Wind Zendikon

I like how the word "Zendikon" implies "avatar of Zendikar" without even being a real word. I like how the land comes back to your hand when the Elemental dies, seeing as how I always used to get my Genjus killed and then not draw more lands of the right type. I like that it acts almost like Mishra's Factory for aggressive blue decks (yes, they exist). I like Wind Zendikon.

Constructed: 3/5
Casual: 3/5
Limited: 4/5
Multiplayer: 2/5

Thursday

1-21-10

Wind Zendikon

Constructed: I really did not like the Genjus from Betrayers because you lost the land but not the Enchantment. But if you hand lands to spare and was using Crucible of Worlds it was ok. But this one looks a little better. You lose the Enchantment but get the land back. Works real well with the Landfall ability. Plus it only cost one blue.

Casual & Multiplayer: Most casual players do not like man lands but this should be better. We will see.

Limited: It is a common. Making several of you land 2/2 flyers on the first couple of turns could be dangerous. We will see how much cheap removal will be in Worldwake.

Overall a very good card for a common.

Constructed: 4

Casual: 3

Multiplayer: 3

Limited: 4

Later.

Miguel

Today's card of the day is Wind Zendikon which is a one mana aura that turns a land into a 2/2 Flying creature that when destroyed will return the land component to your hand. This is quite a solid card at one mana as you can be attacking for two in the air on the second turn. The standard penalty for turning a land into a creature is reduced as being sent to the graveyard instead returns it to your hand. Remove from game or send to library effects will still cost you a two for one, but those scenarios shouldn't come up too often especially when Path to Exile would just bring out a new land.

For Constructed, Casual, and Multiplayer this mainly would see play in Landfall decks as it does not offer much power later in the game and early on slows your tempo down by keeping a land somewhat tied up. Not a bad card in the formats, but not impressive enough to see much play as it stands with currently known cards.

With Limited this is a great turn one play that can easily net a huge early advantage until the opponent can defend with their own Flying creature or removal. Landfall cards are almost a given in every deck, so the return to hand effect is actually a boon that can assist even into the endgame plays. In Sealed this should be played when running Blue as what is effectively a one mana creature with Flying is always useful. For Booster drafting Flying is often a winning strategy and several copies of this along with Landfall effects as support can make a dangerous early through midgame combination.

Constructed: 3.0
Casual: 3.0
Limited: 4.5
Multiplayer: 3.0