| The Battle for Zendikar Prerelease is right around the corner, but after the first Limited fun is done there's Constructed to think about. Here are my Top 10 Battle for Zendikar cards for Standard! #10 Bring to Light  I think this card has a lot of potential as a tutor effect for a combo deck. I've seen lots of talk about the potential Modern applications, but I think it also has a shot at breaking out in Standard as well. It might not be a breakout card right away, but I would keep an eye on this card as the next set enters the Standard mix. #9 Greenwarden of Murasa  This card has the potential to be a great top end option in green control strategies. Similar to how Den Protector works as a versatile late-game draw, I think this could be a powerful effect in Sultai or Abzan control strategies. This card is harder to splash than Den Protector but comes with a bigger body and second Regrowth effect. #8 Woodland Wanderer  Woodland Wanderer is a surprisingly powerful four-drop that unfortunately has to compete with Siege Rhino for a place in Standard decks. Even so, I think that the great mana bases allowed by the nonbasic lands in the new format will be enough for this hard-hitting creature to see play in a few decks. I wouldn't be surprised if classically three-color decks like Abzan starting splashing the other two colors in order to get the most of these powerful Converge effects. #7 Planar Outburst  Even at five mana, Wrath of God is still Wrath of God. The newest version also comes with the ability to gain a land-creature late in the game. It's also worth noting that the second copy you play actually works in synergy with the first, since it doesn't kill any of your awakened lands. I think there will be a U/W or Esper Control deck in the new format, and this card will likely replace End Hostilities in it. #6 Painful Truths  Painful Truths has the potential to be a great draw spell in the right strategy. Abzan Control and other strategies are likely to be splashing more colors in the future, making this a great card draw spell that comes with some added flexibility. #5 Gideon, Ally of Zendikar  The newest version of Gideon comes with three great abilities: an immediate Glorious Anthem ultimate, a 2/2 every turn, and the ability to hit for five. All three of these abilities are great and Gideon should easily find a home in a few different strategies. The Mono-White deck played by Sam Black at Worlds feels like a natural home for this card. #4 Ob Nixilis Reignited  Ob Nixilis Reignited is a great, albeit slow, planeswalker that should find a home in a few different control decks. As a planeswalker, he does everything that you would want, answering creatures and providing a card advantage effect each turn he stays alive. At five mana he's not likely to reach the full playset in most maindecks, but I would be surprised to not see people playing two or three copies of him when Battle for Zendikar becomes Standard-legal. #3 Lumbering Falls  A lot of players seemed disappointed when this was the first enemy-colored creature land revealed, but I was super excited. This card fits perfectly into the Sultai decks that I love. Hexproof is an extremely relevant ability since it stops your opponent from being able to answer your attack with an instant-speed targeted removal spell. #2 Ruinous Path  This removal spell may not seem flashy, but it will easily be one of the most played cards in the new format. When Hero's Downfall rotates out, this card will immediately replace it as the go-to answer for both creatures and Planeswalkers. Sorcery speed is a downgrade, but the ability to use awaken to mitigate flood in the late game is likely a fair tradeoff. #1 The Battle Lands  Battle for Zendikar is a set that is heavily influenced by lands, so it should be no surprise that the new dual lands are in the #1 slot for my countdown. This is the first time in the history of Standard that a cycle of fetchlands and a cycle of lands with two basic land types have been legal at the same time. These lands are going to have a huge effect on the format as they will allow of decks to have better mana bases than ever before. Remember what I said about Woodland Wanderer and players splashing more colors for Converge? These are the lands that will make it possible. — Gerard Fabiano, @Gfabs5 | 
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