Hello again, and welcome to another Type 4 Review, this time
looking at Commander 2016 (with special guest Conspiracy 2)! Here, we’ll be
looking at the new cards from these sets, to see which of them are fit for the
infinite mana, 1 spell a turn format. So
let’s jump in!
Breya, Etherium Sculptor: While the commander I’m most
excited for, Breya is only meh in type 4.
However, she still has relevant abilities, and does bring 6 power to the
table. Not the worst thing you could be
playing.
Yidris, Maelstrom Wielder: Oh boy, this guy looks
sweet. Hit someone that’s undefended and
boom, free spell. If you have
alternative costs it just cascades (heh) out of control real fast. Definitely fit for the format, even if his
body is a tad small.
Saskia, the Unyielding: Someone have a pretty good
defense? Lots of damage prevention? Well, Saskia still sucks vs them. Her ability is fairly unique, but her body is
anemic. Probably good in some stacks,
but higher powered ones will steer clear.
Kynaios and Tiro: This is a worse howling mine, but you get
a 2/8, which blocks fairly well. If
that’s what you want, add these guys, but I’m not sold.
Atraxa, Praetors’ Voice: Keyword soup? Check. Evasion?
Check. Interesting ability? Check.
Atraxa isn’t the biggest threat on the table, but she trades with almost
everything in combat and can do great stuff with counters of all
varieties. Not broken by any stretch,
but interesting enough.
Vial Smasher the Fierce: Woah. This is actually a lot of damage. Small body, but the possibility of doming
someone for 5-8 every turn is not something that can be ignored. Random element makes this more fair, but this
goblin looks ready to go.
Ravos, Soultender: Giving +1/+1 comes up more than you’d
imagine, and getting back dead stuff is pretty nice. Fine card.
Ludevic, Necro-Alchemist: A political card that, unlike
Edric, can’t really go off. Card draw is
also good enough that this will probably actually encourage people to go for
someone besides you, as on his own Ludevic isn’t a threat. Playable if you like politics, but not
exciting.
Entrapment Maneuver: Some sacrifice removal is always
nice. This also brings some dudes to the
table, making it better than most. Not
exciting, but fine card.
Curtains’ Call: Kill two things for one card. See above, not exciting, but still good.
Divergent Transformation: Either removal for something so
scary you’d take literally anything else, or a way to cheat in fatties using
token production. Either way, I’m a fan,
card looks silly and has god-tier goofy art.
Benefactor’s Draught: Cantrips, and might draw you more
cards. Your opponents will find it real
hard to block (even each other), but may have no choice if they’d die from the
combat. Looks good.
Manifold Insights: This card looks pretty good. Sure, the logical view would be that you’ll
be getting the worst X cards, but people aren’t logical all the time, and
sometimes, it’s in others best interest to give you that instant speed wrath
for the guy with 200 power on board.
Runehorn Hellkite: Now this is a nice card. A 5/5 flyer is never unwelcome, and once he
dies you get to refresh your hand. Sure
others get to as well, but who cares about them. Looks great.
Seeds of Renewal: This is Recollect. If you play recollect (like me), you’ll play
this.
Faerie Artisans: Huh.
Not sure what to make of these guys.
The dream is they play something with a great, non-tap activated
ability, but those things are in short supply.
I’ll need to test this, but it looks intriguing.
Magus of the Will: How I play, you get 1 spell from each
zone you’re able to cast spells from each turn.
Under that, Magus of the Will is better than yawg will in many
cases. If you are a purist to the 1
spell per turn laws, he’s still really good.
Stonehoof Chieftain: This guy gets in there and does
work. Drafting aggro with him looks like
a ton of fun. The definition of a type 4
creature.
Selfless Squire: Great in the infinite stack, you stop their
kill on you and gain your own. Also fine
in normal stacks, she can get real big in a flash (heh). Playable.
Primeval Protector: Yet another fatty to end all
fatties. This guy is huge, and makes
everything else bigger. Looks fun.
Sublime Exhalation: Yet another wrath. Everyone likes wraths. Well, not the guy playing Primeval Protector,
but that guy deserves it.
Coastal Breach: An escape valve if your opponents are doing
better than you. Not exciting, or good
for that matter, but still playable in some stacks.
Cruel Entertainment: This doesn’t exile. Just putting that out there. Also putting out there that this is probably
incredibly fun and you should add one ASAP.
So many possibilities…
Ancient Excavation: Instant speed windfall-lite. This looks real good.
Sylvan Reclamation: Exile 2 horrifying threats? Don’t mind if I do. Not much to say here besides this is great
removal that doesn’t even need 2 targets.
Boompile: While I expect more consistency from my wraths,
its artifact nature means it can be recurred fairly easily. Not a great card, but one worth
considering.
Conspiracy 2 time!
Capital Punishment: The fact that everyone has to sacrifice
and discard makes this a real fun card for you.
People also have to make choices that might get them screwed over by
later choices. Great stuff.
Custodi Lich: Cards that make you the monarch basically have
“draw a card” stapled on, making this card pretty cool. Monarchy in general is a fun mechanic, and
should make combat way more contested.
Expropriate: Oh boy.
This is a fun one. You always get
at least 1 extra turn (unless someone stole something of yours and you want it
back) and people will have to choose between giving you more turns or their
best thing. Great card.
Leovold, Emissary of Trest: Shut down other players draw
shenanigans, and give yourself some extra.
This guy looks ready to do business.
Protector of the Crown: This guy makes you the monarch, and
makes taking the monarchy that much harder.
Your opponents will have to coordinate 2 separate attacks to steal it
from you. Or they can waste removal on
your card neutral 2/5.
Queen Marchesa: Haste and deathtouch is a relevant combo,
and making tokens with the same is great.
She should keep you the monarch for a good while.
Sanctum Prelate: Bizarre card I want to add just to see what
numbers get named. I’d assume 5, 4, and
3 all to be equally valid, with 6 or 2 making it into the fray sometime.
Selvala’s Stampede: A ton of free creatures is how I like my
sorceries (and note that any permanent can come in from your hand). Looks good.
Skyline Despot: A relevant body that draws you a card and
can make more good bodies. Sign me up.
Stunt Double: Clone is just not good enough, but with flash
it certainly is. Fine card for larger
stacks.
Subterranean Tremors: Kill all non-fliers, get an 8/8, and
kill the artifacts as well. I’ll take
it.
And that wraps up this double set review! Hopefully you enjoyed. Tune in next for Aether Revolt, where
Tezzeret looks to be doing something diabolical…
