Posted on: May 14, 2012 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Magic: The Gathering: Avacyn Restored Set Review / 2012 Wizards of the Coast / http://www.wizards.com

Avacyn Restored is the final set in the Innistrad block. With this set, the fate of Innistrad is shown. Liliana, on her trip to reclaim the pieces of soul she signed over to Griselbrand, gives Thalia a tough decision – save her minions or the Helvault. The Helvault shatters, releasing Griselbrand and Avacyn. With Avacyn restored, the zombies, werewolves, and spirits that haunted the plane are running scared.

This set brings a number of new mechanics into play. Our favorite has to be the Miracle card. This card has a much cheaper casting cost if one draws the card. Entreat The Angels is a three mana-plus card when cast normally, and is only a one mana-plus card when drawn and cast for the miracle cost. The second new ability in Avacyn Restored is Soulbond. Available only to creatures, Soulbond links two creatures, with the Soulbond-possessing creature granting a special ability to both. Silverblade Paladin is a three-mana 2/2 with Soulbond; after pairing the Paladin and another creature, both have double strike.

Two new planeswalkers are printed for this set – Tamiyo, the Moon Sage and Tibalt, the Fiend-Blooded. Tamiyo’s abilities are great for a control or commander deck, while Tibalt is a great burn-deck or G/R aggro addition. Taken all together, Avacyn Restore is quite possibly the best-balanced and fun Magic expansion that we have experienced. Pick up a pack, box, or case at any Target, Wal-mart, or local gaming store. We had particular luck with the Solitary Fiends intro deck – the focus of which has individuals lay waste to their opponents with a small number of creatures that have been buffed considerably.

Rating: 9.7/10

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