Rise of the Eldrazi is less than a month away, and the first few cracks in the spoiler levy are starting to spout.  The first ten or twelve  common/uncommon cards tell a lot about a set, often more than the mythics and planeswalkers.  RoE is no exception.  Every set has game-breaking Timmy creatures,  and this time around, they are the Eldrazi.  But there are a few things RoE brings to the playmat that we have never before seen.  Here is a sampling of important cards revealing what we know and what we can expect from MTG's latest expansion.

More than a month ago a mysterious poster with an unknown origin left a few hints about the upcoming set on some popular MTG forums.  These hints included two brand new abilities: Annihilator and Level Up.  Speculation over the latter has been all over the board, from a cycle of cards with similar rules text to Figure of Destiny, to a Quest type mechanic that required some sort of trigger that would lead to counters.  The actual ability lead to only the second major card design change ever (the first being Planeswalkers).  The question remains, is this a new frontier for MTG, or a gimmick for RoE.  It seems the former is likely true, and while Lighthouse Chronologist won't be showing up in any core sets (far too specialized for that), his ability could be squeezed in almost any set.  All the hub-bub aside however, Level Up just isn't that good.  Of the three leveled cards released yesterday, only LC looks impressive.  Level up will be solid in limited formats, but sadly lacking in competitive play and most casual formats.

Guuz Draz Assassin is another leveler creature, but worse than the first.  However that is not why GDA is an important card.  Instead he is noteworthy as a symbol of the Zendikar-Worldwake flavor we have grown accustomed to and how RoE break almost entirely from that.  According to the Orb of Insight, there are no Quests or Traps in RoE, nor are there allies or Landfall mechanics.  The idea of a turbulent world inhabited by adventuring parties is no longer.  This is much closer to Conflux or Alara Reborn, factions banding together to defeat a common enemy.  There is nothing wrong with that setting per se, but it differs vastly from what many players expected from the third set.  Even WotC's newest and most favored creatures get the shaft in RoE, as vampires number fewer than 10 in a 248 card set.

Speaking of different, players will need to brace themselves for one of the most unique limited season's in Magic's storied history.  How do we know that?  Take a look at the 8/8 for eight mana just above this paragraph.  For three months after RoE is released there will be total pandemonium.  Almost every pack will have a game-winning common or uncommon, and for those luck enough maybe two.  Without a glut of spot removal (unlikely so far) the average sealed duel will simply be a race to drop an Eldrazi first.  That's all, game over and don't forget to turn the lights out when you leave.  Don't worry about which color you are playing, the Eldrazi fit in any limited deck due to there colorless nature.  How will players react to the most bomb-heavy environment ever?  More importantly, will the sealed game be any fun this way?  WotC designed the set to draft on its own so the answer should be a resounding yes.  However, Gathering Magic is still skeptical.  Giant creature smashing into another giant creature gets real old pretty quickly.  Let's hope there is some strategy forthcoming from RoE to accompany the muscle.

My favorite card released last night was Virulent Swipe.  Two things to like about it: First, it is good creature removal that can be used to snag those last few life points from an opponent.  Second, it is a 2-for-1 every time you play it.  Not the best ability ever, but two instances of anything for only one mana is worth it.  The verdict is a decent card, but why is it relevant?  Because it continues to show the power-creep trend WotC has fostered over the past few years.  Everything is 2-for-1 or a place to dump mana (like Level up).  The idea sounds much more sinister than it is.  Actually these changes should be welcomed (for the most part) because they make playing Magic more fun, by making sure there is almost always something going on.  The rebound mechanic doubles the times a card is used, much like retrace.  With more instances of a spell there are more decisions to make, and more strategy.  In this case, the more really is the merrier.

Before we depart, a look at a speculated card, yet to be disproved by the Orb.  Looks real enough, and with a more powerful

Sun Droplet ability.  Fingers are crossed this is the real thing.  But until we know for sure one can only dream...