This is a review of Jumpstart the set, not the mechanic. Dumb name. Also a dumb set-symbol; hard to distinguish on a small card.
The set's paper release has been delayed due to Covid19, but in line with this announcement from Wizards, consider it legal for Highlander tournament play on Friday July 17th.
Branching Evolution
Branching Evolution stacks well with other replacement effects. For example, with Hardened Scales, one Hangarback Walker activation will add four +1/+1 counters.
Amazing with Arcbound Ravager but that requires an all-in Artifact approach, which exposes you to hate.
Branching Evolution is relatively slow but would perform well in a midrange metagame.
Branching Evolution is relatively slow but would perform well in a midrange metagame.
Bruvac, the Grandiloquent
Game-winning potential with Grindstone or Traumatize.
Corsair Captain
A couple more Ixalan sets and there could be a Pirate tribal deck. New tribes need jawdropping payoffs to catch up with Goblins and Elves though.
A few Pirates come bearing treasure tokens, so there's potential for a hybrid strategy of Tribal + Shape Anew and Tinker; Perhaps even Madcap Experiment if Platinum Emperion is the only Artifact. That way you take no damage from Madcap Experiment.
A few Pirates come bearing treasure tokens, so there's potential for a hybrid strategy of Tribal + Shape Anew and Tinker; Perhaps even Madcap Experiment if Platinum Emperion is the only Artifact. That way you take no damage from Madcap Experiment.
Lightning Phoenix
Excellent aggressive threat except that it can't be run with Lurrus as a Companion.
Control decks often rely on blockers like True-Name Nemesis and Tasigur, the Golden Fang to deal with recursive creatures but Phoenixes (Phoenii?) just fly over.
Control decks often rely on blockers like True-Name Nemesis and Tasigur, the Golden Fang to deal with recursive creatures but Phoenixes (Phoenii?) just fly over.
Returning end of turn is worse than returning at the beginning of combat like Arclight Phoenix and Flamewake Phoenix. However, it does give Lightning Phoenix the opportunity to contribute to its own trigger if you want to sacrifice for value and bring it back.
Self-milling and rummaging give you a chance at a 'free' Phoenix but you need to be careful not to take away too much from your fundamental aggro strategy.
Until now, the scariest Goblin that could enter from a Goblin Lackey or Warren Instigator trigger was Siege-Gang Commander.
Hard to lose the game after resolving Muxus.
Goblin decks have very little disruption so you'll want some ramp to get Muxus down fast. I already liked spending most of my points on fast mana in Goblin decks, i.e. Mox Ruby and Mana Crypt/Sol Ring. I also like Ancient Tomb and City of Traitors for getting Blood Moon and Goblin Rabblemaster down fast. You don't mind saccing a couple Goblins to Skirk Prospector to cast Muxus because he will very likely replace them. Some builds run Frogtosser Banneret, Goblin Warchief or even Food Chain for it's powerful interaction with Squee, the Immortal.
If you have the six mana for Muxus then Goblin Recruiter equals a win the following turn. There are several combinations of Goblins to make this possible. The printing of Conspicuous Snoop has also raised excitement and I've sent my list to those who have asked. Rather than post my list here I intend to do a proper deck explanation article. Melbourne has 6+ weeks of lockdown, I gotta pass the time somehow!
Muxus, Goblin Grandee
Hard to lose the game after resolving Muxus.
Goblin decks have very little disruption so you'll want some ramp to get Muxus down fast. I already liked spending most of my points on fast mana in Goblin decks, i.e. Mox Ruby and Mana Crypt/Sol Ring. I also like Ancient Tomb and City of Traitors for getting Blood Moon and Goblin Rabblemaster down fast. You don't mind saccing a couple Goblins to Skirk Prospector to cast Muxus because he will very likely replace them. Some builds run Frogtosser Banneret, Goblin Warchief or even Food Chain for it's powerful interaction with Squee, the Immortal.
If you have the six mana for Muxus then Goblin Recruiter equals a win the following turn. There are several combinations of Goblins to make this possible. The printing of Conspicuous Snoop has also raised excitement and I've sent my list to those who have asked. Rather than post my list here I intend to do a proper deck explanation article. Melbourne has 6+ weeks of lockdown, I gotta pass the time somehow!
Sethron, Hurloon General
Generals are never alone. I don't see any other hoofprints in that snow! The card even makes a token for fuck's sake.
Ragemonger and Didgeridoo can drop Sethron early.
Deathbellow War Cry is now a win: Sethron + Kragma Warcaller + Rageblood Shaman + some other Minotaur.
Spiteful Prankster
Judith, the Scourge Diva and Mayhem Devil makes a red splash very tempting for the Aristocrats deck. Spiteful Prankster may be the sweetener that seals the deal. Hissing Iguana is far less desirable due to Wrenn and Six / Liliana, the Last Hope, but it may still be good enough.
All hittable with Collected Company.
All hittable with Collected Company.
Tinybones, Trinket Thief
Only need one trigger for Tinybones to be successful.
Triggers EACH end step. It's difficult to force an opponent to discard during their turn but many good cards ask their controller to discard cards, so you may not have to try.
That concludes the set review. Nice and short. Nothing with a big impact.
Hopefully I verse you at the upcoming free casual webcam tournament hosted by Tyrone and Nathaniel (committee member) from Battlestation: https://www.facebook.com/events/585097089069648/
The event is Friday 17th July, thanks guys. To participate you'll need a webcam setup and a Discord account. Check out the above link for info.
Mulch.
Triggers EACH end step. It's difficult to force an opponent to discard during their turn but many good cards ask their controller to discard cards, so you may not have to try.
Allosaurus Shepherd
Good sideboard card in the Elf deck against control decks. I wouldn't rely on it to protect your combos though because those decks also run lots of discard and removal.
The ability may even earn it a maindeck slot depending on the build. 'Vanilla' Elves can still be made useful by lords and Heritage Druid.
That concludes the set review. Nice and short. Nothing with a big impact.
Hopefully I verse you at the upcoming free casual webcam tournament hosted by Tyrone and Nathaniel (committee member) from Battlestation: https://www.facebook.com/events/585097089069648/
The event is Friday 17th July, thanks guys. To participate you'll need a webcam setup and a Discord account. Check out the above link for info.
Mulch.
