A Few Words on the First Third

Roughly a third of Fate Reforged has been spoiled at this point. Here at Wizardden.com and everywhere else people are pouring over these new cards to try to get a jump on the meta and prices. Today we are going to touch briefly on every single one revealed thus far. Some graphics may be in other languages as they have only been spoiled in that language so far.

First off we have three of a cycle dragons that are sure to find their homes in many casual decks. As far as standard play goes they each have potential but I fear they may be outclassed by other cheaper options. Silumgar would be my top bet at seeing standard play as the hexproof, big butt, and petty wrath are all great claims to being a control bomb.

This cycle is flavorful and fun but not much more. Each has potential but can any really make their way into constructed decks? The blue one seems to have the best chance of seeing play.

This cycle seems like tons of fun and I can not wait to see the last to hybrid ability mythics. Each one could easily carry a hefty price tag, but of course all eyes are oon Soulfire Mentor with it's rule bending text of your spells gaining lifelink.

Silly card. Not much more to say beyond that. Too bad it is triple blue, even EDH decks are likely to shy away from that cost. Either way jank has a new toy.

What are they thinking? This card is absolutely ridiculous and threatens to destroy formats. It's just a threat though, we won't know for sure until it happens. We will likely see plenty of this card but the mere existence of it will keep the other decks preparing for it. 

Tron is that you? What's that? Soul of New Phyrexia wasn't all you wanted it to be, but you have high hopes for Karn Liberated's big brother? All is Dust, Ghostfire, and ultimate that mirrors that of Nicol Bolas all seem real good together.

Torrent Elemental

Creature - Elemental

Flying 

Whenever Torrent Elemntal attacks, tap all creatures defending player controls. 

3[B/G][B/G]: Return Torrent Elemental from exile to the battlefield tapped. Activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery.

Misthollow Griffin how you've been missed! This new exile friendly creature still combos off with Food Chain and in this new meta might actually seem some play.

This card was clearly made with judges in mind... In all seriousness this might be what Prophet of Kruphix has been waiting for to live up to it's full potential in standard.

This card is screaming for Temur Tempo to be good and with a little more support I believe it will be.

Finally and answer to these EDH style board states we see every FNM.

This is a good little treat for dragon casual players and Scion users.

This could make dragon control or midrange viable. If not you can put it with your Extinguish All Hope.

These are bombs in limited but we likely won't see either on the Pro Tour.

Blue so far is getting some fun toys. Supplant Form will let you potentially get 16 Siege Rhino triggers if you also run Whip of Erebos. Shu Yun is definitely worth keeping an eye, but is not about to break a format any time soon.

Mardu Strike Leader

Creature - Human Warrior

Whenever Mardu Strike Leader attacks, put a 2/1 black Warrior creature token onto the battlefield.

Dash 3B 

Soulflayer is amusing with Chromanticore but is unfortunately it's doomed to be a junk rare. The Strike Leader on the other hand threatens to be a very effective top end in a warrior tribal deck.

We seem to be getting a lot of these red temporary clone effects lately though we have yet to see more than fringe play out of them. This phoenix on the other hand is easily the most simultaneously playable and flavorful phoenix we've ever seen.

 Here we see green rares doing what green rares do, cost a lot of mana and threaten to end the game if you get to cast and keep them. Elephant reach is a bit strange but I'm glad to see it since green has only had Hornet Queen to reliably handle the skies.

So far white uncommons seem really good for limited play. Lightform is the best manifest card we've seen that isn't mythic and Valorous Stance could push blue white heroic to the top of the meta.

Blue uncommons are off to a good start, hopefully this is a good omen for the rest of them.

Warrior tribal! Tribal warriors! Mardu warriors! Abzan Warriors! Yes Wizards we get it, it's a deck.

More good limited cards that wont see constructed tournement play.

Abzan Guide has a little brother who is also a lifelinking warrior.

These seem ok for limited play. Hopefully other white and blue commons will be more impactful. 

 It's always great to see options on commons especially when they are removal or part of another theme. The other has amusing art.

Both of these are powerhouse commons for limited play. Will this new limited format be faster? 

 So much mid to late game card advantage. Oh and it's instant speed by the way.

So what are your thoughts on manifest? Are these new cards pushing the power level? Let us now what your thoughts are and I will be back next week with a look at more spoilers. Thank you for reading this has once again been Ariel