In my previous article I examined some of the overplayed cards. Today we are going to take a look at some cards that have managed to stay out of the spotlight. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but contains some spicy specimens. Maybe these cards don't have a deck, or it hasn't been discovered yet, or maybe they should just be played more. Whatever the reason, gives these cards a second look the next time you are putting a new list together.
Insurance Broker
This is definitely my favourite card on the list. She puts in a ton of work in my RO Aggro deck. She can net almost an extra card a turn, while dodging Ignition, Thunder Clap, and Magnus, and being difficult to remove in combat due to Lurker.
She is best played before trading minions, ensuring you draw back your card. Leaving your opponent in a difficult spot: ignore her(bad idea), or spend resources to remove her(easier said than done).
She is best played in a deck that expects frequent minion combat. RO Aggro, OY Tokens, and Mono-Orange Zealots should play a full playset, while some midrange decks may want to consider her in a lesser number.
Spear of Destiny
I think this card gets type-cast as a zealot only card. It is basically 2 mana for the front-half of an Ollama Ring. Of course it isn't quite that simple, but any deck with a lot of minions can make great use of this artifact. It plays even better with Rush minions or when playing Impel.
It also has the added bonus of making your Temptations better. Most players will play their minions off-centre to avoid Focused. This means they are across from an empty lane, just where you want them!
Crimson Pact
Crimson Pact is the best single target removal spell for aggressive decks. It has no targeting restrictions, no card disadvantage, and the life loss is largely irrelevant.
It punishes do-nothing midrange cards like Kara and Kushiel, by giving the Red deck a huge tempo advantage.
It is also cheap enough that it can be played on turn 4/5 with another minion to really put your opponent on the back foot.
It should see play in almost every aggressive Red deck (and yes, it is once again in mine.)
Led Astray
I think people are turned off by the fact that it doesn't actually destroy the minion. Yes, they could redraw the card, but that is a different card they aren't drawing. If nothing else it is the cleanest answer to Bragi or Raziel.
The other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes you don't want minions to go to the Boneyard. Fated Firebird is one of the best examples of this. But it has 5 strength...
...of course from last article we already know you are playing too many Detained. These cards combined let you hide almost any commonly played minion. Rogue Idolon will even allow you to get the infamous Demon Lizard lost in the woods. (Beware, Sapo may come back angry.)
Ensnaring Serpent
This card currently sees no constructive play. And that is almost certainly incorrect. It is a well stated 3-drop with a powerful effect.
This is one of those cards you don't realize how powerful/annoying it can be until someone plays it against you. I have cursed the AI more than a few times.
Favourite Meal: Shinobi of Wind.
Matryoshka
This card is mainly used as a filler artifact in Fires of Creation decks, but it is incredibly powerful in aggro decks. One of these makes combat uncomfortable for your opponent, two makes it almost impossible for your opponent to reclaim the board.
I have splashed 4 of these into an otherwise Mono Red deck to great success. It makes Ironflesh Performer a powerhouse 1-drop, allowing it to eat Thanes for breakfast.
The worst part of this card is remembering to use its effect. If you think you are bad with Infuse, wait until you try and play this card.
Goliath's Web
Goliath's Web is a card I initially wrote off, going so far as to dust it in Alpha. It has a lot of things going for it though. It is an enchantment that creates a minion, very powerful in Rainbow's End decks.
It shuts off Agile and Alpha Strike, two very powerful keywords, without it even having to be occupied.
It grants deadly. Often I find myself playing this under an existing minion, forgoing the 1/3, to make a favourable trade immediately.
It is incredibly powerful with minion generators: Eager Recruit, Serpent Den, or Reconstruct.
There are a lot of cards still waiting for someone to find their niche. It might take a new deck, or a new way of thinking, but I expect there are several more cards that have a chance to rise to prominence...or over-prominence. I will probably do another set of Over/Under articles once the meta has established itself.
I still have a Fire of Creation article in the works and a couple articles planned on Advanced Deckbuilding(3+ colours). If there is anything you'd like to see my write about, feel free to reach out on Discord.
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