Finally, it is approaching that time again. It seems like just a short time ago we were getting hyped for Shadows over Innistrad and the rotation of Khans and Fate Reforged, and here we are again with Eldritch Moon. As I am writing, there is aren’t many cards spoiled, but the two mythics we do have, Emrakul, the Promised End and Ulrich of the Krallenhorde, certainly have some room to explore. Standard continues to move at a fairly slow pace, so the shake-up is welcome.

The only deck I saw this week that looked innovative was a U/W tempo list, but even that has been covered before if not this exact list. I do like the evolution of the W/x humans lists over the past few months, and I am happy to see some of them giving tokens a run for its money. The reality is, until we have a push in another direction, if you want consistency and are ready to grind the mirror match you should be on G/W. That being said, it is certainly not the only deck in the format, and is plenty beatable if you come prepared. Decks like this show one possible angle of attack you can take.

U/W Tempo ? Shadows over Innistrad Standard | Brennan DeCandio 3/4th SCG Orlando

• Creatures (29)
• 1 Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit
• 3 Archangel Avacyn
• 3 Bygone Bishop
• 3 Hanweir Militia Captain
• 3 Reflector Mage
• 4 Eldrazi Skyspawner
• 4 Knight of the White Orchid
• 4 Rattlechains
• 4 Thraben Inspector

• Planeswalkers (3)
• 3 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar

• Spells (5)
• 2 Ojutai's Command
• 3 Stasis Snare

• Lands (23)
• 12 Plains
• 1 Westvale Abbey
• 2 Meandering River
• 4 Port Town
• 4 Prairie Stream

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Archangel Avacyn
• 2 Declaration in Stone
• 1 Reflector Mage
• 1 Felidar Cub
• 3 Archangel of Tithes
• 1 Stratus Dancer
• 1 Ojutai's Command
• 2 Secure the Wastes
• 3 Negate

Buy This Deck

While many of the same suspects have shown up before in a variety of lists, this one goes back to Ojutai's Command to have some strong swings in the late game; and, with the choices in 2-drops, there are certainly some scary interactions which can bring a board from a few non-threatening small creatures to a real army at Instant speed.

With a new set looming, it is hard to find value in current lists. Outside of Command and Rattlechains, not much sticks out anyway. I can certainly see Rattlechains climbing, but I think you are better off waiting to see a full spoiler, or at least a partial spoiler. You should base your buys off of cards you know will be making an impact moving forward. This deck does have very little rotating, so that is one thing pushing me to look at picking it up as most cards are at their bottom. With nothing of note leaving, it would give you a way to continue playing while not concerning yourself through the Fall. On that note, let’s start looking forward. We’re not quite looking to rotation and the end of CoCo’s reign of terror, but it is a step in that direction with Eldritch Moon around the corner.

So far, we have three cards in the spoiler; and, while I do not want to get too far ahead of myself, I do want to look at them in context of what this format can provide to get an idea of how playable each could be without support from the coming cards. If something already stands out just with the cards we have, it is likely going to get an even larger boost moving forward which means any cards currently in the format which interact positively are likely ideal targets to pick up before the set releases.

Emrakul, the Promised End

While this card does have one of the best names in Magic history, I am just not sure how playable it is within the context of our current environment. There are relatively few drawback cards we can utilize to take advantage of this Mindslaver variant; and, even in the dream scenario of a Nantuko Husk it really just forces them to sac it. I could see formats in which this card would be devastating and come down quickly, but I am just not sure this is the one. That being said, let’s take a look at what support the card currently has and evaluate where that leaves us and what we would still need from Eldritch Moon to push this over the top.

As with any large creature, there is always merit at looking to Nahiri, the Harbinger for answers. With a nice package of looting, removal and a finisher, it seems Emrakul and Nahiri’s interaction goes beyond just the lore. I am not sold this alone makes the spaghetti monster playable, but I do think this will likely be one of the first shells she is tried in. The removal in White is diverse and covers a number of card types, meaning even hard casting Emrakul is not out of question; and, until that point, it should be easy enough to stave off the opposing onslaught. With that combo you get to crack for 13 on the initial turn and hopefully recast her the second time around to break down your opponent's hand and finish them off on your following turn. The cast clause on the Eldrazi is great to ensure you do not dump that much mana into something and get nothing back, but it also keeps cards like this fair as there is no positive interaction with Eldrazi Displacer or other blink effects. Due to that we may still be better off with Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger and if that is already in question I am just not sold Emrakul will get there, which is most unfortunate for the lore fanatics out there.

