Magic: The Gathering's newest set, Phyrexia: All Will Be One, debuted at pre-release events across the country over the weekend and arrived on Arena yesterday. The set is already shaping up to be a powerful one that could shake up multiple online and paper formats. Here are five new cards to look out for as All Will Be One arrives on Arena.
Phyrexia: All Will Be One introduced a number of new mechanics and reintroduced some long-absent from the game. Poison Counters, an alternate win-condition that has occasionally shown up on recent cards but hasn't been a mechanical mainstay for more than a decade, returns in the form of the Toxic mechanic. Also returning is Proliferate, a way to multiply counters of all kinds and quickly boost your board.
MTG Phyrexia: All Will Be One 5 New Cards To Look Out For
1. Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines
It makes sense that the main villain of the set gets a good card. Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines doubles all "Enters the battlefield" effects you control while "completely" shutting down those of your opponents. This is particularly potent with "O-Ring" enchantments like the new Ossification that can remove your opponents' deadliest threats. Plus, her astronomical 7 toughness means few creatures and direct damage spells can eliminate her, giving her staying power at a reasonable cost.
2. Ichormoon Gauntlet
Ichormoon Gauntlet is a bizarre card that has the unique effect of adding abilities to Planeswalker cards. It's a build-around card that encourages a "superfriends" approach: Putting many Planeswalkers in the deck and using them to overwhelm the opponent with incidental value. Ichormoon Gauntlet gives your Planeswalkers the ability of Proliferate, putting loyalty counters on every Planeswalker you control - getting them closer to game-ending ultimate abilities.
3. Phyrexian Obliterator
It's back! A reprint first appearing over 10 years ago, Phyrexian Obliterator is, as it sounds, a brutal creature. Its four black pips make it almost entirely exclusive to mono-black decks, but they are rewarded with a nigh-unblockable 5/5 creature that punishes all attempts to damage it.
4. Solphim, Mayhem Dominus
One of five "Domini" creatures added in All Will Be One, Solphim doubles non-combat damage by your sources. "Burn" spells like Lightning Strike suddenly become trivial to attack opponents directly with, rapidly decreasing their life total and bringing you closer to victory.
5. Venerated Rotpriest
This seemingly unassuming creature is set to be the backbone of some very powerful decks. Venerated Rotpriest puts Poison Counters on opponents whenever a spell targets your creatures. Any player with 10 Poison Counters instantly loses the game. Rotpriest doesn't just count your opponent's spells, like removal, but your own - any temporary buff you apply, like Giant Growth, also triggers the effect. Rotpriest also has Toxic itself, putting even more Poison Counters on opponents. A potent card at a single mana indeed.
This article was originally published on dbltap as MTG Phyrexia: All Will Be One: 5 New Cards to Look Out for.
