Financial Quick Picks - MTG Hit List featuring Battle for Zendikar [Edward Eng]
I'm not really sure what to think of Battle for Zendikar yet. Usually, I'm really excited about most sets. But Battle for Zendikar hasn't really jumped out to me as a set yet. Maybe I need to spend a little more time looking at the spoiler.
However, there are a couple things I'd like to point out.
1. I agree with what Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa said about the new dual lands (a.k.a. Tango lands or Slowlands). These lands will create awesome opportunities for all kinds of decks to exist, particularly in Standard. I already have some ideas for the new Standard in October. I won't talk about them here, so look out for another article about this soon. Hook up with Galactic Treasures and me on social media to get automatic updates and stay up-to-date.
2. The card that I'm most interested in from Battle for Zendikar right now is From Beyond. This card seems very powerful. It only cost one colored mana to cast, so it'll fit nicely into many types of decks. Plus, as mentioned in point 1, the new dual lands along with fetchlands will enable many decks to splash From Beyond. But more importantly, you can play From Beyond as a win condition in Control decks. It also works well in Midrange decks as a way to generate value while you use your mana for other powerful spells. From Beyond works nicely along side cards like Rattleclaw Mystic and Beastcaller Savant (this card is also very good). You can morph Rattleclaw on turn three then play a land on turn four and unmorph Rattleclaw to cast From Beyond and have two mana left to sac From Beyond in case the opponent blows it up. You can find these online for about two bucks right now. You can't really go wrong with preordering 4-8 copies. Also, don't forget to pick up Rattleclaw Mystic.
3. If Beastcaller Savant was a little bit cheaper, I'd preorder a bunch of these as well. This card is awesome. I love how this mana dork can attack Control decks the first turn it comes out, which makes this a better mid-game topdeck. This will probably be a Standard staple until it rotates. It might even see play in eternal formats since it's an elf.
I suggest picking up more copies of Ugin, the Spirit Dragon if you haven't already. Standard might end up being a race to who can cast Ugin first. Plus, Ugin already sees some eternal play, so you can't really go wrong with this card. Oh yeah, and um...it's colorless. Remember that rule about blue cards, lands, and artifacts? Well, Ugin is kind of like an artifact.
We still have more Battle for Zendikar to see, so that's cool. But for now, which cards are you most excited about?
Peace, love, and have fun…
Eddie
A Little Bit about Eddie
He started playing Magic around December of 1994 then hit the sanctioned competitive tournament scene in 1997. He played till about 2000 and was on the cusp of making the Pro Tour but stopped to focus on school. He found his old teammate on Facebook in 2009 and got back into the game in 2010. Since then he's played in two Nationals, top 16ed an SCG Invitational, and day 2ed multiple Grand Prix.
Edward Eng
Galactic Treasures
