Wizards of the Coast held a special panel this morning at HasCon to spoil a number of new Ixalan cards and some highlights from the upcoming Iconic Masters. Our crack team of cardcaptors were on the scene. Check our twitter (@HotCblog) for up-to-the-minute coverage.
What were the five sweetest cards spoiled in the opening panel? Let me tell you.
Five—Horizon Canopy (Iconic Masters)
Who needs cycling lands when you can have your horizon and canopy it too? Maybe you splurged on some Zendikar Expedition copies of this, or you are rocking the Future Sight frames. But if not, Noah Bradley has some very literal art to round out your Modern deck.
Does this mean Grove of the Burnwillows will be showing up as well? At the very least we need River of Tears. Regardless, I’d be really happy to crack one of these in the rare slot of an Iconic Masters pack.
Four—Merfolk Branchwalker (Ixalan)
This is a subtle but powerful new Merfolk from Ixalan. Notice that Merfolk Branchwalker is uncommon despite, on its face, being a simple example of a new mechanic. Usually those are common. I have a feeling this is going to get picked early in many Ixalan drafts, and will show up in a few Standard decks as well. Value two drops are always good.
Three—Primeval Titan (Iconic Masters)
Original art, original power level. Primeval Titan is a solid mythic to open in Iconic Masters, and a card that still does work in Modern despite losing Summer Bloom. Note that some of the sadface-mythics from previous Masters sets have been downshifted to rare, like the Kamigawa dragon cycle, which were also previewed in Iconic Masters during the panel.
Also revealed at rare in IMA? Lord of the Pit and Restoration Angel. So yeah, the mythic slot should be pretty iconic.
Two—Vraska, Relic Seeker (Ixalan)
Pirate Gorgon in the house. Vraska, Relic Seeker was the first card spoiled this morning. Six mana is a lot to pay, but I think you’re getting some value—six starting loyalty and three sweet powers. In case you can’t read her abilities, here’s what she does:
+2: Create a 2/2 black Pirate token with menace.
-3: Destroy target artifact, creature, or enchantment plus make yourself a Treasure token.
-10: Target player’s life total becomes 1.
That plays.
One—Mana Drain (Iconic Masters)
Yes, that’s the second time Mana Drain has been printed in a paper set. Yes, the first was in Legends twenty-three years ago. Yes, you want to crack one of these. (No, it isn’t on the Reserved List, because somehow it was uncommon in Legends.)
Mana Drain is number one, with a bullet of colorless mana in your next main phase. Now there’s a mythic reprint.
Carrie O’Hara is Editor-in-Chief of Hipsters of the Coast.