The Really Big M11 EDH Review – Artifacts and Lands

Redrum, Redrum!

And here’s the home stretch (White, Blue, Black, Red and Green). There’s not much more I can say but hope you guys have enjoyed the articles. I am curious about how you like this rather then the one really long post. Of course, I’ll spread these out better next time if you do like them since the 1-2-3 posts a day is really throwing me for a loop. Really? 6 posts in 3 days. That’s almost unheard of. I know you would like it a little more like that but there’s only so much time in the day to write.

This last section are for the cards that can go in almost every EDH deck (except some of the lands). These cards tend to be a little more powerful because they can go into any deck. If you’re going to get foils of cards, it’s usually these that fetch the most money.

Cards in italics are reprints. At the very end of THIS REVIEW, you’ll get my Top 10 list of EDH cards for M11. Exciting that it’s almost here, right? Any predictions?

Like any time when I review these cards, most of them can see play in EDH; there’s only one in this set that is absolute trash in EDH (Squadron Hawk). These are just going to be the better cards I would recommend playing.

Artifacts/Lands – 15 Cards (10 New)

• Brittle Effigy

Fetchable with Trinket Mage, but it’s going to be really helpful in those colorless EDH decks. If you exile a General, they can just bring it back, so it’s not the end all be all for those cards, but it does give Green and Blue was to deal with problem creatures for good. Unlike awesome tricks with Mangara of Corondor, you have to exile this along with the creature, so no Voltaic Key tricks.

• Crystal Ball

If Sensei’s Divining Top we were banned (for reasons unknown) this would easily take the place. Ignore for the fact that this costs two more, it Scrys 2, which is something the Top can’t do. There have been plenty of times where I’ve had no shuffle effects in play and a Top and I couldn’t dig my way out of a situation. This solves that by putting the unneeded cards on the bottom of my library and get to the good stuff. I used to play Mystic Speculation in my Blue decks, but no longer as this will replace it. Including the fact that you can order the top of your library like Top, I will gladly play both side by side.

• Elixir of Immortality

Is this better than Feldon’s Cane? Well, does cost 2 mana to use, but it does gain you 5 life and shuffle itself into your library along with your graveyard. If you’re looking for ways to prolong the game, this is it. It’s a cute card that may get the ire of your playgroup if you constantly shuffle and play it. Have fun.

• Jinxed Idol

A fun multiplayer card where 2 life doesn’t mean a whole bunch until later in the game. Whenever I think of this card I think of the idol from the Brady Bunch. I know full well that joke works with like 2 of my readers.

• Platinum Angel

I’ve seen Platinum Angel get some play in EDH from time to time depending on the decks that they’re facing. There’s a lot of steal effects in the format so while you think this is cute for you, don’t be surprised if it does end up in the hands of another person. Always protect the Angel.

• Sorcerer’s Strongbox

Six mana to draw three cards isn’t always the best deal unless you’re in a color that doesn’t have access to that many draw cards. Yes, the Voltaic Key trick does work with this card if you win both flips, so pack your Krark’s Thumb.

• Steel Overseer

Obviously you want this with artifact creatures. Might I suggest a General to pair this with instead of Karn? How about Experiment Kraj? Suddenly, you can untap Experiment Kraj if you have five creatures in play (Altar Golem) and give all your artifact creatures +1/+1 counters since the Steel Overseer gives itself one as well. You know, that’s just a suggestion.

• Sword of Vengeance

I already talked about this equipment on MTGColorPie.com last week, but the question of putting this into your deck depends on your play style of equipment. If you want all out attacking creatures, then sure, put it in there. It won’t do tricks like Skullclamp or Jitte does, but it’ll get the job done. Yes, it’s a beatstick and should be destroyed if all possible.

• Temple Bell

A new multiplayer favorite. Now you’ll be able to decide when players get to draw instead of the horrible position of letting everyone else draw cards before you. Yes, this will be a staple in Group Hug decks and there are some devious things you can do with it with the “Words of” Onslaught cycle. Might I instead suggest Mind’s Eye; end of turn, everyone draws a card, you pay 3 and draw 3 more. Seems ok.

• Triskelion

Is a construct, not a contraption. Gives Blue and Green that direct damage. Combos well with Steel Overseer.

• Voltaic Key

There will be a post next week detailing all of the artifacts this card is good with. It’s a pretty long list.

• Whispersilk Cloak

Gives your General shroud and makes it unblockable. Yeah a staple in EDH decks. This is it’s 5th printing. Everyone should have one by now.

• M10 Duals (Dragonskull Summit, Drowned Catacomb, Glacial Fortress, Rootbound Craig, Sunpetal Grove)

I actually don’t like these in EDH. The Worldwake man lands are better and also the Pain lands. Listen, these are better when you’re relying on more than one of in a deck, but the Invasion duals and Shards Tri-lands are just better in random hands such as EDH.

• Mystifying Maze

A “fixed” Maze of Ith. While you can’t target your own creature to do crazy tricks with it you can target it at opposing Generals attacking you. You know that whole 21 General damage? What if you could help prevent that. Plus, when it does reenter the battlefield, it becomes tapped until their next untap step leaving them open to other attacks from other players. This ability to almost never be dead makes it a hugely powerful card. This is the reason why it’s ok to have cards like Strip Mine and Wasteland.

• Terramorphic Expanse

If you don’t have fetch lands, you have this land. Really solid, sees play all the time.

There you have it. The final rundown of all the M11 cards for EDH play. That just leaves us with the Top 10:

1. Primeval Titan
2. Mystifying Maze
3. Crystal Ball
4. Sun Titan
5. Fauna Shaman
6. Hoarding Dragon
7. Dark Tutelage
8. Stormtide Leviathan
9. Serra Ascendant
10. Conundrum Sphinx

This has been the third review where a Green card (second Green creature) has come out on top. Am I bias for Green? No, I just think that for the past 3 sets, they’ve gotten the goods for EDH. Serra Ascendant does make the Top 10, just not number one.

I hope you guys enjoyed this whole thing. Did I miss anything you think I should’ve? Disagree with my Top 10 list? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you excuse me, I’ll be icing my fingers.