Outlaws of Thunder Junction

I am not even joking when I say that this set has more cards for dwarf decks than any set since Kaldeim. Not only do we get some great dwarves, but there are also some equipment and spells that I can see becoming staples in many dwarf-type decks. So, buckle on some spurs, mount that scorpion dragon, and get ready for some dwarftastic cards!

When looking at the cards, I will mostly be referencing Explorer/Pioneer, Historic and Commander decks that utilize Dwarf tribal. The decks I typically use are:

1. [[Depala, Pilot Exemplar]] RW deck - The original Dwarf Lord that actually cares about dwarves. She also cares about vehicles and with Magda on her team she can pack quite a punch.
2. [[Magda Brazen Outlaw]] R deck – This deck likes to turn dwarves sideway for treasure, then sacking that treasure for a game changing dragon or artifact.
3. Boros Equipment/Auras,- Dwarves actually have quite a few cards that work with this strategy, [[Bruenor Battlehammer]], [[Koll the Forge Master]], and [[Reyav, Master Smith]].
4. [[Torbran Thane of Red Fell]] R Deck – Basically put the best burn spells and damage causing spells you can and the best dwarves (and maybe a few Dragons) you can get. Extra combat steps and double strike are nice too.
5. [[Lady of Otaria]] RG Deck – Recently introduced. Basically, somehow sacrifice lands and get dwarves into your hand. I have a deck, but it is still a work in progress. Anyone else build a deck with her yet?

White:

[[One Last Job]] So, this card has the new spree mechanic, and I am excited to try it out in some of my Dwarf decks. This is a very versatile card for many of the dwarf decks, allows you to get a creature, equipment, and/or vehicle back from the graveyard. The best part is that it actually will attach the equipment to a creature when you get it back and this is pretty awesome, especially if it is something like [colossus hammer]].

[[High Noon]] As a Dwarf deck player, I don’t often need to cast more than one spell per turn, at least it won’t shut down my game plan. But being able to slow down decks that want to do crazy spell things or kill more than one of my creatures per turn, I think is a good idea. Plus being able to sacrifice it if I need to and do some damage to something is pretty neat. I will be trying this card out in my explorer/pioneer dwarf deck.

[[Rustler Rampage]] Another spree spell, and this one I really like for dwarves. Being able to untap your dwarves is great! Especially if you have a tap outlet (like all good dwarf decks using Depala and Magda should) it will allow you to double the benefit of turning your dwarves sideways. Also giving someone a surprise double strike is always fun.

[[Thunder Lasso]] I really love equipment that attaches when it enters the battlefield! And one that will tap a pesky blocker is great. And just picturing Bruenor wielding a whip like Indiana Jones is pretty awesome.

[[Inventive Wingsmith]] Okay, here is the first dwarf of the set. Now it’s a dwarf so I like it, I mean who can say no to a flying (potentially) dwarf. And it's nice that if you have nothing to cast on a particular turn you still get some benefit. Besides that, I don’t think he’d make the cut in my pioneer/explorer deck, but may I will try him out in of the commander decks for fun.

Red

[[Magda Hoardmaster]] Okay this is it, THE DWARF of the set. Magda is back and she does not disappoint. First, she synergizes nicely with the OG Magda and gives you something else to do with all those treasures that are created. It does incentivize me to place a little more interaction in my decks to be able to commit more crimes. One card that I’m excited to play with her is [[unlicensed hearse]]. If you have her and the OG Magda out, it’s some much treasure. First, you exile a card from your opponent’s graveyard and get a treasure, then you tap both Magda’s on the hearse and get two more treasures. Then you sac the treasure and get a 4/4 Scorpion Dragon with haste. I really like that this Magda gives you a benefit with just three treasures, I cannot even count the amount of time I have four treasures out and my Magda gets snipped before I can tap for the fifth treasure. But three, that’s always pretty easy. Also, this new Magda card even gives me an idea for another deck that I really wanted to try but it lacked oomph, and I think this Magda is the oomph. I tried to make a spell slinger deck with the three dwarves [[electrostatic infantry]], [[dwarven forge chanter]] and [[Storm-Kiln Artist]]. These cards with both Magdas I think have some potential.

