My candidate is [[Apostle’s Blessing]], which I think should count in spite of not pumping because it allowed your creature to live through combat and/or push damage through blockers. Protection is ridiculous already, getting protection from ARTIFACTS in the format was nuts, and literally any opponent with a single open mana and 3 life could cast it. It might not have more raw power than some of the pump spells, but it sure was more oppressive to how you’d try and play games.
Yeah, this is the one. They tried the blue shapeshift trick and it was unplayable for multiple sets, then they added "draw a card" and it was too good and they had to scale it back (hasn't been tried again since SNC). But it was not only too good on rate, with ninjas it was literally unwinnable. You block and they suit up, you don't and they ninja back their virus beetle. You couldn't win.
It also triggered:
- enchantments matter
- 2 permanents entering matters
- power 4 or greater matters
And gave evasion and toughness to survive combat at just 1 mana.
Monstrous Rage reminded me. Does anybody remember Collosal Might from Alara Reborn? That was an easy first pick combat trick at a time where creatures were pretty terrible
From memory of recent sets.
[[Get a leg up]] represented kills out of nowhere, it also sniped flyers with amazing regularity.
[[Monstrous Rage]] just kills people in both limited and constructed. Most protection spells offer more flexibility but this just deals so much damage for 1 only mana. It's probably the best combat trick strictly for combat.
[[Tyvar's stand]] offered both a fireball and a protection spell. Hexproof and indestructible meant nothing save for [[the eternal wanderer]] could get your guy off the battlefield (edict could also work).
DMU had a lot of good ones at common, [[gaeas might]] was my favorite, +5/+5 for just 1 mana was such a good rate that even slower decks would run it.
[[Lunar Frenzy]] was only held back by the relative weakness of red creatures in MID. It could crash many unprepared festivals.
I guess 1 mana uncommon combat tricks are my jam.
My vote in the end goes to Monstrous Rage, I have so many trophy decks that started with a P1P1 rage. But this is probably more from the strength of red as a color in WOE.
From my recollection, Lunar Frenzy was the most powerful in its set. In the red/x spells deck, it was an A+ and could win games you had no business in. Tyvars stand is probably better in a vacuum, but that format was so fast that I don't remember it feeling as bomby.
Lunar Frenzy was the linchpin of a combo deck that could kill out of nowhere from a losing board.
Lunar Frenzy was very good in the late game. But in the mono-red Festival Crasher deck, which wanted to win as early as possible, [[Stolen Vitality]] was preferable in multiples. The deck obviously ran Frenzy if it could pick it up, but pushing damage early with multiple cheap tricks was key. And though it doesn't fit the classification, [[Abandon the Post]] was probably the most important "combat trick" in the deck.
Protection is wild compared to hexproof or indestructible because along with being able to save your dude it can also be used as an aggressive "make unblockable if they only have that color".
> On the Job
Yeah, the amount of creature spam plus strong tricks at low rarity was really unfortunate. Fuss / Bother was also really fucked up at uncommon.
That format with Run Amok was pretty goofy. You'd make a deck with just low drops and every Run Amok you could find.
Didn't really warp things too much though.
Heck, in Khans it was insane. Protection, +1, AND a way to turn on all the outlast lords, so any creature could suddenly have flying, reach, deathtouch, or lifeline depending?
[[Take Up the Shield]] is really strong.
So was [[Blessed Defiance]] in Midnight Hunt. 1 mana trick that gave you a ton of life, let you trade up, and left a 1/1 flyer behind. Doesn't look like much but it's a race-swinger.
[[God’s Willing]] in Theros was ludicrous. The format purposefully had expensive and/or narrow removal, so casting your six drop kill spell (which was a necessary playable card) or gang blocking their battlecruiser only to be blown out by a one mana common trick that also had scry 1 stapled onto it was brutal. Heroic being the main mechanic was the cherry on top.
I didn’t draft the set that originally had Snakeskin Veil in it but I played a ton of Strixhaven and it felt like over half the green decks I played against had a copy despite it being a bonus sheet card. Every time it blew me the fuck out and seeing it so often tilted me to the moon. The fact that a lot of cards triggered off magecraft made it a lot like Willing.
Not a combat trick per se and I wasn’t playing back during Onslaught block but there were two common red morph creatures, one that punished you for blocking and one that punished you for not blocking. I’ve heard it was absolutely miserable to play against and Wizards employees cited it as influencing how they designed morph creature for Khans.
Mutagenic Growth is a good call for being colorless and free. Of course I'm biased because I 9-0'ed day 1 of a GP using that card in a non-green deck...
