Well, here we are again. Did you miss me? If you remember, I was the one who reviewed Lorwyn’s Green cards, and hopefully by now, I’ve been ripped to pieces in the forums. You wouldn’t want me to get a big head and be right all the time, would you? I hope not. I’m apparently an insufferable know-it-all when I’m right.

Speaking of being an insufferable know-it-all (and being right), I’ve been predicting that Lorwyn would be a tribal block since Ravnica was printed. What I didn’t know was how different the tribal theme would be this time around. Instead of unstable Warchiefs, silly Elves, broken Goblins, and stupid Beasts, now we have sly Fae, domineering Merfolk, mischievous Goblins (big difference, let me tell you), and proud Elves. It’s the same old tribal, but a whole new flavor.

Again, I’ll be doing both a Limited and Constructed rating for each card. Let’s dig in, and see what red brings us.

Adder-Staff Boggart - 1R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (C)
When Adder-Staff Boggart comes into play, clash with an opponent. If you win, put a +1/+1 counter on Adder-Staff Boggart.
2/1

When I first saw this card, I thought it was bad, because clash was essentially bad. However, this clash lets you have a 3/2 on turn two, and in Limited, where your two-mana spells need to have longevity against your opponent’s three- and four-mana spells, this creature fits the bill. In Constructed, though, I think there are other creatures that do a better job in your two-slot, but this is surely a card worth thinking about.

Limited Grade: A- Clash may not be so bad after all.
Constructed Grade: B Not as good, but still okay.

Ashling the Pilgrim - 1R
Legendary Creature - Elemental Shaman (R)
1R: Put a +1/+1 counter on Ashling the Pilgrim. If this is the third time this ability has resolved this turn, remove all +1/+1 counters from Ashling the Pilgrim, and it deals that much damage to each creature and each player.
1/1

Speaking of a good two-mana spell, this lovely lady certainly fits the bill. Ashling has the “third time’s the charm” mechanic that some other Flamekin are sporting throughout Red, and she’s certainly got an amazing power. If you want to save her ability, and make her bigger, use it once or twice a turn, then later on, let her explode in glorious fire.

Limited Grade: A Boom baby. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Constructed Grade: A This screams, “Build a deck around me, but please don’t put Doubling Season in that deck. Mostly because I don’t like Doubling Season.”

Ashling's Prerogative - 1R
Enchantment (R)
As Ashling's Prerogative comes into play, choose odd or even.
Each creature with converted mana cost equal to the chosen value has haste.
Each creature without converted mana cost equal to the chosen value comes into play tapped.

This is a cute enchantment which can be powerful in the right Constructed deck, but which probably won’t see much play in Limited. It can be fairly helpful in Limited, but it requires a very specific kind of deck, and I don’t think that it’s good enough to see such symmetry fall out of a draft or a sealed pool.

Limited Grade: C+ It’s just not good enough. Maybe it will be all right as a 23rd card in that 40-card deck, but I won’t count on that.
Constructed Grade: B+ It’s a creature-only Kismet and Mass Hysteria in one card, and for cheaper. In Constructed, where you can build your deck on odds and evens, you’ll be able to get your money’s worth out of this card.

Axegrinder Giant - 4RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (C)
6/4

Craw Wurm in Red?

Limited Grade: B Craw Wurm is a decent, but not spectacular finisher in the common slot.
Constructed Grade: D Meh. It’s just not that spectacular in Constructed. Vanilla creatures have never been my thing, especially since you can get some pretty amazing creatures for this kind of mana.

Blades of Velis Vel - 1R
Tribal Instant - Shapeshifter (C)
Changeling (This card is every creature type even if this card isn't in play.)
Up to two target creatures each get +2/+0 and gain all creature types until end of turn.

I’m not sure how well this holds up. It seems like it would be useful, but I don’t see Haze of Rage getting played all that much right now. The fact that you can find it with your Flamekin Harbinger doesn’t make it all that much better.

Limited Grade: C+ - It can push in for an extra four damage, or let you make some trades for bigger creatures.
Constructed Grade: F – Nope. Next please.

