Let's get down to business. I'm pretty happy with the results of my Scars review, as my major hits were better than my major misses (both for my wallet and deck construction). My only real big misses were Mimic Vat and Ratchet Bomb, since the rest of the stuff was 2× style cards anyway. My hits, however, were on a number of fronts. First, the results from my set review:

Cards I Was Right About (Leaving Out the Obvious Cards):

Molten-Tail Masticore – This card has seen very little play in Standard, just like I predicted.

Mox Opal – See above.

Argent Sphinx – Chapin was wrong about this card, clearly.

Wurmcoil Engine – While I wasn't completely right about this card, most of the time having the appropriate M10 Titan has proven to be superior. Most people were far too high on this card. I was a tad low, but I was closer than most, so I'll call it a win.

Kuldotha Rebirth – I said this card couldn't be ignored, and it turned out to be playable.

Argentum Armor and the Quest deck – this deck generated a lot of buzz during release season, but I shot it down early because the math said it wouldn't work. I was right.

Venser, the Sojourner – The Bant deck where he would be best didn't really materialize, and thus he hasn't really seen a lot of play. I think both of his first two abilities need to be good for him to be better than existing options, and that has basically proven true.

Tumble Magnet – This caught on a bit in R/U/G sideboards, and I think it will catch on a bit more as time goes on.

Genesis Wave – A "build-around-me" card like I thought. It really didn't do much damage inside existing decks, but Conley showed it can definitely do work if you build around it.

Cards I Was Wrong About

Mimic Vat – Big, giant whiff. My penchant for disliking cute things got to me here.

Ratchet Bomb – This card has seen a good amount of play, but I was too high on it. It's still one of the more played cards from Scars though, so it wasn't a really bad miss.

Sunblast Angel – Yeah . . . Let's not talk about this one.

Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon – It seems as if dedicated win conditions in control decks just aren't necessary anymore, a fact I am going to have to remember for future reviews.

Skinrender – This just hasn't materialized in sixty-card formats. It still might, but my hopes for this card are down, but not out.

Grand Architect – This hasn't been broken; yet.

Jury Is Still Out

Throne of Geth – This needs more time, I'm pretty sure.

Necrotic Ooze – Dredgevine didn't materialize as a deck in Standard, but the Fauna Shaman thing is happening in Extended, and the Dredgevine nonsense could still come back, since it is still Type 2 legal.

Koth of the Hammer – I was a tad high, but he was by far the best Planeswalker, and Mono-Red and Valakut did play him. Turns out that Valakut doesn't really need him and Mono-Red isn't as strong as I thought, so I'll call it a push. Koth didn't see as much play as I thought he would, but he saw play where I thought he would.

Lux Cannon and Liquimetal Coating – I added the "two-year" disclaimer on these cards because I thought they needed more time. I'm not willing to call them yet, although it doesn't look great.

Elspeth Tirel – I said she needed a deck centered around her. That hasn't happened yet, so the evaluation on her can't really happen.

All in all, I'm fairly happy with the way my Scars review turned out. I'm adding a feature to this review though—I'll put a * next to cards I feel could or will be major constructed staples and a ^ next to cards I feel could be important role-players (like Ratchet Bomb). The rest of the cards I put in the playable pile will be discussed, but their chances of seeing play will be unlikely.

Remember, the usual prediction disclaimers apply:

1. All predictions guaranteed to be wrong unless they are right.
2. All predictions only good until the release of the next set.
3. Predictions only made for sixty-card formats, and generally limited to Standard unless otherwise stated.

Remember the division system as well:

1. Unplayable
2. Role-player
3. Fits into existing framework
4. Forces new framework

Mirrodin Besieged

On with the review:

White:

#1 – Ardent Recruit, Banishment Decree, Frantic Salvage, Gore Vassal, Kemba's Legion, Loxodon Partisan, Priests of Norn, Tine Shrike, Victory's Herald

#2 – Accorder Paladin^, Choking Fumes^, Divine Offering, Leonin Relic-Warder, Leonin Skyhunter, Master's Call, Mirran Crusader, Phyrexian Rebirth, White Sun's Zenith

#3 –

#4 – Hero of Bladehold*

Accorder Paladin^ – This card seems really good for aggressive White strategies. I am personally not a fan of those types of decks, but I'm aware that my opinion is not the prevailing one. It's fragile, but 3 power for 2 mana that pumps the rest of your team is nothing to sneer at. If an aggressive White strategy materializes in Standard or Extended, this card is definitely on the short list of two-drops to consider, and very close to the top.

