New set to review! That set is pretty likely the best type 4 set that ever came out compared to its size, with tons of lower-powerlevel stack options as well as a few new staples.
Celestial Force
5www
Creature - Elemental Rare
At the beginning of each upkeep, you gain 3 life.
"Wishing upon only one star seems like a failure of imagination."
- Vish Kal, Blood Arbiter
Illus. Véronique Meignaud 7/7
It will usually gain 15-18 life per round, which is pretty awesome. I'd test it had it been a faster clock or less fragile. As it is, I don't think he quite makes it. But it is a fun card for sure.
Spell Crumple
1uu
Instant Uncommon
Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on the bottom of its owner's library instead of into that player's graveyard. Put Spell Crumple on the bottom of it's owners library.
In my stack it will almost always play like another hard counter... which is always a welcomed addition
Dread Cacodemon
7bbb
Creature - Demon Rare
When Dread Cacodemon enters the battlefield, if you cast it from your hand, destroy all creatures your opponents control, then tap all other creatures you control.
Those who hear its roar perish. The lucky ones only feel its fetid breath.
Illus. Izzy 8/8
A usually better Reiver demon is a shoe-in in most places. Should've had flying though.
Avatar of Slaughter
6rr
Creature - Avatar Rare
All creatures have double strike and attack each turn if able.
"Diplomacy has solved nothing. Only bloodspill can end this now. Call forth the warbringer."
-Basandra, Battle Seraph
Illus. Jason A. Engle 8/8
I think this guy is pretty good. Beats for 16 itself, makes sure there are no blockers around by the time he attacks and encourages people to attack each other (hopefully an 8/8 will be a large enough blocker most of time, and even if not they might not want to kill the guy that makes their Progenitus lethal). Our stack encourages by design to gather an army and not take a political side for as long as possible (or you can kill in one swing), this card is a natural foil to it - now they have to take a side and make political decisions.
Chaos Warp
2r
Instant Rare
The owner of target permanent shuffles it into his or her library, then reveals the top card of his or her library. If it's a permanent card, he or she puts it onto the battlefield.
Versatile removal most of the time that is bound to make good stories at those rare time that it fails miserably (or hits phage)
Magmatic Force
5rrr
Creature - Elemental Rare
At the beginning of each upkeep, Magmatic Force deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
"Granted, it's the pinnacle of utter destructiveness. So what would you call two of them?"
-Riku of Two Reflections
Illus. Jung Park 7/7
I like this guy. It can kill a player each round pretty consistently, without the need to attack even. If you reanimate it four turns before yours, he still delivers 9 damage before even losing summoning sickness. Players should help you keep this alive if you kill their enemies, this is a pretty reliable way to kill a player if kept alive I believe.
Hydra Omnivore
4gg
Creature - Hydra Rare
Whenever Hydra Omnivore deals combat damage to an opponent, it deals that much damage to each other opponent.
"We should learn from the hydra. It never plays favorites; it devours everyone equally."
- Thrass, elder druid
Illus. Svetlin Velinov 8/8
I don't think anyone would like this guy as it hurts them too. OTOH, quite good for the aggressive players, if you have them and want to encourage them (I do) except it will not survive long if people don't want it to and while people may benefit from it, they probably won't care enough to protect it.
Scavenging Ooze
1g
Creature - Ooze Rare
: Exile target card from a graveyard. If it was a creature card, put a +1/+1 counter on Scavenging Ooze and you gain 1 life.
In nature, not a single bone or scrap of flesh goes to waste.
Illus. Austin Hsu 2/2
Creakwood Ghoul is great, I don't see why a slightly worse version with a useful body won't rise to staplehood.
Tribute to the Wild
1g
Instant Uncommon
Each opponent sacrifices an artifact or enchantment.
"You may enter, but leave those lifeless things of your world behind."
- Modruni, maro-sorcerer
Illus. Hideaki Takamura
As obvious as an auto -include could ever hope to be.
Damia, Sage of Stone
4gub
Legendary Creature - Gorgon Wizard Mythic Rare
Deathtouch
Skip your draw step.
At the beginning of your upkeep, if you have fewer than seven cards in hand, draw cards equal to the difference.
Ask your query and be on your way. Just don't look her in the eye.
Illus. Steve Argyle 4/4
Too slow, too few cards. Compare it to Jin for the modern standard of this effect.
Nin, the Pain Artist
ur
Legendary Creature - Vedalken Wizard Rare
{U}{R},
: Nin, the Pain Artist deals X damage to target creature. That creature's controller draws X cards.
"Your body is a delicate instrument that tells me truths. These devices help me 'tune' that instrument."
Illus. Brad Rigney 1/1
Obviously strong, but has summoning sickness and requires a legal target when the ability resolves so it's probably safe. Can pop itself for a Mind Spring if you need a counter desperately. It's pretty likely that it won't survive till that stage, like, ever, though.
Riku of Two Reflections
2urg
Legendary Creature - Human Wizard Mythic Rare
Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may pay
. If you do, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Whenever another nontoken creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may pay
. If you do, put a token that's a copy of that creature onto the battlefield.
2/2
I'm skeptical. I didn't like the two separate effects, but maybe together they will be good enough.
The Mimeoplasm
2ubg
Legendary Creature - Ooze Mythic Rare
As The Mimeoplasm enters the battlefield, you may exile two creature cards from graveyards. If you do, it enters the battlefield as a copy of one of those cards with a number of additional +1/+1 counters on it equal to the power of the other card.
Illus. Svetlin Velinov 0/0
Body Double +, no complaints here
All in all that is a formidable loot for only 51 cards.
