In the world of MTG, it’s very common for premier sets to bring a handful of exciting card “cycles” with them. For example, Duskmourn is showcasing a full group of Overlords, one for each color. These cards are rather similar to the iconic “Titans” that were introduced to Magic over a decade ago but come with their own little mechanical twists. On top of that, a collection of two-color rare “Verge” lands from Duskmourn is sure to bring some much-needed mana fixing to Standard.
While the Overlords and Verges are sure to draw a lot of attention, there is one other cycle of cards that we shouldn’t forget about. There’s a group of rare Glimmer creatures, and they’re quite interesting. Each one is an enchantment creature with a potent effect, and whenever they die, they return to the battlefield as just enchantments. A couple of these Glimmers in particular look very promising, and we felt they deserved to be highlighted.
Enduring Innocence
- Mana Value: 1WW
- Rarity: Rare
- Stats: 2/1
- MTG Set: Duskmourn
- Card Text: Lifelink. Whenever one or more other creatures you control with power 2 or less enter, draw a card. This ability triggers only once each turn. When Enduring Innocence dies, if it was a creature, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control. It’s an enchantment. (It’s not a creature.)
The first of these Glimmers is Enduring Innocence. Enduring Innocence is a neat source of card advantage that comes stapled to a 2/1 with Lifelink. At first glance, this might seem a little too narrow and inefficient for Constructed play. However, it does a lot for three mana.
Compare this card to an effect like Tocasia’s Welcome. Tocasia’s Welcome has shown up in decks like Azorius Soldiers in Standard and Azorius Spirits in Pioneer. Having access to a continuous source of card advantage can be very useful in grindy matchups. The downside, of course, is that you have to pay three mana and essentially not affect the board in any way. Enduring Innocence removes this problem.
If Azorius Soldiers gains traction again in Standard, Enduring Innocence feels like a great fit, at least out of the sideboard. Just like Tocasia’s Welcome, it works perfectly with Flash creatures. Even though you can only draw one extra card per turn off Enduring Innocence, if you can cast creatures on both your turn and your opponent’s turn, you’ll be able to generate additional card advantage.
Many of the creatures in the deck have two power or less, so that isn’t a concern. You can always choose to block with Enduring Innocence to soak up damage or trade it off if you’re lucky since it will come back as an enchantment. Plus, you have the bonus of nabbing this card off Knight-Errant of Eos. The value of having a card draw engine stapled to a relevant and resilient body makes the card very appealing.
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Enduring Curiosity
- Mana Value: 2UU
- Rarity: Rare
- Stats: 4/3
- MTG Set: Duskmourn
- Card Text: Flash. Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, draw a card. When Enduring Curiosity dies, if it was a creature, return it to the battlefield under its owner’s control, It’s an enchantment. (It’s not a creature.)
Speaking of drawing cards, Enduring Curiosity is another Glimmer that should be on everyone’s radar. As a 4/3 with Flash, Enduring Curiosity is burly enough that the opponent may feel obligated to spend removal on it. After all, if it starts connecting in combat, you’ll get even more out of it.
Yet, even if the opponent answers Enduring Curiosity with a kill spell, they then have to worry about the enchantment left behind. Gix, Yawgmoth Praetor has made its presence felt in Dimir midrange in Standard as a card-drawing machine alongside cheap fliers. Enduring Curiosity can absolutely fill the same tempo role, except that it isn’t as vulnerable to removal. All your small, evasive creatures like Spyglass Siren become significantly more threatening with Enduring Curiosity in play.
If these Glimmers start to play a major role in Standard, it may be worth playing more exile-based removal. Torch the Tower, for instance, can cleanly answer both of these Glimmers on the cheap. These Glimmers may not be overly flashy, but they can be very impactful if left unchecked.
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