Magic Foundations is more than just a love letter to Magic's past, it's a sneak peek at Magic's future. Last time, we looked at the cards Wizards chose to bring back to the format, triggering those nostalgic neurons. Now, let's take a look at ten of the new cards that we'll have with us for the next 5 years to see what the future holds.

10. Raise the Past

This card is loaded with potential, and I look forward to brewing with this over the next 5 years as variably powerful 2-drops rotate in and out of the format. Especially if a creature like Satyr Wayfinder makes its way into standard at some point. Right now, there may be a Selesnya Elves deck that can use this as a way to combat the myriad of 1-for-1 removal spells used by the top Black decks. I would have this higher, but there is so much graveyard hate available that I don't think a graveyard-based deck will be the best deck in the format for more than 1-2 tournaments.

9. Loot, Exuberant Explorer

I've seen a lot of opinions on Loot, the character. Everything from, "I hate that Pikachu rip off!" to, "He's adorable and if you touch him you'll catch these hands!" As a card, I can't wait to explore him in a variety or ramp and landfall decks. We still have a bounceland in the format in Arid Archway and I expect it to get up to some shenanigans. The ability to fish for creatures based on the number of lands you have is powerful, and is a great way to use the extra land drops Loot gives you.

8. Kaito, Cunning Infiltrator

Kaito is the best of the new Planeswalkers in the set, and you always need to pay attention to 3-mana Planeswalkers. Giving this an alternative way to grow loyalty makes it potentially a very dangerous card, and the default state of just play this, make a creature, and start looting every turn is a great baseline for the card. I especially want to pay attention to this when faeries start to show up with our return to Lorwyn in 2026.

7. Herald of Eternal Dawn

This is probably the saltiest card in the set. I fully expect to get got by this card multiple times over the next few years. Flash is a fantastic ability for this effect, as it lets your opponent tap out or go out of their way to try and get in the killing blow, only for the circumstances of the game to change in a blink This will blow some people out of the water... but there will also be a lot of people who just shrug and Go for the Throat. A very balanced card in that case.

6. Archmage of Runes

Yes, this costs 5 mana, but it has so much inherent power that I can't wait to build a deck around it. We may finally have enough of a critical mass of these, "Instants and Sorceries matter" cards to make a viable spellslinger style Izzet deck. It's 6 toughness is also large enough to make it a viable blocker and much harder for non-Black decks to kill.

5. Elenda, Saint of Dusk

Talk about a hard to kill house! Protection from instants is an extremely relevant ability, allowing this to dodge most of the targeted removal in the format. I don't know how often you'll get to use the abilities that rigger off of having more than your starting life total, but the lifelink ability will help you get there.

4. Exemplar of Light

This might just be Ajani's Pridemate stapled to a Dusk Legion Zealot, but combining both of those onto one card might be enough to make this both a game ending threat (thanks to its rapidly growing size and built in evasion) and a grindy, go long all-star (thanks to the card draw ability). In fact, given that we get another Soul Sister style 1-drop in Hinterland Sanctifier, maybe we need to take a hard look at Orzhov/Bat lifegain again.

3. Spinner of Souls

This card is being slept on, but it offers up a ton of power. As I said a few weeks ago, every Green three-drop in the format automatically gets a power boost from Llanowar Elves being in the format, and this one is no different, as a 4/3 on turn 2 is a sizable threat. If this triggered from its own death as well I think it would be strong enough to be a format staple. As is, it's just good enough to see play in a variety of decks.

2. Bloodthirsty Conqueror

Not only is this an acceptable body and rate, it also enters Standard as a ready-made two card, "I win!" combo with Enduring Tenacity. Combine Undead Slasher and Bloodletter of Aclazotz and mono-Black has access to 2 different 2-card combos that can kill an opponent on the spot. That puts a lot of stress on an opponent to have the right answers at the right time. I expect Black to continue to be the best color in standard.

1. Twinflame Tyrant

I get Torbran, Thane of Red Fell vibes from this card and Torbran was standard staple. This should sit as a curve topper, which may mean that current mono red decks are too lean and low to the ground to use it, but something like Gruul Prowess should be able to use this as a finisher. It also pairs well with the burns spells like Boros Charm and Burst Lightning to end a game quickly.

Foundations is finally here, and it feels like a shot in the arm for Standard. I can't wait to dive into the set on Arena and see how many strange new decks I can come up with!

You can find more of my Magic musings on Twitter/X @travishall456