Most Powerful Cards In Khans?
Spoilers, Rumors, and Speculation forum
Posted on Sept. 11, 2014, 11:39 p.m. by InnerFlame
Hey guys, I'm getting really excited about the release of khans and can't wait to play it. The only problem is, everything looks good! I started going through to find some of the strongest cards so I could decide from there and that got me wondering on what the public thought. So, what are the most powerful cards in your minds?
I have a few picked out.
Sultai Ascendancy : It's kind of like scrying on every turn without paying for it every turn, or a cheaper Jace, the Guildpact. It also has great synergy with its colors.
Butcher of the Horde : Do I even have to explain why he is good? In colors that are getting out a lot of creatures and tokens, there won't be any shortage of sacable creatures. His only downfall is he can be killed by a lot of cards in the new meta.
Deflecting Palm : This is a card that I am surprised isn't getting more attention. I know it can be dependent on the situation as there are a lot of tokens in the new meta; but you can go from completely losing for sure, to winning a game you shouldn't with this card. If you're playing temur, you will lose to this card at some point.
Fetch Lands: Who can forget about these babies?
Honorable Mentions: Savage Knuckleblade , Crackling Doom
Let me know what cards you think are the most powerful!
Nigeltastic says... #3
Also Sultai Charm and Abzan Charm, as well as Siege Rhino
September 11, 2014 11:44 p.m.
ChrisHansonBiomancin says... #4
Savage Knuckleblade looks pretty insane.
September 11, 2014 11:46 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #5
Yeah, I really wasn't for Abzan at first, but it is really starting to come on. Anafenza, the Foremost
absolutely shuts down sultai and matches anyhting temur can throw at you other than Polukranos, World Eater
. Siege Rhino
is on his own level of good. He does something that i've never seen and will wreck decks. After seeing him I wished he would have cost 4 mana to match the speedy meta, but he is green so there's ramp....and he would probably be too broken then.
September 11, 2014 11:50 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #6
Savage Knuckleblade has found a place in my heart. Especially with my play style. His one cost haste is amazing! He just dies to a lot and his blink might cost too much to save him since it's temur and you're putting out massive creatures every turn. Blink is amazing on him though none the less.
September 11, 2014 11:52 p.m.
Invisible_Stalker pretty sure Siege Rhino IS only 4 mana...
September 11, 2014 11:57 p.m.
InnerFlame says... #8
HOLY CRAP HE'S ONLY 4, tman007!...sorry, I just died a little inside. This makes my decision on color so much harder:/
September 12, 2014 midnight
slovakattack says... #9
No mention of Clever Impersonator ? I think it's a tad overhyped currently, but it's still strong.
September 12, 2014 12:07 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #10
slovakattack, i actually forgot that was spoiled. Yeah, I can see why everyone likes that. Essentially you will pay one less for a bomb if your opponent or self are playing temur.
September 12, 2014 12:10 a.m.
slovakattack says... #11
Invisible_Stalker: The reason people are wigging out is mostly because it can copy Planeswalkers.
September 12, 2014 12:15 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #12
slovakattack: And it get's better and better...yeah. It's very good.
September 12, 2014 12:19 a.m.
powerful cards in Khans...
Cough Narset, Enlightened Master
Cough CAST ANY NONLAND CARD FOR FREE...Omniscience
anybody?? I know that isn't standard but I think you get the point.
Ankle Shanker
is pretty beast since it makes every creature on your field regardless of size into a threat.
Sagu Mauler
so um how many ways are there in standard to kill this guy? like 3? (not counting deathtouch creature or something really big)
Mind Swipe doesn't matter if they pay the "x" just pump it to max and it burns them anyways
Disdainful Stroke
will probably hold some sway since most any bomb costs 4 or more.
all I can think of for now.
September 12, 2014 12:27 a.m.
Rasta_Viking29 says... #14
This site isn't a big fan but of him but Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker is close to Elspeth in power. Savage Knuckleblade , Sagu Mauler , Rattleclaw Mystic , Mantis Rider , Dig Through Time , Anafenza, the Foremost , Hardened Scales , and Murderous Cut are others that stand out to me.
