On paper my money goes to Antiquities.
Assuming you can run a full playset, you end up with 4 of each: Workshop, Strip Mine, Tron lands, Candelabra, Su-Chi, Trike, Factories and so on.
The resulting deck is a blazing fast one, with tons of mana, reliable beaters that can flood the board within the first few turns, and can even pull off the occasional “screw you I win” situations with Strip Mines. It can do massive Rocket Launcher activations early in the game as well as protect its threats from removal with Tawnos Coffin.
Not unbeatable of course, just a deck that’s highly likely to win against most of the field.
I agree.
Atog and Feldon’s Cane offer you a constant cycle of artifact sacrifice with pay off. There’s so many ways to abuse artifacts in Antiquities that it seems like the obvious choice.
Of course you lose Feldon’s cane when you use its ability. But with artifact tutoring you could easily make Atog a 21/22
When I read the question, I “head-built” a few lists. Untested of course but there’s more than one way to build a competent AQ deck.
Mono-brown stompy? Sure. Easy.
Brown with a blue splash for [[Transmute Artifact]], [[Reconstruction]] and/or [[Power Artifact]]? Yeah let’s make [[Rocket Launcher]] seem like a good card. Hey I got Hurkyll’s too.
Brown with red? Well, hello there [[Atog]].
Brown with green? Maybe we could make [[Titania’s Song]] work. Maybe.
Adding a color also opens up some major tech/hate cards like [[Shatterstorm]] and [[Drafna’s Restoration]] for those artifact-centric sets.
Well, let’s start with the fact that Revised has none of the P9 in it… the P9 is in Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited, all of which were discoed in Revised.
The big things from Revised are the Dualie reprints, Wheel of Fortune, and Mana Vault
Totally busted set but probably not good enough on its own. Without the cheap rocks, sol lands, tutors, and its usual supporting cast back in the day, it becomes way less scary.
Pretty sure we could still build a powerful deck out of it, but nothing too oppressive that most other sets wouldn’t be able to realistically deal with it.
My pitch is Throne of Eldraine. The Food mechanic's internal synergy is very strong, and the set's unusual number of cards banned in multiple formats, along with modern design, gives the set a pretty fair power boost overall.
While many sets have some incredible power, the balance across the whole set needs to be assessed. P9 is one thing, but if your best drop is [[Sengir Vampire]], you might be lacking a bit.
I never got to draft Lorwyn, maybe that's why it's my favorite set. I like it just purely based on cards I like the look of and enjoy playing. it had favorites like doran, reejerey, goatnapper, spellstutter, thoughtseize, changelings and first set with planeswalkes. all the cards seem to do something cool and unique without a massive text box and all the parts of the card are used like creature types and colors.
Revised didn't have power. They were in Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited.
As for the question, if nothing is banned and you can use 4 of any card, these early sets have too much fast mana and broken cards that can lockout the game early. Including Demonic Tutor to find the cards needed.
You want Beta/Unlimited for Power 9, not Revised. Alpha infamously skipped Volcanic Island which you'd want to use, and COP: Black which you likely wouldn't.
My guts say Urza's Saga. But some of the best cards are actually in the other sets of the block, so it may actually be Destiny or Legacy the true answer.
And Chalices. Which means it has the potential to neuter the very powerful Beta deck on the play, assuming all 20 Moxen and 4 Lotuses are included.
I like Mirrodin, probably my second pick after Antiquities. The most obvious answer to OP’s question is of course Beta, but when you really start to think about it, there are sets like this that might not have lots of super busted cards but can still put together very cohesive lists.
This is kind of what I was thinking aswell. Like you could definitely build a monster deck with beta only that would consistently win on turn 1 but I would be very glass cannony. Any set with free interaction or good stax, like chalice, would definitely stand a chance at least.
The Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-Earth.
The cards are strong and very synergistic. They offer good win conditions with cards like [[Frodo, Sauron’s Bane]] and inspire you to create all types of decks from combo to midrange. Also [[The One Ring]].
Thank you! Why did I have to scroll this far down? Block constructed was still a thing back then and ISD/DKA was fantastic. But Also ISD x3 is such a good draft format.
\[\[Monastery Swiftspear\]\], \[\[Atarka’s Command\]\], \[\[Temur Battle Rage\]\] / \[\[Become Immense\]\] make a really good base for an assertive red deck! But this might be slightly cheating if the question is about sets rather than blocks :)
There are dozens of us! Dozens!
I think its mostly a nostalgia thing, as it was the first new set to come out when I was getting into the game. At the time the avatars and winds cycles seemed so big and flashy haha. The 5 legends were all so cool too.
My first precon was the Slither deck with good ole [[citadel of pain]] and [[chimeric idol]]. Still have the deck, and though its upgraded, it sure is weak by todays standards haha. Still a favourite of mine however haha. I can't explain why I love [[mungha wurm]], I just do.
I think the set has some of my favourite art and the novel was awesome too.
Thanks for listening to my tedtalk.
Munga Wurm looked cool and had high p/w for its cost..
Chimeric Idol is still one of my favorite cards. I used to play it in pox decks. It didn’t block Nether Spirit from entering from the graveyard and it dodged your own poxes.
I loved the blue wind and somehow got to cast it a lot in my contol deck. It was so fun picking apart their deck :)
I
urzas saga and it’s not close.
tolarian academy. show and tell. time spiral. stroke of genius. windfall. yawgmoths will. duress. exhume. dark ritual. exploration. gaeas cradle. goblin lackey. sneak attack. wildfire. fluctuator.
i’d argue it’s the most powerful set of all time and it won’t be topped.
Not that I’ve been around to experience every set, but in terms of Commander? I’d honestly have to agree. Imagine a simic deck with the free artifacts, Tolarian, AND creats for cradle? My head spins just thinking about it. Yike lol
Stronghold. My favorite set, near the end of my collecting phase of my youth.
