Magic 2010 Spoiler Update – The Reckoning

"Spoiler" doesn't begin to describe the floodgates that were opened up on Magic the Gathering's newest expansion this weekend.  On Friday, we were looking at a list of about 70 cards spoiled for Magic 2010.  Today I write to you with a stack of 220.  The bulk of these can be attributed to a glitch in "the gatherer".  Apparently, (and I'll spare you the techno babble) mtgsalvation patrons were able to exploit said glitch and deduce each and every card to be reprinted in M10.  So without further ado, here is the list of reprints in Magic 2010 in all it's spoileriffic glory:

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Whew!  A lot to take in at first glance, I know.  Let's break this down a bit.

Where's the Sweep?
There are a lot of old friends to welcome back and a lot of even older friends to say goodbye to.  Let me start by reading your mind...  hmm... I'm sensing that you're upset about Wrath of God no longer gracing the Core Set.  Shocking.  Appalling.  Overwhelming.   What is white going to do about the rush?  What is anyone going to do about the rush?  Not even an Evacuation, Wizards?  With cards like Cryptic Command out of the picture, the token rush seems to be the new game in town.

I can only assume that more sweepage is in the works for the remaining 20 unspoiled cards.  There is also the possibility of Zendikar picking up the slack in the sweep department.  Keep in mind that Zendikar comes out only 3 months later so you can still play Wrath/Evac casually and just pray for a decent broom in Zendikar.

Sucks to be Blue
Last pun, I promise.   While I could write (and have written) entire articles on the watering down of blue, I'll just touch on a few key points here.   Blue is a slow color.  It is reactive by nature.  Its difficult enough to keep up with newer, shrouded creatures. Cards like Cryptic Command and Evacuate made it at least somewhat feasible to get something going in a mono-blue deck.  Now, with the removal of both, blue has been completely removed from standard play.  It has been reduced to a complimentary color and it seems to be forever condemned to the sideboard.  Counterspell is probably never coming back, I've come to accept this as a blue wizard.  But how about Remand or Exhaustion?  The new cards don't seem to offer much relief either.  I understand there is a fine line for blue.  One step in the wrong direction and everyone and there cat would be playing blue in tournament play.  But surely there is a happy medium where mono-blue could be feasible even in a casual setting.  Blue, you know I'll always love you.  But it looks like it will be at least another year before we'll dance again.

Red Deck Wins! / Black is Cool Again
Ball Lightning?  Lightning Bolt? Earthquake?!  Where have you been all my life, Red?  I almost forgot how powerful you were.  Prepare for turn 4 red deck wins.

Duress?  Tendrils of Corruption?  Black Knight?  Black is cool again.  Get ready for 100% swamp decks.  No Reflecting Pool, no Mutavault.  Just the blackest of swamps and death.

And All the Colossal Trimmings
MmmMMmnnn Darksteel.  Can anyone honestly say they're disappointed to see Darksteel Colossus back as a Mythic?  This is the epitome of Timmy goodness.  Platinum Angel has also received an upgrade.  And on a side note- Terramorphic Expanse is thankfully being reprinted.  One of the better lands in a world without the Lorwyn block duals.

General Thoughts on 2010's Reprint List
While only 69 of these cards were printed in 10th Edition, wizards has taken the liberty of re-releasing cards such as Spirit Link with new names. Bringing the total up to more like 80-90 cards that can also be found in 10th edition or roughly 1/3 of the new set.

You have to keep in mind that this is a core set and there are going to be a few filler cards.  Giant Spiders and Sage Owls are there for flavor, and to make your Mythic rares seem that much more Mythic.

We're also looking at a few other promotion/demotions of cards with Righteousness, Platinum Angel and others.

Wizard's has yet to comment on the leak.  It is almost certainly unintentional (they were rolling with their "In/Out" list each day) the ramifications are obvious.

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While the reprints are all fine and dandy, Core Set reprint lists are alas, not as exciting as new cards.  For the first time in several years, MTG is adding NEW cards to its core.  Designed from the ground up to embody color and fantasy.  Several were spoiled this weekend and since our last spoiler update.  Here are a few notables. *note * many of these cards have been spoiled without art.  We have taken the liberty, as we often do, of mocking these cards up for you.  These are not the final art pieces for the cards in many cases.

