The new season cometh, bans, LoTR card reveals!

Black Lotus Journal no. 4

Hey, I’m back again for another edition right at the start of the new season. I’ll largely be using a very aggressive mono red because I’m trying to get “there” as quick as possible! Last season I finished ranked Diamond 4, which is the highest I’ve gotten. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little proud of myself. It’s the small things that help you through the dumpster fire of life.

It’s also my first time trying out ranked at all, to be fair as well as clear.

Secondly, as a side note, I’m aware that this isn’t a lot of karma, but I had to share this somewhere because of reasons.

Take a look at the deck I’m toying around with as I try to regain Diamond.

• 4 Ancestral Anger (VOW) 142

• 4 Phoenix Chick (DMU) 140

• 4 Blazing Crescendo (ONE) 123

• 1 Reinforced Ronin (NEO) 158

• 1 Rampaging Raptor (MOM) 160

• 2 Reckless Impulse (VOW) 174

• 4 Kumano Faces Kakkazan (NEO) 152

• 4 Monastery Swiftspear (BRO) 144

• 4 Play with Fire (MID) 154

• 4 Bloodthirsty Adversary (MID) 129

• 1 Feldon, Ronom Excavator (BRO) 135

• 4 Lightning Strike (DMU) 137

• 3 Squee, Dubious Monarch (DMU) 146

• 1 Sokenzan, Crucible of Defiance (NEO) 276

• 19 Mountain (my extra ass has 19 different mountain types because I just love the art)

I'll see if I can’t Buzz Lightyear shit this time too and reach Mythic because I know my #1 fan (my daughter) will absolutely love that happening the same month that the new Lord of the Rings cards drop.

Currently, as I type this, I am 4-1 in Bo1 for the new season so it’s a good start.

If you’re interested in running this, mulligan any hand that has 1 or 3+ lands. See if you can’t get Swiftspear up to 6+ power as a special challenge. Take some blows and do whatever you can to keep things moving fast. It’s a fun version of the classic that everyone not playing it hates.

Next, I need to talk about the…bans.

They took my baby! And Bankbuster, too. I’m okay with Invoke going away. Fuck that card. It’s worth noting that the current state of the game, the news on the new ban schedule, and everything in between really doesn’t seem that inviting while they are simultaneously about to put out one of their biggest sets ever.

A weird flex, but alright.

What do you think about the bans?

And, now the main event.

These cards are sick! Oh, and Arena has new shit to buy. Try not to give them your actual money if you can, but props to anyone that just really wants the goodies. I get it.

Some stuff leaked. Will everyone that clicked that link get the surprise prison welcome next time they’re in the shower by a Pinkerton?

I love the above art and wanted to give full credit to the artist before showing you…

…this one. A 5 cost 5/3 with flying with a clearing effect and Ring tempting action built in! This is a damn special edition GI Joe, people. You can even make it bulletproof if you’re willing to throw a card in the dumpster.

Bring along his deathtouch horsemen for 3 lands a piece. 1/2 with deathtouch isn’t great incentive, unless you’re being dramatic, but the Ring tie-in that pumps in a +1/+1 on EACH wraith does. Oh, and you can have all nine of these feisty fuckers in your library, too!

You know you want this! It’s Bill the Motherfucking Pony. Bill “Yeah, I Fucked Your Mother and she ate my ass” the Pony. Bill!

Imagine the ways this thing is going to be abused. I love it. I hate it. It’s glorious!

I am a bit hard on the capitalist wizards at times, deservingly in my opinion, but I am really enjoying these cards. The balance, the flavor, the mechanics, and the way they tied it all together, creating a set that really does feel like a love letter.

Here’s a reminder of the schedule for this stuff.

Card Previews: May 30-June 9

Commander Previews and Decklists: June 8

Complete Card Image Galleries: June 9

In-Store Prerelease Events: June 16-22

MTG Arena Digital Release: June 20

Global Tabletop Release: June 23

Launch Party Events: June 23-25

Bundle: Gift Edition Release: July 7

In-Store Celebration Events: July 7-9

Go ahead and start playing proxies now and I’ll see you in ranked!

Want a cherry?

Thank you for joining me and my latest rambling.