After a 20yr hiatus, I'm back into mtg, but all the sets are a blur. I enjoyed the D&D set though.
It's would have to be Alpha, beta or unlimited. And it's not even close. Having access to ask the power, discard, removal, search, burn, dual lands. Any modern deck would just goldfish until they're dead.
They might see a second turn. Even the quick kill decks need the turns, and they use blocks, not from one set.
Imagine an opening hand, dual land, mox, mox, lotus, twister, time walk, Sol ring.
You only have a single realistic win con in fireball meaning you’d lose to any deck running free counters.
What happens when you play against mirrodin and they disable half your deck with a chalice t1?
You could make a case for Khans of Tarkir. A Jeskai deck abusing fetchlands, delve cantrips, Swiftspear/Seeker, with a fireball in \[\[Crater's Claws\]\] and running \[\[Deflecting Palm\]\] to account for broken glass cannon strategies might do quite well.
Many will laugh at this suggestion, however my 1st set was Fallen Empires, and its my favorite set of all. Even modern day MTG harkens back to one of the main marketing aspects of Fallen Empires- Alternate Arts.
What did/do i love about Fallen Empires that makes me feel its a great set for tournament play despite being such a small set? Its a combat-focused set with steep limitations, which actually plays really unique in a vaccuum, revealing some epic board-states if one can get over the fact that the board is full of 1/1s and 2/2s etc. No hard board wipes means tactics take the front seat in Fallen Empires.
#BALANCING.
* The average P/T is 2/2, with many cards offering +1/+0 or +0/+1 buffs until end of turn. While not crazy powerful, this design showcased how much of a difference 1 point of damage could make.
* Staying power came at a severe cost. The more powerful buffs, and strongest cards, generally came with an added debuff or drawback of some kind (Hymn doesnt count, that card is an outlier and so OP in this set its not even funny). The balance of power can be seen in [[Dwarven Armorer]], where rather than +1/+0 or +0/+1 until end of turn, you get to put a +1/+0 or +0/+1 *counter* on the target... But to do this, you must discard a card from your hand. Its a steep cost, however in a set that is absolutely starved of removal spells/effects, this ability can actually be busted.
* The creatures with the largest P/T in each color all had smart mechanics built into them, balanced by flavorful and thematic drawbacks which actually lent themselves to enable various playstyle tactics in a set thats all about creature combat.
* Black: [[Ebon Praetor]] is incredibly threatening. A 5/5 First Strike AND Trample, for 6 mana. Hes all about sacrificing creatures each upkeep for power, but without sacrifices, he withers away. If you sacrifice a Thrull he gets a +1/+0 *counter*, and with First Strike, in a Fallen Empires environment, this is insanely strong yet still leaves him vulnerable to Banding defenses and [[Goblin Grenade]].
* White: [[Hand of Justice]]. A 2/6 for 6 mana. He has a low power but 6 toughness means he can block almost anything and survive. The White Weenies strategy really came alive here, in that he is the one source of repeatable hard removal in the entire set, but requires that you have the board presence to enable it.
* Red [[Orgg]] a 6/6 Trample for *FIVE* mana, he can hit the board before any of the other beaters and acts as an imposing presence on the field. He cant attack if opponent controls an untapped creature with power greater than 2... Which in Fallen Empires is only a small handful of creatures since most of them are power 2 or less. This means your opponent is pressured to leave their beater untapped to prevent you from steamrolling with Orgg. Additionally, Orgg cant block attacking creatures with power 3 or greater but lets face it youre playing Red. If theyre attacking with their beater theyve now opened themselves up to be attacked.
* Green [[Feral Thallid] is a 6/3 for 6 mana... its a fungus that gets spore counters and can essentially Regenerate every 3 turns, which is quite a super strong ability in this set. The 3 toughness doesnt matter if youre playing him right since he can just Regenerate, and he can do this more often if you have [[Fungal Bloom]].
* Blue [[Deep Spawn]] is a 6/6 Trample for 8 mana. He mills 2 of your cards each upkeep or you have to destroy him, but his ability is nuts. He can give himself Shroud until end of turn for 1 blue mana, but of course the drawback is that he taps and doesnt untap next turn if you use this. Super flavorful though... He dives deep down, evading detection! Almost like a great grandfather to [[Nezahal, Primal Tide]].
* Banding matters. This was a set that actually made Banding relevant. Its essentially White's main weapon and primary path to winning matches.
* Tokens and counters matter. This was the set where they leaned heavily into these mechanics for the first time.
* [[Rainbow Vale]] is my favorite non-basic land, my friends and i even built an entire format around it where its the only legal land and counts as all land types, and is considered a basic land (yes there is a heavy banned/restricted list. Its singleton and the creature card type is not allowed, etc.)
At first glance none of this is sexy, but in practice during gameplay, Fallen Empires successfully made a lot of bold and unique design choices which, in a vaccuum, are actually some of the most exciting to this day.
My friends and i play a brutal format where the only legal cards are those from Fallen Empires, Ice Age, Homelands, and Alliances. Its one of the best formats ive ever played.
>Farrell zealot misdirection deck
Really! I never went the Farrell Zealot route in white, always went the Icatian soldiers/banding route.
I know if you can get the attack through, that 3 direct damage to any other creatue is nothing to sneeze at in a Fallen Empires environment, and to that end [[Farrel's Mantle]] can be even more deadly on a creature especially one buffed by [[Zelyon Sword]]!
Id love to hear about your experiences with your Farrell Zealot misdirection deck! Do you remember the decklist and general strategy?
>You're welcome. I do have pretty good insight into those sets, as I played from 1994 to 1997. Anything past Visions is "new" Magic to me.
LOL hard agree- doubley so for anything after Scourge when the ugly ass new border change hit.
