Out on April 28 in Arena, and April 29 in paper

Magic: The Gathering is still setting a blazing pace for new sets, and New Capenna is just around the corner. It feels like the fairly well-received Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set just got here, but come April 28 weekend (with a pre-release the week before), we’re getting the follow-up in both Arena and in proper paper form. With that out of the way, let’s get to the New Capenna keywords.

Connive

“Draw X cards then discard X cards. Put a +1+1 card on that creature for each nonland card discarded this way.”

Depending on the effect, this could end games, especially if you connive a hasted creature. I’m looking forward to seeing what people come up with here: one example shown is a 1/4 flying creature with ward 1 that can also connive, which could be useful in limited play.

Casualty

“Sacrifice a creature with power 1 or greater, when you do, copy this spell.”

The classic creature sacrifice archetype is back, but available in many color options, it seems. One card in the New Capenna set is a two-cost blue mana spell (instant) that lets you look at the top two cards of your library: put one of them into your hand and the other on the bottom of your library. Copying it should be fairly easy for some swarm decks.

Blitz

“If you cast this spell for its blitz cost, it gains haste and when this creature dies, draw a card, sacrifice it at the beginning of the next end step.”

Similar to connive, I can see this ending games if done correctly. Haste on command can be deadly, especially in red, as one of the below cards shows.

Alliance

“Whenever another creature enters the battlefield under your control, [do an effect].”

This is a pretty standard effect that’s in every set, but geared toward the thematic element of other creatures entering the battlefield and triggering an effect. Green swarm should be a fun color for this one.

Shield Counters

“If a creature with a shield counter on it would be destroyed or dealt damage, remove a defense counter from it instead.”

It’s kind of like an ammo-based hex. You can play around with them and swap them around or add more depending on your build, and it should make for some pretty unique decks.

Hideaway (the returning old keyword)

“When this permanent enters the battlefield, look at the top X cards, exile one face down, and when you meet a condition, play it for free.”

We’ve seen this in many competitive card games, including modified forms in many recent Magic sets, and it’s back! In any case, the New Capenna keywords are looking spicy.

There’s a few other things Wizards is doing to make New Capenna stand out. Borderless and extended art cards will return, as will flashy gold-stamped foils: McCall says this is the “coolest foil they’ve ever made.” The Gala Greeters minion also has a different version for each language Wizards publishes Magic in, “based on a golden age” for that region.

You can get a look at all of the above in the gallery below!