September 12, 2014 12:29 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #15
I wasn't a fan of Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker at first but now i am. He kills a lot of things. like strombreath and the butcher and some planeswalkers.
September 12, 2014 12:37 a.m.
Fetches are the most powerful. .. nothing comes close.
September 12, 2014 12:46 a.m.
asasinater13 says... #17
I don't think Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker matches elspeth. not that he's bad, but he doesn't protect himself once the turn passes, and we're in a format that already had Stormbreath Dragon for a red 5-drop hastey flier, who does protect itself from white, which is pretty significant with what's going on. the best thing sarkhan has going for him is not getting hit by board wipes, but otherwise you need a good board presence to keep him alive. (I might end up being very wrong, but looking at him and not seeing protecting himself I can't see him being as good as elspeth, that was her best part, one she hit you needed trample or she stayed)
I like Rakshasa Deathdealer
a lot, but I think other aggro cards are going to out match it, like Ankle Shanker
, though the deathdealer does regenerate away from board wipes if those become big.
I think abzan is the way to go, anafenza, rakshasa, siege rhino, that curves out nicely for a 2-3-4 drop. you have removal for everything in standard, if you want sylvan caryatid makes a different two-drop that also fixes colors (probably better in a more midrangee build, but if aggro the deathdealer would be better). polukranos for a second four drop, nissa, elspeth, garruk, ajani, ajani as planeswalker options. it looks like it has a solid amount of cards to be using.
September 12, 2014 12:48 a.m.
Nigeltastic says... #19
Zuckfat I think in Standard you are actually very incorrect. They aren't very powerful in the current Standard format.
September 12, 2014 1:08 a.m.
asasinater13 says... #20
there's nothing nonbasic for them to fetch in current standard, valuable yes, powerful not so much.
September 12, 2014 1:09 a.m.
Bloodsoaked Champion seems very powerful and useful for aggro. Also synergy with Butcher of the Horde ??
My personal favorites are Sagu Mauler , Icefeather Aven , and Dragon's Eye Savants . No idea how viable they are, or morph in general.
September 12, 2014 1:14 a.m.
CommanderOfBolas says... #22
how has nobody said Surrak Dragonclaw yet? That guy is so friggin strong.
September 12, 2014 1:18 a.m.
I'm just scared of a Temur deck getting Prophet of Kruphix
+
Stubborn Denial
+
Surrak Dragonclaw
. Flash in uncounterable creatures, protect them from removal with just 
thanks to Ferocious.
September 12, 2014 1:24 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #24
asasinater13: Elspeth, Sun's Champion is still really good. One of the best cards in standard. By pure power, I would say she is better than Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker . Some people may argue that. But Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker may come in handy more than Elspeth does. I say that because of Sarkhan cost one less mana and can kill somebody a lot quicker. They also have to wait to destroy him until their turn if he goes indestructible. They both kill the powerful creatures like the butcher with their neg, except Elspeth can;t hit stormbreath with hers. Stormbreath Dragon is in almost every deck that runs red and sees a lot of play. Elspeth really only belongs in Abzan control and Naya control. Any other decks won't be quick enough to play her in this metagame that just was supercharged. Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker has a home in any deck that runs red. Pure power and protection, Elspeth is better; but for the new meta and usefulness, Srakhan has the title in my mind.
I do like Rakshasa Deathdealer but idk if he is the best card out there. With Ankle Shanker , he just cost too much for his colors. His ability is amazing, but its the wrong colors as he is too slow for them.
I just played an Abzan control deck against my Temur and it was quite the battle. In my mind, if you dont go dual color, those are the 2 choices to go. But every deck has it's checks and balances that makes it good. B/U/G I think is good, but Abzan walls it. Temur has a good mix of fast and big but there's a lot of control in this block, Abzan is the best at control, but doesn't have the best early and mid game if you draw wrong. B/W/R is the quickest of all of them and with purphoros is very deadly, but lacks a late game and falls to Anger of the Gods . I haven't payed too much attention to U/R/G simply because I was quickly not impressed by it.
