Once again, shout out to @jungleboy1 for his tremendous efforts in providing all of the statistical numbers I get to blab on and on about! I don't care what he tells himself to sleep at night, there's clearly room in his heart for the occasional jaunt beyond the forest edge ;)

We've got a lot to cover with this being the largest set of cards for Gods Unchained, so I present you the December 2021 War breakdown for the Genesis set!

(Actually, brief note: If the format seems slightly different with each subsequent post, it's because I'm steadily improving the layout in order to make the post outline on the left more usable :P)

War — Genesis Set

Actuary of War

At face value, this should be something people running Creature Ramp—the +X/+X boosting of creatures in your hand/deck—really want to get their hands. Oddly enough, hardly anyone is willing to swipe right for this swole bookkeeper. I'm fairly certain it has to do with Genesis cards being harder to acquire, but his price tag is actually quite reasonable.

I believe the current price is slightly undervalued, but the lack of willing users means his win rate may be skewed. Please note that if you do decide to test the waters with this one, view him like a late-game spell rather than an early game deploy. You're not using him for his board presence so much as the "free creature" attached to the +X/+X bonus something else in your hand receives. Cheap Blitz would love to combo with this hunk.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 54.50%
• Games Played — 358

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 52.20%
• Games Played — 46

Price — $1.83

Aeneas

When I talk about Blitz removal, this is a prime example of what I'm referring to. Slap any amount of Creature Ramp on this guy, and he's going to yield a 0:2 trade on deploy, gain Protected at EoT, then do it all over again the next turn. It's no surprise that he's the second most winningest winner of all Genesis War cards.

That said, the price tag is no joke! I'm always of the opinion that prices in the hundreds are steep for Meteorite quality anything, but I really can't argue with his win rate at all levels of play. If you're a whale in search of top War swag, this champ is worth a closer look.

All

• Play Rate — 0.5%
• Win Rate — 62.3%
• Games Played — 14,755

Mythic

• Play Rate — 4.8%
• Win Rate — 63.7%
• Games Played — 9,968

Price — $361.10

Avatar of War

Let's stop to reflect on the name for a moment. If this baller didn't embody all the best qualities of the War domain, he'd need a new name. Thankfully, the numbers prove he walks the walk.

With the top win rate (approaching 70%!) at all levels of play, I'm again unable to protest the $500+ asking price. This cost for entry is clearly limiting how many players have access to him, but those that do are enjoying a success rate well above the average.

All

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 65%
• Games Played — 9,689

Mythic

• Play Rate — 3.6%
• Win Rate — 67.2%
• Games Played — 7,435

Price — $522.60

Bast's Claws

Like Actuary of War, this is another Creature Ramp card people are sleeping on, as the price is still fairly affordable for the average player. That said, this is the kind of card that requires time and patience, something unpopular in current War decks.

If you'd like to unleash your inner Wolverine, make sure you're building your strategy around a mid-to-late breakout rather than expecting this to win you games the moment it hits the board. At 6 mana, there are better options options capable of yielding quicker results, but this card isn't as terrible as it's play rate would suggest.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 52.3%
• Games Played — 2,008

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 51%
• Games Played — 504

Price — $2.74

Bearstrider

Given that I spent the last Weekend Ranked event using this and Tamed Mammoth in an Enrage deck, I'm surprised to see both how unpopular he is and how poorly he appears to perform in Mythic play. I can only assume that more aggressive creatures such as Archangel Bruiser (4-cost 5/3 Blitz with conditional Overkill) have edged him out thanks to their immediate impact when hitting the board.

Further, reliable removal is more prevalent in Mythic where needing a full turn to hulk smash can be too long of a wait. That said, a 6/4 for 5 mana (4 + 1 for Enrage) isn't terrible, and his current price feels fair. He's a budget beefcake that requires minor assembly in order to use effectively.

