Prediction for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty has now arrived ready to upset the balance that has been outlined in various formats. There are many cards that could find space in existing decks and as many that could give rise to new archetypes.
Today I will try to see which cards could disappoint and which ones could surprise us.
JUNJI, THE MIDNIGHT SKY
In the previous article I expressed my appreciation for this card.
It’s the expansion’s best dragon with Atsushi, the Blazing Sky, but if I have to choose I’d go with the Midnight Star.
This card seems almost perfect in a metagame that is moving toward midrange and control. It puts considerable pressure on the board, and the value it generates when it dies can make the difference in close games.
I’m sure it will find a place in Orzhov Control and other decks that will increase their playability like Mono Black.
AO, THE DAWN SKY
We’ve already hinted at this card, and my opinion remains the same after seeing the full set.
This card has some nice abilities, especially the first one that allows you to look at your deck’s first seven cards and nonland permanents up to four mana into play.
However, I don’t think an aggro deck would want to play this card, and I don’t know where this card could find space.
Maybe in a Black-White Token deck that takes advantage of the second ability that gives two counters to everything? I don’t know, but I’m not too convinced.
ATSUSHI, THE BLAZING SKY
Here is the other dragon that stands to be the best of the expansion. This card seems strong in a deck like BR/Jund Midrange for the great value it generates when it dies.
It makes a Light Up the Stage or three Treasures, which is strong in a deck where Treasures are one of the main synergies.
This new expansion has all the prerequisites for the birth of a Mono Red, and this card can find a place there, too.
JIN-GITAXIAS, PROGRESS TYRANT
The return of Jin-Gitaxias is great news for Commander players and a little less great for Standard players. I’m sure this card will become dominant in Commander, but it seems much weaker in Standard.
Its ability is strong, but the card is too slow to find space. How many times would you want to play this card instead of a Hullbreaker Horror?
Maybe if it had flash it could have been played in some combo/control, but right now it’ll be hard to find a place.
MUKOTAI SOULRIPPER
I’m most likely going to be wrong, but this card looks cool to me. The first time I saw it I thought of the synergy it has with Magda and imagined an RB Aggro that can take full advantage.
The Soulripper also has synergy with Eyetwich, Shambling Ghast because it helps sacrifice the card and exploits its ability.
It can also be crewed by cards that will surely be played like Valki, Reckless Stormseeker.
It seems made just for this archetype and is a candidate to be the surprise card of the expansion.
LION SASH
There was a lot of hype when this card was spoiled. It’s strong, and the synergy with Stoneforge Mystic seems useful to have a solution for the many decks that use the graveyard in Modern.
However, I am doubtful this card will be played in the main deck. Instead it’s more likely to be used in the sideboard.
How many times with Stoneforge Mystic will you find yourself in a situation where you take this card over a Kaldra Compleat or Batterskull?
It’s rare and putting a 5/5 or 4/4 lifelink is almost always better. In decks that play Mystic, Urza’s Saga finds solutions like Relic of Progenitus, Gravedigger’s Cage, etc. that are enough.
How will Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty reshape the balance? It remains to be seen, but we’ll explore the shifts in future articles as the expansion alters MTG’s playing field.
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