Year in review - Best Magic: the Gathering cards of 2009

2009 was a good year for Magic: the Gathering players.  There were many exciting new releases.  It all began in January with Conflux.  Alara Reborn came out in April, and M10 in the summer.  In August Magic players went crazy trying to get their hands on a copy of From the Vault: Exiled - and some were lucky to get it at retail price.  September introduced us to the latest block Zendikar, and also gave us the new Planechase variant.  September also yielded Masters Edition III for Magic Online players.  Two more special releases came out, in the form of Garruk vs. Liliana and Premium Deck Series: Slivers. The year then drew to a close with Exodus being released to Magic Online.

There were several cards that stood out from the crowd to become the best Magic: the Gathering cards of 2009.

Punishing Fire
© Wizards of the Coast

Mana Drain
While the vast majority of Magic players play paper, Mana Drain deserves a mention for those who play on Magic Online.  Although the release of Masters Edition III also brought the rest of the enemy duel lands, Mana Drain’s influence on deck design in Classic cannot be ignored.

Vampire Hexmage
Vampire Hexmage was the big breakout uncommon of Zendikar.  Its ability is useful against the many planes walkers running around Standard; however its real talent came from the combo with Coldsnap’s Dark Depths in Legacy and Vintage.  Vampire Hexmage made Dark Depths soar in price from a ten cent rare to being twenty dollar chase rare - mostly because they had been sold en masse to dealers.

Punishing Fire
Punishing Fire was the “hidden gem” of Zendikar.  In Pro Tour Austin Brian Kibler used Punishing Fire in conjunction with Grove of the Burnwillows to sweep his competition.

Maelstrom Pulse
© Wizards of the Coast

Lightning Bolt
For an entire decade Magic players have had to play with the variant Shock or Incinerate.  Lightning Bolt is the best burn spell ever printed, and newer players (and older ones too) have been able to now utilize its power in both Standard and Extended.

Maelstrom Pulse
For years Magic Players have played with Vindicate across multiple formats, so why wouldn’t they embrace its sibling Maelstrom Pulse?  It isn’t often that we see a fantastic utility card that transcends the power barrier of Standard and Extended into Legacy from the get go.

Bloodbraid Elf
Cascade has been the first mechanic to warp standard since Affinity for Artifacts.  Even without Haste, Bloodbraid Elf would have still seen play in Standard.  Bloodbraid Elf's inherent card advantage is what makes it an auto include in any red and green deck in both Standard and in Extended.

Baneslayer Angel
© Wizards of the Coast

Baneslayer Angel
Baneslayer Angel, aka "Walletslayer Angel", completely defines standard, and has even seen play in Extended and some Legacy decks.  While Baneslayer Angel isn’t Tarmogoyf, in many ways it is.  Baneslayer Angel does not come down as early, nor can it be as easily splashed into any deck.  However it does make up for it’s cost with an impressive punch - and high price tag.

Standard revolves around Baneslayer.  The shortage of M10 earlier in the year certainly didn’t help players and it shouldn’t be any surprise that even after six months of being in print Baneslayer Angel is still the number one most wanted card on MagicTraders.com - with Tarmogoyf in second position.

Verdant Catacombs, Arid Mesa, Misty Rainforest, Marsh Flats, and Scalding Tarn
With today’s Standard having many early powerful triple color threats, such as Wooly Thoctar and Sprouting Thrinax, the enemy fetch lands play a key role of providing the necessary lands to play these popular color intensive spells consistently.

The new enemy fetch lands could not have been printed at a greater time.  With the rotation of Onslaught from Extended, Verdant Catacombs, Arid Mesa, Misty Rainforest, Marsh Flats, and Scalding Tarn all provide much needed replacements to the original fetchlands.

The impact of the new enemy fetch lands has played a major role in the increasingly popular Elder General Highlander format.  Additionally, they have also played a niche role in Legacy and Vintage against turn one plays of Pithing Needle.

Did you enjoy this article?  You may like to read:
New Year's resolutions and goals for Magic: the Gathering players
Magic: the Gathering Commercials
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage quotes
Playing fast does not mean you are playing right

Has reading this article made you want to play?  Visit one of the places to play Magic in Boston, or play Magic Online.

Want to stay updated on the latest Magic: the Gathering articles?
Subscribe up above, follow me on Twitter @David_Leavitt, and join the Facebook Magic: the Gathering Examiner Group to interact with other local players.