Blind-Spot Giant - 2R
Creature - Giant Warrior (C)
Blind-Spot Giant can't attack or block unless you control another Giant.
4/3

If you can pull off a fourth turn Giant drop, you might see this thing be good. Changelings also make it great. I love four power for three mana, especially at common. You need to have a Giant though, or you’re in high water with this wasted card.

Limited Grade: B- Limited has enough Changelings and Giants; if you played this, I think it could probably be a good card 80% of the time.
Constructed Grade: A- Constructed doesn’t have the same consistency problems Limited does. Straight up, this is a 4/3 for three mana, and that’s a pretty good deal.

Boggart Forager - R
Creature - Goblin Rogue (C)
R, Sacrifice Boggart Forager: Target player shuffles his or her library.
1/1

Meh. I’m not all that impressed. I suppose this could mess up someone’s Foresee, but I would never want to actually use a card for that effect. [Streetz's prediction of the moment - the next block will involve shuffling as a mechanic - similar to Celixia's shuffling themes.]

Limited Grade: F Nope. Not good.
Constructed Grade: F Still no.

Boggart Shenanigans - 2R
Tribal Enchantment - Goblin (U)
Whenever another Goblin you control is put into a graveyard from play, you may have Boggart Shenanigans deal 1 damage to target player.

I think this card is broken with the current decks in Extended. It’ll be interesting to see how this works out in Constructed, but in Limited, especially draft, this can be ridiculous. In sealed it’s not as great.

Limited Grade: B Good in draft, bad in sealed (unless you’ve got plenty of Goblins).
Constructed Grade: A Good in Goblin decks of now, and of old. Empty the Warrens, Skirk Prospector, and Goblin Sharpshooter all love this card.

Boggart Sprite-Chaser - 1R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (C)
As long as you control a Faerie, Boggart Sprite-Chaser gets +1/+1 and has flying.
1/2

Faeries do interact with Goblins, although not as well as I’d like. Black Faerie cards work well with the Black side of the Boggarts, so I’m pretty sure this could be a 2/3 flyer most of the time, as long as you put in the effort.

Limited Grade: B- This card requires a lot of work to get a decent creature out of it.
Constructed Grade: D+ Why put in the effort when you have good flyers in Blue?

Caterwauling Boggart - 3R
Creature - Goblin Shaman (C)
Each Goblin you control can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.
Each Elemental you control can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.
2/2

I like Viashino Runner in 10th Edtion, but I don’t think this is the same thing. It feels like I should be using my four-drop to do something good instead.

Limited Grade: C I’m not impressed.
Constructed Grade: F Uh uh. If that’s the hook and bait, I’m not biting.

Ceaseless Searblades - 3R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (U)
Whenever you play an activated ability of an Elemental, Ceaseless Searblades gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
2/4

This is a silly creature, and there are quite a few interesting combos that it works with, and at least one combo with it involves infinite damage; check out that combo in the first Lorwyn Combos page here. That all said, he’s decent, and if you’ve got more than one or two Elementals in your Limited pool, you can most likely get a good attack out of this guy every once in a while.

Limited Grade: B- You need Elementals with abilities. Without them, he’s just a 2/4 for four mana.
Constructed Grade: A Johnnies unite! This card is for you.

Chandra Nalaar - 3RR
Planeswalker - Chandra (R)
+1: Chandra Nalaar deals 1 damage to target player.
-X: Chandra Nalaar deals X damage to target creature.
-8: Chandra Nalaar deals 10 damage to target player and each creature he or she controls.
6

Just like all the rest of the planeswalkers, Chandra is stupidly good. Especially in Limited, where her ability can remove creatures over and over again, or, in the matter of two turns (if she’s adequately protected) she can pretty much end your opponent’s game right on the spot. In Constructed, planeswalkers are still good, but I think that Chandra may be one of the lesser planeswalkers. She feels slow, and she’s much more vulnerable than in Limited. Still, she’s damn good, and like Mark Rosewater says, if you get her in your next Limited event, you probably should play her.

Limited Grade: A It tastes like burning!
Constructed Grade: A- Don’t eat the berries.

