Besides the cards already mentioned, I kind of like Crafty Coyote which can come in play as a 3/3 with haste for one turn or just a 2/2 with haste that supports other things. Plot actually works really well in setting you up for a bigger play next turn and giving that creature haste as well. Plus, all the 'cast two spells in one turn' cards and such.
However, unlike leadfeather, I really effing loathe the theme of the set. Or more precisely, I think that a Wild West -inspired world could have been really cool. However, this is not only that. This is a huge crossover 'only the best can manage it' heist genre bit as well.
I already hated the murder mystery theme of Karlov Manor and this seems to imply that they they intend to keep doing essentially genre parodies instead of actual storylines (outside maybe the new incarnation of Jace). It turns MtG sets into theme parks with all the familiar faces up to their hijinks in a given superficially themed world.
I will have to go through this set with more thought but Crimson Caravaneer also looks potentially amazing. And I like Brotherhood Outcast. Well Rested could also prove powerful. Ian the Reckless is an interesting design that becomes broken with lifelink but requires some form of support.
Vari, serious question, how do you possibly expect Living conundrum to get to its bigger size? Are your games really going that long?
I would not expect it to happen often. But like I said, I still consider it a somewhat useful baseline with hexproof since its large butt makes it hard to kill even when it is unboosted. Plus, I have a pretty big amount of looting and rummaging and draw effects to potentially go through decks fast.
I should definitely not be in a position where I can be accused of insufficiently supporting aggro as an option.
Okay. Finally, I have time to actually do some CU/be updates. Let's see about the new set. Maybe I will have a different perspective on a set when I do not go through it immediately?
I still do not really like this set mechanically or narratively. But maybe individual cards can make up for it.
Staple: Escape Tunnel: Strictly better version of a old staple design.
Likely Inclusion: Leering Onlooker: GY value and a decent mostly defensive body that can still attack when needed. Reckless Detective: I like red rummagers and this can actually also sacrifice stuff to draw. Magnetic Snuffler: Colourless equipment recursion with a decent rate even when not getting anything back. Scuttling Sentinel: Very good hybrid. Staple depending on how you treat them. Ordruun Mentor: Basically the same as above but not quite at the same level. Ecstatic Electromancer: Another great hybrid but moreso for me because I like repeated looting.
Maybe Testing: Living Conundrum: In really like this as an interesting wincon that still has an useful baseline with hexproof and a big butt. Case of the Gorgon's Kiss: Could prove really powerful but might also be too unpredictable. Sample Collector: Could well be pretty powerful with just a few triggers. Scene of the Crime: If only this did not enter tapped. Snarling Gorehound: The body still feels underwhelming in this colour. Rubblebelt Maverick: A few small things on the cheap. Tribune of Rot: Good hybrid.
Interesting: Call a Surprise Witness: I prefer the options that also work on artifacts but this makes even a basic 1-drop decent in a pinch. Case of the Gateway Express: Weak removal but not hard to solve. Fae Flight: Sort of counterspell on targeted removal but also decent as an enchantment left behind. Festerleech: Does things even when only threatening to pump. Long Goodbye: Not an unplayable removal option. Soul Enervation: Very interesting card that even actually does stuff other than durdling, even if it is overpriced unless you can abuse the other effect. Undercity Eliminator: Decently interesting as a trade. Case of the Burning Masks: Overpriced unless it can be solved reliably and then becomes kind of interesting. Convenient Target: I hate the suspect mechanic but this acts as a marker by itself most of the time. Crime Novelist: Combo piece elsewhere. Not for this format. Harried Dronesmith: Mostly useful if you can get value from the drone somehow. Aftermath Analyst: For other formats but powerful effect. Chalk Outline: Super powerful when properly enabled but does nothing by itself. Flourishing Bloom-kin: Powerful in the right deck. Insidious Roots: Another card that really needs the right deck to do anything, powerful as it is. Case of the Shattered Pact: Too hard to solve but would be really nice for a 5c archetype. Repeat Offender: Too expensive to pump but a bit of a stall-breaker that is not overpriced to play early. Gearbane Orangutan: A good but situational version of this effect.
