Cloned from [NEO: Reloaded](/c/63e84b104613670a6fd54a7b) Hello, and welcome back to Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty! This remaster is a peasant environment intended as an ode to the beloved limited format. NEO limited, while exceedingly popular, had some specific issues that we wanted to address. We chose a peasant environment to avoid the extreme power of the rares and to make it easier for the average MTGA player to play cheaply. For those players unfamiliar with the NEO draft environment, a solid primer on the archetypes and mechanics of NEO limited can be found here: https://articles.starcitygames.com/magic-the-gathering/select/examining-kamigawa-neon-dynasty-limited-mechanics-and-archetypes/ Major overall changes to the format include the cutting of chaff cards (all good stuff all the time, baby) and reworking some faltering archetypes. It turns out that almost all of the best NEO draft cards are either artifacts or enchantments, resulting in the payoffs for these card types becoming even more powerful. The result is a souped-up version of the format without rare bombs and increased overall synergy. Another design intention was to power up the format without altering the environment so much that the high-pick cards from original NEO set draft are no longer excellent, i.e. [[Spinning Wheel Kick]]. --- >>> ## Archetype Design Changes <<< --- --- >>> **{R/G} ??? {R/G}** <<< --- An unfortunate consequence of NEO’s design is that Green is entirely dedicated to enchantments while Red is entirely dedicated to artifacts. Wizards attempted to create an isolated RG archetype in “modified”, but it suffered tremendously for a few reasons. First, the modified payoffs are very weak. Second, the theme did not connect well to the general fabric of the set and felt isolated. We attempted to remedy this situation but were ultimately frustrated, and cut all explicit modified support from the remaster. [[Invigorating Hot Spring]] is still present and an RG “good stuff” deck is possible, but the synergies aren’t there. --- >>> **{U/W} "Balance" Value {U/W}** <<< --- A strange under-supported vehicle pile in vanilla NEO draft, UW was an archetype we knew needed a rework. We originally targeted an artifact deck anchored by [[Cephalopod Sentry]] but realized in testing that the color pair features a lot of enchantment-based removal and value cards. UW now joins BW as a "balance" deck. [[Arcanist’s Owl]] is an excellent card advantage/selection tool + threat which replaced the original NEO signpost. This style takes advantage of Blue and White's excellent enchantments while incorporating artifact components. We are very excited to test this one and it is looking great in mock drafts. --- >>> **{R/W} Artifact Aggro {R/W}** <<< --- The samurai “attack alone” deck from the original set had a number of flaws. Chief among them, in our opinion, is that incentivizing attacking with a single creature in your attacking deck just feels… un-fun. It also suffers from not connecting well to the dominant artifact/enchantment fabric of the overall set (similar to RG). RW has been converted to an artifact aggro deck, distinct from RB (sacrifice) and UR (more value-oriented). Cutting chaff cards from white created room for a sprinkling of artifact cards like [[Mandible Justiciar]] and [[Scrapwork Cohort]]. The color pair is anchored around [[Arcbound Shikari]], which is simply an excellent artifact aggro card even without explicit modular synergies. --- >>> **{U/R} "Construct" Artifact Midrange {U/R}** <<< --- A few changes to the card pool has lined this up to be the best home for [[Containment Construct]], a powerful but under-supported build around. Cards like [[Scrapwork Mutt]] and more copies of the construct available support a more combo-y game-plan for UR. The introduction of more value-oriented artifacts in blue (replacing mediocre attackers like [[Armguard Familiar]]) attempts to give UR a more midrange game plan than RB, RW or mono red. --- >>> **{W}{U}{B}{R}{G} Shrines {G}{R}{B}{U}{W}** <<< --- The truth is that Shrines rarely pan out. The Black and White shrines and Shrine Steward make a pretty solid package. Unfortunately the remaining ones are unexciting at best, and ultimately you’ll likely have the best results playing shrines as BW or Abzan. Blue shrines were excluded as there are no options that we considered good enough. This is a work in progress, as the OG Kamigawa Hondens were nuts, and the M21 Sanctums were underwhelming --- >>> ## Non-Native Cards <<< --- Cards from other sets were brought in to facilitate specific synergies or plug holes in the curve where there were no solid options in the original set (looking at you [[Golden-Tail Disciple]]. 