Had a simic deck 3-0 last week off the back of Nightpack Ambusher and Ice-Fang Coatl. Had Torrential Gearhulk, Mystic Snake, UG Nissa, and Crystal Shard (!). Was pretty crazy seeing it in action. The crystal shard protecting the Nightpack or rebuying Snake/Coatl eot was backbreaking for a few matchups. At the end of the night, that player mentioned the Ambusher as their mvp hands down. Playing against it was a trip as turn 3, with an elf down on his side, I didn't know whether to attack in to a potential flash blocker or play around counterspells. And one game it was the Ambusher and one game it turned out to be both (Coatl and Leak.) Dropping a 4/4 blocker on four on the play, then attacking with it their turn while generating a blocker on eot felt insane from the other side of the table. This is, as people expected, the best case shell for the Ambusher, and we will see if it plays as well in other decks, but if you're struggling with your Simic section (or you run Crystal Shard...) I highly recommend this card.
It has been so insane for me I've even wondered if it is better than Dack which I know is blasphemy.
I feel Dack Fayden is better in higher level (especially powered) cubes, and a little worse, but still strong, at each step down. If you're playing Moxen, Sol Ring, Skullclamp, a set of Swords, and Vedalken Shackles, Dack is S tier. If you've cut Wurmcoil Engine for being too generically powerful for your cube, Dack is more like an A-.
My cube is a little more synergy focused/lower power than the average Salvation cube, so while there are only a few cards I'm interested in, they'll be coming with some additional support.
Definites: Voracious Hydra
Flexible hybrid beater/removal option that I imagine any green deck would be happy to pick up if they see it. Even better with a Rofellos or Nissa. Being comprised of counters is a plus as I have light proliferate support. Replacing Polukranos.
Nightpack Ambusher
I really like what this provides for Simic/Temur/Sultai decks as an instant speed blocker that supports and rewards draw go permission styles by accumulating a board presence if protected. A 4/4 body is a formidable thing to be throwing around during the combat step, and if you can hold up countermagic/removal for your opponents threat while also gaining a 3/3 for your trouble, you're in a good spot. Replacing Goreclaw.
Rotting Regisaur
I was already running two Gravecrawlers, and cheating Spawn of Mayhem as a 3drop. I feel much better switching Spawn out for this, giving black a bit more cohesion. With it as a discard outlet, I'm also looking to replace either Oona's Prowler or Heir of Falkenrath with Asylum Visitor to support the Much More Likely to be Hellbent RB decks sporting Hazoret. Interested to hear opinions on this swap.
Iffy Tests: Corpse Knight
Almost certainly worse than Tidehollow Sculler, but plays well with black's recursive creatures and the Gravecrawlers specifically. Doesnt require warping around aristocratic payoffs to be effective, and the tribal typing is perfect for my BW section considering Curse of Shallow Graves and History of Benalia fit this dudes game plan. Gonna give him a spin, even if I expect Tidehollow to be back in it's spot eventually.
Skyknight Vanguard
I've wanted my boros section to have a 2drop for a while. Red and white 3s and 4s are stacked. This might not be enough, but the fact that he is an Emmara that flies is peaking my interest. I recently cut Tajic for a placeholder Assemble the Legion, gonna try this guy for a bit and see if I'm not crazy. Not expecting a ton here tho.
I think the biggest draw against this is going to be whether you want to spend a gold slot on it. Other 2drop Boros cards not generally seeing play at average power levels: Honored Crop Captain, Swiftblade Vindicator, Sky Menace. The first two do little before getting blocked out, and the second is too low impact for such a self contained "threat," and with at least one of it's evasions being fluff at any given point. Emmara has tested well in standard tokens, but her biggest downside is getting blocked by everything. I feel like the strength of this card is that it is a rabblemaster variant for one less mana, that trades the signature rabblemaster clock for evasion. I like the idea of a 2mana token generator that flies.
I recently cut Tajic for being really good at getting blocked, so there's something here that appeals to me. I think I'll wait to see how it plays in limited/standard, but I imagine Goblin Oriflamme and Hellrider would love this guy.
Another trap. Pass - you are probably losing if you are actually getting 2/2s generated by this and are in topdeck mode with nothing to cast.
