Subject: Stronghold Top Ten List Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 11:31:48 -0500 From: Joe Gayda To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Instead of going over entire spoiler lists, or a dissertation on what colors got the best grub and the impact on T2, I'll just mention the 10 cards in Stronghold that jump out at me. The 10 cards in the list are the ones I think we will see the most in sanctioned constructed deck play. (T1, T2, T1.5, Extended) Obviously this is first impressions... Top Ten Constructed Stronghold Cards 1. Ensnaring Bridge - Wow. Burn and small shadow creatures? Creatureless burn? Hmmm. Alot of possibilities, needs playtested. I like it. 2. Mana Leak - Splashable counter. IMO, 5 color decks gained alot... 3. Megrim - Caster must yell, "Me Grim!". They are defintely being savage and cruel. 4. Ruination - WOW. Personalized armageddon. T1 ramifications... 5. Awakening - Untap all lands and creature EACH upkeep... Powerful... 6. Volrath's Stronghold - I can see some wasteland fights over this legendary land. ARGH! Recycled Frenetics! NOOOOOO! 7. Death Stroke - Cool. A relatively easy way for mono black to kill other black creatures. I was way excited to see this as a common. 8. Endangered Armoden - I think this may be the best creature in the set. Play your 5CG base without birds. (Forest, Undiscovereds, Cities, Mox Diamonds) Now you have the Ehrnam Armoden, Derelors and other phat. 9. Constant Mists - Ah, like good. A lot of possiblilities for stall decks. NASTY, in sealed/draft. I got decked in draft at the pre-release, the guy decked me with 1 land left in play... after 15 turns of fog... 10. Mox Diamond - I think that it is well balanced, I only fear Diamond Pox. Mox Pox. Whatever the deck will be called. I don't think the card is worth the insane prices it will be garnishing solely based on it's name. I think this card will work in the right deck... Honorable Mention: Reign of Power. I like this card... Must play with Altar of Dementia... BWA HA HA HA! An Excellent sideboard card: Sacred Ground. (I also like Rebound as a sideboard card.)