Real Steel
Foreword
Well welcome back everybody! I decided to do something slightly different today, with me rumbling on some of the bigger topics recently, I figured out it was alright to start writing a couple of articles that were my daily thoughts and ponderings about the game. I would try to provide at least 1 of these articles every week and probably make it a series as well (it needs a name too).
We’re going over an archetype/group of cards I rarely play in Magic, and that is Artifacts. I’ve never been that big a fan of artifacts in most formats, with the exception of artifact decks in Commander. I do like them as some artifacts are extremely powerful and iconic throughout Magic’s history.
A few noteworthy artifacts outside of the other more powerful ones restricted/banned in many other formats
Many who have played for a long time will agree that Antiquities is the original Godfather of artifacts in the game’s history. While I do agree to a certain extent, newer players are often uninterested in older blocks/sets. Enjoying the new artifact block of Kaladesh with vehicles and energy shenanigans.Together with it’s glorious collection of Masterpieces. Whereas others claimed that Scars of Mirrodin had artifacts and strong cards that contributed mostly to the development of formats such as Modern. However, I would like to backtrack and see into older sets. One most people have high respect for in Commander and Legacy. That significant artifact block is original Mirrodin.
Many players of today might not have played back in the original Mirrodin. Many who do back then did not enjoy the format. It was 2004 and Wizards released an “Expert” set containing a very artifact-heavy theme. Many felt that this was a letdown following up from the previous Onslaught block, where many decks were not heavily-based on artifacts and were based on a multitude of strategies such as: Tribal, Morphs as well as Storm. Mirrodin was a set that caught everyone off guard at that point of time. But today it is remembered as somewhat a updated version of the old Antiquities.
Before we go in, I’ll be going through each set in the entire block, reviewing it’s background as well as the notable cards in the set. I’ll also give a small review at the end. Alright, enough rumbling from me. Let’s jump right in!
Mirrodin
Let’s start off with the block I feel that started it all - the original Mirrodin block. Which featured: Mirrodin, Darksteel and Fifth Dawn. First released in 2003, the block had released a new subtype for artifacts: Equipment, which would eventually be a common cycle of artifacts, in which some printed later proved to be one of the best cards ever made in the game’s history.
Many artifacts in Mirrodin despite those not featured above still see a reasonable amount of play in many formats to date.
Darksteel
Darksteel was released in the same year as Mirrodin. However, the power level in Darksteel is known to be very notorious even till today. The set mainly focused on the ability “indestructible” as the developers wanted to follow up on the storyline. In the tournament scene however, Darksteel had cards that were deemed to be a bit too powerful. Skullclamp was banned in Standard at that time for being too overpowered in aggro decks, it was also banned in Extended together with Aether Vial. Elsewhere, Trinisphere was doing crazy things in Vintage as early as Turn 1, which caused it to be restricted. This was not helped much as the 5 artifact lands were legal and the introduction of Arcbound Ravager was turning the Standard of that time to a close resemblance of the 1996 and 1998 Combo Winter. However, Darksteel remains to many as one of the most memorable sets filled with raw power in the cards, the original 2 swords of Mirrodin were also printed in this set, Memnarch as well as unique mechanics such as Modular were in this set
Probably the most broken set of 3 in the entire block. These 4 cards together with a handful of other cards explain why.
Fifth Dawn was release the next year in 2005, being the last set in the entire block, Fifth Dawn had an interesting storyline as well as a strong pool of cards in the set - but not as overpowered as it’s previous counterpart Darksteel. However, Fifth Dawn is probably the set in which most Commander players would remember the most, as I feel that it’s strong cards are favored by many players today.
Is Mirrodin too powerful for current formats today?
Mirrodin does seem to be an odd block when placed in comparison with many others to this date. Many would agree that most cards in the block are too powerful and that the development team at that time did not foresee the block’s power level and how it would affect future gameplay. But many today are most grateful for how it has shaped other artifact blocks like Scars and Kaladesh. For me, Mirrodin will always be the real Antiquities.
Conclusion
I might be writing more off-topic articles like these, when I do think of a certain theme to write about. But in the meantime, much feedback would be required on what I’m supposed to be writing about. Until next time!
