There is probably something wrong with me because I absolutely love playing mono-red in Commander. Sure, it’s probably the weakest color, but over the last few years a lot of new and unique spells have been added to the red mage’s arsenal. And then promptly taken by the nearest Izzet player.
Dark Ascension Commander & Casual Review
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Land
Afflicted Deserter & Werewolf Ransacker
The first round of werewolves in Innistrad didn’t wow me, but it seems like R&D has figured out what to do with them – make people do everything in their power not to flip them. Recursive removal is a great thing and Commander is the one format where there is almost always an artifact worth destroying.
But the politics of this card are amazing. If someone doesn’t cast a spell, an artifact gets destroyed. If a player wants to screw over someone else, they just need to cast two spells and suddenly it’s like a game of Hot Potato only someone ends up getting bolted. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, dark ascension, edh, game, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, red, review
With a name like Dark Ascension, is it really a surprise to anyone that Black seems to get some of the best toys in this set?
Dark Ascension Commander & Casual Review
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Land
Black Cat
This card is adorable! Sure, I would have loved if it was more involved with luck (though the random discard is a nice touch). Most easily compared to Ravenous Rats, Black Cat isn’t a bad card but in multiplayer this kitten just doesn’t do enough. Unless you happen to have some great recursion engine… Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: black, commander, dark ascension, edh, game, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, review
I hate blue mages when they’re being predictable. Draw-Go may be one of my least favorite deck types ever, but even I can’t help but be excited when blue is given a bunch of odd toys to make wonky combo decks. Thankfully, Dark Ascension provides just that.
Dark Ascension Commander & Casual Review
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Land
Artful Dodge
This is a card I see having use two different ways. First, is any deck involving Kiln Fiend. He loves getting spells cast on him and loves being unblockable even more. This is a fine addition alongside Distortion Strike. The other way this can be used was brought to my attention by Mark Rosewater as an anti-werewolf measure. It’s not easy casting two spells in a single turn to transform a werewolf back to a human, but being able to pay UU to do it can be great. Personally, I would prefer Defy Gravity as it is an instant, but it is nice knowing the tools exist. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: blue, commander, dark ascension, edh, game, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, review
Now that Dark Ascension is fully spoiled, it is time to really look at the cards and try to find out where they work the best. If you’re looking for a captivating analysis of the Standard environment, this isn’t place. But if you want to find out how to make use of almost every card in Dark Ascension at the kitchen table or while editing your Commander deck, look no further! Following my own absurd precedence, I will be starting with white.
Dark Ascension Commander & Casual Review
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Land
Archangel’s Light
I don’t know why the first card of every set is often an odd one, but I’ve seen this happen before. There’s no denying that Archangel’s Light is the worst mythic in the set. Yes, this card can simultaneously help you against mill and beat down decks but the casting cost is way too high for it to ever get much use. If this card cost half as much, it might be okay but as it stands… I’m sorry for when you get this in a booster pack. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, dark ascension, edh, game, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, review, white
Only a month later, I’ve finally finished reviewing Innistrad – I forgot how big the large expansions are after only doing the new cards from M12 and the smaller expansions lately. But with only multicolor, artifacts and lands left I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Evil Twin
I love Clone and its kin for Commander. The ability to kill any legend with untargeted removal is quite impressive. As a second Clone for black-blue commanders, this card works well for getting your own creature. But the second ability is the iffy one since in singleton formats there probably won’t be much use for this guy – unless you’re against a horde of tokens.
For casual 60 though, this card can add some much needed protection. Also, if your opponent just plays Essence of the Wild feel free to laugh before playing this. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: artifact, commander, gold, innistrad, land, magic multiplayer, magic: the gathering
If there is a color I love player more than Red, it’s green. The mana ramp alone makes me adore Green’s ability to cheat the game. While Innistrad didn’t give any new toys like Primeval Titan, it did completely change the way green gets to play with tokens.
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Ambush Viper
I’ve been a huge fan of green’s pseudo-removal of late. Deadly Recluse, Death-Hood Cobra and Thornweald Archer are all classic staples in my casual decks because they work so well at either deterring attacks or drawing out removal spells. Ambush Viper continues that trend well and while I don’t see this guy taking over EDH tables, a green instant that basically says “1G to destroy target attacking creature without flying” is something green can really use. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, edh, game, green, innistrad, magic multiplayer, magic: the gathering, Reviews
It’s weird to say it, but at my heart I’m still a red player through and through. So while burn might not be the most effective method of winning in multiplayer, there’s nothing quite like going out in a blaze of glory to take someone down. I may not use my mono-red burn deck often but I certainly adore it to this day.
But my love of burn transcended into Commander as a format and I’m one of the few people I know who are foolish enough to still run a mono-red deck under Jaya Ballard, Task Mage. So for me, Innistrad is full of amazing red spells to really mess with people.
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Ancient Grudge
If you’re in red-green, this is strictly better than Shatter… but so is Shattering Pulse which is still my go-to artifact destruction. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, innistrad, magic multiplayer, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, red, Reviews
With Blue and White reviewed in Innistrad, the real gem of the flavorful horror-themed set has to be black. Easily one of the more powerful colors in multiplayer, Black necromancers are always excited to get some new toys and Innistrad delivers!
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Abattoir Ghoul
This reminds of Engulfing Slagwurm in a weird way. But the combination of first strike and a twisted take on lifelink make me really like how this undead butcher shapes up. At 4 mana, this is a zombie who can hold down the ground and gain you some life. He’s a great addition for zombie lords. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: black, commander, game, innistrad, magic, magic multiplayer, magic: the gathering, Reviews
With Innistrad finally released, I’ve gotten a chance to play around with the oddities after multiple drafts, some sealed games and a terrifying round of Winston-Pack Wars multiplayer. The big thing about this set that I’ve noticed is how weird it is. Half the cards feel like limited fodder, a quarter of the cards are going to quickly disappear and the last handful around going to stick around a long, long time at kitchen tables.
Like the White review, we’re going alphabetically down the list of blue cards.
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Armored Skaab
The self milling subtheme in Innistrad is interesting, but in multiplayer I’m not sure how sustainable it is. It seems like far too many people in my playgroup take milling as a terrible offence and get very upset, so they probably won’t ever experience the joy of this card. As an enabler, any Johnny is going to be excited about the potential of this zombie. Some Commander reanimators may want to consider this in twisted decks, but he doesn’t do a whole lot on his own. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, game, innistrad, magic: the gathering, multiplayer, multiplayer magic, Reviews, snapcaster mage
Whenever a new set comes out, everyone seems to flock to the splashy rares and terrifying mythics, but when you’ve got a set as full of flavor as Innistrad every card is worth looking at! So for the casual and Commander players, here’s a set review of Innistrad starting at the beginning: white!
White | Blue | Black | Red | Green | Multicolor, Artifact & Lands
Abbey Griffin
Maybe if you’re making some odd griffin themed Commander deck, you could find a place for this winged beast. But for only one more white mana, you get a Serra Angel. This is a depressing way to begin. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: commander, edh, innistrad, magic: the gathering, mikaeus the lunarch, multiplayer, multiplayer magic, Reviews, white