Living Conundrum could be kind of interesting just because of Hexproof, and since drawing your library is actually not unheard of. And no, I do support aggro properly. The design is just lovely, and I like to include Hexproof here and there.
Ecstatic Electromancer seems like a nice use of a hybrid slot in my cube. I hate how some colour combinations are really bad for that which makes others over-represented.
I still hate how this flanderizes Ravnica by forcing it through the mould of this set's gimmick, but I suppose that we are seeing some decent cards as well.
I have had some of this before but with this set, the sense of card names just blending together is getting especially bad. 'Persuasive Interrogators' for a Poison counter gorgon creature? That feels like a card where you could at least make a lame pun to make sure that there is *some* association between the name and the mechanics.
The fact that the name 'Murder at Karlov Manor' feels like a side event which they have turned into 'all of Ravnica is now sleuth land' is just... insulting. It certainly does not help with this feeling.
Spoiler season has only started but this set feels like such a red flag that I genuinely had the passing thought that I should just sell all my MtG cards earlier today. Especially since the main mechanics also feel questionably useful - Disguise in particular which is just Morph with Ward 2, and Morph has not really been worth it in ages. The GY exiling mechanic could be interesting, but the values thus far have seemed absurd for very little benefit. Cases could prove kind of interesting as a twist on Sagas and Classes, but any case archetype cards are a complete no-go.
Thus far, the card that I like most is Magnetic Snuffler. Colourless equipment recursion that actually also equips it without the creature being completely underbodied or overcosted seems interesting to me.
Not so much a mention of sunfire torch? Seems like one of the better equipments we've gotten in a while.
I think that you may be missing the part about sacrificing it. It is basically a doubly conditional, potentially delayed and sorcery speed, more highly priced Shock with a +1/0 alternative equipment mode.
Let's have a look... This set definitely has several mechanics that I like, such as big mana dump second phase modes and cascade but better. And luckily, the Cave mechanic has pretty minimal effect on design.
Staple: Bitter Triumph: More unconditional black removal that also provides a native discard outlet for reanimator but does not require discarding.
Possibly testing: Kinjalli's Dawnrunner: I am a fan of double-strikers, and this is a decent one. Market Gnome: White 1-drop creatures can also do things other than attack for 2. Ruin-lurker Bat: Likewise but less likely to see use. Spring-loaded Sawblades: Multiple uses, including possibly repeatable removal. Not overpriced on either mode. Hermitic Nautilus: I actually quite enjoy the concept of this. Lodestone Needle: Also does helpful and interesting things without either part being overpriced. Belligerent Yearling: Solid stats but red 2-drops have gotten more interesting of late. Scytheclaw Raptor: Solid aggressive stats and not a bad mechanic. Volatile Wanderglyph: I actually like rummaging on tap. Compass Gnome: Decent way to ensure your curve. Scampering Surveyor: Not a terrible body and the extra mana from this can still be handy.
Interesting: Dauntless Dismantler: Beware, artifact tokens! Guardian of the Great Door: Takes a pretty hefty toll to come out even a little early unless you have artifacts lying around. Zoetic Glyph: I just like it even though its use case is too niche. Chupacabra Echo: A more fair ETB kill creature. Enterprising Scallywag: Another a little interesting red 2-drop. Glowcap Lantern: Nice but just has no home. Seeker of Sunlight: Sadly, too mana intensive for something that does not do anything before activated. Buried Treasure: Only if discarded or milled. Digsite Conservator: Colourless creatures are getting decent. Sunbird Standard: One of the better rainbow archetype support cards, I feel like. Swashbuckler's Whip: The last ability is not that great in practice, probably, but it is the interesting part about the card.
This definitely feels like another pushed Universes Beyond to move the cards, even if players might otherwise be less likely to want them for use beyond drafts and such, unless they are already in that intersection of fandoms. These definitely make me feel like I might want to customize some of the cards just to change the art.
