Tarkir: Dragonstorm release is right around the corner adding plenty of new cards to Magic: The Gathering’s card pool. This set explores new mechanics while also calling back to old themes focusing on three-color pairings. Also, it wouldn’t be a Tarkir set if there weren’t dragons! This set looks like a lot of fun and a true Magic: The Gathering experience.
New Mechanics in Dragonstorm
Endure: White, Black, Green
The Abzan colors of Tarkir introduce the endure keyword. This ability gives the player some choice when a creature activates or triggers the ability. When a creature endures, the player may choose either to put that many +1/+1 counters on that creature or make a spirit with power and toughness equal to the endure number. For example, if Dusyut Earthcarver was put into play, the player may put three +1/+1 counters on it or make a 3/3 spirit token. The endure number can be different as seen above on Inspirited Vanguard.
Renew: Blue, Black, Green
The sultai colors introduces the renew keyword. The player can use their cards to get value from the graveyard. Renew is a lot like the scavenge ability from other sets in the past. While the card is in the graveyard, the player may pay the renew cost and exile the card to get an effect to swing the game in their favor.
Flurry: White, Blue, Red
The Jeskai tribe are on theme with the flurry mechanic which rewards the player for casting two spells each turn. Double spelling in a turn was already an ingredient for winning games, and this mechanic is the cherry on top. Simple as it gets, this mechanic provides value as the game progresses.
Mobilize: White, Black, Red
Mardu presents the mobilize mechanic which is the most aggressive mechanic in Dragonstorm. It promotes attacking with your creatures and pushing damage through blockers. This new keyword is a great way to find a way around opponents’ creatures and enhances the combat aspect of the game.
Harmonize: Blue, Red, Green
Lastly, Temur brings the harmonize mechanic. This keyword lets the player cast the card from their graveyard by paying the harmonize cost and exiling the card. This mechanic is eerily similar to the flashback keyword from latter sets putting a new spin on it by letting the player tap their creatures to reduce the cost.
Omens
Omens appear on some dragon cards in Dragonstorm. Just like the adventure mechanic in the past, these cards are a 2 in 1 allowing the player to choose which spell they want to cast at a certain point in the game. If the player were to cast the omen side of a spell, they shuffle that card back into their library. This allows the player to draw that card again when it could be more helpful. Having cards that are flexible are great for deck building because there are twice as many situations where they could be useful. The omen mechanic has cards in all five colors.
Behold
Behold cares about controlling dragons or revealing dragons from your hand in order to get a better effect. The omen effect has cards in all five colors and will be very important for draft/sealed because of the influx of dragons in this set.
Notable Cards in Dragonstorm
Ugin, Eye of the Storms
Ugin is back and better than ever with this new card. Two static abilities remove an opponent’s permanents with abilities to buffer is very strong. The +2 ability draws a card and gains some life, replacing Ugin with another card in your hand. His 0 ability gives three colorless mana to spend, which could be used to trigger his static ability once more. Finally, his -11 ability lets you play multiple colorless spells for free. Look out for this card because it is one of the most powerful cards in the set.
Mox Jasper
Free mana rocks are always going to raise a few eyebrows when they are released. Mox Jasper is no different as it taps for any color as long as you control a dragon. This card is an auto include in dragon commander decks and will fetch a high price on release day.
Sunset Strikemaster
This card may not look very notable compared to Mox Jasper or Ugin, but it is for a different reason. For as long as Magic: The Gathering has been around green has been the color with mana producing creatures. These “mana dorks” are now showing up in red and will be from this set on. I think this is a great addition to the game and it makes sense for red.
My Opinion on Tarkir: Dragonstorm
This set looks super fun and really interesting. I love three-color sets as it adds so much more depth to the limited formats. The card design is immersive, and the mechanics are a good mix of brand new, and different takes on older keywords. I can’t wait to get my hands on some of the cards to start slotting them into my personal decks. Overall, Dragonstorm looks to be a homerun and a great addition to Magic: The Gathering
Leave a Reply