Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Innistrad Spoiler - Tools of the Trade

With only a few days until the pre-release of Innistrad, I am going to finish the spoilers with a two part bang.  First, I'll discuss the artifacts that will be perfect for a multitude of old and new builds.  We're checking out the tools of the trade.

Cellar Door
Anti-Tuck Tech

Cellar Door is the first tool I wanted to mention, as it has a semi-unique effect.  Now I may be wrong, but there are not many cards that interact with the bottom card of the library.  Sure, some cards will put things there, but nothing actually does something with it.

The real implication of this card -COUNTERING TUCK.  Getting your general tucked is just about the most obnoxious thing for any deck without the capacity for creature tutor, and Cellar Door will kindly move your commander back into the Command Zone. 

The Zombie token is just gravy.

Graveyard Shovel

Graveyard Shovel is a great card in the set, and it fits into decks that are usually not to reactive with the Graveyard, epecially Mono Blue or Red.  Whil.e not as targetted as a Withered Wretch or Scavenging Ooze, the Shovel will help limit collateral damage when compared to Relic of Progenitus.  The best part - it can be used on yourself to gain 2 life in pinch. 


Traveler\'s Amulet

Another blessing to the color pie, Traveler's Amulet will help with mana fixing in any deck without ramp -or basically a non-Green deck.  There are other Artifacts that are similar, but I feel the low cost will make this one of the best. 

Runechanter\'s Pike

I love any equipment that has the potential to turn Ruhan from a 3 to a 2 turn clock, and Runechanter's Pike certainly qualifies.  It is cheap enough to be easily played and equipped while still burning through the cheap Instants and Sorceries to power it up. 

Trepanation Blade

The Trepanation Blade is similar to the Pike because it will hasten Ruhan's victory.  This also doubles as a nice mill card, and the best part - it's uncommon!  This thing will be devastating in draft. 

Witchbane Orb

I mention the Witchbane Orb because it is another card that offers a new colorless ability that is traditionally only available to White mages.  It mimics card like the Leyline of Sanctity or True Believer, with the new evergreen Hexproof.  I can see it being a staple in a lot of non-White control builds, and I think it will go into my Omnath Explosive Control deck.

The other ability about Curses seems pointless - none of the Curses were that good.  I wonder if old Enchant Player type spells will be oracled as Curses to give this card more reach.