Magic: The Gathering’s Crossover Craze: From Sonic to the Turtles, What’s Next?
Magic: The Gathering is no stranger to collaboration, but the sheer volume of “Universes Beyond” sets is reshaping the game. What started as a novelty is now a core strategy, attracting new players and creating unexpected synergies. The latest buzz centers around the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set and a potentially game-breaking combination with a Warhammer 40K card.
The Sonic & Tyranid Surprise: A Precedent for Chaos
Just months ago, a peculiar pairing caught the attention of the Magic: The Gathering community: Sonic the Hedgehog and the Winged Hive Tyrant from the Warhammer 40K Commander Decks. The combination, highlighted by IGN, demonstrated the potential for unexpected power when different universes collide. Sonic’s ability to add +1/+1 counters to creatures with haste or flash, combined with the Winged Hive Tyrant’s granting of flying and haste to creatures with counters, created a surprisingly effective strategy. This boosted the Winged Hive Tyrant’s value by 350%.
Krang, Utrom Warlord & Necron Dynasties: A New Power Play
Now, all eyes are on Krang, Utrom Warlord from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set. This nine-cost Artifact Creature boasts impressive stats – 9/9 with Flying, Trample, Indestructible, and Haste – and, crucially, extends those benefits to other Artifact Creatures you control. This represents where the Warhammer 40K’s Necron Dynasties deck comes into play.
The Necron Dynasties deck is almost entirely composed of Artifact Creatures. Deploying Krang alongside this deck could create an overwhelming force, granting an entire board of creatures flying, trample, indestructible, and haste. The fact that Krang is colorless further enhances its versatility, fitting into a wider range of deck builds.
The Rise of Artifact Synergy and Colorless Cards
This synergy highlights a growing trend in Magic: The Gathering: the power of Artifact Creatures and colorless cards. Artifact Creatures benefit from cards that affect both creature and artifact types, offering flexibility in deck construction. Colorless cards, like Krang, aren’t restricted by mana color requirements, making them easier to incorporate into various strategies.
The affordability of these cards – Winged Hive Tyrant and Sonic the Hedgehog were available for under $10 combined – demonstrates that powerful synergies don’t always require expensive investments. This accessibility is a key factor in attracting new players and fostering a vibrant community.
What Does This Signify for the Future of MTG?
The success of these crossovers suggests that Wizards of the Coast will continue to explore partnerships with other intellectual properties. The increasing complexity of these interactions, however, raises questions about balance and the potential for power creep. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set launches on March 6, and preorders are already available, offering players the chance to test these new synergies firsthand.
FAQ
Q: What are “Universes Beyond” sets?
A: These are Magic: The Gathering sets that feature characters and settings from other popular franchises, like Warhammer 40K and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Q: Why is the Krang/Necron Dynasties combo considered strong?
A: Krang grants powerful abilities to all other Artifact Creatures, and the Necron Dynasties deck is primarily composed of Artifact Creatures.
Q: Will Krang’s price increase?
A: It’s possible, given its potential synergy with existing decks and its unique abilities. The Winged Hive Tyrant’s price spike after the Sonic combo suggests a similar outcome is possible.
Q: Where can I discover the Necron Dynasties deck?
A: It is currently available on the secondary market.
Did you know? The Winged Hive Tyrant card saw a 400% price increase in the last 30 days due to the Sonic the Hedgehog synergy.
Pro Tip: When building a deck around a synergy, consider cards that protect your key pieces and disrupt your opponent’s strategies.
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