The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Foundations Commanders

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wardens of the Cycle" href="#" target="_blank">Wardens of the Cycle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.carolinegariba.com/">Caroline Gariba</a>)</h6>
<hr />
<h3><a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-white/">White</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/magic-foundations-set-review-blue">Blue</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/foundations-set-review-black/">Black</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-red/">Red</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/foundations-set-review-green-2/">Green</a> | Artifacts &amp; Lands | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-allied-shards/">Allied &amp; Shards</a> | Enemy &amp; Wedges | cEDH | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-reprints-part-1/">Reprints</a> | Pauper/Budget</h3>
<hr />
<h2>Building the Foundations of Magic</h2>
<p>Welcome to the <em>Foundations</em> Set Review for the Enemy color cards! This set doesn't have a ton of gold cards but of the ones we did get, we got some incredibly strong commanders heading our way. Let's see how these cards will impact Commander and which you should be including in your decks!</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mythics</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Niv-Mizzet, Visionary"></div></div>
<p>Let's talk about the dragon in the room. The new Niv-Mizzet is a powerful draw source that can turns any source of noncombat damage into card advantage. Drawing "that many cards" turns a simple <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lightning Bolt" href="#" target="_blank">Lightning Bolt</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ancestral Recall" href="#" target="_blank">Ancestral Recall</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Casting Niv-Mizzet into an <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Impact Tremors" href="#" target="_blank">Impact Tremors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will still net three cards when he enters. It'll be hard not to storm off with Niv-Mizzet with the abundance of cheap burn spells there are in Commander.</p>
<p>And let's not look over the fact that Niv-Mizzet allows you to have no maximum hand size. There's no downside to abusing his draw trigger and keeping all the counterspells needed to protect him. He's another remove-on-sight commander who will undoubtedly cause trouble at lower-powered tables.</p>
<p>Niv-Mizzet also combos with himself. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Parun" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Parun</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> both deal damage when you draw cards, so you can ping down your opponents and draw through your whole deck if needed. Also, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Niv-Mizzet, Visionary" href="#" target="_blank">Niv-Mizzet, Visionary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is the easiest of the Nivs to cast, with only two color pips needed to bring him out. So the new Niv-Mizzet can find his way into 3+ color decks that consistently deal non-combat damage. I guess as an inclusion in <em>Foundations, </em>they gave him an easier casting cost since this set is heavily mono-color focused. No one's picking a Dragon with 4+ color pips in draft, but in Commander, this card has no downsides.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Zimone, Paradox Sculptor" href="#" target="_blank">Zimone, Paradox Sculptor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Zimone, Paradox Sculptor"></div></div>
<p>They decided <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vorel of the Hull Clade" href="#" target="_blank">Vorel of the Hull Clade</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> wasn't seeing enough play, so they made a four mana Wizard that gives out +1/+1 counters and doubles counters of each kind for two targets.</p>
<p>Simic +1/+1 counters is an archetype that I look at and my eyes gloss over. There are so many cards printed that either give out or enable +1/+1 counter strategies that there isn't anything interesting for me to build. However, Zimone doubling the counters of any kind on creatures or artifacts makes me want to sift through my bulk bin and find anything with a unique counter. You can double the night counters on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Replicating Ring" href="#" target="_blank">Replicating Ring</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to get closer to making eight additional copies or getting additional mana off of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kami of Whispered Hopes" href="#" target="_blank">Kami of Whispered Hopes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Heronblade Elite" href="#" target="_blank">Heronblade Elite</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Everflowing Chalice" href="#" target="_blank">Everflowing Chalice</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> by doubling their counters. You can double the oil counters on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mercurial Spelldancer" href="#" target="_blank">Mercurial Spelldancer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to consistently copy spells after dealing combat damage. And <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Millennium Calendar" href="#" target="_blank">The Millennium Calendar</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> becomes a more likely wincon.</p>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Ozolith" href="#" target="_blank">The Ozolith</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> is another worthy inclusion in Zimone as you can double all the counters that the Ozolith catches. When it comes down to it, Zimone will make an excellent +1/+1 counters commander as she provides and enhances counters to your artifacts and creatures.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rares</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Elenda, Saint of Dusk" href="#" target="_blank">Elenda, Saint of Dusk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Elenda, Saint of Dusk"></div></div>
