[BNG] Spoiler: Nessian Wilds Ravager and Forgestoker Dragon

The official English versions of the Spanish ones we've seen going around the internet has now been unveiled by the Oracle of Theros. The first one, Nessian Wilds Ravager, introduces us with the 'tribute' ability. While it seems pretty strong, it probably won't see some serious play soon. If it does become a 12/12, it does not have trample, which means it needs some aura or equipment of some sort to at least be a threat to opponent. If it does not have any form of evasion, it can simply be blocked by 1/1 tokens. Moreover, it the opponent does not have any creatures at all, he/she can still opt to not pay the tribute cost and keep the hydra a 6/6 for six.

Nessian Wilds Ravager (image from Oracle of Theros)

Moving on, Forgestoker Dragon is a pretty good card. If its ability could have been activated even if it is not attacking, then it would be a useful card in the late aggro game. Perhaps in the aggro versus aggro situation. While it is only a 5/4 flyer for six, its ability to kill off some tokens and prevent some creature bigger than it to block during that combat phase could help a lot. Let's see how it works out for this dragon.

Forgestoker Dragon (Image from Oracle of Theros)

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[BNG] Ashiok's Adept, Archetype of Imagination, and Ephara, God of the Polis

Aside from the three scry lands and other cards that have been spoiled today by the mothership, there are also Ashiok's Adept, Archetype of Imagination, and the first god to officially be spoiled: Ephara, God of the Polis. The first one, Ashiok's Adept, only costs 2B, though this comes with a weak 1/3 PT. However, its heroic ability is pretty nifty as it can make each opponent discard a card every time it becomes the target of a spell. Until more card are revealed that could support Ashiok's Adept, we still wouldn't know if it would actually see play beyond casual.

Ashiok's Adept (image from WOTC)

The next card, Archetype of Imagination, is part of a cycle of five cards, one for each color. They basically give your creatures an ability or upgrade of some sort, while providing a disadvantage for the creatures of your opponents. It is always nice to see that cards like this and Ashiok's Adept target all opponents. I don't see Archetype of Imagination as appearing in serious play simply because of its 3/2 PT for a card that costs six mana. There are just too many good blue cards right now to use something like that.

Archetype of Imagination (image from WOTC)

Finally, Ephara, God of the Polis, is officially the first God card to be revealed in Born of the Gods. Aside from the beautiful artwork, it has a pretty great PT for a 2WU cost. Moreover, while a devotion cost of seven might seem to high, which is actually five because Ephara already has WU in her mana cost, there are a number of creatures out there that can easily make her a creature. For example, Thistledown Liege already provides 3 devotion, aside from making Ephara into an 8/7 indestructible god. Let's see whether she sees some serious play or not and simply be discarded for Thassa, God of the Sea.

Ephara, God of the Polis (image from WOTC)

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[BNG] Nyxborn Shieldmate, Everflame Eidolon, and Skyreaping

The mothership has recently begun spoiling Born of the Gods card. Here, we have Nyxborn Shieldmate, Everrflame Eidolon, and Skyreaping. The first one, Nyxborn Shieldmate, seems like a really good common card. It has a 1/2 power and toughness, making it a great first-turn drop. Moreover, its bestow cost of 2W for providing another creature +1/+2 while turning into a 1/2 creature itself after is already a pretty sweet deal. It would be a good pick in Limited. Looks like White Weenie has new tricks up its sleeve.

Nyxborn Shieldmate (image from WOTC)

Moving on, I am not much impressed with Everflame Eidolon. It's an uncommon, unlike Nyxborn Shieldmate, and yet it is only a 1/1 for 1R. Moreover, while it can pump its power, it will still have a toughness of 1. Perhaps its best to use it as an enchant creature first. I am not that impressed with this card, especially with regards to its rarity.

Everflame Eidolon (image from WOTC)

Finally, I really like Skyreaping. If if were an instant, then I'd be sold. However, as it is, I am already set on getting four or more copies of this. This would be a good sideboard for my elf deck against pesky faerie decks. It seems to easy to kill of the faeries even if I only have a few elves in play once I cast Skyreaping. Moreover, its 1G cost is really awesome, in fact I would not mind if it was 2G just because of the promise it hold for my elf deck.

Skyreaping (image from WOTC)

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[BNG] Pharagax Giant, Pain Seer, and Oreskos Sun Guide

The official day of spoilers has started, and the mothership has introduced quite a load of card already. The first card, Pharagax Giant, introduces the "tribute" mechanic which allows an opponent to prevent one's creature from coming into the battlefield with a specific number of +1/+1 counters by having the creature deal some sort of damage or do an ability as it comes into the battlefield. For Pharagax Giant, I wouldn't mind making it a 5/5 instead of taking five damage myself since it does not have trample, haste, or first strike. I could simply block it with any creature I have.

Pharagax Giant (image from WOTC)

Moving on, Pain Seer is very reminiscent of Bob, also known as Dark Confidant. Bob has been a staple in Modern, and I've personally seen his price soar every since his debut in Ravnica: City of Guilds. Pain Seer has a greater toughness, bein a 2/2 for the same mana cost of 1B, however, the card drawing abilities do not happen as easily as in Bob's. Pain Seer either has to attack or should be targeted with a spell to tap it, in order for inspired to happen as it untaps and does the card-drawing-lose-life ability. We'll have to see how the players think of ways to perhaps abuse this one.

Pain Seer (image from WOTC)

Finally, Oreskos Sun Guide seems to be a welcome addition for white weenie decks that could be a mayhem in terms of providing massive life points. I think that we all remember the nightmare of Knight of Meadowgrain back in Kithkin days of Lorwyn. Aside from the spectacular artwork, Oreskos Sun Guide can easily be put in a multi-color deck because of its 1W mana cost. Perhaps it'd be great to use in an Orzhov or Selesnya deck. Just pump it with a spell or an aura spell, and go for the offensive while gaining life points later.

Oreskos Sun Guide (image from WOTC)

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[BNG] Temple of Malice, Temple of Enlightenment, Temple of Plenty, and Springleaf Drum

The mothership has officially confirmed that Springleaf Drum will make a comeback in Born of the Gods. This little common artifact helps not only produce mana, but mana of any color for multicolor decks. In addition, this would be a great pick in Limited, regardless of the colors one chooses to play it with. Moreover, the originally Lorwyn common will have a new, moody artwork, compared to the colorful and lively Lorwyn version.

Springleaf Drum (image from WOTC)

In addition, it's pretty sure now that there would only be three rare scry lands in Born of the Gods. Temple of Malice would provide a scry land for Black/Red. I'm pretty excited to see how two-color devotions will work out in Standard. Mono-blue and mono-black devotion has dominated the current Standard. Moving on, Temple of Enlightenment will give Azorius fans a scry land. Will the great W/U return to make a beating out of other decks? Finally, Temple of Plenty is for the Selesnya G/W fans. G/W has been one of those hard-to-beat aggro decks ever since I could remember in Ravnica: City of Guilds. They can have early-turn creatures that have tough defenses and great abilities, all the while having spells that could reinforce them and prepare for the offensive. Also, back in the days, Loxodon Hierarch and Glare of Subdual meant that it could also control the game by controlling the field.

Temple of Malice (image from WOTC)

Temple of Enlightenment  (image from WOTC)

Temple of Plenty (image from WOTC)

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