Having an immediate impact on the board is one of the marks of a powerful card in MTG. Cards with ETB effects can affect the board state without much resistance. Creatures can also pressure the opponent immediately if they have haste. Hasty creatures are the trademarks of aggressive decks. They aim to deal immediate damage before the opponent even has time to bring out blockers.
They are a great way to ensure that you get the early damage that you need to force the opponent into tough situations.
10. Arclight Phoenix
What’s good about this card?
- Arclight Phoenix is a recurring threat that can be summoned even from the graveyard
- Casting multiple spells per turn allows you to bring back all copies of Arclight Phoenix from the graveyard
- This can turn an innocent card draw party into an unexpected aerial attack
9. Craterhoof Behemoth
What’s good about this card?
- Having a lot of creatures on the board is a surefire way of utilizing the power of Craterhoof Behemoth
- A 5/5 body is already a good thing to have but adds a +X/+X counter to it, and every other creature you control, then you will have a million damage on the board
- This is a good card to have in ramp decks as well as decks that can cast cards without paying mana costs
8. Goblin Guide
What’s good about this card?
- A one-mana 2/2 with haste is one of the most powerful mana-to-power ratios you can get in MTG
- It provides you a quick source of damage at the low cost of allowing your opponent to draw a land card
7. Hellspark Elemental
What’s good about this card?
- Hellspark Elemental is a strong haste creature that can provide recurring damage
- For the cheap price of 2-mana, you can easily deal three damage to the opponent
- You can do this again with its Unearth cost. This is a great way to deal a lot of damage especially on a clear board
6. Goblin Chieftain
What’s good about this card?
- Goblins have always been a powerful tribe in MTG with a lot of hasty creatures
- Goblin Chieftain not only provides your other Goblins with haste, but they also receive a boost from it
- It can actually be a win condition as it can double the power you have on your board
5. Hazoret the Fervent
What’s good about this card?
- Hazoret the Fervent is a great card to have in aggressive decks due to its high power and indestructibility
- It also provides an alternative source of damage that can be the difference in close matches
- You can be more reckless when swinging or blocking with this card since it is indestructible so it can fend off a lot of attacks
4. Bomat Courier
What’s good about this card?
- Bomat Courier deals with mono-red’s notorious card advantage issue
- Drawing cards and refilling your hand can be quite difficult when playing mono-red
- However, with Bomat Courier’s ability, you can quickly refill your hand with a lot of cards, allowing you to keep casting spells without running out of gas
3. Thundermaw Hellkite
What’s good about this card?
- Thundermaw Hellkite is a huge creature that can fly over the opponent’s board
- It can also deal with small fliers on the opponent’s side of the field since it can deal 1 damage and tap them so that you will have a free attack when it enters
- This is a powerful card to have as it can provide a surprise lethal attack in the air
2. Monastery Swiftspear
What’s good about this deck?
- It is a staple in any burn deck in Modern
- A one-mana, 1/2 with haste and prowess is a powerful creature especially when combined with other cheap spells
- Monastery Swiftspear is difficult to deal with since it can become huge anytime. It can win blocks even against bigger creatures.
1. Bloodbraid Elf
What’s good about this card?
- A 4-mana, 3/2 may not be the most impressive creature but the Cascade ability of Bloodbraid Elf more than makes up for it
- When it enters the battlefield, it can deal 3 damage while at the same time giving you a free card
- This nets to almost a 7-mana advantage in just a single turn
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