September 12, 2014 1:26 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #25
Idk what it is with me and Sagu Mauler , but i just am not impressed with him. Maybe cause I was spoiled with Kalonian Hydra as my big and dumb beater before, but i just have problem paying 6 for a guy that stays at a 6/6 and doesn't have haste without another card. I know I'm wrong on this cause I mean he has hexproof and trample....but nothing End Hostilities won't fix. I;d rather have a Savage Knuckleblade that I can blink or someone with haste so I can get damage before it dies.
September 12, 2014 1:32 a.m.
I mainly like Sagu Mauler since he seems perfect for a finisher in my UG tempo deck and helps with morph shenanigans. Flip him, attack, Swan Song any End Hostilities ...? The real question is if people will risk using removal on face-down creatures.
September 12, 2014 1:37 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #27
And I'm all for Temur, but idk, I just think Surrak Dragonclaw requires too many other cards to make himself worth it. Once I see my local metagame I'll decide if I want him. The trample does make it very appealing along with uncountable....what am I saying, I'll get one.
Not the best card in the block though. I think you have to be quicker than 6 mana to be the best. Especially since some decks work quicker without him. Late game, he is a saint.
September 12, 2014 1:38 a.m.
asasinater13 says... #28
@Invisible_Stalker Elspeth, Sun's Champion very much does kill Stormbreath Dragon , it's nontargetted destroy. protection won't help it. Sarkhan can kill one thing then die to whatever he doesn't kill, while elspeth can kill most of a board and leave up the white weenies you already would have (turn 6 in white, you generally have something <4 power on board) for block, or just destroy the board. Killing on the turn it drops vs their turn afterwards is irrelevant, either way you would keep priority to use one loyalty ability, and sarkhan can die to an Utter End before he even gets to attack, post loyalty
I think Sagu Mauler is an awesome card, maybe not the strongest, but he's going to win many, many games in standard. good for say, sultai control finisher. we have no more uncounterable board wipe, so keep a counter spell and you he's impossible to handle. instead of Swan Song Stubborn Denial would be awesome, stops walkers and board wipes, the only two things that are going to be threats to the mauler (aside from combat, of course).
my personal deck-of-choice would be abzan midrange, caryatid, Anafenza, the Foremost
fleecemane, Siege Rhino
, courser of kruphix, Utter End
, hero's downfall, Sorin, Solemn Visitor
... the deck will be solid, have answers to everything, and a constant stream of notable threats (lions even survive a board wipe post-monstrous).
sorry for the wall of text
September 12, 2014 2 a.m.
I just like Swan Song since the Mauler will likely be the only Ferocious enabler, so I want a more versatile absolute counter. I guess I could include something like Boon Satyr as well.
September 12, 2014 2:14 a.m.
asasinater13 says... #30
ah, fair enough. I would consider Negate
instead, but to each his own. mostly just adding planeswalkers to the mix is very good.
September 12, 2014 3:16 a.m.
mowservision says... #31
Surrak Dragonclaw looks pretty nuts. Prophet of Kruphix T4/T5, and then superflash Surrak out on the opponent's turn. Timmy found a solution to the grindy, late-game control.
September 12, 2014 6:14 a.m.
Invisible_Stalker, Surrak Dragonclaw is quicker than 6 mana, he's 5.
September 12, 2014 7:10 a.m.
I'm with sabba5600, Narset, Enlightened Master is insane. This is coming from someone that's not usually in Jeskai colors, either. I'm a big fan of tokens/counters and was already playing a lot of Selesnya and Golgari, so Abzan is my wheelhouse. That girl is just a stone-cold killer, though.
September 12, 2014 8:10 a.m.
A boardwipe-proof, indestructible 5/5 haste flier that can Mizzium Mortars every few turns? Yea, I'm voting Sarkhan.
September 12, 2014 9:12 a.m.
CommanderOfBolas says... #36
Surrak Dragonclaw definitely does not need other cards to be good. He is a 6/6 with Flash AND cant be countered!!! that is amazing. He is one of the biggest creatures out there, he could get on board turn 3 with some ramp, and he gives your other creatures protection and trample!!! I don't understand how you can say he isn't that good
September 12, 2014 9:27 a.m.
BorosPlayer says... #37
I think everyone is overhyping Sorin, Solemn Visitor . I've been trying him in Abzan Midrange and he really isn't even worth 1 spot. I doubt he is any better in control than midrange.