All

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 49.7%
• Games Played — 7,133

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 40.4%
• Games Played — 495

Price — $0.93

Blacksmith Armourer

Building on the Creature Ramp theme, it's clear that these kinds of cards aren't popular right now. If the current meta is all about speed or control, this wimp is miserable against both. Any of the Neutral "archer" units will snipe him off the board for free, cheap AoE spells will sweep him away, and a cost of 3 doesn't match up with his intended purpose.

All of that aside, a deck dedicated to Creature Ramp gains viability and effectiveness when you run more of it together. Consider Tartessian Improviser (+2 Strength to random Creature in hand) followed by Out of Its Misery that draws this creature. You're now looking at a 3-cost 4/4 that also continues buffing your hand.

Outside of a highly specialized theme, however, this overpriced laborer won't amount to much. His current price is likely overvalued, but the scarcity of Genesis cards will probably keep it inflated beyond its actual worth.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 44.9%
• Games Played — 2,801

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 33.2%
• Games Played — 238

Price — $0.87

Blade Trial Valkyrie

Functioning as an inferior version of Auric Mage (6-cost 4/5 with Leech and R: Deal 1 to ALL Creatures), the added enchanted weapon—requiring another 2 mana—is unlikely to make up the difference. You can't immediately play said weapon until you've unlocked 8 mana, and the utility of healing via Leech can't be overstated.

Sure, the win rate in Mythic lacks a sample size large enough to take at face value, but that doesn't make up for the fact that a common from the Core set is probably strictly better. Rarity and scarcity justify her present value, but that abysmal win rate encourages you to quickly lose her number. I mean, who even invited her, anyways?

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 47.4%
• Games Played — 999

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 33.3%
• Games Played — 24

Price — $2.07

Blood Rage

This is the is the kind of spell that makes things happen, as its impact is immediate and effective. If you view it like a 2-cost 4 damage removal spell, this isn't something you should be afraid of stacking onto your creatures if you've got an opportunity to land a free kill.

Unfortunately, the utility of this spell doesn't seem to be appealing to the masses, and it features a poor win rate at the Mythic level of play. I'd like to think that part of this has to do with the current (extreme) popularity of the Slayer God power over Enrage—a cheap way of triggering this spell's conditional requirement—but there are more flexible options at the same cost ranging from AoE +1 Armor to +3 Strength for a creature and your relic.

This spell is limited by its niche requirements, but there are clearly enough people that find value in running it given the above average price tag for a Genesis common. It remains to be seen if they regret the purchase, though, given its lackluster win rates.

All

• Play Rate — 0.5%
• Win Rate — 50.2%
• Games Played — 16,273

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1%
• Win Rate — 43%
• Games Played — 2,030

Price — $3.03

Cyclops

This is a difficult card to comment on given that it practically doesn't exist in actual matches. It was played a mere seven times in Mythic, for example.

What I can say is the current meta favors early-game speed and/or late-game muscle, and this hulk lacks both. For the same mana cost, you could drop a 5/5 Helian Blademaster with Ward and Draw 1 or a 6/5 Hired Muscle with Frontline. The AoE 1 damage also has friendly fire, so it discourages playing Cyclops when you have other creatures on the board.

It's not surprising that practically no one uses him, thus it's also no surprise that he's the cheapest Genesis rare for War.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 45.4%
• Games Played — 335

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 28.6%
• Games Played — 7

Price — $1.78

Dead Man's Flail

The Afterlife effect of this weapon is interesting, but its base durability implies that it won't be triggered the same turn you play it. This also means that for 4 mana, you're smacking yourself for 1 damage.

For direct comparison, Blade of Styx is a 3-cost 3/2 relic with Godblitz that won't hurt you, Scythes of the Harvest is a 4-cost 4/2 relic which, again, won't hurt you, and Carnage Sweep is a 5-cost spell that can board wipe by destroying your relic.

Knowing this makes it hard to explain why it enjoys an above average win rate in Mythic despite having multiple alternatives that are likely more useful. I suspect that someone running a Control deck might want this for an additional source of AoE damage, so it's present price seems fairly valued.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 50.1%
• Games Played — 821

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 56%
• Games Played — 375

Price — $0.87

Deathsworn Raider

It's hard to argue with the efficiency of this card given you're getting the effect of Deadly Arsenal attached to a 2-cost 3/2 creature. It's no surprise that—while uncommon—it achieves solid results in standard play.