Changeling Berserker - 3R
Creature - Shapeshifter (U)
Changeling
Haste
Champion a creature
5/3

Now that I’m over my bad Simpsons pun, on to this thing. Surprisingly, I enjoy Changeling Berserker much more than I enjoyed Changeling Titan; with haste and a wonderful five power this creature is exactly the right potency for your turn four drop, and at uncommon, you won’t be sad to see it pop up in your Limited pool. Sure, there are times when champion can be bad, but if you play the game correctly, you shouldn’t worry too much about those times.

Limited Grade: A Play this guy. You won’t regret it.
Constructed Grade: B Changeling makes this guy better than you might think.

Consuming Bonfire - 3RR
Tribal Sorcery - Elemental (C)
Choose one - Consuming Bonfire deals 4 damage to target non-Elemental creature; or Consuming Bonfire deals 7 damage to target Treefolk creature.

Excuse me while I laugh very loudly. This card is great Limited removal. It kills most any Treefolk or changeling in Limited. What’s not to love? In Constructed though, you’ve got better options; I think I’d rather play Fireball or Demonfire and get a little more out of my removal.

Limited Grade: A This is good removal.
Constructed Grade: C This is not good removal.

Crush Underfoot - 1R
Tribal Instant - Giant (U)
Choose a Giant creature you control. It deals damage equal to its power to target creature.

While flavorful, for Limited, I seriously doubt you’ll be using this with Giants most of the time. I’d actually bet money that you’d be using this in decks with changelings all day. Still, it’s a good way to deal anywhere from two to six damage for two mana, and that’s not a bad thing at all.

Limited Grade: A Solid.
Constructed Grade: B- Because this has to be played with a Giant, it’s simply not as good as something like Incinerate. Still good, but it requires a little more work to make it in a larger card base. Still amazing in a Giants Tribal deck.

Faultgrinder - 6R
Creature - Elemental (C)
Trample
When Faultgrinder comes into play, destroy target land.
Evoke 4R (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)
4/4

So, I can pay 4R for Stone Rain, or 6R for a 4/4 body with Stone Rain attached? I’ll pass, thanks. This creature is too expensive for its effect, and frankly, land destruction as a mechanic has to occur early, and frequently. This does none of that.

Limited Grade: C- The body is still kind of impressive.
Constructed Grade: F I’ll play Molten Rain or Stone Rain any day over this. Hell, I’ll play Barbarian Riftcutter over this, and that card is horrible too!

Fire-Belly Changeling - 1R
Creature - Shapeshifter (C)
Changeling
R: Fire-Belly Changeling gets +1/+0 until end of turn. Play this ability no more than twice each turn.
1/1

Vampire Bats gives you a reason to pump it; it flies for two damage, and it’s a first turn drop. This card is not like that at all. Sure, it can be a 3/1, but it’s too fragile for me. I’d rather just try to get a 3/2 from Adder-Staff Boggart.

Limited Grade: C Changeling is probably its saving grace.
Constructed Grade: F No thanks. I’ll play Furnace Whelp or something good instead of this junk.

Flamekin Bladewhirl - R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (U)
As an additional cost to play Flamekin Bladewhirl, reveal an Elemental card from your hand or pay 3.
2/1

While strictly worse than its Kithkin counterpart, a 2/1 in Red on turn one is nothing to sneeze at. Then too, Elementals don’t really tool themselves to a Weenie rush as well as the Kithkin do. While it’s not bad, I don’t think it stands up to the rest of the cycle.

Limited Grade: C I’m not that impressed.
Constructed Grade: C Still not impressed.

Flamekin Brawler - R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (C)
R: Flamekin Brawler gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
0/2

This little guy can do some interesting things with other Flamekin Elementals in play. It pumps Ceaseless Searblades, and can make combat fairly interesting. I wish it had some form of evasion, but its ability can mean the difference between taking down a 2/2 and a 4/4. That kind of difference is what separates this from Fire-Belly Changeling.

Limited Grade: B- It needs at least RR to make itself viable, but it’s not a bad little Elemental.
Constructed Grade: C While it’s solid for combat purposes, it’s not spectacular.

