(Prophetic Prism | Art by Quintin Gleim)

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Colorless, But Not Tasteless

Greetings and salutations! While we're all being inundated with spoilers from Dr. Who (sigh) and leaks from the next Lord of the Rings set (double sigh), there are a few colorful tales left untold on the wild plane of Eldraine.

Or, you know, in this case colorless, but let's not make this awkward, mmmh?

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Mythics

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Agatha's Soul Cauldron

Witches' favourite skillets have come a long way since the confusing Ice Cauldron. And boy, is there a lot to unfold here.

In a nutshell: you'll want to give your creatures +1/+1 counters to grant them the abilities of cards exiled with the Cauldron, and the Cauldron can conveniently exile cards from any graveyard to boost your crew.

If this card doesn't scream combo, I don't know what does. It's basically a versatile enabler that reminds me both of The Mimeoplasm and Necrotic Ooze. The first is a classic of making the best of your graveyard, while the second shares the "all activated abilities" clause and has 99 combos to its name on Commander Spellbook.

I could foresee some silly things with Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker for example.

Moreover, it's an artifact, meaning you can fit it anywhere, and, cherry on top, you can pay mana of any colors to activate these abilities, in case you spotted a juicy target in an opponent's graveyard.

Even at a more casual level, this is a strong outlet to keep graveyards in check.

All for the measly cost of 2 mana.

I will definitely keep an eye out for that one.

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Rares

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Hylda's Crown of Winter

Well, this feels nostalgic. Are any readers old enough to remember the infamous combination of Icy Manipulator and Royal Assassin? Don't laugh, back in the day it was a powerhouse.

An outlet that allows you to tap down a significant threat is already nice, but that second ability is what really makes it shine and spurs me to add it in many, many decks.

With three other players around the table, chances are that this neat trinket will net you a sizeable trove of cards. After all, Llanowar Elves is used in only 24% of all the decks on EDHREC, excusez du peu, and there are many other mana dorks and tokens which abound on the battlefield nowadays.

Mana Geyser has been a long time staple of the format, and I could easily see this toy follow suit in a similar fashion.

And if you feel pesky, you could always combine it with War's Toll...

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Restless Bivouac

So, another series of animated lands, calling back to the original enemy duals from Zendikar Rising.

We begin with Boros, and... I'm not really impressed. Four mana – including said land, as you can't use if you attack with it – for a 2/2 with no ability other than giving a +1/+1 counter sounds like a lot of work for an underwhelming effect.

Sure, if you're in a lands matter deck that can consistently wipe the field, you might be able to attack with no lethal obstacle, and if you manage to get through enough times, it may become a significant threat. And maybe, maybeeee you could give it a shot in Shalai and Hallar.

Still, the stats feel a bit low. It reminds me strongly of Raging Ravine, which was 3/3. Tell me, when was the last time you saw someone play that card in EDH?

Granted, the Bivouac can put that +1/+1 counter on another creature. But that's not enough to convince me to spend a night around that oxen campfire.

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Restless Cottage

Second in the series is the Golgari land and... that one feels a bit better. I can already see several decks adding this outlet to their arsenal.

4/4 is decent for the price, although I wouldn't have minded a bit of evasion. The attacking trigger, though, is no pushover. Exiling a card in a graveyard is never a bad thing, and several commanders love making use of Food tokens.

The obvious home is Gyome, Master Chef, but the recent Merry, Warden of Isengard and Pippin, Warden of Isengard could certainly make use of more lembas. Mazirek, Kraul Death Priest and Korvold, Fae-Cursed King also don't mind additional sacrifice fodder.

This will not turn the format on its head, but it's better than almost all the other lands in the series. Almost.

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Restless Fortress

Isn't a fortress supposed to be a big and imposing monument? Something that strikes awe and fear in any who would want to conquer it? Then, pray tell... Why is it only 1/4?

Compared to the Cottage, this feels disappointing. Same mana cost, but just a 1/4 with no evasion. Sure, this will drain two life from the defending player, but I find myself reluctant in paying five mana to do that. Its toughness will likely allow it to survive somehow, but come on, you have better use for that much mana, don't you?

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Restless Spire

On and on we go, from one lackluster land to another. Can you tell I'm growing bitterer? Okay, enough with the cynicism, let's get this over with.

This land got close. Two mana to turn it into a 2/1 isn't too bad of a ratio. The rest, however, is.

Faerie Conclave at least has decent evasion when turning into a creature. This one does not. First strike on a 2/1 is unimpressive, and you can't even turn it into a fancy blocker as the first strike is only during your turn!

While I'll never turn a good scry away, I'll look elsewhere to curate the top of my deck.

Hard pass.

