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 Stockman
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
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.
Bebop & Rocksteady
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
I’m not here to say this card can’t work, but the times when it doesn’t are game losing.
Brilliance Unleashed
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
Sure, it’s a bit on the slow side, and I’d be hesitant to run multiple copies – but it’s solid value.
Dark Leo & Shredder
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
With Orzhov being the archetype with the most ninjas, this makes your attackers very dangerous.
Don & Leo, Problem Solvers
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
The stats on this vigilance attacker are significant, and there are a myriad of flicker targets that can be devastating,
Don & Raph, Hard Science
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
These guys likely won’t accomplish too much, but they have decent-enough stats for a 3 drop.
EPF Point Squad
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
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.
Foot Elite
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This can enable some attacks/sneak, but is overall unexciting.
Foot Ninjas
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
I remember not minding a copy of [Dokuchi Shadow-Walker] in NEO, so I think this will perform similarly.
Genghis Frog
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is solid enough on it’s own, and just gets better the more mutants you have.
Go Ninja Go
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
Boros has plenty of good ETB triggers, so this seems solid.
Ice Cream Kitty
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
I’m not a huge fan of this cat, but Golgari does have the ability to make lots of tokens this can turn into cards.
Karai, Future of the Foot
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
It’s hard to go wrong here, and the sneak ability can be extremely powerful.
Karai’s Technique
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is a devastating trick. If snuck in, it can easily be a 2-for-1.
Krang & Shredder
Rating: 4.0 // 5.0
It’s not difficult to get a free card the turn this comes into play. It’s large, and a passive threat as well.
The Last Ronin
Rating: 4.0 // 5.0
This saga is basically designed to end the game, and it does a pretty good job of it.
Lessons from Life
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
A beautiful draw spell, that allows you to “catch up” the following turn.
Mechanized Ninja Cavalry
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This is a bread and butter Boros (or even Izzet), that helps go-wide, as well as multiple alliance triggers.
Mikey & Don, Party Planners
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
Sure, they are a little small – but the passive threat is incredible, and the ward 2 is a cherry on top.
Mikey & Leo, Chaos & Order
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
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.
Mouser Mark III
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
Izzet shouldn’t have a difficult time enabling this as an attacker, so this should just be a well-statted 2 drop.
The Neutrinos
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
These guys are certainly a bit telegraphed, but I think they are still fine to play.
Nobody
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
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.
North Wind Avatar
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
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.
Pizza Face, Gastromancer
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
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.
Punk Frogs
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is very replaceable.
Putrid Pals
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
4 for a 5/5 deathtouch is pretty sick if you can line it up, otherwise it’s pretty average.
Raph & Leo, Sibling Rivals
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
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.
Raph & Mikey, Troublemakers
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This gets better with the more top-end creatures your deck has. It can fall a bit flat at times, and at other times end the game out of nowhere.
Slithering Cryptid
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This seems fine, albeit a little slow.
Splinter, Radical Rat
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
Most every ninja has a triggered ability, so this can absolutely put in work with a high count of them.
Tainted Treats
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is very potent removal.
Tokka & Rahzar, Terrible Twos
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This is mostly a 3/2 menace for 2 mana, which is fine.
I’ll be breaking down Artifacts & Lands next, stay tuned!
Lose and Learn, Learn and Win!
