Sagas have a new look in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty as Dual-Faced cards with a Magic: The Gathering Enchantment creature on the backside.
Taking place some 1,200 years after the events showcased in the original MTG Kamigawa block, Neon Dynasty (NEO) showcases a mashup of modernity with tradition via Enchantments and Artifacts. Enchantments represent the traditional side of the plane while Artifacts showcase the new modern advancements. Sagas end up representing both sides, with a total of 23 at all rarities featured within the NEO set.
Unlike previous MTG sagas, there isn’t one of the total 23 that stands out above the rest. Most slot into specific builds or Limited archetypes, providing additional value for players who can capitalize on each chapter.
From a biker gang in the MTG color Black to ramp in Green, here are the seven best NEO sagas, not listed in any particular order.
Hidetsugu Consumes All // Vessel of the All-Consuming
Hidetsugu Consumes All is a multicolor NEO saga in the MTG colors Black and Red. It has potential within the Standard format, able to remove pesky tokens and deal with graveyard shenanigans from spells with Flashback.
Chapter three transforms the saga into Vessel of the All-Consuming, a 3/3 with Trample. With some help, the ogre shaman can deal damage, scaling in power via +1/+1 counters, and can straight-up end a game upon dealing 10 or more damage in one turn.
Inventive Iteration // Living Breakthrough
Inventive Iteration slots nicely into Midrange and Control builds in the MTG color Blue. The four-cost NEO saga can bounce a creature or planeswalker to hand. It can also return an Artifact from the graveyard to hand or draw a card. Inventive Iteration then transforms into Living Breakthrough, a 3/3 with Flying that prevents opponents from casting a spell with the same mana value of a spell you played that turn until your next turn.
Jugan Defends the Temple // Remnant of the Rising Star
Providing ramp via a mana dork and counters that synergize with the NEO mechanic Modification, Jugan Defends the Temple is a solid three-drop in the MTG color Green. Upon transforming it becomes Remnant of the Rising Star, a 2/2 with Flying that grants +1/+1 counters on a creature when it enters the battlefield. The number of counters is determined by how much mana you choose to spend, and if you control five or more Modified creatures. Remnant of the Rising Star becomes a 7/7.
Okiba Reckoner Raid // Nezumi Road Captain
Mono-Black has a number of powerful tools in the Standard format and Okiba Reckoner Raid synergizes with drain and gain themes. The one-drop Common is simple but effective within a drain and gain themed build, with chapters one and two draining your opponent for one life while you gain one life.
Chapter three transforms the saga into Nezumi Road Captain, a 2/2 with Menace that can synergize with the Ninjutsu mechanic. It also gives vehicles Menace, mostly providing NEO Limited builds added value.
Teachings of the Kirin // Kirin-Touched Orochi
Self-mill decks have a new tool via Teachings of the Kirin. The NEO saga also supports Modification synergy via the second chapter. It then transforms into Kirin-Touched Orochi via chapter three, a 1/1 snake monk with two ability options when it attacks. The Enchantment creature can either create a 1/1 token upon exiling a creature from any graveyard, or exile a non-creature card from any graveyard to put a +1/+1 counter on a target creature you control.
All images via WotC
