M13 Vampires

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

This new post to the MTG Realm bloggy may perhaps be somewhat precipitous as only a a third of the new Magic 2013 cards have now been spoiled but Magic the Gathering players are talking everywhere about the revelation of well loved Vampire creature spells such as Vampire Nighthawk and Vampire Nocturnus.  In Zendikar, if the Nighthawk hit the battlefield and the opponent did not have a Lightning Bolt to deal with him right away, the game usually swung your way.  While the Nighthawk ruled limited and was popular in standard at the time of Zendikar, subsequent sets did not really push a Vampire-centric or tribal build over the top. 

We really hope Wizards use the original Jason Chan art

Having said that, a resurgence in Vampire tribal popularity did take place during the most current set Innistrad with such cards as Stromkirk Captain, Blood Artist, Stromkirk Noble, Olivia Voldaren, and Bloodline Keeper / Lord of Lineage.  Several players we've talked to several players who indicate that there are / were difficulties in constructing a solid synergystic vampire build.  That time may soon be over when the new M13 cards set officially relases on July 13th.

Here are some Vamps already known . . .

Duskmantle Prowler, 3b
Creature - Vampire Rogue, Uncommon
Haste, exalted
2/2

Vampire Nighthawk, 1bb
Creature - Vampire Shaman     Uncommon
Flying, deathtouch, lifelink
2/3

Vampire Nocturnus, 1bbb
Creature - Vampire, Mythic Rare
Play with the top card of your library revealed.
As long as the top card of your library is black, Vampire Nocturnus and other Vampire creatures you control get +2/+1 and have flying.
3/3

One of the first choices to consider we think is what other colour to include as a mono-black strategy make not be viable unless you are going mon-black control with Vampire elements.  Should you inlcude red for the Innistrad Stromkirk Clan or perhaps white to included Sorin, Lord of Innistrad.  With white, you get solid cards such as Sorin, Lingering Souls and Vault of the Archangel.  With red, you get Stromkirk Captain, Olivia Voldaren, and Rakish Heir.  There is even some discussion considering the merits of including green for a Lure / Revenge of the Hunted component to couple with Vampire Nighthawk's deathtouch ability.

Supporting cards such as Duress and Sign in Blood and perhaps the new 'Murder' (1BB instant - destroy target creature) are critical to the build, especially earl game.  Also thrown into the mix of choices is the surprising revelation of the return of the 'exalted' mechanic ('Whenever a creature you control attacks alone, that creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn') and in black rather than the previous bant colours of green / white / blue.  If you are thinking of adding red, then you open up options for including Pillar of Flame, Slagstorm, and Bonfire of the Damned.  As for Vampire equipment, Blade of the Bloodchief from Zendikar was just about as much as one could ask for but to date, we are looking at Lashwrite, best supported in a mono-black build or perhaps Runechanter's Pike if you are looking to build a healthy dose removal in black / red spot removal.

Your thoughts most welcome - use the comment thingy below.
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A reminder . . .
The folks over at MTG Mint Card already have up Planechase 2012 singles for order, so check 'em out.

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