September 12, 2014 9:55 a.m.
My favorite so far:
Anafenza, the Foremost
- Great value for 
. Looks a bit strange to be that aggressive in the Abzan clan, but Theros definitely has the support for a more aggro build.
Abzan Charm - By far my favorite charm. All of its modes are useful, but the instant speed Sign in Blood just pushes it over the top.
Bloodsoaked Champion - 2/1 one drop that can be returned to the battlefield. Great aggro creature that can be used as a recurring sac fodder for...
Butcher of the Horde - Good stats for 4 mana. The ability to make it hasty, lifelink-y, or vigilant makes this my favorite card spoiled so far.
Clever Impersonator - Clone that clone anything is very good.
Dig Through Time - Digs 7 deep at instant speed. It probably won't work as a 4 of but should share the mid to late game card draw role with Jace's Ingenuity
Disdainful Stroke - Conditional counter but in most cases you're going to want to be countering things that cost 4 or more anyway. Looks very good.
Ride Down - Perfect instant for aggro builds. Goblin Rabblemaster loves this card. Push through more damage and get rid of one of those troubling blockers.
Savage Knuckleblade - Efficiently costed with the ability to be pumped and protected. Not really my color scheme, but I like this guy quite a bit.
Siege Rhino - Good stats with trample that does something when it ETB. Everyone loves this card; so do I
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker - The first two modes are very relevant. An indestructible Stormbreath Dragon that can Mizzium Mortars .
Stubborn Denial - A cheap counterspell for creature based decks.
Sultai Ascendancy - Taking a turn off to get this thing out might be a bit problematic. Once it's out though, you sculpt your draws each turn. Looks like the best ascendancy and well suited for a Sultai control build.
War-Name Aspirant - Will be a 3/2 for two in any deck that runs it. Looks like a great replacement for one of the 2 drop slots in RDW.
Others:
End Hostilities is our sweeper. I don't like the idea of not having one at 4 CMC, but this should still see play.
Mindswipe may not be the most efficient thing in the world, but I still like it.
Murderous Cut is our best kill spell in this set, I guess? Looks pretty good.
Narset, Enlightened Master is one of the most interesting, but I'm not sure if it's powerful enough to justify 6 CMC yet. I may try it in a burn-control type of build with Keranos, God of Storms .
Surrak Dragonclaw 's flash ability really makes this a card.
Utter End looks rather pricey. It can deal with just about everything, but do you really want to be spending 4 mana to remove something? Guessing the playability of this will be determined by the impact of the gods on the next standard.
Wingmate Roc looks pretty powerful. Triggering raid is easy enough and you get two 3/4 flyers that can gain you life.
September 12, 2014 10:10 a.m.
Fetches do more than just get basic lands, they shuffle away an unwanted card that you may scry or reveal with C of K. They also help you fix your mana base despite no duals. And there is a weak case to be made that the thinning effect gives you an edge over time. Beyond that, there is no doubt the most powerful cards in this set are the fetches. It's like they reprinted the revised lands in a monocolored block and you guys are saying they aren't that good because a lot of decks won't be two colored. A tundra is still strictly better than an island or a plains and still has the upside to color fix if needed. Finally, coming from someone who played in standard with fetches..... they are good way good. Best cards in the set by far. Most powerful cards in the set by far.
September 12, 2014 10:43 a.m.
Oh... and if you're playing a delve deck, fetches will help you get that graveyard filled up faster.
September 12, 2014 10:46 a.m.
InnerFlame says... #41
asasinater13: it's ok for the wall of text. Oh yeah I forgot that Elspeth, Sun's Champion 's neg is non targeting ability and gets rid of more creatures. It was late and my mind was gone when I wrote that. I still stand by what i said about her having more power but Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker being more useful and played more. Elspeth really only belongs in Abzan and Naya if anyone still plays that. Sarkhan can be played in any deck that runs red easily. And can do a quicker kill on an opponent comapared to if you only have Elspeth out. Yeah, you could keep that one mana to counter a wrath to save Sagu Mauler . But like I said, I know he's decent and I know he'll win games, I'm just bitter Kalonian Hydra is gone. And in all the 5 drops Temur has, some guys have to get cut. He does go incredible with Xenagos, God of Revels btw.