Choking Fumes^ – This card has potential, mainly in U/W proliferate (which may be a deck now). I don't really see it anywhere else though, so my rating for this card is conditional on that deck's coming into existence.

Divine Offering – I just don't see it. I think Revoke Existence will be better most of the time, and there's no need to overload on this effect.

Hero of Bladehold* – This card is pretty good, but really needs to be taken into account from a strategic standpoint during deck construction. Admittedly, she goes right alongside Elspeth Tirel. Maybe there is a tokens strategy emerging.

Leonin Relic-Warder, Leonin Skyhunter – Once again, bones for those people who like aggressive White strategies (although I think both of these cards will see limited play at best). Leonin Relic-Warder is sort of like the other half of War Priest of Thune. If I want a creature that kills artifacts and enchantments, I am probably going to turn to Kor Sanctifiers, though. In reality, Revoke Existence is probably just the better call most of the time.

Master's Call – Once again, tokens strategies may be able to take advantage of this, as well as Tempered Steel strategies.

Mirran Crusader – Once again, a bone for guys who like little White men. I frankly don't see this card being very good because it is relatively easy to kill, but it does bash through Wall of Omens, which is a plus, albeit very likely less important in the upcoming format.

Phyrexian Rebirth – If classical U/W control was still a deck, this would be a card, but I think this set officially pushes U/B over the top, so this is probably relegated to hundred-card Highlander formats. I think this is better than Sunblast Angel as a back-up Wrath.

White Sun's Zenith – I think this card is way too slow and expensive for any sixty-card format, but it has casual appeal and is fine in EDH, so it's worth mentioning.

Blue:

#1 – Consecrated Sphinx, Cryptoplasm, Distant Memories, Neurok Commando, Oculus, Quicksilver Geyser, Serum Raker, Spire Serpent, Turn the Tide, Vedalken Anatomist, Vedalken Infuser, Vivisection

#2 – Corrupted Conscience^, Fuel for the Cause^, Mitotic Manipulation, Steel Sabotage, Treasure Mage

#3 –

#4 – Blue Sun's Zenith

I'm sad. Blue sucks in this set (for constructed at least).

Blue Sun's Zenith – This is basically a reprint of Stroke of Genius. There is no mana engine to go with this, though, so it's unplayable for now, although I would be on the lookout for a way to generate lots of mana to abuse this.

Corrupted Conscience^, Fuel for the Cause^ – Tools for U/W Proliferate (which will kill with Angel tokens or poison).

Mitotic Manipulation – This is probably unplayable, but it has a weird effect, so it's a card to keep in mind, since these are the cards that have a penchant to "level up." (See Prismatic Omen.)

Steel Sabotage – I think it will be fairly obvious if you want this card.

Treasure Mage – There's really not much to get right now (Mindslaver, Wurmcoil), but it's important to keep this card in mind. If they print a card to cheat big artifacts into play in the next set, this could take off real fast.

Black:

#1 – Caustic Hound, Flensermite, Flesh-Eater Imp, Horrifying Revelation, Morbid Plunder, Nested Ghoul, Phyresis, Scourge Servant

#2 – Go For the Throat*, Gruesome Encore, Massacre Wurm, Phyrexian Crusader^, Phyrexian Rager, Sangromancer, Septic Rats, Spread the Sickness, Virulent Wound

#3 – Black Sun's Zenith*

#4 – Phyrexian Vatmother

Black Sun's Zenith*, Go For the Throat* – I think these two cards push U/B control over the top in Type 2. Essentially they fill two major holes U/B had—the ability to kill Black creatures (Creeping Tar Pit being at the top of the list), and a sweeper. Black Sun's Zenith won't kill things like Overgrown Battlement, but at 4 mana it will sweep or come very close in matchups where you want it. It's a little bit unwieldy at killing bigger creatures, but Black has never had a problem dealing with those. U/B should be the color combination of choice for those who want to play classic Blue-based control right now.

