New previews are coming out daily and we're going to pick up where we left off last week, but looking at one card at a time. The card to talk about right now is the best of the charm cycle so far. With red and white being versatile colors, there were ample modes for WOTC to choose from.
************SPOILER ALERT**************
So the Boros Charm, in case you haven't read it, is an Instant for RW with the options of dealing four damage to a player; giving a creature double strike; or making all permanents you control indestructible until end of turn.
Last week Dimir Charm was leaked and it was very comparable to Izzet Charm, but the Boros Charm is a unique spell that set the bar higher than ever. This card is good for so many reasons. Dealing four damage for two mana is pretty stellar, but at instant speed it is unheard of. Galvanic Blast and Shrapnel Blast both deal four or more but there are stipulations you have to meet to play them. This one can't double as removal (with this mode) because it can only hit players, but will give a ton of reach to Boros decks. This would be a viable card if it only had this mode, but it gets better.
Skipping to the third mode for simplicity sake, we're also able to give a creature double strike. An immediate comparison can be made by noting that if you control a creature with power greater than two, you can potentially deal more than the four. This mode adds versatility by also being used as a removal spell; giving your creature double strike for trading with larger creatures or just saving yours with first strike.
The final mode (second stated) is by far the most powerful and unique. This mode makes all of your permanents indestructible this turn. So this can obviously count as a counter spell to Wrath of God, Supreme Verdict, etc. or it could be a combat trump on offense or defense to break stalemates or push ahead. But it says all permanents so despite its obvious placement in aggressive decks, it will still make a splash in other decks for other reasons. Think of how powerful this is with Armageddon (destroy all lands in play), or just thwarting a Stone Rain. How about saving your valuable equipment from an Acidic Slime or Naturalize.
The applications for this mode alone are ludicrous so look for Boros Charm to make a huge wave in Standard and Modern, and don't be surprised if it shows up in Legacy too. There are still two charms to be revealed (Orzhov and Gruul), but it would be a safe assumption that Boros will have the best. Maybe Gruul has a regrowth that will make for stiff competition.
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