The Crime mechanic from Magic: The Gathering's Outlaws of Thunder Junction affects all formats, allowing players to benefit from targeting opponents or their permanents. With 26 payoff cards in the set, this mechanic significantly impacts Limited Draft and Sealed formats. Honorable mentions include At Knifepoint, Freestrider Lookout, and Raven of Fell Omens, while top payoff picks for OTJ Draft and Sealed include Blood Hustler, Rattleback Apothecary, and Gisa, the Hellraiser.
In the lawless town of Thunder Junction, where the air crackles with danger and the aroma of gunpowder hangs heavy, the MTG: Outlaws of Thunder Junction set gallops into the scene, introducing the thrilling Crime mechanic that promises to shake the foundations of every format. This intriguing mechanic grants players incentives to target opponents or their permanents, offering lucrative rewards for their daring exploits.
Crimes, however, come with their own set of limitations. Unlike board wipes that indiscriminately annihilate armies, targeted spells that focus on opponents or permanents, even those slumbering in the graveyard, qualify as Crimes. The Outlaws of Thunder Junction set boasts a treasure trove of 26 Crime payoff cards, each vying for supremacy in the Limited Draft and Sealed formats.
At Knifepoint, an enchanting masterpiece, embodies the essence of the Outlaw and Crime mechanics. This BR enchantment synergizes flawlessly, granting a 1/1 Mercenary token at the dawn of each turn, should a Crime have been committed. Freestrider Lookout, with its piercing gaze, assists in the quest for lands when a Crime is perpetrated, while Raven of Fell Omens, a darling of the early game, evokes nostalgia with its Aristocratic lineage and adorable flight.
As the official launch of Thunder Junction draws near, the true impact of Crime payoff cards on the OTJ Limited meta remains veiled in uncertainty. While the UB Draft archetype brazenly revolves around committing Crimes, players should not underestimate the versatility of this mechanic across other color combinations.
Here, we present our top picks for MTG Crime payoff cards that will undoubtedly dominate the OTJ Draft and Sealed formats:
- Blood Hustler: A two-drop (1B) Uncommon creature with humble 1/1 stats, Blood Hustler transforms into a formidable force after each Crime, gaining a +1/+1 counter. Its Aristocrat-activated ability, unleashed at the cost of 3B, unleashes potent synergies.
- Rattleback Apothecary: A three-drop (2B) Deathtouch Gorgon Warlock with 3/2 stats, Rattleback Apothecary excels as a Crime payoff, granting Menace or Lifelink to your creatures until the turn's end.
- Servant of the Stinger: This two-drop (1B) Deathtouch Warlock possesses a unique ability. After committing a Crime, it can be sacrificed to delve into your library and retrieve any card, providing unparalleled versatility for combo setups or deploying finishers.
- Vadmir, New Blood: Similar to Blood Hustler, Vadmir, New Blood, a two-drop (1B) Rogue, gains a +1/+1 counter per Crime. When this Legendary Vampire accumulates four or more +1/+1 counters, it ascends to greater heights, acquiring both Menace and Lifelink.
- Duelist of the Mind: A two-drop (1U) Advisor, Duelist of the Mind synergizes seamlessly with itself when a Crime is committed. This card draw engine also bolsters its power during the turn, enhancing its combat prowess.
- Gisa, the Hellraiser: A five-drop (3BB) 4/4 with Ward of two and Pay two life, Gisa, the Hellraiser reigns supreme as a lord to Skeletons and Zombies. Her Crime payoff is truly remarkable, summoning two tapped 2/2 Zombie tokens at the inception of each Crime.
- Lazrav, Familiar Stranger: Lazrav, the three-drop (1UB) UB signpost card for the Draft archetype, embodies the essence of adaptability. When a Crime is committed, this Shapeshifter gains a +1/+1 counter while simultaneously exiling any card from any graveyard, allowing Lazrav to morph into an identical copy for the remainder of the turn.
- Magda, the Hoardmaster: A two-drop (1R) Rare, Magda grants immeasurable value through the creation of tapped Treasure tokens at the onset of every Crime. These Treasure tokens can further coalesce into a formidable 4/4 Dragon once three are sacrificed.
- Karevek, the Punisher: A three-drop (1BB) Mono-Black Warlock, Karevek harnesses the power of exiling Black cards from the graveyard to create copies, at the cost of a mere two life points when a Crime is committed.
In the untamed wilderness of Thunder Junction, where lawlessness prevails and opportunities abound, the Crime mechanic empowers players to unleash their cunning and reap the rewards of audacious targeting. As the battle lines are drawn, these Crime payoff cards emerge as the cornerstone strategies for dominance in both Draft and Sealed formats. Let the hunt for glory commence, as the outlaws of Thunder Junction ride into the fray, seeking vengeance and claiming their rightful place amidst the legends of Magic: The Gathering.