<p>The new Elenda is all in on lifegain. Once we get to 50 life, Elenda becomes a 10/10 with lifelink and menace, which all but guarantees that she'll keep you above that threshold. Hexproof from instants doesn't stop boardwipes or creatures with removal, but it certainly makes it harder to remove her. But she's about as straightforward as you can get. She wants to gain a lot of life and beat down your opponents with commander damage. The real killer here is putting lifelink on such a large creature because you can then drain someone for ten with <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sanguine Bond" href="#" target="_blank">Sanguine Bond</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> out.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koma, World-Eater" href="#" target="_blank">Koma, World-Eater</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Koma, World-Eater"></div></div>
<p>This is a much more tame version of <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koma, Cosmos Serpent" href="#" target="_blank">Koma, Cosmos Serpent</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. While this Koma is still a threat to the table, he's not nearly as oppressive as the original Koma. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Koma, World-Eater" href="#" target="_blank">Koma, World-Eater</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> loses the ability to tap down permanents and interact with the table at instant speed, but he still keeps a lot of aspects that make Koma a terrifying creature. He still can't be countered, has protection in the form of ward instead of being indestructible, and still makes Koma's Coils. The original Koma was more about controlling the board while amassing a board of Serpents every upkeep, Koma, World Eater is a much more aggressive creature. Being an 8/12 with trample ensures that he'll get through and make four Serpents on combat damage. That's 20-power on board after just one attack. With Koma being a difficult creature to interact with, you have to rely on a boardwipe to successfully remove Koma and all the Serpents he'll create.</p>
<p>The gameplan for this deck is pretty simple. Ramp until you get to seven mana, cast Koma and maybe back him up with some counterspells to deal with any boardwipes trying to slow down Koma.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Uncommons &amp; Commons</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fiendish Panda" href="#" target="_blank">Fiendish Panda</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fiendish Panda"></div></div>
<p>Having the ability to get +1/+1 counters through lifegain is great, but as a 3/2, getting back any creature with power 3 or less is already a good deal. It's a solid reanimator for decks that run sac outlets and want to bring back small creatures. Otherwise, this slots in with lifegain decks that want to bring back <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose" href="#" target="_blank">Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Starscape Cleric" href="#" target="_blank">Starscape Cleric</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> to the battlefield to keep draining the table. And with all that said, it'll become a big beater through multiple instances of lifegain.</p>
<p>With less than 50 Bears printed in <em>Magic</em>, a "non-bear" creature translates to any creature in your graveyard. Unlike <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Junji, the Midnight Sky" href="#" target="_blank">Junji, the Midnight Sky</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Body Launderer" href="#" target="_blank">Body Launderer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> where Dragons and Rogues are more prevalent, you'll rarely see a bear creature in your graveyard, especially in Orzhov.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wardens of the Cycle" href="#" target="_blank">Wardens of the Cycle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Wardens of the Cycle"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Wardens of the Cycle" href="#" target="_blank">Wardens of the Cycle</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> seems like a neat budget card for any sacrifice deck in green/black, but unfortunately in Commander, it's worse than <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deathreap Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Deathreap Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. The one upside to Wardens of the Cycle is that you can gain two life to trigger any life gain permanents. It's also an Elf, so it could find a home in a budget golgari Elf deck. Either way, it should be the third pick for a deck behind <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Moldervine Reclamation" href="#" target="_blank">Moldervine Reclamation</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Deathreap Ritual" href="#" target="_blank">Deathreap Ritual</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<hr />
<h2>A New Era</h2>
<p>That's all I have for you today. <em>Foundations </em>didn't have many new multicolored cards, and none in <em>Foundations Jumpstart</em>, but I'm not surprised. Since this set is about building the literal foundations of Standard for at least the next five years of <em>Magic, </em>there should be more focus on building the identity of each color and letting future sets define the identity of multicolored cards. Though I do have to wonder why there was only one new card for each two-color pair, but Simic got two new cards. There wouldn't happen to be any favoritism towards Simic, would there?</p>
<p>Let me know in the comments which cards from <em>Foundation</em> you're most excited about and if there are any legends from this set you're looking to build. Let me know down below and I'll see you next time!</p>


