Formidable SpeakerFormidable Speaker | Art by Aurore Folny

I'm so incredibly impressed with the diversity of cards and avenues of Lorwyn Eclipsed. I am genuinely surprised, because when I saw spoilers coming out, I thought this would be a kind of typal set, with nothing particularly exciting for me. (Typal cards aren't something I dislike for the health of Magic: The Gathering formats, but more a personal dislike of typal Commander decks.)

However, I was wrong.

I was wondering how versatile these cards were, so I asked some EDHREC writers to speak on which new cards they'll be adding to their personal decks.

Naturally, in a room full of writers there were a lot of answers. There were dissertations on cards I'd never even thought of twice. I won't be able to showcase every card mentioned from writers, but I will be able to discuss the ones most mentioned; I kept a running tally.

Honorable Mentions

We'll start first with honorable mentions.

Here are some cards, just a hand full, that were mentioned only once by writers but with a real passion for why, or an interesting deck associated with the card. I won't be able to showcase each card that only got voted for at least once because over 50 different cards were mentioned. The breadth and versatility of this set is really so incredible.

Every little bit is usable.

Firdoch CoreFirdoch Core

Levi Perry brought up how Firdoch CoreFirdoch Core would go in his Magda, Brazen OutlawMagda, Brazen Outlaw cEDH deck. A lot of what I'd heard from various writers' responses were about casual commander cards, so seeing this stood out to me. Seeing something cEDH playable, according to Levi, is worth a spot.

He stated, "Having a mana rock that can give typal synergies and turn into a 4/4 body in a pinch is going to be very solid for a lot of typal decks." I couldn't agree more. This is an artifact Dwarf for part of the combo with Magda for infinite artifacts. It also taps for mana each time. I'll be including it in my Magda list too.

Raiding SchemesRaiding Schemes

Arnaud Gompertz said this card is, "Going right up into my Flubs, the FoolFlubs, the Fool/Slime Against HumanitySlime Against Humanity deck. It's absolutely disgusting." I isolated this card because of how incredibly niche this deck is and how much Raiding SchemesRaiding Schemes rocks in it. Getting more Oozes to tap into another Slime Against HumanitySlime Against Humanity spell is amazing. Discarding the Slime cards to Flub's effect is so insane.

I love this synergy and this addition! It might even be a little Bello, Bard of the BramblesBello, Bard of the Brambles playable!

Lasting TarfireLasting Tarfire

Brandon Amico spoke jokingly about this card, stating, "Did Vivi decksVivi decks really need another eight damage per turn cycle? We'll find out." I laughed so hard at this.

I think this card is really incredible. I used it in the prerelease using blight, but ended up getting blown out with it. It's so cheap to cast and strong. It's niche enough not to see a ton of play, but perfect for a Vivi Ornitier deck. Maybe a little too perfect. I don't think Vivi needed more support, honestly.

Chronicle of Victory, Mirrorform, Adept Watershaper, Moonshadow, and Chomping Changeling

Two of our writers are including these cards in their decks.

Chronicle of VictoryChronicle of Victory

Landon Crispens stated, "It replaces Vanquisher's BannerVanquisher's Banner as [an] upgrade." I agree so much. I would go even further, and say it makes Vanquisher's BannerVanquisher's Banner unplayable now. First strike and trample is enough for additional mana to cast.

Brian Cain wants to include it in their, "Belbe Eldrazi deck. Six mana is the magic number for Belbe and this is card advantage and additional combat power for giant monsters." I never would have thought of Belbe, Corrupted ObserverBelbe, Corrupted Observer deck with Eldrazi--mainly because I didn't know much about Belbe--but they're right that this would be huge for the deck.

MirrorformMirrorform

I saw a very interesting interaction about this card that I think has gotten everyone excited about this. If an opponent casts it, Deflecting SwatDeflecting Swat it to target a legendary permanent, making the owner of the spell sac all of their nonland permanents.

Additionally, as Brandon Amico says, "Mirroform looks like it'll make for some of the craziest board states ever, and I am here for it." I agree completely. Interactions will be insane.

Andy Zupke wants to use it in his Wilson/Shameless Charlatan copy/clone deck, which I feel would make a good home for it. Full board of clones is game changing!

