There and Back AgainGreetings, Legacy community! The entire Bilbo Baggins set has finally been revealed, and we can now assess how the new cards can affect Legacy! The last set centered around the J. R. R. Tolkien works, Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth, was to this day one of the most impactful sets for Legacy, so let's see if this new Tolkien set can do the same!MechanicsAs usual, before we see anything, we must go over the main mechanics in this set, and, as usual, our house judge, Antônio Carlos, has already covered all of them in this helpful article.The new mechanics are Recruit, Hone Counters, and Storied. Recruit is similar to Connive, but, instead of giving you +1/+1 counters if you discard a nonland card, you'll create a 1/1 token. Hone Counters, in turn, are put on equipment cards. They each grant the creature equipped +1/+0.Storied is similar to City's Blessing: once you meet certain conditions (control 3 or more artifacts, legendary cards, and/or sagas) and the Storied card is in play, for the rest of the game "Enduring Story" will be active, and you'll be able to use all the bonus effects tied to this condition.Some mechanics, like Amass (though this time it features Goblins) and Adventures, have also returned. This set also includes other mechanics for Commander in particular.Ok, now that everything is clear as a day out of the caves, let's see the main cards.WhiteAn Unexpected PartyWe've already discussed this card in a previous article. It is interesting because it can create board pressure and transform a full board into a lethal threat right as you draw it from your deck.Belladonna TookBelladonna can become a small card advantage/pressure engine with the right friends. And by the right friends we mean Ocelot Pride and Ajani, Nacatl Pariah.Bilbo's GambitBilbo's Gambit is an interesting answer to some combo decks, as it can interrupt their key strategies and stop them from playing any other spells for that turn. Please note that you can't simply play this card in a vacuum like Orim's Chant, for instance. But it can ruin the day of anyone who invests a few Dark Rituals/Lotus Petals in their plays.Kíli, the ResourcefulKíli really reminds me of Puresteel Paladin. It might represent what decks with this card needed to see play again: redundancy.BlueBilbo, Thief in the NightThis is probably the most relevant card in this set for Legacy and will probably be seen in many, many Legacy pods in the world really soon. It is basically what any Tempo deck wants in a 2-mana creature. Basically, it's the second coming of Dreadhorde Arcanist, and we all know what this card can do in Tempo decks.It does have a few downsides when compared to Arcanist: it is a legendary card and needs mana to work, but it is also quite versatile, as it can see play in more than just red decks. It can also bring back Flow State and pay for Force of Will's alternative cost.Most Decrepit Old BirdDelver of Secrets has increasingly lost space in Tempo decks because it doesn't do much besides attacking early on (which it does well, by the way). Cards like Dragon's Rage Channeler or Barrowgoyf, besides being relevant while in play, create extra value. That's why I see potential in this little decrepit bird.In the decks where it should see play, it is easily a Flying 2/2 for 1 mana, but it is also interesting in later turns. Please note that when you play its Adventure side on turn 2, you'll basically be able to play Murktide Regent on turn 3, guaranteed.Plunder the TrollshawsUsually, I'd never consider this card to be playable because, though it gives you cards in the long term, it costs a million mana. But you only need 1 blue mana to play it and draw 2 cards with it and Bilbo, Thief in the Night. This interaction is enough to keep this card in our thoughts.Riddles in the DarkWe've also mentioned Riddles in the past. It can be quite cool in Draw-Go control decks (decks that draw a card, play a land, pass their turn, and answer enemy cards/draw cards at the end of the opponent's turn).BlackGollum, Riddle MasterWe've also discussed this card and its potential before. Gollum seems to have a home in Monoblack Aggro. In these decks, it will basically be a 4/2 creature that draws 1 card and drains 2 life points.RedGandalf, Goblins' BaneGandalf could work in Storm decks, where it would not only deal a lot of damage whenever you cast a spell but also create cards with its Adventure side.GreenCantankerous KeepersWhen Orcish Bowmasters annihilated Elves in Legacy, it was not because it killed 1/1 Elves but because it disabled the card draw engine with Glimpse of Nature or Elvish Visionary. Keepers allows this deck to refill even if Orcs is in play, and you can reuse it with Wirewood Symbiote.MulticoloredChief Warg's CompanyGolgari Midrange decks, like Cradle Control, might see potential in this Wolf, particularly in matches that turn into battles of attrition.Gandalf, Party GuestThis Gandalf is in the exact same colors as one of the Wizards that already sees play in Legacy. Jeskai Wizards uses Flame of Anor well and could create a lot of tempo for you with this Gandalf. By itself, it already lets you play Flow State for free.Smaug the ImpenetrableAs a reanimation/Show and Tell target, Smaug is not as mighty as the most common options in the market. It is, however, similar to Worldgorger Dragon, as it can create a loop with the help of a few other cards. Targeting it with Chain Lightning, for instance, creates infinite amounts of mana. This will give you 3 Treasures, out of which you can use 2 to copy Chain and get 1 Treasure each time you do it. What you should do after that is up to you and the ones who are certain to crack this combo.ArtifactsGiant's BoulderNo, this card is not Arcum's Astrolabe. But I believe Scry 2 is the closest to "drawing 1 card" we can get in a 1-mana artifact that filters colors. Astrolabe was absolutely dominant when it was valid in Legacy, and Boulder might do the same. It can also see play with extremely greedy mana bases and won't be punished by Wasteland or Blood Moon. As a bonus, it also gives you a way to spend leftover mana. All we need to see now is if it is good enough without the card draw.Key to the Side-DoorSome decks use many legendary cards, and being able to cycle extra copies to draw cards can be relevant in that case. One deck that comes to mind is Affinity, with its Emry, Lurker of the Loch and Mox Opals. Another is Lands with Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth and Dark Depths. What do these two decks have in common? Urza's Saga!The ArkenstoneIts main side wouldn't usually be anything to write home about, even though its effect is pretty interesting (particularly in aggro-aggro matchups). But being able to find legendary cards with its first part could be versatile enough to make this card see play.The Black ArrowSome decks really struggle with dealing with Murktide Regent. But these decks can now use a colorless removal to do that. And it leaves something useful behind.Thrór's MapThis card is simple but does things that can be great in control decks. It enters play, "draws" a card that gives you your next land drop, and eventually filters dead cards out of your hand.LandThe Lonely MountainThis might be a stretch, but we can get this land with fetch lands and put it in play untapped if Cori-Steel Cutter is in play. Which is something.Only thing to do! On we go!This is the end of our The Hobbit review for Legacy. If we consider Lord of the Rings the standard, this new set left much to be desired, particularly for this format. Still, Bilbo, Thief in the Night should see a lot of play, and I believe that Most Decrepit Old Bird could become an unexpected, nice surprise.What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.Thank you for reading, and see you next time!
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