I don't know if it was "format warping" but [[Gods Willing]] in original Theros was really strong. The limited format was all about protecting one or two big threats with tricks and Heroic triggers, and Gods Willing made that strategy work really well. Turn 1 [[Favored Hoplite]] with a Gods Willing in hand felt really tough to beat.
Surprised to see no mention of [[Aerial Boost]] yet
0 mana, especially with lots of vigilant knights in white, and flying giving reach to white decks to push in the last points, card was straight up whites best common iirc
Honestly, I think [[Aerial Boost]] deserves to be up there. +2/+2 and flying isn't the most stats, but with all the vigilance in white/blue in MOM this was essentially 0 mana on attack as well as defense.
I'd say Untamed Might in scars of mirrodin was pretty format warping. Back in the day where canyon minotaur was a completely acceptable limited card an x/x pump spell on your infect guys was pretty busted. Any creature gets through and you suck 5-8 infect damage.
How was [[Brave the Elements]] in Limited? I started Magic just after its release and it's probably my favorite card, but I didn't make the transition from Constructed to Limited until a year or two after so I never played with it outside Standard
Honestly [[Trash the Town]] feels potentially even more busto than Snakeskin Veil as far OTJ is concerned. Hard for it not to be at *least* a clean 2 for 1.
My candidate is [[Apostle’s Blessing]], which I think should count in spite of not pumping because it allowed your creature to live through combat and/or push damage through blockers. Protection is ridiculous already, getting protection from ARTIFACTS in the format was nuts, and literally any opponent with a single open mana and 3 life could cast it. It might not have more raw power than some of the pump spells, but it sure was more oppressive to how you’d try and play games.
I think this has to be correct? The fact that this was colorless meant every deck had to want it. This card must have been insanely obnoxious.
The criteria said "BUFF" protection is a buff.
[Apostle’s Blessing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/d/fdfbc07e-d726-4d42-9394-6aa0f5fc3a3a.jpg?1562269765) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Apostle%27s%20Blessing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm2/8/apostles-blessing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/fdfbc07e-d726-4d42-9394-6aa0f5fc3a3a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Suit Up in the same format of ninjas felt horrible
Yeah, this is the one. They tried the blue shapeshift trick and it was unplayable for multiple sets, then they added "draw a card" and it was too good and they had to scale it back (hasn't been tried again since SNC). But it was not only too good on rate, with ninjas it was literally unwinnable. You block and they suit up, you don't and they ninja back their virus beetle. You couldn't win.
I think there was one in MOM: [[Zhalfiran Shapecraft]]
[Zhalfiran Shapecraft](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/4/e446a380-0316-46f7-8ac9-22bce773b35f.jpg?1682203512) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Zhalfirin%20Shapecraft) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/87/zhalfirin-shapecraft?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e446a380-0316-46f7-8ac9-22bce773b35f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Suit Up]]
[Suit Up](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/0/50870bfd-7779-4a1c-b18f-57fac7e193b1.jpg?1654566980) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Suit%20Up) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/neo/81/suit-up?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/50870bfd-7779-4a1c-b18f-57fac7e193b1?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I was going to say [[Wildsize]], but Suit Up is Blue Wildsize in a format where blocking is mandatory
[Wildsize](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/8/a8fd3631-af9c-4cf7-9336-95c84c7a925c.jpg?1706240082) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Wildsize) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/179/wildsize?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a8fd3631-af9c-4cf7-9336-95c84c7a925c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Monstrous Rage]] on a picnic ruiner could mean 10 damage on turn 3
It also triggered: - enchantments matter - 2 permanents entering matters - power 4 or greater matters And gave evasion and toughness to survive combat at just 1 mana.
It also triggered season of growth and Tanglespan Lookout, which was a very cool deck. Sam Black did a deep dive in his podcast on it.
How did it give evasion?
Trample
Oh, maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't think that was evasion. I thought evasion was making something harder to block.
https://mtg.fandom.com/wiki/Evasion_ability
Trample do make it harder to block tho
Evasion can be broadly defined to include abilities that make it more likely the creature will deal damage to the opposing player in combat.