Staple: Iraxxa, Empress of Mars: Amazing body and a relevant effect for generating board presence. Sontaran General: Strictly better than one of the staple red five-drops. Clockwork Droid: The great push of the aggressive colourless creatures begins.
Likely Inclusion: Bigger on the Inside: Cascading is fun - especially when you do so repeatedly. Big Gruul is an archetype that appreciates the love. Cyberman Patrol: Still great and gets better with more artifact creatures. Cybermat: Love the design.
Maybe testing: Atraxi Warden: It is big and it flies and it removes a creature more likely than not when it enters. The Suspend is a bit of an anti-synergy with the condition on the removal since they will see it coming a mile away but it does mean that this will not get stuck in your hand. (It will be stuck in exile, instead.) Zygon Infiltrator: I am a huge fan of repeatable mana sink effects like this as well as copying stuff. The design is delightful. Sibylline Soothsayer: Very interesting effect and the body is still nothing to sneeze at. Midnight Crusader Shuttle: I feel like this has not been discussed much, perhaps because it is a punisher card. I suppose that the problem is how it always removes their worst blocker at minimum.
Interesting: Renegade Silent: Goading can occasionally be good and this has an inherent way to try and stay relevant in terms of its body, too. Being phased out might sometimes even be to its benefit. Star Whale: It is huge with evasion and vigilance to protect you, and it can be suspended in the early game. 8 mana is probably still too much to hard-cast this, though. Especially when it does nothing to protect itself. Displaced Dinosaurs: Too expensive but fun. EDH only. Thijarian Witness: Super weird card in a fun way, even if I do not think that it gets there.
The screwdrivers: Mostly the third ability is what matters on both, even if scry/surveil is also a good use of extra mana. Ominous Cemetery: Not a bad colourless land at all.
Likely inclusions: Lord Skitter's Butcher: Nice value in terms of options - and just the Menace bit is enough to get me very interested. Boundary Lands Ranger: I like this kind of solid, repeatable effect with a relatively easy to clear condition.
Interesting: Bitter Chill: I do not exactly have a spot for this but it is good for what it is. Gadwick's First Duel: Hard to find a spot but nice value. Tenacious Tomeseeker: Nice body for this but bargaining would be unreliable. Night of the Sweets' Revenge: With other reliable sources of food tokens, potentially you will never need more mana sources. Redtooth Vanguard: Actually a little interesting. But it is a spot that is very competitive. Royal Treatment: A nice variant of this effect. Picnic Ruiner: Probably my favourite among these cross colour adventures. Might even treat it as a hybrid card. Collector's Vault: Effectively loot for one each turn after the first activation but has so much more potential in terms of synergies. Eriette's Tempting Apple: Not an effect that I expected in potentially recyclable form and at colourless. Aquatic Alchemist: Not the worst option by any means. Freeze in Place: Kind of interesting version of this effect. Into the Fae Court: Less than ideal as a Mulldrifter variant but still a Mulldrifter variant. Stormkeld Prowler: The fact that you add two counters is pretty nice to keep it relevant later on. But you only want so many of 5+ drops. Vantress Transmuter: Mostly the Adventure. Water Wings: This does quite a bit. Ratcatcher Trainee: Some extra value here. Scarecrow Guide: Best version of this effect.
Thanks to those who answered my questions. I was mostly offline for a while because of a visitor, hence the late reply.
I would say Levitating Statue. If you would be forced to rely on the activated ability of Myth Realized to pump it, it is very likely that you do not sufficiently support the archetype. It feels more like a spells matter card even if it accepts more than just instants and sorceries, and I would not really see that as a thing in white. Thus, colourless is better. And if it gets actually big, evasion is very important to get value out of that.
Not fully a 'this or that' but this feels like the appropriate thread. Mostly asking about whether specific gold cards are still considered the gold standard (pun intended) or whether they should be replaced by now to get on with the times.
I have been running the latter since it feels like it more directly contributes to a creature assault deck whereas the elf is more goodstuff that you just jam in for value.
