MTG Ultimate Masters

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Happy Monday MTG peeps,

Also, a Happy Guy Fawkes Day to those who celebrate that event - please ensure appropriate fire safety cautions are taken.  In the follow-up to yesterday's post on the 'Ultimate Box Topper', this is a related post.

Announced on Twitch and the Mothersite today, here are the details.

Releasing on December 7, 2018, Ultimate Masters (UMA) brings a host of powerful, sought-after cards - including some of the greatest cards from throughout Magic’s history.

Special Box Toppers
There’s forty different box topper cards, and we did our best to make them count. Box toppers include every mythic rare in the set, many of the rares, and two uncommons (Kitchen Finks and Eternal Witness).

• Set size: 254 cards

• 24 packs per box

• 15-card booster packs, one foil per pack

• Languages: English and Japanese, with global distribution

• One Ultimate Box Topper per box

• MSRP*: $335.76 per box per box (*MSRP applies to United States only)


• Supplies are limited

We understand that this is a 'Masters' set, and apparently from the Twitch video posted by WotC (Blake and Steve), this may be the last.  We anticipate some push back from the Magic: the Gathering fan community, mostly regarding the price, and do share the concern.  Anecdotal discussion indicates that in some areas where similar product has been distributed to the so-called Big Box stores, that these similar items are now priced on clearance to move.  Thankfully, Wizards indicates that Ultimate Masters are to be released to proper WPN stores which face a highly competitive environment against the large retailers.  As we have stated before, without the bricks-and-mortar stores, the roots of the MTG gaming community is at risk.  As for the price, we think the market will hopefully self-regulate - (1) much-needed reprints versus (2) the appetite to absorb the cost to acquire those.

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Guilds of Ravnica Mythic

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Today may be a rather special day as the Guilds of Ravnica Mythic Edition had been released for sale on the online Hasbro Toy Shop.  This is the new foil Masterpiece series vehicle for Guilds of Ravnica.  Prior distribution was originally within randomly inserted boosters.  The package specifically is a handsome looking draft-sized booster box containing a total of 24 booster packs of Guilds of Ravnica.  Out of the 24 packs, 8 will be the special Mythic Edition packs, which will be clearly marked as to which of the special Planeswalker cards is contained for that pack.

This experimental product, produced in a limited quantity, was posted online today (October 3, 2018) for $249.99, or, should you live in Canada like us, approximately $380 which addresses the current tariff, provincial sales tax and of course, the exchange rate ( $1 USD = $0.78 CD ).  At the time of posting, there was a short delay and some reports of issues processing orders through the Hasbro Toy Shop page.

There was at the time of announcement which provided the details and pricing some negative feedback from the Magic: the Gathering community, which generally centered upon the limiting exclusivity of the product along the lines of geographic availability and pricing.  There were a few posts from Mark Rosewater in addition to a more formal communication posted to the Daily MTG website (linked here).

Each of the boxes is to have one of all 8 Masterpiece Planeswalker cards (along with a corresponding token or emblem if applicable ) :
• Elspeth, Knight-Errant
• Liliana, the Last Hope
• Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast
• Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
• Ral, Izzet Viceroy
• Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
• Teferi, Hero of Dominaria
• Vraska, Golgari Queen


Although we feel that some of the more serious Magic: the Gathering fans may draft the box, the lion's share of the product is likely to be picked up by collectors.  All of this is fine as MTG is both an amazing card game, but also must be noted that this is indeed a collectible card game.  Wizards of the Coast has never had a packaged product in this price range before, but we will certainly not fault them in producing such should customers be willing to pay.

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Rivals of Ixalan Tokens

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

In this post, we wanted to cover off what Magic: the Gathering players may expect in the way of new Rivals of Ixalan Tokens and Markers.  In today's article on the mothersite linked here, Blake posted a total of four Tokens and two Markers.  Here is the summary -

• Red 1/1 Elemental creature token, generated by Tilonalli's Summoner

• Red 0/1 Elemental creature token with "At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice this creature and return target card named Rekindling Phoenix from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste until end of turn.", generated by Rekindling Phoenix

• Green 1/1 Saproling creature token, generated by Tendershoot Dryad

• Colourless 4/4 Golem artifact creature token, generated by Gold-Forge Garrison

• Emblem - Hautli - Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may draw a card, generated by Huatli, Radiant Champion '-6' ability

• Marker - City's Blessing indicated on numerous cards.

