How good are the transform cards?
After seeing the entire list of transform cards being spoiled, I have to admit I was expecting at least one really good transform card. Now, that could be waiting for us in Dark Ascension, but as it stands, Werewolves are going to be on par or weaker than Allies were in Zendikar. Now that's not an insult, as I have indeed seen allies on top 16 lists for SCG Opens and they always make an apperance at FNM's. However, I'd be hard pressed to say werewolves have a shot at tier 1 or even tier 2 tournament play. They do seem like a lot of fun for casual play and FNM's though. Werewolves did get one very good support card that really pushes their tribal:
The only weakness about this card is that it might help your opponent. You get to decide when it happens, so this card should always be in your favor. A two mana fog that lets your damage go through is potent enough, but this card pushes that even further by giving you a cheap, instant, reliable way to transform your werewolves. One other card that helps werewolves is:
Now this card is a solid card, aggresively priced, and versatile. However, I dont know if all builds will use it. The effect has to be powerful enough to make up for the tempo loss you get for playing it early.
Beyond the werewolves, let's take a look at other standard playable transform cards. Breaking Ludevic's Test Subject will be a fun endeavor for many. It will be hard to really speed it up too much though. Proliferate comes to mind, but wait! The first counter and the last counter have to be put on with its ability. But the middle three counters can be proliferated. But using its ability will likely be a cheaper means of adding counters. Without another way to break it, I think the best application of this card is taking advantage of it's "level up" ability at instant speed. Hold up counterspells, and at the end of your opponents turn, if you didnt have to counter anything, level that sucker up. The worst thing about this card is the fact that it is a horrid top deck.
Bloodline Keeper is another standard playable card. Take Master of the Wild Hunt and mix in some Captivating Vampire, and you get a really solid addition to vampires. Sadly, this guy is probably the only powerful vampire out there now, and the rest is either ok, or in most cases, crap. But keep this guy in mind if there are some more vamps printed, or if you decide to take the red/black vamp route, in which case there was a few cool vamps printed for red (including a red/black vamp lord)
Garruk Relentless is a hard one to figure out. I'd really have to play around with it to see how it'd do. There's no denying that the more abilities a walker has the better it is. He is easy to splash and cost about right at 4 mana. He protects and attacks, and on the flip side he even tutors. Even at his worst, he costs 4 mana to put a 2/2 token into play every turn. I don't think you can go wrong with that.
I think that would be all of the transform cards worth going over. Of course in limited transform is going to be just insane. And apparently every pack will have at least one transform card so thats pretty cool.
How to use transform cards in your deck:
You have a few options using transform cards in your deck. I'll go over these methods and let you know which one I recommend.
Checklist Card Method:
Using this method, you would use this card:
You would fill in the circle for what card the checklist card represents. For example, if I had a Kruin Outlaw, I would fill in the circle beside Kruin Outlaw. Then I would put a Kruin Outlaw with my sideboard, either in a clear sleeve or sleeveless. Then I would put the checklist card into my deck with the sleeves my deck uses. If I dont use sleeves, no problem! Just put the checklist card into the deck. (Note: When filling the circle, lightly fill it in, if you give to much pressure you will see marks on the other side of the card and it will be considered "marked" and unplayable at events.) When you draw the checklist card, just act like it's the actual Kruin Outlaw in your hand. When you cast it, get your real copy of Kruin Outlaw from your sideboard (or where ever you placed it) and put onto the battlefield. If an effect puts Kruin Outlaw back into your hand, put the checklist card that matches Kruin Outlaw back into your hand. You can put either card into your graveyard, however I'd recommend putting the real copy in your graveyard.
Using the real copy in a solid color sleeved deck:
In this case, I'd just put the real copy of Kruin Outlaw into my sleeved deck. If you dont use sleeves, you cannot use this method. When you transform, you'd take it out of the sleeve and flip it over (and then resleeve it?) Using this method allows some ease of use because when you look at your hand, you'll see the actual card and know what it does. The downside is all the potential constant flipping Kruin Outlaw may undergo is tedious and time consuming.
Torio's Method:
My method is a combination of the two. It is also more expensive.
1) Obtain a duplicate copy of every transform card you will use in your deck. (If you want 2 Kruin Outlaws in your deck, you'll need 4 all together.)
2) Put the amount you want in the deck. (I put 2 Kruin Outlaws into the deck)
3) Put an equal amount into clear sleeves and put those aside with the sideboard (I put another 2 into the sideboard[note this doesnt count as your sideboard, but its just a place to put these extra cards])
Here's how it will play out. You have the front side of Kruin Outlaw in your hand from your deck. You cast it. Set it aside and get the placeholder from your sideboard and put it into play. Transforming is simple with the clear sleeves so all you have to do is flip it as opposed to taking it out of the sleeve over and over again. Again, you'll have to have a bigger budget to do it this way, but I think it is the most simple way of doing this and will make it much easier to do at events.
Yes, this will be a change to the way we play, and it will feel different for a while. However, I doubt many transform cards will see play outside of werewolves and in limited. I think its worth the change up to be able to witness this neat mechanic and how fun it will be in limited.
Prereleases are coming up this weekend, so get out there be the first to start flipping cards in ways we never have before!
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