Well for one, they would be 3/3s as long as he is still out. But also, couldnt you just play burn spells with this? And considering he has flash, counterspells too. I could see a simic deck playing Mystic Snake also wanting a 4/4 flash blocker that can build a board presence if protected.
It's also a cool card with Birthing Pod, since if you pay mana to activate Pod on your turn and put this into play, you haven't cast a spell and you'll get your free 3/3.
Oooof, that would be quite the value play right there.
Another promising green four drop out of M20. A big body with flash often translates to removing an attacker, but you would really want to get at least one Wolf token to make this guy worth it. The question is how feasible is that in the average deck that wants him? The closest potential cut for me here would be Polukranos. Trading the wildfire-proof 5/5 body for Flash and potential 3/3s. Outside of the self-contained value, he also plays well with Master of the Wild Hunt, Huntmaster of the Fells, Duskwatch Recruiter, or either of the one drop werewolves. Can throw in a Mayor of Avabruck if you want to get real cute.
Seems sweet in a shell with Gravecrawlers and Hazoret. Or if you support green aggro, Pelt Collector, Rhonas the Indomitable, and Rancor do fun things with this guy.
This doesn't really start to get good until the bigger numbers, but it's pretty respectable at X=2 and up.
But is this really the best green hydra? I'm asking that honestly because I don't know what the best one actually is, but I feel like it probably isn't this one.
I think this is far from the best "Dump all your mana and win the game maybe go go go" Hydra, but I feel like the strength of this card in particular is that it can fill out your gaps. It can be a 2GG 2/3 that kills an opponent's Rofellos/JaceLooter if you need it to. It can be a 2GG 4/5 if you need an aggro deterrent. It can be a 3GG 6/7 trampler the turn before your wildfire, or a 3/4 that snipes out a rabblemaster variant. Have an embarrassment of mana? It just scales better from there.
It compares poorly to Redcap at 4/Fight, and poorly to Polukranos at 4/Buff. Poorly to Tolsimir at 5/Fight, and poorly to Verdurous Gearhulk at 5/Buff. Poorly to Ravager Wurm at 6/Fight, and poorly to Carnage Tyrant at 6/buff.
But it has the option to nearly be any of those cards if you need it to be? In mono color, and with the added mana sink dumb beater mode on top. Kalonian Hydra is a better dumb beater, and Genesis Hydra is a better ramp game-ender, but neither of them have the same flexibility of this guy. I just feel like Ravenous Hydra avoiding the inherent Hydra Dilemma in buff mode, while also having an optional removal mode is gonna play better than the all or nothing Hydras.
Ravenous Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters.
When Raveneous Hydra enters the battlefield, choose one of the following:
* Double the number of +1/+1 counters on Ravenous Hydra.
* Ravenous Hydra may fight with target creature you don't control.
0/1
-
This one seems pretty interesting! Hydroid Krasis definitely surpassed spoiler season expectations, and while this guy doesnt say "Draw cards," it is mono colored and has a 2 for 1 mode in a color sorely lacking one. Being able to choose whether your 3GG dude is a 6/7 trampler or a 3/4 trampler that eats a creature on etb is pretty solid. It can also be an obnoxiously large beater with artifacts/mana doublers, but thats not really enough on it's own. Maybe I'm overvaluing the fight ability, but I've been looking for green creature removal for a while tbh.
I agree the increase in sweepers in the environment is the biggest downside for this Nissa in the cube. That said, this is a planeswalker that plays remarkably better than it reads. At first blush, you're like "Yup, average Nissa stuff huh." Only when playing against her do you realize she does everything you want a Nissa to do at the same time.
A common play pattern for standard: You tap out to play her, animate and untap a Stomping Ground. It has haste, so you tag an opposing planeswalker. It has vigilance, so it can still protect Nissa on the backswing. They attack Nissa with two creatures, you block one with the land, then tap it for R+G to Lightning Strike the other, because Nissa is still passively Mana doubling. Or let's say you don't have the burn. They get through with that second creature to Nissa's hearty SIX loyalty. You then untap with up to 10 Mana right off the bat. 12 if you play another forest. 14 once you animate and untap another forest. You then get to spend that Mana to do other things, and still be growing your army every turn.
This Nissa is punishable (getting wrathed after animating 3+ lands hurts, but even then you can still cast spells off the Mana doubling, and you can ult to replace them with indestructible forests), but unpunished she quickly overwhelms the battlefield.
