Modern Horizons 3: A Comprehensive Analysis of Spoiled Cards

Introduction

Modern Horizons 3 (MH3) is the latest set in the popular Magic: The Gathering format. With its release, many exciting new cards have emerged, promising to shake up the Modern format. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of these spoiled cards, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and potential impact on the game.

Notable Card Spoilers

Urza, Lord Protector

Urza, Lord Protector is a legendary planeswalker that has the potential to dominate the game. His +2 ability can create a Germ token that can be sacrificed to draw a card, providing card advantage. His -3 ability can create a Construct token, which can serve as a powerful blocker or attacker. His -8 ability can exile all other permanents on the battlefield, providing a potentially game-winning effect.

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer is a 2/1 creature that has haste and the ability to exile the top card of an opponent's library when it attacks. This ability can disrupt an opponent's game plan and provide you with valuable information. Ragavan is also a powerful aggro card, as it can quickly deal damage and force an opponent to make difficult decisions.

Esper Sentinel

Esper Sentinel is a 1/1 creature with the ability to draw a card whenever an artifact or enchantment enters the battlefield under your control. This ability synergizes well with decks that rely on artifacts or enchantments, providing a consistent source of card advantage. Esper Sentinel can also be used to trigger other abilities, such as those found on Thassa, Deep-Dwelling.

Table 1: Notable Card Spoilers

Impact on the Modern Format

The spoiled cards from MH3 have the potential to significantly impact the Modern format. Urza, Lord Protector is a powerful planeswalker that can quickly take over a game. Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer is a disruptive aggro card that can punish opponents for playing spells. Esper Sentinel provides consistent card advantage in artifact- or enchantment-based decks.

Possible Changes:

• Increased prevalence of artifact and enchantment decks: Urza, Lord Protector and Esper Sentinel will likely lead to an increase in the number of artifact and enchantment-based decks in Modern.
• Greater emphasis on early-game pressure: Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer is a strong aggro card that can apply pressure from the early turns of the game. This may lead to a shift towards more aggressive decks.
• New win conditions: Urza, Lord Protector's -8 ability can potentially end the game on the spot. This could lead to the emergence of new decks that focus on controlling the game and then winning with a single powerful effect.

Table 2: Potential Impact on the Modern Format

Effective Strategies

Utilizing Urza, Lord Protector:

• Build a deck that can quickly generate artifacts or enchantments.
• Use Urza's +2 ability to create Germ tokens and draw cards.
• Use Urza's -3 ability to create Construct tokens and control the board.
• Use Urza's -8 ability to exile all other permanents on the battlefield and win the game.

Playing Against Urza, Lord Protector:

• Use removal spells or counterspells to deal with Urza before he becomes too powerful.
• Control the number of artifacts or enchantments on the battlefield.
• Attack Urza's planeswalker loyalty.

Exploiting Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer:

• Build an aggro deck that can quickly put pressure on your opponent.
• Use Ragavan's ability to exile the top card of your opponent's library and disrupt their game plan.
• Sacrifice Ragavan to an effect that benefits from creatures dying.

Table 3: Effective Strategies

Pros and Cons of Notable Cards

Pros:

• Urza, Lord Protector: Can generate card advantage, create powerful tokens, and end the game with a single effect.
• Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer: Can apply early-game pressure, disrupt an opponent's game plan, and be sacrificed for benefits.
• Esper Sentinel: Provides consistent card advantage in artifact- or enchantment-based decks.

Cons:

• Urza, Lord Protector: High mana cost and can be difficult to protect.
• Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer: Can be vulnerable to removal and may not be effective against control decks.
• Esper Sentinel: Relies on artifacts or enchantments being present on the battlefield.

Stories and Lessons Learned

Story 1:

A player builds a deck around Urza, Lord Protector and quickly generates a large number of artifacts and enchantments. They use Urza's abilities to control the board and draw cards, eventually winning the game with Urza's -8 ability.

Lesson: Urza, Lord Protector can be a powerful card in decks that can quickly generate artifacts or enchantments.

Story 2:

A player plays Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer against an opponent who is playing a control deck. The Ragavan player repeatedly exiles the top card of their opponent's library, disrupting their game plan and forcing them to play suboptimally. The Ragavan player eventually wins the game by attacking with Ragavan and sacrificing it to an effect that benefits from creatures dying.

Lesson: Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer can be effective against control decks by disrupting their game plan and providing value even when it is removed.

Story 3:

A player builds a deck that relies on artifacts and enchantments to generate card advantage. They include Esper Sentinel in their deck to take advantage of the numerous artifacts and enchantments they are playing. The Esper Sentinel provides them with a consistent source of card advantage, allowing them to outvalue their opponents and win the game.

Lesson: Esper Sentinel can be a powerful card in decks that rely on artifacts or enchantments to generate card advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• 1. How does Urza, Lord Protector interact with Karn, the Great Creator?
  Urza, Lord Protector's +2 ability can target Karn, the Great Creator and create a Germ token. The Germ token can then be sacrificed to draw a card, providing you with card advantage.
• 2. Can Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer exile a card with morph or face-down?
  No, Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer cannot exile a card with morph or face-down. The ability only allows you to exile the top card of an opponent's library that is revealed.
• 3. Does Esper Sentinel trigger when an opponent's artifact or enchantment enters the battlefield?
  No, Esper Sentinel only triggers when an artifact or enchantment enters the battlefield under your control.
• 4. Can Urza, Lord Protector's -8 ability target himself?
  No, Urza, Lord Protector's -8 ability cannot target himself. The ability can only target other permanents on the battlefield.
• 5. Does Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer's ability trigger if the top card of an opponent's library is a land card?
  No, Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer's ability only triggers if the top card of an opponent's library is a non-land card.
• 6. Can Esper Sentinel trigger multiple times in the same turn?
  Yes, Esper Sentinel can trigger multiple times in the same turn if multiple artifacts or enchantments enter the battlefield under your control.

Conclusion

The spoiled cards from Modern Horizons 3 have the potential to reshape the Modern format. Urza, Lord Protector, Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, and Esper Sentinel are just a few of the cards that could have a significant impact. Players who are able to effectively utilize these cards and adapt to the new strategies they enable will be well-positioned to succeed in the Modern format.