Emrakul does display some solid synergy with cards like Ugin's Nexus, which will likely drive some of the casual play, so at least the card will not end up bulk. I am not sold this will be a major break out until we at least see what Rotation holds for Standard. On that note, it is important to look at cards capable of filling the graveyard since fetchlands are out. Even something like The Gitrog Monster may see enough hype in the coming months to see a price increase.

Ulrich of the Krallenhorde

Unlike Emrakul, I was happy to see this card wasn’t busted; and, while I know there are some upset Commander players out there, I was ok seeing Green not get a huge boost in Standard. The card could have gotten there on so many fronts, but I feel it fell short on just enough of them to hold it back from any serious play. Rotation may change that, but I am not sure the card has a place for now. Five is a tall order for a card that conditionally impacts the game on both sides and requires a flip to be relevant outside of the turn it was played. At four we have Werewolves like Huntmaster of the Fells which slot nicely into a midrange deck. I can see scenarios in which this can be impactful enough to warrant play, but we are just not there.

As for those scenarios, it is clear we will be getting some number of Thopter cards in the Fall and the pump seems like it may be far better when it can readily be strapped onto a flyer, something Green and Red lack for now. Even if this card does prove better than my initial analysis, it likely will not be a four of. Unlike Archangel Avacyn, this has no benefit to dying, or flash, or vigilance . . . leaving me to question how it can stand up to the other 5-drops we currently have, even those seeing very little play.

Coax from the Blind Eternities

Here is a card I can get behind in both casual and Standard. It has the ability to leave Commander players options in the board when looking at which Eldrazi to play which leaves more spots in the main. Since it does not exile itself, it can be done more than once. In Standard I really like it as a one of if Seasons Past/Dark Petition can support it. Allowing yourself a toolbox to enable additional copies of World Breaker while also creating space for cards that may not have made the cut before, such as Kozilek, the Great Distortion, can be huge in certain matches. Not only that, but it also protects Eldrazi decks from Infinite Obliteration; and, while that has been less of an issue these past few weeks, it is certainly still worth noting.

Sultai Coax ? Shadows over Innistrad Standard | Ryan Bushard

• Creatures (4)
• 2 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
• 2 World Breaker

• Spells (31)
• 2 Ultimate Price
• 3 Grasp of Darkness
• 1 Transgress the Mind
• 2 Coax from the Blind Eternities
• 2 Nissa's Renewal
• 2 Painful Truths
• 2 Seasons Past
• 3 Dark Petition
• 3 Duress
• 3 Ruinous Path
• 4 Languish
• 4 Read the Bones

• Lands (26)
• 1 Island
• 5 Forest
• 8 Swamp
• 4 Choked Estuary
• 4 Evolving Wilds
• 4 Hissing Quagmire

• Sideboard (15)
• 1 Tireless Tracker
• 1 Clip Wings
• 1 To the Slaughter
• 1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
• 2 World Breaker
• 1 Transgress the Mind
• 1 Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
• 1 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
• 2 Kolaghan's Command
• 2 Virulent Plague
• 1 Drowner of Hope
• 1 Kozilek, the Great Distortion

Buy This Deck

That’s all for this week. I am looking forward to the rest of the set, even if two of the iconic mythics have already been spoiled. As cards come out I am going to likely run down potential Standard play as we go, so I am not trying to push it all into two weeks. I’ve noticed a great deal of the time I miss on a card just because I was evaluating it next to too many other cards rather than in a vacuum. Hopefully the cards keep rolling in; and, if you have any questions or comments about what we have seen so far, feel free to leave a comment or find me on Twitter.

Ryan Bushard

@CryppleCommand