Three’s Company: The “Other” M12 Mythic Rares

M12 Preview Week continues with our discussion of the “other” mythic rares in the newest Core Set….

We’ve known for quite awhile that M12 was slated to have 15 mythic rares. The first five (we assumed) were revealed when the M12 promo photos first appeared along with the promo video starring Gideon. The image of Gideon, Sorin, Garruk, Chandra, and Jace more or less confirmed that those five planeswalkers would be reprinted and that Liliana and Ajani were out. Rest assured they’ll be back, though – Ajani in a duel deck with Nicol Bolas, and Liliana (likely a new incarnation) in Innistrad.

It wasn’t long until the second series of five mythics was spoiled by the appearance of the titans in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012. This left only five mythic rare slots left and, as you likely know by now, the final one was spoiled today. Let’s take a look at them now…

My Condolences…

First of all, let me just say that I feel for those of you who were less than impressed with the arrival of the final mythic rare in blue this morning. When every other color got a new mythic, many assumed that the same would be true for blue even though the open slot suggested that, alphabetically, a card beginning in “time” was likely.

While Time Reversal is a ton of fun, it isn’t as fun as a new card, and experienced blue mages who already have had their way with this card were probably hoping for a new toy. As we’ve said a couple times before on this blog, it’s very likely that Innistrad will focus on graveyard manipulation so a possible reason for the lack of innovation on the part of Wizards R&D could be the utility of this card in the blossoming Standard environment.

I guess the last thing I’d like to say about this card is how much the flavor text offends me. “Pessimists see the world as it is”? Really? That’s not just a little biased? All that statement does is characterize the view of the speaker (and depress people who don’t realize this). Just turn that into a “fill in the blank” and you have a philosophical typing test: “Nihilists see the world….” “Heaven’s Gate cultists see the world…” etc.

Anyone else ever compelled to dislike a card on account of its flavor (text, art, design)? Let me know if you’re picking up what I’m putting down here.

Proof of Conspiracy…

Bloodlord of Vaasgoth is just one more piece of evidence in an increasingly well-known conspiracy between Stephanie Meyers and the WoTC higher-ups (see Top Dorks if you don’t get the inside joke).

Seriously though, the Bloodlord is a fantastic late-game bomb (or turn 3 if you’ve got the ramp) for black, especially in what looks to be an increasingly vampire-heavy Standard. Bloodlord of Vaasgoth is important to M12 for a couple of reasons, the first being that he’s the foil promo that you’ll receive for playing in an M12 Pre-Release this weekend. His alternate art is pretty awesome too, if I do say so myself.

The second reason that the Bloodlord is a great representative card for M12 is because he has, and gives to his fellow vamps, the returning mechanic “Bloodthirst”. This is a great mechanic for new players because it trains them to play creatures in the second main phase (after combat). Having bloodthirst 3 means that Bloodlord of Vaasgoth will likely be entering the battlefield as a 6/6 flier. If only it had lifelink…

He’ll also make topdecking a game-ender much easier on account of his ability to give your 2-drop vampires (or any of them to be exact) a +3/+3 buff.

Touched by an Angel

Angelic Destiny is the new mythic, planeswalkers aside, which I am most excited about. I’ve mentioned before on Facebook that I thought the art was fantastic, but I really like the flavor of the card as well. Despite the fact that the idea that humans (or dog, or those little Precious Moments figurines) turn into angels when they die is theologically unsound, in the Magic multiverse angels are much more… corporeal beings and the idea of my favorite Kithkin or Rhino transmogrifying into an angel is pretty cool.

Angelic Destiny is only the third enchantment to be made at the mythic rarity level, and it’s my favorite thus far. I’m not a big blue player, so Cast Through Time just really didn’t do it for me. I think this card is prime for a B/W deck bolstered by the heavy focus on sacrificing and graveyard manipulation that we’re likely to see in Innistrad.

Attach this card to any creature with a significant “sac this creature, x” ability and you’ve got a recipe for greatness. I think that Angelic Destiny will be the most sought after card in this series, with the possible exception of Primordial Hydra, which I am saving for last.

Hell Hath No Fury…

…Like a big, crazy dragon. But you’ll have to ask yourself: How big is too big? If you can resolve Furyborn Hellkite after wounding your opponent earlier that turn you’ll have a creature with power and toughness that some Eldrazi will envy.

I have all sorts of visions already of how to cheat this bad boy into play: Kaalia of the Vast, Zirilan of the Claw, Dragon Storm, and Sneak Attack all come to mind. The only problem is that he’s just one form of evasion short of being a game ender. You’re going to have to find a way to give Furyborn trample because I don’t think a Whispersilk Cloak will fit him. Of course, if all else fails, Fling is returning in M12…

On account of his high casting cost and lack of evasion, Furyborn Hellkite will likely not be seeing much play in Standard. In Legacy he might be a serious bomb, and he’s a great addition to your Dragon-centered Commander decks. Despite the fact that blue was the only color to get a reprinted mythic rare in this series, I think red got the short end of the mythic stick. However, I got my Goblin Grenade back, so I’m not saying a word.

The Bigger They Are…

…The bigger they get. At least that’s the case with Primordial Hydra, the newest, fattest fatty in green.

It seems as though Wizards R&D have been experimenting with hyrdras over the last couple years, but here they finally broke the mold. Feral Hydra was good, Khalni Hydra was better, and I thought Protean Hydra was as good as it could good, but once again Wizards has outdone themselves.

Primordial Hydra doubles in size every turn, and after the release of the “Counterpunch” Commander deck there are now plenty of awesome ways to use his counters (or just give him many, many more). Also, unlike many of the earlier hydras, this one has trample, making him a nearly unanswerable threat if you can manage to make him hexproof.

 

Well, that’s my 2 cents on the M12 non-planeswalker, non-titan, mythic rares. What do you think? Are you a die-hard fan of Time Reversal? Skeptical about Angelic Destiny? Let us know in the combox!