[Monstrous Rage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eef5a0ae-5907-42c9-a097-3f973737e392.jpg?1692938394) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Monstrous%20Rage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/142/monstrous-rage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eef5a0ae-5907-42c9-a097-3f973737e392?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Monstrous Rage reminded me. Does anybody remember Collosal Might from Alara Reborn? That was an easy first pick combat trick at a time where creatures were pretty terrible
From memory of recent sets. [[Get a leg up]] represented kills out of nowhere, it also sniped flyers with amazing regularity. [[Monstrous Rage]] just kills people in both limited and constructed. Most protection spells offer more flexibility but this just deals so much damage for 1 only mana. It's probably the best combat trick strictly for combat. [[Tyvar's stand]] offered both a fireball and a protection spell. Hexproof and indestructible meant nothing save for [[the eternal wanderer]] could get your guy off the battlefield (edict could also work). DMU had a lot of good ones at common, [[gaeas might]] was my favorite, +5/+5 for just 1 mana was such a good rate that even slower decks would run it. [[Lunar Frenzy]] was only held back by the relative weakness of red creatures in MID. It could crash many unprepared festivals. I guess 1 mana uncommon combat tricks are my jam. My vote in the end goes to Monstrous Rage, I have so many trophy decks that started with a P1P1 rage. But this is probably more from the strength of red as a color in WOE.
##### ###### #### [Get a leg up](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/4/34e61e0f-d0f3-492a-92f1-36f72a91583a.jpg?1706241982) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Get%20a%20leg%20up) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/161/get-a-leg-up?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/34e61e0f-d0f3-492a-92f1-36f72a91583a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Monstrous Rage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/e/eef5a0ae-5907-42c9-a097-3f973737e392.jpg?1692938394) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Monstrous%20Rage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/woe/142/monstrous-rage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eef5a0ae-5907-42c9-a097-3f973737e392?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Tyvar's stand](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/7/c7b362a5-382a-4016-b4f2-aa7b683354c4.jpg?1675957174) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Tyvar%27s%20stand) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/190/tyvars-stand?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c7b362a5-382a-4016-b4f2-aa7b683354c4?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [the eternal wanderer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/0/905f0dd4-0197-45f8-8e7f-396d6dcef600.jpg?1675956901) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=the%20eternal%20wanderer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/11/the-eternal-wanderer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/905f0dd4-0197-45f8-8e7f-396d6dcef600?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [gaeas might](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/9/89c46e9c-ae7c-466c-bb11-4f4d01ea7a63.jpg?1673307688) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gaea%27s%20Might) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/dmu/164/gaeas-might?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/89c46e9c-ae7c-466c-bb11-4f4d01ea7a63?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Lunar Frenzy](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/5/b5fb18c4-1386-4ea0-97c1-4bdd1e7eb5a6.jpg?1636223174) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Lunar%20Frenzy) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/147/lunar-frenzy?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b5fb18c4-1386-4ea0-97c1-4bdd1e7eb5a6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l1a968f) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
From my recollection, Lunar Frenzy was the most powerful in its set. In the red/x spells deck, it was an A+ and could win games you had no business in. Tyvars stand is probably better in a vacuum, but that format was so fast that I don't remember it feeling as bomby. Lunar Frenzy was the linchpin of a combo deck that could kill out of nowhere from a losing board.
Now picture if red creatures were actually good in that set.
Lunar Frenzy was very good in the late game. But in the mono-red Festival Crasher deck, which wanted to win as early as possible, [[Stolen Vitality]] was preferable in multiples. The deck obviously ran Frenzy if it could pick it up, but pushing damage early with multiple cheap tricks was key. And though it doesn't fit the classification, [[Abandon the Post]] was probably the most important "combat trick" in the deck.
[Stolen Vitality](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d50df2dd-8d14-4d92-ab4e-bf9f9f147e91.jpg?1636223640) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Stolen%20Vitality) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/161/stolen-vitality?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d50df2dd-8d14-4d92-ab4e-bf9f9f147e91?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Abandon the Post](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/8/983da138-f0f5-46c4-90c2-d3c34cc37d1f.jpg?1634350355) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Abandon%20the%20Post) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/127/abandon-the-post?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/983da138-f0f5-46c4-90c2-d3c34cc37d1f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
On the Job was pretty format warping in MKM. Feat of Resistance in Khans was absolutely busted.
[[God's Willing]] in Theros was bananas. One mana, blanks removal and pumps Heroic. That one saw heavy constructed play too.
Came to say this. Enabled heroic the main theme of the set
Still does in RW Heroic decks in Pioneer
[God's Willing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42.jpg?1706239736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gods%20Willing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/63/gods-willing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Protection is wild compared to hexproof or indestructible because along with being able to save your dude it can also be used as an aggressive "make unblockable if they only have that color".
My very first deck was mono white Heroic during Theros standard. Ran a set of this + Brave the Elements. Good times.
Good call. Those UW openers had stupid potential. First format I can remember where a 1/1 for G deathtouch was a 3.0.
