It’s Turtle Time! Now I know Universes Beyond isn’t for everyone and I know the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles aren’t the IP everyone loves as much as some others, but take a moment my dear reader to hear me out on these fronts. First, Universes Beyond is what it is and with 4 of the seven release this year being UB sets they aren’t going away so we either accept that or continue to grumble and fumble our way through, that’s up to you. Second, TMNT has been around a long time as an IP, since my childhood and as such that’s likely why it has a fond spot in my old Gen X heart. Now TMNT means different thing to different people, some see them as those Saturday Morning with the four different coloured bandanas and bold personalities whooping Shredder’s Clan butt, eating pizza and zooming around in the Turtle Van…Cowabunga! Hey I remember the cartoons, the action figures the movies etc too, but that’s not my Turtles that made me the fan I am today. I am the OG comics, the Early B&W, the first colour, that all matching red bandanas, the edgy “not for the faint hearted” ninjas, and of course the weekend sessions of the TMNT roleplaying game… but I digress. My point this set has it all, it’s turtles across time. The set although under 200 cards well represents the TMNT history from the early gritty comics through to modern versions of the heroes in the half-shell with excellent art and lots of gooey pizza! So, let’s have a look at the mechanics and keywords for this set to get you ready for Turtle Time!
Mutagen
A Mutagen token is a new token for MTG and it’s an artifact token with "Sacrifice this token: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Activate only as a sorcery."
Sneak
Ok, so this one is like Ninjitsu but different, it is ok! We’re not here to talk about that…. Lol. So, listen up here’s the low down on Sneak.
On your turn, during the declare blockers step you can cast a spell for its sneak cost. You can do so any time you could cast an instant, meaning you can cast it in response to another spell or ability. Part of the alternative casting cost is listed after the sneak keyword, usually something like “return an unblocked attacking creature you control to owners hand.”
Because the returning creature returns back to its owner's hand as part of the cost, opponents can't respond further by trying to take out the attacking creature.
It is important to note here that just like Ninjitsu (ok so it’s a little bit about Ninjitsu) the new creature with the sneak ability will enter tapped and attacking the same player or planeswalker that the creature you returned to your hand was attacking originally.
Timing rules for sorceries with sneak work the same as creatures, you can cast it for its sneak cost any time you could cast an instant during the declare blockers step on your turn during combat. The sneak cost works the same, pay the mana cost and return an unblocked attacker to your hand.
Note that sneak is optional and you can always cast a card for it’s normal mana cost (top right), and not return a creature to hand, and in the case of a creature it won’t enter tapped and attacking either.
Disappear
Disappear is a new ability enhancing word that cares if a permanent left the battlefield during the turn. The cool factor is the card with the disappear ability doesn’t even have to be in play at the time the permanent left. Which means you can “sneak” in an attacker during your combat and thus return an attacking creature you control back to your hand, and then in you next main phase play a card with the disappear ability and activate that triggered effect.
Alliance
Returning to the game is the ability Alliance. This is an ability that that triggers whenever another creature you control enters. Note that multiple creatures with Alliance and ETB triggers on entering creatures all stack so have fun mixing that all together and making a gooey mess of the stack however you like to your benefit!
Classes
Its time to level up! Classes are back and ready to make your game turtleriffic!
Class spells are enchantments and contain three levels or sections. Each level grants an activated ability or a static ability. Classes start at level 1, and progress in order to level 2 then level 3 (no skipping ahead). The costs to activate a level are a sorcery speed cost. You can control any number of class enchantments and even multiple of the same class if you want. Just remember they need to be leveled separately, but their effects will stack.
Partner—Character select (Commander)
Partner—Character select is a new variant of the partner keyword that allows you to have two commanders if both have that keyword.
If you play commander format this is for you! A creature with Partner—Character Select can “partner” as your commander only with another creature that has the Partner—Character Select text or mix and match with the original Partner ability or variants like Partner—Friends Forever. Just ensure you follow the colour identity rules for commander and you are good to go.
Well Turtle Fans, that’s the all the time I have to shell-out the sneak peek at TMNT. Remember to Sign Up for Prerelease and take some time out from your life for Turtles!
Wizard Tower Magnus
