Oozing and Ahhhing

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 2/5

Predation isn't easy especially if you cost GGG. Unplayable outside of heavy green decks in limited, the ooze does a pretty good beating face if you land it early. Late it is just an annoying blocker, who people will either fly over or trample through. Was not expecting the indestructible, but it doesn't make up for the fact this card is subpar. Dead Weight, Claustrophobia, and Silent Departure all deal with it, so if faced with this in a pack of dark ascension just ship it left and take a better card. (In before I get crushed by this card in sealed).

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1/5

This pack isn't going to be feeding anytime soon. There are a few people who will want this in there commander decks but I don't think it will show up anywhere in standard decks. I wouldn't fault anyone for playing one copy in sealed  if you need some more cards to fill your deck out but I would advise against this in draft. It would be nice if you could draft some shenanigans involving this and the scaab guys and recursion...wait, just no. Sorry wolfpack, back to the woods with you.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1.5/5

Interestingly designed card, I think this guy is just OK. A 2/3 flyer in any colour is nothing to scoff at, and accelerating you into your 5 and 6 drops is good. The trade off is that you don't get your 2/3 on your own turn. Fringe playability in limited doesn't usually translate well into the constructed meta and this doesn't either. I wouldn't be too sad to play this guy in my limited deck, but that is where he will stay.

Constructed: 0/5 Limited: 1.5/5

This card will lead to some blow-outs for sure. Smack this on some guy with a massive butt and some power and watch as your opponent squirms in their seat. I think you only want to play it in a deck where you can cast and flash it back and it just so happens that Green and Black have some of the better creatures to abuse this card with. Don't get me wrong, i am not saying you should auto pick this pack 1 pick 1, but picking this up maybe 9/10th is out of the question and pretty much makes the deck every time. No place in constructed decks and we will leave it at that.

Constructed: 4/5 Limited: 2/5

This card certainly puts a dampener on all those undying creatures that may show up in decks of the future. In standard he stops those and the new 1 drop zombie. In modern it stops more than just those. "Is that a nice Vengevine in your graveyard", " Shame about those Bloodghasts". Narcomebas just want to party because they're forever alone in the flues of their home world. The Grafdiggers has decreed it that you shall not pass. On top of this the cage prevent players from casting spells from their graveyards, shutting down strategies like burning vengeance, and any deck reliant on flashing back spells to gain card advantage over the opponent, like Solar Flare, or Innistrad Block BUG control lists that have been picking up pace in the daily events recently.

Being able to fetch this with Trinket mage helps its playability in standard, and I expect to see this pop up in sideboards across multiple formats. In Limited, its uses are.... well limited. A great sideboard card to bring in if your opponent is playing the spider spawning or burning vengeance deck but otherwise, think carefully before adding it to your main deck.

Constructed: 3/5 Limited: 3.5/5

What a name for a card....and the card isn't too bad either. Nice body coupled with a good mana cost mean this guy will probably find a home in aggressive red decks straight away. Not sure if he is as good or better than Hero of Oxid Ridge, only testing will tell. That ping ability will do more damage than you think, and thank someone holy, that it has haste so you "essentially" have a 4/3 when hitting a player. I think it might see more play in modern than standard in a creature heavy aggressive deck featuring Bloodbraid Elf, Boggart Ram Gang and Goblin Guide. Slamming when you have a few creatures out is going to put your opponent in world of hurt. In Limited, he just as good, forcing damage through even on stalemated boards. That extra couple of damage here and there will matter when push comes to shove. The lack of evasion is a slight issue but we can turn a blind eye the rider from hell can't we?

Constructed: 1.5/5 Limited: 2/5

I think wizards are trying to tell us something. Lets listen to them for a second...."Play black/white tokens". I am not sure this is the card, along with Sorin to push the archetype into the standard metagame, but they're are giving us all the tools to try. My issue with deck and any token strategies that are considering this card, is that there mana will be horrible. 4 Duals does not a 2 colour deck make. Even just playing Sorin off the 4 Isolated Chapels is pushing it and no Shimmering Grotto is not a card I want to be playing with. I am underwhelmed by this, but who knows it's ability might be powerful enough to push a token deck over the edge.

