Something for Everyone

"Apathy" card art

The latest Magic expansion, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, does not interest me. I wasn't playing Magic the first time they visited the Kamigawa plane (2004-5), and the motif (based in Japanese culture) never appealed. The mechanics of this set are fine, but the enchantment focus was recently done (in Theros: Beyond Death), so I'm not enthralled there, either. In short, I won't be buying or playing much Neon Dynasty. But it still holds value.

The cool thing about Magic is that you don't have to participate in every set. I didn't like Strixhaven, either, so I mostly ignored it. It's nice to get a breather every now and then, stepping back and enjoying the cards you already have (as you save for the next expansion that looks interesting to you). But even when a set (as a whole) doesn't appeal, I still recommend perusing the card list. Often, I find a card or two that I really want to bolster an existing Modern deck. In Neon Dynasty, there are two that jump out:

These fit nicely into my Selesnya enchantment deck on Arena:

5 Plains (THB) 279

2 Doomskar (KHM) 9

5 Forest (THB) 287

4 Alseid of Life's Bounty (THB) 1

4 Banishing Light (THB) 4

4 Setessan Champion (THB) 198

4 Branchloft Pathway (ZNR) 258

4 Season of Growth (M20) 191

4 Blossoming Sands (M21) 244

4 All That Glitters (ELD) 2

4 Setessan Training (THB) 201

2 Temple Garden (GRN) 258

2 Temple of Plenty (THB) 248

4 Spirited Companion (NEO) 38

4 Jukai Naturalist (NEO) 225

4 Hallowed Haunting (VOW) 17

Sideboard

2 Archon of Sun's Grace (THB) 3

Combined with Setessan Champion, these two cards pack a punch. When Setessan Champion is on the board, playing Spirited Companion nets me two cards and a +1/+1 counter on the former. Season of Growth combined with All That Glitters and Setessan Training are also crazy. And when you add in Jukai Naturalist to make them all cheaper . . . things go bonkers fast. (In fact, at times I've had problems drawing too many cards . . . )

There's always something worth exploring in a Magic expansion, even if the overall theme or mechanics don't appeal. You can tailor your participation as you wish, but it's always worth it to give each new set at least a glance.