Away From Keyboard - Magic: The Gathering - The Streets of New Capenna
Feature
Magic: The Gathering – Streets of New Capenna
Who doesn’t love a new Magic: The Gathering set? We at Hooked Gamers were lucky enough to be invited (Thanks to Wizards of the Coast for the opportunity) to a special event at Nick & Nora’s, an Art Deco inspired bar to celebrate the release of the Streets of New Capenna set, based around five crime families in the city. The aesthetic of the set mirrors that of the bar, with a 1920’s style prohibition era the inspiration for the Streets of New Capenna cards. Unlike other sets, the five factions are not linked to one particular colour but are indeed linked to three-colours giving players the opportunity to branch outside their comfort zone of using just one or two colours in their decks.
New Capenna, new mechanics
New Magic: The Gathering sets generally add one or two (if any) new mechanics into the mix. I guess this is to not over-awe existing players. However, The Streets of New Capenna have added five new mechanics, giving experienced Magic players something to sink their teeth into. Each of the mechanics relates to a particular crime syndicate.
Connive (Obscura – White, Blue, Black)
This is probably my favourite of the new mechanics. When a card with Connive is played, players can draw a card a discard a card. This allows players to search for a card that they require, be it a land or that powerful creature or spell that could potentially end the game. Along with that, if the card that is discarded is a non-land card, the creature that has connive gets a +1/+1.
Casualty (Maestros – Blue, Black, Red)
I found casualty to be less powerful than Connive, but this could be due to my usual playstyle. After a card with Casualty has been played (Casualty cards are Instants and Sorceries), players are given the option of sacrificing a card in order to replay the card’s effects. The card effects are quite varied, so the Casualty mechanic does seem more beneficial on some cards.
Blitz (Riveteers – Black, Red, Green)
Blitz can be quite a handy mechanic. Cards with Blitz have an alternate cost to cast. Casting a spell for its blitz cost has several effects. The creature gains haste and "When this creature dies, draw a card." You won't have to wait too long for that card, because at the beginning of the next end step, you sacrifice the creature. So, as well as Haste, this is a good card for keeping the flow of cards through your hand.
Alliance (Cabaretti – Red, Green White)
The Alliance ability is another of my favourites, as the Alliance mechanic plays out whenever another creature you control enters the battlefield. Like Casualty, the effects are quite varied, but players can have multiple cards with Alliance in play at any time each with a different effect once a new creature enters the battlefield.
Shield (Brokers – Green, White, Blue)
The Shield mechanic works pretty much how it sounds. Creatures that have the Shield mechanic have a shield for protection. When they are attacked, the shield takes the damage and is removed rather than the permanent or Planeswalker being destroyed.
The cards
I have always loved the artists impressions of a particular set, and The Streets of New Capenna is no different. The cards really bring out the theme of the story and with it the Art Deco styling of the city.
Planeswalkers
Elspeth Resplendent – White
Vivien on the Hunt – Green
Ob Nixilis, the Adversary – Multicolour Red and Black
Lands
Although there aren’t any alternative cards as there were in the Kamigawa set, the Land cards in the Streets of New Capenna look lovely. The Art Deco styling has been a favourite of mine which has likely been influenced by my love of Bioshock. Indeed, many of the Land cards look like they could have been scenes taken straight from Bioshock. There is a mixture of single and multicoloured lands that each present a lovely location from New Capenna and really set the theme beautifully.
I think I have a new favourite set. The Art Deco theme and the addition of the five new mechanics give The Streets of New Capenna the edge over my previous favourite. The new mechanics fit the feuding syndicate theme amazingly well, and together with the gorgeous artwork - particularly on the land cards - make The Streets of New Capenna a must have set for Magic: The Gathering fans.