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The Block Era

This series is an homage to three-set blocks while remembering the Standard formats of days of yore — and uses this starting point to find cards from this bygone era that have endured in Commander. Last time, we focused on Return to Ravnica, Innistrad, and Magic 2014, and this week, we're traveling further back in time to see what cards we can discover. Let's get started!

Scars of Mirrodin, Zendikar, Magic 2011, Magic 2012

Around fifteen years ago, the Standard format in 2011 had a healthy dose of aggro, control, midrange, and even combo decks. It also contained an unhealthy dose of two format-warping cards — Jace, the Mind SculptorJace, the Mind Sculptor and Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic, which needed to be banned in the summer of 2011.

But beyond these two famously overpowered cards, what did the format look like?

Aggro

An aggressive mono-red deck was based around Goblin GuideGoblin Guide, Grim LavamancerGrim Lavamancer, Lightning BoltLightning Bolt, and Shrine of Burning RageShrine of Burning Rage, while an aggro Vampires deck was based around BloodghastBloodghast, Gatekeeper of MalakirGatekeeper of Malakir, Kalastria HighbornKalastria Highborn, and Vampire LaceratorVampire Lacerator.

Midrange

Even after the banning of its two best cards, the Caw-Blade deck still represented a huge share of the metagame, with Squadron HawkSquadron Hawk (the "Caw") and Sword of Feast and FamineSword of Feast and Famine (the "Blade") combining with cards like Mana LeakMana Leak, PreordainPreordain, and Gideon JuraGideon Jura.

But white and blue didn't have a monopoly on midrange. The combination of Valakut, the Molten PinnacleValakut, the Molten Pinnacle with ramp spells (most notably Primeval TitanPrimeval Titan) led to a ramp deck making up a good portion of the format.

Control

A control deck had some overlap with Caw-Blade, but traded in the aggressive Hawk for the defensive Wall of OmensWall of Omens – backed up by increased counterspells and planeswalkers for a slower game.

A control deck also contained the core of Mana LeakMana Leak and PreordainPreordain, using to access Inquisition of KozilekInquisition of Kozilek and Grave TitanGrave Titan and accruing tons of value through Consecrated SphinxConsecrated Sphinx and Wurmcoil EngineWurmcoil Engine.

Combo

A combo deck took advantage of the now-famous Deceiver ExarchDeceiver Exarch + Splinter TwinSplinter Twin combo but only existed in the format for a few months before the Twin rotated out of Standard.

But that's enough reminiscing about Standard, what did these blocks mean for Commander?

Impact on Commander

Staples

Some cards from this era are absolute format staples, like Swiftfoot BootsSwiftfoot Boots (2.62M decks) CultivateCultivate (1.87M), and Beast WithinBeast Within (1.47M).

On a slightly lower tier are ExploreExplore (423K), ExsanguinateExsanguinate (370K), and Go for the ThroatGo for the Throat (305K), alongside big creatures like Avenger of ZendikarAvenger of Zendikar (361K) and Rampaging BalothsRampaging Baloths (305K). I was also expecting to see TerastodonTerastodon at this level too, but it's a bit lower at 110K decks.

Landfall

Speaking of Avenger and the Baloths, Zendikar block is all about having lands enter, and cards with the landfall ability exist in all sorts of strategies – Mill decks use Hedron CrabHedron Crab, Aristocrats decks use BloodghastBloodghast, and Tokens decks use Emeria AngelEmeria Angel. Because is usually making lots of land drops regardless of strategy, cards like Lotus CobraLotus Cobra and Oracle of Mul DayaOracle of Mul Daya show up all over the place. And don't forget about Ob Nixilis, the FallenOb Nixilis, the Fallen for all sorts of -centric land-based decks.

Going Big, Going Wide

Decks that produce a ton of mana and huge threats still use many cards from this era today. There are giant spells like Comet StormComet Storm and Genesis WaveGenesis Wave, big artifact creatures like Wurmcoil EngineWurmcoil Engine, Myr BattlesphereMyr Battlesphere, Blightsteel ColossusBlightsteel Colossus and of course Eldrazi titans like Kozilek, Butcher of TruthKozilek, Butcher of Truth and Ulamog, the Infinite GyreUlamog, the Infinite Gyre.

