Cards from Core Set 2021 as compared to cards from earlier sets.
Strictly better
- Alpine Watchdog is strictly better than Alaborn Grenadier, Alert Shu Infantry, Fresh Volunteers, Glory Seeker, Knight Errant, Silvercoat Lion, Squire, Steadfast Guard, Thraben Valiant, Traveling Philosopher, and Veteran Cavalier.
- Anointed Chorister is strictly better than Eager Cadet, and Trained Caracal.
- Basri's Lieutenant is strictly better than Ardent Militia, Armory Guard, Dutiful Servants, Foot Soldiers, Great Hart, Great-Horn Krushok, Imperial Outrider, Ironclad Krovod, Loxodon Convert, Mercenaries, Pillarfield Ox, Sanguine Glorifier, Shu Elite Infantry, Siege Mastodon, Silent Artisan, Thraben Purebloods, and Trokin High Guard.
- Basri's Solidarity is strictly better than Inspiring Roar.
- Blood Glutton is strictly better than Dreg Reaver, and Zombie Goliath.
- Bolt Hound is strictly better than Goblin Chariot, Goblin Hero, Gray Ogre, Raging Bull, Raging Cougar, and Wild Colos.
- Chandra's Incinerator is strictly better than Axegrinder Giant, Flameborn Viron, and Trained Orgg.
- Chandra's Magmutt is strictly better than Barbarian Outcast, Defiant Khenra, Falkenrath Reaver, Goblin Assailant, Goblin Brigand, Goblin Bully, Goblin Elite Infantry, Goblin Firebug, Goblin Furrier, Goblin Piker, Goblin Raider, Hulking Goblin, Independent Troops, Ironclaw Orcs, Mad Dog, Mogg Jailer, Mogg Toady, Reckless Cohort, Sell-Sword Brute, Skittish Kavu, Swab Goblin, and Yellow Scarves Troops.
- Elder Gargaroth is strictly better than Alpha Tyrranax, Archweaver, Brambleweft Behemoth, Canopy Gorger, Colossal Dreadmaw, Cowl Prowler, Craw Wurm, Fangren Hunter, Hollowhenge Beast, Jungle Wurm, Kindercatch, Moss Monster, Needleshot Gourna, Rootbreaker Wurm, Sentinel Spider, Silverback Ape, Skysnare Spider, Stomper Cub, Tusked Colossodon, Vigilant Baloth, Vulpine Goliath, and Yavimaya Wurm.
- Frantic Inventory is strictly better than Take Inventory.
- Finishing Blow is strictly better than Reach of Shadows.
- Garruk's Uprising is strictly better than Kavu Lair.
- Ghostly Pilferer is strictly better than Coral Eel, Coral Merfolk, Curio Vendor, Jhessian Lookout, Wetland Sambar, and Wu Infantry.
- Havoc Jester is strictly better than Berserkers of Blood Ridge, Bonebreaker Giant, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Fomori Nomad, Frost Ogre, Lathnu Sailback, and Obsidian Giant.
- Heartfire Immolator is strictly better than Barbarian Outcast, Defiant Khenra, Falkenrath Reaver, Goblin Assailant, Goblin Brigand, Goblin Bully, Goblin Elite Infantry, Goblin Firebug, Goblin Furrier, Goblin Piker, Goblin Raider, Hulking Goblin, Independent Troops, Ironclaw Orcs, Mad Dog, Mage-Ring Bully, Mogg Jailer, Mogg Toady, Reckless Cohort, Sell-Sword Brute, Skittish Kavu, Swab Goblin, and Yellow Scarves Troops.
- Hooded Blightfang is strictly better than Giant Scorpion.
- Liliana's Devotee is strictly better than Felhide Minotaur, Headless Horseman, Mindless Null, Scathe Zombies, Undead Minotaur, and Witch's Familiar.
- Llanowar Visionary is strictly better than Generous Stray, Pyknite, Shaman of Spring, and Striped Bears.
- Mistral Singer is strictly better than Aven Wind Mage, Jeskai Windscout, Niblis of Dusk, and Wind Drake.
