Highlights from Core Set 2021 to Pauper

On June 25th, the cards of the new Core Set 2021 will be available to players on digital platforms.

M21 is an expansion that, in addition to paying homage to the history of the planeswalker Teferi, also promised iconic reprints, new powerful cards and ... dogs. That's right, the presentation of "doggos" had a prominent place in the disclosure made by WotC.

From what I have seen of the M21 spoilers, the expansion pleased in general, but what about Pauper? Did the commons pleased the players of our format too? In addition to the basic land with the new layouts, will anything else see play? Let's check the cards that caught my attention:

Green

Llanowar Visionary even looks like a meme of the cross between Llanowar Elves and Elvish Visionary. Most likely, this game also played among designers during the creation of the expansion, but what really matters is that we had a good addition to the format. Although most players think that Llanowar Visionary will not see a game on the Elves (according to the "opinions I heard" research institute), I still do not rule out the possibility of lists with one or two copies of the new Visionary , which besides having an interesting body for the deck, generates a very popular draw and finally, but not so important, generates a mana. I think any good card that makes the Elves less fragile deserves a chance.

I liked a lot Track Down too, it stands out for the fact that most green cantrips do not give the option to draw “other cards”, generally the cards not selected go to the graveyard or bottom of library. The problem is that perhaps the deck for this card does not yet exist in Pauper: I imagine it in a midrange: BG, GW, or even a Mono Green when the format has more support for this type of deck.

Red

The red color did not have many strong additions, I will highlight the two cards that most caught my attention, but I believe that if I were to make a top 5 pauper cards from M21, the red would be left out.

Goblin Wizardry has a neat skill: creating goblin tokens with prowess. I really found it fun, and even recommend some tests on Izzet Puzzles, a deck that has no creatures, only magic and Flurry of Horns that generates minotaur tokens. The Goblin Wizardry costs less and can be played on the opponent's turn, but even assuming the deck improves, still, in my opinion it wouldn't be enough to make him more competitive.

Hobblefiend is yet another card that deserves to be quoted. In addition to being slower than Carrion Feeder, what makes it much worse is the cost to activate your ability, yet maybe they can be companions in the rogues of life: Aristocrats is a really fun archetype and I personally like cards that have synergy with Falkenrath Noble ... Speaking of which, a downgrade of Fireblade Artist would be nice, huh?

Going back to reality, let's analyze the white color ...

White

Swift Response: I'm kind of suspicious when it comes to Journey to Nowhere because I'm a huge fan of this removal. Despite the cons, it is very well positioned in the format, its biggest advantage is not sending cards like Stormbound Geist to the graveyard. And although Tron does a lot of damage without turning his creatures over (mainly the barrier), Swift Response was one of the cards I liked the most in this expansion. It is always good to have good instant removals at your disposal.

Blue

Frantic Inventory is perhaps the best card in the expansion, as it arrives to replace Accumulated Knowledge which is already consolidated in the format. But even with the potential to be the most played M21 card in Pauper, it will not impact the format as much, only Skred's mirror match should undergo slight changes now that players will only be concerned with their graveyard.

Spined Megalodon: I became very sympathetic to this shark that must compete for a place with Striped Riverwinder and Ulamog’s Crusher in the resuscitator. The dispute is fierce, all have pros and cons. I think shark resistance is so relevant that it competes with the cycling of the Serpent. Ahhh how I would like this shark to fly, you know that there are flying sharks in the multiverse, right? This evasion was lacking for Spined Megalodon to guarantee favoritism. In fact, I have always felt a lack of evasion in the Reanimator.

I also think it is worth testing the shark as a finisher in a UB Full Control.

Rousing Read also caught my attention. Although its cost is not the most attractive, it brings a package of “values” to the match: Evasion, body, and draw. I think that less explosive hexproof builds can take more advantage of Rousing Read, but it may still be in the vast expansion of "ALMOST a fun card". "- Huuum, but if it cost 2 ..."

Black

Rising Again is not the Zombify that Pauper deserves... C'mon WotC! This downgrade was totally reasonable, right?

We know that the Reanimator needs something beyond Exhume. I think this need will get Rise Again tested in the format.

Village Rites is the card that most excited me in M21. I have already assembled some currants with Altar’s Reap at Pauper, but when I saw the Village Rites spoiler I started to dream big, I am part of the group that would like to see this card playing at MBC. Was it such an absurd idea? I've always found Mono Black's curve too complicated and lately I've been abusing Unearth to be able to do more magic in the same turn. Perhaps with some changes the deck will have an interesting curve and using two copies of Village Rites will become standard.

Regardless of whether or not I play at MBC, this card is very strong, and I am very anxious about this addition.

Overall, I liked what the basic 2021 expansion brought to Pauper. Perhaps the level was below Throne of Eldraine and Ikoria, and that may have disappointed some players, but calm down, soon we will have the release of two new expansions that may still bring something to our format.

Soon we will have the release of Jump Start and Double Masters, in the meantime I am curious to know your opinion about M21! Did I miss a card you liked? Comment.

Thank you very much for reading and see you next time.