Gruesome Encore – This is probably unplayable, but once again, cards like this have a penchant for surprising you, so don't forget about it completely.

Massacre Wurm – This card is all sorts of fun. Grave Titan is probably a superior main-deck card, but man, can this card be a blowout! It's definitely going in my Cube, and EDH players everywhere will love it. It may even make the jump to Standard.

Phyrexian Crusader^, Phyrexian Vatmother, Septic Rats – I'd keep an eye on this package of cards. If there is a new poison deck, I think it will start here. Distortion Strike combos very well with Vatmother (i.e., they are dead), and Phyrexian Crusader will be a solid three-drop for that deck. Septic Rats might be played, but I think that deck will be too three-drop heavy (since Ichor Rats is a contender as well). Basically, the strategy will be to combine Infect dudes with Blue counter magic and Proliferate. Fuel for the Cause could well see play here as well.

Phyrexian Rager – It saw play the last time it was around, so I won't forget about it. It's probably not good enough in today's world, though, as the body just isn't as relevant.

Sangromancer – This is, once again, there for EDH people. I don't think this is good enough for tournaments.

Spread the Sickness – This is a possible, but unlikely, card in the U/B Proliferate/Poison deck I just mentioned.

Virulent Wound – See above.

Red:

#1 – Concussive Bolt, Crush, Galvanoth, Gnathosaur, Hellkite Igniter, Koth's Courier, Kuldotha Flamefiend, Kuldotha Ringleader, Ogre Resister, Rally the Forces, Spiraling Duelist

#2 – Blisterstick Shaman, Burn the Impure, Goblin Wardriver^, Into the Core, Metallic Mastery, Red Sun's Zenith, Slagstorm

#3 – Hero of Oxid Ridge*

#4 –

Blisterstick Shaman – This card probably is just a tad below the power curve, but it is a Goblin, and worse Goblins have seen play because they are Goblins.

Burn the Impure – If the Infect deck materializes and the Red deck comes back, this will be the Red deck's weapon of choice versus Infect. Otherwise, Lightning Bolt and Searing Blaze will probably just be better.

Goblin Wardriver^ – I approve of this message. Battle Cry on a Goblin two-drop makes me happy. Now if only they would put Battle Cry and Haste on the same card . . .

Hero of Oxid Ridge* – Oh, speak of the devil. This is the perfect card for aggressive Red decks. It's an amazing four-drop that removes pesky blockers like Sea Gate Oracle, Wall of Omens, and Wall of Tanglecord from the equation. What more could you ask for? Two more toughness I suppose, but you can't have everything now can you? (Well, I mean, you can, but you have to play Islands. Sorry, themz the rulez.)

Into the Core – Rack and Ruin saw play, and this is roughly the same power level. If artifacts take off, Red will turn here.

Metallic Mastery – Once again, a weird effect to keep in mind.

Red Sun's Zenith – Comet Storm is probably superior, but for those who want more X spells (probably for hundred-card formats), this is an option.

Slagstorm – At least this card always does what you want it to do. I don't think it's good enough, but I've seen worse cards get played, so I'll let it be.

Green:

#1 – Fangren Marauder, Glissa's Courier, Lead the Stampede, Melira's Keepers, Phyrexian Hydra, Pistus Strike, Plaguemaw Beast, Quilled Slagwurm, Tangle Mantis, Unnatural Predation

#2 – Creeping Corrosion, Mirran Mettle, Rot Wolf, Thrun, the Last Troll, Viridian Corrupter^, Viridian Emissary

#3 – Green Sun's Zenith*

#4 – Praetor's Counsel

Creeping Corrosion – Hey, look, they reprinted Shatterstorm; maybe it will see play this time (probably not, but it's there).