In limited this card is very good, if you can support it in your mana base. Black/White is notoriously bad for filled with powerful cards, but being clunky and having dodgy as hell mana so maybe B/W humans/tokens isn't something to be drafted. Perhaps drafting green/white and splashing this card off a grotto and an amulet might be a better proposition. You cannot deny this card is powerful, but it is lacking a home at the minute. We still have a little over 100 hundred cards to be spoiled and perhaps in those card might be something to help make this card a beating if you lay it down.

Mikaeus isn't feeling to hot...guys...!

Good Morning to all those who take the time to click the link I post on facebook every morning, and put up with my musings on cards good or not. Not much came in over the weekend, but we got some powerful cards that will generate lots of talking points.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 2/5

One wolf does not a pack make. I have a feeling this was a 2/2 in testing however proved a little too strong in testing for limited. Does a nice job of forcing damage through on stalled board. Undying on this guy makes him better than he seems. He does fit into the vampire based decks who are wanting to force guys through so they can get their counters. I do not think it pushes it to a top tier drafting strategy, however the deck now bears consideration when pick from your cards.

 Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 4/5

Now this insect will give you a nasty bite. Many people on the web have drawn comparisons to Vengevine and most of us are aware about how good that card was. I do not think that is far comparison. The ability of Vengevine to hit the turn it came into play was underestimated and scared a lot of folk. The trade of Vigilance and Trample for the haste ability is what makes this card far, far worse in my opinion and the additional mana cannot be ignored either. A no go in constructed for me, however this guy is a beast in limited, and there are not many ways of dealing with in the set so far. 3 green is a little prohibitive, but I think you can get over the fact your playing green for this guy.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 3.5/5

This guy makes me want to draft triple Dark Ascension and all the undying creatures to make THAT deck. Without any other creature this guy is an underpowered 4/2 for 5R which is going to kill something when it comes back or nug the opponent for five essentially becoming a lava axe with a body. No evasion which drops it in my book, but hits hard and gets squeezes some more value out of your undying dudes. Unless someone can come up with a crazy deck involving this and Havengul lich (you know who you are) don't expect it to be gracing tournaments in the future.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 4/5

Well, well. What have you done Mikaeus. You used to be all holy and stuff, but who's batting for the other team now. ANOTHER limited fattie with evasion so make sure you save some removal if you put your opponent on having one of these. I think the pump is more relevant than the destroy human clause, although I could see people getting blow out by not reading the card properly. Gets in pretty well, and hits strongly. He is much better in sealed than draft but you cannot go wrong with Big Mik in either. He is a no go in constructed, he needs too much to go right to be good, and competes with some of the best creatures in magics history for his slot in the decks he goes in. Sorry Mik but your time is not now.

Thank you for reading and until next time, I leave you with this

Thank God it's Friday

This brings us to the end of a fascinating week of spoilers. We've had new planeswalkers, hate bears and more to satisfy our need for shiny new cards.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 3/5

That is one pretty woman. Richard Gere eat your heart out. The mind control effect(s) has been powerful since the original one was printed, peaking I feel with Treachery, which was essentially free. This is a powerful repeatable mind control effect that lasts regardless of whether the creature leaves play. 1/1 is very fragile though leaving it drifting in the constructed card pool of unused cards I feel

It is a powerful effect in limited, you need some creatures for it to be amazing but it can turn the tide of game if left answered. It lack of any body is a concern for me to be committing to it first pick but you cannot deny, it is of a high power level.

Next up we have a trifecta of werewolves creatures spanning all rarities. Lets go from the ground up shall we?

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 2/5

ANOTHER 4 DROP for the werewolf deck. The slot is getting pretty full and this card will be usurped by better cards such as Instigator Gang, and the Huntermaster of the Fells which I shall be going over later. Maybe a niche sideboard card, if there is a bonkers artifact printed but otherwise consign this bad boy to your collection box. A nice shatter effect in addition to the body makes it an able Tormented Pariah replacement, that will be more useful in the werewolf deck if that ever sees the light of day. A nice mid to late pick in limited, don't expect anything amazing from this card but I think it always justifies the slot in your deck.

