As much as I’ve “hated” on M12 (Magic 2012, the new core set for Magic: The Gathering) for being a decidedly underpowered set in comparison to its recent predecessors, there is quite a bit to get excited about. After several weeks playing with the new set (at least on paper- come on WOTC, let’s cut out the strategic MTGO delays. We buy the paper cards anyway!), certain cards have proven themselves powerful in Type II, even in the current pre-rotation environment, and those are the ones I’d like to focus on in this article.
For convenience here’s the full M12 Spoiler: http://mtgsalvation.com/magic-2012-m12-spoiler.html
Please refer to it for card information so I don’t have to make twenty hyperlinks below :)

White: Oblivion Ring
The ring is a slower yet decidedly more powerful Journey to Nowhere. It should see play if not maindeck in sideboards of most Type II white decks, especially control versions. I can see decks splashing white for this incredibly flexible removal spell. Too bad it’s an uncommon and hence unplayable in Pauper :(
Runners Up: Guardian’s Pledge, Honor of the Pure (white weenie is going to get even sicker), Grand Abolisher, Gideon Jura, Day of Judgment

Blue: Ponder
Only slightly inferior to the possibly-broken Preordain, blue will continue to enjoy a solid one mana card advantage spell.
Runners Up: Lord of the Unreal (I wanna play Illusions so badly), Jace, Memory Adept, Frost Titan, Master Thief (awesome sideboard card)

Black: Grave Titan
No surprise, he’s simply the best black creature and probably card in the new core set. Mono Black Control will sorely miss Duress, Mind Sludge and Corrupt, all of which will rotate out in October and will receive inferior counterparts in Distress, Monomania and Consume Spirit; Vampires and Zombies should prove playable in niche Type II (Bloodlord of Vasgoth and Vengeful Pharaoh are admittedly powerful late-game creatures), but I’ve always enjoyed MBC, and Grave Titan will remain its favorite finisher. Too bad Massacre Wurm is rotating out :(
Runners Up: Deathmark, Mind Rot, Smallpox, Sorin’s Vengeance (10 life, bitch; cool 1-of finisher)

Red: Goblin Grenade
The grenade is a classic example of why Goblins will always be viable. I expect/hope to see the deck maintain a solid Tier II status (it can trounce Valakut, Birthing Pod and other serious, more expensive decks), even after losing Goblin Guide when Zendikar block rotates. 20 life goes fast with four of these and twenty goblins in your deck.
Runners Up: Chandra’s Phoenix, Chandra, the Firebrand, Incinerate, Grim Lavamancer, Fling

Green: Acidic Slime
Of course Overrun is amazing but I don’t see monogreen stompy as a contender anytime soon. Acidic Slime, however, is already seeing Type II play in Birthing Pod and other variant decks. Five mana for a 2/2 creature seems a lot, but this guy is pure control; He’ll almost always 2-for-1, and your opponent has to begrudgingly deal with him. Awesome card.
Runners Up: Overrun, Garruk, Primal Hunter, Primeval Titan, Skinshifter

Artifact: Solemn Simulacrum
What else? He’s pure utility, and most creature-based decks are already running 2-4 copies. Get ‘em now, I expect this guy to level out near $20 (currently $8-$10).
Runners Up: Quicksilver Amulet, Elixir of Immortality (nice in Mill), Worldslayer (if only for the name).

I’ve come to peace with M12 due to the creativity that went into the set and also because a bit of simplification/power control could probably do the game some good. I’m also pumped that a bunch of the best cards in the set are uncommons.You couldn’t go wrong picking up play sets of each of the aforementioned cards (if you don’t own them already- lots of reprints in this set). As far as buying a box? I’m passing- I’d rather drop for a box of New Phyrexia, personally ;)

-Logan McHenry