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By: JBushEsq, Jordan Bush
Mar 04 2009 9:35pm
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With Conflux on the very near horizon for Magic Online, I thought it would be timely to start taking a look at what can be expected from that third pack. Before I get to that though, I suppose a little preamble is in order. I'm a long time Magic player, who started playing back around The Dark. I played up until Fifth Dawn, but due to increasing time constraints I took a long break. Recently with the release of Shards I've gotten back into the game, mostly drafting.

With that out of the way, onto the article. A number of years ago, I remember seeing a number of articles where someone would take a look at a new set color by color and go through the cards with regards to their impact on drafting. They would examine things from when the card should be picked, to what type of deck would value a given card higher than another might. Since getting back into the game, I've looked, and have yet to see many articles similar to this... So I figured that I would go ahead and write one of my own.

A few disclaimers first, I consider myself to be a good player, not great (currently at 1710 online rating, down from 1750 (quick aside, trying to draft on little sleep and with many distractions around is a fast way to tank your rating...). I do however tend to think about the game a lot, so I'm probably better on the theory side of things. Also, since Conflux is not out yet online (and I don't play paper magic anymore) anything and everything I say could very well be hearsay. Finally, these are just my opinions, so take them for what they are worth.

I decided to start this look with the black cards, if it goes over well, I intend to do another six installments.

Absorb Vis


    I like this card a lot, its never a bad card to draw - early it can smooth out your mana. Late it can finish your opponent off outright, or narrow the gap with an 8 point swing. Unless your pile is freakishly good on mana fixing, or black is your splash color, I would highly consider taking this fairly high. That being said however, Unless your really need mana fixing, I would be reluctant to take this over a good creature or removal spell. I'd be happy with it somewhere around 3rd -6th.

Absorb Vis

 

Corrupted Roots

No reason to take this one high at all. I'd maybe grab it if there is nothing else for me in the pack, and nothing to hate/rare draft. Really, this is one weak color hoser. Even if sidedborded in against someone with plains and forests, unless played early, they can probably play around it by avoiding the use of the enchanted land. 15th.

Corrupted Roots

 

Drag Down


A great removal spell, that will often function as another Agony Warp and should be drafted accordingly by any deck playing black. Its worth noting that this one will sometimes be much better too, if your splashing for a forth color, or playing five, then this should take out just about any creature, or be used to create a combat situation to do so. 1st - 3rd pick.
Drag Down

Dreadwing

  I'm not quite sure how I feel about this guy just yet. Only worth looking at if your playing Grixis (Five Color should be looking for guys a lot better than this). In a Grixis deck with a lot of fairly fast evasion creatures and removal this guy could have a home as he hits pretty hard. Still though, anything that looks at him funny should be able to take him out, and he's mana intensive at the time of the game when he might just get to the dome. Worth a shot for a deck that can support him and is in need of another decent guy. I'd expect to see him come around late as he's not worth taking early. 7-10th pick. Dreadwing

Extractor Demon

He's a big, decently costed flyer with unearth. His ability is not that relevant as if he's in play long enough for it to be a factor, he should have taken your opponent to zero long before then. Still, a big flyer that should have a home in any deck that can reasonably play two black. I'd take him over nearly any other creature if I can play him, and would consider him versus a good removal spell depending on which I needed more of. 1st - 3rd Extractor Demon

Fleshformer

Here is a card that will fluctuate based on what you've drafted and or are drafting. If you reasonably have access to all five colors, then He's quite the beating hitting for 4 and hopefully taking out someone before combat starts. I'd still consider him in a deck that was low on creatures, especially if a tri-land is around that could get him to activate once and a while. Five Color: 3rd-5th. All Others: 5-10th depending on other cards. Fleshformer

Grixis Slavedriver

This guy has a lot going for him in my book: He's big, he's easy to cast and he can trade for up to four of your opponent's cards. With that being said, he's a tad on the expensive side. As long as your deck is not too top heavy thus far, this guy should be an easy and welcome inclusion in any deck that plays black. The only things I would take over him are outright bombs and removal if I'm light on it. 1st -3rd. Grixis Slavedriver

Infectious Horror

This one's not that great for a two player game. Sure he can hit your opponent for four, but he's still an expensive 2/2. He's ok playing if your very light on creatures, still I wouldn't be happy to see him. 9th and up Infectious Horror

 Kederekt Parasite

In limited this guy is at best an Onyx Goblet with legs, at worst he's a generic 1/1. Even with a fair amount of red in your pile, I don't think this guy makes the cut as he's just too small to really do much good aside from hitting your opponent for one a turn. 9th+ Kederekt Parasite

