Hello Everyone! I'm Levi from The Thought Vessel Show, and today we are looking at Modern Horizons 3 once more since this set is loaded with amazing cards at amazing prices. As always with these budget bomb lists, I am not ranking these cards in a particular order. Instead, we are simply celebrating great card design and great deals. Let's begin!
Ten More Budget Bombs from Modern Horizons 3
1. Planar Genesis
I have seen some hype around this card, and it is definitely warranted. An instant-speed draw or ramp spell for two mana? In a format that uses cards like Explore, this is strictly better. The only two things keeping the price down are that it's a multicolored card, which can limit the decks it fits into, and that it's not particularly flashy. For $0.49, I'm tempted to get this card for every deck that includes blue and green.
2. Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
Like part one of this article, this list wouldn't be complete without one of these incredible MDFC lands. This one, in particular, is better in higher-power pods, in my opinion, but still holds value. In a format that frequently sees lands like Field of the Dead, Cabal Coffers, Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, and even Gaea's Cradle, it's nice to have a card available to remove them. Additionally, the ability to prevent non-flyers from blocking for a turn is a sneaky way to swing at someone for lethal damage by taking blockers out of play.
3. Waterlogged Teachings // Inundated Archive
Though not as effective a land as the other MDFC lands from this set since it doesn't have the option to come into play untapped for three life, it's always nice to have a tutor that isn't overpowered. In games or situations where the land would be better, or you feel like a tutor might not be appropriate, you can always play the tapped land. It's helpful to include cards in your 99 that can be played at different power levels to allow your deck to fit into more pods, especially when priced at $0.75.
4. Accursed Marauder
It's always a strange feeling to see strict power creep from an old staple. Merciless Executioner used to be an absolute staple in graveyard decks for its ability to recur and loop effects repeatedly. Now we have Accursed Marauder, which for one less mana has the upside of making the sacrificed creatures non-token - a substantial improvement in most scenarios. I truly don't understand why this card is only $0.49, aside from it being printed at common, but this is a staple for years to come.
5. Basking Broodscale
A dominant card in Pauper, Basking Broodscale is an excellent addition to combo and +1/+1 counter decks for its ability to produce Eldrazi Spawn tokens that can be sacrificed for mana. Though it's not an absolute staple, it's certainly a gem for $0.49.
6. Evolution Witness
We all love Eternal Witness. Now, we get Evolution Witness, which offers a narrower version of the recursion ability. The main difference is that while Eternal Witness usually requires a blink or recursion effect to use again, Evolution Witness triggers when one or more +1/+1 counters are placed on it. In the right deck, you can practically pick up your entire graveyard in a single turn. Though it is narrow, I find this card neat at $0.35.
7. Glimpse the Impossible
Similar to Party Thrasher in the last article, it's rare to find card advantage and ramp on the same card, especially in Mono-Red. Drawing three cards via impulse draw is an incredible rate for Red, and since Red is such an explosive color, this card can make a turn pop off. Even if you flip lands or high-cost spells, no worries - you'll get Eldrazi Spawn tokens, enabling you to ramp into a 6+ mana spell much earlier than usual. This card comes in at $0.35, and I can't recommend it enough for Mono-Red decks or decks that struggle with card advantage.
8. Refurbished Familiar
Another Pauper all-star! At $0.75, this is a great card to pick up for your blink deck, discard deck, or possibly a graveyard deck. Since it says "each opponent," this card in some loops can quickly leave you as the only person with a hand. Once everyone is topdecking, you can start getting draws off it. This card was made for the long game, but I love its potential.
9. Thraben Charm
You know I love my charms! Thraben Charm is no exception. For two mana at instant speed, you can destroy a creature, enchantment, or even exile a graveyard. Graveyard hate is becoming increasingly relevant over the years. I think this finds a home in Mono-White or two-color decks at $0.49. Once you start building with three or more colors, your removal options improve, but this is still solid.
10. Wing It
This is probably my favorite card name in the whole set. I'll admit this is an incredibly narrow card, but it's also very sneaky. It's not uncommon for a player to ask the table, "Does anyone have flyers?" before swinging in with a Brago for a combat damage effect. Having this as a "Gotcha!" card for that +2/+2 and flying can be a game-changer. The best part is that the flying is a Flying Counter, so even after the spell resolves, you now have a flying attacker or blocker. Not bad for a $0.29 common.
And there you have it - another 10 budget bombs from Modern Horizons 3. Though the game is becoming more expensive on average, there are still explosive cards to be found for cheap if you know where to look. Until next time, happy gaming!