Magic: The Event – See 4 New Cards From Kamigawa: Neon Empire

We asked the group at Wizards of the Coastline a bit much more regarding both this card particularly as well as the Nezumi (Kamigawa’s humanlike rats), in addition to the motif in its entirety.

“We satisfied Nashi when he initially showed up in a narrative prior to the occasions of Kaladesh primary collection,” states Daniel Holt, Senior Citizen UX Developer. “This is canonically a couple of years before the present day.

“In this older tale, we find out that Nashi was birthed in a nezumi overload town in country Kamigawa, yet his residence was refuted as well as his moms and dads killed by a destructive planeswalker called Tezzeret that thought the nezumi had an important artefact. Tamiyo, the Moon Sage, at some point embraces the young rat as well as treats him like her very own kid. Nashi’s hair has actually because expanded back yet has actually transformed white where his burns made use of to be, offering him a unique pattern amongst the nezumi. Although his brand-new family members is caring as well as encouraging, he still manages sensations of being little as well as an outsider. Nonetheless, he has actually discovered exactly how to deal with the sorrow as well as also make brand-new good friends via his rate of interest in innovation. He likewise locates excellent convenience in the tales his mommy has actually accumulated around the Multiverse as well as would certainly such as absolutely nothing greater than to see it for himself someday.”

Nashi’s adoptive mommy Tamiyo, at the same time, “is an essential primary personality in the Neon Empire tale at aiding in fighting the baddies with her scroll magic. Tamiyo likewise help in moving the desired artefact around the aircraft to maintain it secure from those that want to utilize it for villainous functions.

“Sadly, the tale doesn’t go well for Tamiyo, as she is eventually captured by Jin-Gitaxias and turned into a Phyrexian Planeswalker who involuntarily pledges loyalty to the other side of the fight.”

In terms of the Nezumi, who once lived in Takenuma swamp, a lot has changed. “Almost every area of the plane had to be rebuilt following the Kami War and the proceeding 1200 years of habitancy,” Holt explains. “Takenuma Swamp has become mostly abandoned aside from a few secluded outliers and those that venture there for one purpose or another. Jukai Forest has become a sanctuary for mostly spirit inhabitants that disagree with the expanding civilization. Other areas like Eiganjo, Otawara, and the new and largest city of Towashi, have thrived in the reconstruction.

“Nezumi in general have integrated into society more so than in the past days, but mostly exist in the reckoner gangs and other undercity areas of Towashi.”

A core part of Nashi’s identity is his ninjutsu ability, and this mechanic returns from the original Kamigawa block. We asked Game Design Architect Dave Humpherys how well he thinks ninjutsu will fit into modern Magic. “Ninjutsu is still very well poised to add an element of surprise into games of Magic,” he says. “The mechanic can fit well into a variety of aggressive decks. It’s centered in colors where there’s an abundance of evasion and good removal or bounce to facilitate the mechanic. The odds of a deck based entirely around the mechanic is less likely to have a huge impact than certain ninjutsu cards filling into key slots into some decks. Its mere presence in a format carries strength as a threat. It makes it easy to set up scary attacks especially against a tapped-out opponent.”

And for Nashi’s ability specifically, “Nashi is a versatile card,” Humpherys explains. “He works both as a solo threat that you try to clear a path with removal for. He also fits into more aggressive builds trying to take advantage of ninjutsu.”

And for this set in general, black sounds like it will have a lot of options. “There are many [black] cards pointing at some of the set themes,” says Humpherys, “which means for this set you’ll see more focus on artifacts, enchantments, sacrifice effects, and effects setting up ninjutsu for success.”

And speaking of all those things, that leads neatly into the three other cards we have to reveal:

Two ninjutsu enablers and some promising removal? Sounds good.

You can see all the cards that have currently been revealed here, but it won’t be long until you can play with them yourself. Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty releases on Magic: The Gathering Arena on February 11 and for tabletop on February 18. You can find out more about it here, and be sure to also read IGN’s in-depth feature on how Magic is evolving and its fans are responding.

Cam Shea has worked at IGN since the before times, and has played more Breath of the Wild than just about any other game. He does not post on Twitter, yet does like sharing whatever music he’s presently stressed with.