Foundations Set Review - Enemies &#038; Wedges

<h6 style="text-align: right;">(<span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soulstone Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Soulstone Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://darylart.com/">Daniel Ljunggren</a>)</h6>
<hr />
<h3><a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-white/">White</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/magic-foundations-set-review-blue">Blue</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/foundations-set-review-black/">Black</a> | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-red/">Red</a> | <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/foundations-set-review-green-2/">Green</a> | Artifacts &amp; Lands | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-allied-shards/">Allied &amp; Shards</a> | Enemy &amp; Wedges | cEDH | <a href="https://commandersherald.com/foundations-set-review-reprints-part-1/">Reprints</a> | Pauper/Budget</h3>
<hr />
<h2>As I Move, A Second Empire is Born</h2>
<p>Greetings and salutations! It's been a while since our last set review together, since we had to dabble with new exciting cards, and since you had to make do with my horrible, horrible puns.</p>
<p>I'm sure my fellow writers will have extensively written everything relevant about this, but I'll say it anyway. This set is a huge milestone. These are the cards we're bound to see flourish on tables for the years to come, again, and again, and again.</p>
<p>Personally, I'm quite intrigued about the whole financial aspect. The usual time window during which a set is being printed by WotC is fairly short; a few months at best.</p>
<p>With <em>Foundations</em> being reprinted over and over, I'm curious to see if some of the prices will actually hold throughout the period, or if everything of interest will eventually collapse.</p>
<p>As one of your resident budget writers, I'd love to see everything eventually crashing below the $1 threshold, but that's probably just wishful thinking.</p>
<p>At any rate, let's dive into the fray.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Mythics</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sire of Seven Deaths" href="#" target="_blank">Sire of Seven Deaths</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sire of Seven Deaths"></div></div>
<p>I have rehearsed for this one. If you'd allow me to clear my throat before I start ranting. Ahem... I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS I LOVE THIS TO THE MOOOOOOON!!!</p>
<p>Now that my inner Timmy got the chance to express himself, let's have a closer look. 7 mana, 7 very relevant keywords for a 7/7 with 7 arms/legs in the art and the word 7 in its name, with an alliteration to boot. Whew.</p>
<p>Flavor-wise, this is absolutely spot-on. Power-wise, it's nothing to scoff at either. This will be both hard to block (thanks menace, trample and first strike), a great blocker (thanks vigilance and reach), while netting you a lot of life with every hit (thanks lifelink) and being costly to remove (thanks ward), aside from a boardwipe.</p>
<p>In a way, this is giving me some <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Golos, Tireless Pilgrim" href="#" target="_blank">Golos</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> vibes, in the sense that it can be slotted in basically any deck (barring the more competitive ones) with little downsides.</p>
<p>Some commanders, of course, will squeal with glee at the sheer thought of having this monster on the battlefield for value reasons. I'm looking at you, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Odric, Lunarch Marshal" href="#" target="_blank">Odric, Lunarch Marshal</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Akroma, Vision of Ixidor" href="#" target="_blank">Akroma, Vision of Ixidor</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="The Infamous Cruelclaw" href="#" target="_blank">The Infamous Cruelclaw</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and (sigh) <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Indominus Rex, Alpha" href="#" target="_blank">Indominus Rex, Alpha</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>.</p>
<p>Others will be more than happy with the high mana value. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma" href="#" target="_blank">Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kona, Rescue Beastie" href="#" target="_blank">Kona, Rescue Beastie</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Imoti, Celebrant of Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or good old <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mayael the Anima" href="#" target="_blank">Mayael the Anima</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, you're all invited.</p>
