Monday, April 18, 2016

Shadows over Innistrad: Token review

Angel Token

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Angel Token Card Kingdom
(Descend Upon the Sinful, Invocation of Saint Traft)

Previously Seen
Magic The Gathering 2014 Core Set: Angel Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Avacyn Restored: Angel Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Conflux: Angel Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Gatecrash: Angel Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Angel Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Zendikar: Angel Token Card Kingdom
2014, Avacyn, Conflux/Origins, Gatecrash
Innistrad, Zendikar

After that 3/3 aberration we are back to the classics. Like almost every Angel token generator, this is on rares but worth it all the more. Also they really nailed the art on this one, a bit more badass of an angel, possibly one losing its grip on sanity.

Grade: A (Look, I love me the angels and this is our new winner in the flock)


Clue Token

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (011) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (012) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (013) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (014) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (015) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Clue Token (016) Card Kingdom
We get a cute non-creature token! Might need a bundle of these, depending on how far behind your mana curve you get. Good thing too because there are six of these to chase down. Can you piece together the puzzle?! #emrakrultruthers

Grade: B

Devil

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Devil Token Card Kingdom
A fresh one for Shadows. I like the clarity of what devil's do (prod, usually with fire) and also themetically separate from a demon. I'm a little confused by why a femur is aflame. I get it: I don't want to be poked by it. But I'm also confused.

Grade: C

Human Cleric

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Human Cleric Token Card Kingdom
(Hanweir Militia Captain, Westvale Abbey)

Previously Seen:
Magic The Gathering Gatecrash: Cleric Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Theros: Cleric Token Card Kingdom
(Gatecrash, Theros)

Nailed the ambiance. Also, I approve of the fully rational source of light. Also it's a dual color
creature that comes from two (rare) transform cards. I approve. Docking some points for clerics being all over the place thematically.

Grade: B-

Human Soldier

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Human Soldier Token Card Kingdom
(Sigarda, Heron's Grace, Strength of Arms, Ulvenwald Mysteries)
A+ for the art and blending the medieval with the Victorian but I can't help but be a little disappointed by the need to add a 'human' subtype. I get it, Human is a theme that matters here, and I'll still work in my old Soldier tokens as needed. But it still hurts.

Grade: B

Insect

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Insect Token Card Kingdom
(Crawling Sensation)

Previously Seen:
Magic The Gathering 2010 Core Set: Insect Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering 2015 Core Set: Insect Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Scars of Mirrodin: Insect Token Card Kingdom
(2010, 2015, Scars)

Back to the groundpounder insects: neither flying nor deathtouch. Upside: vastly superior art. Downside: it looks like they made a spider, then panicked and gave it only six legs.

Grade: C-, too many questions.

Ooze

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Ooze Token Card Kingdom
(Inexorable Blob)

Previously Seen
Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Ooze Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Return to Ravnica: Ooze Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Rise of the Eldrazi: Ooze Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shards of Alara: Ooze Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering 2011 Core Set: Ooze Token (1/1) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering 2011 Core Set: Ooze Token (2/2) Card Kingdom
Innistrad, RTR, Rise of Eldrazi, Shards
2011, 2011)

Fortunately only on a single rare, we have a oddly specific Ooze token. Given how Ooze has always historically been variable (even the 2011 had Oozes splicing off into smaller oozes) it's an odd choice here. Still, harmless enough.

C.

Spirit

(1/1 white edition)
Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Spirit Token Card Kingdom
(lots and lots)

Previously Seen
Magic The Gathering 2015 Core Set: Spirit Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Conspiracy: Spirit Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Fate Reforged: Spirit Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Spirit Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Khans of Tarkir: Spirit Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Avacyn Restored: Spirit Token (White) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shadowmoor: Spirit Token Card Kingdom
M15, Conspiracy, Fate, Innistrad
KTK, Avacyn, Shadowmoor

Despite some dabbling in weird combos, white 1/1 flying spirit is a stone-cold classic with a good diversity of art to choose from. I always love seeing an addition that is sure to be useful. The SoI Spirit is a major upgrade over the original bright green poltergeist, though I do have it taking the silver medal to Avacyn. Conspiracy's token rounds out the medal podium.

Grade: B+


Vampire Knight

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Vampire Knight Token Card Kingdom
(Call the Bloodline, Sorin, Grim Nemesis)

Never a huge fan of the one-off tokens unless they are truly hilarious like an 8/8 Octopus. I feel like this does decent work, though why a vampire knight is only 1/1 when a vampire token proper is 2/2 will remain one of those eternal mysteries.

Grade: C-

Wait a second, a knight token is 2/2. So how is 2/2 + 2/2 = 1/1. Docking grade further.

Grade: D

Wolf


Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Wolf Token Card Kingdom
(plenty)


Previously Seen
Magic The Gathering 2014 Core Set: Wolf Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Born of the Gods: Wolf Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Lorwyn: Wolf Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Scars of Mirrodin: Wolf Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Zendikar: Wolf Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Wolf Token (Green) Card Kingdom
2010/2014/Shadowmoor, Born of the Gods/Conspiracy, Llorwyn, Scars
Zendikar, Innistrad

I will never understand why they reprinted the weakest Wolf Token art three times. Seriously, look at those jutting canines! The midnight wolf is a nice addition to the pack, certainly worthy of the previous Innistrad edition. Nice work all around.

Grade: B+

Zombie

Magic The Gathering Shadows Over Innistrad: Zombie Token Card Kingdom
(lots and lots)

Previously Seen
Magic The Gathering 10th Edition: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering 2010 Core Set: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering 2013 Core Set: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Dragons of Tarkir: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Journey into Nyx: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Khans of Tarkir: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Mirrodin Besieged: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Shards of Alara: Zombie Token Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Zombie Token (#8) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Innistrad: Zombie Token (#9) Card Kingdom Magic The Gathering Oath of the Gatewatch: Zombie Token Card Kingdom

10th/2012, 2010/2011, Avacyn/Innistrad/Conspiracy/2013/2014/2015, DTK
Nyx, KTK, Mirrodin, Alara
Innistrad (2), Innistrad (3), Oath

After some nice creative zombies in Oath and Khans block, we're back to a good ol' fashioned revenant in a graveyard (in case the 'undead' part wasn't clear enough). Overall a good addition to the mob with solid, if slightly uninspired, art direction.

Grade: B-

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