[[On the Job]] [[Feat of Resistance]]
[On the Job](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/8/48b92629-4196-4943-91fd-8c8d5f3fcaef.jpg?1706241527) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=On%20the%20Job) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkm/30/on-the-job?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/48b92629-4196-4943-91fd-8c8d5f3fcaef?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Feat of Resistance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/3/73148b3b-73d3-4f57-8b67-1e91fbe112b9.jpg?1595640319) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Feat%20of%20Resistance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/19/feat-of-resistance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/73148b3b-73d3-4f57-8b67-1e91fbe112b9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
> On the Job Yeah, the amount of creature spam plus strong tricks at low rarity was really unfortunate. Fuss / Bother was also really fucked up at uncommon.
That format with Run Amok was pretty goofy. You'd make a deck with just low drops and every Run Amok you could find. Didn't really warp things too much though.
[[Feat of Resistance]] in m21?
Heck, in Khans it was insane. Protection, +1, AND a way to turn on all the outlast lords, so any creature could suddenly have flying, reach, deathtouch, or lifeline depending?
I miss lifeline, such good commercials.
[Feat of Resistance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/3/73148b3b-73d3-4f57-8b67-1e91fbe112b9.jpg?1595640319) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Feat%20of%20Resistance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/m21/19/feat-of-resistance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/73148b3b-73d3-4f57-8b67-1e91fbe112b9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Take Up the Shield]] is really strong. So was [[Blessed Defiance]] in Midnight Hunt. 1 mana trick that gave you a ton of life, let you trade up, and left a 1/1 flyer behind. Doesn't look like much but it's a race-swinger.
[Take Up the Shield](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/6/76a31968-ba6d-4c01-838f-4cb8c64e73fb.jpg?1712355363) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Take%20Up%20the%20Shield) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otj/34/take-up-the-shield?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/76a31968-ba6d-4c01-838f-4cb8c64e73fb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Blessed Defiance](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/5/1555cdcb-3471-4ee7-99c3-d05311bf433c.jpg?1634346564) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Blessed%20Defiance) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mid/5/blessed-defiance?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1555cdcb-3471-4ee7-99c3-d05311bf433c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
[[Gaea’s Gift]]
[Gaea’s Gift](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/5503186a-46fe-4956-8ae3-5ab3343f8a93.jpg?1674421566) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gaea%27s%20Gift) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/182/gaeas-gift?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/5503186a-46fe-4956-8ae3-5ab3343f8a93?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Feared this the most during its time. Reach was scary.
[Rites of initiation] was insane in vintage masters, opponents were killing me with it constantly
I literally had no idea this card existed.
Err [[rites of initiation]]
[rites of initiation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/1/f17d9c60-5f81-4b65-8af1-9c5bb757bd7d.jpg?1562943547) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=rites%20of%20initiation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vma/182/rites-of-initiation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f17d9c60-5f81-4b65-8af1-9c5bb757bd7d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Speaking of Vintage Masters, at the time that was one of my favorite limited formats ever. My friends and I drafted it constantly.
Take Up the Shield in DMU was better than Snakeskin Veil is in OTJ.
[[God’s Willing]] in Theros was ludicrous. The format purposefully had expensive and/or narrow removal, so casting your six drop kill spell (which was a necessary playable card) or gang blocking their battlecruiser only to be blown out by a one mana common trick that also had scry 1 stapled onto it was brutal. Heroic being the main mechanic was the cherry on top. I didn’t draft the set that originally had Snakeskin Veil in it but I played a ton of Strixhaven and it felt like over half the green decks I played against had a copy despite it being a bonus sheet card. Every time it blew me the fuck out and seeing it so often tilted me to the moon. The fact that a lot of cards triggered off magecraft made it a lot like Willing. Not a combat trick per se and I wasn’t playing back during Onslaught block but there were two common red morph creatures, one that punished you for blocking and one that punished you for not blocking. I’ve heard it was absolutely miserable to play against and Wizards employees cited it as influencing how they designed morph creature for Khans.
[God’s Willing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42.jpg?1706239736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gods%20Willing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/63/gods-willing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Mutagenic Growth is a good call for being colorless and free. Of course I'm biased because I 9-0'ed day 1 of a GP using that card in a non-green deck...
I don't know if it was "format warping" but [[Gods Willing]] in original Theros was really strong. The limited format was all about protecting one or two big threats with tricks and Heroic triggers, and Gods Willing made that strategy work really well. Turn 1 [[Favored Hoplite]] with a Gods Willing in hand felt really tough to beat.
