What would you like to see on the er, horizon?
Modern Horizons 3, Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming Modern format set, releases globally on June 14. Modern Horizons 3 provides players with in-demand reprints and adds new-to-Magic to the format. Also, the setwill introduce historical cards to Modern for the first time.
Wizards of the Coast’s first look at Modern Horizons 3 excited players with the unveiling of the Fetch Land reprints. Players have wished for a reprinting of Allied Fetch Fands (Flooded Strand, Bloodstained Mire etc) since 2014’s Khans of Tarkir. Another thrilling inclusion in Modern Horizons 3 is notable Commander cards. Modern Horizons 3 marks the first time Laelia, the Blade Reforged, and other notable Commander cards will become legal in Modern.
Market Price: $17.57
Double-sided Planeswalker cards also make a return in Modern Horizons 3. Previously seen in Magic Origins, several cards of prominent Magic characters enter the battlefield as legendary creatures capable of transforming later into Planeswalkers. The spoiled Ajani, Nacatl Pariah is a two-mana 1/2 legendary Cat Warrior that creates a 2/1 white Cat Warrior creature token when it enters the battlefield. Furthermore, whenever one or more Cats you control die, you may exile Ajani, Nacatl Pariah, and return it transformed to the battlefield as Ajani, Nacalt Avenger. What other surprises could Modern Horizons 3 have in store for players?
#4 Modal Double-faced Untapped Lands
Market Price: $18.53
Modal double-faced cards (MDFC) from Zendikar Rising were well-received by players. Unlike Magic Origins’ double-sided Planeswalker cards, players can play the front or back side of an MDFC. Some of the more thrilling MDFCs are Zendikar Rising’s cycle of Mythic Rare spells. A key differentiator of Zendikar Rising’s Mythic Rare cycle from other MDFCs is that you may play their backside as an untapped land by paying three life. Moreover, Shatterskull Smashing and Agadeem’s Awakening see some play in Commander and Competitive Constructed formats.
Since double-faced cards will be in Modern Horizons 3, Wizards could easily reprint Zendikar Rising’s cycle of MDFC Mythic Rares. Additionally, Wizards could create a new cycle of MDFC cards similar to Shatterskull Smashing and Agadeem’s Awakening, plus a colorless option. An MDFC colorless mana spell with the option to get played as a colorless mana-producing land would be a first!
#3 Shadowmoor Reprints
Market Price: $12.96
Market Price: $15.97
Market Price: $23.48
Shadowmoor is part of the two-set Shadowmoor block released in 2008. Several powerful cards found in Shadowmoor received minimal reprintings in over fifteen years. Wooded Bastion, Fire-Lit Thicket, and Sunken Ruins are three Filter Lands from Shadowmoor, with only one reprinting in 2020’s Double Masters.
Filter Lands can tap for colorless mana or filter either of two colors into multiple color combinations. Commander players typically add filter lands to two or more color decks to assist with mana fixing. Also, filter lands tapping for colorless mana may slot nicely in the upcoming Modern Horizons 3 Eldrazi Incursion Commander Precon. Reprinting Shadowmoor’s Filter Lands would be a boon for players by making them more affordable and accessible.
Market Price: $50.43
Another Shadowmoor card in desperate need of reprinting is Painter’s Servant. Currently, copies of Painter’s Servant sell for over $50 each, partly due to lack of supply. Painter’s Servant is a staple in Legacy’s Painter Grindstone decks since it enables Grindstone to mill out an opponent’s library. Considering Grindstone is a Breaking News inclusion in Outlaws of Thunder Junction, a reprint of Painter’s Servant may be on the horizon.
#2 Morningtide Reprints
Market Price: $20.77
Market Price: $19.52
Morningtide is a Lorwyn block released in 2008. It may be surprising to some players how many notable cards received their initial printing in the set. Commander-playable cards like Door of Destinies, Idyllic Tutor, and Bitterblossom originate from Morningtide. Reprinting any of the cards above would be a win for players, but there are other thrilling Morningtide players hope to see in Modern Horizons 3.