Adept WatershaperAdept Watershaper

Paul Palmer wants to play this in Sonic the HedgehogSonic the Hedgehog to do a great impression of Avacyn, Angel of HopeAvacyn, Angel of Hope for three mana thanks to all of the board wide haste enablers. I agree completely; being able to protect your creatures by tapping them is amazing. Crewing and stationing creatures could protect them. Attacking becomes safer too. Instant-speed tap effects like Springleaf DrumSpringleaf Drum and Relic of LegendsRelic of Legends are cool as heck.

Arnaud Gompertz said this card, "immediately got my attention for my Saint Traft and Rem KarolusSaint Traft and Rem Karolus deck. Since my creatures are almost always tapped, this looks like a fine protection outlet, with a decent body for the mana cost. In that same deck, several convoke cards look like decent additions." Convoke is incredible here too.

MoonshadowMoonshadow

DougY wants to run this card in Lazav, the MultifariousLazav, the Multifarious. "Do you know what's better than one Phyrexian DreadnoughtPhyrexian Dreadnought without a downside? Two Phyrexian DreadnoughtPhyrexian Dreadnoughts!" I love this line of thinking, but it'll take a little set up. "Okay, MoonshadowMoonshadow isn't quite that good, but what can I say, it's a solid second place," they continued. I sort of agree here, but having fun is more important sometimes. This card is very fun.

Steve Heisler is thinking about running MoonshadowMoonshadow in Varolz, the Scar-StripedVarolz, the Scar-Striped as well, reasoning that, "one mana for seven +1/+1 counters is a great rate, second only to Death's ShadowDeath's Shadow in efficiency."

Chomping ChangelingChomping Changeling

Levi said he's "adding [it] to my [el]Ganax, Astral Hunter[/el] deck in a spot removal slot." This is basically just better Reclamation SageReclamation Sage because it has the typal synergy and removal for the same rate. Especially in Levi's Ganax deck, Chomping ChangelingChomping Changeling is removal and a Dragon entering for a Treasure.

Ezra Sassaman is excited to add it to his Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria's deck for a similar reason. It would be an Archer as well as spot removal.

Twilight Diviner, Lavaleaper, and Kinbinding

Three of our writers will be putting these cards in the 99s of their decks.

Twilight DivinerTwilight Diviner

Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks wants to throw Twilight Diviner into their Nethroi, Apex of DeathNethroi, Apex of Death list. "That deck loves to snowball out of control, and [this card] will help push it down the hill even faster." Getting token copies of creatures you get back from Nethroi's mutate trigger seems so good!

Brandon Amico said it "is a strong include for any reanimation deck...which I currently have zero of, though this card is tempting me to do so!" I mostly agree. I would love this card in my Coram, the UndertakerCoram, the Undertaker deck. Rummaging through my deck and reanimating things is my whole deal.

Mike Carrozza said, "Twilight DivinerTwilight Diviner is a reanimator's dream come true. Especially one that like tokens. Ratadrabik of UrborgRatadrabik of Urborg often has reanimation and token doublers, so does Teysa KarlovTeysa Karlov. Let's not forget Chainer, Nightmare AdeptChainer, Nightmare Adept or Meren of Clan Nel TothMeren of Clan Nel Toth." A deck that Mike didn't mention that would make this card broken-er is Muldrotha, the GravetideMuldrotha, the Gravetide. Casting all those things from grave and getting copies. Sheesh.

LavaleaperLavaleaper

Nicholas Lucchesi and I had the same idea seeing Lavaleaper. They're including it in their Kynaios and Tiro of MeletisKynaios and Tiro of Meletis Group Hug deck. "A few of my creatures having haste, like KydelKydel, is very helpful and mana doubling to force everyone to draw cards." I wanted it for the same reasons. More mana and haste encourages life totals to get low and for players to load up their boards for my InsurrectionInsurrection in my Kynaios and Tiro of MeletisKynaios and Tiro of Meletis deck. It's so greedy, but I love it.

Jeremy Rowe said he's adding it to his Rakka MarRakka Mar Flamekin deck. "LavaleaperLavaleaper is a high-power Elemental that gives me the mana to bounce and replay Elementals, as well as adding chaos to the game, which I love doing." This is perfect for this deck if your goal is to be a little chaotic on top of getting a ton of value. I worry about how much it helps more Aggro strategies, but it is definitely great on your turn.