Green Sun's Zenith* – This card basically reads "Fetch target Nettle Sentinel or Heritage Druid." I suppose it could get some other creatures, but the most likely subjects for those are also elves (Ezuri comes to mind). Still, fetching Nettle Sentinel or Heritage Druid is nice. It's also an 8-mana Regal Force, which is sort of gravy. It might also get Dryad Arbor in Legacy, but I suspect it will still be getting its elfin friends in that format as well.

Mirran Mettle – Groundswell is probably just superior, but you never know.

Praetor's Counsel – It's like Yawgmoth's Will plus! Oh, wait, it costs infinite mana . . . Never mind. This card is potentially abusable, but you need a way to generate a lot of mana, which currently doesn't exist.

Rot Wolf – This is a pretty sweet little Infector and will definitely make any Green-based Infect deck, but it probably is relegated to the sidelines because Black seems like the superior base color for an Infect deck. I do like this card a lot, though, and it might even make my Cube.

Thrun, the Last Troll – Oh, how unplayable are the Trolls. See, Troll Ascetic saw a lot of play in Type 2 because all of the following happened:

1. Sword of Fire and Ice existed alongside the "Card That Shall Not Be Named."
2. Troll Ascetic was hard to kill.
3. Troll Ascetic had a relevant body otherwise.

For Thrun to see play, the exact same conditions must exist. Thrun is hard to kill and has a relevant body otherwise, but the equipment for him to pick up just isn't there. Sword of Feast and Famine is not on the same level as Sword of Fire and Ice. I'm not even going to talk about the "Card That Shall Not Be Named."

Viridian Corrupter^ – This is probably just better than its predecessor in many situations. It's a solid creature that will probably be played a good amount.

Viridian Emissary – I wonder how many people thought this was a 187 ability and not a graveyard trigger? If it was a 187 ability, this card would be st00pid, but alas it only happens when it dies, which makes it much, much, much less good (and makes it most likely not good enough). Still a fun card to Skullclamp, though, in formats where that is possible.

Gold, Land:

#1 – Glissa, the Traitor

#2 – Contested Warzone^, Inkmoth Nexus*

#3 –

#4 – Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas*

A note on Glissa: I really don't think she's very good. She's fine for casual, but for her to be good in tournament formats, a few things have to happen:

1. She has to not die (no mean feat for a 3/3).
2. You have to kill one of your opponent's dudes.
3. You have to have an artifact worth returning (one that is probably worth recursing).

I really just don't see these three conditions coming together in Type 2 right now. The Spellbombs this time around are a lot weaker, and those are the prime candidates for recursion. Ichor Wellspring could be nice, but you have to get it in the graveyard first. Frankly, I think she doesn't do enough. The main problem is that Throne of Geth is a Blue card, and Glissa is not Blue.

Contested Warzone – This is a very strong land for aggro decks, and could easily be sideboard material against the slower control decks. Its combination with Battle Cry is pretty sexy.

Inkmoth Nexus – I think this will see play in a lot of different places. It really helps Infect decks, but it also gives Proliferate decks a cheap way to get the first poison counter on the opponent. All in all, I expect to see a lot of this card in the upcoming months and for the next year and a half.

Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas – This card really needs a deck built around it, just like its predecessor. I think it will be a while before someone finds it, but the card is powerful enough that I'm pretty sure it will happen. It's 4-mana price point, and the fact that it is in Blue (which has Proliferate), will help it a lot. He's also a lot better than the previous version, because he turns your crappy artifacts into 5/5's, which helps him defend himself (a very important requirement for modern Planeswalkers). All in all, this will see quite a bit of play, and should hold value pretty well, too.