Flamekin Harbinger - R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (U)
When Flamekin Harbinger comes into play, you may search your library for an Elemental card, reveal it, then shuffle your library and put that card on top of it.
1/1

This addition to the Harbinger cycle is good, mostly because it’s cheap. With bomb rares like Ashling and Hostility, Constructed will definitely use this guy. In Limited, this card finds removal spells like Consuming Bonfire and creatures as well.

Limited Grade: A This little guy tutors for removal and creatures. What’s not to love?
Constructed Grade: A- Great for grabbing that key Elemental for your combo deck.

Flamekin Spitfire - 1R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (U)
3R: Flamekin Spitfire deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
1/1

Its ability is overpriced, that’s for sure, but it’s still repeatable damage, and that’s something to take into consideration. While I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s better than Rod of Ruin, the Rod does see plenty of Limited play in 10th Edition (not so much play in Constructed formats, though).

Limited Grade: B- I think its ability is slightly over-costed. I would have liked to see something like 1RR. He’s a pretty fragile creature as well.
Constructed Grade: D+ There are hundreds of ways to deal damage out there, and this isn’t one I think you’ll want to be playing any time soon.

Giant Harbinger - 4R
Creature - Giant Shaman (U)
When Giant Harbinger comes into play, you may search your library for a Giant card, reveal it, then shuffle your library and put that card on top of it.
3/4

Why does it cost so much??? For four mana, I get a 3/3 common. For five mana, I get this. Sure, it’s a tutor, but you’d think I could net at least an extra power out of the creature. This card as a 4/3 is a respectable creature. As it is, it disappoints me. The one good thing I can say about it is that it will normally grab you Axegrinder Giant in Limited.

Limited Grade: B A tutor is a tutor, even if expensive.
Constructed Grade: C- I could use Worldly Tutor, and not have the headache of justifying the extra four mana it costs to play this spell.

Giant's Ire - 3R
Tribal Sorcery - Giant (C)
Giant's Ire deals 4 damage to target player. If you control a Giant, draw a card.

Traditionally in Limited, I’ve never been a fan of cards like Giant’s Ire, but this one has got me wondering. Provided you’ve got a changeling or a Giant, the card replaces itself, and can do a significant amount of damage. Still, I think I’d prefer creature removal to a spell like this.

Limited Grade: C I’d love for someone to prove me wrong on this card, but I don’t think it’s any good.
Constructed Grade: C+ A little better in Constructed, but not by much.

Glarewielder - 4R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (U)
Haste
When Glarewielder comes into play, up to two target creatures can't block this turn.
Evoke 1R
3/1

This card is fairly good. Cards that stop blockers are game winners, provided you can get a board position that will let you win with an alpha strike.

Limited Grade: B 3/1 haste that lets you bypass your opponent’s best creatures. Nice.
Constructed Grade: C- Booo.

Goatnapper - 2R
Creature - Goblin Rogue (U)
When Goatnapper comes into play, untap target Goat and gain control of it until end of turn. It gains haste until end of turn.
2/2

Steal target changeling!

Limited Grade: B You never know when you’re going to need to borrow a Changeling Hero.
Constructed Grade: D+ Bleh.

Hamletback Goliath - 6R
Creature - Giant Warrior (R)
Whenever another creature comes into play, you may put X +1/+1 counters on Hamletback Goliath, where X is that creature's power.
6/6

I’ve written an article about this fatty already, and for Constructed, he can be quite a bit of fun, especially with all the evoke creatures in Lorwyn. In Limited, he’s fat, and can eat blockers all day.

Limited Grade: A- Nothing like a big creature to end the game.
Constructed Grade: A He’s silly, trust me!

Hearthcage Giant - 6RR
Creature - Giant Warrior (U)
When Hearthcage Giant comes into play, put two 3/1 red Elemental Shaman creature tokens into play.
Sacrifice an Elemental: Target Giant creature gets +3/+1 until end of turn.
5/5

I drafted this at the Prerelease, but I didn’t find it all that spectacular. It’s decent, and it makes creatures, but eight mana is so hard to justify. With a few Wanderer’s Twigs, he can be good. I wouldn’t play him in Constructed.

Limited Grade: B- He’s big, but not good enough for how much he costs.
Constructed Grade: F No thank you, sir.

