BFZ Spoilers 9-08

~
Happy Tuesday MTG peeps,

Yesterday was Labour Day long weekend here in Canada-Land.  The MTG Realm playgroup did no labour whatsoever and got a few Commander games in while the heatwave continued.  In other news, out local gaming store, OMG! Games does have air conditioning, so that's just another reason to hang out there.

Anywhoos, we have to catch up on Battle for Zendikar spoilers and previews, so let us get rolling - 

Temple of the Forsaken Gods
Land, Rare
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T: Add 2 to your mana pool. Use this ability only to cast colorless spells. Activate this ability only if you control seven or more lands.

Welcome to Flavor town!  Here are the three gods worshiped by the merfolk as Ula, Emeria, and Cosi who were actually mistaken memories of the three Eldrazi titans, Ulamog, Emrakul, and Kozilek.  Looks good but we think that after you control 7+ lands, you are not really needing much help from this land.

Desolation Twin - So, when you cast this Eldrazi monster for 10, you get 20 power over two creatures on the battlefield?  Sounds good to us.

Smothering Abomination - Devoid with swamps - we're excited that the sac outlet is not contained to 'non-token' creatures, which means Eldrazi Spawn may make a nice little card-draw engine.

Conduit of Ruin - Very lovely.  Never underestimate the power of being able to tutor up a creature from your library - even if limits are placed on its colour and mana cost.

Planar Outburst - Interesting board wipe here which we don't think will quite make the cut into popular play.  The casual player in us wants to build a man-land list.

Ob Nixilis Reignited - Ob is back and quite likely making it into a variety of decklists.  Casting cost, starting loyalty, and all abilities appear to be reasonable.

Zada, Hedron Grinder - spell replication which, if you cast a huge pump spell like 'Become Immense' really would be 'Become Insane'.

Undergrowth Champion - To date, this is our fav Battle for Zendikar card with landfall, and yes, we will have shenanigans with this.

Kiora, Master of the Depths - Lovely. Untap on a critter or land lends to a ramp strategy, while the second may net you BOTH a creature AND a land which is sweetness.  The ultimate looks to promise a lot of fun if you are into monsters with tentacles.

Bring to Light - This 'converge' card is a bit reminiscent of the 'Domain' ability.  We are fully expecting this one to see play, becuase free spells taste better.

Lumbering Falls - Looks like we have a cycle of enemy coloured manlands where we were sort of expecting ally coloured manlands.  This Simic one looks good.

Tandem's Tactics (name?), 1W.  Instant, Common.  Up to two target creatures each get +1/+2 until end of turn. You gain 2 life.
Looks OK for a combat trick which may have been good for Heroic builds, but not quite for Prowess.

Stasis Snare - Nice spot removal and a reasonable cost.

Scythe Leopard - Meh to Okay.

~