Crucible of Worlds didn't work for us (was only ever a two card combo with Strip Mine), and Ramunap Excavator has been on the chopping block for a long time and only recently saw some significant play. I don't think Wren is better than those two cards.
With Blast Zone, a new fetch and 5 new Horizon lands they are better than ever, but I am still unlikely to play Wren before Crucible.
Wait, do you sincerely think Ramunap Excavator is better than a 2mana planeswalker that is a crucible effect and a pinger?
At 720, Azorius is a little less locked up... but only a little. I can't imagine cutting Fractured Identity, Supreme Verdict, Geist, Reflector Mage, or Teferi HoD. That leaves two slots that are currently held by Spell Queller and Sphinx's Revelation, with newest Teferi, Brago, Dragonlord Ojutai, and Detention Sphere all sitting on the sidelines already. So which two make the most sense? I've wished for a blink enabler ever since cutting Venser but I don't think something like Brago stands up... perhaps this jumps in over Spell Queller?
I'm likely cutting Geist for this, as my play group just doesnt really enjoy playing against him or with him. I also think Soul Herder is a more engaging build around than Geist, if maybe less powerful. That said, I'd also cut Spell Queller for this in a heartbeat. Especially so if you are still cubing with Reveillark.
Excited to see how obnoxious this is with Reflector Mage and Palace Jailer.
My cube is a bit lower power level than the Salvation average, but not far enough that it wouldn't translate imo.
Cube: http://www.cubetutor.com/viewcube/114977;jsessionid=057F0441F1DD1C5BB0CFD28A0F8A5C25
I feel Dack Fayden is better in higher level (especially powered) cubes, and a little worse, but still strong, at each step down. If you're playing Moxen, Sol Ring, Skullclamp, a set of Swords, and Vedalken Shackles, Dack is S tier. If you've cut Wurmcoil Engine for being too generically powerful for your cube, Dack is more like an A-.
Definites:
Voracious Hydra
Flexible hybrid beater/removal option that I imagine any green deck would be happy to pick up if they see it. Even better with a Rofellos or Nissa. Being comprised of counters is a plus as I have light proliferate support. Replacing Polukranos.
Nightpack Ambusher
I really like what this provides for Simic/Temur/Sultai decks as an instant speed blocker that supports and rewards draw go permission styles by accumulating a board presence if protected. A 4/4 body is a formidable thing to be throwing around during the combat step, and if you can hold up countermagic/removal for your opponents threat while also gaining a 3/3 for your trouble, you're in a good spot. Replacing Goreclaw.
Also adding Village Messenger, Wolfbitten Captive, and Mayor of Avabruck as cross pollination for Humans support. These were already on the fence for me, so this was the final push I needed.
Rotting Regisaur
I was already running two Gravecrawlers, and cheating Spawn of Mayhem as a 3drop. I feel much better switching Spawn out for this, giving black a bit more cohesion. With it as a discard outlet, I'm also looking to replace either Oona's Prowler or Heir of Falkenrath with Asylum Visitor to support the Much More Likely to be Hellbent RB decks sporting Hazoret. Interested to hear opinions on this swap.
Iffy Tests:
Corpse Knight
Almost certainly worse than Tidehollow Sculler, but plays well with black's recursive creatures and the Gravecrawlers specifically. Doesnt require warping around aristocratic payoffs to be effective, and the tribal typing is perfect for my BW section considering Curse of Shallow Graves and History of Benalia fit this dudes game plan. Gonna give him a spin, even if I expect Tidehollow to be back in it's spot eventually.
Skyknight Vanguard
I've wanted my boros section to have a 2drop for a while. Red and white 3s and 4s are stacked. This might not be enough, but the fact that he is an Emmara that flies is peaking my interest. I recently cut Tajic for a placeholder Assemble the Legion, gonna try this guy for a bit and see if I'm not crazy. Not expecting a ton here tho.
I recently cut Tajic for being really good at getting blocked, so there's something here that appeals to me. I think I'll wait to see how it plays in limited/standard, but I imagine Goblin Oriflamme and Hellrider would love this guy.