[[Great Train Heist]] Okay, this spree card is just great for Magda decks! Untapping all dwarves is awesome because if you untap them you can most likely tap them again and that means MORE treasure! And then making it so that you get an extra treasure if you do damage to a chosen player…This card was made for Magda!

[[Hell to Pay]] This is just another awesome card for Magda and Torbran as well. Overkill something and get a treasure or two out of the bargain, sounds good to me. It works really well with the new Magda as well!

[[Legion Foundry]] I think this artifact has possibilities in any of the Magda decks. Turning treasures into 3/3 golems sounds like something fun to do with extra treasures.

Multi-colored

[[Vihaan, Goldwaker]] Okay here is the third dwarf of the set, and wow! Does this guy look like fun! And the art, it is just really great. Now he would play well with Magda, but really she could only be on of the 99 in his commander deck. This guy really needs have his own deck built around him and I can’t wait to start that up. He will be my next project in MTGO. Does anybody have any suggestions for a deck staring this guy? One dwarf that I think should definitely be in his 99 is [[vault robber]].

Colorless [[Luxurious Locomotive]] Okay this vehicle is perfect for Magda and Depala. Yes, it is a bit costly for 5, but being able to get a treasure for each creature that crewed it is fantastic. And with a crew 1, anyone can do it. Also, you get the treasure regardless of whether the train does combat damage.

[[Lavaspur Boots]] Okay so [[lightning greaves]] and [[swiftfoot boots]] these are not, but I could see trying these out in my pioneer/explorer dwarf deck. It provides some protection with ward 1 and getting haste is always helpful in squeezing out that fifth treasure.

[[Lost Jitte]] The Boros dwarf equipment decks will really like this. The versatility with this jitte is fantastic, and I love how the counter goes on the creature, I can see doing some fun things with this.

[[Sword of Wealth and Power]] They really just should have called this the Sword of the Dwarves! This is just perfect for either Magda’s or any Boros dwarf equipment deck. Magda is a lightning rod for instant and sorcery removal, getting protection from that is, just great! And getting +2/+2 and getting a treasure on combat damage, well it does not get much better than that.

Honorary Mention

[[Angelic Sell-Sword]] Okay I am calling this card out for its artwork, it has two dwarves in it, and they look glorious in the western setting!

Okay that’s it for now, until next time Rock and Stone!

Murders at Karlov Manor

Okay here is the Dwarf review Murders at Karlov Manor. Tis a wee bit sad no Dwarves hopped across the omen paths for this set, but I think there are few cards worth talking about that can help our heroes of the hallowed halls. When looking at the cards, I will mostly be referencing Explorer/Pioneer, Historic and Commander decks that utilize Dwarf tribal. The decks I typically use are:

1. [[Depala, Pilot Exemplar]] RW deck - The original Dwarf Lord that actually cares about dwarves. She also cares about vehicles and with Magda on her team she can pack quite a punch.
2. [[Magda Brazen Outlaw]] R deck – This deck likes to turn dwarves sideway for treasure, then sacking that treasure for a game changing dragon or artifact.
3. Boros Equipment/Auras,- Dwarves actually have quite a few cards that work with this strategy, [[Bruenor Battlehammer]], [[Koll the Forge Master]], and [[Reyav, Master Smith]].
4. [[Torbran Thane of Red Fell]] R Deck – Basically put the best burn spells and damage causing spells you can and the best dwarves (and maybe a few Dragons) you can get. Extra combat steps and double strike are nice too.
5. [[Lady of Otaria]] RG Deck – Recently introduced. Basically, somehow sacrifice lands and get dwarves into your hand. I have a deck, but it is still a work in progress. Anyone else build a deck with her yet?

White: [[Wrench]] A one mana equipment that gives a tap outlet, I like it. You can tap a nasty blocker for a Bruenor deck or if you have Magada on the board tap a dwarf for some treasure.

[[Call a Surprise Witness]] Most dwarves are three mana or less, so getting them back from the graveyard and with flying it pretty nice. Flying dwarves are pretty awesome, especially with Magda on the board as more evasion equals more turning sideways for treasure.

