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Exclusive M11 Spoiler
by Bill Stark | posted at 2010-06-25 01:11:00
tagged: MTG, Magic, Magic the Gathering, M11, Magic 2011, Squadron Hawk, Exclusive Spoiler
It's here. That's right, TheStarkingtonPost.com exclusive Magic 2011 spoiler is here! Check it out:
But what does it DO?
We've seen this mechanic before. Both Welkin Hawk and Screaming Seahawk mimic it to some extent with minor tweaks, but Squadron Hawk truly takes it to the next level. Don't let its stats fool you. A 1/1 flyer doesn't immediately grab one's attention, but recognize the card for what it is: Ancestral Recall. Too much of a stretch? Not even close.
First, consider what simply having three additional cards in your hand can do. Use them to discard to some other card for any sort of effect (like Zombie Infestation in the old UZI decks from Odyssey Block). Funnel them into sacrifice outlets. Use them to chump block for what will no doubt feel like eternity while getting your beat on on the ground. Or, and this is perhaps the most tantalizing use of the card, use Squadron Hawk to abuse Vengevine in the graveyard. For two mana you get what amounts to a 2/2 flyer AND Vengevine? That's a sick deal no matter how you slice it. It even hints at applications in Legacy where it forms an instant engine with Survival of the Fittest. And in M11 Booster Draft? This card could be one of the most broken Limited commons of all time, just make sure to start drafting the strategy early.
Magic 2011 seems to be picking up from where Magic 2010 left off, and Squadron Hawk is an exciting new addition to the world of Standard. I'm expecting big things from this set, and so far we have NOT been disappointed.
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Bill Stark is the founder and editor-in-chief of TheStarkingtonPost.com. He began playing Magic in 1995 after being introduced to the game by his brother. Since then he has competed at all levels of play including the JSS, Grand Prix, Nationals, and Pro Tour. In addition to his career as a pro, Bill began writing about the game early on for TheDojo.com, the first website dedicated to Magic. Since then he has written and edited for nearly every major Magic website on the web. In 2007 he began work as an official coverage reporter for Wizards of the Coast, flying to Grand Prixs, Nationals, and World Championships to record the events happening at each. He was also hired for six months as an R&D intern at Wizards where he worked on the redesign for DailyMTG.com as well as helping to develop multiple Magic sets. After leaving Wizards, he started TheStarkingtonPost.com to utilize his many contacts in the industry to provide a better information solution for fans of TCGs, gaming, and Magic: The Gathering.