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Returning Tokens and Markers carried over from the previous Ixalan set identified so far to date -

• Colourless Treasure artifact token with "t, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.", generated by a number of cards.  The Ixalan set contained four different treasure tokens, all based upon a tribal theme. 

• White 1/1 Vampire with Lifelink, generated by Elenda, the Dusk Rose

• Blue 1/1 Merfolk with Hexproof, generated by Aquatic Incursion


• Green 3/3 Dinosaur with Trample, generated by Baffling End

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Rivals of Ixalan Previews 1-3

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

Day 3 of official Rivals of Ixalan previews.  Magic: the Gathering players should check out the official Rivals of Ixalan card image gallery linked here.  Here is today's summary so far.

• Azor, the Lawbringer - big and flashy is what is delivered with this mythic.
• Baffling End - We're not baffled - this looks kinda bad
• Bishop of Binding
• Cherished Hatchling - Momma dino to the rescue
• Dead Man's Chest
• Deeproot Elite - love this card - go Merfolk tribal !
• Dusk Legion Zealot - 1/1 Vamp with a draw 1 card / loose 1 life
• Fanatical Firebrand - ain't nutt'n wrong with a hasty 1/1
• Flood of Recollection - Instant / Sorcery recusion

• Forerunner of the Coalition
• Forerunner of the Empire
• Forerunner of the Heralds
• Forerunner of the Legion

• Golden Guardian // Gold Forge Garrison - Fight Me (myself) !
• Mysterious End
• Pirate's Pillage
• Polyraptor - Big cost here but then again, hitting enrage to generate a 5/5 copy is a big deal.
• Profane Procession // Tomb of the Dusk Rose - payoff takes way too long on this.
• Protean Raider - 2/2 raid clone for 3 seems ok.
• Rekindling Phoenix - seems rather decent as we boomerang the Phoneix back.
• Silent Gravestone - solid sideboard graveyard hate.
• Skymarcher Aspirant
• Sphinx's Decree - be still.
• Storm Fleet Splinter - sign us up for this hasty unblockable 2/2
• Swift Warden
• Warsail Marauder
• World Shaper

Unofficial Translations -

Golden Guardian, 4
Artifact Creature - Golem, Rare
Defender 
2: Golden Guardian fights another target creature you control. If the Golden Guardian dies, return it to the battlefield under your control transformed.
4/4
//
Gold-Forge Garrison
Land
T: Add 2 mana of any one color to your mana pool. 
4, T: Create a colorless 4/4 artifact Golem creature token.

Profane Procession, 1WB
Legendary Enchantment, Rare
3WB : Exile target creature.Then if there are three or more cards exiled with Profane Procession in exile zone ,transform Profane Procession.
//
Tomb of the Dusk Rose
Legendary Land
T: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
2WB,T : Put one creature card exiled with this permanent onto the battlefiled under your control.
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Unstable Variants

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

The newest (kookiest?) 'un' set, 'Unstable' is ready to be unleashed this very weekend.  The full set has already been previewed, and gamers are looking forward to draft this whacky and  farcical set.

Most collectors wanting specific cards from Unstable have already pre-ordered those cards and the well-heeled player may have already likely ordered deck protectors / card boxes and playmats from Ultra PRO (like the table matt above).

This is all very well - BUT - in a jocular jab, Wizards of the Coast did not reveal one rather important thing.  They did 'hint' at it though - blah, bleh, expect 216-ish cards.  We should have paid more attention.  As retailers started breaking down boxes and cracking packs for single sales, it began to emerge that there was something fishy, which may be explained in one word . . . 'VARIANTS'.  A number of cards in Unstable are printed with multiple variants.  These variants can differ on rules text, flavour text, art and watermark.

MTG Realm has had a quick look around the interwebs and have found the following known variants so far.  Images from Kush Singhal (@brute_steamer) -

• Amateur Auteur - 4 Versions (art and flavor text) Innistrad, Ravnica, Theros, and Zenkikar

• Beast in Show (art and flavor text)

• Everythingamajig - 5 Versions (rules text)

• Extremely Slow Zombie - 4 Versions (art and flavor text) Same zombo, 4 different seasons

• Garbage Elemental - 6 Versions (rules, Power/toughness)

• Ineffable Blessing - 6 Versions (rules text and flavor text)

• Killbot (name and flavour text) Curious, Delighted, Despondent, and Enraged Killbot.