Red [[Expedited Inheritance]]

This is a nice card draw for a Torbran deck. Kill some creatures and then exile some cards to play.

[[Knife]] Not a bad one mana weapon for Bruenor. First strike and the utility of sacking it for a card is nice.

[[Torch the Witness]] Another card for the Torbran deck, now all of that extra damage that Torbran creates does not go to waste, you get to investigate.

[[Concealed Weapon]] Cool, this weapon is great for the Boros dwarf equipment decks. One issue with these decks is sometimes you have bunch of equipment but no creatures, this gives a serviceable body with ward 2 no less! And if you do want to turn it into an equipment it attaches for free.

[[Suspicious Detonation]] Okay, I am really liking this card for a Magda deck. Hopefully with her out you have at least one treasure to sacrifice and then you have an un-counterable 4 damage spell. Not bad.

[[Demand Answers]] Again with Magda out it is super easy to sacrifice an artifact, so getting two cards for two mana seems like a good idea.

[[Mob Verdict]] Okay here is a Commander card that would be fun with Torbran, if you aren’t picked you’re probably wiping someone's board and if you are picked free cards. I like it!

[[Prisoner’s Dilemma]] Wow, just wow, another great Commander card for our favorite grudging Dwarf. If I ever get to play this with Torbran it would be so much fun, and with flashback too! I really like this.

Multi-colored

[[Warleader’s Call]] Not bad for a dwarf deck, giving them a boost is nice and I tend to cast a lot of them so it might add up to a lot of damage.

[[Break Out]] Okay I mention this card because I think it might work well in deck running the [[Doors of Durin]] as this does a similar thing. Also, help move potentially non-creature cards out of the way to Doors of During can cook.

[[Take the Bait]] I think I like this card. I might try it in the Boros dwarf equipment decks, might be nice to get rid of potential blockers when I really want to attack with my one big supped up dwarf on the following turn.

[[Aegis of Legion]] This card looks fun for a Boros dwarf equipment deck. Get your equipped dwarfs bigger and a shield counter. Keeping your dwarves alive is always a challenge and anything to help with that is welcomed!

Okay that’s it for now. I for one am holding out for a Dwarven Cowboy or something in Thunder Junction. 😊.

Wilds of Eldraine

Okay back to Eldraine! Home of Torbran the Thane of Red Fell. Although he does not get a card this set, he does get some sweet artwork and flavor text on the Enchanted Tales card for Fiery Emancipation. The flavor of this set for Dwarves was awesome! One of the fairytales was all about a Dwarf Party! Now we did only get 4 Dwarf Cards, but they are a lot of fun. But where dwarves really shined in this set is the artwork and flavor text. Some of the standout artwork for dwarves are from the Enchanted Tales cards which included [[Fiery Emancipation\WOT]], [[Shared Animosity\WOT]], and [[Raid Bombardment\WOT]].

I think the standout Mechanic for dwarves this is set is the Bargain Mechanic! I will explain in the card reviews below.

When looking at the cards, I will mostly be referencing Explorer/Pioneer, Historic and Commander decks that utilize Dwarf tribal. The decks I typically use are:

[[Depala, Pilot Exemplar]] RW deck - The original Dwarf Lord that actually cares about dwarves. She also cares about vehicles and with Magda on her team she can pack quite a punch.

[[Magda Brazen Outlaw]] R deck – This deck likes to turn dwarves sideway for treasure, then sacking that treasure for a game changing dragon or artifact.

Boros Equipment/Auras,- Dwarves actually have quite a few cards that work with this strategy, [[Bruenor Battlehammer]], [[Koll the Forge Master]], and [[Reyav, Master Smith]].

[[Torbran Thane of Red Fell]] R Deck – Basically put the best burn spells and damage causing spells you can and the best dwarves (and maybe a few Dragons) you can get. Extra combat steps and double strike are nice too.

[[Lady of Otaria]] RG Deck – Recently introduced. Basically, somehow sacrifice lands and get dwarves into your hand. I have a deck, but it is still a work in progress. Anyone else build a deck with her yet?