What is the current opinion on Shrine of Burning Rage and Shrine of Loyal Legions? Is there now enough artifact removal and has the speed of the format increased enough that these once revered wincons have become redundant?
However, unlike leadfeather, I really effing loathe the theme of the set. Or more precisely, I think that a Wild West -inspired world could have been really cool. However, this is not only that. This is a huge crossover 'only the best can manage it' heist genre bit as well.
I already hated the murder mystery theme of Karlov Manor and this seems to imply that they they intend to keep doing essentially genre parodies instead of actual storylines (outside maybe the new incarnation of Jace). It turns MtG sets into theme parks with all the familiar faces up to their hijinks in a given superficially themed world.
I would not expect it to happen often. But like I said, I still consider it a somewhat useful baseline with hexproof since its large butt makes it hard to kill even when it is unboosted. Plus, I have a pretty big amount of looting and rummaging and draw effects to potentially go through decks fast.
I should definitely not be in a position where I can be accused of insufficiently supporting aggro as an option.
I still do not really like this set mechanically or narratively. But maybe individual cards can make up for it.
Staple:
Escape Tunnel: Strictly better version of a old staple design.
Likely Inclusion:
Leering Onlooker: GY value and a decent mostly defensive body that can still attack when needed.
Reckless Detective: I like red rummagers and this can actually also sacrifice stuff to draw.
Magnetic Snuffler: Colourless equipment recursion with a decent rate even when not getting anything back.
Scuttling Sentinel: Very good hybrid. Staple depending on how you treat them.
Ordruun Mentor: Basically the same as above but not quite at the same level.
Ecstatic Electromancer: Another great hybrid but moreso for me because I like repeated looting.
Maybe Testing:
Living Conundrum: In really like this as an interesting wincon that still has an useful baseline with hexproof and a big butt.
Case of the Gorgon's Kiss: Could prove really powerful but might also be too unpredictable.
Sample Collector: Could well be pretty powerful with just a few triggers.
Scene of the Crime: If only this did not enter tapped.
Snarling Gorehound: The body still feels underwhelming in this colour.
Rubblebelt Maverick: A few small things on the cheap.
Tribune of Rot: Good hybrid.
Interesting:
Call a Surprise Witness: I prefer the options that also work on artifacts but this makes even a basic 1-drop decent in a pinch.
Case of the Gateway Express: Weak removal but not hard to solve.
Fae Flight: Sort of counterspell on targeted removal but also decent as an enchantment left behind.
Festerleech: Does things even when only threatening to pump.
Long Goodbye: Not an unplayable removal option.
Soul Enervation: Very interesting card that even actually does stuff other than durdling, even if it is overpriced unless you can abuse the other effect.
Undercity Eliminator: Decently interesting as a trade.
Case of the Burning Masks: Overpriced unless it can be solved reliably and then becomes kind of interesting.
Convenient Target: I hate the suspect mechanic but this acts as a marker by itself most of the time.
Crime Novelist: Combo piece elsewhere. Not for this format.
Harried Dronesmith: Mostly useful if you can get value from the drone somehow.
Aftermath Analyst: For other formats but powerful effect.
Chalk Outline: Super powerful when properly enabled but does nothing by itself.
Flourishing Bloom-kin: Powerful in the right deck.
Insidious Roots: Another card that really needs the right deck to do anything, powerful as it is.
Case of the Shattered Pact: Too hard to solve but would be really nice for a 5c archetype.
Repeat Offender: Too expensive to pump but a bit of a stall-breaker that is not overpriced to play early.
Gearbane Orangutan: A good but situational version of this effect.
Ecstatic Electromancer seems like a nice use of a hybrid slot in my cube. I hate how some colour combinations are really bad for that which makes others over-represented.
Ordruun Mentor is also decent for the same thing.
As is Scuttling Sentinel. Likely moreso than the other two.
I still hate how this flanderizes Ravnica by forcing it through the mould of this set's gimmick, but I suppose that we are seeing some decent cards as well.
