The previous weekend was the worldwide release party of the recent Magic: The Gathering expansion, Worldwake, which was also the expansion set of Zendikar. As players talk about the powerful cards of the set (I’m referring to the new Jace and the demon Abyssal Persecutor) which can be a possible inclusion in the current Standard, I think I can say that Worldwake isn’t that impressive like Zendikar. There are a number of playable cards though, waiting to be discovered and abused. Let’s take a look at the candidates.

Admonition Angel – the six casting flying 6/6 body of this mythic rare is impressive enough, plus the Oblivion Ring effect for every landfall makes it a walking or rather flying removal.

Join the Ranks – the Allies were surely smiling upon seeing this card. It can make multiple triggers with Allies on the battlefield plus you can do it in an instant which is good when combined with combat tricks.

Marshal’s Anthem – this and Iona would perfectly make a good Esper color control-reanimation deck (also with Rise from the Grave). The bonus +1/+1 makes your Martial Coup more effective.

Perimeter Captain – this probably is a good sideboard against Boros and RDW, stopping their hoards and gaining you life in the process.

Calcite Snapper – Blue control decks’ new toy. Act as both offense and defense and the shroud makes it a very impressive card for a common.

Vapor Snare – Mind Control with consistent Landfall per turn. In addition, the one blue mana makes it splashable in other decks. I think this will get a slot in the sideboards.

Wind Zendikon – an early flying beater that gives you clock while setting up your counters in your control decks.

Death’s Shadow – I had a feeling this will be an insane critter if combined with the good cards. My initial build would be a deck built around Ad Nauseam.

Nemesis Trap – hard casting this trap is not a big deal as compared to its awesome ability. I’d give it a slot or two in my black red or mono black agro deck.

Kazuul, Tyrant of the Cliffs – good removal bait or probably it will give a halt to most agro decks, specifically mono green Elves. I’ve played against this card last night and he alone can even stop the aggressiveness of my Jund deck.

Slavering Nulls – if you are building a black red agro deck, I suggest you make use of these Goblins.

Avenger of Zendikar – I failed to see its potential on the first time but upon looking at it again, I can say that it is the new version of Rude Awakening.

Bestial Menace – Eldrazi Monument decks got another toy with this card. Possibly we will have a four-ofs of these in a mono green version.

Dread Statuary – aside from the friendly color manlands, this artifact man land has greater advantage because it does not come into play tapped, and the 4/2 body makes it an excellent beater.

Cards I didn’t mentioned here are probably upgrades of specific decks in Standard. For example, Urge to Feed for Vampires, Hada Freeblade for the Allies, Searing Blaze for RDW and Joraga Warcaller for Elves. Although not all might see play in Standard, they may have a chance in Zendikar block. I hope you can brew a good deck for each one of them. See you on my next post. 🙂