Zendikar Spoilers

Well, we've got all 249 cards spoiled now! I'll be analysing the remainder over the next few days, and then we can zoom into Zendikar strategy! I've got several articles lined up and ready, so they ought to be quite exciting! But in the meantime, let's analyse some Zendikar cards!

Soaring Seacliff
Land
Soaring Seacliff enters the battlefield tapped. When Soaring Seacliff enters the battlefield, target creature gains flying until end of turn. : Add  to your mana pool

Another Limited card. This one can be quite decent in a deck such as U/G, with some hefty creatures that could use evasion, even if for only one turn.

Cosi's Trickster
Creature - Merfolk
Whenever an opponent shuffles his or her library, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Cosi's Trickster.
#45/249	1/1

I have a vague feeling this guy may surprise us all. Keep an eye on him. He's a trickster after all.

Sky Ruin Drake
Creature - Drake
Flying
#66/249	2/5

Limited fodder. Not particularly interesting, either, though it's one of the few cards in Zendikar that slow things down.

Umara Raptor
Creature - Bird Ally
Flying Whenever Umara Raptor or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Umara Raptor.
#75/249

If an Ally deck is possible in Limited, this could be a key card in it. If not, it's a situational Wind Drake and not worth a playable.

Caller of Gales
Creature - Merfolk Wizard
, : Target creature gains flying until end of turn.
#43/249	1/1

Now this guy, I could see getting some play. A recurring effect is quite strong in Limited, and this can break a creature stalemate, that's for sure.

Armament Master
Creature - Kor Soldier
Other Kor creatures you control get +2/+2 for each Equipment attached to Armament Master.
Illus. Steven Belledin #1/249	2/2

Could an Equipment Weenie deck work in today's Standard? All signs point to no. Pick a playset up now though if you have an interest in block.

Grappling Hook
Artifact - Equipment
Equipped creature has double strike. Whenever equipped creature attacks, you may have target creature block it if able. Equip
"Get over here!"

A bit too expensive for it's effect. Limited fodder once again. Not that great a card.

Hellfire Mongrel
Creature - Elemental Hound
At the beginning of each opponent's upkeep, if that player has two or fewer cards in his hand, Hellfire Mongrel deals 2 damage to him or her.
#130/249 2/2

Too weak for a finisher in discard, not strong enough to be a player in Limited. Another piece of chaff, I fear.

Malakir Bloodwitch
Creature - Vampire Shaman
Flying, protection from white When Malakir Bloodwitch enters the battlefield, each opponent loses life equal to the number of Vampires you control. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.
#100/249	4/4

A useful card in that it can block Baneslayer all day. It also helps the Vampire tribe, as a 4-5 point life swing may be enough to end it after your Lacerator - Gatekeeper - Nocturnus attacks.

Paralyzing Grasp
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant tapped creature Enchanted creature doesn't untap during its controller's untap step.
#58/249

A good Limited card: almost like an Assassainate in Blue. Pick highly. Blue has few ways to deal with on-board permanents.

Gomazoa
Creature - Jellyfish
Flying, defender : Put Gomazoa and each creature it's blocking on top of their owner's libraries, then those players shuffle their libraries.
#46/249	0/3

An interesting card. Useful, as it can block a much bigger creature than itself, even a trampler, and prevent all damage to it, and even stop the player from summoning it again for a while. Not a bad Limited card at all.

Welkin Tern
Creature - Bird
Flying Welkin Tern can only block creatures with flying.
#76/249	2/1

A decent, middle-of-the-road Limited card. I'd play it, certainly.

Territorial Baloth
Creature - Beast
Landfall - Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, Territorial Baloth gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
	4/4

And a 4/4 for 5 with benefits. These are the workhorses that win drafts. Take note of it.

And that's all the cards for today! Join me tomorrow for more cards, and a tournament report on Saturday as I get Zendikar in my grubby little paws. See you!