The fact that the name 'Murder at Karlov Manor' feels like a side event which they have turned into 'all of Ravnica is now sleuth land' is just... insulting. It certainly does not help with this feeling.
Spoiler season has only started but this set feels like such a red flag that I genuinely had the passing thought that I should just sell all my MtG cards earlier today. Especially since the main mechanics also feel questionably useful - Disguise in particular which is just Morph with Ward 2, and Morph has not really been worth it in ages. The GY exiling mechanic could be interesting, but the values thus far have seemed absurd for very little benefit. Cases could prove kind of interesting as a twist on Sagas and Classes, but any case archetype cards are a complete no-go.
Thus far, the card that I like most is Magnetic Snuffler. Colourless equipment recursion that actually also equips it without the creature being completely underbodied or overcosted seems interesting to me.
I think that you may be missing the part about sacrificing it. It is basically a doubly conditional, potentially delayed and sorcery speed, more highly priced Shock with a +1/0 alternative equipment mode.
Staple:
Bitter Triumph: More unconditional black removal that also provides a native discard outlet for reanimator but does not require discarding.
Likely inclusion:
Confounding Riddle: Not much more needs to be said.
Spyglass Siren: A decent blue 1-drop creature.
Deep-cavern Bat: It do things besides just hand disruption. If just a little.
Soulcoil Viper: I have wanted Doomed Necromancer for a while. The extra toughness is pretty handy, too.
Geological Appraiser: All has been said that needs to be said.
Cenore Scout: Both forms are helpful, even though they are best fits for different situations.
Poison Dart Frog: Agreed on the value of deathtouch - especially with reach.
Akawalli, the Seething Tower: More interesting than Old Man Willow.
Caparocti Sunborn: More fun indirect support for equipment decks that provides nice value.
Kutzil, Malamet Exemplar: More interesting than Trostani's Summoner.
Zoyowa Lava-Tongue: Really strong repeatable trigger.
Possibly testing:
Kinjalli's Dawnrunner: I am a fan of double-strikers, and this is a decent one.
Market Gnome: White 1-drop creatures can also do things other than attack for 2.
Ruin-lurker Bat: Likewise but less likely to see use.
Spring-loaded Sawblades: Multiple uses, including possibly repeatable removal. Not overpriced on either mode.
Hermitic Nautilus: I actually quite enjoy the concept of this.
Lodestone Needle: Also does helpful and interesting things without either part being overpriced.
Belligerent Yearling: Solid stats but red 2-drops have gotten more interesting of late.
Scytheclaw Raptor: Solid aggressive stats and not a bad mechanic.
Volatile Wanderglyph: I actually like rummaging on tap.
Compass Gnome: Decent way to ensure your curve.
Scampering Surveyor: Not a terrible body and the extra mana from this can still be handy.
Interesting:
Dauntless Dismantler: Beware, artifact tokens!
Guardian of the Great Door: Takes a pretty hefty toll to come out even a little early unless you have artifacts lying around.
Zoetic Glyph: I just like it even though its use case is too niche.
Chupacabra Echo: A more fair ETB kill creature.
Enterprising Scallywag: Another a little interesting red 2-drop.
Glowcap Lantern: Nice but just has no home.
Seeker of Sunlight: Sadly, too mana intensive for something that does not do anything before activated.
Buried Treasure: Only if discarded or milled.
Digsite Conservator: Colourless creatures are getting decent.
Sunbird Standard: One of the better rainbow archetype support cards, I feel like.
Swashbuckler's Whip: The last ability is not that great in practice, probably, but it is the interesting part about the card.
Staple:
Iraxxa, Empress of Mars: Amazing body and a relevant effect for generating board presence.
Sontaran General: Strictly better than one of the staple red five-drops.
Clockwork Droid: The great push of the aggressive colourless creatures begins.
Likely Inclusion:
Bigger on the Inside: Cascading is fun - especially when you do so repeatedly. Big Gruul is an archetype that appreciates the love.