Heatshimmer - 2R
Sorcery (R)
Put a token into play that's a copy of target creature. It has haste and "At end of turn, remove this permanent from the game."

This is interesting in Constructed. There are quite a lot of cool things you can do with it. It has its uses in Limited, too.

Limited Grade: A At the very least, it steals their best creature to attack for you for a turn. Copying a Shriekmaw or a Mulldrifter can’t be all that bad, right?
Constructed Grade: A Generic Johnny comment here.

Hostility - 3RRR
Creature - Elemental Incarnation (R)
Haste
If a spell you control would deal damage to an opponent, prevent that damage. Put a 3/1 red Elemental Shaman creature token with haste into play for each 1 damage prevented this way.
When Hostility is put into a graveyard from anywhere, shuffle it into its owner's library.
6/6

I like me a 6/6 for six mana with haste! In Limited, you won’t see the ability happen as much as you’d like, but in Constructed, this could get silly. Really silly.

Limited Grade: A Efficient beater with a sometimes used ability.
Constructed Grade: A Efficient beater with an ability that is ridiculous in the right deck.

Hurly Burly - 1R
Sorcery (C)
Choose one: Hurly-Burly deals 1 damage to each creature without flying; or Hurly-Burly deals 1 damage to each creature with flying.

Choices are good, and this can definitely do you good if you play it at the right time.

Limited Grade: B Although honestly, I think I’d just prefer a Rain of Embers.
Constructed Grade: D Blah. It’s not that great.

Incandescent Soulstoke - 2R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (R)
Other Elemental creatures you control get +1/+1.
1R, T: You may put an Elemental creature card from your hand into play. That creature gains haste until end of turn. Sacrifice it at end of turn.
2/2

This is a fun card, especially if you’ve got creatures like Nova Chaser sitting around in your hand. Use with Horde of Notions for added fun.

Limited Grade: A I wish it were uncommon, like some of the other Lords in Lorwyn.
Constructed Grade: A Even better in Constructed than it is in Limited.

Incendiary Command - 3RR
Sorcery (R)
Choose two – Incendiary command deals 4 damage to target player; or Incendiary command deals 2 damage to each creature; or destroy target nonbasic land; or each player discards all the cards in his or her hand, then draws that many cards.

In Limited, the choices you get out of this thing are great, but most likely you’re going to use the two damage abilities. Constructed gives you a few more options, but still, it feels like you’ll always play this for damage.
Limited Grade: A Solid creature removal.
Constructed Grade: C There isn’t a choice here.

Ingot Chewer - 4R
Creature - Elemental (C)
When Ingot Chewer comes into play, destroy target artifact.
Evoke R (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)
3/3

Well, all things considered, it’s a cheaper Shatter, but at sorcery speed. I don’t know that you want to pay five mana for an otherwise useless 3/3.

Limited Grade: D
Constructed Grade: F

Inner-Flame Acolyte - 1RR
Creature - Elemental Shaman (C)
When Inner-Flame Acolyte comes into play, target creature gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.
Evoke R (You may play this spell for its evoke cost. If you do, it's sacrificed when it comes into play.)
2/2

This would be a good flash creature. Unfortunately, you have to play the combat trick before combat. That’s generally a bad thing. The creature’s a Gray Ogre for 1RR. Bleh.

Limited Grade: C+ This ability can be good, but it won’t be a majority of the time.
Constructed Grade: F This ability won’t be good in Constructed.

Inner-Flame Igniter - 2R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (U)
2R: Creatures you control get +1/+0 until end of turn. If this is the third time this ability has resolved this turn, creatures you control gain first strike until end of turn.
2/2

Now this is a creature I can sink my teeth into, especially if it’s giving my critters +3/+0 and first strike. I like the flavor of the mechanic, and I think that a nice Elemental Aggro deck could couple around this ability and other Elemental antics.

Limited Grade: B+ What’s better than messing with your opponent’s combat math?
Constructed Grade: B Winning by wrecking their board position.

Lash Out - 1R
Instant (C)
Lash Out deals 3 damage to target creature. Clash with an opponent. If you win, Lash Out deals 3 damage to that creature's controller. (Each clashing player reveals the top card of his or her library, then puts that card on the top or bottom. A player wins if his or her card had a higher converted mana cost.)

