 |
 |
Current Events
Worldwake White Card Review
Hello and welcome to part 1 of our Worldwake set review. The review and notes you see here are a collection of feedback from a number of players, ranging in skill level from FNM to Semi-Pro players and up to the World of Warcraft TCG World Champion. My thanks go to: Billy Postlethwait, John Dean, Glenn Jones, Jason Brown, Ricky Calarco, Andres Garcia, David Sharfman and the random other people who helped collect thoughts and discuss this set.
Be sure to see the other reviews:
Constructed
|
Limited
|
Casual
|
 |
Admonition AngelThis card got a lot of hype, the hints and rumors of an Oblivion Ring landfall creature caused quite a stir. Now that we see it, it is definitely good but it is not format warping. The triple white makes it a bit difficult to cast, but in comparison it’s easier than Iona, Shield of Emeria and it’s better than Roil Elemental. The card is a definite limited bomb, first pick worthy in draft so long as you can support the white when it gets to your third pack. Constructed: 3 |
 |
Apex HawksHere is one of those creatures I want to like. It isn’t bad, like it isn’t Mindless Null but it isn’t amazing. It’s going to be good in limited, sitting on a good curve for a 3 mana 2/2 flier or a 5 mana 3/3 flier. That said though, it won’t be making any appearance in constructed and it holds no major love for casual play except for those rare falcon or bird theme decks. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Archon of RedemptionAs far as Rares go in Worldwake, this isn’t the worst in the set, but the card is a bit underwhelming. It’s going to be one of those cards that is crazy in casual, and can see a few fun plays in EDH. Perhaps some play in limited but nothing big. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Battle HurdaThis card is nothing amazing, it is better than its Kim Kardashian style cousin – Caravan Hurda (because it’s famous for having a big ass.) Otherwise the card won’t see much play except as the 23rd card in limited decks. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Fledgling GriffinEvasion is one of the big things we preach as important in limited, this card has it… sometimes. It will see play in draft and sealed, but hardly anywhere else. And for casual it holds no real draw. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Guardian ZendikonAs far as the Zendikon’s go, this is perhaps the worst. Defenders are just not that good except in control decks, but in this case there are all better options for control constructed decks. It could be good in limited, but not ideal. Constructed: 3 |
 |
Hada FreebladeWhen I saw this card, I immediately proxied up a Standard Ally deck and tried to run it. It could be the keystone for such a deck in constructed though my testing proved fruitless. It’s also a strong ally for the limited archetypes, providing a strong one drop which the decks lacked before. And of course in any casual ally decks it will be one of the must-haves. Constructed: 4 |
 |
Iona’s JudgmentThis is a card that I looked down on fairly early, a five mana sorcery speed removal spell. It just doesn’t seem that good. And it isn’t. To be blunt. Sure, it’s good in limited because removal of any cost is good in limited, but otherwise it really doesn’t have much juice for constructed or casual. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Join the RanksAnother spell which could prove the keystone for an Ally constructed deck. It is ‘blow out’ fuel, with Allies which deal damage, mill, or do something else this card can provide a shocking blow out. It is such a versatile spell, though four mana for two 1/1s, something that is usually 2 mana or 3 mana, is nothing astounding the possible effects from other allies makes it very enticing and well worth the extra mana. Constructed: 3 |
 |
Kitesail ApprenticeThis is no Hada Freeblade, meaning it isn’t going to be the key to a Kor constructed deck. It’s an okay card, and as a common it will be an okay draft pick, but it won’t really be much else. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Kor FirewalkerThe exclusive spoiler card here on ManaNation, it is an awesome card and sure to see constructed play as a sideboard card against the evil forces of Red. It’ll also prove a solid limited pick given the popularity of red in draft. Constructed: 4 |
 |
Lightkeeper of EmeriaLightkeeper is marginal at best, it’ll make a show in limited but only slightly for its multi-kicker ability, more for a strong body and evasion with flying. The multi-kick is strong, though I still prefer Zendikar’s Grazing Gladehart. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Loam LionI love this card. Love it with the dirty sloppy love that Kird Ape used to endure during its hey-day. Is my love undue? Maybe only slightly. The valid point that came up during the discussions was that Kird Ape is fighting for its place in “its” deck – Zoo. So is Loam Lion that much better? In Standard the answer is yes. I’ve been playing a Standard zoo deck that has proven to be consistently strong and powerful. It isn’t going to be a bomb in limited, requiring a commitment to GW during your Zendikar packs, but it will be fast. Constructed: 4 |
 |
