Shadows over Innistrad Spoilers: Limited Review for March 24
Hello readers and welcome to the last spoiler article for Shadows over Innistrad. In today's installment, sweet Black cards show up and the Green Mythics finally reveal themselves.
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 Shadows over Innistrad 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. (Dragonmaster Outcast, Linvala, the Preserver)
B: This card is rarely cut from a deck that can cast it. In draft, it signals that a color or archetype is open. (Clutch of Currents, Baloth Null)
C: Cards like this make up the majority of limited decks. You're neither excited nor embarrassed to have them in your deck. (Culling Drone, Akoum Flameseeker)
D: I'm not putting this in my main deck unless I have a specific reason or I'm low on playables. (Geyserfield Stalker, Dazzling Reflection)
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. (Prism Array, Hedron Alignment)
White
Hope Against Hope
C
The common knowledge of Limited is that Auras are bad, even when they're good. Hope Against Hope can turn a creature into a big threat, even with only three or four creatures to boost it, but bounce or kill spells will still wreck those plans. Auras can be a way to fuel Delirium in White, so if you do get 2-for-1'd, it might sometimes be worth it.
Black
Creeping Dread
D-
I don't know how many Madness cards I would need before I actively wanted Creeping Dread in my deck, but I think it's more than I'll ever reasonably have. Opponents can see this discard coming in advance, using it to fuel their own Madness and Delirium too, so it seems hard to find a situation where casting Creeping Dread actually gets you ahead.
Ever After
B+
On flavor, on playability, on uniqueness of effect: on every angle I love this card. Ever After is a great way to close out a game after each player has removed the other's threats, and the board has stalled. I also really like that due to it returning to your library, it's impossible to lose by decking yourself since you get to draw and cast Ever After every turn ever after. Until your opponent finds a way to mill you, of course.
Ever After sneaks in under an A rating since it does require a little bit of setup to be awesome. Getting back two random 2-drops just isn't going to be enough.
From Under the Floorboards
A-
From Under the Floorboards is great even with zero discard outlets, and it gets even better once you have control over the value of X. The Zombies help you win the game, and the lifegain makes sure you have time to use the Zombies. Do try to find a couple of ways to discard From Under the Floorboards, but always play it even when you don't have any.
Red
Mad Prophet
B-
Who would have guessed that a card named Mad Prophet is a great tool for enabling Madness spells? I don't know how it'd be possible to have too many of these in your deck. If you draw extras, you can just discard them to your other Mad Prophets. Value!
Green
Lambholt Pacifist
B-
A 3/3 Defender is a fine card in the early game, and Lambholt Pacifist becomes a big beater without too much work. If I was in some crazy backwards world where I had drafted Green but had no other creatures with power 4+ in my deck, I'd probably still want as many Lambholt Pacifists as I could find.
Seasons Past
B
How many cards would you want to reveal with Seasons Past before you feel you got your mana's worth? Four cards sounds about right, though three could be enough if the cards are quite good. Seasons Past may take you off of Delirium unless you're careful about what you return, and the two cards you want most could easily be the same converted mana cost, so pay attention to exactly how you use Seasons Past. I like that it has the same protection against decking that Ever After has, but that probably won't come up as often as I'm hoping it will.
Ulvenwald Hydra
B
Ulvenwald Hydra is a big beater and can block basically anything, and that's the end of good things I have to say about it. Ulvenwald Hydra's gift of a land isn't likely to be relevant, and it gets chump blocked or killed without any real difficulty or value imparted. It will end the game if you play it after your opponent has used up all their removal, but that's true of most six drop creatures, even at Common.
Conclusion
Thanks for sticking with me through two awesome weeks of spoilers. The full set in all its glory will be revealed tomorrow so be on the lookout for that, and don't forget to register for a Prerelease near you. Reach out to me on Twitter @JakeStilesMTG or in the comments below with your thoughts on the new cards.