The Incinerate of the set, with the added bonus of a potential extra 3 damage.

Limited Grade: A
Constructed Grade: A

Lowland Oaf - 3R
Creature - Giant Warrior (C)
T: Target Goblin creature you control gets +1/+0 and gains flying until end of turn. Sacrifice that creature at end of turn.
3/3

It’s a Hill Giant. It’s also a pitcher. Go figure.

Limited Grade: B Playable, but nothing spectacular.
Constructed Grade: D Not really spectacular at all.

Mudbutton Torchrunner - 2R
Creature - Goblin Warrior (C)
When Mudbutton Torchrunner is put into a graveyard from play, it deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
1/1

When this is getting sacrificed to Facevaulter or Tarpitcher, it seems obvious that this creature has something going for it. It takes down 4/4 creatures, and in the right situation, it can get the elusive two for one.

Limited Grade: A What’s not to love?
Constructed Grade: B+ It may be a bit too expensive to see much Constructed play.

Needle Drop - R
Instant (C)
Needle Drop deals 1 damage to target creature or player that was dealt damage this turn.
Draw a card.

Let me go on the record here and say that I think the ability to do damage to a creature that’s ALREADY been dealt damage is not something I particularly care for. This card may finish off those creatures you couldn’t quite finish off in combat, but that still doesn’t make this card good. I’d rather go for a piece of removal that isn’t as conditional, thanks.

Limited Grade: C It has a cantrip.
Constructed Grade: C+ It could see play in a pinger type deck.

Nova Chaser - 3R
Creature - Elemental Warrior (R)
Trample
Champion an Elemental (When this comes into play, sacrifice it unless you remove another Elemental you control from the game. When this leaves play, return that card to play.)
10/2

It’s a card that seems fairly plausible. With the right kind of deck this creature could be devastating on turn three or even turn two. In Limited, it’s decent, and it will most certainly destroy a creature and hop in for four to six damage likewise.

Limited Grade: A- It’s fragile, and can loose its effectiveness later in the game.
Constructed Grade: A The right Elemental deck can make this a house.

Rebellion of the Flamekin - 3R
Tribal Enchantment - Elemental (U)
Whenever you clash, you may pay 1. If you do, put a 3/1 red Elemental Shaman creature token into play. If you won, that token gains haste until end of turn.

I don’t like this in Limited. I do like it in Constructed. In Constructed, you can build a deck that uses Sensei's Divining Top or some other spell to rig clash wins, and build a clash deck that does some powerful things. Getting a card or a 3/1 every clash is great.

Limited Grade: D Its ability isn’t good, and it’s almost a waste of a card if you don’t have a lot of clash spells.
Constructed Grade: A Fortunately, there is such a thing as a saving grace.

Smokebraider - 1R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (C)
T: Add two mana in any combination of colors to your mana pool. Spend this mana only to play Elemental spells or activated abilities of Elementals.
"Be silent and listen to your inner fire. Only then can you walk the Path of Flame."
1/1

Vedalken Engineer was good because it could pay for half of the block’s spells. This Elemental mana producer turns out to be not quite as good, although it does allow for a very strongly accelerated Elementals deck. Hostility, here I come!

Limited Grade: D
Constructed Grade: B+

Soulbright Flamekin - 1R
Creature - Elemental Shaman (C)
2: Target creature gains trample until end of turn. If this is the third time this ability has resolved this turn, you may add RRRRRRRR to your mana pool.
2/1

When I first saw this card, I was like, “Wait, what?” Fortunately for me, I get it now. This ability works with some of the other Flamekin abilities; Inner-Flame Igniter comes to mind here.

Limited Grade: B It’s an interesting ability on a two power, two mana guy.
Constructed Grade: B+ In the right deck, this could get ugly really fast.

Stinkdrinker Daredevil - 2R
Creature - Goblin Rogue (C)
Giant spells you play cost 2 less to play.
1/3

I really like this card in Limited, mostly because it lets you play some of your big Giants at a more reasonable price, and it provides some early defense against 2/2s and 2/1s. In Constructed, it has mostly the same purpose.