Well for one, they would be 3/3s as long as he is still out. But also, couldnt you just play burn spells with this? And considering he has flash, counterspells too. I could see a simic deck playing Mystic Snake also wanting a 4/4 flash blocker that can build a board presence if protected.
Oooof, that would be quite the value play right there.
Another promising green four drop out of M20. A big body with flash often translates to removing an attacker, but you would really want to get at least one Wolf token to make this guy worth it. The question is how feasible is that in the average deck that wants him? The closest potential cut for me here would be Polukranos. Trading the wildfire-proof 5/5 body for Flash and potential 3/3s. Outside of the self-contained value, he also plays well with Master of the Wild Hunt, Huntmaster of the Fells, Duskwatch Recruiter, or either of the one drop werewolves. Can throw in a Mayor of Avabruck if you want to get real cute.
I think this is far from the best "Dump all your mana and win the game maybe go go go" Hydra, but I feel like the strength of this card in particular is that it can fill out your gaps. It can be a 2GG 2/3 that kills an opponent's Rofellos/JaceLooter if you need it to. It can be a 2GG 4/5 if you need an aggro deterrent. It can be a 3GG 6/7 trampler the turn before your wildfire, or a 3/4 that snipes out a rabblemaster variant. Have an embarrassment of mana? It just scales better from there.
It compares poorly to Redcap at 4/Fight, and poorly to Polukranos at 4/Buff. Poorly to Tolsimir at 5/Fight, and poorly to Verdurous Gearhulk at 5/Buff. Poorly to Ravager Wurm at 6/Fight, and poorly to Carnage Tyrant at 6/buff.
But it has the option to nearly be any of those cards if you need it to be? In mono color, and with the added mana sink dumb beater mode on top. Kalonian Hydra is a better dumb beater, and Genesis Hydra is a better ramp game-ender, but neither of them have the same flexibility of this guy. I just feel like Ravenous Hydra avoiding the inherent Hydra Dilemma in buff mode, while also having an optional removal mode is gonna play better than the all or nothing Hydras.
-
Ravenous Hydra
XGG
Creature - Hydra
Trample
Ravenous Hydra enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters.
When Raveneous Hydra enters the battlefield, choose one of the following:
* Double the number of +1/+1 counters on Ravenous Hydra.
* Ravenous Hydra may fight with target creature you don't control.
0/1
-
This one seems pretty interesting! Hydroid Krasis definitely surpassed spoiler season expectations, and while this guy doesnt say "Draw cards," it is mono colored and has a 2 for 1 mode in a color sorely lacking one. Being able to choose whether your 3GG dude is a 6/7 trampler or a 3/4 trampler that eats a creature on etb is pretty solid. It can also be an obnoxiously large beater with artifacts/mana doublers, but thats not really enough on it's own. Maybe I'm overvaluing the fight ability, but I've been looking for green creature removal for a while tbh.
Then, if you're still underwhelmed, you get to know for sure that you were right. And what's better than that.
A common play pattern for standard: You tap out to play her, animate and untap a Stomping Ground. It has haste, so you tag an opposing planeswalker. It has vigilance, so it can still protect Nissa on the backswing. They attack Nissa with two creatures, you block one with the land, then tap it for R+G to Lightning Strike the other, because Nissa is still passively Mana doubling. Or let's say you don't have the burn. They get through with that second creature to Nissa's hearty SIX loyalty. You then untap with up to 10 Mana right off the bat. 12 if you play another forest. 14 once you animate and untap another forest. You then get to spend that Mana to do other things, and still be growing your army every turn.
This Nissa is punishable (getting wrathed after animating 3+ lands hurts, but even then you can still cast spells off the Mana doubling, and you can ult to replace them with indestructible forests), but unpunished she quickly overwhelms the battlefield.
I think he means like, your Snapcaster Mage or ravenous chupacabra are unlikely to ever get blocked with this down.
Wait, do you sincerely think Ramunap Excavator is better than a 2mana planeswalker that is a crucible effect and a pinger?
I'm likely cutting Geist for this, as my play group just doesnt really enjoy playing against him or with him. I also think Soul Herder is a more engaging build around than Geist, if maybe less powerful. That said, I'd also cut Spell Queller for this in a heartbeat. Especially so if you are still cubing with Reveillark.
Excited to see how obnoxious this is with Reflector Mage and Palace Jailer.