Constructed: 1.5/5 Limited: 3/5

The one drop the werewolf deck needed? I have my doubts but I have been proven wrong before. It certainly is aggressive enough for the deck and plays to werewolves strengths by doing stuff with you mana during your turn without casting any spells. The front side for me is the better side for constructed. I never see people flipping it and then paying for the pump, you are just begging to get blow out by a doom blade or the such like. Slightly better in limited for being in an under drafted colour, it is fine on it's own in a deck with no werewolf support and even better with some support. A high pick for sure, just make sure green is open first.

Constructed: 3/5 Limited: 4/5

The big daddy of them all, the Huntmaster. This is every bit as good as advertised and I think maybe has a shot at being a player in the standard metagame. He does his best kitchen finks impression when entering the battlefield, bringing a friend along with him. 4 power for 4 mana across 2 guys is a good start. When you transform him, he maintains the P/T ratio to mana cost and adding trample to the mix, meaning he hits fast and hard. The additional 2 damage to opponent and to a creature they control (optional) is a nice touch, making transforming him gives you a searing blaze or lash out type effect, both of which saw play. The only things I think holding him back is his colour restrictions and the fact he doesn't synergies well with the other lord printed in this set Immerwolf. Don't let that put you of picking this card up, because he is powerful and will see play.

40 card wise, he is a definite first pick and build around me card. Take him early and force red/green werewolves. With this guy leading the fight it will be tough for your opponents to beat you.

Constructed: 2(speculative 3)/5 Limited: 3.5/5

Your standard fare 3/3 for 5 flyer. This is going to excellent in limited as most flyers are. May have trouble connecting from time to time, because of all the spirits floating around.  Trading a removal spell for a card in there hand, potentially something you cannot deal with is worth it.The interesting thing too me about this card is that when the card gets exiled you usually have to keep the creature in play or there is a time restriction on the casting of the card. This has neither, which makes me wonder whether it might have some constructed applications in control mirrors? Other than that do not expect this fiend to be taking a bite out of your life total in constructed any time soon.

That is all for this week...I will be reporting sporadically over the weekend as we maybe get some more spoilerage. Have a great weekend and I will see you on the otherside

Thursday, Thursday, gonna get down on Thursday!

It is that time of the day again folks, hold on to your headgear, lets do this.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1.5/5

A Llanowar elf of sorts :p. I think this is an underwhelming common that might see some fringe play in a constructed deck that is in need of Avacyn's pilgrim 5-8 however those deck do not need any more ramping cards such as this. The reverse is nice though. A vigilant bear that provides double mana is not something to be scoffed at. It seems to me though it might be too much for the deck that wants the flipside and not the frontside. If you can play the next card I am going over whilst this creature is flipped then all the better, but then we have the classic case of playing one card to make another better..

Constructed: ?/5 Limited: 2.5/5

As I said above, this is a card that could improve the fortunes of many fringe playable cards in this block and the previous. Immerwolf ( Everwolf?) gives all other werewolves and wolves you control +1/+1 for those who don't understand German, which is nice. The were-deck has 2 lords now between this and the mayor and maybe could see some play. A lot of what makes this card better however is it's second function. Werewolves you control that are not humans, meaning the flipped versions, cannot be transformed. That means the Immerwolf locks all humans that have transformed into their were-states. The issues presented by that sort of deck are that you need to sacrifice a turn to flip your guys. I know some people would scream at me and say that "Moonmist is a card" and "Your opponent could miss a spell" but they're wrong. I think maybe this helps the deck out by pumping both sides and if you manage to flip your guys, keeping them flipped is a good thing. I honest don't know how to rate this card in constructed until we see the 1 drop green werewolf and how aggressive it is.

From the uncertain nature of the Immerwolf to contacting those who have passed on.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1/5

Sitting around and thinking about this card is not going to help improve it. Flavourful and a perfect fit for the block aside this doesn't do what you want from a card like this. The tokens do not have haste so you cannot take advantage of larger creatures which may of died such as the reaver from yesterday. The only good point of the card is that it activates in both players turn, meaning you have an extra blocker but really who blocks anyway. Sorry Wizards, but try give them haste next time....

Constructed: 3/5 Limited: 4/5

Now this is a mythic. Would I like to buy back all my best creatures for an additional cost of 1....yes please. If you get back your own durdles that your opponent has killed then ok, that is good. Think about if you are playing constructed, and rebuying a grave titan..Better yet, you opponent has one of the new Reavers and have this guy...Shit you're thinking, how do get rid of it. How about casting Snapcaster Mage from you bin, and flashing back that dismember or go for the throat you wasted earlier... I think this card has potential in constructed but maybe needs the right home in a control deck with much removal. Maybe this starts as a one-of in most U/B deck then grows in numbers, time will tell.