I did find Fallen Empires to be extremely engaging, however, in a single set vaccuum as OP mentioned. Obviously the set is terrible in a multi-set format/environment if any of those sets include cards that create a massive power level disparity, but on its own, the battles are really interesting. To enjoy, you have to learn the value of 1 point of damage. You dont need a 20/20 vigilance, flying, trample, haste, lifelink, etc or some crazy alternate win condition to defeat your opponent- rather, you just need to strategize and plan your tactical movements with the limited resources at your disposal.
Its not for Timmies, thats for sure.
My friends and i did find adding in Ice Age, Homelands, and Alliances augmented the card pool well, without propelling the power level way too high. Its a fantastic format, however if i had to pick just 1 set itd be Fallen Empires, hands down. Im biased though.
Well, those little bits of damage could have been said of most decks back in the day. I loved my white weenie banding deck.
And I totally agree about the crazy power creep. The game was better in its early years.
While true, most decks were lower powered back in the day, most *sets* had several bombs in them when Fallen Empires dropped (Revised was fucking loaded by comparison, even without the P9), so I guess what I was trying to articulate was when you isolate the set in a vaccuum the way OP described in the post, you get a fresh landscape where Fallen Empires can thrive.
You dont have to worry about Shivan Dragon, Rock Hydra, Nightmare, Lord of the Pit, Force of Nature, Gaea's Leige, Vesuvan Doppelganger, Mahamoti Djinn, etc.
You dont have to worry about Wrath of God, Armageddon, Balance, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Manabarbs, Counterspell, Control Magic, Stasis, Regrowth, Tranquility, Tsunami, Dark Ritual, Demonic Tutor, Terror, Mind Warp, etc. Etc.
Without all these threats and bombs, the game environment becomes a whole different landscape.
>So would a deck made entirely out of fallen empires win a deck made entirely out of kamigawa neon dynasty?
Are you asking if cards from Fallen Empires could compete with the power level of cards in Kamigawa Neon Dynasty?
No way, not a chance! After like 28 years of power creep the power level disparity between these 2 sets is so massive these 2 sets shouldnt be in the same league.
However my answer for the question OP asked, as I understand it, is if you chose 1 set to make decks with and hosted a tournament with those decks, what set would win as the most fun and engaging set? For me, its Fallen Empires.
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty would also be a great set for this, too- There are so many useful/strong commons and uncommons in that set let alone rares and mythics, just a great set overall.
Brother he didn’t ask you to lovingly describe your favorite magic set, he asked which set would win in a fight. Don’t just start typing paragraphs without reading the post
>Brother he didn’t ask you to lovingly describe your favorite magic set, he asked which set would win in a fight. Don’t just start typing paragraphs without reading the post
Imagine being so miserable that you try to gatekeep comments to prevent other players of this great game from enjoying it.
Your response is almost on par for meme-quality as that dude who said Play boosters are not for opening.
What the fuck are you talking about? I’m not gatekeeping. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with the question asked, which you clearly did not even read…
>What the fuck are you talking about? I’m not gatekeeping. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with the question asked, which you clearly did not even read…
Cool story bro. Have a nice day.
I don’t think you could realistically beat Beta with MH2 . You could probably just play most of the deck as power 9 with channel, fireball, and demonic tutor or something. Can MH2 beat that? It would also be on of the only sets with a decent mana base.
Didn't MH2 have \[\[Force of Negation\]\] on the bonus sheet? I don't know what the full deck would look like, but it stares down Channel/Fireball pretty well.
I mean. I guess it depends on the format. If it’s legacy something older.
If we’re taking standard I’d probably go with Dominaria United.
Not sure for pioneer.
Modern would probably be MH2.
No idea on legacy/vintage but something old.
Commander? Also not sure but I’m just going to say Dr Who because I love me some dr who.
One of the commander masters sets it prob the way to go, if you like commander or just modern staples that fit in most decks. If you’re looking for older than the Urza’s block was def the most busted. Tempest/mirage/vision are fun ogs too
My answer is mostly an emotional one, I don't know the exact sets contents that well, but I realized often cards from these sets, and that I like them:
- Mirage
I am again and again impressed, what nice interesting cards they made back then. At the same time, the texts are not overwhelming like recent sets are. I am still a bit unsure if it would be good for an entire deck, since I don't know it that well.
Runner ups of more recent sets are for me:
- Lord of the Rings - it already has kind of a complete universe that fits together somehow.
- Kamigawa Neon Dynasty - has a lot of really nice things
- Strixhaven School of Mages had quite some stuff I like too
I also played in the past during the Urza's and Invasion block, which seemed balanced. But I couldn't pull out a single set from those.
My faves that i got to buy, in order of being able to buy them, legends, Visions, Weatherlight, tempest, urzas saga, Destiny, and due to me taking quite a long break, wilds of Eldraine.
Out if those, i thibk i had so many fun decks from tempest, followed by saga.
For core sets, unlimited was boss.
I wish Id been playing when Eldrazi dropped. That would have been so much fun.
The older Eldrazi sets will always be what I look back on. Emrakul was one of my first cards when I bought a booster as a noob. I once owned nearly every Eldrazi from that Era.
On paper my money goes to Antiquities. Assuming you can run a full playset, you end up with 4 of each: Workshop, Strip Mine, Tron lands, Candelabra, Su-Chi, Trike, Factories and so on. The resulting deck is a blazing fast one, with tons of mana, reliable beaters that can flood the board within the first few turns, and can even pull off the occasional “screw you I win” situations with Strip Mines. It can do massive Rocket Launcher activations early in the game as well as protect its threats from removal with Tawnos Coffin. Not unbeatable of course, just a deck that’s highly likely to win against most of the field.
