Welcome all to the Daily Dose of Guilds of Ravnica, where we're preparing for the new set coming out in early October.
Today, I’ll be continuing my series on preparing for rotation. We're just over a month away from Standard rotation and it’s time to figure out how we’re going to prepare for the inevitable. Four sets will be leaving the format.
Last week I talked about possible replacements for cards from Kaladesh and Aether Revolt. This week, I’m moving on to finding replacements for cards from Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation. There are a lot of fan favourites in those sets that we've seen in plenty of Top 8 decks. Some will be easier to replace than others, and I guarantee that there will be quite a few that won’t have any replacements for, unless Guilds of Ravnica brings us some. I’m going to wait no longer, but for now let’s see if we can find some replacements for those rotating out cards.
Anointed Procession – This card will be missed by many a player, and right now there isn’t a replacement for it. The silver lining is that abilities like Embalm and Eternalize are leaving at the same time, so it might not be missed.
Cast Out – Although you won’t be able to play it as an instant there are a couple of alternatives for this card. The latest Hieromancer’s Cage is a simpler one, but the best replacement is Ixalan’s Binding. In some cases, it’s an even better choice and could leave cards stranded in your opponents’ hand.
Forsake the Worldly – Although there isn’t another spell that exiles an artifact or enchantment, Invoke the Divine will destroy one for the same cost while gaining you four life in the process.
Censor – There are some replacements for this one, but without the cycling aspect of it. Some situational replacements include Essence Scatter and Negate. The best choice though is Syncopate since it costs the same mana and is more versatile in the late game.
Approach of the Second Sun – There isn't anything else in the format that can replace this. Personally, I’m glad.
Hieroglyphic Illumination – Like Glimmer of Genius last week, this instant speed draw spell has some lesser cards as possible replacements. Divination, Chart a Course, Inspiration, and Sift will all get you some card draw but none of them have the versatility of Hieroglyphic Illumination.
Pull from Tomorrow – There isn’t any other X draw spell in the format, so the closest thing to live that dream is Azor, the Lawbringer.
Commit // Memory – The only spell that comes close to this is Totally Lost, which costs one more and only buries items on top of an opponent's library. If you want to force them to dig deeper you'll need to bring out Teferi, Hero of Dominaria.
Lord of the Accursed – Zombies will once again take a hit with the Standard rotation, but the good news is that there is still one Zombie lord available with Death Baron.
Ahn-Crop Crasher – There are a few off-colour creatures that can make it so creatures can’t block like Ghirapur Guide and Departed Deckhand, but those are nothing close to what Ahn-Crop Crasher could do.
Glorybringer – I believe Demanding Dragon to be a pretty good replacement for this. I’ve been high on this card since it came out and now could be its time to shine. You either kill one of their creatures (Glorybringer’s exert ability) or deal five damage to them (like it has haste). It helps that it is a 5/5 instead of a 4/4 as well.
Gods like Hazoret the Fervent and Scarab God – Nothing will be able to replace these amazing creatures in the format. Hopefully Guilds of Ravnica will bring us some awesome new legendary creatures.
Magma Spray – There a few alternatives including Dual Shot and Reckless Rage. But the two best replacements for Magma Spray are Shivan Fire and Shock.
Sweltering Suns and Hour of Devastation – We're losing some good red sweepers with rotation. In its wake we are left with Fiery Cannonade, which can still deal two damage to all non-Pirate creatures and casts at instant speed.
Champion of Wits – With the loss of Cloudblazer as well, the only card that comes close to this is Skyscanner. It replaces itself and can act as a chump blocker or get in some small damage in the air.
Supreme Will – There isn’t much to replace the card selection part of this card, but spells like Lookout’s Dispersal and Syncopate can deal with countering spells.
Doomfall – Vraska’s Contempt can exile creatures, but nothing gives you the double bill or hand disruption as well.
Abrade – Fiery Intervention gives you the same versatility of damaging creatures and destroying artifacts, but it costs five mana and must be cast at sorcery speed. If you are looking for instant speed damage, Lightning Strike is the way to go.
There you have it folks, some potential replacement cards for your favourite cards that are rotating out of the format. Remember that Guilds of Ravnica will bring in another 200+ cards, but who knows what those will be. Thanks again for joining me on the Daily Dose, I appreciate every article you read. If you every have any feedback, I’d love to hear how I can make these articles better. Join me next week as the drive towards Guilds of Ravnica continues!
