During MTG TMNT spoiler season, many of the cards getting revealed felt a bit underwhelming. While this set is chock full of legendary creatures with cool abilities for Commander, there were question marks surrounding their competitive potential.
Yet, despite MTG TMNT being a small set, there has already been a high density of new tools appearing in high-performing decklists. In particular, the Sneak mechanic is making a big splash right out of the gates. From Standard down to Modern and beyond, this new keyword is showcasing that it has what it takes to compete.
MTG Leonardo, Cutting Edge
Since the release of Modern Horizons 3, Selesnya Life Gain combo decks in Modern have seen their stock decline significantly. Even with new tools like Aerith Gainsborough and Agatha’s Soul Cauldron, the deck has struggled to keep up in such a high-powered environment. Now, however, the printing of Leonardo, Cutting Edge could prove to be a big upgrade for the archetype.
For the sake of the combo, Leonardo fills the exact same role as Aerith Gainsborough. The goal is to get a copy of Walking Ballista exiled under Agatha’s Soul Cauldron, then utilize Leonardo’s trigger in conjunction with Ballista’s to deal infinite damage. Where Leonardo gets his massive edge, however, is with his efficiency.
Besides costing one mana less than Aerith Gainsborough straight up, having the option to Sneak him in for just one mana is incredible. This improves the deck’s overall speed while also opening the door for you to rebuy creatures like Ranger-Captain of Eos with prominent enters effects. Even getting extra triggers out of Guide of Souls can help you win a fair game. It’s no wonder some players are already finding success with a playset of Leonardo, and it’ll be cool to see if this strategy ultimately experiences a bit of a resurgence.
Leonardo, Big Brother
Leonardo, Big Brother is quickly making waves in Pauper, showcasing his strengths in Mono-White Aggro shells. This Ninja Turtle also has a hyper-efficient Sneak cost that’s incredibly easy to enable. This archetype already wants to bounce value-based creatures like Thraben Inspector, and Leonardo does that on the cheap.
On top of doing Kor Skyfisher‘s job better, Leonardo, Big Brother can also swing in for a lot of damage. In conjunction with go-wide elements like Battle Screech, this legend threatens to attack for tons of damage out of nowhere. One of Mono-White Aggro’s weaknesses in Pauper is racing decks like Spy Combo, and Leonardo vastly improves this deck’s closing speed. Following a second place Magic Online Pauper Challenge finish, this deck looks poised for a comeback.
Oroku Saki, Shredder Rising
While this card’s Pauper success has ultimately been overshadowed by Leonardos, it’s important not to dismiss Oroku Saki, Shredder Rising. This Human Ninja is primarily seeing play in Orzhov Blade decks designed to grind the opponent into dust.
This deck features a full four copies of Refurbished Familiar and Glint Hawk, whose evasion comes in clutch towards enabling Sneak at any point in the game. From there, removal spells like Tithing Blade and Grim Bauble work to clear a path for Oroku Saki to keep attacking. If left unchecked, Oroku Saki will bury the opponent in card advantage.
The Last Ronin’s Technique
One of the most unique things about Sneak is that, unlike Ninjutsu, this new mechanic can appear on non-creature spells. This opened the door for cards like The Last Ronin’s Technique to get printed, and this card is pushed. Getting three tokens for the price of two mana is already incredible, and the fact that they enter tapped and attacking helps you push damage.
This makes the instant a neat inclusion in Boros Tokens decks in Standard. There’s a good chance that when you attack with Stadium Headliner or Voice of Victory, one of the Mobilize tokens will go unblocked, setting up Sneak. Once you add in a creature buffing effect like Warleader’s Call or Suki, Courageous Rescuer, your opponent will end up on the backfoot in no time.
In addition to its efforts to propel the Boros Tokens deck, The Last Ronin’s Technique is making a splash in Nurturing Pixie shells, too. Curving Dream Beavers into The Last Ronin’s Technique is an elite line of play that the deck has access to. Plus, going wide with Ninjas gives you the chance to maximize Dark Leo and Shredder‘s gnarly combat trigger.
Michelangelo’s Technique
Of all the Sneak cards seeing Constructed play, Michelangelo’s Technique is certainly the most intriguing at face value. This sorcery has emerged as a common inclusion in Bant Airbending decks in Standard, whose wealth of mana dorks makes casting this card for five mana quite realistic. Michelangelo’s Technique’s ability to dig deep for both Appa, Steadfast Guardian and Doc Aurlock, Grizzled Genius makes it a worthy consideration. Of course, bouncing Aang, Swift Savior to cast Michelangelo’s Technique ahead of schedule can be powerful as well.
Similarly, this sorcery has started to appear in Temur Battlecrier Combo shells to help find the deck’s combo pieces. The flexibility of Michelangelo’s Technique makes the card extremely appealing, since it can also cheat threats like Marang River Regent into play.
Ultimately, MTG TMNT is beginning to exceed my expectations with its multi-format impact. It’s still quite early, too, so don’t be shocked if some new cool pieces of technology make their presence felt in the long run.
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