Artifact

#1 – Bladed Sentinel, Bonehoard, Brass Squire, Copper Carapace, Darksteel Plate, Decimator Web, Dross Ripper, Gust-Skimmer, Hexplate Golem, Knowledge Pool, Lumengrid Gargoyle, Mortarpod, Myr Sire, Myr Turbine, Peace Strider, Phyrexian Digester, Pierce Strider, Psychosis Crawler, Razorfield Rhino, Rusted Slasher, Shriekhorn, Silverskin Armor, Skinwing, Spine of Ish Sah, Strandwalker, Tangle Hulk, Titan Forge, Training Drone

#2 – Blightsteel Colossus*, Core Prowler, Flayer Husk, Ichor Wellspring, Magnetic Mine, Mirrorworks, Myr Welder, Phyrexian Juggernaut, Phyrexian Revoker^, Piston Sledge, Plague Myr, Shimmer Myr, Sphere of the Suns^, Spin Engine, Sword of Feast and Famine*, Thopter Assembly, Viridian Claw

#3 – Signal Pest^

#4 – Blightsteel Colossus*

Blightsteel Colossus* – This is now the Tinker-bot of choice for Vintage decks, and Legacy decks desiring to cheat a big man into play have a new toy. If you play Eternal formats, I would definitely pick up one copy, but probably no more. As far as Type 2 and Extended are concerned, Polymorph and Shape Anew just got a new friend, but I'm not sure it's worth it. Still, it will be played in a lot of the same roles as Emrakul, and I would advise you treat it similarly. You probably want one copy.

Core Prowler – Infect could want this card, but I really think they have better things to be doing with their time. Still, the graveyard trigger is nice.

Flayer Husk – Trusty Machete/Darksteel Axe is just going to be better most of the time. This does come with its own man, however, so it could be part of a Stoneforge Mystic package, ensuring that you can get a piece of equipment that makes your other equipment live.

Ichor Wellspring – This is a bone for combo players and works pretty well with Throne of Geth. Maybe Open the Vaults makes a comeback in Extended with this card? Standard decks will probably just play it alongside Throne, as that likely generates the most value.

Magnetic Mine – This is a niche Johnny card almost certainly reserved for EDH. It could be a lot of fun there, though. I suppose if a Furnace Celebration deck emerges that sacrifices artifacts, this could well be a tool against them, but that is unlikely.

Mirrorworks – Now this card seems like awesome fun in EDH. It's way too slow and expensive in Standard, but it seems like a lot of fun.

Myr Welder – This has some limited potential for Type 2, but once again, this is mainly an EDH card.

Phyrexian Juggernaut – Could be part of the Tezzy deck if it wants an alternate win condition. The massive size also could make the Infect deck want it. I'm not sure Infect is a real deck yet, but maybe. Size does matter for Infectors.

Phyrexian Revoker^ – Pithing Needle has seen consistent play and I would imagine this card to be no different. It's better and worse in a lot of ways, although I think making it a creature makes it worse overall. Still, I expect to see Revoker in sideboards in multiple formats.

Piston Sledge – This card seems pretty powerful. The effect is reasonably costed and the fact that it comes in attached and doesn't cost mana to move is real nice. This could easily make Mystic packages in Tempered Steel decks. In fact, it may be the piece of equipment that pushes Tempered Steel over the edge.

Plague Myr – Once again, looking at Infect. Probably not good enough, but it does serve multiple functions.

Shimmer Myr – Fun EDH card again. Probably not playable in Type 2.

Signal Pest^ – This is an excellent tool for Tempered Steel decks, giving them an early drop that is sold. Pest pumps the rest of their team and swings for 2 when Tempered Steel is in play. Red decks (Kuldotha ones in particular) should also be happy with this card. The cheap Battle Cry trigger could well turn Goblin Guide and friends into a monster.

Sphere of the Suns^ – No one ever used Mind Stone when they played it in Type 2 anyway, so it's coming into play tapped is a minimal drawback. Only having three activations is relevant, however, but so is the ability to produce any color. I would definitely keep this in mind for Proliferate decks, since it enables splashes very nicely.

Spin Engine – Could be used for aggro decks, but is probably a bit too fragile.

Sword of Feast and Famine* – While it's not as good as SoFI, it's about on par with SoLS, so I definitely think it will see some play. Protection from Green and Black is also very important in Extended, so it will see play there as well.

Thopter Assembly – If there is a cheap way to get this back into play, it could easily take off. As is, I think it has very good synergy with Tezzeret (you can turn the tokens into 5/5's) and Throne of Geth (sac the tokens to Proliferate). There is definitely potential here, and I wouldn't write off this card.

