With the release of Core Set 2021 we are ever closer to that special time of year. Rotation is fast approaching, and that means that soon a whole bunch of very powerful and popular cards will soon be leaving Standard. Last week we had a look at some of the cards I thought would make the impact by leaving the format, and I said I would be happy to do a part two if anyone had any cards they wanted to talk about. Well, we are here with a part two, so I guess that means some of you had some cards you wanted to acknowledge. So, let’s have a look at some more cards that are soon to rotate out of Standard.
Nissa, Who Shakes the World
Who shakes the world? Well soon it won’t be Nissa, and I for on am glad. One of the most played Planeswalkers from the last two Standard seasons, Nissa, Who Shakes the World saw a ton of play in a multitude of decks. From Mono Green, to Ramp strategies and Bant Value decks, this five-mana walker was everywhere, and for good reason.
With a static ability to double up all mana from your Forests, and a +1 that put three +1/+1 counters on a land and untapped it, you basically had all the mana you could ask for. Add on to that an ultimate that made all your lands (including those you have been making into creatures) indestructible, AND get ever Forest out of your library and you have the recipes for one of the best mono green walkers we have ever seen.
Hydroid Krasis
But what to do with all that mana? How about dumping it all into a Flying, Trampling hydra that also nets you half of the cost payed in X with card and life advantage. And even if it is countered, you still get the cards and life! With all this going for it, it wasn’t surprising that Hydroid Krasis was such a monster of a card.
Hydroid Krasis was played in a whole host of decks, such as the above mentioned Bant Value and Ramp, as well as my personal favourite Gate Control. Whether or not you will miss this particular card depends purely on whether you ever got it to work for you or not. Me personally. I’ll miss the little blighter. I mean, how long will it be before we again get to say, “I cast my Jellyfish Hydra Beast”. Too long is my beat.
Growth Spiral
Another card that fits beautifully into that Bant Ramp deck we keep referencing (man, that deck was so good) Growth Spiral was a card that did it all. Instant speed to draw a card and put an untapped land into play, what more could you ask for?
I mean sure, some would say it was a Simic reprint of Explore. But Explore was a sorcery speed, and you had to play the land first before you could draw a card. Been able to play Growth Spiral at the end of your opponent’s turn however allowed players to hold up removal or counter magic, and the ability to draw first give you a chance to draw into the land you were looking for. Super-efficient card design, and some of the best art from the set. All in all, A+.
Dovin’s Veto
Ok. Time to pee off half the player base. What is the worst bit bout playing Magic the Gathering. Counter Magic! And before all you blue mages grab for your pitchforks and torches, just take a moment to really mull over on what just said. I think if you are all really honest with yourselves, you would have to agree with me.
Don’t get me wrong. Using a single counter spell to stop your opponent resolving their biggest threat is fine. But when you get two control players passing priority, holding up an bunch of Islands and a hand full of counter spells playing the worlds slowest game of chicken, only to have to clock run out and have them only finish one game. So dull.
That why I for one will be sad to see Dovin’s Veto leave Standard. Yeah, it’s a counter spell. But it a counter spell that stopped silly counter spell wars getting out of control. “I cast Nissa, Who Shakes the World”, “Dovin’s Veto”. And that’s it. No stacks of Negates or Sinister Sabotage. One spell that puts an end to non-creature shenanigans. Goodbye old friend. You, I will miss.
And that will about do it for today. There are still so many more cards that I didn’t touch upon in today’s article. If I still missed some, please let me know in the comments below, and while you’re there you could like and subscribe to keep up to date with all we do here at Master of Magics.
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