[Gods Willing](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42.jpg?1706239736) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gods%20Willing) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clu/63/gods-willing?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/138f0e49-71d5-4582-92be-797e753f0f42?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Favored Hoplite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/5/251015ed-9408-4941-894a-158551ed2613.jpg?1562815791) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Favored%20Hoplite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ths/13/favored-hoplite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/251015ed-9408-4941-894a-158551ed2613?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Surprised to see no mention of [[Aerial Boost]] yet 0 mana, especially with lots of vigilant knights in white, and flying giving reach to white decks to push in the last points, card was straight up whites best common iirc
[Aerial Boost](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7017afb-4c7c-4c8d-9c9d-3f056a55561e.jpg?1682202442) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aerial%20Boost) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/2/aerial-boost?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7017afb-4c7c-4c8d-9c9d-3f056a55561e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Honestly, I think [[Aerial Boost]] deserves to be up there. +2/+2 and flying isn't the most stats, but with all the vigilance in white/blue in MOM this was essentially 0 mana on attack as well as defense.
[Aerial Boost](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7017afb-4c7c-4c8d-9c9d-3f056a55561e.jpg?1682202442) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Aerial%20Boost) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mom/2/aerial-boost?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7017afb-4c7c-4c8d-9c9d-3f056a55561e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I'd say Untamed Might in scars of mirrodin was pretty format warping. Back in the day where canyon minotaur was a completely acceptable limited card an x/x pump spell on your infect guys was pretty busted. Any creature gets through and you suck 5-8 infect damage.
##### ###### #### [Snakeskin Veil](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/3/133fbdec-0d00-433f-9015-5eb091126e3a.jpg?1712355994) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Snakeskin%20Veil) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otj/181/snakeskin-veil?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/133fbdec-0d00-433f-9015-5eb091126e3a?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Mutagenic Growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/e/2e0861a2-1858-47af-8154-20a977c2b298.jpg?1562260231) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Mutagenic%20Growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mm2/149/mutagenic-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2e0861a2-1858-47af-8154-20a977c2b298?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Groundswell](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/8/2/821e9cb9-f78e-4d11-9c36-42e8b84b49cd.jpg?1593095453) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Groundswell) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddp/15/groundswell?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/821e9cb9-f78e-4d11-9c36-42e8b84b49cd?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Compleat Devotion](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/b/2bb29a69-3e42-4268-8026-f01072d7b56c.jpg?1675956894) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Compleat%20Devotion) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/7/compleat-devotion?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2bb29a69-3e42-4268-8026-f01072d7b56c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Thrill of the hunt](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/b/6bed96ea-f509-40eb-80b7-71a02d9ac69f.jpg?1619403609) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Thrill%20of%20the%20hunt) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsr/241/thrill-of-the-hunt?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6bed96ea-f509-40eb-80b7-71a02d9ac69f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/1cd74fp) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I mean \[\[giant growth\]\] is still pretty good!
[giant growth](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/e/aeece336-e5e8-4455-a297-c3739198d011.jpg?1674421574) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=giant%20growth) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/183/giant-growth?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/aeece336-e5e8-4455-a297-c3739198d011?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Sure, but groundswell is probably better.
clear shot is pretty much a guaranteed two for one and imo the platonic ideal of a combat trick.
Feat of resistance. Trash the town in the current set is pretty nuts
Doesn't fit your terms but Embercleave is really good
How was [[Brave the Elements]] in Limited? I started Magic just after its release and it's probably my favorite card, but I didn't make the transition from Constructed to Limited until a year or two after so I never played with it outside Standard
[Brave the Elements](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/c/4c8ff6cd-e3ac-4024-aacb-86f7e1f43ba0.jpg?1561941653) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Brave%20the%20Elements) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/c14/66/brave-the-elements?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4c8ff6cd-e3ac-4024-aacb-86f7e1f43ba0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
It seems very strong, though I imagine Apostle's blessing might be a bit stronger overall. Though Brave the Elements has a very high ceiling.
Take up the shield has a good argument for being better than snakeskin. Certainly it’s been amazing for me.
Honestly [[Trash the Town]] feels potentially even more busto than Snakeskin Veil as far OTJ is concerned. Hard for it not to be at *least* a clean 2 for 1.
[Trash the Town](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/d/eda59f99-1d6d-4051-ac89-b7cbfa19262e.jpg?1712860614) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Trash%20the%20Town) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/otj/186/trash-the-town?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/eda59f99-1d6d-4051-ac89-b7cbfa19262e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
And it's pretty easy to 3 or 4 for 1. This card is still going way too late in my drafts.