Oh, hi. I'm here again?
This is turning into a habit!
Today I'm going to look back on my spoiler review of black cards. I've already reviewed the white and blue cards, and the format will remain the same. I will recap my first impression review, look at the impact each card has actually had, then rate my prediction and talk about the future performance of the card.
| Bloodgift Demon | |||
 | Review: | Solid playable, with few competitors as a black five drop. | |
| Reality: | The Demon has not made an impact on constructed so far. The mono black deck is only interested in creatures with infect, and control has so far opted for a pool of six drops and Batterskulls. | ||
| Accuracy: | 3 | ||
| Future: | With Dismember disappearing from decklists, it could well be time for Bloodgift Demon to shine. Pat Chapin showed at worlds that Olivia Voldaren is a big game, and running the two together in a Rakdos deck could provide enough card advantage to justify ditching blue for the better manabase. | ||
| Diregraf Ghoul | |||
| Review: | Replacement for Vampire Lacerator, depends on support for black/Zombie aggro. |  | |
| Reality: | As mentioned in the white retrospective, the "monster" tribes have so far failed to appear in Standard. This is unlikely to remain the case with two more sets of Zombies, Vampires and Werewolves to come. | ||
| Accuracy: | 4 | ||
| Future: | There will absolutely be a Zombie deck at some point. I remain confident that Diregraf Ghoul will be part of it, but as this remains to be seen I can't go higher than 4 right now. | ||
| Liliana of the Veil | |||
 | Review: | Not a powerhouse that goes into any black deck, but promising in a deck built to take advantage of her. | |
| Reality: | One note is that none of the flashback cards that are seeing play (such as Forbidden Alchemy) had been spoiled at this point. She has failed to make that big an impact; consider that Liliana has flitted in and out of various Solar Flare incarnations (the deck that seems best suited to using her), and is yet to win any large events. | ||
| Accuracy: | 5 | ||
| Future: | Now that the hype has passed it is clear that Liliana of the Veil is a strong planeswalker, but hardly the next coming of the Mind Sculptor. I would guess that her power will increase though, as more flashback cards and graveyard mechanics become available. | ||
| Reaper from the Abyss | |||
| Review: | Good, card advantage generating finisher, but competing against Grave Titan and Wurmcoil Engine. |  | |
| Reality: | There has been no reason to fear the Reaper so far in Standard. As I talked about for Bloodgift Demon, it doesn't fit in with the infect plan of mono black. Control has opted for Grave Titan or Wurmcoil Engine, and Consecrated Sphinx if a card advantage generating flyer is required. | ||
| Accuracy: | 4 | ||
| Future: | This remains a good option, but it is waiting for a new deck that requires it. Look out for further morbid cards, which combine very well with Birthing Pod. There is already a removal chain of Skinrender, to Morkrut Banshee, to Reaper from the Abyss, to Sheoldred, Whispering One. Reaper remains one of the strongest plays you can make in block constructed. | ||
| Screeching Bat | |||
 | Review: | Curves nicely* but too risky. Is not a vampire. | |
| Reality: | The obvious problem with my review was forgetting that you can't actually transform it until turn five... The usual notes regarding the tribal "monster" decks apply, but I can't see this making the cut even if a vampire deck does emerge. | ||
| Accuracy: | 2 | ||
| Future: | Will remain a high limited pick, but that will be the extent of this batting career. | ||
Aside from a miss on the bat (must remember to double check card text!), Bloodgift Demon is the only card to perform dramatically below my expectations. My assessment of Liliana of the Veil looks pretty well spot on. Let's just say I'm not regretting the decision to laugh at the traders attempting to get fifty euros for them at Milan. Good luck with that!
Steve
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