New website, new article! Just in time for my favourite limited cards in M19!
We are going to talk about the top 3 cards in each colour broken down by rarity. Let get started!
White
Rare/Mythic
3. Cleansing Nova
Board wipes tend to thrive in limited as they are usually hard to play around.
2. Leonin Warleader
A 4 cost 4/4 that makes 2 creatures is an awesome deal. Combine this with a combat trick and you have effectively won the match.
1. Resplendent Angel
This card is a must answer or lose card. White has enough life gain that you might even be able to trigger this on the first end step it comes down.
Uncommon
3. Militia Bugler
I like this card a lot. White has many creatures to hit off the ability and a 2/3 on offense and defense is nothing to scoff at.
2. Herald of Faith
Relevant stats, evasion, and a triggered ability that has synergy with many cards. This will be a big player in limited.
1. Hieromancer’s Cage
Unconditional removal is always a premium.
Common
3. Take Vengeance
I might be a little higher on this card than some, but conditional removal is still better than cheap filler creatures.
2. Angel of the Dawn
This is one heck of a beating for a common!
1. Luminous Bonds
I remember this being fantastic in whatever previous set it was in and I expect it to be the same in M19.
Blue
Rare/Mythic
3. Mystic Archaeologist
The value on this card could be through the roof. 2 or more activations on this would be absurd.
2. Djinn of Wishes
You know whats better than casting your spells? Casting them for free! And on a solid body to boot.
1. Tezzeret, Artifice Master
Planeswalkers that make a body on entry have traditionally been (near) unstoppable in limited.
Uncommon
3. Exclusion Mage
Man O’ War is great, period.
2. Horizon Scholar
Cloudreader Sphinx was a top blue uncommon in Dominaria. This is 1 extra mana for an extra point of power, which is not a steep price to pay.
1. Sift
I’m a sucker for card draw.
Common
3. Scholar of Stars
In blue this ability is not hard to trigger making it a super good deal for 4 mana.
2. Divination
Again… card draw.
1. Omenspeaker
This is one hell of a 2 drop at common!
Black
Rare/Mythic
3. Isareth the Awakener
The ability is great early when this can survive combat and insane late when it can get back a massive threat and trades with relevant creatures.
2. Demon of Catastrophes
Finding a dork to sacrifice for this monster should not be that hard.
1. Bone Dragon
If you can even get this back once it’s insane.
Uncommon
3. Nightmare’ Thirst
Cheap “sort of” removal is good and with an ability to become better constitutes a must play.
2. Rise from the Grave
I like this card a lot because you can target something in your opponent’s graveyard.
1. Murder
It was great before and it will be great again.
Common
3. Strangling Spores
More removal at the common level. I was pretty unimpressed with the black commons, but removal is always good.
2. Skymarch Bloodletter
I made a conscious effort to include something that wasn’t removal. In every format that I have played this card it has made every black deck I’ve created.
1. Litch’s Caress
The additional life gain is better than the additional loyalty counters from settle the score… Most of the time.
Red
Rare/Mythic
3. Spit Flame
I think this card is really cool. With even 1 dragon this goes from good to great.
2. Demanding Dragon
This gets a little awkward if your opponent has a lot of tokens, but you will always play this in a red aggressive deck.
1. Laithliss, Dragon Queen
Man this is a huge intensive to play those uncommon and common dragons.
Uncommon
3. Volley Veteran
I’m not gunna lie, I struggled with this one. With a couple goblins it could be solid.
2. Volcanic Dragon
6 mana for a flying, haste dragon is a reasonable price. The red uncommons have not been great so far.
1. Lightning Strike
Now were talking!
Common
3. Sparktongue Dragon
On curve this is pretty good. Late game top deck that could bring you back if you are behind.
2. Electrify
Usually a top tier red uncommon.
1. Shock
Any target and cheap puts this above electrify.
Green
Rare/Mythic
3. Pelakka Wurm
If this dies before you get to attack you still came out ahead.
2. Vivien Reid
These are 3 great abilities, but the fact that she cannot completely protect herself costs her the top stop.
1. Hungering Hydra
This card is great early or late and becomes busted with combat tricks.
Uncommon
3. Reclamation Sage
This is a great way to main deck sideboard cards.
2. Vigilant Baloth
Offense beater that is hard to attack against. Passes the Colossal Dreadmaw test (what?)
1. Dryad Greenspeaker
This card is just pure value and a decent early blocker.
Common
3. Daggerback Basilisk
This is the 2nd best removal spell in green.
2. Elvish Rejuvenator
Ramp on a body is generally great… even if there is a chance you miss.
1. Rabid Bite
The only removal spell in green surprisingly takes the top spot!
Multicolour
Rare/Mythic
3. Arcades, the Strategist
There were only the elder dragons to choose from here. Arcades takes spot 3 due to its low casting cost. Pick up a couple of defenders and its even better.
2. Palladia-Mors, the Ruiner
Reasonable cost to stats ratio and guarantees you either 1 block or 1 attack.
1. Nicol Bolas, the Ravager
Woah vomit. If you are in green/white I would consider splashing this.
Uncommon
3. Draconic Disciple
Ramping early in RG seems great and late game summons a real threat.
2. Skyrider Patrol
Left unchecked this will take over the game.
1. Psychic Symbiont
Unlike the previous 2, this gets immediate value.
Until next time,
Scott