Our first real spoiler for Amonkhet! This tell us quite a bit about how Amonkhet will function. We are going to have a new Aftermath ability that will only work in graveyards. I also like how they decided to put the actual spell facing the correct way for us so we don't give away information by either cocking our heads sideways or turning our cards sideways to read them... I'm looking at you Fuse cards
We are also looking at a 4cmc board wipe in standard... When was the last time that happened? As far as I can remember they have been printing 5cmc board wipes. Interesting. Hopefully they will actually print a new way to mess with people's graveyards. Break up Delirium and these new aftermath effects.
So does this give anyone some new ideas of things we might see?
Stealing my thunder Jabilac with your super fast spoilerizing
The aftermath, activated ability looks like it ties in with Amonkhet's expansion 'Hour of
Devastation' l have a feeling it won't be the sole wrath effect. (Maybe another reprint of
Damnation, to coincide with Modern Masters?)
I think they didn't want all the Standard wrath effects to be ubiquitous, which is why they all differ slightly.
Yahenni's Expertise,
Incendiary Sabotage,
Radiant Flames,
Kozilek's Return,
Languish,
Fumigate and
Planar Outburst.
Yahenni's Expertise works well with
Dusk because we have a contrast of effects that do what each other would not individually. It's an interesting way of trying to shift the theme to Orzhov B/W decks.
Aftermath looks like a split card with flashback, but you 'don't' have to cast the aftermath card, and you don't get to replay the initial ability. It is something that I like about it. This card is interesting, whilst not as powerful as
Wrath of God because it doesn't destroy creatures with the power 2 or less. It hints to the focus on low power creatures in the set. The aftermath ability ties into this, allowing you to return all your lower cost creatures to your hand.
I have a lot of theories based on what people have said. There will be a sphinx. Alhammarret? Maybe? It is interesting to consider that Bolas could use the Gatewatch's past foes to create some psychological damage. Jace's old mentor, Liliana's
Demon and Gideon and Erebos?
As to the trials, perhaps
Nicol Bolas is looking to forge the perfect warrior, in an attempt to replace his former champion Umezawa that eventually destroyed his physical form before the mending. Rulers need their enforcers, just another piece on the chess board.
I agree with the people that have suggested about the recent Standard bannings restricting the format. @Robot has mentioned previously that Wizards don't
research their cards, properly, before they are released. The cards are developed thematically, they are not tailored for competitive play.
Pro's are expert at exploiting the abilities of various cards in the format, they'll circumvent bans, to produce a format stifling deck, that lacks creativity, artificially raising card prices because they are built solely to win.
Pro players should work with the
research and
development team to stop this, but they probably won't, ever. This is because having a deck that is singularly more powerful that all others, makes it easier for them to win, and winning means money.
Either way, I know how you guys feel about Standard, Modern, etc.