Initial Impressions of Time Spiral

The Time Spiral prereleases ran this past weekend. While I did not attend one as I am 2 hours from the nearest event, I am really excited about this new set. Maybe it's just the gamer in me ready to get back into the game, but I can't remember being this excited over a Magic set since Apocalypse. Right now, I am just looking at this set from a limited point of view since I haven't really studied and of the constructed formats to get a grasp of any of their metagames. Once I go back and learn the cards from the Ravnica Block, I will start getting some ideas of how Time Spiral will affect Constructed.

For Limited the set seems pretty balanced. Just from looking over the spoiler, at this point I think black is probably the best color. Time Spiral gives us two of the best removal cards this game has ever seen in Sudden Shock and Sudden Death. I'm not sure if everyone realizes how powerful Split Second is, but they will learn soon enough. With the split second mechanic, a Spectral Lynx cannot be regenerated, Jaya Ballard can't burn anything, Spike Feeder can't be used to gain life, etc. Split Second is a very powerful mechanic.

I don't think Suspend will have a huge impact on Limited. There are some cards that are powerful enough to play on their own (Ancestral Vision much?), but overall I think if Suspend is used at all, it will be used in Constructed where there will be a little more structure to getting things set up. I have a few ideas of things I want to try with the Suspend mechanic, but I'll admit that right now they seem more like gimmicks to me than actual decks. We'll see how they turn out though.

A final note for anyone who hasn't already realized this...Enduring Renewal+Basal Sliver+Mindlash Sliver=infinite black mana.