The dip below a middling 50% win rate in Mythic is hard to rationalize, however, as I don't see a downside to this berserker. The only card similar in function at this mana cost is Thunder Caller from Divine Order which requires you to be Frenzied in order to give +1/+1 to a Viking at EoT.

The current price feels fair, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it rise further if a popular figure in the community were to showcase him being used to great effect.

All

• Play Rate — 0.4%
• Win Rate — 53%
• Games Played — 13,168

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1.1%
• Win Rate — 48%
• Games Played — 2,223

Price — $2.61

Demoralise

Ignoring the subpar win rate and nonexistent play rate, there's a reason this spell has such a hefty price tag other being a Genesis epic. For 1 mana, you have the ability to finish off creatures teetering on the edge and Draw 1 to replace the space this spell occupied in your hand. Even if you only killed one creature, drawing after the fact creates card advantage.

I would go so far as to suggest the poor win rates are due to a small sample size, and if everyone had access to this card, win rates would shift into the low 50's. It's currently a tad overvalued given the apparent disinterest by the community, but the $15-$18 range seems like a reasonable price floor given scarcity and the current meta.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 49.9%
• Games Played — 1,020

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 48.6%
• Games Played — 74

Price — $19.44

Dwarven Smiths

The most popular War decks love relics, something that is readily apparent when considering the popularity of Warmonger Smith at the same mana cost. When combining them in the same deck, relics have the potential to win games all by themselves.

Unfortunately, some unknown tragedy appears to have befallen those players running these dwarves, as win rates drop off a cliff in Mythic. I choose to believe that the deck, itself, is to blame rather than these Smiths, as there is sufficient demand to keep their price above the average for Genesis epics.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 45%
• Games Played — 976

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 39.3%
• Games Played — 298

Price — $31.25

Furies

Considering we just saw a more expensive card with a significantly worse win rate, the current price is the first thing I notice. I'd agree that 7 mana is hard to justify in the current meta—War wants to end the game long before then—but an Olympian deck isn't difficult to make for War.

I'd suggest that the Furies are being overlooked due multiple legendaries yielding more impact at the same cost even though they have significantly higher prices. I guess if you're in the market for strong cards, you might as well pay for something truly competitive?

The win rates show promise, but most players are clearly swiping left when looking for the perfect late-game deploy.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 53.9
• Games Played — 714

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 52.3
• Games Played — 109

Price — $26.14

Gunpowder Plot

As with Antimagic Wards, there's a lack of mana lock that prevents you from creating a full theme. Said theme would likely be imbalanced, though, so I don't expect more mana lock to follow. Unfortunately, AoE Burn 1 doesn't prop up the value of this card enough to justify trading 4 mana for denying your opponent 1.

It also doesn't help that its current price is largely overvalued given it's performance. Actuary of War is nearly half the price at $1.83, yet it's been netting a 52%+ win rate at all levels of play. With the worst win rate in standard play and the fifth worst win rate in Mythic, I recommend giving this one a hard pass.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 43.6%
• Games Played — 335

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 37.5%
• Games Played — 24

Price — $3.29

Hephaestus, The Enchanter

As a master forger, you'd think Hephaestus would be the king of relics. Unfortunately, his performance is rather lackluster for a legendary creature. It would seem a generic 4/4 with a conditional enchanted weapon isn't enough to convert potential buyers.

Even with the second lowest price of War's Genesis legendaries, I see his current price as moderately overvalued. ~$100 seems like price point to watch for, as I don't see his appeal as a collector's item sustaining the current price forever.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 51.9%
• Games Played — 374

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 50%
• Games Played — 114

Price — $129.47

Hurl Weapon

Serving as a simple, thematic form of removal, it's odd that the affordable price point hasn't attracted more use. The current play rates are pitiful for a common card, and the subpar win rates aren't helping. I would compare the damage output to Vicious Rend (Deal 3 to a damaged Creature), but with the potential for an extra Relic "attack" in the same round.