In Limited this rules the roost, being able to cast any of your creatures again for an additional 1 is game changing. You see this, you pick this, and move on with your life.

Constructed: 3/5 Limited 2/5

Thorn of amethyst never looked so good. This card is another in the long line of hate bears to be printed at rare other such notables include Gaddock Teeg and Grand Abolisher. This is more comparable to Kataki's War Wage than any of the others. It destroys storm combo's of any kind, and making people pay 1 extra for removal spells isn't to bad either. This sees plays more in modern and legacy than in standard, however it does fell the 2 slot in human deck more admirably than Grand Abolisher at the minute with the prevalence of spell based decks.

Limited wise, I maybe wouldn't take it over a high calibre piece of removal, but it should be gone by pick 3. One white mana makes this eminently splash-able  in most decks although I would recommend against it. A solid card overall that will see more action in 60 rather than 40 card decks.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 2.5/5

An underpowered front side changes to a powerful backside which once flipped, I think could take win a few games. Not many decks can deal with a 4/5 in this limited format, and when he hits he hits hard and nets you cards. The only thing I dislike about this card is that it is green, but i think  i can forgive and forget.

Right that is it for today, I will return tomorrow as always with some more new cards from Dark Ascension

Things that go bump in the afternoon...

I thought to myself this afternoon, " I think i will go for a lie down before I head out this evening" and whilst I wasn't surprised after returning to my workstation this evening, to find more delicious spoilers, I was shocked that there had been three. We must all be thankful to the internet lords and Mark Rosewater for providing us with a flowing spoiler season, let the cards keep rolling.

N.B. I was going to post this at 3.15am but then realised new spoilers will be up soon..so I am amalgamating the two posts into one bumper post XD

Lets start with Maro's card he teased us with over the weekend shall we since we knew that was being released today.

Yes, this is a jar. Full of Eyeballs...

Constructed: 1/5   Limited: 3/5
           Wizards does like its impulse type effects. From the original pregenitor to more modern versions such as Peer through Depths and Forbidden Alchemy. For the most part, cards like that see play because of the selection they grant the caster and the deeper the card digs the better. I can see this as a worse version of these cards for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it needs other cards for it to be good namely creatures and they can only be your own, because heaven forbid you harvest your opponents creature's eyeballs for your nefarious ends. All the other cards have one thing in common. They're instants, which can be searched and played in the same turn, netting you the possible card you require. This needs 6 mana to get down and activate AND at least one creature dying to perform a pseudo-Preordain effect. I like it in limited better than constructed, although may have a outside shot of making a control deck much like Druidic Satchel did in U/B Control lists.

Up next is my friend, and I'm afraid he is a little handsy. Check out Drogskol Reaver.

 Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 4/5
Handsy here feels like the bastard child of baneslayer angel and conscreted sphinx, with the lifelinking and card drawing vertically transferring from parents to offspring. Sadly he will never live up to his parents from which he inherited his abilities. 7 mana is a lot for something that comes into play and does nothing. The difference between 6 and 7 is bigger than people realise so I believe he shall be reaping back into my folder waiting for another day to shine.

In limited he is the standard mythic flyer who trumps all others, although Ms Voldaren would care for  word or two. You open a pack and see this staring back at you, unless you are dead set on forcing Spider spawning or a gimmick deck, then you take this and move on. Limited Bomb alert.

Next up we have what is possibly the coolest creature combination ever written on a magic card...Zombie Treefolk

I can assure you, his bark is as bad as his bite

Constructed: 1/5   Limited: 3/5
   Apart from having an awesome creature type, i dont see much traction for this card in the current meta. He suffers from the Khalni Hydra effect of being effective if you have creatures in the bin but the time he costs about 4/5 he wont be enough for you to win with. The prevalence of token stratergies also hinders his effectiveness, for the the infinite chump blockers you have throw against you, and also most of the creatures are tokens which don't hang out in the graveyard. In limited he suffers from the same probably altho he is better late game than in constructed. I wouldn't fault you for taking him first, but not over a solid piece of removal.

