Top Uncommon Cards from Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth

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The Lord of the Rings spoilers have begun in earnest, and what’s left to say except, hurray for the universes beyond? Well, maybe. Honestly, this is a slam-dunk mash-up between the two brands. These are more like parallel universes much the same as the D&D mash-up. Look, I’m not going to go into potential issues with Universes Beyond right now. I just don’t have the time to dive into that, but I will at a later date, as there is plenty to say, and not all the influencers are actually saying it. Additionally, I’d really rather point out a few things that are uncommonly exciting in this upcoming Commander/er…Modern legal set. This set may or may not be close to a Modern Masters set, but I’m, as always, most interesting in its Commander applications. Have you noticed the uncommons in this set? If not, then I’m here to point out a few outstanding options that have me excited to both draft, buy, and play with this product. Sure, sure, the rares and mythics are exciting, and we’ll have access to a few of those when we draft it or open packs or buy singles. However, the “bulk” stuff in this set is actually pretty darn exciting.

Nazgul

Sure, the Nazgul are uncommons, and yes, it is super flavorful to have nine of them in your deck—all with different artwork to support them being the separate wraiths. However, those are not the powerful new uncommons I’m looking to spend time talking about. I’m here to discuss some crazy designs that aren’t merely Vorthos wins, but may even ignite your inner competitor. That’s right you Spikes…this is me actually addressing you a bit, for a change.

Rise of the Witch King

Seriously, as someone that hate, hate, hates to use the word, has staple stapled to it. This is a great card. I want to point out that it is listed as allowing you to return a permanent. Why is that significant? Well, perhaps you just sacrificed a creature token one of your planeswalkers made, and now you’re returning that planeswalker you just ultimated while clearing out other people’s threats via a powerful mass diabolic edict. I like this card, and you should too. Unless of course you’re playing against it; then be annoyed, very annoyed.

Friendly Rivalry

This is a great little removal piece for Gruul decks and Jund decks, or any deck running lots of creatures and using both red and green. I’m pretty sure that covers most nearly every green and red deck, but sure, there’re exceptions. I’m loving being able to double-team a sudden beat down on some other person’s biggest threat. Thankfully, many of today’s threats are not indestructible, so this removal piece is actually really solid. It is an instant, so it can be a great two mana surprise when someone tries to remove one of your creatures as well—take them out with you!

Ringsight

Wow, now that’s just gross. It’s a three mana tutor in dimir decks, though these decks are already overflowing with tutoring options. Having the ring tempt you for an additional mana is nice little stapled add on. I can see myself reaching for this over cards like Beseech the Queen in most of my blue/black/x builds. I’m sure you will too.

Mauhur, Uruk-hai Captain

Wow, I’m sorry but this card is going to unleash some nasty things. Seriously, using this with unleash cards or other ways to slap those +1/+1 counters onto your creatures is going to be incredible powerful. This type of effect works wonders in green decks, but giving Rakdos decks access to this Hardened Scales option is pretty sweet stuff. 

Rising of the Day

This is fervor, but better. So, yeah, sign me up, sadly. I love having hasted creatures, and I love playing with lots of legendary creatures too. I think with the advent of modern sets including so many legendary creatures at the uncommon and rare slots we will easily be able to make more and more legendary laden decks…so I guess the day is quickly rising on legendary saturation points.

You Cannot Pass!

Those are words everyone fears a blue player speaking, but now white players get to toss those words about too. In this instance it’ll be after declaring blockers but before damage is dealt. Exiling an indestructible creature that was expecting to be merely chumped by your commander is a delicious proposition for only one mana. It’s a conditional Swords to Plowshares, yes, but that exile clause is seriously important. This is one more tool to deal with those pesky indestructible or double-striking monstrosities that rise up from time to time.

Rosie Cotton of South Lane

Yeah, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention an uncommon that happens to combo with another uncommon (Scurry Oak) to make infinite creatures alongside an absurdly large treefolk. I am very excited for this combo to pop off in my group for the first time. Kudos to you if you pull it off in the month of June.

Wrap Up: I’m thinking we won’t see anything that tops these types of uncommons until Commander Masters rolls out—which is going to be an amazing set for Pauper fans to Commander fans. This Lord of the Rings set seems like a really fun set to draft and to pick up singles from as well. Overall, this should be a set filled with plenty of playable cards for Commander players at all rarities. I hope your uncommon finds and the cards remain ever in your favor.