For example, you could pair this with Dead Man's Flail for 5 mana to churn out 3 damage, 6 damage, and 1 AoE damage all at once. Free enchanted weapons would also serve as good fodder for burst damage. However, for the same 5 mana, you could simply destroy all creatures on the board with Carnage Sweep and lose your relic all the same.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 44.5%
• Games Played — 744

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 49.3%
• Games Played — 294

Price — $1.09

Hyksosian Chariot

Moderately popular, not too expensive, and somehow equally effective at all levels of play. This fanciful Blitz assassin is capable of safely finishing off your target without breaking the bank.

Keep in mind that the cost bakes in the expectation that you use its abilities efficiently, otherwise Auric Rush (Deal 2), Avalanche Strike (Deal 2 or 4), or any Cost 1-2 Blitz creature will likely have saved you a mana or two. This leads me to believe the current price is ever so slightly overvalued.

All

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 57.7%
• Games Played — 7,879

Mythic

• Play Rate — 2%
• Win Rate — 57.7%
• Games Played — 4,157

Price — $2.72

Incoming Raid

By gaining some combination of 2x Auric Rush and/or Deadly Arsenal at double their usual price, it's no surprise this isn't performing well at the highest levels of play. Similarly, Avalanche Strike or Blood Rage can stack the effects up on a single target albeit with a conditional trigger.

So, while some players appear to value the flexibility offered at a premium, most seem to agree that there are more competitive options available. As such, it's current price seems slightly overvalued.

All

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 51.7%
• Games Played — 8,842

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.5%
• Win Rate — 44%
• Games Played — 968

Price — $1.34

Iron Kopis

Serving as a vanilla source of 5-10 damage, there's certainly some appeal in standard play. Unfortunately, the numbers suggest that there's no distinct advantage to be gained from using this weapon, but its current price is elevated compared to other rare Genesis cards.

Given that Carnage Sweep, Over-proof Brew and Redfume Serum all land on the same mana cost, I suspect there's multiple (potentially stronger) options hogging the spotlight. With that in mind, the current price seems moderately overvalued.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 50.7%
• Games Played — 2,027

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 48.8%
• Games Played — 547

Price — $3.22

Master Tactician

Being the second most used card in Genesis behind Out of Its Misery, it's good to see that the numbers mirror this sentiment with one of the highest combination of win rates among all War Genesis cards. The master plan is clearly working! However, is this strategic genius really worth nearly ten times more than any other Genesis rare? Personally, I don't think so.

Serving as a slower, temporary version of Viking Warship, this card isn't a must have if there are similar options available. Yes, Viking Warship is more costly to play (and lacks Protect!), but 2 mana is prime real estate for many other important War creatures. Scarcity dictates that the price is unlikely to come down so long as there's interest, so unfortunately the price is currently validated by positive sentiment.

All

• Play Rate — 2.5%
• Win Rate — 61.9%
• Games Played — 73,447

Mythic

• Play Rate — 25.3%
• Win Rate — 61.4%
• Games Played — 52,325

Price — $81.13

Mercenary Daemon

I'm completely shocked by the lack of interest in this fine specimen! Why? This merc offers the best combination of stats for a Frontline creature at 5 mana of ANY domain. The closest alternative is Cavern Arachne, a 5/6, but she'll slap your face hard if you don't feed her another card from your hand.

Think about it: You get a bomb tank, and the "downside" is you turn any opposing creature into one, too. Yes, that does mean you can choose the scrawny 1/1 hiding in the corner (even the Backline creature raining on your parade!). This shines most when played into an empty board or right before you massacre what you were already planning to kill.

