A little bit of info before we break into evaluating a few of the choice RARES from Innistrad. Here is the schedule for the London, Ontario pre-releases so that you’ll know where to go, when, and how many dollar-dollar-bills to bring with you, yo.
Worlds Away
Where? 666 Dundas St
When? Saturday October 01 / 2011 @ 11am START
Cost? $27 for 6 packs and the Pre-Release Foil!
Website: http://www.worldsawaylondon.com/
L.A. Mood
Where? 350 Richmond St.
When? Sunday October 02 / 2011 @ 11am START
Cost? $27 for 6 packs and the Pre-Release Foil!
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You can see the full spoiler here:
(No, that’s not the official Wizards spoiler, but I like the layout of this page and how fast it loads.)
To see my review of the MYTHICS from Innistrad, check out yesterday’s article HERE:
Now that the logistics are out of the way, let’s delve into a few of the rares that I see making waves in standard and beyond!
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CHAMPION OF THE PARISH
Human decks are going to need a 1 drop, and this will be the go-to guy to fill the role. Narrow use (only humans) but the humies are looking like they have potential as a tribe, so they should retain some value. Unless you plan on playing a human deck, I’d trade these ASAP to those who want to.
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $1
DIVINE RECKONING
A conditional Wrath of God that can do double duty with its flashback. People are already talking about using this in conjunction with Sun Titan, and I don’t see that as a bad strategy. I think most control decks are still going to want a hard wrath though like DoJ because you won’t always have a creature in play, and if you’re playing a wrath effect, you want their guys DEAD, not just “mostly dead”.
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $1-2
MENTOR OF THE MEEK
Love him! I think he’s going to make human decks / spirit decks playable! He activates when either you OR your opponents creatures EtB, which makes him even better. A constant source of card draw, he’s worth picking up.
EBay TODAY: $2-3
Predicted Future Price: $4-5
CACKLING COUNTERPART
An instant speed clone effect. This will see play in Commander for sure, but I don’t think it will see that much constructed play due to it only being able to copy your OWN creatures.
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $1
LABORATORY MANIAC
Combos with both Divining Witch and Leveler, with Divining Witch being the best choice IMHO. If there is a self mill strategy, this guy will be key. He’s also going to be in legacy with the aforementioned cards making it possible to win on T3. This guy is going to keep Jace, Memory Adept relevant for the next little while as well. Maybe I’ll be able to get more than 15 tix for the one I have online! People who will want to build this deck will want 4x of this guy, but it’s uses are narrow, as he’s only good in the self-mill strategy obviously.
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $2
MINDSHRIEKER
This has amazing potential. Imagine this set up: T2 play Mindshrieker. T3 ponder and put a high CC spell 1st draw and 3rd draw. Swing with Shrieker, pay 2 and pump him for say 8 if Army of the Damned was on top. Next turn draw your 2nd card, and you KNOW that the following card is a fatty. Swing again and that’s a T4 win! No one has this guy on their radar, so I’m buying in!
EBay TODAY: $2-3
Predicted Future Price: $4-5
SNAPCASTER MAGE
He’s amazing and everything you’ve heard about him is true. He’ll be played in every format that plays spells. Not only is he a flash creature that will be able to trade as a surprise or get dropped EoT to have a sword equipped to him, but he provided CA by allowing you to re-use a spell. I don’t see him retaining his $20+ price tag though, because since he’s a rare, he will be opened a LOT in these first few months of Inn/Inn/Inn drafting which will put more on the market.
EBay TODAY: $20-25
Predicted Future Price: $12-15
BLOODGIFT DEMON
He’s like a flying Phyrexian Arena that can damage your opponent if you need to! A 5cc flying 5/4 that draws you a card every turn is decent value, so I can see this guy making it into decks that need some reach. I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict that this guy will be included in a starter deck in foil because that would be his perfect home! :P
EBay TODAY: $2-3
Predicted Future Price: $1-2
BLOODLINE KEEPER
Card advantage for team Edward. I’ll take a 3/3 flyer for 4 that makes me a 2/2 flyer every turn all day long! She reminds me of Master of the Hunt who was an all-star in Alara block. This lady also pumps your team when you control 5 vampires. She’s the new Vampire Nocturnus!