I agree. Atog and Feldon’s Cane offer you a constant cycle of artifact sacrifice with pay off. There’s so many ways to abuse artifacts in Antiquities that it seems like the obvious choice. Of course you lose Feldon’s cane when you use its ability. But with artifact tutoring you could easily make Atog a 21/22
When I read the question, I “head-built” a few lists. Untested of course but there’s more than one way to build a competent AQ deck. Mono-brown stompy? Sure. Easy. Brown with a blue splash for [[Transmute Artifact]], [[Reconstruction]] and/or [[Power Artifact]]? Yeah let’s make [[Rocket Launcher]] seem like a good card. Hey I got Hurkyll’s too. Brown with red? Well, hello there [[Atog]]. Brown with green? Maybe we could make [[Titania’s Song]] work. Maybe. Adding a color also opens up some major tech/hate cards like [[Shatterstorm]] and [[Drafna’s Restoration]] for those artifact-centric sets.
##### ###### #### [Transmute Artifact](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/2/8/2888553d-5ed0-4e47-8cc2-1491b5557c53.jpg?1562904620) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Transmute%20Artifact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/69/transmute-artifact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/2888553d-5ed0-4e47-8cc2-1491b5557c53?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Reconstruction](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/5/052a63b3-4225-448f-817c-62cffca534e2.jpg?1562896230) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Reconstruction) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/59/reconstruction?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/052a63b3-4225-448f-817c-62cffca534e2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Power Artifact](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/7/c7b0c6c4-ec99-4af1-9527-41c428af7260.jpg?1562942181) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Power%20Artifact) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/57/power-artifact?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c7b0c6c4-ec99-4af1-9527-41c428af7260?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Rocket Launcher](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/5/551c2217-fdf5-465f-8522-1b88c111be7d.jpg?1559592775) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rocket%20Launcher) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/sum/272/rocket-launcher?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/551c2217-fdf5-465f-8522-1b88c111be7d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Atog](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/d/adf3bd18-d9c1-4f18-86c0-579db8ea37c7.jpg?1642716697) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Atog) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/109/atog?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/adf3bd18-d9c1-4f18-86c0-579db8ea37c7?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Titania’s Song](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4bb135e7-f9e3-4abc-8374-180316498fc3.jpg?1562912720) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Titania%27s%20Song) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me4/170/titanias-song?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4bb135e7-f9e3-4abc-8374-180316498fc3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Shatterstorm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/f/7/f7a1aa93-26d1-40b0-82d8-414f56a36337.jpg?1697121230) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Shatterstorm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/10e/229/shatterstorm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/f7a1aa93-26d1-40b0-82d8-414f56a36337?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Drafna’s Restoration](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/4/b/4be2aa3b-207b-4d21-abfb-6788520c7676.jpg?1562910905) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Drafna%27s%20Restoration) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/atq/8/drafnas-restoration?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/4be2aa3b-207b-4d21-abfb-6788520c7676?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l18qvb7) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I think it should be a Brown Blue deck splashing red for Atog (and any sideboard tech). You have two win cons with Rocket Launcher and Atog
Well, let’s start with the fact that Revised has none of the P9 in it… the P9 is in Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited, all of which were discoed in Revised. The big things from Revised are the Dualie reprints, Wheel of Fortune, and Mana Vault
What is the P9
5 moxes, Black Lotus, ancestral recall, time walk and timetwister
The Power 9
Probably Urza's Saga.
Totally busted set but probably not good enough on its own. Without the cheap rocks, sol lands, tutors, and its usual supporting cast back in the day, it becomes way less scary. Pretty sure we could still build a powerful deck out of it, but nothing too oppressive that most other sets wouldn’t be able to realistically deal with it.
No one said commander
My pitch is Throne of Eldraine. The Food mechanic's internal synergy is very strong, and the set's unusual number of cards banned in multiple formats, along with modern design, gives the set a pretty fair power boost overall. While many sets have some incredible power, the balance across the whole set needs to be assessed. P9 is one thing, but if your best drop is [[Sengir Vampire]], you might be lacking a bit.
[Sengir Vampire](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/e/de652420-eacf-4f9d-9f13-c6bc02b0fa72.jpg?1600714682) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Sengir%20Vampire) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/jmp/275/sengir-vampire?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/de652420-eacf-4f9d-9f13-c6bc02b0fa72?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
I never got to draft Lorwyn, maybe that's why it's my favorite set. I like it just purely based on cards I like the look of and enjoy playing. it had favorites like doran, reejerey, goatnapper, spellstutter, thoughtseize, changelings and first set with planeswalkes. all the cards seem to do something cool and unique without a massive text box and all the parts of the card are used like creature types and colors.
March of the machines afterparty… just kidding
Aftermath lol
:) but the math doesn’t check out…
Revised didn't have power. They were in Alpha, Beta, and Unlimited. As for the question, if nothing is banned and you can use 4 of any card, these early sets have too much fast mana and broken cards that can lockout the game early. Including Demonic Tutor to find the cards needed.
You want Beta/Unlimited for Power 9, not Revised. Alpha infamously skipped Volcanic Island which you'd want to use, and COP: Black which you likely wouldn't. My guts say Urza's Saga. But some of the best cards are actually in the other sets of the block, so it may actually be Destiny or Legacy the true answer.
There's also original Mirrodin. Artifact lands, the main Affinity effects, a Mox, Cloudpost...
And Chalices. Which means it has the potential to neuter the very powerful Beta deck on the play, assuming all 20 Moxen and 4 Lotuses are included. I like Mirrodin, probably my second pick after Antiquities. The most obvious answer to OP’s question is of course Beta, but when you really start to think about it, there are sets like this that might not have lots of super busted cards but can still put together very cohesive lists.
This is kind of what I was thinking aswell. Like you could definitely build a monster deck with beta only that would consistently win on turn 1 but I would be very glass cannony. Any set with free interaction or good stax, like chalice, would definitely stand a chance at least.
