Invasion Draft: Black Rares

Gary Wise
Black Rares

Andradite Leech
Remember Primeval Shambler? Absolute powerhouse, right? No reason this should be any different. Unlike pumpables of the past, the Leech is immune to spells like Cursed Flesh or Zap that finish it off the turn after you pump it all the way, meaning that unless you fear Scorching Lava or Tribal Flames, you can go all out with this guy. Sure, the special ability's annoying, but you'll live. A 2nd - 4th pick.

Crypt Angel
'Absolute powerhouse' doesn't begin to define this little beauty. 3/3 flying for 5 seems to be status quo, but what isn't is the Protection from White, the card advantage aspect of the Raise Dead ability, and especially not its splashable nature. How does this require B when Faerie Squadron requires UU? Not really sure, but I'll take advantage if at all possible. A 1st pick.

Desperate Research
Wrong format folks. When you usually max out at 2-per, a card like this just doesn't do it, especially when it removes those cards that don't hit from the game. A 12th - 14th pick.

Devouring Strossus
I guess the most comparable card in the set is Reya, buit the Strossus is just better. It costs one less (which usually means it comes out 2-3 turns sooner), it's absolutely massive and most importantly, it tramples. Its this last factor that doesn't make its payment seem so bad, with two or three sacrifices usually meaning the game. A 2nd -4th pick.

Do or Die
Most people like cheap black rare mass kill, but I'm not as high on this card as some. That may be because I draft kill rather high, meaning there isn't usually too much to split up. If they have one creature, it does nothing, two it's a sorcery speed Diabolic Edict. I'm not saying I won't play it, but I don't think it's a first pick. A 3rd - 5th pick.

Marauding Knight
A personal favorite, the Knight is punishment to those players who try to metagame against the UB deck by drafting GW. Once there are 2-3 Plains in play, there's very little that can save the white mage. I like to say a little prayer before the final shot. A 2nd - 5th pick, depending on the card pool.

Nightscape Master
Seems like every installment now I have to sing the praises of these things. Kill, return, return, kill...life is tough. You know what pick it is.

Phyrexian Delver
Some cynics may want to argue that the life loss aspect of this card is annoying, but I tend to ignore it. Simple fact here is that for 5 mana and one card, you get a 3/2 plus the best creature in your graveyard, and that's just strong. If you don't like the life loss, pass me your Reckless Spites too. A 1st -3rd pick.

Phyrexian Infiltrator
God I love this card. One of my worst Rochester tells is when this thing gets opened, I'm involuntarily forced to wipe the saliva from my chin. Almost always a 2 for 1 trade, the Infiltrator gets really sick when you get to eight mana, at which time you can target your worst creature then respond by targeting their best, exchanging control of the two and keeping the Infiltrator. This is just a great card. A 2nd - 4th pick.

Spreading Plague
I had a bit of success with this in combination with Pyre Zombie, but what isn't good with Pyre Zombie. Likely best in your trade binder. A 9th - 11th pick.

Tsabo's Assassin
Now this thing is just stupid. At least with Royal Assassin you had to wait for their creature to tap,, and Notorious Assassin required a discard. You want stupid? Get thing this into play with Blind Seer, then you'll see stupid. A 1st pick.

Tsabo's Decree
You haven't seen bloodshed until you've watched Tsabo's Decree tear trough a RG deck upon the mere muttering of the word 'Kavu' Instant speed potential mass kill is just great. It's that simple. Whether you take it over Agonizing Demize depends on the rest of your deck. A 1st - 3rd pick.

Twilight's Call
A card with a lot of power to it, I don't know that there are enough ways to set up your deck without getting too comboish to make this truly effective. A 9th - 11th pick.

Yawgmoth's Agenda
On pre-release weekend, I saw Matt Vienneau's 6-some-odd tapper deck get absolutely destroyed because of this card.Get a few kill spells in the graveyard and drop this thing and your opponent's in a world of hurt. Especially fun with Recoil. A 2nd- 4th pick.