealot. In an unknown meta, I might go for Cohort, but the other options (Rift/Zea/Bombardiers) are far better if you expect something (RDW/WW/Toughness based removal). That is not because they are Rebels, but because they do great utility stuff in those matchups.
I know you like Last Breath, but I don’t see its usefulness because I find it too restrictive and there are better options (Temporal Isolation). Niveous Wisp, really?
Latchkey can be prowled with Faeries too, read the card.
I think Consign is good in FutEx, because it can bounce a Karoo. In Standard it is just a 3 mana bounce spell or a instant Time Ebb. Don’t think it will be played that much.
Smolder Initiate is a nice roleplayer and should have gotten a mention.
Sure Farhaven is a steroidized Wood Elves, but that is already worse than Wayfinder. And Wood Elves makes it come into play untapped, huge difference.
I like Gloomwidow outside of Standard, but it serves less function inside of it because the most dangerous flyers have Flanking (Knight of Sursi and Avian Changeling (sorta)).
Thanks on Aethertow!
I don’t think you can abuse Thistledown enough. It is either a 2/2 Flyer for 3 or a 3/3 most of the time. On second thought, that might just be playable, considering it is more than that sometimes too.
I love me some Gatewarden and it’s exclusion is not justified. It is removal you can drop early and a Spellstutter enabler. Fate Transfer is novel, but there is no way of abusing it (a la Grief Tyrant).
I misread Kindler. The RB clause makes it far worse. I still think it might find its way into some kind of RB Husk Elemental deck.
I don’t like Morselhoarder in comparison to other fatties (Scuzzback or Aurochs). Its infinite combo is nice though. Runes is too expensive and the playable targets are too few. Playing it for just one of the two abilities seems underwhelming. Know of any red tramplers it could enchant?
I like Safehold in conjunction with Runner, probably alonside Shield. I didn’t give it its own section, but made note of it under Shield.
Thnx for the reply!

By: cRUMMYdUMMY

cRUMMYdUMMY — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:54:41 +0000

@ KingRitz
Briarberry Cohort does enable Latchkey Faerie since he is a faerie. Prowl is enabled by creature and class type, not only class.
Why is Thistle Duo the best duo? It seems worse than Tattermunge and Safehold.

By: cRUMMYdUMMY

cRUMMYdUMMY — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:49:12 +0000

Overall spot on review, Sypher.
I did feel as though you undervalued Ballynock Cohort though. As a 3/3 First Strike, he will dominate the combat phase, destroying every commonly played creature except for EE. He is the second biggest man for only three mana. Sure, he is vulnerable to removal, but what creature isn’t? As for him competing with Riftwatchers or Zealot, I think the Cohort will generally be the stronger play unless going against a specific deck that needs Riftwatchers or Zealot, which can be boarded in.
Intimidator Initiate is overvalued since it’s abilities simply tie up your mana. RDW is usually more mana light than WW. Most of your mana will be tied up in burns and playing creatures, I don’t think there will be enough mana to use his ability.
I felt Silkbind Faerie was overvalued as well. 3 mana for a 1/3 flyer is overcosted. Even with it’s ability, which costs 2 mana, it is not a very good card. The last redeeming factor is Steel of the Godhead. That hardly makes it better at all. I think the costs outweigh the benefits.

By: KingRitz

KingRitz — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:27:19 +0000

Thoughts:
I thought we were done with the “maby”s… not to be too nitpicking, but it would read much more professional if you could just spell “maybe.”
Ballynock Cohort does compete in the busy three-drop slot, but not with Riftwatcher or Zealot. I have long argued that WW’s threat-density needs mean that running a full Rebel utility suite is WRONG and Ballynock Cohort is much preferable to Riftwatcher and Zealot. Ballynock Cohort really competes primarily with Avian Changeling, Burrenton Bombardiers, Thistledown Duo, and perhaps Kithkin Zephyrnauts. As such, I see it being right on the bubble and so worth picking up.
I think Last Breath might warrant standard play, perhaps in UW Merfolk (post-rotation, maybe?). I’d take a peek at Niveous Wisps too.
Briarberry Cohort is worth playing, but not because it enables Latchkey Faerie; Briarberry Cohort is not a rogue.
Consign to Dream is definitely worth discussion; it’s certain to at least make some sideboards to wreck red, green, and red/green aggro.
I’d also toss Smolder Initiate a bone; it’s curve-friendly for any black aggro deck that might arise.
Farhaven Elf’s better comparator is Wood Elves. Think of it as Wood Elves on steroids and you’ll feel much less disappointed in its potential.
Juvenile Gloomwidow and Nurturer Initiate both warrant mentions.
Good AEthertow analysis.
Thistledown Duo is the best duo and is good enough to warrant a mention.
Oona’s Gatewarden could play in control-ish Faerie decks as a better Spellstutter enabler than, say, Cloud Sprite, so it deserves a mention. Fate Transfer is so novel and intriguing that it should get a mention too.
Sootstoke Kindler can’t give most of your Treefolk haste, since it only works on red and black creatures. It’s also a 1/1 for 2. It’s definitely no Fires. I’m not sold on its playability.
I’ll bet at least one of Morselhoarder, Runes of the Deus, or Tattermunge Duo will see play.
You forgot that you CAN remove Safehold Elite’s counters, with his best friend and highly playable mana cost buddy Medicine Runner (who warranted mention). I’ve also seen Safehold Duo get Standard play.