<p>And of course, Big Mana Eldrazi Mamas will gladly play this monster. Yes, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ulalek, Fused Atrocity" href="#" target="_blank">Ulalek, Fused Atrocity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kozilek, the Great Distortion" href="#" target="_blank">Kozilek, the Great Distortion</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, I'm talking about you both.</p>
<p>Aside from pure synergy, this is simply a big dumb monster people will be happy to slam on the table, to the dismay of their opponents.</p>
<p>A primal, visceral satisfaction akin to what we felt back in 1995 when we played a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Shivan Dragon" href="#" target="_blank">Shivan Dragon</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> or a <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Mahamoti Djinn" href="#" target="_blank">Mahamoti Djinn</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Both now Uncommon, may I add. Times change.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Rares</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Banner of Kinship" href="#" target="_blank">Banner of Kinship</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Banner of Kinship"></div></div>
<p>First of all, allow me to gloss over the art. Both the extended art and the borderless version look absolutely stunning.</p>
<p>With that being said, this is basically a "fixed" version of the original <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coat of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Coat of Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. This will only take into account your creatures, but it's more versatile than its big brother on three accounts.</p>
<p>First, it's resilient to board wipes. As it gets counters based on the number of creatures you control as it enters, it will remain a big buff as the game progresses no matter the size of your board.</p>
<p>As this will likely be favoured by kindred strategies, I could easily see this giving at least +5/+5 to your monsters on a regular basis, if not much more. Even a puny 1/1 could thereafter become a force to reckon with.</p>
<p>Second, it's modular. Granted, it's more of a niche strategy, but you could easily proliferate the counters to infinity and beyond (well, maybe not quite, but you get the idea) to amplify the original buff.</p>
<p>Chances are that you'll be in a position to win the game when you play it, but still, it's an option if plans go awry.</p>
<p>Third, and this is much more niche, it only affects your stuff. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Coat of Arms" href="#" target="_blank">Coat of Arms</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> encompasses all of the board. While it's actually rare, on occasion there will be a couple of Elves or Eldrazi decks on the table. The Banner circumvents that caveat nicely.</p>
<p>All in all, this is basically a no-brainer for any typal strategy, especially if you're planning on going wide. Vampires, Zombies, Dinosaurs, Humans, Goblins, Cats, Merfolk... Take your pick.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leyline Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Leyline Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Leyline Axe"></div></div>
<p>Another very straightforward spell, with an absolutely gorgeous borderless treatment.</p>
<p>While the mana cost is steep, the effect is nothing to scoff at. +1/+1, double strike, trample. Aside from the cute buff in power, this Equipment blends two keywords relying heavily onto one other.</p>
<p>It's all well and good to have a 5,000/5,000 with double-strike, it won't do you much good if it can be chumped by a puny 0/1 Plant. Trample tips the scale, turning any decently sized commander into a lethal threat.</p>
<p>Oh, and there's the nice occasional free drop on turn 0, but that's anecdotal.</p>
<p>Aside from the clunky <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Eater of Virtue" href="#" target="_blank">Eater of Virtue</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, there's only a single other equipment with both keywords: <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Embercleave" href="#" target="_blank">Embercleave</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, currently played in 62,240 decks.</p>
<p>Granted, it has flash and can be dropped almost for free, but the foundations are the same. I have a hard time believing <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Leyline Axe" href="#" target="_blank">Leyline Axe</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> will not follow on its footsteps, all the more since it's colorless.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Scrawling Crawler" href="#" target="_blank">Scrawling Crawler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Scrawling Crawler"></div></div>
