Ikoria arrived in the middle of lockdown in most of the world, paper play was suspended and the world was a much darker place. I’m writing this review significantly after the release and the cards so I’ll feature will more than not be personal favourites rather than cards look sure to break into the format.
Whilst paper magic is in abeyance over much of the world we do still have some Pauper being played on MTGO to guide us on significant cards in the format.
Standard sets don’t usually give use cards that break Pauper that often but we have been given plenty of options in the past to see play. Recently Mystic Sanctuary not only saw play but was in receipt of the ban hammer so playable cards may well be hiding in clear sight.
I’ll focus on the set Mechanics before moving onto the individual colours.
Mutate
I’ve enjoyed using mutate on creatures in limited events so I was intrigued to see whether any could make an impact in Pauper. So we have to mutate on a non human creature which in itself is going to be problematic as some of the more desirable targets would have been human e.g. Thraben Inspector, Burning Tree Emissary, Seeker of the Way and Delver of Secrets. We may have corner cases but will require someone to pull the trigger and persevere with a deck.
Cycling
Cycling is a mechanic that has been with us for several years now, their currently isn’t a deck that’s made its mark and its unlikely that anything will change with Ikoria, sure there are some good payoffs but there are just better payoffs in say Burn with Thermo Alchemist or Firebrand Archer than Dramnith Stinger. That is not to say some of the individual cards may yet see play. Now if Flourishing Fox ever found itself reprinted at Common we could see the basis of a solid deck.
Counters
The new counters giving abilities does rather interest me as someone who once broke the heart of a Bogle’s player with Leave no Trace to turn a game on its head from jaws of defeat to victory. Enchantments are much easier to remove than counters so we could see some play though no scaling effect like with Ethereal Armor to consider.
White
Light of Hope
Three useful effects on this card so it can be added to sideboards where slots are tight and you want a card to cover multiple bases. Impressed on the potential relevance of each mode.
Solid Footing
I rather like this card as it’s pretty much a combat trick that hangs around so could well find a home in Bogles or Heroic decklists. You could say it’s a solid card.
Spontaneous Flight
Feels like one of the better spells bestowing counters, granting flying permanently and a reasonably sized pump too. May be a little bit heavy in mana cost in Pauper but time will tell.
Blue
Of One Mind
Well Divination is a good card but doesn’t really see play. However, you’ve a bit of upside to consider in the requirement for a human and non human, I’ve personally had several Faeries like Faerie Seer or Spellstutter Sprite and humans like Augur of Bolas or Sea Gate Oracle in play within the same deck.
Phase Dolphin
Whilst this card looks like it could be fun and enable effects like Ninjitsu there are just better synergistic cards any number of cheap fliers or unblockable creatures already. One hoop too many to jump through on this one.
Black
Blood Curdle
My first response would be to pass over this card when you’ve Doom Blade and Victim of the Night and friends in the format. However, Snuff Out can be hard cast and Oblivion Strike saw play. There may be more than a few instances when giving a Gurmag Angler Menace is desirable.
Cavern Whisperer
So stats wise it’s hardly Gurmag Angler but where I think there is gas is giving a relevant creature like a Gurmag Angler Menace to pressure the board more. What does sound like fun though is Phyrexian Horror or Chittering Rats turn three followed by mutating it into a Cavern Whisperer turn four, opponent discards a card then swing. Probably living the dream but definitely something I’d like to do a few times before deciding overall the plan is not optimal
Memory Leak
Whilst it may be more expensive than Duress or Divest the value comes from taking any non land card and it is your choice, however, if you’re not keen on making them discard from hand you can exile that pesky opponents threat in the graveyard. You also get the ability to cycle Memory Leak away for value, what’s not to like.
Serrated Scorpion
For completeness I’m giving this card a mention, it looks impressive but it also is more likely to flatter to deceive. May well work well in an aristocrat’s build with creature recursion.
Suffocating Fumes
One of the better sideboard cards, Shrivel and Electrickery are staples in the format. Instant speed black removal, weaken opponent’s creatures during combat or even cycle it away are all very useful.
Unexpected Fangs
One of my favourite sideboard cards is Vampiric Link, a pump spell besting life link permanently is something that warms my heart.
Whisper Squad
My first though is that it is bad card and won’t see play. Then again, I was that guy who wasn’t keen on Squadron Hawk first time I saw it, the more I think about it the more I think it may find a home in some Aristocrats build but even then I just feel there are so many better cards.
Red
Cloudpiercer
Well I think this is a mutate creature with a lot of potential upside with the increase in stats and rummage effect. Much like Cavern Whisperer, you could create a significant mutated monster.
Forbidden Friendship
I’m a fan of token decks and whilst you have many choices at 2 cmc with Dragon Fodder and Raise the Alarm being the most common I do like this version. You’ve a red haste powered dinosaur and a white soldier that could later be used with a flashbacked Battle Screech. I feel this could be a great addition for Boros token decks.
Prickly Marmoset
This could be one of the core cards should a cycling Pauper deck break out. As it stands Kiln Fiend coupled with instants and sorceries is a more reliable win condition.
Green
Excavation Mole
On the face of it Excavation Mole doesn’t look great but then I thought what if it could be used as part of a graveyard engine for Delve or reanimation strategy. A 3/3 body with trample may be able to make a difference.
Ram Through
Oh my god this amazing, how many we got and how many do we have in foil were the words my wife Rachel uttered as opening our box. I’ve already been on the wrong side of tap Timberwatch Elf making Elf bigger, Ram through your Gurmag Angler and you’re dead. Brrrr.
Wilt
A solid sideboard option and even if not relevant when drawn can be cycled away to draw another card. May look slow but in a slower deck with mana available like Tron it could be a solid choice.
Colorless
Bonder’s Ornament
Okay so technically not in Ikoria but it is in the accompanying Commander 2020 decks. By far the most standout new card for Pauper in 2020. Mana ramp with card draw on top. What’s not to love.
Conclusion
So how does Ikoria support Pauper ? I don’t think we’ve any standout cards but this is regularly the case for Standard legal sets with the massive card pool available. One thing I have noticed is how much I like Mono Black Control and am definitely seeing opportunities that may not exist.
Ironically the best card Is in a supplemental product in Bonder’s Ornament but boy is it a great card and it’s great new cards can make an impact in Pauper.
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