Khans of Tarkir Spoilers 9-05

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

Here at MTG Realm, we are trying to catch up with all the latest Khans of Tarkir spoilers and previews.  To this end, we have our Spoiler List up (linky over here), and if you don't see a daily post from us, drop by there as we will endeavour to update as the new Magic: the Gathering cards roll out.  There will be loads to yatter about tonight at Friday Night Magic and we'll be getting everyone's opinions at our local games store, OMG! Games and Collectibles here in Barrie, Ontario.  Anywhos, let's have a looky-loo at today's hot new cardboard - 
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Sultai Ascendancy, GBU
Enchantment, Rare
At the beginning of your upkeep, look at the top two cards of your library. Put any number of them into your graveyard and the rest on top of your library in any order.

MTG Korea FaceBook preview. While the Abzan, Mardu and Temur cards of the 'Ascendancy' cycle have two abilities each, this Sultai card, if we were to trust the early translation, only has one - weirdness.
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Mindswipe, XUR
Instant, Rare
Counter target spell unless its controller pays X. Mindswipe deals X damage to that spell's controller.

Aaron Forsythe twitter preview.  Dang that is some solid counter-magic right there. Potentially nerfing a spell while sending some pain is simply good.
~Icy Blast, XU
Instant, Rare
Tap X target Creatures
Ferocious - If you control creatures with power 4 or more, those creatures don't untap during heir controllers' next untap step.

Magic EU twitter preview. Some solid control in this gem of a card.  Awesome bonus to detain as well.  We'll be expecting to see this played a lot.
~Mantis Rider, URW
Creature - Human Monk, Rare
Flying, Vigilance, Haste
Mantis riders know their mounts owe them no loyalty. Even a well trained Mantis will eat it's rider if he ever loses concentration.
3/3

MagicBlogs.de preview.  We don't care if this was the worst card of the set, the art has a giant freak'n mantis !!  Good card, good abilities and possibly a tough casting cost - we don't care - we're picking up a bunch of 'em from MTG Mint Card.
~Empty the Pits, XXBBBB
Instant, Mythic Rare
Delve (Each card you exile from your graveyard while casting this spell pays for 1.)
Pux X 2/2 black Zombie creature tokens onto the battlefield tapped.

Mothersite preview.  Who doesn't like puking zombie tokens out?  Nice card but a bit janky for standard.  We're not certain if this may have a home in a Commander stack.
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Hardened Scales, G
Enchantment, Rare
If one or more +1/+1 counters would be placed on a creature you control, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are place on it instead.

Mothersite preview. We are not hooked on this enchantment. We would sooner pay double (or perhaps even triple) to double the counters instead of just getting one extra counter.
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Savage Knuckleblade, GUR
Creature - Ogre Warrior, Rare
2G: Savage Knuckleblade gets +2/+2 untile end of turn. Activate this ability only once each turn.
2U: Return Savage Knuckleblade to its owner's hand.
R: Savage Knuckleblade gains haste until end of turn
4/4

Mothersite preview. Nice solid critter with some decent utility which can help you get the damage in early with haste, or save it from a boardwipe.  We wish the first ability also gave trample though.
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We now have all five 'Wedgelands'.  This is a cylce of five uncommon lands which enters the battlefield tapped and can be tapped for one of three colors of mana associated with that Tarkir Clan. These are Sandsteppe Citadel, Mystic Monastery, Opulent Palace, Nomad Outpost, and Frontier Bivouac. 

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