MTG: Old Power versus New Power

I think the title of this article may be a little misleading but I couldn't think of anything more suitable. I'm not here to discuss the 'Power 9' cards as there simply is no 'new' versions of these cards at least in terms of equivalent power and likely never will be.

Instead, let me take you on a trip back in time to 1994. 'The Dark' had just been released as the latest Magic the Gathering expansion and was considered a little lackluster, following on from the coattails of the impressive 'Legends'.

Cards such as Juzam Djinn, Colossus of Sardia and Triskellion were often used in casual decks. We wouldn't use these cards today though, would we? Well, probably not and it is simply that the casual power cards then are not of the same power in today's MtG meta.

Let's compare Juzam Djinn (Arabian Nights) with Phyrexian Obliterator (New Phyrexia). I remember splitting a box of New Phyrexia, pulling an Obliterator and thinking, 'this is a better Juzam Djinn'.

Both are FOUR mana, but the Obliterator requires BBBB and therefore is harder to cast. The power difference, however, is quite staggering.

Casting a Colossus of Sardia (Antiquities) usually meant death for your opponent, but with a cost of 9 to un-tap him, you really needed him to trample your foe to death on the first attempt. If this didn't happen there were repercussions.

Now look at Eldrazi Devastator (Battle for Zendikar). 8 mana gets you an 8/9 Trample creature with no cost to un-tap and he's a common card.

Triskelion (Antiquities) was great as you could just throw those 1/1 counters where you wanted as soon as he was cast. No summoning sickness with this guy in terms of his ability and you could get him back quite easily with Drafna's Restoration (Antiquities), after disposing of him first with a Diamond Valley (Arabian Nights).

Then we got Walking Ballista. For the same amount of mana, you would get 3 counters to target anywhere but with the ability to power up the Ballista for more. Unlike Triskelion, Walking Ballista could shoot his load (how rude!) and instantly die, only to be resurrected by any number of graveyard recovery cards. There were simply not so many available in 1994.

No surprise that the Ballista was quite the hit when Aether Revolt was released, and went on to become a staple in all formats including vintage.

Interestingly the original printings of the 1994 cards are gaining a lot of value and I think this is simply because they are old and iconic. I have managed to get myself a couple of Colossus of Sardia and at least a single Triskelion. Both cards have been reprinted since but are not really of any notable value. The original printings are what people remember fondly and now desire.

Juzam Djinn, of course, is on a whole different level. The artwork is great and that makes him one of the most iconic (and expensive) cards from the Arabian Nights expansion and he's on the Reserved Listto boot. Who wouldn't want to own a Juzam Djinn these days?