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Is BFZ Hot or Not?

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As Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa perfectly summed it up in his article for Channel Fireball, "Right now, the internet seems to be split between two groups—those who think Battle for Zendikar is bad, and those who think it’s too early to say." With the full spoiler available, most players that I've spoken too seem underwhelmed.

Paulo makes some very good points about the elements of the set that don't make much sense from a constructed standpoint, but it's important to remember that most cards don't see constructed play. It would be a shame if all of the mechanics from Battle for Zendikar were only fully explored in limited, but even if that were the case the set could still have significant impact on constructed.

Tango

The lands alone from BFZ are going to dramatically change Standard, and there's also a short list of objectively powerful cards like Gideon, Ally of Zendikar that will be obvious constructed staples. Magic as a game will also never cease surprising you. You'll recall that initial calls of Hangarback Walker being unmentioned or bulk. I can't promise that ingest will end up being relevant in Standard, but it's just silly to assume that it won't.

I also think that it's important to consider limited formats when evaluated sets, and we don't have nearly enough information to know if people enjoy BFZ limited. I personally loved Kamigawa block draft, and make a point of saying as much when people feel the need to scoff at the block. There was a lot of awesome synergies and strategic depth that matter, though I won't deny the sets unpopularity.

What's your stance on the new set to be?

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Ryan Overturf

Ryan has been playing Magic since Legions and playing competitively since Lorwyn. While he fancies himself a Legacy specialist, you'll always find him with strong opinions on every constructed format.

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5 thoughts on “Is BFZ Hot or Not?

  1. The set is mostly trash when compared to khans-origins. The only thing I’m excited about is the mana base. It’s incredibly good. That point alone changes everything. 4c decks are going to be efficient killing machines. Want to run abzan charm and crackling doom? No problem. Mantis rider with ob nixilis? Sure, why not? Anything will be possible. It’s going to be an exciting standard season for sure.
    I’ve ran one draft on xmage, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. It’s very slow and good removal is scarce, but it was enjoyable.

  2. I think they made a bad set,knew they were making a bad set, and added expeditions to sell packs. The power creep was getting out of hand and they needed to do a reset, that is why the power level of this set is so much lower.

  3. I know very little about competitive constructed formats, but I do know that the EDH community are giddy for this set. It’s stacked with a lot of powerful, high-CMC cards that work just fine in Commander.

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