I feel strongly that many are sleeping on this steal of a tank, regardless of the poorer win rate in Mythic. All that raving aside, the current price is only moderately undervalued, as you're not going to suddenly win all your matches upon acquiring daemon bodyguards. This is simply exceptional filler for mid-range War decks that also has access to Nether synergy.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 52.9%
• Games Played — 4,414

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 46.5%
• Games Played — 690

Price — $1.03

Mountain Greatwyrm

Right now, the current meta has War romping and stomping about from the word go. You'll rarely see a War deck stalling (or controlling) the board all the way to 7+ mana in order to drop game-winning creatures. Simply put, they don't need to. Knowing this, a 7-cost creature without Blitz, Ward or Protect is hard to justify including in a War deck, and the numbers clearly reflect that.

As I've mentioned before, removal is widespread in Mythic, and you better believe your opponent will be holding onto something to deal with big nasties dropping at 7 mana. Big nasties such as Hector, Prince of Troy, a 6/6 capable of gaining Blitz, Ward, Protect and many other keywords.

Unless War gains access to Void manipulation or other means of sneaking this dragon into play earlier than expected, I don't see it coming down off the shelf anytime soon. The currently above average price reflects the overvalued hopium inspired by the potential of its ability keeping it afloat.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 50.1%
• Games Played — 2,979

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 45%
• Games Played — 462

Price — $5.78

Odin, Endless War

Given the high cost to deploy, I'm not surprised that Odin is experiencing a lukewarm win rate in standard play. Being able to "curve" up to 8 mana deploys requires thoughtful preparation in a deck, and I don't expect to see that achieved successfully with any consistency outside of Mythic.

The current meta is also aggressively trying to end games long before 8 mana has even been unlocked, so I wouldn't be surprised if his win rate in Mythic is only partially earned. A win counts as a win even if the game ends before Odin can be played.

The current price seems fairly valued for a Genesis legendary, but I doubt that many are jumping at the chance to acquire the Allfather other than to fill out their collection.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 49.9%
• Games Played — 1,001

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 56.7%
• Games Played — 208

Price — $135.36

Odin's Whiteraven

If Odin doesn't often get the chance to take part in War matches, at least his raven does! Unfortunately, the results are middling. As I pointed out earlier, 2 mana is an important cost point for War creatures. This isn't something you'll want to deploy early—maybe if your starting hand is junk—but it can serve as a mid-to-late source of card advantage that helps you grab a Viking better suited to the board state at that time.

I'd argue the current price is appropriately valued (possibly a tad overvalued), especially when compared to other Genesis commons like Blacksmith Armourer or Hyksosian Chariot.

All

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 52.6%
• Games Played — 8,293

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.7%
• Win Rate — 47.6%
• Games Played — 1,461

Price — $2.07

Out of Its Misery

Boasting the highest play rates among Genesis cards and well above average win rates at all levels of play, there's a lot to like here. The spell has a perfectly thematic mechanic that I'm surprised didn't earn an Epic rarity (or Rare, at least!), and I'd even argue that the spell should have had a higher mana cost for what it does.

This spell is clearly well-favored by War players and rightly so. The numbers speak for themselves, and unfortunately the current price is backed by favorable metrics. I certainly hope we'll see a more accessible price point in the future (if only for my sake!), but this card lives and breathes the currently aggressive meta.

All

• Play Rate — 3.7%
• Win Rate — 58.3%
• Games Played — 110,124

Mythic

• Play Rate — 30%
• Win Rate — 57.5%
• Games Played — 61,890

Price — $28.41

Paragon of Fortune

This is a great example of a perfectly average card. It combines a 4-cost 3/3 creature with the 2-cost effects of 2x Deadly Arsenal or a Blood Rage at a decently usable cost. There are stronger cards available, but a newer player looking to expand their collection wouldn't break the bank acquiring a little extra fortune.