Marsh ThreaderIt’s Cliff Threader’s brother-from-another-mother. Or maybe the same. In any case, this is an excellent limited card to use against the popular Black draft decks and with the 1 colorless, it is fairly easy to cast. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Marshal’s AnthemAs far as buff spells go, this one runs a bit expensive for constructed. With weenie decks on turn four they usually want to drop multiple threats to recover from the early attrition, the sweet spot for a buff landing on turn three or back in the days of Crusade, turn two. So this isn’t likely to find a home in weenie decks, not to mention that the multi-kick ability is only marginal in a weenie deck. It is definitely a strong pick in limited and will see a fair amount of play, though not a definite first pick. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Perimeter CaptainThis is a clear limited card, and it could see some love in a mono-white control deck, but not likely. It’s going to super strong as a limited defender. When I was talking this over with the guys, one of the questions I asked is how it would change its value if the card were a common (as opposed to its uncommon rarity) and they made it clear it needed to be uncommon. Imagine if this was common and in the single Worldwake pack, you were able to pick up 3 or 4 of these. You would have a veritable fortress for defense. Outside of limited, it holds no real strength. It’s not thematic enough for any real casual decks, and it has no home in constructed. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Refraction TrapThe traps debuted in Zendikar some were more impressive than others, this one falls on the side of less than impressive. It could serve as a sideboard card in some decks depending on what archetypes come to power, but more likely than not. It will see some play in limited, so be sure to consider how to play around it if your opponent is running white. Constructed: 2 |
 |
Rest for the WearyLife gain is a strategy which requires an archetype deck and an abusive combo, this card is neither. It might see some limited play but it won’t be a top tier card in any format. Overall it’s marginal all around. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Ruin GhostThere are already combos surrounding this card, but they require too many cards to really be viable. It’s going to fall most heavily into the casual sphere, multiplayer craziness, and it might have some limited applications, but nothing major. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Stoneforge MysticThis one generated a lot of discussion, mainly around whether it was just good or not. Some said yes, some said no. Overall they came to a decision that it was decent and could prove useful. It’s slightly worse in limited, though it will again prove powerful. Constructed: 4 |
 |
Talus PaladinThis is the third reason I tried to build that Standard Allies deck. It’s JPA (Just Plain Awesome) in Casual, JPA in Limited, and probably JPA in Constructed. Let’s not insult this card by discussing it any further. Constructed: 4 (5?) |
 |
Terra EternalThis card had so much potential, but the main problem is that it is universal and not one-sided. We had a humorous discussion about how awesome this card was with Armageddon until one of the people pointed out that it affected all players not just your own lands. Alas, this card is relegated to the casual games. Constructed: 1 |
 |
Veteran’s ReflexesThis is a fun combat trick but not powerful enough to really make a splash anywhere but in limited. It’s playable there. Your constructed white weenie decks have better things to do for {W}. Constructed: 2 |
Editor of ManaNation.com, Patrick "Trick" Jarrett loves Magic. He's played it since 1995, he's written about it since 2003, and he's run ManaNation.com since 2007. He writes about and covers Magic: The Gathering for a living.
| Useful Author Links | Last 4 posts |
I haven’t played white in a while and I may never make a Kor deck, but I must say Kitesail Apprentice has got to be one of my favorite artworks on the set.
Nice work Trick, I see about 3 different casual decks I want to make using some of these white cards. One bit of constructive criticism though (and this goes for the blue review too) your limited ratings seem a tad generous IMO. That said, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
First things first…
What do the ratings represent? What constitutes a 1? 5?
Are they the same scale for limited and constructed?
If necessary, give examples of past cards with that rating.
I personally think you undervalue the Kitesail Apprentice a bit too much!
For instance, if you manage to trick an Unscythe, Killer of Kings into your hand, then onto the field using Stoneforge Mystic… a Kitesail Apprentice, suddently becomes a 5/5 flyer with the ability to bring two zombies on the field!!
Or cheap equipment such as bonesaw can make him a very viable threat early on as well.
I like the idea of “Kitesail Apprentice” equiped with “Unsythe, Killer of Kings” on like turn three. To build a deck with it I would want to make sure that I could protect the “Stoneforge Mystic”, since there will probably be no other way of dropping “Unsythe, Killer of Kings”. But once it is down so fast, it will be hard to contend with in a kor deck.
I can’t help but feel you’re undervaluing Terra Eternal. While not phenomenal, I foresee (perhaps erroneously) the ever-ubiquitous Valakut decks plaguing constructed will start splashing white for it (and possibly for Ruin Ghost).
I’m trying a mono white allies and it’s working pretty awesome with honor of the pure, join the ranks, oblivion ring, paths, brave of the elements and the creatures. It is probably too wuik for control since turn 4 you can do serious damage and only falls against a DoJ but therefore, it’s pretty easy to play around that having only 2 creatures on board or stuff like that. Their counters are pretty much useless and by the time they’ve got the big creatures your’s are bigger and with bonuses. Path to abyssal, baneslayer etc oblivion to planeswalkers and brave the elements for earthquakes, pyro etc.
I have to disagree with you on “Ruin Ghost”. The mechanics of Zendikar block revolves heavily around lands (any wizard’s designer will attest to that). For 2 mana casting cost and 1 mana to activate landfall ability anytime will totally “ruin” the game for your opponent. Thiink of geopede, windrider, lynx, hagra, baloth or any of those non-basic lands with come into play ability. Use it in junction with other landfall mechanics in Worldwake (eg. Admonition), this will sure draw fire from your opponent anytime! Using up a burst lightning, punishing fire, brink of disaster, disfigure or hideous end is one more step to keeping your other bombs alive too…it’s not a 3 in limited, it’s a 5.
Refraction Trap is a Beast, Talus Paladin is only okay, bad