Hidden Gems #2 - Prepare for Battles!
Welcome to the second episode of Hidden Gems! Join me as I pull out my crystal ball and try to predict which commander cards are soon to spike.
Our collective mother, Elesh Norn, is on the verge of birthing a new card type—Battles. She’s been in labor since the announcement in January, so I’m sure she’s even more excited than we are. I’m not sure what the gestation period is for Phyrexians, but pregnancy can’t be easy when you’re invading the multiverse. But she’s glowing.
Not much is known about the type yet. We know they’ll be double-faced and one battle card will come in every booster pack of
jjustin1379 asked: Why is a new permanent type much easier than a nonpermanent?
Mark's response: Do this thought experiment. Imagine what a permanent can do that Magic hasn’t done and then imagine what a non-permanent can do that Magic hasn’t done. As someone who has done the exercise numerous times, the former is significantly easier than the latter.
Let’s dive into the ever-growing pile of Magic cards, Scrooge McDuck style, and see what hidden gems might be out there that will spike when battles debut.
#1. Muldrotha, the Gravetide
This little beauty is the 13th most popular commander (not exactly a "Hidden Gem" - Ed.) on EDHREC. She generates loads of value, and when battles enter her repertoire, she’ll be able to grind even harder. Plus, she got a shout-out on the flavor text of the new
I’d put Muldrotha into the category of “choose a card type” cards that will work with battles. Others include
| Muldrotha, the Gravetide (Borderless) | ||
| Muldrotha, the Gravetide | ||
| World Queller | ||
| Alrund, God of the Cosmos |
#2. Traverse the Ulvenwald
Lots of cards count the number of card types. The most famous is
| Happily Ever After | ||
| Consuming Blob | ||
| Grim Flayer | ||
| Traverse the Ulvenwald |
#3. Reality Scramble
Who knows what combos and tricks battles will bring? Reality Scramble is a Johnny card waiting for a soulmate. He’s been working on himself for a while now, but maybe it’s time for him to get back out there and find a match. Other cards that care about sharing a card type include
| Reality Scramble | ||
| Cemetery Illuminator | ||
| Holistic Wisdom | ||
| Amareth, the Lustrous |
#4. Windgrace's Judgment
Battle-specific removal might be few and far between for the next few years. Players will have to lean on cards that can destroy any permanent type to be able to answer them. Windgrace’s Judgment provides flexibility, card advantage, and has only been printed in two Commander precons.
#5. Clever Impersonator
This impersonator is one of two clones that will be able to copy battles—assuming they’re permanents. It’s the most flexible clone out there, so he’ll always be able to be a four-mana copy of the best permanent on the field.
| Clever Impersonator | ||
| Windgrace's Judgment |
Check back next month for Hidden Gems. And for more Magic market insights and entertainment, don’t forget to check out our Premium membership!
Adam Berg
Adam started playing Magic on his 14th birthday, when Judgment just released and the game's first Gorgon was born (It's a girl!). Since then, he's delved deep into Commander, written for television and film, and learned how to drive. He's published two YA Fantasy novels, Rainbringer and The Broken Pantheon. His favorite card is Repay In Kind, which is really all you need to know.