Hello everyone! Today we will discuss a Magic: The Gathering game format that is quite as old as the game of Magic: The Gathering itself but has just quite gained popularity just recently. This is a game of Magic: The Gathering game stripped down to its most common form, literally. A game wherein only common things matter. The Pauper format. Let's dig in!
MTG Pauper is a constructed game format of Magic: The Gathering game format wherein only common cards are permitted to be included in a minimum of 60-card deck. Cards that have been previously printed at common rarity during Magic: The Gathering History are allowed. Cards that started out as common rarity but has since became of higher rarity (e.g. uncommon, rare, or mythic rare) are still recognized as common and still allowed for deck inclusion. However there are an exclusion of some cards, either the common card was banned or the set the card belong is not recognized by the community. Only common cards that were included in Magic: The Gathering Online (MTGO) are recognized and cards coming from informal sets such as Unhinged, Unglued, etc. aren't.
Despite being common and all, the pauper format has had quite some powerful decks that can stand on their own - even against their more expensive brethren (e.g. legacy, modern, etc.). And powerful decks means powerful cards behind them. Without further ado, I would like to introduce you the top 7 pauper cards. Let's begin.
Coming up with the list, we will exclude cards that were banned (e.g. Hymn to Tourach, Grapeshot, etc.). Yes they are very powerful cards, but there is no point if they can't currently be used in any pauper game. We are sure to update this list once any banned cards are unbanned or a new powerful common card are introduced in the future.
Honorable Mentions
Daze
First of honorable mention is Daze. As a counterspell card for 2 mana cost, Daze rather pretty seem normal and common (pun intended). But its other ability is what makes it great. Instead of paying the normal mana cost of one colorless mana and one blue mana, you may instead return an island your control into your hand. This is very relevant on either the start of the game or endgames as an additional counter up your sleeve is priceless.
Duress
Duress made the list. Dubbed the poor man's Thoughtseize but in actuality, Duress may be more than that. It is because Duress has some of Thoughtseize's power but none of its weaknesses. For 1 black mana, you get to sniff out any of your opponent's instant, sorcery, enchantment, and artifact from their hand. Even just the act of knowing what your opponent has in store is already a great advantage for you. Never mind not having to be able to snuff out a creature card from their hands. Their creatures may safely be played into the battlefield. You were able to play Duress means you are running black. Creature removal is no problem with black.
Delver of Secrets
Delver of Secrets rounds out the list of our honorable mentions. This card may be one of the reason why blue's standing in pauper format gaming is among the highest. Given the right condition for transformation, Delver of Secrets almost always transforms into his more menacing version and when he does. Opponents are soon to be running out of for dear life.
Top 7
Hydroblast
Making the list, we have Hydroblast. Blue spells are not really known much for hating a specific color. But when it does, that color is in blue's mercy. Hydroblast not only counters (read this) any red spell, it also destroy whatever red is already on the battlefield. Good luck red players. Good luck.
Top 6
Ponder
Next, we have Ponder. Being able to be able to look at the top three cards of your library, place them back in order of your choice and then draw a card is really great. You get to draw what you prefer from the top three cards of library while also knowing what you will draw at your later turns. Or you may just shuffle your library instead and just draw a fresh and random card.
Top 5
Pyroblast
Blue players beware. Red gets some payback with their very own Pyroblast. In all honesty, red counterspells are seriously very rare. It is even a wonder how this card ever came printed since red's game doesn't usually involve countering spells, they are rather burning everything. I guess that rarity must have propelled it into the list (and at a very high position at that). Both similar and opposite to Hydroblast, Pyroblast gives you the choice of countering a blue spell or destroying a blue permanent. Just plain nasty.
Top 4
Counterspell
Joining the list is a simple card with a very simple ability. Counterspell counter any spell. Anything or anyone is at its mercy. This card is the very reason why everyone is afraid of a blue player with two untapped islands on their side of the field. They know what's coming and when it comes, there is no stopping it.
Top 3
Preordain
Coming at number three, Preordain is powerful draw card with the advantage of being able to know the first two cards of the top of your library while also having the option of putting one or both of them back on the top or on the bottom or your library in any order. This gives the way for a good card setup. As the name of the card suggests, everything is really preordained, even your eventual victory.
Top 2
Rancor
Rancor makes the list as the best pump spell of pauper cards and the only green card that is on the list. Rancor is not only used on pauper format but also on other game format (e.g. modern, vintage, etc.) as well. Being able to strengthen creatures while also giving it the trample ability is a very neat ability. However what is great on this card is that it virtually never goes away as it returns to your hand whenever it goes to graveyard from the battlefield. Never say never.
Top 1
Lightning Bolt
Burning the top spot is red's infamous Lightning Bolt. Lightning Bolt makes the top of the list as the best of the burn spells dealing three damage to any creature or player. Seriously, no other common red spells with the same casting cost comes close. Others may also deal the same damage but would only deal that damage to creatures (e.g. Blazing Salvo, etc.). Others may deal that damage only to players (e.g. Lava Spike, etc.). Other spells may deal the same damage to either creature or player but has a condition before doing so (e.g. Collateral Damage, etc.). Some may have the casting cost and same instant speed, but only deals fewer damage (e.g. Lightning Strike, etc.). Red deck wins!
And that closes the list of top cards in pauper format. Do you think another card should have made the list? Or do you think any of the card above should not be in this list? Hit that comment section and let's discuss.
As always, keep shufflin!