KinbindingKinbinding

Kara Blinebry said, "KinbindingKinbinding is going straight into my Kykar, Wind's FuryKykar, Wind's Fury deck. A five-mana anthem that serves as a payoff for casting a lot of noncreature spells in one turn seems really good to me." I couldn't agree more. For decks that are putting out tons of tokens this is incredible.

That's probably why Andy Zupke said he would include it in his Anim Pakal, Thousandth MoonAnim Pakal, Thousandth Moon deck. Arnarud Gompertz also echoed that it could work rather well in their Saint Traft and Rem KarolusSaint Traft and Rem Karolus deck.

Tokens galore!

Eirdu, Carrier of Dawn and Doran, Besieged by Time

Four EDHREC writers are excited about these two legends.

Eirdu, Carrier of DawnEirdu, Carrier of Dawn

Owain Roberts found both sides useful. "With Eirdu, I can cast the expensive stuff more easily...With Isilu, evoking the creature means I get them right back to do their thing again." I agree so much with this.

I'm one of the people including this card in my decks. I want it for my Dihada, Binder of WillsDihada, Binder of Wills deck to convoke out my legendary creature spells quickly and keep them around with Isilu's persist.

Mike Carrozza wants Eirdu/Isilu for his Betor, Ancestor's VoiceBetor, Ancestor's Voice and Teysa, Opulent OligarchTeysa, Opulent Oligarch decks. "I've been dying for a convoke legend and a persist legend and two-in-one in colors I love is just so good." This card is just so versatile. Even Brian Cain agrees that, "Giving persist to legends and sacrificing them for value plus getting a token copy is huge."

Doran, Besieged by TimeDoran, Besieged by Time

Steve Heisler said, "Doran has arrived from the future with a grave warning; toughness levels will be higher; mana coasts of big booty creatures will be lower; 0/5 creatures will reign!" I love this energy because Doran was one of my picks too. It's like a huge swing in the favor of big butts. It doesn't give walls the ability to attack like Arcades, the StrategistArcades, the Strategist, but I love it as a boost to Felothar the SteadfastFelothar the Steadfast.

Arnaud Gompertz agrees, saying it's "an obvious include to Felothar. And could very well be a win-con." It can also see it as a commander all on its own, too.

Five Writers Are Adding Mutable Explorer to Their Decks

Mutable ExplorerMutable Explorer

Bennie Smith stated, "Mutable ExplorerMutable Explorer is super-cute, as is the MutavaultMutavault token. I'll be putting that in my Ur-Dragon Changeling/Dragons deck." It seems like it will be a staple to a lot of typal decks similar to Chomping ChangelingChomping Changeling. Ezra Sassaman said they would also add both to their Ohabi CaleriaOhabi Caleria deck.

Steve Heisler wants to add Mutable ExplorerMutable Explorer to his Omo, Queen of VesuvaOmo, Queen of Vesuva deck. "It's basically Farhaven ElfFarhaven Elf for Changeling decks and I couldn't be more pumped to run two Mutavaults, effectively." I agree here. It's sort of a must-include for ramp and typal synergies. "I'm a simple man - I see the word 'Mutavault,' I'm in," said Brandon Amico as well. Nick L is using it for ramp on his Saffi deck as well.

The Most Popular Card From Lorwyn Eclipsed: Formidable Speaker

Formidable SpeakerFormidable Speaker

I think this card speaks for itself, but here are the generous comments about Formidable Speaker from our writers:

• "It fetches silver bullets," according to Landon Crispens
• It can help decks "snowball out of control" for Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks
• "A single Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest activation is usually all I need to course correct the game without venturing too far into overpowered territory," from Steve Heisler
• "Creature tutor and another untap effect?" DougY asks facetiously.
• "Enabled some really speedy Craterhoof lines in the games I've drawn it," says Kara Blinebry
• "A mainstay given it's low color requirement, tutor flexibility that gets better over time, and that activated ability," from Jeff Girten
• Nick L simply said that they'd include it in their Saffi deck

This card is incredible to say the least. It's likely the most powerful card in the set, but maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. It's definitely worth picking up.

Conclusion

This has really been a blast, working with everyone, seeing the cooks from the writers in the space. Any card we missed? Let us know! I'm @strixhavendropout