Pioneer Masters is set to debut on MTG Arena in just three days, and there’s a lot to look forward to. Obviously, for Pioneer enthusiasts, you’ll now be able to boot up Arena and play a format that is nearly identical to the one you enjoy.
On top of that, though, Pioneer Masters looks like a neat draft setting. This set isn’t just a mishmash of random cards that weren’t on Arena yet. Instead, it’s a carefully crafted collection that supports a slew of unique draft archetypes.
Leading up to the set’s release, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss what we think are among the best commons in the set to help you better get a sense of what to look for. Hint: the removal is top-notch!
Notably, this is speculative, so expect some differences as the format evolves. Nonetheless, these commons, in particular, stand out among the sea of reprints that Pioneer Masters brings to the table.
Excellent Removal
The first thing that jumps out with regards to the commons in Pioneer Masters is just how strong the removal is. This is especially true in black. Both Bile Blight and Ob Nixilis’s Cruelty are quite efficient for the range of things they can kill.
Bile Blight looks particularly strong in the set at helping you keep your opponent’s token production in check. With powerhouses like Triplicate Spirits at uncommon, we expect Bile Blight to be a crucial common for nearly every black deck that can support its black-heavy mana cost (Bile Blight is a bonus sheet card, so it will appear during a specific two-week window but should be excellent there).
Once you branch into other colors, you gain access to even more top-tier removal. Dreadbore, for instance, has been downshifted all the way to common. Dreadbore cleanly answers any bomb your opponent plays for a measly two mana, allowing you to get a big tempo advantage if you can play another spell on the same turn.
While other colors don’t quite have removal on the same power level, it should be noted that Swift Reckoning in white and Savage Punch in green can also take down big creatures from the opponent (albeit in a more conditional manner). As such, putting all your eggs in one basket and hoping one top-end threat survives may not be the best strategy.
Fighting Through Attrition
With so much great removal available at low rarity in Pioneer Masters draft, we expect efficient creatures that generate value to be even stronger than they normally would be. There are a few commons in particular that fit the mold.
Both Lyev Skyknight and Ghirapur Gearcraft have solid enters-the-battlefield triggers. This means that they can create an advantage even if the opponent kills them right away.
As a 3/1 flier, Lyev Skyknight is pretty difficult to ignore, so the opponent may need to bite the bullet and spend removal on it. This could open the door for a bigger threat to survive later in the game. Basilica Screecher is another example of a cheap creature that is scary enough to warrant the use of removal early on.
In the case of Ghirapur Gearcraft, spreading your power across two bodies, one of which has Flying, is big game. With payoffs such as Triplicate Spirits and Reckless Bushwhacker (also a bonus sheet card) in the mix, the go-wide Boros deck seems quite strong at first glance.
Finally, another way to combat removal is to simply ignore it with Gladecover Scout. If you can draft a few copies of this common and some support cards (most importantly Unflinching Courage), you may be poised to dominate your draft event.
In short, the removal in common is absolutely bonkers. It’s in your best interest to draft accordingly.