Cyberman Patrol: Still great and gets better with more artifact creatures.
Cybermat: Love the design.
Maybe testing:
Atraxi Warden: It is big and it flies and it removes a creature more likely than not when it enters. The Suspend is a bit of an anti-synergy with the condition on the removal since they will see it coming a mile away but it does mean that this will not get stuck in your hand. (It will be stuck in exile, instead.)
Zygon Infiltrator: I am a huge fan of repeatable mana sink effects like this as well as copying stuff. The design is delightful.
Sibylline Soothsayer: Very interesting effect and the body is still nothing to sneeze at.
Midnight Crusader Shuttle: I feel like this has not been discussed much, perhaps because it is a punisher card. I suppose that the problem is how it always removes their worst blocker at minimum.
Interesting:
Renegade Silent: Goading can occasionally be good and this has an inherent way to try and stay relevant in terms of its body, too. Being phased out might sometimes even be to its benefit.
Star Whale: It is huge with evasion and vigilance to protect you, and it can be suspended in the early game. 8 mana is probably still too much to hard-cast this, though. Especially when it does nothing to protect itself.
Displaced Dinosaurs: Too expensive but fun. EDH only.
Thijarian Witness: Super weird card in a fun way, even if I do not think that it gets there.
The screwdrivers: Mostly the third ability is what matters on both, even if scry/surveil is also a good use of extra mana.
Ominous Cemetery: Not a bad colourless land at all.
Staples:
Cheeky House-Mouse: Relevant upside on 2/1 for 1, even with its competition.
Embereth Veteran: History in the making.
Likely inclusions:
Lord Skitter's Butcher: Nice value in terms of options - and just the Menace bit is enough to get me very interested.
Boundary Lands Ranger: I like this kind of solid, repeatable effect with a relatively easy to clear condition.
Maybe testing:
Stroke of Midnight: Does not give too much advantage back and hits most things.
Faerie Dreamthief: Nice secondary value.
Tough Cookie: A lot of potential here.
Snaremaster Sprite: A bit of a modal version of this 3-drop archetype.
Rowan's Grim Search: Black wants card draw.
Interesting:
Bitter Chill: I do not exactly have a spot for this but it is good for what it is.
Gadwick's First Duel: Hard to find a spot but nice value.
Tenacious Tomeseeker: Nice body for this but bargaining would be unreliable.
Night of the Sweets' Revenge: With other reliable sources of food tokens, potentially you will never need more mana sources.
Redtooth Vanguard: Actually a little interesting. But it is a spot that is very competitive.
Royal Treatment: A nice variant of this effect.
Picnic Ruiner: Probably my favourite among these cross colour adventures. Might even treat it as a hybrid card.
Collector's Vault: Effectively loot for one each turn after the first activation but has so much more potential in terms of synergies.
Eriette's Tempting Apple: Not an effect that I expected in potentially recyclable form and at colourless.
Aquatic Alchemist: Not the worst option by any means.
Freeze in Place: Kind of interesting version of this effect.
Into the Fae Court: Less than ideal as a Mulldrifter variant but still a Mulldrifter variant.
Stormkeld Prowler: The fact that you add two counters is pretty nice to keep it relevant later on. But you only want so many of 5+ drops.
Vantress Transmuter: Mostly the Adventure.
Water Wings: This does quite a bit.
Ratcatcher Trainee: Some extra value here.
Scarecrow Guide: Best version of this effect.
I would say Levitating Statue. If you would be forced to rely on the activated ability of Myth Realized to pump it, it is very likely that you do not sufficiently support the archetype. It feels more like a spells matter card even if it accepts more than just instants and sorceries, and I would not really see that as a thing in white. Thus, colourless is better. And if it gets actually big, evasion is very important to get value out of that.
Migratory Route
Fire Covenant
Trostani's Summoner
And also,
Bloodbraid Elf vs. General Marhault Elsdragon
I have been running the latter since it feels like it more directly contributes to a creature assault deck whereas the elf is more goodstuff that you just jam in for value.