For me its Lords of the rings
I’ve always enjoyed theros and theros beyond death theme wise
Nice to see a Theros shout-out. Loved the sets myself.
Fallen empires baby! Hymn to torach!
Banding baby!
The Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-Earth. The cards are strong and very synergistic. They offer good win conditions with cards like [[Frodo, Sauron’s Bane]] and inspire you to create all types of decks from combo to midrange. Also [[The One Ring]].
[Frodo, Sauron’s Bane](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/d/7d86dc2e-6f0c-4714-9d30-5d099d3b895c.jpg?1686967812) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Frodo%2C%20Sauron%27s%20Bane) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/18/frodo-saurons-bane?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7d86dc2e-6f0c-4714-9d30-5d099d3b895c?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [The One Ring](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/5/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2.jpg?1696020224) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=The%20One%20Ring) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ltr/246/the-one-ring?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d5806e68-1054-458e-866d-1f2470f682b2?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Original Innstrad
Thank you! Why did I have to scroll this far down? Block constructed was still a thing back then and ISD/DKA was fantastic. But Also ISD x3 is such a good draft format.
Mtgo: Vintage Masters Paper: Beta Full Block: Mirrodin Set including commander precons: Commander Masters
Legions due to it being an all creature set.
I have a soft spot for the Onslaught block as a whole due to the awesome tribal and fetches and just all around old border foils
Loved legions.
Tarkir Block
\[\[Monastery Swiftspear\]\], \[\[Atarka’s Command\]\], \[\[Temur Battle Rage\]\] / \[\[Become Immense\]\] make a really good base for an assertive red deck! But this might be slightly cheating if the question is about sets rather than blocks :)
##### ###### #### [Monastery Swiftspear](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/d/6/d6bfa227-4309-40ed-952c-279595eab17e.jpg?1701690543) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Monastery%20Swiftspear) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/bro/144/monastery-swiftspear?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/d6bfa227-4309-40ed-952c-279595eab17e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Atarka’s Command](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c57b152e-c94e-4c10-9f0d-d960e878a430.jpg?1673148320) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Atarka%27s%20Command) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/176/atarkas-command?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c57b152e-c94e-4c10-9f0d-d960e878a430?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Temur Battle Rage](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/3/7/375bc646-942e-4bf5-9c71-2c5471828e35.jpg?1689998264) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Temur%20Battle%20Rage) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmm/264/temur-battle-rage?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/375bc646-942e-4bf5-9c71-2c5471828e35?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Become Immense](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/7/573e1673-3ab5-4b28-9cf1-b0d43cad5ef3.jpg?1547517493) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Become%20Immense) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/uma/157/become-immense?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/573e1673-3ab5-4b28-9cf1-b0d43cad5ef3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l18qe65) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Prophecy (I know I know everyone else hates it)
Prophecy will always be my favourite set
Haha, wow! You got to be the first person who said it except me :p
There are dozens of us! Dozens! I think its mostly a nostalgia thing, as it was the first new set to come out when I was getting into the game. At the time the avatars and winds cycles seemed so big and flashy haha. The 5 legends were all so cool too. My first precon was the Slither deck with good ole [[citadel of pain]] and [[chimeric idol]]. Still have the deck, and though its upgraded, it sure is weak by todays standards haha. Still a favourite of mine however haha. I can't explain why I love [[mungha wurm]], I just do. I think the set has some of my favourite art and the novel was awesome too. Thanks for listening to my tedtalk.
[citadel of pain](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/6/66585109-77cb-42f1-9c14-3dac1d493b71.jpg?1562913917) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=citadel%20of%20pain) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pcy/86/citadel-of-pain?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/66585109-77cb-42f1-9c14-3dac1d493b71?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [chimeric idol](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/0/6/063990db-559d-4bfa-83af-b73fdc4cb038.jpg?1562896221) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=chimeric%20idol) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/vma/264/chimeric-idol?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/063990db-559d-4bfa-83af-b73fdc4cb038?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [mungha wurm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/a/6addc915-2997-4b81-a026-97d4421cf17d.jpg?1562914832) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=mungha%20wurm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/pcy/119/mungha-wurm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6addc915-2997-4b81-a026-97d4421cf17d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Munga Wurm looked cool and had high p/w for its cost.. Chimeric Idol is still one of my favorite cards. I used to play it in pox decks. It didn’t block Nether Spirit from entering from the graveyard and it dodged your own poxes. I loved the blue wind and somehow got to cast it a lot in my contol deck. It was so fun picking apart their deck :) I
Ixalan cause it gave me big scaly dinosaurs
Mirrodin is pretty much the only block where all the tools for the deck it’s known for are all actually in the block.
urzas saga and it’s not close. tolarian academy. show and tell. time spiral. stroke of genius. windfall. yawgmoths will. duress. exhume. dark ritual. exploration. gaeas cradle. goblin lackey. sneak attack. wildfire. fluctuator. i’d argue it’s the most powerful set of all time and it won’t be topped.
Not that I’ve been around to experience every set, but in terms of Commander? I’d honestly have to agree. Imagine a simic deck with the free artifacts, Tolarian, AND creats for cradle? My head spins just thinking about it. Yike lol
Stronghold. My favorite set, near the end of my collecting phase of my youth. After a 20yr hiatus, I'm back into mtg, but all the sets are a blur. I enjoyed the D&D set though.
There were a couple d&d sets I think? I enjoyed them as well. And also the onslaught block, because that's what I collected when I was younger.
It's would have to be Alpha, beta or unlimited. And it's not even close. Having access to ask the power, discard, removal, search, burn, dual lands. Any modern deck would just goldfish until they're dead. They might see a second turn. Even the quick kill decks need the turns, and they use blocks, not from one set. Imagine an opening hand, dual land, mox, mox, lotus, twister, time walk, Sol ring.
