Strategy

Lee picks some Alara Reborn Powerhouses

By Lee Steht ⋅ April 28, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment ⋅

Ahh… It seems like yesterday that I was just doing the Conflux cards. Since we don’t have the usual Red, Green, Blue etc in Alara Reborn. I figured I’d just review some of the cards I see as potential powerhouses.

Interestingly, I found that I liked more cards from this set than usual. The bad part to that is that it will make my drafting choices even more complicated. Please work with me, as I have NOT seen all the cards I’m taking this list from a spoiler just so I can get your minds working earlier and faster :)

The forums are always a great place to debate and discuss my wrongs or rights so I can’t wait to hear from you.

• Ethersworn Shieldmage – With FLASH, this guy can be a game saving play! Many of the Earthquake/Firespout effects have spells cast in front of them to kill any of your trump cards in play that may prevent damage. The Shieldmage jumps in like a superhero to save the day at the point you need him most.
  
• Meddling Mage & Terminate – These two cards are classics and are VERY difficult to find, UNTIL now. For their power and cost you won’t find much that are any better.
  
• Deny Reality & Bituminous Blast – The Cascade mechanic has the potential to be HUGE. Unfortunately, the lower Cascade cards are no where near impressive.
  
• Mind Funeral – The card can’t be true! In limited this can be a HUGE turn of events for the poor soul who thinned out their deck of lands.
  
• Soul Manipulation – Life is about choices and I like having my cake AND eating it too :)
  
• Anathemancer – 5 Color Control decks beware! This guy can be used twice! 2/2 for 3cc isn’t too bad, let’s face it Fulminator Mage is pretty handy against all of those Non-Basics.
  
• Thought Hemorrhage – Imagine a world where Cryptic Command doesn’t exist in a game of Magic. A world where Lee Steht enters the MTG Hall of Fame due to his good looks, unparalleled charisma, and his accomplishments after being THE most dominant MTG player for 5 years straight. Well, you can make the first one come true.
  
• Bloodbraid Elf – 4CC Cascade with a healthy Power and Toughness. I like this guy for all of those reasons.
  
• Behemoth Sledge – I like this card much more than Loxodon Warhammer. I’m not sure if it’s the +2 on the tail end or the Trample, but this card will DEFINITELY find play.
  
• Dauntless Escort – This guy works similarly to Shieldmage (see above) but as I said, usually wrath effects are preceded by anti-ANTI cards that remove prevention or utility cards.
  
• Zealous Persecution – Whether it be Alara Block Constructed or Standard, one will see a few tokens or 1/1s here and there. Much better than Dry Spell!
  
• Double Negative – Key words here “UP TO TWO” I like this spell and I believe it works on Cascade effects or spells.
  
• Maelstrom Pulse – Vindicate has been long missed, but I like this card better. Despite not being able to shank an opponent’s land, I do feel that getting multiples of a card or permanent is much more advantageous.
  
• Intimidation Bolt – Get rid of your opponents 3 toughness guy AND the rest of the team cannot attack? Daddy likes.
  
• Sen Triplets – This card seems a bit ridiculous to me. The ONLY problem I see with it is that it has a Power and Toughness. Therefore, easily dealt with.
  
• Uril, the Miststalker – 5/5 for 5 is pretty common now. However, Troll Ascetic is arguably one of the all time greats and it’s merely due to it’s can’t be targetted. At a 5/5 body this guys bigger but will he be enough? We’ll see.
  
• Bant Sojourners – Cycling is a decent ability. One that can certainly win you a game. Add a 1/1 soldier to a cantrip gives you a permanent advantage that can really turn the tide.
  
• Jenara, Asura of War – Trick and I talked about this guy. Ideally a 5/5 flyer for 3 mana, nuff said.
  
• Wargate – Searching for Broodmate Dragon or Ranger of Eos makes players smile. Do I really need to explain?
  
• Slave of Bolas – I like the idea of using an opponents creature and then killing him. The cost is a bit higher than normal, being a Sorcery makes it even worse, but it is removal.

– Lee

He cohosted the ManaNation podcast from 2008 into 2010. He's wrestled with giants and deposed dictators. He's drafted with gods, and demolished small cities with a single Sea Sprite.

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