The positive win rate in standard play falls off when approaching Mythic, but that seems reasonable for what I'd consider to be a semi-budget upgrade for War players just beginning their competitive journey.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 53.6%
• Games Played — 4,191

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.4%
• Win Rate — 49.7%
• Games Played — 770

Price — $1.77

Penitent Spear

If you're looking for "MOAR FACE SMASH!" in your mid-game, this relic fits the bill. Relic-wise, your only alternative at 6 mana is Bast's Claws which offers a slower burn of 3/4. Other than Sole Survivor (a Divine Order epic spell), no creatures or spells provide immediate face damage on par with this spear for the same cost. If unanswered, you can expect 5-7 damage that doubles to 10-14+ the following turn.

With that in mind, it's reassuring to see that win rates at all levels support this perceived strength. Play rates suggest a decent number of players share this perception, but the actual price seems somewhat undervalued. It's hard to say that about a common card, especially one that may not see use in most matches, but Odin's Whiteraven has a higher price that might not be deserved. If forced to, I'd say $2.50 is a possible settling point for fair value in the short term.

All

• Play Rate — 0.3%
• Win Rate — 55%
• Games Played — 7,978

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1.2%
• Win Rate — 54.4%
• Games Played — 2,391

Price — $1.95

Prodigious Armourer

Much like Antimagic Wards, this creature seems out of place in the War domain. Health Ramp is more of a Light theme, and this version feels like a cheap knockoff of the AoE kind some Light creatures hit the board with.

For example: Valkyrie Heartsworn is a 1-cost 3/1 that grants +1 Health for a Viking of your choosing; Bladecaster is a 2-cost 2/3 that gains +1 Health after every attack; and Thunder Caller is strictly better (sans Backline) as a 3-cost 3/3 that gives +1/+1 to your strongest Viking at EoT if Frenzied.

Play rates in standard suggest some may be using him as a budget version of Thunder Caller, but the win rates at all levels of play clearly indicate that this prodigy isn't influencing match results positively.

All

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 50.2%
• Games Played — 5,999

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 41%
• Games Played — 417

Price — $1.18

Red Fume Dash

The big brother to Fury (1-cost spell granting Blitz and +1 Strength). It's actually surprising to see that play rates and win rates are pitiful across all levels of play despite the hefty price tag. My only explanation is that players may be more interested in using creatures with Blitz baked into their price rather than trying to summon 4-cost creatures at 6-mana with Blitz and +2 Strength added on top.

Looking back on the previous report, Fury only has a 46.5% win rate (37.7% in Mythic!) which further supports my theory that many players don't want to occupy slots in their deck with spells that only serve to turn their creatures into removal. I suspect that if a new version was released with Godblitz rather than standard Blitz, the narrative could change dramatically.

Given the poor performance, I see the current price as overvalued if buying for any reason other then completing your collection.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 46.1%
• Games Played — 1,743

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 42.1%
• Games Played — 278

Price — $19.48

Reinforcements

A simple spell, but the lower win rate in standard play compared to Mythic suggests that how you use it matters more than the actual effects. Off the top of my head, I'd guess that using it to fetch creatures when the board would benefit more from summoning creatures already in your hand could inadvertently sacrifice tempo and lead to more frequent losses.

If you're running a hard Aggro deck consisting primarily of creatures with a cost of 1-3, including this will "compact" the size of your deck by allowing you to guarantee drawing two creatures you can use right away. In the early game, it'd function as an emergency cast to salvage poor draws, but later it allows you to use more of your mana when you're summoning everything you draw with mana leftover.

To that end, the current price is likely a fair average of the split value it has to certain War decks relative to standard meta decks that don't derive as much benefit.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 47.8%
• Games Played — 3,292

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 53.9%
• Games Played — 432

Price — $1.05

Respected Jarl

Good heavens do I want this card. . . I want TWO of this card. YOU want two of this card!

The applications are quite clear, and I assume the tremendous value of the Jarl's abilities (for only 2 mana!) are part of the reason Tartessian Skirmisher (3-cost 3/3 that grants Twin Strike) experiences poorer metrics. For the same price, an Enrage deck can spend 3 mana to give a creature +2 Strength and Twin Strike while gaining the bundled value of a Vanguard Axewoman attack.