• Knight of the Kitchen Sink - 6 Versions (rules text and flavor text)

• Novellamental - 4 Versions (flavor text)

• Secret Base - 5 Versions (art and watermark) one for each of the five factions

• Sly Spy (rules text, art and flavor text)

• Target Minotaur - 4 Versions (art)

• Very Cryptic Command - 6 Versions (art and rules text)

In some sad news, iconic artist Wayne England had been commissioned to create a version of Very Cryptic Command but had unfortunately passed away before completing it.  Ultra PRO is offering this uncompleted work on a line of deck protectors, deck boxes and playmats and donating the net proceeds from the sage to the family's chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation.

In summary, a very happy and welcome surprise for gamers cracking packs in this weekend's draft events around the world.  There may be additions / corrections to the above list over the next few days, so stay tuned.

Collectors and online retailers however may not be as happy however given that preorders have already been preordered and whatnot.  Here is what StarCityGames had pushed out earlier today to communicate with their customers.
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End of Jace

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Happy Wednesday MTG peeps,

As it is Wednesday, we dropped over to the mothersite to read the weekly offering of official Magic: the Gathering story.  This week was Episode 11, titled 'Stories and Endings', submitted by WotC staffer Nic Davidson - and DANG - was that a humdinger of a story.  We suggest that you pop on over to today's story linked here, to get yourself up-to-date.  You should probably do that now before we go on . .

Back ?

Wow - Just like that movie Inception which featured Leonardo DiCaprio - Nik had a story within a story within a story.  Well, sort of - Nik delved into Tamiyo's story scrolls and we were offered some shorts, namley - 'He Who Frightens the Sun', 'Original', and 'Winter's Howl' we very entertaining.  The big cliff-hanger at the end concerns Jace and we won't bother saying anything about that just right now.

For now though, here is a handy summary of the Shadows Over Innistrad stories to date -

Episode 01: Under the Silver Moon
Halana and Alena are protectors of the Ulvenwald, Innistrad’s ancient forest. They hunt the horrors of the woods so the townsfolk can live without fear. But when there’s a death in Gatstaf, the pair worries that one of the Ulvenwald’s werewolves has found a way past their defenses

Episode 02: A Gaze Blank and Pitiless
Humans are on the brink of a new golden age for Innistrad, ushered in with the loving guidance of the powerful angel Avacyn, who has for centuries been the protector of humans everywhere.

Episode 03: Unwelcome
Jace Beleren has come to Innistrad searching for the vampire lord Sorin Markov, who he hopes can help him unravel a puzzle. But Innistrad is unfamiliar territory, and the only person Jace knows who might be able to guide him is likely to be less than helpful…

Episode 04: Sacrifice
Miles from Stensia, in the Nephalian highlands, something crawls to the surface of dark Lake Zhava.

Episode 05: The Mystery of Markov Manor
Despite Liliana’s dire warnings, Jace searches Innistrad for the powerful vampire Planeswalker Sorin Markov. Looking for answers, he finds nothing but more mysteries in the twisted halls of Markov Manor.

Episode 06: The Drownyard Temple
Jace Beleren’s investigation brought him to the twisted remains of Markov Manor, where he discovered a journal amid the rubble. He pursued the journal’s description of the cryptoliths—twisted stones he had seen in Markov Manor—to other locations where they had appeared on the plane.

Episode 07: Promises Old and New
Sorin’s past has returned to haunt him. Though shunned by his own kind, he hopes to gather the aid of the vampires to confront the threat that has come to Innistrad. His search has brought him to the remote estate of the powerful Olivia Voldaren.

Episode 08: Liliana’s Indignation
When we last saw her, Liliana Vess was receiving an unwelcome guest: Jace Beleren. Jace tried to convince Liliana to come with him to Markov Manor. When she refused, he set out alone. Liliana, meanwhile, has problems of her own…

Episode 09: Games
The fierce rivalry between Innistrad’s two most infamous necromancers - Geralf the stitcher and his sister, Gisa the ghoulcaller will, like their monstrous creations, never die.

Episode 10: The Lunarch Inquisition
Thalia and Odric, the most devout members of the Church of Avacyn, find themselves on opposing sides of a conflict that threatens to tear apart the fabric of Innistrad’s society.