White:

[[Virtue of Loyalty]] So any card that lets you untap your dwarves deserves some attention, a Magada deck with a tap outlet (vehicles), will basically ensure you get double treasure for your dwarves. Although it is a bit expensive to cast I could see trying it in Commander or Historic Brawl.

[[Expel the Interlopers]] This is a nice board wipe for dwarves! Since most of the time your dwarves will be the less powerful creatures on the board, it can usually be a one-sided board wipe, as most of your bigger creatures can be artifacts (vehicles).

[[Gallant Pie-Wielder]] Ahh the first dwarf of the set! I must say I really love the art and attention to detail. Look at the pie shoulder pads and the beard with pie hole-shaped beard braids! Also, the flavor text is great! For the card, I do like the celebration mechanic for dwarves. As dwarves are not that expensive to cast, usually, you can drop a few easily. And if you have Magda with a tap outlet (vehicles, [[springleaf drum]]) having celebration kick-in is really simple. A 2/3 double strike is pretty good, I like it.

[[Stroke of Midnight]] Okay this card is just really good removal for any boros dwarf deck. I mean it won’t hit lands like [[Generous Gift]] but a 1/1 is much easier to deal with than a 3/3.

[[Stockpiling Celebrant]] And our second dwarf! Again love the art and flavor! As for the card it is reminiscent of another dwarf [[Aviary Mechanic]], only that card could hit any permanent and is only 2 mana, but this card gets the scry 2 which is nice. I guess for any cards that benefit from flicker such as [[Duergar Hedge-mage]] would like her. And of course it helps the sets celebration mechanic.

[[Return Triumphant]] This card could be nice for dwarves, as the majority of dwarf cards 3 mana or less. Not sure how relevant the Roles will end up being, but it’s a nice benefit to get instead of just getting the creature back.

[[Court of Ardenvale]] Now this is a nice card for dwarf decks! Again, in dwarf decks most dwarves are 3 mana or below and the dwarves tend to die a lot so getting them back once per turn is great!

[[Unfinished Business]] Okay Bruenor is really liking this card! Get any creature and then two pieces of equipment from the bin!

Red

[[Virtue of Courage]] This is a card for good ole Torbran! Since Torbran is all about throwing burn spells and getting that extra damage you get to exile extra cards and then cast them. Sounds like a good way to get some card advantage.

[[Food Fight]] I know I have said this a lot but this art work…Dwarves and Goblins flying through the air..with food. It’s awesome. Two mana is a great casting cost and this would fit nicely in Depala, Bruenor, or Magda decks. All have plenty of artifacts to sac for the ability. But where this really gets to shine is Magda decks. Making all that treasure which can not be used to ping down a creature or finish off an opponent. I love it!

[[Stonesplitter Bolt]] What I really like about this card is the Bargain mechanic. For a Magda, Depala, or Bruenor deck there Will be plenty of artifacts to sack to up the power level of the bolt. But again, I think Magda wins big on this one, because not only can you sack the treasure to make it bigger you have access to more mana with more treasure. And also sacking a treasure is a little more appealing than sacking a needed equipment or vehicle.

[[Minecart Daredevil]] And our third Dwarf!! So it is like[[Rimrock Knight]] and it is not like him. I think this card has potential, It is one more mana than the Rimrock, for the adventure and creature, but you do get a beefier creature that can attack and the adventure buff’s defense which might actually save a life. And a happy dwarf, I love art with happy dwarves!! The poor goat does not look happy though.

[[Skewer Slinger]] So this is it, the card that I am going to claim is the best dwarf of the set! Yes, it’s a common but it’s a really good common and not just for limited which I’m sure it will do great in. Where I really like this card is for Magda. Now she is not a 1 mana red dwarf (which is sad, we really need one for historic brawl and pioneer) but it is two mana with three toughness. This is huge as when she attacks, she can survive the early 1/1 tokens and one mana creatures. This ups the odds of getting some early treasures with Magda, which really helps up the chances of running away with the game. And the added bonus is her ability to deal 1 damage to creatures that block her. This means she can take care of those early played high power creatures with 1 toughness. Just such a great card. And if you are playing pioneer and splash some black and give her deathtouch, well that would be a thing of beauty. Also, the flavor text is pretty great.