<p>There's not too much to say about this. It's a mix between <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Kumena&#039;s Awakening" href="#" target="_blank">Kumena&#039;s Awakening</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Underworld Dreams" href="#" target="_blank">Underworld Dreams</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Or some kind of twist on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nekusar, the Mindrazer" href="#" target="_blank">Nekusar, the Mindrazer</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. Which is exactly where this card belongs.</p>
<p>There's also something that could be said about this Scrawcrawcrawler (or something like that) to quell your opponents' endeavours to draw their entire library.</p>
<p>I know I would cry if I saw this while playing my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Toothy, Imaginary Friend" href="#" target="_blank">Peerless Toothy</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck.</p>
<p>Cute, and likely to see play, especially in wheels decks.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crawling Barrens" href="#" target="_blank">Crawling Barrens</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crawling Barrens"></div></div>
<p>There is something in this set about writhing on the ground, rasping on your knees, slithering like a snake.</p>
<p>Anyway, this lands bears its name quite well, crawly as it is. Four mana to turn it into a creature, a puny one at that, is not impressive.</p>
<p>Granted, this is not limited to a single activation, but still, the cost is quite steep for an Elemental that doesn't even have any kind of evasion.</p>
<p>Hard pass.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Soulstone Sanctuary" href="#" target="_blank">Soulstone Sanctuary</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Soulstone Sanctuary"></div></div>
<p>I'll follow along the same lines. Yes, you can turn it into all types of creatures. Yes, it's a 3/3 with vigilance. And yes, it's board wipe-resistant. But it's frankly underwhelming for that <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-4" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> cost.</p>
<p>Is this playable in limited ? Maybe, probably. Would I play this, even in a lands-matter deck? Hell no.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Uncommons &amp; Commons</h2>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Fishing Pole" href="#" target="_blank">Fishing Pole</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Fishing Pole"></div></div>
<p>I absolutely love the flavour of this one. Throw the line, wait for the fish to catch, make a fish. Straightforward as they make it.</p>
<p>Of course, this is a card tailored for stories. Find a way to expand the counters onto this Equipment, make a ton of fishies. "How I died last game? Trampled by a school of 1,000 salmons".</p>
<p>Is it clunky? Of course. Will it work? Unlikely. Is it fun to try? You bet it is.</p>
<p>I'm almost tempted to try finding a spot in my <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Saint Traft and Rem Karolus" href="#" target="_blank">Saint Traft and Rem Karolus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> deck, if only for the silliness.</p>
<hr />
<h3><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Ravenous Amulet" href="#" target="_blank">Ravenous Amulet</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Ravenous Amulet"></div></div>
<p>A nice sacrifice outlet, that will net you some card draw. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Phyrexian Vault" href="#" target="_blank">Phyrexian Vault</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> required to pay <span class="mana-container-container"><span class="mana-container"><i class="ms ms-cost ms-2" style="margin-left: inherit !important;"></i></span></span> to draw a single card, with no added benefits.</p>
<p>This, on the other hand, could eventually turn into a wincon, if you find a way to proliferate those soul counters. That second ability almost seems deceptively better than the first one, in a way... Mhhhh...........</p>
<hr />
<h2>A Solid Base</h2>
<p>This was a short one, fellows. Not that many brand new spells to comment on. I suppose I shouldn't complain, as the overall quality is excellent: capturing the essence of what the MtG identity is, while providing fun outlets for both new and enfranchised players.</p>
<p>I'm also quite pleased at the various colorless reprints. Granted, we've seen them pop in the past few commander precons, but it's always nice to drive the point home even further.</p>
<p>How about you? Are you excited about this set? Any spell that scratch your itch? I look forward to hearing from you and discuss below!</p>


Articles

The Over/Under - Predicting the Popularity of Foundations Commanders

Foundations Set Review - Enemies & Wedges

Foundations Set Review - Artifacts & Lands

Foundations Set Review - Green

Foundations Set Review - Black

Magic Foundations Set Review - Blue

Back to Basics - The Top 10 Most Played Commander Cards from ISD

Start Me Up! Duskmourn Commanders - Part 3

Top 10 Energy Payoffs

2024’s EDHighlights - Delney, Streetwise Lookout