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:
- [[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:
[[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!