Alchemy spoilers for the Baldur’s Gate expansion coming to MTG Arena are officially over. While many of the cards are watered-down versions of the Commander versions of these cards or are changed a bit, they have a more significant impact in two-player formats. A lot of what the set had to offer was not very exciting. That was until Wizards of the Coast dropped a bomb right at the end of their spoiler season. It turns out we’re getting a card that threatens to ruin digital formats, particularly MTG Historic, entirely.
Displacer Kitten with NO CHANGES
As a combo player, I am incredibly excited that
Displacer Kitten
Displacer Kitten
Avoidance — Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, exile up to one target nonland permanent you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control.
is coming to MTG Arena with no changes. This card has been a hot topic since its release, being the diamond in the rough financially from Baldur’s Gate. Players clamored for a ban after realizing how ridiculous the card was. At the same time, I am absolutely terrified. I don’t know how this card passed testing without changes. It may be acceptable in Alchemy (I don’t think it will be), but Displacer Kitten threatens to ruin MTG Historic in a fantastic way.
For anyone who forgot, Historic has its own version of
Teferi, Time Raveler
Teferi, Time Raveler
Each opponent can cast spells only any time they could cast a sorcery.
+1: Until your next turn, you may cast sorcery spells as though they had flash.
−3: Return up to one target artifact, creature, or enchantment to its owner's hand. Draw a card.
. This, combined with a mana-positive rock like Mox Amber, allows for infinite mana and infinite card draw. This happens because Displacer Kitten can Flicker and reset Teferi every time you cast
Mox Amber
Mox Amber
{T}: Add one mana of any color among legendary creatures and planeswalkers you control.
, allowing Teferi to bounce the Amber and draw a card. Because of Teferi’s static ability, your opponent can’t even interact with the process. Mox Amber and
Emry, Lurker of the Loch
Emry, Lurker of the Loch
Affinity for artifacts (This spell costs {1} less to cast for each artifact you control.)
When Emry enters, mill four cards.
{T}: Choose target artifact card in your graveyard. You may cast that card this turn. (You still pay its costs. Timing rules still apply.)
strategies have always been viable in Historic at some level. While being a fringe deck at the moment, an Emry shell threatens to break Historic as we know it.
The Shenanigans don’t stop here.
Displacer Kitten
Displacer Kitten
Avoidance — Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, exile up to one target nonland permanent you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control.
doesn’t even need to be used as an infinite piece. Any powerful Enter the Battlefield effects could be broken by Displacer Kitten entirely. Imagine getting a refresh on
Yorion, Sky Nomad
Yorion, Sky Nomad
Companion — Your starting deck contains at least twenty cards more than the minimum deck size. (If this card is your chosen companion, you may put it into your hand from outside the game for {3} as a sorcery.)
Flying
When Yorion enters, exile any number of other nonland permanents you own and control. Return those cards to the battlefield at the beginning of the next end step.
of
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Niv-Mizzet Reborn
Flying
When Niv-Mizzet enters, reveal the top ten cards of your library. For each color pair, choose a card that's exactly those colors from among them. Put the chosen cards into your hand and the rest on the bottom of your library in a random order.
every time you cast a non-creature spell.
READ MORE: Best White Card Draw in EDH
Another Card with no Changes
Archivist of Oghma
Archivist of Oghma
Flash
Whenever an opponent searches their library, you gain 1 life and draw a card.
, another cEDH staple from Baldur’s Gate, is coming to MTG Arena without any changes. This card is much weaker on Arena than in its other legal formats. Because Fetch Lands aren’t in Arena, the Archivist isn’t nearly as powerful as it is in Legacy. There are some corner cases where this card will perform quite admirably, but, for the most part, this may not be as impactful on MTG Arena as some may expect.
Thankfully, Nerfs Exist
The silver lining is that MTG digital formats’ biggest boon can come into play here: nerfing. If
Displacer Kitten
Displacer Kitten
Avoidance — Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, exile up to one target nonland permanent you control, then return that card to the battlefield under its owner's control.
truly breaks Historic, Arena can tone it down a bit. Adding a ‘once per turn’ clause might derail its usefulness, but it could put it at a level where it still impacts Alchemy but isn’t good enough to see play in Historic. We have talked extensively about what Displacer Kitten is capable of. Don’t let this feline fly under your radar.