Conflux is here.  The Shards are colliding, and we're starting to get a sense of what that means for our current decks.  Simply put, its time for us to take a look at the most exciting cards in this Alara expansion.  In order of rank here are my favorite 5 cards from the Conflux expansion set and my reasons why:

1. Path to Exile - Do you even need an explanation for this card?  If so then here you go,  MTG.com called it the best creature removal card maybe ever.  Straight from the horse's mouth.  It's like if they remade Terror, only now it cost only one black mana, and worked on artifacts.   With the current renaissance of white-control decks, this could be the best uncommon since. . . . well, since ever!

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2. Nicol Bolas - I'm not too keen on spending this kind of mana on anything unless it wins the game outright.  Well, in words of one syllable, this card does.  When we talk about cards you absolutely must deal with, Nicol Bolas is the definition.  He has the most powerful ultimate ability of any planeswalker, and can use that ability in a lightning-fast three turns.  Among his attributes Nicol is the best enchantment removal black or red has ever seen, and the best anti-planeswalker card outside Oblivion Ring.  Of course permanently taking control of an opponent's creature ain't half bad neither.  Spend the eight mana already!

3. Soul's Majesty - Admittedly there is a drop-off after those first two cards.  However, Conflux is not without some other very intriguing cards.  Soul's Majesty offers green wizards an amazing late game option in creature heavy decks.  Basically this is Harmonize's replacement in standard formats.  While top-decking this card may not always turn the game in your favor, it should be at least a green Tidings.  And if you're sitting on a Godsire, well. . .

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4. Scepter of the Fugue - This card will not blow you out of the water when you pull it from a pack.  On that same note, it won't win you many games by itself.  But SotF is the best discard/control spell in Conflux. A two-drop that lets you milk your opponent's hand down to nothing.  Basically a more consistant version of Raven's Crime or a newer, better version of Disrupting Scepter.  After four or five turns with this artifact your opponent may be without any cards at all.  That advantage is simply amazing in the late game.

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5. Noble Heirarch - If Shadowmoor is remembered for its giant creatures, then Conflux may well be remembered for its small but dynamic ones.  There are so many it may come down to which color you prefer.  Nyxathid, Bloodhall Ooze, Court Homunculus and Scattershot Archer are all great choices.  However I chose what may prove to be the most versatile one-drop creature since Birds of Paradise.  Mana acceleration with the extra benefit of Exalted.  That is noble.

Honorable Mentions: In a set with a few economical multi-color land choices, I like Rupture Spire the best.  Obelisk of Alara is one of those cards I would love to throw in any multi-colored deck.  Not very practical, but boy does it look like fun.  And isn't that the point?