Elvish Archdruid - As if Elvish Champion weren't enough!    Two abilities from two different elf cards rolled into one amazing creature.  The lord to end all lords.  We haven't seen many Elf Token creation cards in this core set but the potential is there for some nasty rushes while Lorwyn is still legal.  As you'll notice, wizard's is taking creatures to a whole 'nother level in 2010.  Two great abilities on a 2/2 elf for 3.  Turn one, Lanowar Elf, turn two, Lanowar Elf, turn three Elvish Archdruid.  Turn 4 you have three 2/2 creatures and/or 9 mana.  Insanity.  The other lords aren't half bad either.  Goblins, Merfolk, Zombies all get their due in 2010.

 

Captiain of the Watch - It looks like Wizards finally understands our love for Cloudgoat Ranger.  And while this lady does cost 1 more mana, I believe it's worth every penny.  I know that some players are reluctant to play anything that costs 6 mana.  But white (and to some extent, blue) is a color designed to draw out the game.  Think of this as a finishing move rather than a strategy.  A 3/3 creature and three 2/2 vigilance creatures for 6.  God forbid you have the new Honor of the Pure out or some other creature pumping global.  Vigilance is an underrated ability.  Pair this along with your favorite white planeswalker (either one will work nicely) and you've got yourself a standard tournament deck.  No need to worry about sweeps..  M10 doesn't fancy them.

Sphinx Ambassador - It is the sad and common story on so many cards.  An interesting (and useful) ability for an unplayable price.  While I'm not one of those who shun any card with a mana cost over five, I do feel that, if you're going to pay 7 for something, it had better win you the game.  Worse yet with the Ambassador - you can't even use the ability until he deals combat damage to a player so you're looking at turn eight or nine before you might get to use the ability.  Any time you're searching another player's library you're doing something right, but when its turn nine you should probably be dropping some bigger bombs than this flying 5/5.

 

Xathrid Demon - Remember the days of sacrificing creatures?  Those were black's glory days.  Churning out thrull tokens and using their pitiful souls to meet your ends.  Xathrid is quite possibly the best Black creature for 6 mana of all time.  Six for a 7/7 Flying, Trample creature is enough but why not sacrifice a creature or two and do untold amounts of damage?  Unfortunatly, your plans can be foiled by a couple of timely removal spells so you wont want to drop this guy until you have at least 2 other creatures out.  But unlike the Sphinx,  this guy is game ending the turn after he comes out if you can sacrifice a creature.  Full of flavor, totally playable in casual and almost playable in type 2.  Black is definitely cool again.

Baneslayer Angel - Oh, Serra Angel, how powerful you once were.  Flying, First Strike and the creature type specific protection each aren't noteworthy on their own.  But when all on the same creature for a reasonable cost... you've got yourself a new girlfriend.  If nothing else this creature puts the giant gap between creatures of yester year and creatures of today on display.  Its the Arby's Special- Five mana for a five/five creature with five abilities.  One of which is the ever devastating - lifelink.  Serra Angel is unplayable in constructed whilst this creature roams the realm.  On my short list for "most powerful creatures of all time" for her raw, unfettered numbers.  Are we looking at Yu-Gi-Oh levels of power creep or a creature that can be  Terrored, Unmade or otherwise dealt with easily?  I'll let you decide.  One thing's for sure.  Its as good of reason as any to start playing some removal spells.

Other new cards spoiled over the weekend:

Guardian Seraph
Zombie Goliath
Lightwielder Paladin
Goblin Chieftain
Honor of the Pure
Lifelink
Harm's Way
Griffin Sentinel
Divine Verdict
Angel’s Mercy
Dread Warlock
Runeclaw Bears
Gorgon Flail
Sleep
Divination
Mirror of Fate
Kalonian Behemoth
Cemetery Reaper
Master of the Wild Hunt
Magebane Armor

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This weekend was intense.  Almost the entire set was revealed within 48 hours.  There is so much to say and even more to digest.   We hope you enjoy our mock-ups of the various cards.  We feel that they give you a better sense of how the card will actually read and feel.  Expect updates to the spoiler page in real time and articles every couple of days with our analysis of the latest spoilers.  Until then, browse the new set for yourself on our Magic 2010 Spoiler Page.