The data strongly supports the value of this card, and the market price has ballooned in agreement. Until something even better comes along (a scary thought), I don't see the price dropping anytime soon.

All

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 55.8%
• Games Played — 4,593

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1%
• Win Rate — 55%
• Games Played — 1,976

Price — $60.55

Returned Einherjar

I have to imagine that the data used to show better play/win rates prior to the release of Divine Order, as the repeatable ability practically demands a response before it can attack. Unfortunately, creatures like Tartessian Minotaur (5-cost 3/4 with R: +2 Strength for friendly Olympians, Overkill if Frenzied) and Revered Seer (4-cost 2/2 with +1/+1 for ALL friendly creatures at EoT if Frenzied) do a much better job of pumping up a War army.

While not as overvalued as some Genesis rares, there are better ways of achieving the role this Viking wants to fill. If you buy this hoping to increase your win rate, it's unlikely to carry you into Mythic and keep you there.

All

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 50.8%
• Games Played — 6,437

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.4%
• Win Rate — 36.6%
• Games Played — 839

Price — $5.03

Roadside Outfitter

Speaking of Creature Ramp, here's another competitor to Returned Einherjar's role. The main difference is you gain access to it earlier, and it can improve the potency of your Blitz creatures—something a Creature Ramp deck should definitely be filled with.

Since the play/win rates are middling across all levels of play, I'd say the current price is either slightly undervalued or Returned Einherjar is even more overvalued than I previously stated. Either way, the outfitter should have the higher price tag between the two.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 49.8%
• Games Played — 2,730

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 50.2%
• Games Played — 215

Price — $5.03

Runaway Trebuchet

Archangel Bruiser is strictly better and available sooner at 4 mana. She can accomplish everything this contraption is capable of and them some depending on your board state. The only reason to run this damage source is if you're angling for a heavy Control deck and lack some of the pricier removal options that would replace it.

The current price accurately reflects the disappointing performance across all categories.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 44.6%
• Games Played — 816

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 38.5%
• Games Played — 109

Price — $0.67

Scythes of the Harvest

This is the kid-brother to Penitent Spear (seen above), but it performs better because of when it can hit the board. Capable of 4-5+ face damage (10+ total damage if unanswered), this one card can knockout nearly 1/3rd of your opponent's health by turn 4 if dropped turn 3 with your extra mana.

The current price is unfortunately well out of reach for the average player, but. . . the data clearly demonstrates a strong interest in harvesting wins that is backed up by noticeably positive win rates.

All

• Play Rate — 0.8%
• Win Rate — 60.5%
• Games Played — 22,492

Mythic

• Play Rate — 7.4%
• Win Rate — 60.4%
• Games Played — 15,363

Price — $312.52

Sharpen

2 mana for up to 6 face damage? This might as well be an auto-include for any War deck running two or more relics. We're talking about 6 extra damage that can extend the kill range of War's many Godblitz relics as early as turn 3 with Ramshackle Hatchet (2-cost 3/1 relic with Godblitz) for 10+ face damage if you have a creature ready to go. That's more than Scythes of Harvest (just above) which requires two turns to achieve 9 damage with 4 mana.

I'm glad the numbers backup the giddiness I feel when theorycrafting the many uses of this spell, but it pains me to report that this card might actually be slightly undervalued (ouch, my wallet!) given the consistent impact it can have on matches over other higher-cost cards.

All

• Play Rate — 0.6%
• Win Rate — 56.6%
• Games Played — 18,762

Mythic

• Play Rate — 5.3%
• Win Rate — 55.8%
• Games Played — 10,980

Price — $5.43

Take Them All On

An interesting card, for sure, but its uses are rather limited. In order to maximize its effect, the chosen creature needs to have a way of mitigating received damage or recovering health. If you're running +Armor and/or +Health effects, this spell can turn a creature into a cheap form of board wipe. It can even be something you've just summoned!