But this Eldrazi-filled time wasn't just about making a single creature as large as possible – there are also many cards to supplement a more go-wide strategy. Hero of BladeholdHero of Bladehold provides and pumps up tokens, while Beastmaster AscensionBeastmaster Ascension, Triumph of the HordesTriumph of the Hordes, Eldrazi MonumentEldrazi Monument, Overwhelming StampedeOverwhelming Stampede, and True ConvictionTrue Conviction can turn even an unassuming army of 1/1s into lethal threats.

Artifacts and Equipment

As expected, a block focused on the plane of Mirrodin is going to have a lot of stuff that cares about Equipment — and artifacts in general.

Stoneforge MysticStoneforge Mystic is a powerful tutor and way to put big Equipment onto the battlefield ahead of schedule. Puresteel PaladinPuresteel Paladin solves expensive equip costs and is also a mainstay in Equipment strategies.

Equipment themselves from this era range from the quietly efficient Basilisk CollarBasilisk Collar, to classics like Trailblazer's BootsTrailblazer's Boots and Darksteel PlateDarksteel Plate, to the extremely powerful Sword of Feast and FamineSword of Feast and Famine.

For artifacts-matters decks in general, DispatchDispatch shows up in decks led by commanders like Inspirit, Flagship VesselInspirit, Flagship Vessel, Shorikai, Genesis EngineShorikai, Genesis Engine, or Cloud, Ex-SOLDIERCloud, Ex-SOLDIER. Shimmer MyrShimmer Myr and Unwinding ClockUnwinding Clock allow for more interaction on other players' turns, while Steel OverseerSteel Overseer synergizes with artifact decks that love to go wide and/or proliferate.

Proliferate

Speaking of proliferate, this ability was first seen in Scars of Mirrodin. Cards like Contagion ClaspContagion Clasp, ThrummingbirdThrummingbird, Tezzeret's GambitTezzeret's Gambit, and Inexorable TideInexorable Tide still see a lot of play today, while Everflowing ChaliceEverflowing Chalice can grow out of control when more counters are placed on it.

cEDH and Combo Enablers

The Scars and Zendikar blocks contained a ton of cheap interaction — perfect for higher Commander Brackets. Instants like Mental MisstepMental Misstep, Mindbreak TrapMindbreak Trap, Spell PierceSpell Pierce, and DispelDispel are great for big battles over spells on the stack.

DismemberDismember and Nature's ClaimNature's Claim are extremely mana-efficient ways to stop cards already on the battlefield. Gitaxian ProbeGitaxian Probe and Noxious RevivalNoxious Revival are subtly powerful free spells — Probe for Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier; Revival for Flubs, the FoolFlubs, the Fool, Etali, Primal ConquerorEtali, Primal Conqueror or Glarb, Calamity's AugurGlarb, Calamity's Augur, both for Storm, Force of NatureStorm, Force of Nature.

If you want to cheat on mana, Mox OpalMox Opal and Expedition MapExpedition Map searching for Gaea's CradleGaea's Cradle do the trick, while Training GroundsTraining Grounds pairs well with often-seen cEDH commander Thrasios, Triton HeroThrasios, Triton Hero.

Praetor's GraspPraetor's Grasp and Phyrexian MetamorphPhyrexian Metamorph can grant access to your opponents' technology, and we can't forget Game Changer Consecrated SphinxConsecrated Sphinx, which can draw an absurd number of cards.

Finally, Grand AbolisherGrand Abolisher locks out opponents while you assemble a devastating combo on your turn.

Speaking of, there are a surprising number of two-card combos using only cards from these two blocks.

The most famous one from this era is probably Deceiver ExarchDeceiver Exarch and Splinter TwinSplinter Twin — and versions of this combo exist in Commander as well, but might use other creatures like Kiki-Jiki, Mirror BreakerKiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker and Village Bell-RingerVillage Bell-Ringer to the same effect.

A fully powered-up Bloodchief AscensionBloodchief Ascension goes infinite with MindcrankMindcrank (and just got a new commander friend in The Master of Lake-townThe Master of Lake-town).