Nyxathid

Now this one is interesting, and warrants some thinking about. Best case scenario, he's big, cheap and black. Reasonably, if cast around mid-game he should come in as a 4/4 or a 5/5 and while leaving mana open to play something else. Of course there are times when he might come in early and huge and dominate. Aside from his double black requirement, he's defenetly worth taking high as he gives the player a lot of options as to when he'll make the best impact- always a good thing. And theres always the chance that he can get set up too, either with an early (Blightning) or an opponet who had to mulligan. If I think I can get around the BB cost, I'd take him early, 1st-4th. Nyxathid

 Pestilent Kathari

I'm not quite sure how to value this one. In an Esper deck, he's strictly inferior to (Tidehollow Strix), only worth it in a pinch. However, in a deck that pay his activation, things get more interesting, as he becomes quite the defender, though is underwhelming on the attack. Still though, If I'd rather be on the offensive rather than holding this guy back with two and a red open to activate. Though, in the end, there are much worse creatures out there for a deck with black and red. 7-9th. Pestilent Kathari

Rotting Rats

An interesting variation on Ravenous Rats, though one that I would not be keen on playing in limited, as I'd rather not be losing a card along with my opponent. Though his unearth does add some interesting possibilities to him, such as holding extra land in the late game to nab your opponents last card - then again though, with unearth he'd know about it too. Maybe worth a shot in a deck with a couple of Blightning, otherwise, I'll pass. 9th+ Rotting Rats

Salvage Slasher

Only worth considering for an Esper build, as otherwise he's just an expensive 1/1. In Esper he could easily get rather scary, still though, unless your opponent's end of things is empty, no matter how much power he gets, he's still just going to trade with any other creature. An Esper drafting should be able to grab him late though, and he's worth playing if there's a lack of creatures. 9th+ Salvage Slasher

Scepter of Fugue

Wow. If your deck is heavy enough into black, then there is no reason not to take this high, as it will quickly reduce your opponent to a topdecking situation. The only reason I even hesitate is the double black in the casting cost, but even still, I'd be happy to cast this one later and activate it in the same turn so as not to lose an early creature drop, and hit my opponent when he's down to just a few cards. 1st-3rd Scepter of Fugue

Sedraxis Alchemist

An amazing tempo card that gives you a bear and sets your opponent back at the turn. He's very good into the late game too, as he can clear the path for a final attack. An easy and worthwhile addition to any deck with black and blue. 3rd-5th Sedraxis Alchemist

Voices from the Void

Easily as good in the three color deck as in a full domain deck, as by the time this can be played your opponent likely will likely be down to about three cards anyways. A great card that can and will destroy any plans your opponent may have had. This one will also be scary in conjunction with Blightning. A very strong play. 2nd-5th. Voices from the Void

Wretched Banquet

Good, cheap removal. While the limitation will be irksome, it's cheap and will likely net for a good tempo swing early in the game, or take out a utility creature later on. 3rd-5th Wretched Banquet

Yoke of the Damned

At first glance, this seems like it might be decent second rate removal. However, unless you have some cards that will let you set this up, such as a Vithian Stinger or a just a lot of removal in general that will yet you 2 for 2. Most of the time, this one's just not worth it, as whoever its on will become the creature most likely to die in the first place. Still though, I won't be happy about it, but I could see myself playing this as a 22/23rd card. 6-8th pick.  Yoke of the Damned

Black Overall

I'd have to say, that overall the black in Conflux is a very solid, though unexciting. Most of the cards should prove very relevant in any deck thats playing swamps. Unlike some of the other colors, black seems to be missing a card that screams BOMB! Still, if I'm in black when the Conflux pack comes around, I know that I can expect a few cards worth considering.

Anyways, hope this look at Conflux might get some of you thinking (more) about the new set, and maybe provide a little insight along the way. As this is my first foray into an article like this, question/comments are very welcome.

Cheers

 

 

5 Comments

no pics and i dont play paper by Anonymous (not verified) at Wed, 02/25/2009 - 01:33
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no pics and i dont play paper magic so i have no idea what the cards are =/

Frowns by JXClaytor at Wed, 02/25/2009 - 01:41
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IU thought Conflux was in the Article System already. I'll see what Jamuraa can do to fix it. Sorry !

Card Pics by JBushEsq at Wed, 02/25/2009 - 10:21
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Thanks JX _ I'm pretty sure I got the format right on how to get the card to show, but let me know if I didn't, the problem could very well be something that I've done too.

Conflux Cards up by JBushEsq at Wed, 03/04/2009 - 11:54
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Looks like the Conflux card pics are working now.

There are so many who wanted by diebeautiful2016 at Wed, 12/28/2016 - 22:09
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There are so many who wanted to be part of it. It is hard to be in the tournament. - Morgan Exteriors