It would appear that the practical uses for this spell aren't realized until Mythic levels of play where I suspect a deeper collection affords more synergistic combos. Otherwise, it offers a lackluster performance in standard play and is possibly somewhat overvalued relative to other more useful Genesis rares.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 49.8%
• Games Played — 2,635

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0.4%
• Win Rate — 53.4%
• Games Played — 876

Price — $9.49

Tormentor Fiend

All I need say is this demon is exceptionally well equipped to ensure your longevity in tormenting your opponent far exceeds that of other domains. Compare this to, say, Epiphany for Magic which has the same cost and damage output (6) but includes draw 1 instead of AoE leech. If your target has less than 5 Strength, it'll stick around for another swing.

Play rates are likely limited due to the high price point, but win rates back up and contribute to the hefty price tag. Good on you if you can afford this fiendish entry cost, as a properly crafted deck is very likely to benefit from its inclusion.

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 59.7%
• Games Played — 3,490

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1.1%
• Win Rate — 62.6%
• Games Played — 2,227

Price — $56.42

Tyr, The Just

When talking about high-cost creatures, the more immediate their influence is applied to the board, the better. Tyr hits the board running, and his rampage continues to build if left unchecked. His lack of protection against removal or other game-ending qualities prevents him from having a price akin to Avatar of War ($500+!), but the win rates are quite clear: This guy even lifts bro!

All

• Play Rate — 0.1%
• Win Rate — 58.1%
• Games Played — 4,270

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1.1%
• Win Rate — 63.9%
• Games Played — 2,194

Price — $161.37

War, Incarnate

Orax, Shield of Pain is a 0/4 relic with Leech that deals 2 damage to anyone attacking your God at the cost of 1 durability. The Ruin God power deals 1 to ALL creatures for 2 mana. In other words, you spend 7 mana for nothing until you are attacked or unless you're already at 9 mana. . . then you can splash the board a little for a 1 damage AoE.

I don't need to explain why that's terrible, as the metrics clearly indicate that almost nobody is using this overpriced spell and the poor souls that actually try to are likely regretting it. The current price is overvalued from the perspective of use, so this is likely a general price floor for Genesis legendaries in terms of collection value.

All

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 47.7%
• Games Played — 260

Mythic

• Play Rate — 0%
• Win Rate — 40%
• Games Played — 5

Price — $64.67

Whetstone

Much like Sharpen, this is a highly efficient source of bonus face damage that works well in either Aggro or Control decks. Oddly enough, it doesn't enjoy the same elevated win rates that Sharpen does despite having a greater damage:cost ratio (4:1 vs 6:2).

This is entirely conjecture, but I'd guess that the lower price might make it easier to use at suboptimal times when holding onto it for maximum impact might have been better. Regardless, the current price suggests there is value to be found here despite not seeing it in the numbers. I'd normally say that the price is overvalued given this spell's performance, but I'll go out on a limb and wager that "accurate" play is required in order to realize its full potential.

All

• Play Rate — 0.2%
• Win Rate — 50.4%
• Games Played — 5,714

Mythic

• Play Rate — 1%
• Win Rate — 47%
• Games Played — 2,123

Price — $3.53

RANKINGS by Category

All

Play Rate

Win Rate

Price

Mythic

Play Rate

Win Rate

Conclusion

In summary, Out of Its Misery and Master Tactician are finding homes in many War decks while the intimidating price tag of Scythes of the Harvest prevent it from being equally prevalent. Avatar of War, Aeneas and Tyr are literal legends of the scoreboard while War, Incarnate is simply a legendary failure. Meanwhile, Cyclops forms the anchor for any swim team, and Runaway Trebuchet is lost in the woods, somewhere.

Additionally, commons like Hyksosian Chariot, Sharpen, and Penitent Spear offer affordable options for those looking to effectively upgrade their decks, but other commons like Deathsworn Raider and Mercenary Daemon are experiencing subpar performance despite their theoretically strong abilities.

Until next time!

~ Ent

Sources

Images

https://market.x.immutable.com/

Data

https://cardsunchained.com/

Spreadsheet

War Genesis Set

Twitter

https://twitter.com/TheJungleBoy4