5'o'clock in the am  rolls around and it is new spoiler day....and OMG do we have some tasty ones for you today. I think i will leave the best for last and start with a simple common

He may be loyal, but he still doesn't like working the night shift

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1.5/5
Here we have the white bear with effect card for the set. I don't think it is completely bad in deck that can support it's colour requirements. I have a problem with the human side dying and turning into a guy which, quite frankly isn't better than the front side. If the front side dies then it is more than likely the backside will perish too.

(The backside of this card is a 2/1 which cannot block is black in colour)

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 1/5
River Kelpie never looked so good! A niche enchantment for those with a penchant for casting cards from their graveyards. I think it could see some use in a limited deck packed with flashback cards, however take some thing for the sideboard. Very limited constructed applications, which makes me sad because I like cards such as these to build around.

Right that is the boring cards out of the way, time for the tasty Mythics starting with,

Constructed: 4/5  Limited: 3.5/5

The court is in session, and she means business, some nice stats comparable, as LSV states in his article on channelfireball.com, to Giant Solifuge which was a beating back in the day. With trample making the way for flying and representing a fast clock if left unchecked, it seems to me this might be a player in aggro red/black decks in the coming months. I think the creatures are there, but the deck hasn't been made yet. Only time will tell if it is any good and the lady above will be introducing herself to our faces in the coming months.

I would give her a lower rating in limited because of the prevalence of flying creatures and those types of decks. Being chumped all day feels bad for such a powerful card. Saying that, you pick this 1st 99% of the time and are very happy about it.

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 4/5

6 drop that doesn't have the word titan written on it. Possible that MAYBE, SOMEHOW with SOME FUTURE CARD(S) that allow a red token/swarm deck to be possible that it could make a good finisher with it's ability but it's a straw clutch at best. There are simply other, better cards available at lower costs (Koth, for example)

A special mention for EDH: this is actually pretty good considering it's a red creature card. I'll be picking one up as I do with every other dragon, but I won't feel bad about actually playing it as opposed to passed efforts. To my knowledge it's the first card to do what it does as cheaply and easily as it does, certainly on so accessible and relevant a creature type (for me, anyway)

While "only card of it's colour" may be pushing it due to the utter unsplashability (no matter what I once managed to do with a splashed Devil's Play), this is a pretty nutty bomb, even given it's slot as The Big Red One. As well as operating as a "hit you until you die" dragon it also uniquely synergises with basically any other creature you happen to have available. Open it, pick it, play it, don't get cut in red.

Thank you to ChaosSmurf for writing that review of  Moonveil Dragon. He was definately the man for the job. He does love the dragons dearly. Now onto the main attraction. He has return from his travels in the multiverse to his homeland, and he doesn't like what has happened. BAD AVACYN!

Constructed: 4/5 Limited: 4.5/5
Wow. Just take a minute to take that in.


Sorin, Lord of Innistrad is a powerful addition to the card pools we can draw from and harkens back to three years ago, when LSV nearly ran the tables at Kyoto with BW tokens. Oh how he wishes he could of supplemented Elspeth, Knight Errant with this. First ability is a trademark in all planeswalkers that are of a high power level, they can protect themselves. Lifelink is a nice touch and I'm sure the fact they're vampire will not be overlooked for too long.

Ability number 2, is unique, never before have we had an ability that can make an emblem that is not the ultimate of a planeswalker. These bad boys can stack so it maybe could get out of hand quickly. Turning simple 1/1's into threats is a big deal.  It will take a little work maybe to get a small stack of these emblems, but if you do look out.

Let analyse his ultimate. It is powerul, verstatile, tricksy, ballsy and bonkers all rolled into one. You can destroys your opponents stuff up to get the last damage required. You can blow planeswalkers up to recruit them to your side. You can activate your planeswalkers, except sorin, then send them on a merry journey to the graveyard, only for them to come back again so you get to activate their abilties for a second time. Of course this could be done with your creatures, with Titans being amongst the prime targets.

Sorin is such a verstatile card, that he could find a home in a few decks. He could slot into solar flare to bring that back to the forfront. He could add a more controlling element to the Esper control lists doing the round made famous by Jeremy Neeman at Worlds, or he spawn new deck that build around him. I am thinking about using him in a B/W token deck similar to LSV's list from PT Kyoto from 2009.