EPISODE 11: STORIES AND ENDINGS

Jace Beleren’s time on Innistrad has been spent chasing a mystery, with a bound collection of research notes as his guide. As it happens, the journal’s author, the moonfolk Planeswalker called Tamiyo, is several steps ahead of him….
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Origins Spoilers 6-30

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Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

It may be 'Taco Tuesday' to Lego-philes but here at MTG Realm, we are serving up more hot 'n' fresh Magic Origins spoilers and previews for all the rabid Magic: the Gathering gamers out there.  Here is today's installment as collected from the mothersite and around the interwebs.
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Hangarback Walker, XX 
Artifact Creature - Construct, Rare
Hangarback Walker enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.
When Hangarback Walker dies, put a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying onto the battlefield for each +1/+1 counter on Hangarback Walker.
1,T: Put a +1/+1 counter on Hangarback Walker.
illus. Daarken # 229/272

MTG Reddit preview.  Apparently we may make use of Windstorm from Khans of Tarkir with all the new thopter critters appearing in Magic Origins.  Hangarback scales to late game but does not float our boat.
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Gideon's Phalanx, 5WW
Instant, Rare
Put four 2/2 white Soldier tokens with vigilance onto the battlefield.
Spell Mastery - If there are two or more instant and/or sorcery cards in your graveyard, creatures you control gain indestructible until end of turn.

Magic Japan preview.  Too mana-expensive for standard but Commander fans may find the 'spell mastery' tech useful against board-wipes.
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 Disciple of the Rings, 3UU
Creature - Human Wizard, Mythic Rare
1, Exile an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard, choose one:
• Counter target non-creature spell unless it's controller pays 2
• Disciple of the Rings gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
• Tap target creature.
• Untap target creature.
illus. Clint Cearley # 053/272
3/4

PlanetMTG german preview.  Nice control options which may sway late game play in your favour.  Smells combo-riffic.
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 Talent of the Telepath, 2UU
Sorcery, Rare
Target opponent reveals the top seven cards of his or her library. You may cast an instant or sorcery card from among them without paying its mana cost. Then that player puts the rest into his or her graveyard.
Spell mastery - If there are two or more instant and/or sorcery cards in your graveyard, you may cast up to two revealed instant and/or sorcery cards instead of one.
illus. Peter Mohracher # 78/272

Mothersite preview.  Damn fine card here which is certain to see play in multiple formats.
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 Despoiler of Souls, BB
Creature - Horror, Rare
Despoiler of Souls can't block.
BB, Exile two other creature cards from your graveyard: Return Despoiler of Souls from your graveyard to the battlefield.
Rats and vultures devour. It desecrates.
illus. Chris Staples # 93/272
3/1

TCG Player preview.  Meh - recursion is nice but not at this price.
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 Priest of the Blood Rite, 3BB
Creature - Human Cleric, Rare
When Priest of the Blood Rite enters the battlefield, put a 5/5 black Demon creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 2 life.
Some will sacrifice everything for but a taste of power.
illus. David Palumbo # 112/272
2/2

Mothersite preview.  We can get on board with this powerful spell, even with the life-loss - we suggest you kill this priest off to more fully enjoy the token it produces.
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Abbot of Keral Keep,1R
Creature - Human Monk, Rare
Prowess
When Abbot of Keral Keep enters the battlefield, exile the top card of your library. Until end of turn, you may play that card.
illus. # 127/272
2/1

Hobby Consolas revista juegos preview.  There may be a sweet place in a blue / red Izzet list which may allow you to manipulate the top of your library.
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Scab-Clan Berserker, 1RR
Creature - Human Berserker, Rare
Haste, renown 1
Whenever an opponent casts a noncreature spell, if Scab-Clan Berserker is renowned, it deals 2 damage to that player.
illus. Dave Kendall # 160/272
2/2

iPlayMTG simplified Chinese spoiler.  Decent card - never underestimate the power of damage generated by static abilities.
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Animist's Awakening, XG
Sorcery, Rare
Reveal the top X cards of your library. Put all land cards from among them onto the battlefield tapped and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.
Spell Master - If there are two or more instant and/or sorcery cards in your graveyard, untap those lands.
illus. Chris Rahn # 169/272

Mothersite preview.  Solid mana-ramp tech here - perhaps a green / red build may be beneficial.
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Evolutionary Leap, 1G
Enchantment, Rare
G, Sacrifice a creature: Reveal cards from the top of your library until you reveal a creature card. Put that card into your hand and each other card revealed this way on the bottom of your library in a random order.
illus. Chris Rahn # 176/272