[[Flick a Coin]] Deals one damage, creates a treasure, draws a card? Sounds good to Magda and Torbran.

[[Torch the Tower]] I really think that the bargain mechanic has some real possibilities with Magda. It’s just so easy to be able to bargain consistently almost every turn. And losing a single treasure is not that big of deal, as most Magda decks can spit at least one treasure out a turn, if you have appropriate tap outlets (which you should have playing Magda). 3 damage and scry 1 for 1 mana is pretty good.

Alright, that’s it! We might be up for a bit of a Dwarf drought with the upcoming sets that were announced for next year barring some omen path shenanigans or perhaps if there are dwarves in the new plane Thunder Junction. Now that would be cool, Dwarf Cowboy. Fun!

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth

I have been looking forward to this set for a very long time. My love for the mighty dwarven race started with reading the Hobbit, and my all-time favorite literary character is Thorin Oakenshield. Sadly, he does not appear in this set but there is hope with maybe some of the secret lairs coming out. However, one of the most exciting aspects about this set for Dwarves is that not only does it have some iconic dwarves from LotR, it also finally gives tools for the new dwarven tribal deck that was teased with [[Lady of Otaria]].

When looking at the cards, I will mostly be referencing Explorer/Pioneer, Historic and Commander decks that utilize Dwarf tribal. The decks I typically use are:

1. [[Depala, Pilot Exemplar]] RW deck - The original Dwarf Lord that actually cares about dwarves. She also cares about vehicles and with Magda on her team she can pack quite a punch.

2. [[Magda Brazen Outlaw]] R deck – This deck likes to turn dwarves sideway for treasure, then sacking that treasure for a game changing dragon or artifact.

3. Boros Equipment/Auras,- Dwarves actually have quite a few cards that work with this strategy, [[Bruenor Battlehammer]], [[Koll the Forge Master]], and [[Reyav, Master Smith]].

4. [[Torbran Thane of Red Fell]] R Deck – Basically put the best burn spells and damage causing spells you can and the best dwarves (and maybe a few Dragons) you can get. Extra combat steps and double strike are nice too.

5. [[Lady of Otaria]] RG Deck – Recently introduced. Basically, somehow sacrifice lands and get dwarves into your hand. I have a deck, but it is still a work in progress. Anyone else build a deck with her yet?

White:

[[Flowering of the White Tree]] I really like this card for Depala and Bruenor decks, pumping all your dwarves and giving all legendries Ward 1 seems pretty good for the creature-based decks.

[[Forge Anew]] Okay this card is a must include in any Bruenor and Reyav decks. I mean it does everything, gets back dead equipment, lets you equip at instant speed and let you pay 0 for the first equip cost of your turn. I really like this card!

[[Reprieve]] Kind of a temporary Counter in white and draw a card, I could see this being quite fun and useful in any of the Boros decks I really want to try this out.

Red

[[Erebor Flamesmith]] Yes, this dwarf is made for a Torbran deck! Possibly 3 damage for every instant or sorcery which in all likely hood is another burn spell! Yeah fun times!

[[Fear, Fire Foes!]] A really nice potential board wipe for a Torbran deck, definitely worth trying out.

[[Fiery Inscription]] Another card for Torbran, and also has the Ring Tempts you. Not sure how relevant the Rings Tempts you will be for Torbran or Dwarves in general.

[[Gimli, Counter of Kills]] Okay our First Gimli card! And he slots in nicely with Torbran, and he has trample, which I love to see on my dwarves. I know a lot of people were thinking it was a missed opportunity to have this card being able to partner with the Legolas counter of kills card and I would have to agree. That would have been pretty cool.

[[Gimli’s Axe]] Okay, now here is my first real gripe of the set. All of the other free peoples, human, halfling, and elf, get a weapon with a reduced equip cost for there race. Why not this card for Dwarves? I mean it’s Gimli’s axe! I mean its an okay common and I will definitely throw it in my commander dwarf equipment decks for flavor alone but really!!! I kind of just seems the dwarves getting the shaft here for no real reason.

