Masters 25 – Our favorite cards from Magic’s 25th anniversary set

We’ll just get this out of the way. I am thrilled that these two cards made the cut.

When you think about the history of Magic, the past half-year doesn’t exactly come to mind. However Ixalan and Rivals of Ixalan have earned their place in Magic lore, and I think Wizards of the Coast made two really good picks at common, mostly because they are cards have the potential to become value staples in future Masters and Core sets.

Dusk Legion Zealot is a classic Black card. You get a creature out of him, but more importantly, he draws you a card. However, unlike the infinitely exploitable Elvish Visionary, Black is going to demand a little something extra for your card advantage. 1 life isn’t much to pay to go up a card though, and in proper decks where life totals don’t matter all that much, this card has the ability to put you far ahead for just two mana.

Likewise, Colossal Dreadmaw is about as basic as they come. The card has been the target of relentless ire now that it holds the record for most printings within a six month period (that being THREE sets in a row), but I like it. It’s just so basic and simple, just how Green prefers it. If you want a 6/6 trample creature, you gotta pay six mana. Cut and dry. There are other cards out there like Rhox Maulers or Lifecraft Cavalry that can get you a 6/6 trample for 5 mana if you meet certain requirements, but in a pinch when you can’t meet those requirements, I’ll gladly take the consistency of just one more mana.

That makes two good choices at common from the two most recent sets, even if they aren’t even close to the strongest in Masters 25. The inclusion of Rivals of Ixalan’s Ravenous Chupacabra also tickles my fancy.

It’s going to be fun to see how Magic’s biggest current threat stands up against the biggest threats of the past.

And speaking of threats and big, dumb, Green bruisers, Woolly Lox appearing in this set makes all the sense in the world. Khans of Tarkir is the most iconic expansion of the past half-decade, since I’ve started playing again at least, and the Morph mechanic needs some strong backing if it wants to stand out.

Woolly Loxodon is essentially a Green removal spell attached to a massive creature if played properly. It sucks when the Morph gets eaten, but a 6/7 for six mana is a great rate, especially when it ambushes an unsuspecting wimp.

Likewise, Khans also shows up big with another of its most popular cards, Ruthless Ripper. This card acts in a similar function as Woolly Loxodon, but instead of leaving behind a huge threat, it triggers 2 points of life loss. That’s not as valuable as a 6/7 creature, but the fact that its Morph trigger is so easy to pull off makes this a deadly card.

Ruthless Ripper also benefits from being dropped down to the common, making now Pauper legal. Yikes!

And before I move on from what seems like just picking Black and Green cards…

Always, now and forever. Magic just wouldn’t be the same without Rancor.

Article source: https://www.technobuffalo.com/2018/03/17/magic-masters-25-favorite-cards/