Welcome back to my second episode of the Conflux overview. This time I'm going to talk about Blue. Now I know, typically, you expect these reviews to come out before or shortly after release of the new sets. This time, I wanted to play with the cards a bit more to give a better opinion. Fact is, this set will have alot to do with Extended, Standard and Legacy and I don't want to mess that up...

• Brackwater Elemental - A fantastic little passive aggressive card. I don't expect to see much of it in constructed formats but you should definitely value this guy as a 4+ pick in Draft. Killing your opponents biggest guy and then coming back to hit for a 4 spot or maybe just hitting for a straight 8.
• Constricting Tendrils - I find the value of Cycling going down heavily now that we have Basic Landcycling. However, some people do feel that it's necessary to make a deck even smaller. Tendrils is not a bad card when utilized as a combat trick, but unfortunately isn't completely enough. This card will come around a 2nd time for draft pickings.
• Controlled Instincts- See Celestial Purge in white in my last review.
• Cumber Stone - I really like this card. It's probably 1 mana more than it should be, but it really does shut down offenses and obviously thrashes in numbers. The Stone is a great card for Esper and should be a main deck inclusion whether you have 4 or 1. It could be a very good card vs Aggro in Constructed, but as I mentioned the cost is just a tad bit too high. This is a very good pick in the 2+ spot but will be passed a couple times before someone finally snatches this gem. It's a card that really does add to the dimensions of the game.
• Esperzoa - Such a GREAT card for Esper in Limited. This costs too much to find play in Extended Affinity but is a 1st pick for the Esper guy in Draft. Even if you're not Esper the card can become an annoying blocker every turn.
• Ethersworn Adjudicator - Limited Bomb for Esper and a non-entity in Constructed. If you're playing blue, you're picking this first.
• Faerie Mechanist - The Esper cards just keep coming! The Mechanist isn't going to find play in constructed (yet) but it does help in the Esper machine. You won't find it coming back around in a draft, but is you won't main deck this guy in a deck of only 2 artifacts. Although, I might consider this 2/2 flyer for 4 if I only have 2 artifacts and need a 23 card.
• Frontline Sage - Not a bad card for the Draw/Discard ability the Exalted ability is a bonus. Never going to make constructed but should be a mid draft pick and a must for the always-drawing blue decks.
• Grixis Illusionist - If you're maindeck blue and use a 2nd, 3rd or 4th color then consider this guy to be a worthy choice. NOT going to be in any constructed decks a 1/1 for 1 isn't terrible and REALLY shows some worth in Domain.
• Inkwell Leviathan - Sure you play it if it's in your sealed pool, sure you pick it if you're blue and there isn't alot in your pack, it's just not a Bomb. Not even a consideration for Constructed.
• Master Transmuter - Transmuter might be the BIGGEST impact card on Constructed formats of the future. His ability allows you to bring in some of the FATTIES that Urzatron lands could only fetch. He is a bit puny for 4cc, but he makes up for it by stalling when you're down or as mentioned accelerates the big boys into play. Probably NOT a huge D-draft card or a MUST have for anything that isn't Esper but is something to consider like Master of Etherium is.
• Parasitic Strix - A fair 2/2 flyer for 3 his ability makes him great (if you have a black perm) However, you will not find him in Constructed.
• Scepter of Insight - In limited, Drawing cards have always been valued at a high level. With this card being Rare it's even more of a treasure. In constructed, there are so many cards already that are good this Jayemdae Tome wannabe just might make some decks, but not likely.
• Scornful Aether-Lich - There are so many good Esper cards, this guy just doesn't have the value that some of the other members of Esper's reinforcements have. Let's not talk about Constructed.
• Telemin Performance - Constructed Extended has a very high percentage of non-creature decks. So if you can get this card to go off against them it's very likely you win. It's also very likely that the deck you're playing against has blue in it which means your attempt will be foiled by counter magic. In Standard, this card is effective vs 5 color control, which also has counter magic in it. Look to see this in some sideboards. I kind of like this card in limited as you get a creature and remove any lands or non-creature threats from the near future. I just wouldn't say this is a bomb.
• Traumatic Visions - Basic landcyling = good
• Unsummon - This classic trick isn't seeing much play in Constructed, but should make the Limited Roster. Nothing more to be said about it as it's been around for a while.
• View from Above - Not really something needed in Constructed, but should be a consideration if you can recur.
• Worldly Counsel - Fine card in limited whether you have 1 land or all 5. Not a top 5 draft pick either, but is something to consider later in your draft. Once again, not something that will probably see constructed play for now.

All in All lots of decent cards for Blue White here. I love the Master Transmuter and I think you'll enjoy him too :)