Ezrius, sabba5600: her ability is really good. Like really really good. I have 3 problems with her. The first being her supporting cast. The second being her colors. She just cost a lot for a really fast metagame. You might use all your burn spells before you even get to play her and attack leaving not many in your library. The third is her ability to stay alive. I worry about her 2 toughness.
Thanks for having my back, Jp3ngu1nb0y
CommanderOfBolas, supercaptainpow: If you read my comment I do give him props at the end. I was being dramatic in the beginning of my comment. He is really good(I wouldn't say the best in the whole block but I should have put him as an honorable mention). I'm just really struggling to fit him into a deck. Temur has so many good 5 drops it's hard for me to decide and I always end up with something like this; Temur Test Deck. Simply because it's fast. Do you guys have a deck that uses him and is working well? If so, can you share the link? I want to use him. I just don't know where. I think a reason for my slight criticism also comes from people always telling me not to worry about cards that make other cards uncounterable cause usually people don't run that many counters. So it's been kind of sketched into my play style. But there is a lot of counters in this set...a lot.
BorosPlayer People are over hyping him? In my opinion he is the worst of the 3 sorins. He doesn't do anything new and dies it worse than the others. There's actually a funny video about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkVq0oJqjak
I'm with Zuckfat on this one, guys. Fetches are at least in the top 2 most powerful cards in the set. It's land to start. You can't do anything without the right land. That's why some people say basic islands are the best card ever printed. There is a reaosn they were 50+ dollars before the reprinting. I admit, it is a disappointment that they are reintroducing them right when shock lands are going out(that would have been insane to have them both in standard and in my opinion, a missed opportunity by Wizards), but most decks will have basic lands to fetch. And like he said, the shuffling and filling graveyards help too. Personally, I have used them with courser in a Keranos, God of Storms and Purphoros, God of the Forge deck, and the shuffle has gotten me the win when I knew I was going to draw a land because of courser. The same goes for any other time you don't need a land.
September 12, 2014 11:33 a.m.
Quadsimotto says... #42
Im gonna plug someone elses deck here PORNITHOPTER And say Jeskai Ascendancy is pretty sickening. I also think Narset, Enlightened Master is going to be a potential bomb in standard even with her high CMC. I absolutlely love Hardened Scales I already preordered a playset of both of those last two just because i have a feeling that those two cards will jump in price. Butcher of the Horde is crazy good. I would say overall i am very pleased with everything about the set as far as the artwork goes. Quite stunning in that department. I am a little disappointed in the fact that almost everything has such high CMC. And am i the only one that thinks Sultai got seriously dicked over in the awesome card department? Finally i am saddened that there was not one land destruction card.. Sigh was wanting to play a land destruction style deck knowing that wedge is going to be a thing LD may have been worth another try.
September 12, 2014 12:32 p.m.
asasinater13 says... #43
narset is going to be good for price because EDH is going to enjoy some voltron or superfriends shenanigans with her.
September 12, 2014 6:26 p.m.
killeris01 says... #44
Monastery Swiftspear This card is going to be crazy good, with heroic red dudes still kicking around, a hyper aggressive deck can steal games before any of the 3-4 drops even come down !
September 13, 2014 9:36 a.m.
selesvyaloverer8 says... #45
My personal favorite is the dirty dirty progression of t1:Elvish Mystic + Yavimaya Coast , t2:Savage Knuckleblade + Shivan Reef , t3:land Polukranos, World Eater , t4:land Surrak Dragonclaw . its unlikely but the probability of t2 4/4 t3 5/5 t4 6/6 is just nasty
September 13, 2014 10:10 a.m.
Its_Johnny_Bravo says... #46
Im actually becoming a fan of Villainous Wealth . Granted this would require some ramping, probably Sylvan Caryatid . But I see this being pretty good. Late game cast for 7 or 8? That could be a table turner if you can get to it
BorosPlayer says... #2
I think Anafenza, the Foremost is way up there but it is only $5. Not that that is bad because I do need quite a few for my deck.
September 11, 2014 11:40 p.m.