Charm'd part 2 Mardu Charm vs Jeskai Charm

Strength through Violence or Knowledge; Power through Clan and Self Mastery

R/W has long been an aggro powerhouse. Boros Swiftblade, Boros Reckoner, uh... Skyknight Legionairre... wow, Boros is crazy aggro heavy. Anyway, splashing any color into the mix is not going to change much. Both Jeskai and Mardu have very aggressive styles of play, even as a midrange or control decks. Of course, the charms of the clans also inherited these traits. Of all the Charms, these two are most heavily geared towards aggro archetypes.

Let's address the removal third first. Both charms can help clear a path for beaters to get through, but only one is making sure that creature stays dead. In an odd twist, the Jeskai Charm uses it's blue part to throw an opposing creature back on top of its owner's deck. While not very cost effective it can get a flier out of the way and make sure your Mantis Riders can get through the damage. It also improves when your opponent is playing fetches. They crack one turn 5-6 followed with a Jekai Charm and blam, no more problem. The Mardu Charm answers problems more permanently, but sadly not all. Mardu Charm is as great against aggro as it is bad against control. A 4 point burn to a creature will kill almost any aggro creature, but fizzles something awful against midrange and control and ramp etc. etc.

Mardu Charm also hits other aggro decks with it's powerful white effect. Two, instant-speed 1/1 first strikers are almost guaranteed to ruin some poor goblin deck's day. They can also be snuck in vs control a la' Raise the Alarm. Jeskai Charm's white effect is very synergistic with prowess. Like crazy, game ending synergy. Three mana open turn 4 should make anyone quake in their boots.

The black effect on Mardu Charm is a potent instant speed Duress. Stripping someone's hand at the end of their draw step has always been dirty even if it is very restricted. Probably the most potent effect on Mardu Charm, this third is an excellent answer to anything your opponent could throw at you and gleaning information. Jeskai Charm slaps your opponent right in the face for a 1/5 of their life. Such disrespect, much monk, wow.

In the end though, there can only be one. I rate Jeskai Charm much higher than Mardu Charm. At all points of the game Jeskai Charm matters while derpy Mardu Charm doesn't matter much past turn 6. 

Friday I address a particularly offensive Charm, Temur Charm!