Will Wilds of Eldraine Be a Good Set? A Deep Dive
The question on every Magic: The Gathering player’s mind is: Will Wilds of Eldraine be a good set? The short answer, based on available information and initial community reactions, appears to be a resounding yes, albeit with some nuances. Wilds of Eldraine is shaping up to be a set that successfully balances exciting flavor and engaging card design, offering something for everyone from casual players to competitive grinders. However, like any Magic set, it is not without its quirks and potential pitfalls.
Initial Impressions: Flavor and Design
One of the most striking aspects of Wilds of Eldraine is its strong fairy tale theme. The set immerses players in a world of knights, castles, magical creatures, and, of course, classic fairy tale tropes. This rich thematic foundation provides a compelling backdrop for the gameplay experience. Many players have lauded the set’s flavor, noting the successful translation of iconic fairy tales into captivating card mechanics. This is crucial because flavor is a massive component of the overall enjoyment for many players and helps bring the cards to life.
Card design also appears to be a significant strength. Wilds of Eldraine offers a wide variety of card mechanics, promoting diverse play styles. While the initial limited environment was dominated by aggressive strategies, this has quickly evolved, with decks that are more controlling, and decks that utilize the food mechanic seeing success. This shows the depth of the card interactions available within the set.
The Standard Impact
The set is also making a splash in the Standard format, offering a much-needed influx of fresh cards. The Standard format had been relatively stagnant for a few months, and Wilds of Eldraine is poised to revitalize it by injecting new archetypes and revitalizing existing ones. Importantly, this set will not trigger a Standard rotation due to the new three-year rotation cycle, adding to its long-term impact on the format. This change means cards from older sets such as Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, Innistrad: Crimson Vow, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, and Streets of New Capenna will continue to remain legal. This creates an interesting mix of new mechanics and established cards.
The Limited Experience
The limited format, however, has received more mixed reviews. While some players find it fast-paced and balanced, others feel it is overly skewed towards aggressive decks, especially early in its release. While the initial drafts seemed to be primarily focused on Red/X Aggro, the format has quickly evolved, with strategies that utilize the Food mechanic, and more controlling decks, emerging as viable and successful alternatives. This shift demonstrates that the format is dynamic and that there are many different cards that are useful and playable, that the aggro strategies can’t simply run over.
The Potential Drawbacks
Despite the generally positive reception, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. The initial dominance of aggro decks in limited was a point of concern for many players. This could lead to repetitive draft experiences if not properly addressed. However, as the format evolves, players are adapting, and this issue appears to be somewhat self correcting.
Additionally, while the fairy tale theme is appealing, it is possible that some players might find it too whimsical or detached from the usual MTG lore. However, the set successfully translates the themes in ways that feel engaging and powerful within the confines of the game’s mechanics, so this drawback appears to be minor.
Historic and Banned Cards
It’s also important to note the preemptive bans implemented in Historic for cards like Blood Moon, Intruder Alarm, Land Tax, Necropotence, Sneak Attack, and Spreading Seas. While these cards are legal in Historic Brawl, their absence from the broader Historic format reflects the perceived potential for them to dominate the format. Six Enchanting Tales cards were also preemptively banned. These preemptive bans show that the designers are aware of what the power level of the set looks like.
Conclusion: A Promising Set
Overall, Wilds of Eldraine appears to be a set with considerable strengths. The strong flavor, engaging card design, and revitalization of the Standard format make it a highly anticipated release. While the early limited experience presented some challenges, the format is proving to be more dynamic than initially perceived. The set is poised to be a major success, provided the initial balance challenges are adequately addressed, and the community continues to explore the diversity of strategies available within the set. Ultimately, Wilds of Eldraine should be a good set and a great addition to Magic: The Gathering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the key themes of Wilds of Eldraine?
The key themes are a blend of classic fairy tales and Arthurian legend, with a focus on knights, castles, magical creatures, and whimsical enchantments. Rats play a prominent role, drawing inspiration from stories like the Pied Piper.
Is Wilds of Eldraine a good set for new players?
Yes, the set’s easily understandable themes and straightforward mechanics make it accessible for new players. However, it also offers enough depth and complexity to engage experienced players.
What is the best color pair in Wilds of Eldraine limited?
While the format is still evolving, Red/Green has been cited as a powerful and consistent color combination in the Limited format. However, other color pairs such as Golgari (Black/Green) Food has emerged as a strong contender.
What are the best colors for drafting Wilds of Eldraine?
Based on community and professional feedback, Red and Black are considered the strongest individual colors, but Green and White have powerful cards too. It’s good to remain flexible in a draft and not lock yourself in early.
What is the Standard rotation schedule for Wilds of Eldraine?
Wilds of Eldraine will not trigger the next Standard rotation due to the shift to a three-year rotation cycle. This means the standard sets will remain legal until Fall 2024, meaning the current Standard will feature sets like Innistrad: Midnight Hunt, Innistrad: Crimson Vow, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, and Streets of New Capenna.
Are the Enchanting Tales cards standard legal in Wilds of Eldraine?
No, the Enchanting Tales cards are not Standard legal, but they can be played in Wilds of Eldraine drafts and in formats where they are already legal.
What are the most expensive cards in Wilds of Eldraine?
Some of the most expensive cards in Wilds of Eldraine currently are: Agatha’s Soul Cauldron, Beseech the Mirror, and Moonshaker Cavalry.
How many cards are in the Wilds of Eldraine set?
Wilds of Eldraine contains 266 regular cards, plus five full-art basic lands and randomly inserted traditional foil versions.
What is the most expensive Enchanting Tales card?
The most expensive Enchanting Tales card is Rhystic Study which has an anime borderless confetti foil printing.
Are there any planeswalkers in Wilds of Eldraine?
Yes, there is one planeswalker in Wilds of Eldraine: Ashiok, Wicked Manipulator.
How many mythic rares are in Wilds of Eldraine?
Wilds of Eldraine has 20 mythic rares in the regular set.
How many rares are in Wilds of Eldraine?
There are 60 rare cards in the main Wilds of Eldraine set.
What is the main inspiration for the Throne of Eldraine set?
Throne of Eldraine draws its inspiration from fairy tales, particularly those of King Arthur’s Camelot and the Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
Why was Oko, Thief of Crowns banned?
Oko, Thief of Crowns was banned due to being one of the most overpowered planeswalkers ever printed, and his ability to dominate many formats.
What are some of the most expensive cards from Throne of Eldraine?
Some of the most expensive cards from Throne of Eldraine include: The Great Henge, Oko, Thief of Crowns, Korvold, Fae-Cursed King, and Brazen Borrower.