I would like to start with a brief introduction. I've been playing MTG since the original Mirrodin set, back in 2003. Started my journey in Standard, moving on to Extended (RIP), Modern and Pauper, and eventually starting singleton formats in EDH, Oathbreaker and Leviathan.
My preferred playstyle is Control, but I also play Tempo, and all my decks are currently in the Grixis (UBR) pool. I'm currently running a Flamewar list, and I also have played lists with Sai, Octavia, Ghyrson, Galazeth, Eris and Marchesa.
All of this to say that the following list of cards is BIASED! These are my expectations and the cards I'm excited to play and see people play with. I'd also love to be surprised to see other interesting cards from the set make their way into different decks. And we did a little cheating, Jump Start from Foundations is included on this list..
10 - Twinflame Tyrant
Deck Expectation: Ragavan, Kari Zev, Kellan
Very similar to Sawhorn Nemesis, for one more red mana, you get +1+1 and fly. The main downside that may be relevant, Tyrant only doubles your sources, Nemesis doubles any damage, regardless of the origin, impacting City of Brass and other pain lands for example. The 5 mana curve can also be an impediment in some decks, if you play it, it will be to guarantee the redundancy of this effect.
9 - Ivora, Insatiable Heir
Deck Expectation: Inti, Asmora, Rielle
A low-cost threat that grows easily in the right decks, unfortunately the condition is very specific, but in decks that already abuse this mechanic, Ivora will feel right at home. It has a trample, ensuring that it connects, dealing damage and making more Blood Tokens, if your deck can abuse them as a resource as well, even better. An excellent card in the right places.
8 - Drake Hatcher
Deck Expectations: Balmor, Adeliz
This may be due to my bias, but I have a weakness for 2 mana creatures with prowess and an upside. Vigilance was a welcomed bonus. The ability to populate the board with 2/2 drakes is a little limited due to the fact that it only gains counters when dealing damage to the player, but with 2 prowess triggers it is enough, now all that's left to do is connect.
7 - Skyknight Squire
Deck Expectations: Arahbo, Saskia
It's a cat, it plays in Arahbo. It grows when creatures enter, any creature, including Tokens. It's a simple condition to fulfill and with 3 counters he gains an evasion, in the form of flying. It's a good enough threat on its own in Aggro, Go Wild, Tokens strategies. In Arahbo decks, we get a cat that evades, the difficult part will be finding the slot.
6 - Kellan, Planar Trailblazer
Deck Expectaions: Asmora, Kellan, Ragavan
We have Ragavan at Home. A new 1 mana legendary. It might do you good if you don't already have Ragavan, but it won't replace it. Still, it seems like a good addition to aggressive red decks. The ability of the card itself to evolve into a 3/2 double strike makes it a good card in the beginning and mid-end game. The ability to exile the top can generate a reasonable card advantage, allowing you to play lands from exile as well, the only problem is that you need to play the cards this turn
5 - Scythecat Cub
Deck Expectations: Arahbo, Bristly Bill
It's a cat, you know the drill. It's an above average cat for sure, so it's likely that it will see game beyond the Kindred Deck. Mechanically speaking, 2 mana, 2/2, with Trample. Grow ANY creature on the table in the first land or double the number counters on the second land. The fact that it is not restricted to cats or himself makes the range of this card much greater. If you play a mana dork on turn 1, you can do Cub on 2 followed by fetch land, resulting in the 4/4 trample. If on turn 3 you follow up with another fetch land, the little kitty is now an 8/8 Trample that already attack, for 11 if you are on the aforementioned Arahbo. In the late game, he is still a source of +1/+1, but for him to really shine in any deck you need fetch lands, to trigger the second part of the ability consistently.
4 - Loot, Exuberant Explorer
Deck Expectation: Loot, Azusa, Titania
Since the banning of Field of the Dead and Glacial Chasm, Land strategies have lost their presence in our scene. Duskmourn brought us two good engines in Wal-in Close and Hedg Shredder, but without strong payoffs. We are seeing some Necrobloom players trying to score and the Thalia and The Gitrog Monsters lists are more like Abzan Hate Bears kinda thing than Lands proper. Loot plays the role of a mini Azusa while having a possible payoff for ramping built in, the 1/4 body is also an upgrade, as it now escapes 90% of red removals. So, I hope that it will occupy the mono green ramp/lands space that was left by Azusa, Golos and similar.
3 - Sphinx of Forgotten Lore
Deck Expectations: Ertai, Grazzilax, Leovold
Repeatable Snapcaster. An ok cost, with an ok effect, in an ok body. The main difference here is Flash, without it this card would be just anything else. In tempo decks, the ability to wait for the opponent's move to choose the best way to respond is essential, creatures with Flash are particularly good at this. The repeatable flashback in cantrips and removals will guarantee card advantage and the necessary pressure to close games.
2 - Tinybones, Blaube Burglar
Deck Expectations: Kroxa, Tinybones, Trinket Thief, Tinybones, Blaube Burglar
As a commander of its own deck, I can see Tinybones doing some damage. The fact is that, mechanically, it works better than its first version, since this time it can "draw" more than one card per turn. Indirectly it works like hate grave, and this time it's 1/3, it will die to less red removals (fire/ice, bunecrusher Giant, unholy heat without delirium). As one of the 99, it can fit well into established decks with a strong emphasis on discard. Unfortunately, only being able to use stolen cards during your turn is a little more limiting.
1 - Urdnan, Dromoka Warrior
Deck Expectations: Yoshimarus/x
On any Good Boy list, this should be a must. Without any effort, on turn 2 the dog will be hitting like a 3/3 double strike, without considering any other legendary permanent (land) you may have played. I would venture to say that Urdnan is a better drop on turn 2 than the partner Keleth, but still, if he comes after your pony is on the field, the horse can also receive a double strike, just attack once since Urdnan will guarantee the second counter when entering. In other lists of +1/+1 counters, he fits in with the same ease, but together with Yoshimaru, this old man shines. What's are your top cards from Foundations expansion?
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