Hareuya MTG Japan preview.  Not a bad way to dig for a creature to answer a stalled board state but perhaps leaving a bit too much to chance here.
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Gaea's Revenge, 5GG
Creature - Elemental, Rare
Gaea's Revenge can't be countered.
Haste
Gaea's Revenge can't be the target of nongreen spells or abilities from nongreen sources.
illus. Kekai Kotaki # 177/272
8/5

WotC Elaine Chase preview.  Sweet beater promising to side-step a number of control options - that mana cost though.
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Origins Spoilers 6-26

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Happy Friday MTG peeps,

As it is Friday, we encourage you to leave your cave the seek out other humans to get in some Magic: the Gathering gaming.  We'll be off to our local LGS here in Barrie, Ontario - OMG! Games, where we hope to become a Friday Night Magic Hero again.

The end of week one of two of official Magic Origins is closing with 142 of 272 now accounted for and we will need to cover off all the new cards previewed on the interwebs today.  To catch the card image gallery (now updated with yesterday's clutch of new cards), pop on over to this link.
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Vryn Wingmare, 2W
Creature - Pegasus
Flying
Noncreature spells cost 1 more to cast.
It's the favorite mount of military commanders, as well as anyone with a flair for the dramatic.
illus. Seb McKinnon # 040/272
2/1

Manadeprived Preview.  This Pegasus is certainly taking a leak on control decklists, and although decent in sideboards, would not really find a good home in the anticipated standard with aggro lists.
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Knight of the White Orchid, WW
Creature - Human Knight
First strike
When Knight of the White Orchid enters the battlefield, if an opponent controls more lands than you, you may search your library for a Plains card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
illus. Mark Zug # 21/272
2/2

PureMTGO preview.  Great reprint from Shards of Alara.  Decent mono-white weenie.  Suggested pairing outside of standard is with Knight Exemplar.
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Soulblade Djinn, 3UU
Creature - Djinn, Rare
Flying
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
He grants endless wishes, as long as you always wish for a blade.
illus. Vitkor Titov # 75/272
4/3

Mothersite Preview.  We'll need to brew a few lists, perhaps with elemental tokens from Master of Waves.
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Goblin Piledriver, 1R
Creature - Goblin Warror, Rare
Protection from blue (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything blue.)
Whenever Goblin Piledriver attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking goblin.
illus. Matt Cavota # 151/272
1/2

Mothersite Preview.  SWEET! Reprint from Onslaught and we are glad for it.  Goblin Rabblemaster may have been in the backseat recently but dust those off before rotation.
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Some other non-rare Magic Origins cards out today include -

• Vryn Wingmare, 2W
Creature - Pegasus
Flying
Noncreature spells cost 1 more to cast.
It's the favorite mount of military commanders, as well as anyone with a flair for the dramatic.
illus. Seb McKinnon # 040/272
2/1

Manadeprived Preview.  This Pegasus is certainly taking a leak on control decklists, and although decent in sideboards, would not really find a good home in the anticipated standard with aggro lists.
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Knight of the White Orchid, WW
Creature - Human Knight
First strike
When Knight of the White Orchid enters the battlefield, if an opponent controls more lands than you, you may search your library for a Plains card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.
illus. Mark Zug # 21/272
2/2

PureMTGO preview.  Great reprint from Shards of Alara.  Decent mono-white weenie.  Suggested pairing outside of standard is with Knight Exemplar.
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Soulblade Djinn, 3UU
Creature - Djinn, Rare
Flying
Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
He grants endless wishes, as long as you always wish for a blade.
illus. Vitkor Titov # 75/272
4/3

Mothersite Preview.  We'll need to brew a few lists, perhaps with elemental tokens from Master of Waves.
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Goblin Piledriver, 1R
Creature - Goblin Warror, Rare
Protection from blue (This creature can't be blocked, targeted, dealt damage, or enchanted by anything blue.)
Whenever Goblin Piledriver attacks, it gets +2/+0 until end of turn for each other attacking goblin.
illus. Matt Cavota # 151/272
1/2

Mothersite Preview.  SWEET! Reprint from Onslaught and we are glad for it.  Goblin Rabblemaster may have been in the backseat recently but dust those off before rotation.
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Some other non-rare Magic Origins cards out today include -
• Dwynen's Elite - meh.
• Gnarlroot Trapper - nice card in your g/b elf-guild.
• Shaman of the Pack - damn good finisher - go elves!
• Sylvan Messenger - ok, perhaps a modern tribal tech? - meh.

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