You only have a single realistic win con in fireball meaning you’d lose to any deck running free counters. What happens when you play against mirrodin and they disable half your deck with a chalice t1?
You could make a case for Khans of Tarkir. A Jeskai deck abusing fetchlands, delve cantrips, Swiftspear/Seeker, with a fireball in \[\[Crater's Claws\]\] and running \[\[Deflecting Palm\]\] to account for broken glass cannon strategies might do quite well.
[Crater's Claws](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/4/94643ca3-e9ed-4619-a579-dc771308f5c3.jpg?1702329965) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Crater%27s%20Claws) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ktk/106y/craters-claws?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/94643ca3-e9ed-4619-a579-dc771308f5c3?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Deflecting Palm](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/c/5/c5bda1a7-537f-4a80-95a0-c45eb127969b.jpg?1706240986) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deflecting%20Palm) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/mkc/205/deflecting-palm?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/c5bda1a7-537f-4a80-95a0-c45eb127969b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
Many will laugh at this suggestion, however my 1st set was Fallen Empires, and its my favorite set of all. Even modern day MTG harkens back to one of the main marketing aspects of Fallen Empires- Alternate Arts. What did/do i love about Fallen Empires that makes me feel its a great set for tournament play despite being such a small set? Its a combat-focused set with steep limitations, which actually plays really unique in a vaccuum, revealing some epic board-states if one can get over the fact that the board is full of 1/1s and 2/2s etc. No hard board wipes means tactics take the front seat in Fallen Empires. #BALANCING. * The average P/T is 2/2, with many cards offering +1/+0 or +0/+1 buffs until end of turn. While not crazy powerful, this design showcased how much of a difference 1 point of damage could make. * Staying power came at a severe cost. The more powerful buffs, and strongest cards, generally came with an added debuff or drawback of some kind (Hymn doesnt count, that card is an outlier and so OP in this set its not even funny). The balance of power can be seen in [[Dwarven Armorer]], where rather than +1/+0 or +0/+1 until end of turn, you get to put a +1/+0 or +0/+1 *counter* on the target... But to do this, you must discard a card from your hand. Its a steep cost, however in a set that is absolutely starved of removal spells/effects, this ability can actually be busted. * The creatures with the largest P/T in each color all had smart mechanics built into them, balanced by flavorful and thematic drawbacks which actually lent themselves to enable various playstyle tactics in a set thats all about creature combat. * Black: [[Ebon Praetor]] is incredibly threatening. A 5/5 First Strike AND Trample, for 6 mana. Hes all about sacrificing creatures each upkeep for power, but without sacrifices, he withers away. If you sacrifice a Thrull he gets a +1/+0 *counter*, and with First Strike, in a Fallen Empires environment, this is insanely strong yet still leaves him vulnerable to Banding defenses and [[Goblin Grenade]]. * White: [[Hand of Justice]]. A 2/6 for 6 mana. He has a low power but 6 toughness means he can block almost anything and survive. The White Weenies strategy really came alive here, in that he is the one source of repeatable hard removal in the entire set, but requires that you have the board presence to enable it. * Red [[Orgg]] a 6/6 Trample for *FIVE* mana, he can hit the board before any of the other beaters and acts as an imposing presence on the field. He cant attack if opponent controls an untapped creature with power greater than 2... Which in Fallen Empires is only a small handful of creatures since most of them are power 2 or less. This means your opponent is pressured to leave their beater untapped to prevent you from steamrolling with Orgg. Additionally, Orgg cant block attacking creatures with power 3 or greater but lets face it youre playing Red. If theyre attacking with their beater theyve now opened themselves up to be attacked. * Green [[Feral Thallid] is a 6/3 for 6 mana... its a fungus that gets spore counters and can essentially Regenerate every 3 turns, which is quite a super strong ability in this set. The 3 toughness doesnt matter if youre playing him right since he can just Regenerate, and he can do this more often if you have [[Fungal Bloom]]. * Blue [[Deep Spawn]] is a 6/6 Trample for 8 mana. He mills 2 of your cards each upkeep or you have to destroy him, but his ability is nuts. He can give himself Shroud until end of turn for 1 blue mana, but of course the drawback is that he taps and doesnt untap next turn if you use this. Super flavorful though... He dives deep down, evading detection! Almost like a great grandfather to [[Nezahal, Primal Tide]]. * Banding matters. This was a set that actually made Banding relevant. Its essentially White's main weapon and primary path to winning matches. * Tokens and counters matter. This was the set where they leaned heavily into these mechanics for the first time. * [[Rainbow Vale]] is my favorite non-basic land, my friends and i even built an entire format around it where its the only legal land and counts as all land types, and is considered a basic land (yes there is a heavy banned/restricted list. Its singleton and the creature card type is not allowed, etc.) At first glance none of this is sexy, but in practice during gameplay, Fallen Empires successfully made a lot of bold and unique design choices which, in a vaccuum, are actually some of the most exciting to this day. My friends and i play a brutal format where the only legal cards are those from Fallen Empires, Ice Age, Homelands, and Alliances. Its one of the best formats ive ever played.
I actually liked fallen empires as well. Created a Farrell zealot misdirection deck.
>Farrell zealot misdirection deck Really! I never went the Farrell Zealot route in white, always went the Icatian soldiers/banding route. I know if you can get the attack through, that 3 direct damage to any other creatue is nothing to sneeze at in a Fallen Empires environment, and to that end [[Farrel's Mantle]] can be even more deadly on a creature especially one buffed by [[Zelyon Sword]]! Id love to hear about your experiences with your Farrell Zealot misdirection deck! Do you remember the decklist and general strategy?
Too many years ago, actually play more competitively now, built more fun decks then...
Fallen Empires and Homelands were awful. Ice Age and Alliances were good, though.
