MBS Previews 1-17

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

It is finally here . . . week one of Mirrodin Besieged previews. There are typically two weeks of previews for small sets and three weeks of previews for large sets. Day one of Mirrodin Besiged spoilers has Magic the Gathering players everywhere glued to the internets and almost everyone ins getting in on forums for comments and evaluations as to where the newest set will take your game.

Buckle up and let's go . . .

Thrun, the Last Troll, 2
Legendary Creature - Troll Shaman, Mythic Rare
Thrun, the Last Troll can't be countered.
Thrun can't be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
1: Regenerate Thrun.
4/4

This Troll Ascetic has been supersized and is expected to see popular play. It has a handy one-way shroud, cannot be countered, and is costed very nicely. The only hang-up is the legendary type for our casual constructed as the legendary rule only allows one out at any time. Having said that, this also seems a sure-fire way to get rid of your opponent's Troll by playing one yourself.

Red Sun's Zenith, X
Sorcery, Rare
Red Sun's Zenith deals X damage to target creature or player. If a creature dealt damage this way would be put into a graveyard this turn, exile it instead. Shuffle Red Sun's Zenith into its owner's library.

This is excellent removal for red and we love that this card slides right back into your library for some repeat play. Players who love ramp decks will love this in their game as it provides another 'X' cost card for mana outlet.

Bonehoard, 4
Artifact - Equipment, Rare
Living weapon (When this Equipment enters the battlefield, put a 0/0 black Germ creature token onto the battlefield, then attach this to it.)
Equipped creature gets +X/+X, where X is the number of creature cards in all graveyards.
Equip 2

Another new card with the 'Living Weapon' tech. Those players who like using board sweepers will love this card. Imagine using a Day of Judgement and follow-up with this card - it could get huge so fast that your opponent just might concede the game.

Mitotic Manipulation, 1
Sorcery, Rare
Look at the top seven cards of your library. You may put one of those cards onto the battlefield if it has the same name as a permanent. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.

This is an interesting and potentially very useful card. At the very least, it can provide mana ramp for blue decks by getting another Island in play but can be rather devastating late game once there may be more permanents on the table. For now, it may be relegated to the junk rare box but someone somewhere is developing a slick deck with this.

Shimmer Myr, 3
Creature - Myr, Rare
Flash
You may cast artifact cards as though they had flash.
2/2

Casual Myr decks just got a boost with this. Some players will choose Leyline of Anticipation over this guy as it is very suspectible to removal and limits its abilities to artifact cards only. Artifact Aggro players are already developing very interesting builds with Mimic Vat.

Brass Squire, 3
Creature - Myr, Uncommon
{T}: Attach target Equipment you control to target creature you control.
1/3

Although costed one more mana than Kor Outfitter, this Myr certainly outpaces the Outfitter by having a repeatable tap effect to more equipment around. We foresee players who run Quest for the Holy Relic / Argentum Armor builds will be upgrading their Outfitter with the Squire.

Viridian Corrupter, 1
Creature - Elf Shaman, Uncommon
Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)
When Viridian Corrupter enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact.
2/2

Artifact destruction on an infect card sounds like decent sideboard but perhaps some players who like Liquimetal Coating builds may consider this in the three slot position.

Kuldotha Flamefiend, 4
Creature - Elemental, Uncommon
When Kuldotha Flamefiend enters the battlefield, you may sacrifice an artifact. If you do, Kuldotha Flamefiend deals 4 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or players.
4/4

This is a big upgrade to Furnace Celebration. We don't see a lot of casual builds with this but expect to see players wanting to include this in limited format.

Rot Wolf, 2g
Creature - Wolf, Common
Infect (This creature deals damage to creatures in the form of -1/-1 counters and to players in the form of poison counters.)
Whenever a creature dealt damage by Rot Wolf this turn is put into a graveyard, you may draw a card.
2/2

We love it. Card draw is card advantage and never a bad thing. The trick here is not loosing your wolf before you get at least one card drawn to make it all worthwhile.
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