- Pack Leader is strictly better than Fresh Volunteers, Glory Seeker, Knight Errant, Silvercoat Lion, Squire, and Traveling Philosopher.
- Pestilent Haze is strictly better than Infest.
- Pridemalkin is strictly better than Goliath Beetle, and Woolly Mammoths.
- Primal Might is strictly better than Prey Upon, and Wild Instincts.
- Seasoned Hallowblade is strictly better than Blade of the Sixth Pride, Devilthorn Fox, Dromoka Warrior, Knight of New Benalia, Oreskos Swiftclaw, Prowling Caracal, Raptor Companion, and Savai Sabertooth.
- Shacklegeist is strictly better than Tattered Haunter, Vaporkin, and Welkin Tern.
- Shipwreck Dowser is strictly better than Salvager of Secrets.
- Soul Sear is strictly better than Acceptable Losses, Bathe in Dragonfire, Bombard, Bring Low, Command the Storm, Devour in Flames, Electrify, Engulfing Eruption, Final Flare, Magma Rift, and Thermal Blast.
- Speaker of the Heavens is strictly better than Trained Caracal.
- Staunch Shieldmate is strictly better than Alabaster Leech, Devoted Hero, Eager Cadet, Hipparion, Sanctuary Cat, Squire, Valiant Guard, and Volunteer Militia.
- Stormwing Entity is strictly better than Ringwarden Owl.
- Swift Response is strictly better than Swift Reckoning, Take Vengeance, and Vengeance.
- Teferi's Protege is strictly better than Blind Phantasm, Jwari Scuttler, and Tolarian Scholar.
- Terror of the Peaks is strictly better than Fire Elemental, Frost Ogre, and Geyser Glider.
- Village Rites is strictly better than Altar's Reap and Skulltap.
- Wildwood Scourge is strictly better than Ivy Elemental .
Planeswalker decks
- Liliana's Scrounger is strictly better than Barony Vampire, Headless Horseman, Mindless Null, Moriok Reaver, Scathe Zombies, Vampire Noble, Warpath Ghoul.
- Keral Keep Disciples is strictly better than Borderland Minotaur, Lowland Giant, Ogre Resister, Shatterskull Giant, and Summit Prowler.
- Predatory Wurm is strictly better than Axebane Beast, Broodhunter Wurm, Durkwood Boars, Golden Bear, Nettle Swine, Order of the Sacred Bell, Rowan Treefolk, Southern Elephant, and Wild Ceratok.
- Sigiled Contender is strictly better than Shu Elite Infantry.
- Spirit of Malevolence is strictly better than Cyclopean Mummy, Dakmor Scorpion, Krovikan Scoundrel, Skeletal Snake, and Wei Infantry.
- Storm Caller is strictly better than Fearless Halberdier, Ghitu Journeymage, Goblin Cavaliers, Goblin Hero, Goblin Roughrider, Gray Ogre, and Raging Bull.
- Wildwood Patrol is strictly better than Alpine Grizzly, Elvish Ranger, Gibbering Hyenas, Goliath Beetle, Gorilla Warrior, Orazca Frillback, Sidewinder Naga, and Spiked Baloth.
Strictly worse
- Alpine Watchdog is strictly worse than Bounty Agent, Cliffside Rescuer, Herald of Dromoka, Sentinel Sliver, Topan Freeblade, and Vernadi Shieldmate.
- Enthralling Hold is strictly worse than Control Magic, Persuasion, and Treachery.
- Gale Swooper is strictly worse than Imperial Aerosaur.
- Igneous Cur is strictly worse than Ember-Eye Wolf, and Tibalt's Rager.
- Rise Again is strictly worse than Bond of Revival, Fearsome Awakening, Necromantic Summons, Rise from the Grave, Torrent of Souls, Unbreakable Bond, Unburial Rites, and Zombify.
- See the Truth is strictly worse than Ancestral Recall.
Planeswalker decks
- Mystic Skyfish is strictly worse than Nimble Obstructionist.
- Sigiled Contender is strictly worse than Cubwarden, Splendor Mare, and Vitality Hunter.