Thornbite Staff
Morningtide, Uncommon
Morningtide contains two pricy Uncommons that are due for a reprinting. The Kindred equipment, Thornbite Staff, is an Uncommon with an average market price of over $20. Thornbite Staff’s hallmark ability requires two mana and tapping the creature it equips to deal one damage to any target, and whenever a creature dies, untap this creature. Commander decks led by Krenko, Mob Boss, Atla Palani, Nest Tender, Kelsien, the Plague, and other legendary creatures can maximize Thornbite Staff’s ability.
Bramblewood Paragon
Morningtide, Uncommon
Morningtide’s other premium Uncommon is Bramblewood Paragon, a two-mana Elf Warrior. Bramblewood Paragon’s price point of over $6 per copy stems from its two abilities. The first ability of Bramblewood Paragon gives a +1/+1 counter to a Warrior creature you control when it enters the battlefield. Also, Bramblewood Paragon’s second ability grants trample to each creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it. Bramblewood Paragon shines in the ninety-nine of Voja, Jaws of the Conclave, Najeela, the Blade-Blossom, and Tyvar the Bellicose.
Scapeshift
Core Set 2019, Mythic
Two other notable cards from Morningtide that could use a reprint are Scapeshift and Kinsbaile Cavalier. Scapeshift is a crucial card in Modern’s Gruul Valakut and an all-star in Lands-themed Commander decks. In addition, Scapeshift’s recent Special Guest appearance had minimal impact on lowering its average market price.
Kinsbaile Cavalier
Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons, Rare
Kinsbaile Cavalier is an exciting support creature card in the ninety-nine of Knights-themed Commander decks. Kinsbaile Cavalier is a 2/2 Kithkin Knight for four mana, granting double strike to all Knight creatures under your control. Reprinting Kinsbaile Cavalier in Modern Horizons 3 would significantly reduce its average market price of around $15.
#1 Legacy-playable Creatures
Market Price: $25.07
Many players are enthusiastic about nostalgic and potent Magic cards becoming Modern-legal with Modern Horizons 3. Priest of Titania’s spoiling in Modern Horizons 3’s first look article is merely the start of historic card inclusions. Now is the time for Wizards to introduce several Legacy-worthy creatures to Modern.
Baleful Strix
Commander: Outlaws of Thunder Junction, Rare
Baleful Strix is one card players would be thrilled to play in Modern decks. Baleful Strix’s abilities to draw a card and trade with a creature in combat could strengthen Dimir decks. Even though Baleful Strix may have been too powerful for Modern in the past, there are plenty of viable answers like Orcish Bowmasters, Stern Scolding, and Kolaghan’s Command.
Allosaurus Shepherd
Double Masters 2022, Mythic
Allosaurus Shepherd is a fantastic one-mana Elf Shaman that cannot be countered. Also, Allosaurus Shepherd makes other green spells you control unable to get countered and turns Elves you control into 5/5 Dinosaurs until the end of the turn for six mana. Players could utilize Allosaurus Shepherd in top-tier Modern decks like Domain Zoo, Yawgmoth, and Amulet Titan.
Recruiter of the Guard
Modern Horizons 3, Mythic
White’s outstanding Recruiter of the Guard is another creature card that may become Modern legal. Three mana nets a 1/1 Human Soldier that allows you to search your library for a creature card with toughness two or less, reveal it, put it into your hand, and then shuffle your library. Recruiter of the Guard sees play in Legacy Death & Taxes since it can find Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, Solitude, Stoneforge Mystic, Orcish Bowmasters, and other threats. In Modern, Recruiter of the Guard can pull the same creatures and more from your library into your hand. Martyr Life, Death & Taxes, and Thopter Control could soon have a new piece of tech.