90% of the cube remains native NEO cards. We attempted to avoid serious flavor-breaks when selecting non-native support cards (i.e. [[Thraben Inspector]]'s three-corner hat). --- >>> **White** <<< --- >>> <<[[!/Mandible Justiciar]]>> <<< Rock solid-artifact creature to support RW artifact aggro and UW artifact-y balance. This is an aggressively oriented card but a UW or WB value deck will appreciate the additional typed card and the lifelink. >>> <<[[!/Moon-Blessed Cleric]]>> <<< The White enchantment-oriented 3 drops in NEO are filler and this card is a solid upgrade. The art fits the NEO theme fairly well and a 3-drop 3/2 [[Idyllic Tutor]] seems perfect. The card honestly might be too strong as it can go get the best cards in your deck, including removal. Excellent value card, we’ll be keeping an eye on it. Even in aggressive RW decks this card is capable of tutoring something like Befriending the Moths as a finisher >>> <<[[!/Restoration Specialist]]>> <<< So, so sweet for the “balance” theme. It’s a fine playable in a straight enchantments deck, but it’s simply insane in a split artifact-enchantment deck. We want cards that support that theme and give it more identity, and what a fit this dork is. With the addition of this and another card in black we will keep an eye on recursion, ehe looping with Skyturtle in particular. While this loop is a major part of grindy endgames we do not want this to be something you experience every draft. >>> <<[[!/Scrapwork Cohort]]>> <<< A card that probably plays closer to an uncommon in this environment. A really solid addition for both value decks, as well as aggressive artifact decks. Will keep an eye on this to make sure unearth isn't killing people out of nowhere too frequently. --- >>> **Blue** <<< --- >>> <<[[!/Malcator's Watcher]]>> <<< The native NEO artifact 2-drop [[Armguard Familiar]] is true filler. The watcher is not a complete flavor break and improves the slot in myriad ways. It’s an excellent ninjutsu enabler and fits the value direction we chose for UW much better than a random 2/1. It also is an excellent enabler for turning [[Disruption Protocol]] into [[Counterspell]], or getting extra use from [[Sokenzan Smelter]] in Red. >>> <<[[!/Artificer's Assistant]]>> <<< Ninjutsu enabler that plays well in pure artifact decks or value balance decks with artifacts and sagas. Seems much more at home mechanically here than its native set. >>> <<[[!/Chrome Prowler]]>> <<< Fantastic artifact creature that plays well across most of Blue's archetypes. --- >>> **Black** <<< --- >>> <<[[!/Blood Fountain|dd03651e-ada0-41dc-8722-0eba476943e3]]>> <<< Pretty major flavor break, but it does so much. It makes 2 artifacts for 1 cheap card, providing RB sac fodder. It provides a blood token, which is solid value and plays well with [[Containment Construct]]. Finally, it loops with [[Gloomshrieker]] and other cards to support recursion/grind decks. Really nice value card for the format. >>> <<[[!/Cutthroat Centurion]]>> <<< Black’s native artifact-oriented cards are not impressive at 3 MV. Centurion is a nice aggressive artifact creature and sacrifice outlet. --- >>> **Red** <<< --- >>> <<[[!/Scrapwork Mutt]]>> <<< Workhorse. Solid aggressive artifact, synergizes well [[Containment Construct]], excellent enabler for RB, enough said. This card is going to be great. >>> <<[[!/Quicksmith Genius]]>> <<< More [[Containment Construct]] synergy, can rummage away mutts, card selection, acceptable body. This is very much a test slot given the amount of other looting and rummaging already in the format, but options for Red at 3 are a bit thin, especially if trying to stay closer to the format’s themes. >>> <<[[!/Mishra's Onslaught]]>> <<< Not a banger but we had room and this allowed us to fit in a trick for that “limited” feel that can also develop your board. --- >>> **Green** <<< --- Green is awesome in this set and didn’t need any help. --- >>> **Colorless** <<< --- >>> <<[[!/Shambling Suit]]>> <<< It’s going to be very strong, and it could just be too generically powerful in this remastered environment. The lack of evasion or toughness boosting hopefully keeps this one in check. It dies to a number of commonly played cards. --- >>> ## Conclusion <<< --- Chaff cards were cut, bad archetypes reworked and MV holes plugged with non-native cards. We hope you find the result to provide all of the nostalgia we feel for NEO draft while providing an improved experience.