Subject: My take on Exodus Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 12:01:15 -0400 From: Joe Gayda To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com Thinking from a T2 perspective, these are the cards that most impressed me in Exodus. When evaluating new cards, I use two criteria. First, what impact will this card have in or against the current dominant deck types. Secondly, does this card merit the consideration for a new deck type? (How will it change the meta game?) Granted, my opinions will change, but the following cards are the ones that I will intially focus on concerning their meta game impacts at Origins '98. I call it a Top Ten list, in honor of David Lettermen. >From the home box office in Dayton, OH: Top Ten Cards in Exodus: 1) Null Brooch This card scares me. I keep thinking that a R/u deck with alot of burn, mana leaks, Null Brooch and Oath of Scholars might have some potential. Granted Scholars and Null Brooch cost 4 mana, but when you have 4 mana, your hand is about empty, and makes both of those cards much more attractive, IMO. I've seen Null Brooch/Pox mentioned in some strategy discussions. Maybe I'm wrong. Uktabi Orangutans will be big for sometime to come, except for the fact that they will be extinct in another 4 months. 2) Oath of Scholars Draw 3 for nadda as an enchantment. Yeah, Yeah, your opponent gets to draw if you have more cards. NOT! The only question is whether 4 casting cost balances it out. I'm not sure without testing. So you get down to the Oath of Scholars, you have zero cards, your opponent has zero cards, stand still. It's a top decking race for a Cursed Scroll, huh? Hmmm, is there an inexpensive way to make your OPPONENT draw one during your upkeep? Sapphire Charm? =P 3) Equilibrium The card that's generating alot of excitement, or groans depending on your color prefrence. It's already been said, I'll keep it brief... Two words, 187 creatures. Ugh. 4) Curiousity Hehe... This was the first card that jumped out at me. If you can guarantee damaging your opponent once with enchanted creature it's a cantrip. If you can damage them more than once, it's wrong. Pingers, Bleeders, and flat out Shadows or Flyers that have protection from opponents primary colors could be nasty. Ophidian that does damage. 5) Hatred It's all about Hate. Gotta figure out if the casting cost offsets the wickedness of the new "channel". Suicide black and Hatred.... *shudder* 6) Cataclysm It works, it's good, you knew that. IMO, this one Null Brooch and Equilibrium will be the expensive rare singles. Now don't rush out and invest in cornering the market on Cataclysms. BTW, this card needed more relevant art. (I don't follow the story lines.) Who's Urza? I heard he's making some cards... 7) Paladin en-Vec Now there's a creature! 8) Mirri, Cat Warrior Great creature. Argueably one of the best green has in T2. Unfortunately when WoTC is building spoilers to stop 5C decks, (meaning you won't see as many 5CG decks) and this poor green sap dies to all the primary removal in the game... Screw forestwalk. Make it read: Mirri, Summon Legend GG1 Mirri, counts as a stud. First strike. Mirri, cannot be the target of spells and effects. Attacking does not cause Mirri to tap. 2/3 I know, I know. If you gonna make a broken card, give it to any color other than green... 9) Price of Progress What 5C decks on the Dojo's "Decks to Beat" page. Just a guess, but I really think there will be alot of one and two color decks in the next couple months after Origins. I think that four and five color deck may become very rogue. There are some super nasty non-basic land spoilers. Maybe they won't have that big of an impact, I gotta wait and see... Ironically, I was expecting a NEW 5 color land in Exodus, not all the 5C spoilers. Undiscovered and Gemstone drop from the rotation in 4 months. If the Exodus 5C spoilers don't make it difficult to play 5C, the loss of those lands sure will. Dust off those Harrows. =) (Decent card, just hasn't been much need for it until now.) 10) Pandemonium Things that make you go, "Hmmmmm". Living Death, Phyrexian Dreadnaught, etc... This card intrigues me. Hopefully it's not to slow at R3. Good luck to all the those doing deck research for Origins. See ya there!