The comparisions to another 4 mana planeswalker will printed in a small set started flooding in as soon as the card was spoiled but remember he is 2 colour neither of which is blue, making it slightly tougher on mana bases, has a weakness to flyers, and will take a few turn to get to the 6 loyalty required

Well that was an interesting morning of spoilers which certain surprised me. Lets hope more get released which make people think about new and great decks. Until tomorrow.

The Hoomans are coming..

New day, new spoilers. Only two spoiled this morning as far as i can see so lets get to them

Constructed: 1/5 Limited: 3/5

On the surface it seems like these is a conquering pledge clone but with one less token for one less mana. It does have the added caviat of producing a large number of tokens for the low low price of 9 manas. I feel this isn't a card that will be played in constructed in large numbers mainly due to the fact it is a sorcery. The thing this does have in its favor is that it produce humans, giving that deck archetype a finisher of sorts. In Limited I wouldn't be disappointed in taking this from a average to above average pack. White is a strong colour with lots of supporting cards. I can see this being used for both offense getting those last point of damage through, or maybe on defense absorbing some damage so your flyers can get there

Constructed : /5 Limited: /5
Much like this card, I am lost... for words on the applications of this card. Mana acceleration it is not, and you most certain wouldn't play it in your deck just to flash back the one expensive finisher you have (Army of the Damned). If you do play it in your deck. I think you need to have 8-10 flashback spells to justify this and that is at a push, because you are cutting a spell for this. I just flat out dislike this card and will be passing it both left and right in the coming months.

Two disappointing spoilers this morning, hopeful Maro's Jar of Eyeballs (previewed later on along) as well as any more from online sources capture the imagination of the Magic community

It has been a while hasn't it. :P

What can I say. Life has a funny way of getting in the way of everything, and in this case it did in a big way, however I am still here and here comes another spoiler season filled with CCG goodies. Feels like christmas all over again :D

I am going to use the LSV rating system for grading card and it does it like this
http://www.channelfireball.com/articles/innistrad-set-review-white/ (if you look at the top of the article

Constructed: 1/5
I feel this will not see play outside of the crazy super all in human decks. Maybe as a 2-of in token deck but not much more as there are better options at this point in time
Limited: 1.5/5
   I would be OK about starting this card in my main. It doesn't do the flashy job of providing me with win like dah Bombs do, however, it does provide me 2 creatures for 1 card. Also may occasionaly save bacon as a last ditch card. Shame the tokens do not fly though. Sorcery speed hurts it though

Constructed: 2/5
This will see some play in sideboard of decks that need to beat those pesky enchantments. With the addition of some of the cards you will see later in this spoiler, I think burning vengeance will become a Tier 1.5/1 deck and this is good way for G/W mages to deal with the aforementioned enchantment
Limited: 2/5
In sealed you probably main deck this bad boy due to random curses and enchantments (I am looking at you Heretic's punishment) in main decks. In drafts an excellent sideboard card you can pick up on the wheel and get value from

Constructed: 2/5
Another card for the U/W human deck, although i think this will see less play other humans. Shame about his last ability only being active when you have 5 or less life...otherwise.
Limited:  3/5
A solid rare that is very much first pickable in an average pack. Unanswered it will give you a nice lead in the  match and if you manage to get Fateful hour ability off then it is GG for your opponent. Goes well in the sacifice themed human deck with unruly mob and Thraban sentry making guys to die.

Constructed: 2.5/5
I think this is the card that makes burning vengeance a better deck. Either cast it on yourself to put more stuff in the bin to take advantage of your graveyard theme or finish the opponent off with the double mill effect. Good early for quick mill, and better late for keeping the engine ticking. Also being able to ping something for U from the bin is useful with burning vengeance out.
Limited: 4/5
A definite first pick in my books, blue being one of the strongest colours to draft. Better when you consider you are only playing with 40 card decks and each person starts with 33 cards in their deck. Say you get to turn 8 and X is 7, that is 18 cards left, if he/she hasn't drawn any cards, then next turn flashback for the same...and they have 3/4 cards left. You can also use it to fuel your own shenanigans if you are playing the spider spawning deck and want to get down to your combo..Watch out for this one

Constructed: 1/5
Mind control is in standard and it is more difficult to deal with and doesn't require you to hit them first...file this  one under "No, thank you"
Limited: 2/5
This isn't mind control. Mind control is a bonkers card for limited environments because enchantments are so hard to deal with. I could get behind it had more power, however I just don't even think it is going to connect to steal a creature. When it does tho...

