The time is close at hand when Standard will say goodbye to another block and usher in Shards of Alara to take it's place. While it is no secret that I am really looking forward to this transition, and That I think it is a much needed boost for Standard, it does present a critical time for new player, and budget minded veterans. Now is the time to pick up key un/commons from these four sets, before they begin to disappear. Thats right I said for sets; Timespiral, Planarchaos, Futuresight, and the often overlooked Coldsnap.
I will start with the must have un/commons for the block. If you don't know these cards, you need to get them, and use them. They are that good, and you are missing out if you continue to not use them. These will continue to have an impact for years to come. It will be difficult to find these in the singles boxes at almost any store, so you may have to trade for them. They are still worth having, and you can probably pick up a handful for any of those rare cards you aren't currently playing.
Gemhide Sliver (more on Slivers later)
Grim Harvest
Martyr of Ash
Momentary Blink
Mystical Teachings
Rift Bolt
Rite of Flame
Rune Snag
Tendrils of Corruption
Virolent Sliver (yep, another Sliver)
Blood Knight
Calciderm
Celestial Crusader
Counterbalance
Delay
Dread Return
Harmonize
Juniper Order Druid
Knight of the Holy Nimbus
Krosen Grip
Might of Old Krossa
Might Sliver (you may be picking up on a sliver trend by now)
Mishra's Bauble
Necrotic Sliver (I promise I will talk about these more)
Paradox Haze
Perilous Research
Rebuff the Wicked
Reckless Worm
Riftwing Cloudskate
Scryb Ranger
Smallpox
Stromgald Crusader
Sudden Death
Sudden Shock
Sulfer Elemental
Sulferous Blast
Telekenetic Sliver (really, just hang in there)
Toleria West
Alright, I know that is a huge list, and I don't honestly expect everyone to get a playset of each of these. Every card on that list has impacted Standard more then was expected, and may never see print again. I intentionaly didn't list anything that was printed in 10th, or cards which I really expect to see print again. At the very least you owe it to your self to take a look (or perhaps another look) at everyone of these cards. You may wish you had them sooner then later.
And now a word on Slivers;
"YES"
Are Slivers worth adding to your collection? Yes. Slivers make a great deck concept that is easy for begginers, and offers enough potential complexity for even the most seasoned player. Will Slivers hold or increase their value? Yes. Slivers have gone through several generations, and some have even seen reprinting. These cards don't go down in value, even when reprinted. More often then not Slivers represent some of the best value growth. Simply put, any sliver you come across is worthy of your consideration. Those listed above a really are must haves.
Snow-more
With Coldsnap set to cycle out of standard, the snow based effects of the set are expected to leave Standard for all time. While it is possible that these items will see print again, it is very unlikely. These cards will continue to see casual play for many years to come, and will become prized items in some circles, simply because of their scarcity. Snow Basic Lands, Snow Dual Lands, Cold Steel Heart, Skred, Into the North, Borel Druid, Chilling Shade, Gelid Shackles, Gutless Ghoul, Thermal Flux, Thermapod, and Zombie Musher are all nice cards to have, and will fill niche decks for years.
I will start with the must have un/commons for the block. If you don't know these cards, you need to get them, and use them. They are that good, and you are missing out if you continue to not use them. These will continue to have an impact for years to come. It will be difficult to find these in the singles boxes at almost any store, so you may have to trade for them. They are still worth having, and you can probably pick up a handful for any of those rare cards you aren't currently playing.
Gemhide Sliver (more on Slivers later)
Grim Harvest
Martyr of Ash
Momentary Blink
Mystical Teachings
Rift Bolt
Rite of Flame
Rune Snag
Tendrils of Corruption
Virolent Sliver (yep, another Sliver)
Blood Knight
Calciderm
Celestial Crusader
Counterbalance
Delay
Dread Return
Harmonize
Juniper Order Druid
Knight of the Holy Nimbus
Krosen Grip
Might of Old Krossa
Might Sliver (you may be picking up on a sliver trend by now)
Mishra's Bauble
Necrotic Sliver (I promise I will talk about these more)
Paradox Haze
Perilous Research
Rebuff the Wicked
Reckless Worm
Riftwing Cloudskate
Scryb Ranger
Smallpox
Stromgald Crusader
Sudden Death
Sudden Shock
Sulfer Elemental
Sulferous Blast
Telekenetic Sliver (really, just hang in there)
Toleria West
Alright, I know that is a huge list, and I don't honestly expect everyone to get a playset of each of these. Every card on that list has impacted Standard more then was expected, and may never see print again. I intentionaly didn't list anything that was printed in 10th, or cards which I really expect to see print again. At the very least you owe it to your self to take a look (or perhaps another look) at everyone of these cards. You may wish you had them sooner then later.
And now a word on Slivers;
"YES"
Are Slivers worth adding to your collection? Yes. Slivers make a great deck concept that is easy for begginers, and offers enough potential complexity for even the most seasoned player. Will Slivers hold or increase their value? Yes. Slivers have gone through several generations, and some have even seen reprinting. These cards don't go down in value, even when reprinted. More often then not Slivers represent some of the best value growth. Simply put, any sliver you come across is worthy of your consideration. Those listed above a really are must haves.
Snow-more
With Coldsnap set to cycle out of standard, the snow based effects of the set are expected to leave Standard for all time. While it is possible that these items will see print again, it is very unlikely. These cards will continue to see casual play for many years to come, and will become prized items in some circles, simply because of their scarcity. Snow Basic Lands, Snow Dual Lands, Cold Steel Heart, Skred, Into the North, Borel Druid, Chilling Shade, Gelid Shackles, Gutless Ghoul, Thermal Flux, Thermapod, and Zombie Musher are all nice cards to have, and will fill niche decks for years.
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