Viridian Claw – If this were 1 to cost and 1 to equip, it would be great. As is, the decks that want this are aggro decks, and the 2 cost is a tad high. Having 1 to equip keeps this around as an option because moving it is cheap, but my gut instinct is that it isn't good enough.

Stock Tips:

There are a number of Type 2 cards that I think get better with this set. I'll talk about them below:

Throne of Geth – This is the best Proliferate engine that is legal, and its synergy with Ichor Wellspring and Thopter Assembly (along with other artifacts in general) could push this card over the edge. Tezzeret probably wants to sit on this Throne as well.

Mox Opal – Tempered Steel got a lot of new tools, and Tempered Steel is the deck that most wants Mox Opal.

Kuldotha Rebirth – Goblin Wardriver and Hero of Oxid Ridge would like a word with you.

Stoneforge Mystic – This card got a bunch of new equipment to fetch. New toys are always nice.

Jace, the Mind Sculptor – As if this card wasn't already good enough, Black Sun's Zenith is a repeatable shuffle effect. He also picked up a proliferating buddy in Tezzeret, and if you thought he was expensive now, just wait a few months. I think we're about to find out what the ceiling price for a Type 2 card is, because Jace will hit it.

Elspeth Tirel – Battle Cry is nice with Elspeth. Also, with more tokens running around, it is easier to take advantage of her ultimate.

Awakening Zone, Nest Invader – Pretty funny to be attacking with Eldrazi Spawn tokens and Battle Cry guys.

That's all for this set review. I'm not doing price predictions because I really don't care about them. I appended them last time for fun. If you are actually curious, you can ask me.

Chingsung Chang

Conelead most everywhere and on MTGO

Khan32k5@gmail.com

Appendix:

Firestarters:

"Tezzy’s Throne"

• (63)
• 1 Treasure Mage
• 2 Trinket Mage
• 1 Wurmcoil Engine
• 3 Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas
• 2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
• 3 Throne of Geth
• 4 Ichor Wellspring
• 3 Everflowing Chalice
• 1 Lux Cannon
• 1 Voltaic Key
• 2 Tumble Magnet
• 3 Black Sun’s Zenith
• 3 Go for the Throat
• 1 Contagion Engine
• 4 Stoic Rebuttal
• 1 Mox Opal
• 1 Brittle Effigy
• 4 Inkmoth Nexus
• 4 Creeping Tar Pit
• 4 Darkslick Shores
• 2 Drowned Catacomb
• 1 Misty Rainforest
• 1 Verdant Catacomb
• 7 Island
• 4 Swamp

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Disclaimer: Lux Cannon may be too cute, but the potential is there and it’s worth trying.

"Tempered Steel"

• (62)
• 4 Signal Pest
• 4 Memnite
• 4 Ornithopter
• 4 Accorder’s Paladin
• 4 Glint Hawk
• 2 Glint Hawk Idol
• 3 Hero of Bladehold
• 4 Tempered Steel
• 4 Flayer Husk
• 2 Piston Sledge
• 2 Master’s Call
• 4 Mana Leak
• 4 Mox Opal
• 4 Seachrome Coast
• 2 Glacial Fortress
• 11 Plains

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"Boros Battle Cry"

• (60)
• 4 Goblin Guide
• 2 Spikeshot Elder
• 4 Signal Pest
• 4 Memnite
• 4 Accorder’s Paladin
• 4 Goblin Bushwhacker
• 3 Hero of Oxid Ridge
• 4 Kuldotha Rebirth
• 3 Panic Spellbomb
• 2 Flayer Husk
• 1 Trusty Machete
• 4 Lightning Bolt
• 3 Mox Opal
• 4 Arid Mesa
• 2 Plains
• 7 Mountain
• 2 Inkmoth Nexus
• 3 Teetering Peaks

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Note: Not sure whether Flayer Husk or Trusty Machete is better, but I think it’s better to try out the new card in the initial draft. Adventuring Gear is also a possibility.