While it’s often overlooked in favor of Standard or Commander, Pauper is one of Magic: The Gathering’s biggest success stories. It offers surprisingly complex Magic gameplay for a low entry cost, and enjoys a healthy level of moderation for such a niche format. Pauper is also great because it essentially recontextualizes all the new common cards in a set. You can see this quite clearly today, as what would normally be an unremarkable batch of MTG Spider-Man commons suddenly takes on the look of contenders.
We’re starting to see more and more commons now as we move into the final day of previews, and some of them are certified bangers. There are pieces here with legitimate potential in some of the top decks in the Pauper format. At the very least, they’re worthy of testing. While we haven’t seen anything on the level of Cryogen Relic just yet, Spider-Man is shaping up to be an excellent Pauper set regardless.
Swarm, Being Of Bees
- Mana Value: 2B
- Type: Legendary Creature – Insect Villain
- Rarity: Common
- Card Text: Flash.
Flying.
Mayhem B (You may cast this card from your graveyard for B if you discarded it this turn. Timing rules still apply.)- Stats: 2/2
Spider-Man has a ton of obscure Villains in his back catalog, and Swarm here is absolutely one of them. That doesn’t hold it back from being a stellar card, however, especially for a common. Three mana for a 2/2 Flash Flier is mediocre even in Pauper, but the Mayhem ability here is very nice indeed.
For the most part, Mayhem is a ‘fixed’ Madness, in that it doesn’t let you ignore timing restrictions and cast sorcery-speed cards on your opponent’s turn. Since Swarm has Flash, it actually goes the other way and becomes a better Madness instead. Now you not only get to cast Swarm on your opponent’s turn if you discard it then, but you can also wait for the perfect moment to do so, since Mayhem doesn’t require you to cast it on the spot.
As a result, this card could easily find its way into the Madness Burn decks that are doing very well in the format right now. While those decks don’t run the similar Kitchen Imp, Mayhem gives it more play alongside rummage effects. Swarm is also legendary, which means it gets to dodge format staple Cast Down. Time will tell if it sticks, but Madness Burn players are absolutely going to try this card out on launch.
Spider Manifestation
- Mana Value: 1R/G
- Type: Creature – Spider Avatar
- Rarity: Common
- Card Text: Reach.
Tap: Add R or G.
Whenever you cast a spell with mana value 4 or greater, untap this creature.- Stats: 2/2
Next on our tour of top-tier MTG Spider-Man commons, we have an exciting new mana dork. Spider Manifestation has pretty terrifying art, and its abilities can absolutely match that in the right scenario. Offering ramp and fixing is pretty strong by itself in Gruul colors in Pauper. Decks like Jund Wildfire and Gruul Ramp can make great use of that in a vacuum. What really takes it over the top, however, is that untap clause.
Both of those decks run plenty of creatures that cost four or more. Writhing Chrysalis is one of the format’s biggest staples, and Avenging Hunter isn’t far behind. Being able to tap out to cast one of these big threats and still hold up mana for a Lightning Bolt or Pyroblast is a big deal. On top of that, it also works really well with creatures that can discount their costs. Refurbished Familiar from Jund Wildfire springs to mind, as a card that can be effectively ‘free’ with Manifestation out. These are commonly-played decks in Pauper, and Manifestation unlocks some pretty powerful lines for them.
The fact that Manifestation has Reach is also well worth noting. Whether it’s Delver of Secrets or Spellstutter Sprite, there’s no shortage of annoying Fliers in Pauper. Even if you don’t need the extra mana, getting to untap Manifestation just to block these creatures is a great bonus. This card seems like a slam-dunk in multiple archetypes, so don’t be surprised to see it a ton in Pauper in a couple of weeks.
Amazing Acrobatics
- Mana Value: 1UU
- Type: Instant
- Rarity: Common
- Card Text: Choose one or both –
- Counter target spell.
- Tap one or two target creatures.
Some players are already calling Amazing Acrobatics a “Pauper Cryptic Command.” That’s high praise indeed, for anyone who knows how good that card was in its prime. While Acrobatics lacks the card draw option, getting to counter a spell and tap down opposing blockers/attackers for just three mana is a huge tempo play.
There are quite a few decks that could make great use of this card in the format right now. Mono-Blue Terror always appreciates more countermagic, and getting to push past pesky chump blockers with your chunky threats is great too. It also has potential in the likes of Mono-Blue Faeries. That deck cares a lot about getting through for damage, so something like this can really keep things running smoothly.
Heck, we could even see this played as a stall piece in the High Tide Combo decks that are currently dominating the format. In some cases, countering a spell and tapping down two creatures will read ‘take an extra turn.’ Basically, Acrobatics is so efficient that every blue deck in Pauper will likely at least consider it. It may prove too clunky in the end, but it’s still one of the most exciting new commons from MTG Spider-Man regardless.
Skyward Spider
- Mana Value: W/U W/U
- Type: Creature – Spider Human Hero
- Rarity: Common
- Card Text: Ward 2 (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays 2.)
This creature has Flying as long as it’s modified. (Equipment, Auras you control, and counters are modifications.)- Stats: 2/2
Skyward Spider is clearly a pretty pushed creature for common. Once kitted out with any kind of Aura or Equipment, it becomes a 2/2 Flier with Ward 2. That’s a scary rate, and one that could make the card viable in a couple of different decks.
Bogles and Mono-White Heroic are the clear contenders here. Both play a bunch of one-mana Auras that can turn on Skyward Spider easily. Once they do, the card is a solid addition to their lineups of cheap, resilient creatures. While Ward 2 certainly isn’t Hexproof, it will do the job in the early game, which is where Skyward Spider will do the most work. Getting evasion built in also makes the card particularly good with Auras that don’t grant it. Cards like Ethereal Armor, Hyena Umbra, etc.
The issue with these decks is that neither one really sees a ton of play in Pauper right now. They both exist, certainly, but on the fringes of the format. Early discussion of Skyward Spider is also a bit on the fence as to whether it’ll even replace any of the cards in those decks. At two mana, Akroan Skyguard and Silhana Ledgewalker are often going to be superior options. This makes the card a bit niche, but I do think the potential is there. It’d be unwise to ignore a common with so much relevant text on it, after all.
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