As so I have decided to do another booster pack opening video. This time, however, I have to add a few commentary and describe which card would be useful for the Standard and Modern format. I might reference on the Youtube videos of the other Magic: the Gathering content creators as to how they present the content of their episodes. They looked to be complicated but very well-informed. The version that I have planned to create would be simpler and somewhat direct to the point. However, I won’t be adding that to this blog post.

Let us start with the opening of the booster packs.

If you have finished watching the video, I have shown at the ending part the card highlights that I will discuss below. Here are my insights.

Goblin Warchief – Obviously for the Goblin deck which I think will make an appearance after the rotation in October. Giving one less in the mana cost would not be that relevant with the currently released Goblin cards in the set. Sure it can discount a Siege-Gang Commander but the archetype needs more anthem effect in order to be effective. We are hoping that the next Ravnica set will provide that.

Squee, the Immortal – He has been considered before as a sideboard of Black Red against control that uses Exile spells and it however, under performed.

Damping Sphere – A popular Modern sideboard card which still has to have a spot in Standard decks. It halts the ramp of Tron lands, makes Storm spells more costly and can even affect the KCI combo deck. I currently have two copies of these in the sideboard of my 5C Humans deck.

Raff Capashen, Ship’s Mage – Blue White Saga recently got out of the meta in favor of its Control cousin but fare not as for post-rotation this card will most likely see play, maybe splashing for the colors of Jeskai (Red) or Esper (Black). We will flashing again the likes of Lyra in combat blockers step.

Verdant Force – This is a classic behemoth and has been popular during the time I was still starting in Magic and is shelled in Mono Green Stompy decks and also likely to be included in Ramp decks. Bant Nexus of Fate decks post-rotation will still be relevant and so the force can be an option for the big creature slot here.

Cleansing Nova – A mass removal in Standard almost always included in control decks. This, however, is safe as a one-of currently as most builds prefer Fumigate because of the additional lifegain effect. Again, post-rotation will be the time for this card to shine.

That is a wrap for the card insights. Checking the total card prices locally end up to the almost half of the booster pack prices but you will never know what you would open so I think of the value on an average.

Stay tuned for future product opening video and hopefully I can implement the planned improvements.

Until the next blog post.