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)
Action News Crew
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is a very average 2 drop. The channel ability looks like it will rarely come up, so this is just filler.
Agent Bishop, Man in Black
Rating: 4.0 // 5.0
This is a limited nightmare. If uncontested, it’s going to win the game, and leaves you with 2 +1/+1 counters even if it dies the following turn.
April O’Neil, Kunoichi Trainee
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
Scry 2 is solid in limited, and makes a big difference if you end up top decking this in the late game.
Dimensional Exile
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
This is premium removal, potentially worthy of constructed play. It’s a cheaper version of Banishing Light.
East Wind Avatar
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This looks like filler in most decks, but is a decent 4 drop for flyer decks.
Featherbrained Filcher
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is strictly designed for sneak decks. If you don’t have very many sneak effects, this is close to unplayable. With a high amount, this guy is a nuisance.
Grounded for Life
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This seems like decent removal. It’s not fantastic in aggressive White decks, but it gets the job done.
Hamato Guardian Stance
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This looks like a pretty weak combat trick, but if your desperate for one – it works.
High-Flying Ace
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This looks like an alright flyer. Nothing exciting, but fine in most decks.
Jennika, Bad Apple Big Sister
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This is a decent Plainscyler. It can be used for mana fixing, as well as be cast if you are splashing White, due to the one White pip.
Koya, Death from Above
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
Outside of playing Orzhov, I think this is fine on its own.
The Last Ronin’s Technique
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
Instant speed on this is huge, and can lead to some big swings when played at the end of your opponents turn. It’s not great in every deck, but should be very nice addition for go-wide decks.
Leader’s Talent
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This is kind of a trap/win-more card. It does absolutely nothing if you have no viable attackers, but can snowball quickly if you do. I think you almost always play this card, but just have realistic expectations.
Leonardo, Big Brother
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This is a bit weak as a 3 drop, but sneak 1 is pretty cheap and effective.
Leonardo, Cutting Edge
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
There aren’t very many repeatable life gain cards in this set. There is a good amount of food, and the tapped lands also gain life. I still wouldn’t expect this to do all that much most games.
Leonardo, Leader in Blue
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This is a solid 1 drop. It’s difficult to block, and acts as a good target to sneak cards in off of, enabling the late-game sneak ability the Leader in Blue provides.
Leonardo, Sewer Samurai
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
The passive ability on this is surprisingly strong here. There are a total of 38 (out of 117) creatures that can be cast off of this.
Leonardo’s Technique
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
I really don’t like these types of cards, due to the inconsistency. But I wouldn’t say it’s unplayable.
Lita, Little Orphan Amphibian
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This is a really solid creature that will scale throughout the game, or provide Scry triggers throughout.
Make Your Move
Rating: SB // 5.0
It would be preferable to play this out of the sideboard, but it’s not terrible to maindeck. There’s a low amount of creatures this can hit, but there are a decent amount of artifacts and enchantments.
Mighty Mutanimals
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is 5/4 worth of stats for 4, and gets better the longer it sticks around. A solid creature for any White deck.
Prehistoric Pet
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
This is another creature designed to enable Sneak. This can push damage through throughout the game, as well as help you flicker things during your turn.
Quintessential Katana
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
There is a high amount of ninja creatures in this set, with White having the most. This works well with the Sneak mechanic, and is decent on it’s own.
Sally Pride, Lioness Leader
Rating: 4.0 // 5.0
As long as your able to cast this with 2 creatures in play, it’s powerful. On a full board, this ends the game the following turn.
Triceraton Commander
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
This is a solid win condition. You almost always want to hold out for 6 mana, but playing this for 4 is fine if you need to. You can also sneak this guy back into your hand and do it again!
Turncoat Kunoichi
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
This is an incredible creature, even if you can’t pay the sneak cost.
Turtles Forever
Rating: 1.0 // 5.0
There’s a huge amount of legendary creatures in this set, but it’s still not really a card for limited.
Uneasy Alliance
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
Solid removal in any deck.
Top 3 White Commons:
Uneasy Alliance Grounded for Life East Wind Avatar
White is the most aggressive color in the format, boasting the most ninjas and Sneak creatures. It also has a few cards to help enable go-wide strategy’s, though does lack in the combat trick department. I’ll be breaking down Blue next, stay tuned!
Lose and Learn, Learn and Win!
