Card Talk 31

Cactuar card art

Time for Card Talk! Reminder how this works:

• I go to Scryfall and select 'Random Card'
• I present and blog about the card. I could discuss any aspect: the art, abilities, cost, set, impact on the game, and so on. Stream of consciousness.

Card Talk is a fun, uncurated way to look at Magic's cards, mechanics, history, art, sets, and so on. And of course it exposes some of my own preferences, biases, and memories of the game.

Today's card is . . .

Elspeth, Knight-Errant—a mythic rare planeswalker from Secret Lair Drop.

Elspeth has seven unique printings. The first was in Shards of Alara (2008), where she was one of four planeswalkers. The printing shown above was from a Secret Lair Drop in 2022. These drops are small sets of known cards sold directly by Wizards for a limited time/run.

This Elspeth screams 'include me in a soldier-based Commander deck' based on her first ability to create a soldier creature token. But her other abilities are more flexible and suited to a wider range of strategies; looking at her card on EDHrec suggests that she is used more widely than I imagined. (EDHrec is a great resource for checking out card synergies and suggestions for Commander decks.)

Planeswalkers were a card type introduced in the Lorwyn block (2007). They are threats that demand you deal with them before they accumulate enough loyalty to trigger their big ability (the last one listed on the card). In this case, Elspeth could give every permanent you own indestructible for the rest of the game . . . powerful indeed. We've actually seen fewer planeswalkers recently as Wizards increasingly focuses on Universes Beyond sets . . . but they have gotten a resurgence in the most recent release, Reality Fracture, which features eight of them.

Until next time . . . keep exploring.

Card Talk 30

Cactuar card art

Time for Card Talk! Reminder how this works:

• I go to Scryfall and select 'Random Card'
• I present and blog about the card. I could discuss any aspect: the art, abilities, cost, set, impact on the game, and so on. Stream of consciousness.

Card Talk is a fun, uncurated way to look at Magic's cards, mechanics, history, art, sets, and so on. And of course it exposes some of my own preferences, biases, and memories of the game.

Today's card is . . .

Insurrection—a rare sorcery from Onslaught.

I am entranced by this art (like the subjects in the picture). Mark Zug, the artist, has illustrated 207 cards for Magic to date (well, 199 cards if you remove tokens).

Onslaught was released in 2002 and was the headliner set of the last block in the old frame. I miss the old frames . . . and the block format (where three consecutive sets would have similar themes and mechanics). Wizards went away from blocks in 2018, though some consecutive releases since have had overlap (like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt and Innistrad: Crimson Vow). Today, Standard is thematically inconsistent . . . it doesn't have the same feel anymore.

Back to the card itself. This is a late-game bomb that relies on your opponents having good creatures out (and you still being alive). Gaining control of all creatures? Wow; that can swing things quite a bit. I don't know if this was a competitive card in Standard back in the day, but this is perfect for the Commander format now, which is why it commands a good price ($12 or more). You'd better finish off your opponents with this, though, as their creatures all return to them at the end of your turn . . . and anyone left alive won't go easy on you (and you probably won't have any blockers).

Until next time . . . keep exploring.

Card Talk 29

Cactuar card art

Time for Card Talk! Reminder how this works:

• I go to Scryfall and select 'Random Card'
• I present and blog about the card. I could discuss any aspect: the art, abilities, cost, set, impact on the game, and so on. Stream of consciousness.

Card Talk is a fun, uncurated way to look at Magic's cards, mechanics, history, art, sets, and so on. And of course it exposes some of my own preferences, biases, and memories of the game.

Today's card is . . .

Liliana's Triumph—an uncommon instant from War of the Spark.

The first thing that jumps out to me is how variable this spell can be. Having each opponent sacrifice a creature can be amazing (if they have only powerful creatures in play) or terrible (if they have no or many creatures, and can lose one without detriment).

Controlling a Liliana planeswalker adds to the spell, though again it is variable—your opponents may not have a card in hand (or enough that they can choose to discard one of little consequence).

Released in 2019, War of the Spark was a set focused on planeswalkers, with a shocking 39 in the expansion. But only one Liliana . . . but there have been 12 versions of her produced across all sets to date.

With its focus on each opponent and need for a Liliana planeswalker for full value, this card screams 'commander' format, with three opponents (typically) and the ability to have multiple Liliana planeswalkers from across all Magic releases.

Finally, I like this art and had never before seen it. This is a promo version released for an event (I think) but don't know which. This special version goes for ~$4.33 today.

