Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty release is right around the corner! With all of the previews out, there’s a lot of great cards in the set! Today we’re going to break down our top 10 cards in the set. We’ll be talking about the top 10 cards for each format in the coming days, so stay tuned. But with that out of the way, let’s dive into it.
Honorable Mention
Our honorable mention goes to the Go-Shintai cycle. While seeing Shrines get more support is amazing, I think that these cards are very narrow and will be only good in Shrine decks, specifically in Commander and Historic.
10. Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
Our number 10 is
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant
Whenever you cast an artifact, instant, or sorcery spell, copy that spell. You may choose new targets for the copy. This ability triggers only once each turn. (A copy of a permanent spell becomes a token.)
Whenever an opponent casts an artifact, instant, or sorcery spell, counter that spell. This ability triggers only once each turn.
. J-I-double N-G is back and in big way. He’s got one powerful effect that’s fantastic for commander. As a player who grew up during the original Praetor era in New Phryexia, seeing them make a come back is very nostalgic to me. I think Jin is definitely going to be a popular card to pick up.
9. Tamiyo, Compleated Sage
Number 9 on our list is
Tamiyo, Compleated Sage
Tamiyo, Compleated Sage
Compleated ({G/U/P} can be paid with {G}, {U}, or 2 life. If life was paid, this planeswalker enters with two fewer loyalty counters.)
+1: Tap up to one target artifact or creature. It doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
−X: Exile target nonland permanent card with mana value X from your graveyard. Create a token that's a copy of that card.
−7: Create Tamiyo's Notebook, a legendary colorless Book artifact token with "Spells you cast cost {2} less to cast" and "{T}: Draw a card."
. Our very first Phyrexian Planeswalker, and the return of Phyrexian mana. This was a shock to see at the end of the Announcement Stream, and the fact that this card is good is a bonus!
8. Kaito Shizuki
Number 8 is our first Ninja Planeswalker,
Kaito Shizuki
Kaito Shizuki
At the beginning of your end step, if Kaito entered this turn, he phases out.
+1: Draw a card. Then discard a card unless you attacked this turn.
−2: Create a 1/1 blue Ninja creature token with "This token can't be blocked."
−7: You get an emblem with "Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, search your library for a blue or black creature card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle."
. Ninjas are a main theme in this set, and having a very strong 3 mana walker that’s also a ninja is great. This will be a great addition to Ninja decks as he can protect himself the first turn he comes in, and can help trigger Ninjutsu.
7. Tezzeret, Betrayer of Flesh
Number 7 is
Tezzeret, Betrayer of Flesh
Tezzeret, Betrayer of Flesh
The first activated ability of an artifact you activate each turn costs {2} less to activate.
+1: Draw two cards. Then discard two cards unless you discard an artifact card.
−2: Target artifact becomes an artifact creature. If it isn't a Vehicle, it has base power and toughness 4/4.
−6: You get an emblem with "Whenever an artifact you control becomes tapped, draw a card."
. Tezzeret makes his return to the game, and this version of him is great for your artifact commander decks. Additionally, this can do great things for equipment, as that’s also an activated ability, so you can equip for cheaper.
6. Fable of the Mirror-Breaker / Reflection of Kiki-Jiki
Number 6 is Fable of the Mirror-Breaker / Reflection of Kiki-Jiki. Kiki-Jiki is a old school fan favorite, and seeing a more balanced reincarnation of him is awesome to see. The number of cards needed to wombo combo doubles with the 1 mana cost, but with cards like
Panharmonicon
Panharmonicon
If an artifact or creature entering causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
, anything is possible.
5. The Dragon Cycle
The Dragon cycle from original Kamigawa block is another fan favorite, and seeing the continuation of the line in these new incarnations are nice upgrades on those dragons. Each of these are great additions to the game as solid midrange threats with effects that are all fantastic for multiple formats.
4. Mirror Box
Mirror Box
Mirror Box
The "legend rule" doesn't apply to permanents you control.
Each legendary creature you control gets +1/+1.
Each nontoken creature you control gets +1/+1 for each other creature you control with the same name as that creature.
is our number 4 card, and while this may seem like a strange pick so high up, this card has a TON of potential. This is a nice call back to
Mirror Gallery
Mirror Gallery
The "legend rule" doesn't apply.
, but it’s better. Cheaper and additional upside effects can allow for this card to really make some decks possible.
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3. The Wandering Emperor
Kicking off our top 3 is
The Wandering Emperor
The Wandering Emperor
Flash
As long as The Wandering Emperor entered this turn, you may activate her loyalty abilities any time you could cast an instant.
+1: Put a +1/+1 counter on up to one target creature. It gains first strike until end of turn.
−1: Create a 2/2 white Samurai creature token with vigilance.
−2: Exile target tapped creature. You gain 2 life.
. Yes The Wanderer is back and her story is now more developed! The card is also fantastic, especially for white decks. Being able to use planeswalker abilities at instant speed feels VERY strong, and the suite of abilities here are great!
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2. Satoru Umezawa
Number 2 is
Satoru Umezawa
Satoru Umezawa
Whenever you activate a ninjutsu ability, look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in any order. This ability triggers only once each turn.
Each creature card in your hand has ninjutsu {2}{U}{B}.
. This bad ass crime boss ninja really is giving more depth to the Ninja archetype, both thematically and mechanically. Giving all of your creatures the Ninjutsu ability can really enable some crazy shenanigans.
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1. Boseiju, Who Endures
Our top card from Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty is
Boseiju, Who Endures
Boseiju, Who Endures
{T}: Add {G}.
Channel — {1}{G}, Discard this card: Destroy target artifact, enchantment, or nonbasic land an opponent controls. That player may search their library for a land card with a basic land type, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle. This ability costs {1} less to activate for each legendary creature you control.
. The first two things that we wanted to see in the set was the return of Boseiju and Legendary Lands, and we got both in this one card.
Boseiju, Who Shelters All
Boseiju, Who Shelters All
Boseiju enters tapped.
{T}, Pay 2 life: Add {C}. If that mana is spent on an instant or sorcery spell, that spell can't be countered.
was a very strong card in it’s day, and the versatility of this card in formats like Modern and Legacy are incredible.
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