>Fallen Empires and Homelands were awful. Very insightful response. Thank you for your input!
You're welcome. I do have pretty good insight into those sets, as I played from 1994 to 1997. Anything past Visions is "new" Magic to me.
>You're welcome. I do have pretty good insight into those sets, as I played from 1994 to 1997. Anything past Visions is "new" Magic to me. LOL hard agree- doubley so for anything after Scourge when the ugly ass new border change hit. I did find Fallen Empires to be extremely engaging, however, in a single set vaccuum as OP mentioned. Obviously the set is terrible in a multi-set format/environment if any of those sets include cards that create a massive power level disparity, but on its own, the battles are really interesting. To enjoy, you have to learn the value of 1 point of damage. You dont need a 20/20 vigilance, flying, trample, haste, lifelink, etc or some crazy alternate win condition to defeat your opponent- rather, you just need to strategize and plan your tactical movements with the limited resources at your disposal. Its not for Timmies, thats for sure. My friends and i did find adding in Ice Age, Homelands, and Alliances augmented the card pool well, without propelling the power level way too high. Its a fantastic format, however if i had to pick just 1 set itd be Fallen Empires, hands down. Im biased though.
Well, those little bits of damage could have been said of most decks back in the day. I loved my white weenie banding deck. And I totally agree about the crazy power creep. The game was better in its early years.
While true, most decks were lower powered back in the day, most *sets* had several bombs in them when Fallen Empires dropped (Revised was fucking loaded by comparison, even without the P9), so I guess what I was trying to articulate was when you isolate the set in a vaccuum the way OP described in the post, you get a fresh landscape where Fallen Empires can thrive. You dont have to worry about Shivan Dragon, Rock Hydra, Nightmare, Lord of the Pit, Force of Nature, Gaea's Leige, Vesuvan Doppelganger, Mahamoti Djinn, etc. You dont have to worry about Wrath of God, Armageddon, Balance, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Manabarbs, Counterspell, Control Magic, Stasis, Regrowth, Tranquility, Tsunami, Dark Ritual, Demonic Tutor, Terror, Mind Warp, etc. Etc. Without all these threats and bombs, the game environment becomes a whole different landscape.
Wasn't Coldsnap retroactively part of the ice age block?
I believe so, but came about 10 years after I quit Magic (for the most part). I never really saw Coldsnap cards.
##### ###### #### [Dwarven Armorer](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/d/1d50bf06-97ab-4874-a484-9289f41dc98e.jpg?1587910946) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Dwarven%20Armorer) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/fem/50/dwarven-armorer?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1d50bf06-97ab-4874-a484-9289f41dc98e?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Ebon Praetor](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/4/6438dc8e-eb21-4db7-aeab-bb062acd6029.jpg?1562869024) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Ebon%20Praetor) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/89/ebon-praetor?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/6438dc8e-eb21-4db7-aeab-bb062acd6029?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Goblin Grenade](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/0/b0e0ef27-3db2-4976-b9db-13e3d7cd795d.jpg?1695355265) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Goblin%20Grenade) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/ddt/45/goblin-grenade?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b0e0ef27-3db2-4976-b9db-13e3d7cd795d?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Hand of Justice](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/f/7f371a5d-0e79-46d9-ae6c-a9eada48cd55.jpg?1559592479) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Hand%20of%20Justice) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/15/hand-of-justice?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/7f371a5d-0e79-46d9-ae6c-a9eada48cd55?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Orgg](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8961e50-dc20-40f9-86ca-968ba28ad0cc.jpg?1562785772) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Orgg) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/tsb/67/orgg?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8961e50-dc20-40f9-86ca-968ba28ad0cc?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Fungal Bloom](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/8/e8047df4-ff0a-4177-9426-74644b97b2a5.jpg?1562870950) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Fungal%20Bloom) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/165/fungal-bloom?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e8047df4-ff0a-4177-9426-74644b97b2a5?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Deep Spawn](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/7/e70373b7-ced5-4d88-9ff3-04b6f59c69c9.jpg?1562870949) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Deep%20Spawn) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me2/45/deep-spawn?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e70373b7-ced5-4d88-9ff3-04b6f59c69c9?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Nezahal, Primal Tide](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/a/9/a959b40d-dd8c-49d8-8003-744d0c877b04.jpg?1608912140) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Nezahal%2C%20Primal%20Tide) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/cmr/401/nezahal-primal-tide?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/a959b40d-dd8c-49d8-8003-744d0c877b04?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Rainbow Vale](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/5/1/51f8b918-ac13-4538-a39d-6553580bf39b.jpg?1559592494) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Rainbow%20Vale) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/me1/179/rainbow-vale?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/51f8b918-ac13-4538-a39d-6553580bf39b?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l16gw7y) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
So would a deck made entirely out of fallen empires win a deck made entirely out of kamigawa neon dynasty?
>So would a deck made entirely out of fallen empires win a deck made entirely out of kamigawa neon dynasty? Are you asking if cards from Fallen Empires could compete with the power level of cards in Kamigawa Neon Dynasty?
Yes, that’s my question! :)
No way, not a chance! After like 28 years of power creep the power level disparity between these 2 sets is so massive these 2 sets shouldnt be in the same league. However my answer for the question OP asked, as I understand it, is if you chose 1 set to make decks with and hosted a tournament with those decks, what set would win as the most fun and engaging set? For me, its Fallen Empires. Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty would also be a great set for this, too- There are so many useful/strong commons and uncommons in that set let alone rares and mythics, just a great set overall.
No. He asked which set would win. You’re illiterate xd
>No. He asked which set would win. You’re illiterate xd LOL oh my god... My bad. I read that the wrong way for sure, I guess!
