Cards from the Aetherdrift main set have been out for a while at this point, and it’s clear that the set is quite powerful. For MTG Arena enthusiasts, however, there’s actually still more to look forward to.
Alchemy: Aetherdrift is scheduled to release March 4, and a few spoilers have recently made their way out of the woodworks. While Alchemy cards can sometimes feel a bit gimmicky, there have been plenty powerful enough to see significant play in Historic as well as Alchemy.
So far, we only know three of the 30 total Alchemy: Aetherdrift cards. Regardless, one saga has the potential to be the best card in the bunch. There are plenty of ways to abuse it, and its synergy with a different Alchemy rare really puts it over the top.
Naktamun Shines Again and Dedicated Dollmaker
The two cards in question are none other than Naktamun Shines Again and Dedicated Dollmaker. Yesterday, we highlighted Naktamun Shines Again as a generically strong saga that has the potential to generate a lot of value when built around. However, there are a few specific ways to maximize Naktamun Shines Again, and the best path may be to pair it with Dedicated Dollmaker.
The goal is to use Naktamun Shines Again’s second chapter to tutor up Dedicated Dollmaker. Notably, seeking a card is done so randomly, but if Dedicated Dollmaker is the only creature in your deck with mana value two or less, then this isn’t a problem.
Right away, Dedicated Dollmaker will enter as a three-power creature, since it perpetually has +1/+1. When it enters, you’re free to exile Naktamun Shines Again and make a token copy of it. Now, Dedicated Dollmaker gets +2/+2 for your troubles.
On the next turn, Naktamun Shines Again can tutor up yet another copy of Dedicated Dollmaker. This time, Naktamun Shines Again can’t be reset because it is a token, but if you have any other value-generating nonland permanent in play, this is a great option to have. Plus, you’ve successfully added eight power and toughness to the battlefield between your two Dollmakers.
Where things can get really out of hand, though, is in a Three Blind Mice shell. Three Blind Mice is a weird enchantment that initially creates a 1/1 Mouse token, then lets you start copying tokens of your choice. This card combos nicely with Dedicated Dollmaker, since Dedicated Dollmaker can exile Three Blind Mice and make a token copy of it.
From there, you can use Three Blind Mice to start making token copies of itself, and you’ll start exponentially accruing a Mouse army. This combo has shown up from time to time in Alchemy, using Caretaker’s Talent as additional support.
The addition of Naktamun Shines Again as a way to tutor up Dedicated Dollmaker at will is quite appealing. Even when you don’t draw Three Blind Mice, Naktamun Shines Again creates a big advantage over time.
Blinking Naktamun Shines Again
As good as Naktamun Shines Again is in decks that can reliably search for Dedicated Dollmaker, you can still get a lot of mileage out of the saga in decks with a higher density of two-drops. Sure, seeking a creature becomes a bit more random. With a bit of work, though, this shouldn’t be a problem.
For example, if you can manage to stick Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd, Naktamun Shines Again becomes a real problem. On turn three, you can cast the saga, making Phelia bigger. Then, attack with Phelia, blinking out the saga. When it comes back, Phelia will be even larger.
On your next turn, the saga will tick up to chapter two. Whether you end up seeking Dedicated Dollmaker, Juggernaut Peddler, or a different top-tier two-drop, you’re happy with the exchange. All you need to do is dodge hitting a second copy of legendary Phelia. Luckily, the odds are in your favor.
Then, you can attack with Phelia and blink the saga all over again. Before you know it, you’ll have a huge board of two-drops that are all absolutely enormous.
Phelia, Dedicated Dollmaker, and Overlord of the Balemurk make up a solid Historic shell as things currently stand. Some players choose to add the combo of Sorin, Imperious Bloodlord and Saint Elenda into the mix. Foregoing this package and adding Naktamun Shines Again could easily prove to be a more successful direction.
Phelia is also a staple of Boros Energy decks in Historic. There is competition in the three-drop slot. Still, Boros Energy is filled with one-drops and two-drops to benefit from chapters one and three of Naktamun Shines Again, so it’s worth consideration.
Going Wide
The final way to get good use out of Naktamun Shines Again is to simply play a boatload of one-mana and two-mana creatures. In Alchemy, Selesnya Rabbits fits the bill quite well. Even without blinking synergies, Naktamun Shines Again acting as a pseudo-Anthem effect is nice.
The saga adds to the board with chapter two, and chapter three can break open a board stall by giving your squad evasion. The main downside here is that Naktamun Shines Again is a bit slow. Putting a three-mana enchantment in your deck does come at a cost in an aggressive archetype.
At minimum, Naktamun Shines Again should garner sideboard consideration in a traditional Alchemy setting on MTG Arena. The Dedicated Dollmaker and Phelia synergies are still the most appealing aspect of the saga, though, and it’ll be cool to see how players look to build around the new toy.