We’re about a week out from the start of the official start of preview season for Streets of New Capenna, but that isn’t stopping Wizards of the Coast from giving us some new cards to look at! Yesterday we got to see a new take on an old favorite cycle, in Maestros Charm. Well today, WotC dropped another teaser for us to ponder over in today’s Story Episode.
Twice.. Charmed
Since WotC dropped one of the 5 family charms yesterday, it makes sense that another is being shown today. While yesterdays was good, boy oh boy is this one even better.
Let’s take a look at Obscura Charm! The Obscura are White, Blue and Black, so we see that in the casting cost, as to be expected. Where things get spicy is with the abilities. A counter spell is fine, a removal spell that can hit creatures and walkers is good as well. Though there aren’t very many 3 mana or less planeswalkers that are seeing play right now. The ones that are seeing play are great targets for this spell.
Reanimation Station
Now the first ability is where we could get some really spicy plays happening. Looking at what things that exist on Arena that we can bring back, there’s some really interesting options.
First up,
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."
is seeing a TON of play across Standard and Alchemy, and often times in Esper midrange decks with a few other targets.
Greasefang, Okiba Boss
Greasefang, Okiba Boss
At the beginning of combat on your turn, return target Vehicle card from your graveyard to the battlefield. It gains haste. Return it to its owner's hand at the beginning of your next end step.
is seeing a bit of play in Pioneer, and this helps push the Esper variant over the Mardu one. End of your opponent’s turn, bring back Greasefang, and get a free shot at
Parhelion II
Parhelion II
Flying, first strike, vigilance
Whenever Parhelion II attacks, create two 4/4 white Angel creature tokens with flying and vigilance that are attacking.
Crew 4 (Tap any number of creatures you control with total power 4 or more: This Vehicle becomes an artifact creature until end of turn.)
for big damage. Lastly,
Ashiok, Dream Render
Ashiok, Dream Render
Spells and abilities your opponents control can't cause their controller to search their library.
−1: Target player mills four cards. Then exile each opponent's graveyard.
is a powerful planeswalker in Commander and can be reanimated to punish search abilities of our opponents.
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The only real downside to this card is that it does limit you to Esper colors. There is a world where I could see 4 color decks making an appearance in Standard with the quality of the mana that we’ll have. Also, in MaRo’s Teaser article yesterday, it appears that there’s going to be a fair bit of 5 color support as well, so we may have other cards to consider as well.
What are your thoughts on this card? Where are you thinking about using it?