If some people want to over-commit to the nonbasic lands, they have to be aware there might be a cost to pay. Thalia is no doubt going to be a house in Standard (and maybe even Modern), but it will quietly be a very good card in Commander as well.
Thalia, Heretic Cathar: While I don’t like completely taking away the game from the other players, I don’t mind slowing them down a little bit. Now you don’t really need to play the Cat deck to get all the equipment value. The surprise factor is also extremely valuable-wait until a creature is unblocked to slap that Sword of Feast and Famine on it. Now high-cost Equipment like Argentum Armor is much more palatable. Sigarda’s Aid: For one tiny, tiny white mana, you get so much power.
For me, it’s a straight upgrade to the Rhino, because it’s cheaper to cast-and I’ll probably be casting it from the graveyard in one version of Karador or another.
Selfless Spirit: A splashable Dauntless Escort, Selfless Spirit also flies. I suspect that we will see many Gods and Eldrazi follow Thalia’s Lancers into battle. Targets in my Lavinia Blinks deck include Brago, King Eternal Daxos of Meletis Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite Ephara, God of the Polis Isperia, Supreme Judge Kozilek, Butcher of Truth and Venser, Shaper Savant (not to mention Kor Haven).
Thalia’s Lancers: Our format is full of legendary cards, so Thalia’s Lancers will always provide value. Still, it’s worth finding room in your Angel tribal deck for it.
Subjugator Angel: Now you can Tooth and Nail for Subjugator Angel and Sunblast Angel! I was hoping that it would have flash, but that might bump up the mana cost toward the difficult-to-play range. Having your creatures deal combat damage but others not is the kind of blowout you’re looking for. Repel the Abominable: There’s a Humans deck in the making with this set. Long Road Home is also a neat way of getting that nasty -1/-1 counter off of your creature with persist so that it’s ready to do its work again. Long Road Home: Especially in environments in which stealing creatures and other permanents are prevalent, you’ll enjoy having ways of getting them back. It’s expensive and the only way it’s worthwhile is if you’ve tutored two planeswalkers to the top. With Collective Effort, you’re quite likely to want to do them all, since you’re reasonably sure you’re going to find targets for the first two and you’ll be playing it in a deck in which those +1/+1 counters matter.ĭeploy the Gatewatch: I hear excitement about this card, but I’m honestly ambivalent. This card made me think about picking up Wing Shards for my Rotisserie Draft League.Ĭollective Effort: Other cards with escalate have you pick and choose, and sometimes you’re not going to care about some of the modes. Blessed Alliance: With all the indestructible running around, making opponents sacrifice creatures is a good idea.