Until next time . . . keep exploring.

Budget Commander Staples: Wedge Colors

Last time, I looked at shard-color spells for Commander decks. Today I look at other budget three-color spells for this format, focusing on wedge colors (those where one of the three colors is not adjacent on the color wheel: WUR, UBG, BRW, RGU, GWB). I'll give several options for each wedge and ignore the charms since I covered those previously. The goal is to identify the best versatile spells in these colors.

Jeskai (WUR)

There are 59 budget cards in Jeskai colors (as of this writing). My top four: Inspired Ultimatum gives you life, cards, and creature removal. As Jeskai themes focus on noncreature spells, Whirlwind of Thought is a great inclusion in most decks. Hinata makes life cheaper (for you) and dearer (for your opponents). And the Jeskai Shrinekeeper can get you cards and life.

Sultai (UBG)

There are 46 budget cards in Sultai colors (as of this writing). My top five: Sultai Ascendancy is a great 'deck sculpting' enchantment that meshes well with the common Sultai theme of graveyard use. Villainous Wealth is a gamble but could pay off big. Leovold shuts down card advantage for your opponent and gives it to you. Awaken the Honored Dead is removal and deck sculpting. And Fangkeeper's Familiar is quite versatile.

Mardu (BRW)

There are 41 budget cards in Mardu colors (as of this writing). My top five: Crackling Doom does a little damage and also makes everyone else sacrifice a big creature. Ruinous Ultimatum is just that. Piru is a beefy creature that can wipe the board in death. Inevitable Defeat is fun. And Thunder of Unity is great card draw.

Temur (RGU)

There are 39 budget cards in Temur colors (as of this writing). My top four: Genesis Ultimatum is a dice roll but could work out splendidly. Song of Creation accelerates things a great deal. Roar of Endless Song can supplement a powerful army for the endgame. And Temur Battlecrier helps get out those powerful creatures so common in this color combination.

Abzan (GWB)

There are 34 budget cards in Abzan colors (as of this writing). My top five: Overgrown Estate helps gain life. Duneblast is a great board wipe. Siege Rhino isn't the best but is a nice creature with life gain and damage (for your opponent) to boot. Kin-Tree Severance is great removal. And Revival of the Ancestors givse you creatures, +1/+1 counters (a common archetype for these colors), and finishes well.

Until next time . . . keep exploring.

Budget Commander Staples: Shard Colors

Last time, I looked at three-color charms for Commander decks. Today I look at other budget three-color spells for this format, focusing on shard colors (those adjacent on the color wheel: WUB, UBR, BRG, RGW, GWU). I'll give five options for each shard and ignore the charms since I covered those last time. The goal is to identify the best versatile spells in these colors.

Esper (WUB)

There are 55 budget cards in Esper colors (as of this writing). My top five: Magister Sphinx is always a late-game surprise. Obscura Confluence is similar to a charm but more powerful (allowing you to choose three modes). Queza is a ticking time bomb that demands opponent's attention. Void Rend is a great removal spell. Sphinx of the Steel Wind is just a great creature.

Grixis (UBR)

There are 69 budget cards in Grixis colors (as of this writing). My top five: Phyrexian Tyranny is amusing (though it affects you, too). Thraximundar is a great way to sacrifice other players' creatures. Cruel Ultimatum is . . . cruel. Slave of Bolas is, too. And Maestros Confluence is a nice modal spell.

Jund (BRG)

There are 62 budget cards in Jund colors (as of this writing). My top five: Violent Ultimatum is the ultimate removal spell. Madrush Cyclops can make your opponents wonder what is coming next. Xira Arien is great for card draw. Riveteers Confluence is a great modal spell. And Mr. Orfeo will make your other creature double their power.

Naya (RGW)

There are 69 budget cards in Naya colors (as of this writing). My top five: Fiery Justice is a flexible spell that can wipe 1-5 other creatures. Zacama is truly a calamity for opponents. Cabaretti Confluence is a great modal spell. Incandescent Aria is effective in limited situations. And Rocco is good in the late game to fetch another creature.

Bant (GWU)

There are 55 budget cards in Bant colors (as of this writing). My top five: Rubinia is a great way to gain control of other creatures. Giltspire Avenger is a helpful destroyer (but you have to take damage first). Brokers Confluence is in the modal spell line each shard has. Endless Detour is a fun removal spell. And Soul of Emancipation is very helpful.

Until next time . . . keep exploring.