[[Gimli’s Fury]] A two mana pump spell that give you +3/+2 and trample? And is called Gimli’s Fury? Yes, you had me at Gimli’s fury. Okay so you play this mostly for flavor, but in all seriousness, swinging in with a loaded up on equipment dwarf, if you give it trample it can be game over for someone.

[[Gloin, Dwarf Emissary]] Gloin! Ah yes, one of the original 14 members of Thorin’s Company! And this, along with the other Gimli for the Commander precons are probably the best new dwarves for Dwarf Tribal. First of all you make a treasure when you cast an historic spell for the first time each turn. Yes! Very nice, Both the Boros equipment dwarves and Magda have lots of artifacts. Also, I love the Goad for the Boros equipment decks as you can have those pesky potential blockers attack either you or someone else (if playing commander) and then have free access to swing in with our massive supped up dwarf. And of course Magda just really loves treasure.

[[There and Back Again]] 14 treasures!! 14 treasures, what Magda can do with 14 treasures. I love the flavor and the fact that you have 6/6 dragon with haste that people will not want to kill, especially if you can cast a Magda the next turn. The first two chapters on the saga are nice too, but man…14 treasures.

[[Gimli of the Glittering Caves]] Okay this is a good Gimli, great for Magda or heck any of the dwarf decks. In Commander you will always be casting legendary creatures and pumping him up will be easy. And double strike with treasure creation! Nice. Give him trample and it is a glorious dwarven day!

Green

[[Bag End Porter]] And here we have 2nd ever green dwarf. I like the art work, I like happy dwarves, not enough happy dwarf art work. Okay the only real use for this guy is in a Lady of Otaria deck, which wants green dwarves, and since he is one of 3, gets a pass. Also if you have the Lady out and let’s say Magda it’s a 6/6, not too bad.

[[Mirrormere Guardian]] Another green dwarf!!! And I am not sure, but I think this might be a female bearded dwarf. Definity can be thrown in the Lady of Otaria deck. Not sure how the Ring Tempted will be used in Dwarf decks, but there it is.

Multi-colored

[[Doors of Durin]] This is it, the premier dwarven tribal card of the set. And it is in red/green. Yes, it is the first real utility card for The Lady of Otaria. Getting to Scry 2 is great, as you can try and make sure you have dwarves on the top of your library. And if you do find dwarves on the scry, one of those dwarves end up on the battlefield immediately attacking. And trample is a very nice key word for this Dwarf deck!

[[Gimil, Mournful Avenger]] Another Gimli card! And it is interesting. It really seems like this card wanted to have white somewhere in its identity, but I guess they really wanted to push the Gruul Dwarves. Anyway Gimil also looks like it would work well in the Lady of Otaria deck and also with the Doors of Durin. If you attack with some dwarves with the Door of Durin out and get another dwarf attacking, and they die in the attack by a block, and if they die, this starts to trigger Gimil’s abilities. I think it could be a fun inclusion, although I was really hoping for a Boros Gimili or at least a Naya Gimli or Dwarf.

Colorless

[[Andúril, Flame of the West]] This is a solid equipment for a Boros Dwarf deck. Getting some more creatures or potentially attacking flying creatures is really neat! Also it could work well with Gimli, Mournful Avenger as it provides some nice 1/1 tokens to be reckless with and potentially activate his abilities.

[[Mithril Coat]] Okay this has to be my favorite equipment for this set, and for the last few sets! The Boros dwarves or even any dwarf deck will love this. Flash, Indestructible and attach to any legendary creature as it enters battlefield. This is fantastic! So many fun things you can do with this, not the least of which is combat tricks of course. And dwarves tend to die a lot, anything that prevents that is great!

[[Sting, the Glinting Dagger]] Another great equipment for dwarves, haste is always welcome, but the best part is the untapping the equipped creature. Untapping and tapping dwarves can lead to a lot of fun in a Magda deck who loves tapping dwarves!

Land

[[Mines of Moria]] This land is just great, my second favorite land right next to [[Dwarven Mine]]. I mean if you play this in a Magda commander deck it will almost always come in untapped. And then when your dwarves die you can turn them into treasure, again Magda likes!

Okay that’s what we have! Crossing fingers for some secret lair cards for Thorin Oakenshield and maybe some other dwarves!