Kaladesh Spoilers: Limited Review for September 9
It's the end of the first week of spoilers for Kaladesh, and as always it's time to talk about what we've seen so far. The theme of today is removal, and we've got a couple new interesting spells to evaluate.
I'll be reviewing these cards from the standpoint of how well I expect them to perform in Limited. We can't rate the cards completely accurately without knowing the entire set, but we can evaluate the cards in an "average" limited format. You can find all the latest spoilers on the Kaladesh page. Please note that if I haven't yet reviewed a card, it's probably because the official spoiler for it has not been released yet.
Grading scale
A: This card will often be the best card in one's deck. I'd consider splashing it where possible. (Tireless Tracker, Gisela, the Broken Blade)
B: This card is rarely cut from a deck that can cast it. In draft, it signals that a color or archetype is open. (Forgotten Creation, Murder)
C: Cards like this make up the majority of limited decks. You're neither excited nor embarrassed to have them in your deck. (Moorland Drifter, Thraben Foulbloods)
D: I'm not putting this in my main deck unless I have a specific reason or I'm low on playables. (Merciless Resolve, Prophetic Ravings)
F: This card will have little or no impact on the game if I draw it or is strictly sideboard-material. If I cast this card, please stage an intervention for me. (Harness the Storm, Deploy the Gatewatch)
White
Acrobatic Maneuver
C+
Between Acrobatic Maneuver, Wispweaver Angel, and Panharmonicon, I think Wizards might just be trying to push a flickering theme. This insant draws a card and is instant speed, which are two great upsides on a card of this effect. Even if you have no triggers to abuse, you can use this instant to dodge a removal spell or Fog a single creature's attack. When you do have a good ETB (enter the battlefield) effect to reuse, this card becomes great.
Fragmentize
C+
In a set this full of artifacts, the first copy of Fragmentize will almost always make my main deck instead of the sideboard. At worst, Fragmentize will probably hit a Servo token and that's not the worst deal in the world for one mana.
Black
Midnight Oil
C-
Midnight Oil draws an additional card each turn at the cost of forcing you to use your cards quickly or lose them. While it won't be too difficult to use up your cards in time, you should note that this enchantment does not combo well with other card draw/card advantage effects and also leaves you without the ability to cast instants on your opponent's turn once your maximum hand size becomes zero. An aggressive deck that can dump its hand quickly would love this effect, but paying four mana for a card that doesn't affect the board does cause a significant tempo hit to a deck that's trying to kill quickly.
Underhanded Designs
B-
Extort for artifacts that eventually becomes a Murder is a really weird design but a good one. In an artifact heavy deck, you'll be tempted to leave this card around for additional life drain, but eventually you'll get to pull the trigger and kill your opponent's scariest threat. I'd probably want six or more artifacts or artifact-producing cards before wanting Underhanded Designs in my deck.
Red
Welding Sparks
B
Welding Sparks is priced at an acceptable rate for Limited even if your deck is completely devoid of artifacts. It only gets better the more Servo tokens you have.
Green
Dubious Challenge
F
Paying four mana to give your opponent an advantage isn't usually a recipe for success. Maybe it could be correct to draft Dubious Challenge if you have 4+ blink effects in your deck that can give you your creature back, but that seems like a fairly inconsistent combination.
Multicolor
Cloudblazer
B+
Lovers of Mulldrifter, rejoice. All you other people, get off my lawn. This card is great and approaches the limit of something I'd consider splashing if I had a Cultivator's Caravan or two.
Unlicensed Disintegration
B
Murder with upside is pretty incredible, and Unlicensed Disintegration is a strong enough multicolor card to first pick and move in on.
Colorless
Dynavolt Tower
C
If you thought Trail of Evidence was a little underwhelming, I've got some great news for you: Dynavolt Tower is better. Two energy is a nice payoff that you can get over and over again, and having a "free" Lightning Bolt at your command makes your opponent's combat tricks and double blocks fairly awful. Dinavolt Tower is probably a C- in an average deck, but I could see it being a B+ in an all-about-energy deck.
Smuggler's Copter
B+
Strictly better Sky Skiff is a pretty good card. Card selection is fun, evasive damage is fun, and leaving this Vehicle back to threaten small attackers is pretty fun too. Smuggler's Copter isn't impossible to beat but it is a verified value machine.
Conclusion
I like what I've seen so far, but I'm on vacation next week so you'll have to evaluate the rest of Kaladesh on your own. Tell me what all the best cards are when I return. Reach out to me on Twitter @JakeStilesMTG or in the comments below with your thoughts on the new cards.
