Same deal. Hopefully you were able to predict that this is what I was going to do. The logical step from common to uncommon to, what’s that? Oh, yeah, rare. Rare just like the buffalo steak I had a couple of weeks ago. Well, it was medium rare but there is no medium rare in Magic now, is there? Also, I do recommend trying buffalo; it’s better for you, and it’s pretty tasty. I’ve also had ostrich before as well. It’s a red meat (which surprised me for a bird).
What, you thought that I would be talking about Magic this entire introduction? I’ve got the girls from American Pie to the right here? Do they have anything to do with Magic? Most likely not. Though, it does match up with the title of this section: Virgin Pie. See, in the movie, the guys were trying to lose their virginity (kids, situations like that are only good in movie comedies. MTG Color Pie does not recommend actually losing one’s virginity to a pie). Hence, this is not only a play on the meaning virginity, (like it being printed for the first time somewhere), but a play on the movie American Pie (which my mad photoshop skills got rid of the word American). See how that all ties in together like an episode of Arrested Development? Plus, kids today wouldn’t get it if I did a Don McLean reference. Now they will.
Sigh. Anyway, we’ve got rares to look at today. Remember, these are not the best rare in the set in terms of power, but the ones that are the best designed for the color. This is the first time they have been printed in the Core Set, so that limits our options. Some of these, no doubt are powerful, but stick with the color’s philosophy.
Black
Doomed Necromancer – 2B
Creature – Cleric Mercenary
B, T, Sacrifice Doomed Necromancer: Return target creature card from your graveyard to play.
2/2
While this isn’t the most efficent re-animation spell Wizards has ever made, it’s an interesting one. Demonstrating Black’s love of sacrificing stuff, it’s this cost of the exchange that’s the real key here. You, as the Black mage, say, “Reanimate that guy and I don’t care about the cost.” The cost being the “life” of the cleric. Classic Black.
Also Ran –
Beacon of Unrest for classic reanimaion, especially in a multiplayer game.
Blue
Twincast – UU
Instant
Copy target instant or sorcery spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Besides being Fork in the correct color, this makes sense as a Blue card. As the color of knowledge, copying another mage’s spell to use against themselves, or doubling your own is a very powerful ability. “You’re going to do 10 damage to me, I guess I’ll do 10 damage to you.” While deflecting spells have also moved to Red (as seen as an emotional/chaotic state), this is seen as intellectual superiority, what Blue is known for.
Also Ran –
Ambassador Laquatus for showing blue love of forgetting (Milling) information.
Green
Troll Ascetic – 1GG
Creature – Troll Shaman
Troll Ascetic can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
1G: Regenerate Troll Ascetic.
3/2
Clearly a powerhouse in constructed and limited, this is where Green should be going for creatures. As the creature color, Green gets this semi-shroud, regenerating Monster that’s the biggest threat in it’s color since Wild Mongrel. For the first time, a mixture of two powerful Green abilities collided on one card to create it a powerhouse.
Also Ran –
Scion of the Wild for taking Green’s love of nature and community to create a huge monster (and to finally get Beast of Burden into the right color)
Red
Soulblast – 3RRR
Instant
As an additional cost to play Soulblast, sacrifice all creatures you control.
Soulblast deals damage to target creature or player equal to the total power of the sacrificed creatures.
Again, showcasing Red’s horrible time and resource management, Soulblast is a final last resort to kill his/her opponent. “Why wait for tomorrow, when you can do it today,” Red believes. Damn the consequences, damn them to hell!
Also Ran –
Scoria Wurm for showing off Red’s randomness. Shut almost made it. Almost.
White
Windborn Muse – 3W
Creature – Spirit
Flying.
Creatures can’t attack you unless their controller pays 2 for each creature attacking you.
2/3
While I prefer this on an enchantment because it feels more White, this is still White’s taxation at its best. Making someone pay mana to attack you is a great way to slow down your opponent(s). While it also has flying, this tax on a stick is a great way to show new players that not every control card is a “counterspell” or a “blow up the world” spell.
Also Ran –
Mobilization for showing White’s commitment to the military, organization and structure.
Artifacts/Lands
Crucible of Worlds – 3
Artifact
You may play land cards from your graveyard.
Made by players, this is one of the most powerful and versatile artifacts ever. It’s played in every format it’s legal in while not being banned or restricted. It was put up in a vote to decide if it was to be in Xth, so Wizards doesn’t think it’s too powerful. Thanks to lands being more and more unique as sets are being built, it seems that there’s no end in uses for this card. And that’s what a good artifact should do. Thanks, players.
Also Ran –
Citanul Flute for demonstrating that artifacts can do fun things.
Well, that’s a look at Xth edition. Hope I you learned some things. I know I did. Join me Tuesday when I take a look at MaRo’s State of Magic address. Is he right/wrong? Let’s find out. Remember to add me to any RSS feeds you have.
MTG Color Pie 