What new deck archetypes will see tournament play post Shadowmoor? Some cards from the new set are just begging for a deck to be built around them. Other cards are just so good that it would be a sin to ignore them. I've consulted my crystal ball and see these decks to be quite popular in tournaments.
GW AGGRO
GW AGGROKey cards from Shadowmoor: Wilt-Leaf Liege, Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers, Kitchen Finks, Shield of the Oversoul, Raking Canopy
Wilt-Leaf Liege and Shield of the Oversoul support the color-matters theme of the deck. The Cavaliers, Kitchen Finks, Safehold Elite and Oversoul of the Dusk are cost-efficient creatures which also maximize the bonuses from the color-matters cards. Simple but effective synergy.
Key cards from other sets: Gaddock Teeg, Saffi Eriksdotter, Glittering Wish, Doran Siege Tower, Cloudthresher, Squall Line
Now is the time for Gaddock Teeg to shine. Hailed as one of the best cards from Lorwyn, this Kithkin never really saw the limelight because it does not fit in any deck. Until now, and the timing couldn't have been better as Cryptic Command and Wrath of God have been dominant cards lately. A Green-White deck can splash Black for Doran for sheer power, but Kitchen Finks seems better for the coming metagame due to burn spells from Red.
Forecast: When Red-based aggro decks become popular in tournaments, Green-White Aggro will rise to take the spotlight with its main-deck Kitchen Finks and other high-toughness creatures. Gaddock Teeg and the persist mechanic are keys to beating Reivellark. The Faerie matchup may end up being decided by the anti-flying sideboard cards.
SEISMIC SWANS
Wilt-Leaf Liege and Shield of the Oversoul support the color-matters theme of the deck. The Cavaliers, Kitchen Finks, Safehold Elite and Oversoul of the Dusk are cost-efficient creatures which also maximize the bonuses from the color-matters cards. Simple but effective synergy.
Key cards from other sets: Gaddock Teeg, Saffi Eriksdotter, Glittering Wish, Doran Siege Tower, Cloudthresher, Squall Line
Now is the time for Gaddock Teeg to shine. Hailed as one of the best cards from Lorwyn, this Kithkin never really saw the limelight because it does not fit in any deck. Until now, and the timing couldn't have been better as Cryptic Command and Wrath of God have been dominant cards lately. A Green-White deck can splash Black for Doran for sheer power, but Kitchen Finks seems better for the coming metagame due to burn spells from Red.
Forecast: When Red-based aggro decks become popular in tournaments, Green-White Aggro will rise to take the spotlight with its main-deck Kitchen Finks and other high-toughness creatures. Gaddock Teeg and the persist mechanic are keys to beating Reivellark. The Faerie matchup may end up being decided by the anti-flying sideboard cards.
SEISMIC SWANSKey cards from Shadowmoor: Swans of Bryan Argoll, Beseech the Queen, Reflecting Pool
Key cards from other sets: Seismic Assault, Dakmor Salvage
With Swans and Seismic Assault in play, pitch Dakmor Salvage to Seismic Assault, dredge-ing Salvage in the process. Repeat until you draw enough land cards to fry your opponent.
Forecast: Barring mana screws (which I think will be frequent), Seismic Swans is likely to win Game One against decks without disruption, but would have a difficult time after sideboarding. Pithing Needle and various enchantment-kill take care of Seismic Assault. Like Dragonstorm, Seismic Swans will fail in a metagame prepared against it.
Quick notes on other decks:
Mono-Black Control gains Corrupt, Beseech the Queen, Dusk Urchins and Demigod of Revenge. The problem is the metagame. As long as counter-magic-heavy decks, such as UB Faeries and Reivellark still win tournaments, MBC won't be a good deck choice. MBC excels in a creature-heavy meta and fares poorly against control and tempo decks.
A deck based on the Colfenor's Plan and Puca's Mischief combo to permanently prevent the opponent from drawing cards for the duration of the game, is a variation of the Blue-Black Control decks. The deck loses to decks with a lot of disruption, as playing Colfenor's Plans becomes too risky.
Blue-White Control (other than Reivellark) may make a comback due to Runed Halo. The problem is Faerie decks.
Land-destruction decks built on Fulminator Mage might have a hard time against fast rogue decks like Kithkin and Rogues, but will excel against slow decks like Reivellark.
Key cards from other sets: Seismic Assault, Dakmor Salvage
With Swans and Seismic Assault in play, pitch Dakmor Salvage to Seismic Assault, dredge-ing Salvage in the process. Repeat until you draw enough land cards to fry your opponent.
Forecast: Barring mana screws (which I think will be frequent), Seismic Swans is likely to win Game One against decks without disruption, but would have a difficult time after sideboarding. Pithing Needle and various enchantment-kill take care of Seismic Assault. Like Dragonstorm, Seismic Swans will fail in a metagame prepared against it.
Quick notes on other decks:
Mono-Black Control gains Corrupt, Beseech the Queen, Dusk Urchins and Demigod of Revenge. The problem is the metagame. As long as counter-magic-heavy decks, such as UB Faeries and Reivellark still win tournaments, MBC won't be a good deck choice. MBC excels in a creature-heavy meta and fares poorly against control and tempo decks.
A deck based on the Colfenor's Plan and Puca's Mischief combo to permanently prevent the opponent from drawing cards for the duration of the game, is a variation of the Blue-Black Control decks. The deck loses to decks with a lot of disruption, as playing Colfenor's Plans becomes too risky.
Blue-White Control (other than Reivellark) may make a comback due to Runed Halo. The problem is Faerie decks.
Land-destruction decks built on Fulminator Mage might have a hard time against fast rogue decks like Kithkin and Rogues, but will excel against slow decks like Reivellark.
(images from magicthegathering.com)
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