Sometimes the strength of a set is determined not by its rares, but its uncommons. Is this the case with Zendikar? Well, I don’t think anyone can say just yet, but I would like to say what I believe are the top ten uncommons from Zendikar. Now, this is my personal opinion, so don’t expect a definitive list. However, trust me when I say that these are some pretty good cards. Don’t believe me? Then take a look and tell me what you think!

#10 Quest For Pure Flame

Red decks rejoice, here’s another card that will make your life a lot easier. This card can double the damage dealt by a source you control. You have to deal damage to an opponent four times for this ability to be available, but it’s certainly no problem for a deck loaded with things like Lightning Bolt and Burst Lightning. This one is going to win some games. I guarantee it.

#9 Primal Bellow

Another card that will be celebrated in a monocolored deck, this card will certainly be a favorite in green decks that focus on overwhelming power for victory. This card is one that will be a game ender, much like the last. However, because this card works much more consistantly and without as much difficult as the last it ranks just slightly higher up.

#8 Akoum Refuge, Graypelt Refuge, Jwar Isle Refuge, Kazandu Refuge, & Seijiri Refuge

Lands that produce two colors of mana are awesome. These are like all the old uncommon lands that tapped for two colors of mana, except these lands give you one life when they come into play. It’s a small step up, but they are the best two color uncommon lands out there right now.

#7 Kazandu Blademaster

A powerful ally card, this one grows bigger each time another ally comes into play. Of course, other ally cards do the same thing. What makes this one special? Well, this card has first strike and vigilance. That makes this one tough ally. It comes into play as a 2/2 and only gets bigger from there. For only two mana this card is one of the best ally cards of the set.

#6 Quest For The Holy Relic

This is a card that just wants to be used with Armament Master. You have to cast creatures to build this card up, but that’s exactly what you need to make full use of this card’s ability. It’s white for a reason. This card will help cement Kor as a powerful tribal creature type in the years ahead. Trust me. Watch out for Kor.

#5 Gatekeeper Of Malakir

This vampire needs to be in a monoblack deck to be truely effective, but can work well outside of one too. It’s just tougher to pay three black mana in a multicolor deck. Anyway, this card comes out as a creature and if you kicked it you get to force a player to sacrifice a creature. A great creature that has usefulness at any point in a game.

#4 Trailblazer’s Boots

With so many nonbasic lands in Zendikar, how could this card not make the list? Nonbasic lands are very useful in many decks. Not only that, but many players use more nonbasic lands than basic ones. This card will definetly make players reconsider what lands they use in their decks. Unblockable damage is never appreciated (if you’re the defending player).

#3 Brave The Elements

I was surprised when I saw this card. It’s so powerful! The only cards that are similar to this one are Reverent Mantra and Akroma’s Blessing. The first doesn’t work as well (but has a cheaper alternative cost) and the second costs more mana. Once again we have an uncommon card that will certainly help Kor decks and will be a major problem for people facing monowhite decks.

#2 Vampire Hexmage

This card is useful because of the set its in. It’s useful in general, but perhaps nowhere more useful than within Zendikar. This card can get rid of the quest counters on various enchantments, +1/+1 counters, and also is capable of killing a planeswalker. All that for two mana? Sounds nice. Oh, and by the way, it has first strike. Point for vampires.

#1 Vampire Nighthawk

A great card. It works great offensively and defensively. It’s got three abilties and was the card everyone wanted at the prerelease for their black decks. This card will be in almost every black deck for a while and will deliver results 99% of the time. This is the best uncommon of Zendikar. Point for vampires (they’re gathering quite the army of sweet cards).

Thanks for reading!