MMagic: The Gathering Arena players have been buzzing about the release of Pioneer Masters. This set brings back some iconic cards, giving players new tools to dominate formats like Historic, Brawl, and Explorer. While these cards won’t see play in Standard, they are strong additions to decks in other formats.
Here are 8 of the best cards from Pioneer Masters that you’ll want to keep an eye on.
1. Fog
Cost: 1 Green Mana
Type: Instant
Effect: Prevent all combat damage this turn.
Fog is as simple as it gets, but don’t underestimate its power. For just one green mana, you can save yourself from an overwhelming attack. This card thrives in Explorer formats where you can run multiple copies. In Historic Brawl, including Fog can buy you that extra turn you need to stabilize.
2. Burning Anger
Cost: 4 Generic, 1 Red Mana
Type: Enchantment – Aura
Effect: Enchant creature. Tap enchanted creature to deal damage equal to its power to any target.
Burning Anger is a game-closer. Enchant a creature with high power and start eliminating threats or dealing direct damage to your opponent. This card is perfect for Brawl, where larger creatures often dominate the battlefield.
3. Spirit of the Labyrinth / Eidolon of Rhetoric
Cost: 1 Generic, 1 White Mana (Spirit) / 2 Generic, 1 White Mana (Eidolon)
Type: Enchantment Creatures
Effect: Spirit prevents players from drawing more than one card per turn. Eidolon prevents players from casting more than one spell per turn.
This duo slows down fast-paced decks by restricting draws and spell casting. Combining both cards in a deck practically locks down your opponent. They’re excellent in control decks and can frustrate opponents trying to outpace you.
4. Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma
Cost: 3 Generic, 1 Green Mana
Type: Legendary Creature
Effect: Creatures with power 4 or greater cost 2 less to cast. Those creatures also get +1/+1 and trample.
If you love big creatures, Goreclaw is your new best friend. As a Brawl commander, Goreclaw reduces the cost of your massive creatures and makes them even more threatening. It’s a must-have for mono-green decks.
5. Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Cost: 1 Generic, 1 Blue, 1 Black Mana
Type: Legendary Planeswalker
Effect: Exile cards from opponents’ decks and cast them later.
Ashiok not only disrupts opponents but gives you access to their resources. In Brawl, Ashiok shines as a commander who can steal key cards and dismantle an opponent’s strategy over time.
6. Athreos, God of Passage
Cost: 1 Generic, 1 White, 1 Black Mana
Type: Legendary Enchantment Creature – God
Effect: When a creature dies, return it to your hand unless an opponent pays 3 life.
Athreos makes sure your creatures keep coming back, forcing opponents to either pay precious life points or deal with the same threats repeatedly. This card works wonders in sacrifice-themed decks or any strategy that relies on recurring creatures.
7. Mogis, God of Slaughter
Cost: 2 Generic, 1 Red, 1 Black Mana
Type: Legendary Enchantment Creature – God
Effect: At the beginning of each opponent’s upkeep, they lose 2 life unless they sacrifice a creature.
Mogis slowly chips away at opponents, punishing them every turn. Paired with cards like Blood Artist, you can create a win condition that gradually bleeds your opponent dry. Perfect for Rakdos-themed decks in Historic Brawl.
8. Liliana Vess
Cost: 3 Generic, 2 Black Mana
Type: Legendary Planeswalker
Effect: Tutor for cards, force discards, and return all creatures from graveyards to the battlefield.
Liliana Vess has been a staple for years, and for good reason. Her abilities let you control the game by forcing discards or pulling creatures directly from your graveyard. In Brawl, she serves as a win condition by overwhelming the board with resurrected creatures.
Final Thoughts
Pioneer Masters delivers some powerful reprints that will make an impact across multiple formats. Whether you’re building a competitive Historic Brawl deck or adding to your Explorer collection, these cards provide value and versatility. Keep an eye out for them in packs, as they’re bound to shape the meta in exciting ways.