Limited Grade: B+ This also makes Changeling Hero cost three mana.
Constructed Grade: B+ And the next card on the list cost only 3R.

Sunrise Sovereign - 5R
Creature - Giant Warrior (R)
Other Giant creatures you control get +2/+2 and have trample.
5/5

The heftiest of all Lords, this Giant doesn’t give +1/+1 like all the rest of them. Instead, he gives +2/+2 and trample, and as a 5/5 for six mana, you’d be crazy not to play him if he’s in your Limited pool. In Constructed, he can be a house, provided you mix him in with a bunch of other good Giants like Brion Stoutarm.

Limited Grade: A
Constructed Grade: B

Tar Pitcher - 3R
Creature - Goblin Shaman (U)
T, Sacrifice a Goblin: Tar Pitcher deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
2/2

When I first read this card, I thought you didn’t have to sacrifice a Goblin, and I was worried that Wizards had made a card that was too good for Limited. The real ability is much more toned down from my original thoughts, but it’s still very playable, especially with all of the powerful goes-to-the-graveyard abilities of the Goblins in Lorwyn.

Limited Grade: A Hornet Harasser’s best friend.
Constructed Grade: B+ Good with Lorwyn Goblins, but not much else.

Tarfire - R
Tribal Instant - Goblin (C)
Tarfire deals 2 damage to target creature or player.

I’d like to say that this is almost always better than Shock, but you know, there are some creatures running around with protection from Goblins, so I’ll save my judgment. However, Goblin Matron, Goblin Harbinger, and Boggart Birth Rite all tell me otherwise. In Limited, you can’t beat a recurring, tutor-able piece of removal.

Limited Grade: A
Constructed Grade: B In Constructed, though, you’ll use those Goblin tutors to find other things.

Thundercloud Shaman - 3RR
Creature - Giant Shaman (U)
When Thundercloud Shaman comes into play, it deals damage equal to the number of Giants you control to each non-Giant creature.
4/4

This really pushes the Giants theme, and, with the right type of deck, this card can be devastating to an opponent’s board. I think that Constructed Tribal decks will use this more than your average Standard deck, but in a set with a very low amount of mass removal, this can get the job done most of the time.

Limited Grade: A People liked Subterranean Shambler in Time Spiral. This is more powerful.
Constructed Grade: B- If you want to kill lots of creatures, use Pyroclasm.

Wild Ricochet - 2RR
Instant (R)
You may choose new targets for target instant or sorcery spell. Then copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy.

It’s Fork plus Shunt in one convenient package. This card will most likely see play in sideboards, but I doubt it’s main deck material. In Limited, it’s a tricky card that has its rewards, but I wouldn’t be so keen to put this in my main deck.

Limited Grade: B+ If you can hit a piece of removal with it, it’s a three-for-one, and that’s great.
Constructed Grade: B- Sideboard material only.

Phew! I’m done here. Take your comments to the message boards, and enjoy the rest of our Lorwyn theme week!

~Death_By_Beebles~

Alex Hoffman has been parading around with the pseudonym of Death_By_Beebles for three years now. He’s a writer for Magic Deck Vortex, and can often be found tinkering with his latest decks while working on biochemistry homework. He is the author of Raiding the Dollar Bins and the Going Blind series at MDV, and the recent startup series Pauper Chronicles. Alex likes kittens, reading, and generally enjoying life. He doesn’t like Brussels sprouts. You can send him deck ideas, combos and suggestions at deathbybeebles@yahoo.com.

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Articles Spotlights from 2007:
Lorwyn Theme Week Intro & Schedule of Events
Blink And Bounce: Timing is Key
Going Blind: XCB Metagaming - A Prolonged Conclusion.
The Science of Magic: Genetic Engineering, Part Two.
Shifting Lineaments: Casual Metagaming (Pt. 2).
The Dungeon Of Malefict: Pure Evil!
Land Week Introduction & Schedule.
Combofusion: Legends Timeshifted.
One Card to Rule Them All: Coastal Piracy
Irrational Love: Chimeras. The Lego's of Magic.