Constructed: 0/5
.....
Limited 1/5
Maybe, someone gets all the curses in the world...

Constructed: 3/5
This is begging to be broken in an older format in a deck such as dredge or something of that nature. However in standard, I think it gives black aggressive deck another one drop to supplement the Diregraf ghoul for more explosive starts. The rating on this one goes up or down depending on what happens in the eternal formats.
Limited: 1-3/5
A rare 2/1 that gets out-muscled pretty quickly, however get better the more zombies you have. I would say about 8 zombies is a nice number to have to make sure you can rebuy this guy. He loses points because cannot block and therefore chump, however I think he is solid addition to any black deck.

Constructed: 1/5
Nowadays, you expect more from a 5 drop, even if his flip slide has massive and can get the damage through, the downside is too much for me and easily shut down. What makes him worse is that he is the pre-release promo..:(
Limited: 1-3/5
Dependant on human count in your deck i feel. The reason why it has such a good rating if you do have human is that he is a beating. Good luck trying to mitigate the damage. Common enchantments are a good answer to this guy, but he can be a beating. You have been warned.

Constructed: 1/5
BRAINS..!?!?!?!
Limited: 1-3/5
MOAR BRAINZ!?!?!?!?

Constructed:3/5
A functional reprint of Careful study that i think will see play across all formats. Speaking about standard, Burning Vengeance likes this card a lot, and plays very well in that deck archetype. Hopefully this and Increasing Confusion pushes the deck over the top.
Limited: 3/5
A good card in any deck giving you card selection later in the game. Can sometimes hurt you if you cast when not needed. The great thing about this is the discard is not random, so you can chose to put your flashback card in the bin, or lands later on in the game.

Constructed: 1/5
I want my 4 drop in red to do more for me straight away rather than having to wait until it flips. Hero of Oxid Ridge beats straight away, and Koth turns a mountain sideways faster than you can blink (as long as you don't choose a summoning sick one :P). Nearly madam shaman, nearly
Limited 3.5/5
In limited she is a hot card. Ok she does nothing on he regular side, but once she flips shit gets real. Your opponent need to take 4 damage to flip her, and still takes 2 if they use a kill spell. All for the not-so-large sum of 4 mana. Colour me impressed

Constructed: 1/5
I don't see this taking a bite out of the 60 card meta
Limited: 2/5
Undying makes this card better as you can trade with better cards and come out on top. I wouldn't play more than one but a nice solid card to round your deck and curve out with. You gotta have something to knock their health down.

Constructed 1/5
Giant Growth got cut from 2012 so you can see what Wizards think of pumps spells..this one is worse than giant growth most of the time.
Limited 1.5/5
I wouldn't give this the worst rating because G/W deck could use it for forcing damage through, but even that is pretty loose. The morbid aspect of the card, and the fact the pump stays around is why it gave it the .5 extra

Constructed: 3/5 (possible 4/5)
This is a very strong card and will be a player on many different greens deck in a lot of formats. A 2/1 for 2 with haste is OK, slightly above the curve I would argue. The fact that when it dies it gets bigger! Bonkers. Trades well early or late, and if played on turn 2 can force lots of damage through before being blocked methinks.
Limited 3/5
With green being such a in vogue colour to draft at the minute this card is a good choice for any green mages. Expect to see it rumbling into the red zone offering trades, and then being kept back later in the game for profitable trading. Glad it was printed with the GG cost, otherwise it could of gotten silly.

Constructed: 0/5
I wouldn't be seen drinking from this chalice, never mind putting it in my deck
Limited: 0/5
If you do get to 30 life, you probably do not need this card to win because you are in control of this game.

Well thank you for reading through and I apologise for any spelling and grammatical errors. I try my best to get it rid, but sometimes things slip through. Comment away at the bottom of the blog about my ratings and whether you think they're right or not, and what you guys think about the new mechanics