New commons for Pauper in Modern Masters 2017

I found only two downshifted commons in Modern Masters 2017 that I am somewhat excited about.

Augur of Bolas seems to me like the strongest new common in the set. It slots right into existing decks and is a candidate to replace Sea Gate Oracle. Of course, the Augur can miss but costing one mana less (giving a critical round of blocking) probably outweighs that fact. I think Augur of Bolas will see plenty of play in the format.

Burning-Tree Emissary has no RG home in Pauper. It is a Modern-playable card and a powerful one at that. I think we will have an exciting experimentation time but that RG in itself is too weak to make an impact in Pauper. There is a slight possibility that this enables some sort of combo shenanigans. Of course the card can prove useful in mono-green decks, possibly Stompy.

I am not particularly excited about Magma Jet or Thunderous Wrath. Pauper has much better burn. Call of the Conclave seems too weak as well, being very narrow and you really want a 4/4 for 2 mana in Pauper.

Any cards you think will see play?

Thoughts on Modern and Modern Masters 2017

My friend Binkabi gives some deep thought to Modern in general and Modern Masters 2017 in particular.

Modern Masters 2017 coming on March 17, 2017

MM3 has been announced. There will be cards from Eigth Edition through Magic 2014 with the emphasis on Innistrad and Return to Ravnica blocks.

MSRP is $9.99. Hopefully that is not the online price.

The structure of the set seems to be the same as MM and MM2.

So what could the ten archetypes possibly be? These are my guesses.

WU: Fliers with detain
WB: Sacrifice - probably Humans
WG: Populate and big things
WR: Battalion seems like the natural choice but that would win against any other of these decks.
UB: Self mill. I don't think Cypher stands a chance.
UG: Please please be Evolve
UR: Spells. Possibly with Burning Vengeance. Always popular.
BG: Morbid Golgaris
BR: Vampires
GR: Werewolves

What do you think? What are your guesses? Let me know in the comments below.

Interesting that some of the archetypes will be well known because of Shadows over Innistrad being so recent.

I hate what this is going to do to my bot inventory. I think it is time to stop buying anything from ISD and RTR blocks. And it is definitely time to sell your Snapcaster Mages and Lilianas.

Full announcement here: http://magic.wizards.com/en/content/modern-masters-2017-info

The next block is set on Amonkhet

There was a big announcement recently from Wotc.

The next block after Kaladesh is set on the world of Amonkhet, ruled by Nicol Bolas himself. The name sounds Egyptian to me. I am ready for some sphinxes, pyramids and pharaohs.

The first set of the block is "Rise Among the Worthy". It will be released on April 28, 2017.

The second set of the block is "Hour of Devastation". It will be released on July 14, 2017.

They also announced Modern Masters 2017 for March 17, 2017 featuring cards from sets from 8th Edition (Blood Moon perhaps?) through Magic 2014, probably with a focus on Innistrad and Return to Ravnica blocks.

Read the full announcement here: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/feature/announcement-day-2016-08-31