EBay TODAY: $4-6
Predicted Future Price: $4
DEVIL’S PLAY
I’m normally not onboard with “fireball effects”, but think this one has potential because of the flashback. Single use cards that just trade but don’t provide CA and are mana sinks like most X spells are typically bad, but since you could potentially burn an opponent for 5, then burn them again next turn for another 4 (if you play a land), it’s an option. Killing 2 creatures with 1 card (or a creature and a player) can’t be bad, even though it’s at a high cost…
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $1
INSTIGATOR GANG / KRUIN OUTLAW
The first 2 werewolves on the list. All werewolves are powerful if they flip, and therein lies the problem that I see with them. Vampires are always good, but werewolves are be better WHEN their flipped. So it’s a trade… consistency vs. sheer power level. Werewolf decks look like they’re going to be a TON of fun, and I KNOW that people will want to play with the new flip mechanic so we can expect these guys to stay in demand.
Instigator Gang
EBay TODAY: $1
Predicted Future Price: $2
Kruin Outlaw
EBay TODAY: $1
Predicted Future Price: $2
STROMKIRK NOBLE
Just as the humans get a nice little 1 drop, the vampires also show up to the party with this little guy. He’s a hungry devil, and playing him T1 could be even better than a goblin guide! I’d pick up a playset while their cheap, as these guys could be good outside of vampire decks. Depending on the meta, his “can’t be blocked by humans” clause could be relevant!
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $3
GUTTERGRIME
While I don’t see this card going too high, it has potential in a sacrifice outlet type deck and as protection vs DoJ. Combined with “Parallel Lives” it could be insane. Keep an eye on it, but don’t pay too much (aka: anything).
EBay TODAY: $1
Predicted Future Price: $0
MAYOR OF AVABRUK
The human “lord” with an amazing ability as well! He pumps humans and werewolves AND makes 3/3 wolves at the end of your turn. He fits nicely on a curve, as he could be swinging for 3 on your T3 and netting you a wolf! So basically you have an aggressive creature that provides card advantage! Who needs werewolves when you’ve got this guy who is good on his own?
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $3-4
PARALLEL LIVES
We’ve all seen the price on doubling season and there’s no reason that this card can’t follow suit. It won’t add counters to planeswalkers, but doubling up on wolves / spirits doesn’t seem bad!
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $3-4
EVIL TWIN
“Good… bad… I’m the guy with the gun.” – Good Ash
A clone / removal card all in one! Will fit into Commander decks and could see some fringe play in constructed, though it’s doubtful. Best flavor card of the set and great design IMHO!
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $1-2
CREEPY DOLL
Stuffy doll is a hot little number and this guy does almost the same thing, except worse. It doesn’t damage players, but can remove creatures. An indestructible blocker is still good, but I think this guy will only see play in EDH…
EBay TODAY: $1
Predicted Future Price: $1
ALL OF THE ETB TAPPED LANDS
(Clifftop Retreat / Hinterland Harbor / Isolated Chapel / Sulfur Falls / Woodland Cemetery)
The new set of “enemy dual lands” that come into play tapped unless you control a basic land type that matches one of their colors. They're all around the same price with Sulfur Falls being worth +$1 and Woodland Cemetery being worth -$1.
EBay TODAY: $5-6
Predicted Future Price: $4-5
KESSIG WOLF RUN
Late game it turns all of your creatures into threats and early it will give your #1 man trample and a little boost if they need it. Will see play in Commander as well as constructed. Werewolves will prob run 3x.
EBay TODAY: $1-2
Predicted Future Price: $3
MOORLAND HAUNT
Like always, U/W gets the best stuff. “Sure! I’d love to make free 1/1 flyers to carry my swords! Thanks for asking!”. Just when we though we saw the last of Squad Hawk we get it’s functional (if not conditional) replacement :S. EUGH… damn you U/W!!
EBay TODAY: $2
Predicted Future Price: $3
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These are the rares that I found interesting in the new set. It’s not that the cards that I DIDN’T list are bad, I just don’t see them as being part of the “all-star” team. I’m a little disappointed that there only appear to be 3 cards in the entire set that are worth > $10 (Liliana / Garruk / Snapcaster Mage), so opening packs is like chasing the dream. Even most of the rares are < $3. The set is soooo full of flavor that it probably won’t stop me from mini-mastering a box though, lol!
TALKBACK! (Copied / pasted from yesterday’s article!)
What do you think about these evaluations… on target or way off?
Anything that you think will be hot that I missed?
What’s your favorite Rare from Innistrad?
Did you find this article helpful to decide what to buy and what to trade away?
ALSO! Don’t forget about THE CONTEST which ends today @ 5pm! I’ll be making the winning draw at the L.A. Mood FNM tonight! :)
Hope to see you there!
Carl Szalich
Hey dude, nice review, there is also a pre-release at Imperial hobbies at 6 pm on saturday.
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