Conflux is here. The Shards are colliding, and we’re starting to get a sense of what that means for our current decks. Simply put, its time for us to take a look at the most exciting cards in this Alara expansion. In order of rank here are my favorite 5 cards from the Conflux expansion set and my reasons why:
1. Path to Exile - Do you even need an explanation for this card? If so then here you go, MTG.com called it the best creature removal card maybe ever. Straight from the horse’s mouth. It’s like if they remade Terror, only now it cost only one black mana, and worked on artifacts. With the current renaissance of white-control decks, this could be the best uncommon since. . . . well, since ever!
Yes. . .
2. Nicol Bolas – I’m not too keen on spending this kind of mana on anything unless it wins the game outright. Well, in words of one syllable, this card does. When we talk about cards you absolutely must deal with, Nicol Bolas is the definition. He has the most powerful ultimate ability of any planeswalker, and can use that ability in a lightning-fast three turns. Among his attributes Nicol is the best enchantment removal black or red has ever seen, and the best anti-planeswalker card outside Oblivion Ring. Of course permanently taking control of an opponent’s creature ain’t half bad neither. Spend the eight mana already!
3. Soul’s Majesty – Admittedly there is a drop-off after those first two cards. However, Conflux is not without some other very intriguing cards. Soul’s Majesty offers green wizards an amazing late game option in creature heavy decks. Basically this is Harmonize’s replacement in standard formats. While top-decking this card may not always turn the game in your favor, it should be at least a green Tidings. And if you’re sitting on a Godsire, well. . .
. . . yes . . .
4. Scepter of the Fugue – This card will not blow you out of the water when you pull it from a pack. On that same note, it won’t win you many games by itself. But SotF is the best discard/control spell in Conflux. A two-drop that lets you milk your opponent’s hand down to nothing. Basically a more consistant version of Raven’s Crime or a newer, better version of Disrupting Scepter. After four or five turns with this artifact your opponent may be without any cards at all. That advantage is simply amazing in the late game.
. . . and yes!
5. Noble Heirarch – If Shadowmoor is remembered for its giant creatures, then Conflux may well be remembered for its small but dynamic ones. There are so many it may come down to which color you prefer. Nyxathid, Bloodhall Ooze, Court Homunculus and Scattershot Archer are all great choices. However I chose what may prove to be the most versatile one-drop creature since Birds of Paradise. Mana acceleration with the extra benefit of Exalted. That is noble.
Honorable Mentions: In a set with a few economical multi-color land choices, I like Rupture Spire the best. Obelisk of Alara is one of those cards I would love to throw in any multi-colored deck. Not very practical, but boy does it look like fun. And isn’t that the point?
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Good Stuff.
Dig the black Scepter and Nicol.
I agree with Conflux being all about the great little creatures. Even the seemingly lame “Prot from _____” creatures for 2 can be great in draft since every card in the block is multicolored.
i can agree with the hierarch and the path to exile, while the latter has to prove itself imo.
but the planeswalker is utter crap. if my enemy plays this card i already made mistakes and/or will lose the game anyways. and if the ultimate ability triggers… well, i don’t think that this can be called “a lightning-fast three turns”.
the other two, the card drawer and the scepter might be top 5, too, but we have to see how the metagame allows 5 manaspells or manaintensiv artifacts.
Yeah, I guess what I mean by “Dig” ing Nicol is that… I like the card in the same way I like Prognetius. You’ve gotta respect some of those huge cards.
But I do see what you’re saying about 3 turns AFTER turn 8. Not exactly sealed and delivered.. but still awesome.. particularly if you can mana accellerate it out somehow.
Reinhart, thanks for the support Judas. I’ll remember this betrayal. . .
Mictom, thanks for reading but I think you missed the point. I’m not judging decks. I’m basing my opinion on the card alone. Quite simply Nicol Bolas is one of the most powerful cards WotC have ever made. I think you are looking at this as a creature card. Its not Progenitus. Its much harder to deal with. Finally, tournament control decks routinely go 10+ turns. Meaning its not that hard to play. Its an end-game card and I’m hard pressed to think of a better one.
Cruel Ultimatum?
hmm…
if you could put a card into play, before the game starts, then bolas would be a top player. but as long as i have to fight for and eventually take over control for roughly 8 turns, just to get out a permanent and stay in control for another 3 turns to be able to finish the game then, hmmm, i think there are really better things to do with 8 mana.
maybe i would be more able to agree with you, if just this oblivion ring and especially celestial purge wouldn’t be in the same edition/set.
i just fear that nicol bolas reads “pay 8 mana to take over a creature or destroy a non-creature permanent” and that’d be something a control player will never want to have happen to his finisher i guess.
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