For infinite attack steps, try Hellkite ChargerHellkite Charger enchanted with Bear UmbraBear Umbra.

There are also cards from this era that don't necessarily go infinite, but are just begging to be put to use doing unfair things. Birthing PodBirthing Pod can search up all kinds of creature-based combos if left unanswered, Amulet of VigorAmulet of Vigor breaks the rules for a commander like Lumra, Bellow of the WoodsLumra, Bellow of the Woods, and Leyline of AnticipationLeyline of Anticipation breaks the rules for a commander like Fire Lord AzulaFire Lord Azula or Alela, Cunning ConquerorAlela, Cunning Conqueror.

Hurting Others, Helping Yourself

In a multiplayer format like Commander, cards that harm all opponents are at a premium. Scars of Mirrodin block had lots of cards that fit this description, including Painful QuandaryPainful Quandary, Psychosis CrawlerPsychosis Crawler, and the five Praetors that grant their controller a powerful effect and frustrate opponents by giving them a similar, but opposite effect.

Suture PriestSuture Priest is a tiny "Praetor", with a symmetrical life gain/life loss effect. The Priest goes well in Lifegain-focused decks alongside cards like Soul's AttendantSoul's Attendant, Pristine TalismanPristine Talisman, and SangromancerSangromancer. Meanwhile, Serra AscendantSerra Ascendant and Felidar SovereignFelidar Sovereign are pretty unfair in a format where players start at 40 life.

Nuts and Bolts — Ramp, Protection, Card Advantage

Arbor ElfArbor Elf joined the ranks of Llanowar ElvesLlanowar Elves and friends, Palladium MyrPalladium Myr is a Worn PowerstoneWorn Powerstone with a creature attached, and Awakening ZoneAwakening Zone and Pawn of UlamogPawn of Ulamog are great for Aristocrats decks that also want big bursts of mana. Caged SunCaged Sun shines in monocolor decks, especially those trying to do big things without access to , like Avacyn, Angel of HopeAvacyn, Angel of Hope, Braids, Conjurer AdeptBraids, Conjurer Adept, Valgavoth, Terror EaterValgavoth, Terror Eater, or Ashling the PilgrimAshling the Pilgrim.

SpellskiteSpellskite and AsceticismAsceticism work well in commander-centric decks that need to protect their leader. But what about protecting yourself? Norn's AnnexNorn's Annex and Kazuul, Tyrant of the CliffsKazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs are variants of the Commander staple Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison, while Day of JudgmentDay of Judgment, Black Sun's ZenithBlack Sun's Zenith, and Chain ReactionChain Reaction are great mass removal effects from this era. Butcher of MalakirButcher of Malakir and Massacre WurmMassacre Wurm have a similar effect, decimating opposing boards.

For card draw, PreordainPreordain joined the ranks of one-mana selection like BrainstormBrainstorm and PonderPonder, while Kor SpiritdancerKor Spiritdancer gives Aura-focused decks a source of continual advantage and Snake UmbraSnake Umbra represents a huge burst of cards for a commander like Tannuk, Memorial EnsignTannuk, Memorial Ensign or Blanka, Ferocious FriendBlanka, Ferocious Friend/The Howling AbominationThe Howling Abomination.

Green Sun's ZenithGreen Sun's Zenith and Fauna ShamanFauna Shaman are flexible creature tutors, while Rune-Scarred DemonRune-Scarred Demon is simply a Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor tacked onto a big flier — not something you see every day!

Viscera SeerViscera Seer and Reassembling SkeletonReassembling Skeleton are sources of incremental card selection and recursion for Aristocrats decks — especially when paired together — and Sun TitanSun Titan can recur anything from lands to small planeswalkers.

Conclusion

There is a whole cachecache of cards from this time that are still around in Commander! The sheer number of popular cards is overwhelming to the point that I nearly forgot about the enemy-colored fetch lands (first printed in Zendikar).

What cards and decks do you remember most from this era? Also, please chime in about your favorite niche cards — including commanders — from around this time that didn't make the list. Thanks for reading, and see you next time as we divedive deeper into Magic history.