Scars of Mirrodin is a rebirth of Mirrodin, a previous block from the Magic: the Gathering card series that was released in 2003 and 2004. In this review we take a look at some of the popular common cards that can be used in an underground format called Pauper.
With the set as a rebirth of Mirrodin you will see some of the popular cards from that block. There are new spellbomb cards that act like the old but you draw a card while using its ability instead of the option to "sac then draw" or "sac then use ability". There is also a reprint for Trinket Mage but he is now uncommon instead of common. This is a big dissapointment for all of those Trinket Mage fans for Standard. But in Classic you can still count the Fifth Dawn Trinket Mage as a common.
The first card, Grasp of Darkness is an instant black removal spell that gives target creature -4/-4 for only 2 black mana! This could potentially be an overall better card than Disfigure since the largest creatures in Pauper are of 3 to 4 toughness. It's only drawback is it cost 2 black mana which could be an issue in multi-colored decks.
Ezuri's Archers is a 1/2 elf archer with Reach. It also gets +3/+0 when blocking a creature with flying. This is a solid card for Standard and Extended Pauper against flyers. And you can use it for a good sideboard option if you are playing Green Stompy.
Speaking of great sideboard cards, Turn Aside is a blue instant spell that counters a spell that targets a permanent you control for only 1 blue mana! This card isn't only good for Pauper but also in all formats.
Another blue card, Steady Progress is an instant spell for 1 blue and 2 colorless that lets you draw a card. It comes with the new mechanic, Proliferate. Proliferate lets you add an additional counter to any number of permanents with counters already on them. This mechanic works well with Affinity and Infect.
There are 2 great artifact creatures with the new mechanic, Infect. A creature with Infect does damage in -1/-1 counters to creatures and poison counters to players. Corpse Cur is a 2/2 with Infect for 4 colorless mana. It also can let you return a creature with Infect from the graveyard to your hand. Since its mana cost is colorless he can go well with other colors that run Infect. The other creature with Infect is Ichorclaw Myr. It is a 1/1 for 2 colorless mana. But when it blocks it gets +2/+2. He is a powerful defensive creature that can put permanent counters on larger creatures.
Untamed Might is a green instant spell that cost 1 green and X. The target creature get +X/+X until end of turn. This card can work well for creatures with Infect because if a creature goes through to apply poison counters to an opponent then you can pump it up for more. When a player recieves 10 poison counters they lose the game. So that is why Untamed Might can be a quick way to kill your opponent with Infect.
Another poweful instant is Galvanic Blast. It work like a Shock by giving instant 2 damage to target creature or player but has the new mechanic, Metalcraft: if you control 3 or more artifacts in play then Galvanic Blast does 4 damage to target creature or player instead. This card can be even more powerful than Lightning Bolt if you are playing Affinity or another artifact themed deck.
Scars of Mirrodin seems like an interesting yet powerful block just like its predeccesor. Lets hope for some great mechanics that won't prove to be abused like what Affinity did back when Mirrodin was in Standard. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy more articles on MTG and other card games.