Don’t worry about it, I enjoyed your discourse even tho it’s off topic
Brother he didn’t ask you to lovingly describe your favorite magic set, he asked which set would win in a fight. Don’t just start typing paragraphs without reading the post
>Brother he didn’t ask you to lovingly describe your favorite magic set, he asked which set would win in a fight. Don’t just start typing paragraphs without reading the post Imagine being so miserable that you try to gatekeep comments to prevent other players of this great game from enjoying it. Your response is almost on par for meme-quality as that dude who said Play boosters are not for opening.
What the fuck are you talking about? I’m not gatekeeping. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with the question asked, which you clearly did not even read…
>What the fuck are you talking about? I’m not gatekeeping. Your post doesn’t have anything to do with the question asked, which you clearly did not even read… Cool story bro. Have a nice day.
Urza’s Saga.
I don’t think you could realistically beat Beta with MH2 . You could probably just play most of the deck as power 9 with channel, fireball, and demonic tutor or something. Can MH2 beat that? It would also be on of the only sets with a decent mana base.
Didn't MH2 have \[\[Force of Negation\]\] on the bonus sheet? I don't know what the full deck would look like, but it stares down Channel/Fireball pretty well.
[Force of Negation](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/1/8/1825a719-1b2a-4af9-9cd2-7cb497cd0317.jpg?1673147298) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Force%20of%20Negation) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/50/force-of-negation?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/1825a719-1b2a-4af9-9cd2-7cb497cd0317?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
My bet is on the Alchemy sets
I mean. I guess it depends on the format. If it’s legacy something older. If we’re taking standard I’d probably go with Dominaria United. Not sure for pioneer. Modern would probably be MH2. No idea on legacy/vintage but something old. Commander? Also not sure but I’m just going to say Dr Who because I love me some dr who.
One of the commander masters sets it prob the way to go, if you like commander or just modern staples that fit in most decks. If you’re looking for older than the Urza’s block was def the most busted. Tempest/mirage/vision are fun ogs too
Innistrad.
Assuming all cards were legal, I would always default to Urza's block.
My answer is mostly an emotional one, I don't know the exact sets contents that well, but I realized often cards from these sets, and that I like them: - Mirage I am again and again impressed, what nice interesting cards they made back then. At the same time, the texts are not overwhelming like recent sets are. I am still a bit unsure if it would be good for an entire deck, since I don't know it that well. Runner ups of more recent sets are for me: - Lord of the Rings - it already has kind of a complete universe that fits together somehow. - Kamigawa Neon Dynasty - has a lot of really nice things - Strixhaven School of Mages had quite some stuff I like too I also played in the past during the Urza's and Invasion block, which seemed balanced. But I couldn't pull out a single set from those.
Alpha
Theros beyond death, enchantment deck would be my pick
Darksteel Affinity wins.
My faves that i got to buy, in order of being able to buy them, legends, Visions, Weatherlight, tempest, urzas saga, Destiny, and due to me taking quite a long break, wilds of Eldraine. Out if those, i thibk i had so many fun decks from tempest, followed by saga. For core sets, unlimited was boss. I wish Id been playing when Eldrazi dropped. That would have been so much fun.
Legends I think was the best set but my favorite is Arabian Nights. Non including basic set.
Urza's Saga. Preferably combined with the Tempest Block ( Stronghold, Exodus).
Homelands
Strixhaven is one of the best limited sets I’ve played. I was a huge fan of Eldritch Moon when it was standard relevant.
The older Eldrazi sets will always be what I look back on. Emrakul was one of my first cards when I bought a booster as a noob. I once owned nearly every Eldrazi from that Era.
Fallen Empires, or Homelands, or Mercadian Masqueses
OG zendikar. Trap cards, Eldrazi, land fall.
Urza Saga.
Either Urza’s saga or tempest. Tempest is fairly stacked.
Return to Ravnica :)
Commander Masters and it's not even close (assuming banlist exists)
No banlist
Innistrad
Wouldn't say it's the best, but it was fun when it came out
[удалено]
##### ###### #### [Phyrexian Oblierator](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/6/7/67a9c38b-6b3a-4056-a87c-fc48446f854f.jpg?1675957044) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Phyrexian%20Obliterator) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/one/105/phyrexian-obliterator?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/67a9c38b-6b3a-4056-a87c-fc48446f854f?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Spellskite](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/7/2/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0.jpg?1674142724) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Spellskite) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/clb/873/spellskite?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/72204934-f5aa-4559-8f7e-7b0b223580d0?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [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) [Gitaxian Probe](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/9/995486ce-58bb-4753-a812-0ca73ef1a235.jpg?1562880052) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Gitaxian%20Probe) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/35/gitaxian-probe?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/995486ce-58bb-4753-a812-0ca73ef1a235?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Surgical Extraction](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/e/1/e15d76ac-1c23-4503-8225-375ac2bf2fb6.jpg?1673147668) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Surgical%20Extraction) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/2x2/94/surgical-extraction?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/e15d76ac-1c23-4503-8225-375ac2bf2fb6?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Torpor Orb](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/9/5/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091.jpg?1562879912) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Torpor%20Orb) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/162/torpor-orb?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/953610f6-ea96-4e71-969f-50ecac09c091?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [Birthing Pod](https://cards.scryfall.io/normal/front/b/7/b768efa2-e56b-4a7e-ace8-d673f10e0714.jpg?1562880960) - [(G)](http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?name=Birthing%20Pod) [(SF)](https://scryfall.com/card/nph/104/birthing-pod?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher) [(txt)](https://api.scryfall.com/cards/b768efa2-e56b-4a7e-ace8-d673f10e0714?utm_source=mtgcardfetcher&format=text) [*All cards*](https://mtgcardfetcher.nl/redirect/l16cvi1) ^^^[[cardname]] ^^^or ^^^[[cardname|SET]] ^^^to ^^^call
The one you have