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Restless Vinestalk

Last but certainly not least, we end the series with what I consider the best land of the five.

For five mana (plus this very land), you get a 5/5 with trample, which is already a beefy attacker, but it gets better. I can turn any creature into a 3/3. If this doesn't remind you of the infamous Oko, Thief of Crowns, nothing will.

While the targeted creature will retain its abilities (apparently Wizards learned their lesson), it's a great way to either turn a huge monster into a more manageable menace or to change one of your tiny tokens into a bigger threat.

Again, this won't turn the format around, and I doubt it will become a major staple. But of the five, it's the one that got me most excited. Finally!

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Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender

I have so many things I want to say on this card.

First, if you haven't, read the amazing comic book Freaks' Squeele, by Florent Maudoux. It has gingerbread knights in it, as well as many other neat things, and a great story to boot. This was our cultural moment, you're welcome.

(Artist - Florent Maudoux | Freaks' Squeele Vol 2, by Florent © Ankama Editions, 2009)

Second, it's adorable, plain and simple. I know I shouldn't, I know I probably won't, but I really want to build something silly around this pastry boy, with a plate of pancakes and gingerbread and waffles to strike/feed my opponents with.

Third, it's a cool design. The conditional abilities will not be there that often, but trample/hexproof is a nice combination.

The meat of the card, however, is in its buff. +1/+1 and scry 1 every time one of your artifacts meets its demise could pile up real quick.

While building a viable Voltron strategy with no colors feels a tad overzealous, this Food Knight could find a spot in decks already churning artifacts for breakfast. I'm thinking Osgir, the Reconstructor, the aforementioned Gyome, Master Chef, but also Jolene, the Plunder Queen and her bazillion Treasures.

We've all see how quickly Korvold, Fae-Cursed King can turn into an unstoppable menace – granted, the built-in card draw helps, but you get my point. Syr Ginger could emulate its elder, albeit more fairly.

And if you're in a pinch and low of life, he also makes for a delicious snack.

What's not to love?

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The Irencrag

Closing up this set's colorless rares is... a mana rock. Which turns into a sword. Huh.

Don't get me wrong, I love two-mana rocks. I'll take a Signet over a Commander's Sphere any day. But still, this leaves me a bit perplexed.

All in all, you lose a mana to make an Equipment that costs 3 to equip, only to give a puny +3/+3. While this is a decent buff, I feel like three mana to equip is a bit too expensive.

Maybe with Ardenn, Intrepid Archaeologist? I'm not convinced. My, my, Excalibur has fallen a long way...

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Throne of Eldraine

As an added bonus, we get to have a look at the new Throne, from the Commander decks. And by the holy mana, does it shine bright and do I love this card.

If I'm not mistaken, this is the first time we see a five-costed rock producing four mana. Granted, this will probably be restricted for the most part to single-colored decks, but still, the cost-production ratio is nothing short of impressive. Remember, Gilded Lotus only makes three mana, as do Coveted Jewel or Dreamstone Hedron.

What could be considered a drawback is nothing short of a clever insurance to make sure this doesn't make it into every single deck and becomes an insta-staple.

The draw ability is not bad either. Being able to repeatedly draw cards in the end game is a boon, especially for colors that sometimes struggle to keep their hand full, namely white and red.

I can't really recommend any specific commander for this toy. Rather, I hardly see any reason not to run it in any monocolor build.

Can you tell I'm super excited to try it out?

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Uncommons & Commons

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Collector's Vault

This is not too flashy, yet I'm willing to give this outlet a try. While I would have liked it to cost one less, the combination of looting and Treasure-generation looks quite solid basically in any deck. It's also a decent way to sink unused mana just before your turn begins.

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Eriette's Tempting Apple

Flavourful as it is, this card has grabbed my attention because it is, as far as I know, one of the only colorless threaten effect in existence. Granted, you have the recent Flayer of Loyalties, but it costs 10 mana. And then again, Helm of Possession and Vedalken Shackles, if you want to be picky.

But this one feels interesting. While the traditional cost of taking someone else's critter usually stands at three mana, this is imprinted on a permanent. Meaning you can make copies of it, reanimate it and blink it. Osgir, the Reconstructor could maybe have some fun with this trinket, and maybe Marchesa, the Black Rose, who likes nothing more than stealing your juicy stuff.

I'm wondering how it would fare in my Brago Bouncy Castle deck...

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Well, that's that. Eldraine did not disappoint, and while the set seems less busted than its elder, there are a good number of fun toys I'm excited to try out. Plus there's that enchantments reprints sheet à la Strixhaven, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

What about you? Did you see anything striking your eye? Will you build a deck with Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender, and if so, how?

Let me know in the comments!