This is a very nostalgic crossover, and a close second (to Final Fantasy) for favorite crossover so far. TMT is a smaller set, with 190 cards, compared to 273 cards in ECL. I think it’s safe to assume that it will create a much less diverse experience, with drafts/games feeling repetitive at a much quicker rate. The mechanics of the set are pretty surface level (sewer pun), and the set looks a lot closer to a core set in terms of limited play.
5.0: Disgustingly powerful and basically unbeatable. Either answer it the turn it comes down or just pack up your cards. (Gruff Triplets, Virtue of Persistence, The Eternal Wanderer)
4.5: Incredible bomb that still gives your opponent a slim chance. (Virtue of Loyalty, Imodane's Recruiter, Realm-Scorcher Hellkite)
4.0: Great rare or the absolute best uncommons and removal. (Faunsbane Troll, Gumdrop Poisoner, Talion’s Messenger)
3.5: Great role filler or removal that you never cut. (Candy Grapple, Hearth Elemental, Torch the Tower)
3.0: Good playable that I’m basically never cutting. (Shrouded Shepherd, Spellscorn Coven, Sharae of Numbing Depths)
2.5: Decent playable and the bar I hope nearly every card in my deck to reach. (Evolving Wilds, Archon's Glory, Flick a Coin)
2.0: Mediocre filler that normally is your 20-23rd card(s). (Mintstrosity, Ice Out, Grabby Giant)
1.5: Replaceable, overall bad filler. Could also be decent sideboard cards. (Titanic Growth, Scarecrow Guide, Territorial Witchstalker)
1.0: Bad filler. Gets cut most of the time. (Dark Tutelage, Kindled Heroism, Impact Tremors)
0.5: Very unhappy to main deck this, but maybe it has fringe sideboard applications. Cards that “could” be situationally decent, but bad in most situations. (Smothering Tithe, Rhystic Study, Mana Flare)
0.0: Unplayable in every possible situation. They rarely print cards this bad these days. (Hew the Entwood, One with Nothing)
Baxter seems fine enough for any Izzet deck. It’s much more viable as an offensive card, and is at it’s best if you have an artifact creature in play the turn he comes down.
Boros has the only alliance cards, and has plenty of ways to enable multiple triggers. Having said that, the starting stat-line is a bit too weak for me dawg.
This pair will almost always be killed on sight, but in the event that they stick around (or you play them on a turn you can draw), they can accumulate a lot of card advantage.
This works alright with some more expensive artifacts, like Spicy Oatmeal Pizza, but it doesn’t look like there’s many good cheap options for this to utilize.
The power of this guy is tied to the overall strength of your sideboard. If you struggled to get 23 cards in your library, this likely won’t grab anything great.
This is a very interesting card. Most of it’s strength is in the disappear trigger, which can slowly create an army of 3/3’s if you have the tokens to support it.
This likely won’t do too much until the late game, as Boros creatures are a bit small, but it can certainly get out of control if you can clear out blockers.
Andy "Icky" Ferguson is a long time limited grinder, with his first draft in 1999 at the age of 11. 22 years later, you can still find him streaming drafts, achieving the top ranks, including rank #1 5 months of 2021. Seasoned member of the Draft Lab squad and appointed "zen master", Andy lives by the motto; "lose and learn, learn and win".
