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The trending Magic posts on Bluesky continue, this time taking a look at two-drops thanks to Two-Drop Tuesday! Just like Four-Drop Friday, Magic players would post their favorite two-drops in the game.
There have been a lot of iconic two-drops in the game of Magic. This time we're going to talk about some of those iconic two-drops, along with some of my favorites as well. A little from column A, a little from column B.
Just like last time, in no particular order...
Grim Monolith
One thing worth mentioning, in case it wasn't clear, is that by "two-drop," we don't just mean creatures. A two-drop is going to be any permanent that is "dropped" onto the board.
In this case, we're looking at one of the best two-mana mana rocks of all time in the form of Grim Monolith. This card was an absolute house in the Standard format it was legal in, it's a staple in Vintage Cubes everywhere, and it still sees play in Legacy.
Any card that nets you more mana than it costs should immediately be scrutinized, and Grim Monolith is a good reason why: people have been trying - and succeeding - to go infinite with the card for decades. (Zirda, the Dawnwaker I'm looking at you.)
Umezawa's Jitte
While Grim Monolith may be the best two-mana mana rock, Umezawa's Jitte is easily the best two-mana equipment of all time, if not the best two-mana artifact of all time. There was a time that every deck would play four copies of Umezawa's Jitte, even with no creatures to equip, just to kill an opposing Jitte. This is back when the legend rule was different, and the second copy of a legendary permanent put into play destroyed both copies.
The Jitte basically does it all, and for a great rate. It's both offensive and defensive, and oppressively so. Kind of why it's still banned in Modern...
Stoneforge Mystic
And what better way to find a Jitte than with a Stoneforge Mystic. Is it possible that Stoneforge Mystic is the best White two-mana creature of all time? I think so! And if not, it's definitely very high in the running. While defining multiple of its own archetypes, Stoneforge was busy searching up 4/4 and 5/5 creatures and cheating them into play in the form of Batterskull and Kaldra Compleat. It's only in the outlier situations where you're searching up a Jitte or a Sword of Fire and Ice, but even in those outlier situations, Stoneforge is a formidable ally.
Snapcaster Mage
From the day it was spoiled, everyone knew Snapcaster Mage was going to be a multi-format power house. And it was! Snapcaster was the creation of Tiago Chan after his 2007 Invitational win and if Snapcaster Mage seems a bit pushed, it's because I'm sure it was. It has only recently lost a bit of steam, presumably due to power creep, but I doubt Snapcaster will ever fully go out of style.
Tarmogoyf
There was a time when Tarmogoyf was the best two-drop creature ever printed, and no one could imagine that a better creature could possibly come along. Often ending up a 4/5 or even a 5/6, this was the best value you could find for two mana. While Tarmogoyf is still good, it no longer has the same board presence as some better creatures that have been printed since Tarmogoyf's prime.
When an enchantment comes along that literally makes Tarmogoyf tokens, you can tell you're no longer king of the roost.
Dark Confidant
Another legendary two-drop from an Invitational winner, Dark Confidant was the result of Hall of Famer Bob Maher's 2004 Invitational win. This was Dark Confidant which first saw print in Ravnica: City of Guilds in 2005. Since then, Dark Confidant has been a staple in multiple formats, in decks with lower curves, allowing their controllers to simultaneously draw extra cards and beat down at the same time.
Wrenn and Six
There have been a handful of two-mana planeswalkers, but Wrenn and Six has always been the best. Just like Dark Confidant, while not dominant, it sees consistent play across the multiple formats it's legal in. Being able to shoot down one-toughness creatures or redraw things like Wastelands or fetchlands for free makes Wrenn and Six an incredibly versatile planeswalker that enables a good number of land-based strategies.
Orcish Bowmasters
What list would be complete without a The Lord of the Rings card infiltrating things? The second Black card on the list, Orcish Bowmasters has been so good that people have wondered if it would end up being banned at some point since it first entered the Modern format. But no, it's still around and kicking, taking care of the same one toughness creatures that Wrenn and Six threatens, while also taking a bit of the fun out of players drawing multiple cards.
Thanks for reading and I'll catch ya next time!
Frank Lepore
