After a visit to the doc for a routine checkup, I went to my friendly local game store and added a brand new booster pack to my purchases.
Apparently Wizards of the Coast is experimenting with an optional new booster this time around with art cards, extra rares/uncommons, and fewer commons. Let's see what's in store here.
The art card is #47/81, and shows off the image from Expedition Diviner at a larger scale. To the sides, there is a drake token and a full-art land card. The commons arrayed below are all potentially useful.
But it's the foils, rares, and uncommons we really want to see, right?
The uncommons here are all useful in the right decks, but none seem to be priced over 30 cents. Khalni Ambush is interesting, though. It's a double-sided card with a land that enters tapped on one side and an instant option on the other. It might add some options to a green deck, but it's not good land ramp or a good version of the instant as far as I can tell.
The foil Zulaport Duelist isn't priced very high, either, but a 1-drop blue 1/1 with flash, mill, and a weakening ability is phenomenal mechanically.
Master of Winds seems to be a value disappointment. 4 mana for a 1/4 flyer that can swap its strength and toughness? Meh.
I like the idea of returning to the Zendikar theme, but this pack was less than spectacular. We will see whether prices shift though. What would you draft, what adds to your established decks, and how would you brew with these new mechanics? Comment below!