This has to have been the most enjoyable of pre-releases I have attended in quite few years. While the set does indeed have it's bombs, as do all sets, Zendikar provided some really balanced and fun games. There were only 5 rounds as our number of players was smaller than expected. I ended up 3-2. It could have been 4-1 if it was not for having to mulligan to 4 in one of the rounds.
The only color I never actually faced in anger was black. The only opponent I faced who was playing black, had two crummy-ish draws while the Landfall powered Eel flew to victory in rapid time.
Landfall us one fun mechanic and I can see it becoming a firm personal favorite.
My sealed pool war varied to say the least. Green had some decidedly average creatures, but none of the usual green fatties of the overly powered variety. White and black had nice removal and utility goodies. My big problem with black and white is that they did not have any real finishers. I did manage to get a Sorin Markov, but the BBB requires a heavy black commitment.
The only option available to me was to play a very aggro red and blue concoction, with an ally and flying subthemes. The major ideas behind the deck were to get the fliers operating as soon as possible and basically try and outrun the guys on the ground. When the deck fired as was intended it nigh on unstoppable.
I lost my first round on the back of a Celestial Mantle on the 3/3 white flyer with vigilance, while my opponent had an Eldrazi Monument in play. That was just plain mean! That and the fact that I forgot to sideboard in my artiface removal spell.
The other loss was against a mean and nasty green deck splashing black, white and blue. In the second game of the match I ended up having to mulligan to 4, and after putting up a brief bit of resistance I succumbed to 4/4 of various types.
All in all it was great day. After this limited exposure to Zendikar I can only imagine what fun it is going to be to draft this set!!!
Maybe one day when I win the lottery will I be able to replace my dial-up connection (yes dial-up with a 56k modem and everything) with some broadband and then delve into the world of MODO. One can always dream ...
I apologize for the lack of card links in this posting. I wanted to get it online as soon as possible.
| White | Green | Black |
| Journey to Nowhere (x2) | Quest for the Gemblades | Sorin Markov |
| Kor Skyfisher (x2) | Tanglesap | Ravenous Trap |
| Kor Aeronaut | Vines of the Vastwood | Mindless Null |
| Shieldmate's Blessing (x2) | Nissa's Chosen (x2) | Mire Blight (x2) |
| Quest for the Holy Relic | Baloth Cage Trap | Hideous End |
| Makindi Shieldmate | Vastwood Gorger | Vampire Lacerator (x2) |
| Pillarfield Ox | Cobra Trap | Malakir Bloodwitch |
| Brave the Elements | Oracle of Mul Daya | Crypt Ripper |
| Nimbus Wings | Savage Silhouette | Needlebite Trap |
| Cliff Threader | Joraga Bard (x2) | |
| Kor Hookmaster | Turntimber Basilisk | |
| Kazandu Blademaster | Scythe Tiger | |
| Steppe Lynx | Harrow | |
| Red | Blue | Artifact |
| Unstable Footing | Caller of Gales | Spidersilk Net |
| Elemental Appeal | Trapfinder's Trick | Hedron Scrabbler |
| Demolish | Tempest Owl | Expedition Map |
| Ruinous Minotaur (x2) | Ior Ruin Expedition | Carnage Altar |
| Goblin Bushwhacker | Spell Pierce | Explorer's Scope |
| Zektar Shrine Expedition | Paralyzing Grasp | Adventuring Gear |
| Kazuul Warlord | Windrider Eel | |
| Highland Berserker (x2) | Sea Gate Loremaster | Land |
| Plated Geopede | Archive Trap | Akoum Refuge |
| Murasa Pyromancer | Cancel | Piranha Marsh |
| Goblin Shortcutter | Merfolk Seastalkers | Soaring Seacliff (x2) |
| Goblin War Paint | Welkin Tern | Teetering Peaks |
| Quest for Pure Flame | Aether Figment | |
| Geyser Glider | Umara Raptor | |
| Shoal Serpent |
...and without further ado, here is the deck I ended up playing. Any comments are most welcome!
Zektar Shrine Expedition Paralyzing Grasp Adventuring Gear
Kazuul Warlord Windrider Eel Explorer's Scope
Highland Berserker (x2) Sea Gate Loremaster
Plated Geopede Archive Trap Teetering Peaks
Ruinous Minotaur Cancel Soaring Seacliff (x2)
Murasa Pyromancer Merfolk Seastalkers
Goblin Shortcutter Welkin Tern Mountain (x7)
Goblin War Paint Aether Figment Island (x6)
Quest for Pure Flame Umara Raptor
Geyser Glider Shoal Serpent
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