Spoiler Highlight: Doorkeeper Thrull in Legacy

Elementary, my dear Watson. This looks like another Hatebear for Legacy! The Murders at Karlov Manor spoilers have been coming out faster than we can keep up with, and, even though Standard sets don't impact Legacy as much as Modern sets, there's always an ace up their sleeves for us (like Atraxa, Grand Unifier, Up the Beanstalk and Questing Druid).

Well, we have a new candidate:

As Legacy is an incredibly powerful format, there is very little space for creatures that only offer attack and toughness. We saw Delver of Secrets lose space, Tarmogoyf disappear from the map, and monsters like Murktide Regent keep themselves in the meta only because they are ridiculously big and cost very little mana. To stand out in Legacy, creatures depend, fundamentally, on their extra abilities.

It is not for nothing that this is a format that benefits Hatebears (creatures with abilities that restrict your opponent's ability to play the game), cards that bring synergy to your deck's strategy (like Dragon's Rage Channeler or Elvish Reclaimer), or cards that have strong triggers, like Initiative cards: Orcish Bowmasters, Thassa's Oracle or Muxus, Goblin Grandee.

It is in this universe that Karlov offers us a new Hatebear that affects triggers, and not only trigger creatures, but also artifact triggers. Furthermore, it will also be relevant to stop things like The One Ring or Kappa Cannoneer on their tracks.

The ascent of Initiative decks into this format's upper tiers has become a huge problem for many archetypes, considering just countering the creatures responsible for starting the exploration into the Undercity Dungeon isn't an option when Cavern of Souls is present. Decks like Beanstalk Control saw themselves forced to consider very suspicious cards (beyond Dress Down) to deal with the threat in question, such as Stifle, Torpor Orb or Hushbringer. The first of these is very limited and the last two force a reactive deck to make do in their turn to summon them, which forces you to lower your guard.

But, what if this card could be played as an answer to the ability? This would allow us to use cards like Brainstorm or Lórien Revealed's cycling in the turns their services aren't required, or, unlike Stifle, this card, in the worst-case scenario, would be an evasive body, which brings other uses. Doorkeeper Thrull offers enough flexibility to at least find a small place in many sideboards and certain metas, or be a valid option in the main deck.

Flash in this type of card changes its efficiency significantly. Just compare it to the card that is most similar to it: Hushbringer. If you play this Faerie on turn 2, it will be exposed to removals and might end up not having the effect you desire. With the Thrull, it will be lurking like a Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG trap card, ready to ruin your opponent's plan.

However, it is important to stress that, even though the Thrull's greatest target are the Initiative cards, right now, there is another deck on the rise, particularly in Magic Online, which uses a dozen of creatures that have triggers when they enter play, Turbo Muxus: Muxus, Goblin Grandee, _____ Goblin, Goblin Matron and Goblin Ringleader become expensive cards that have no abilities in the presence of the Thrull.

Check out some lists that might as well use this new Doorkeeper to decide who is cool and may join the party, and who will be turned away.

4C Beanstalk Control

The multicolored Beanstalk lists have consolidated themselves as the main Control option in this format, and are precisely one of the decks that are most worried about dealing with uncounterable access to the Undercity Dungeon.

In this list, Doorkeeper Thrull shows up as a sideboard option to not only deal with these cards, but also serve as an answer to Doomsday decks, Oops All Spells, Turbo Muxus, One Ring Combo, besides locking down the game plan of decks like Death & Taxes and Esper Vial.

Jeskai Control

This Jeskai follows the same reasoning as 4C, using this Thrull in the sideboard to deal with the same issues.

Esper Vial

Now, hold on, why use a card that locks down triggers in a deck full of triggers? In this case, the answer is Recruiter of the Guard, which makes the Thrull an option even in the main deck against decks, particularly Como decks, that simply can't win by going over it. It is not an uncommon play to activate Aether Vial for 3 as an answer to Thassa's Oracle, tutor the Thrull and summon it at instant speed to disrupt your opponent's plan.

The ability to lock down creature triggers is quite strong, considering how the value of cards like Torpor Orb has grown in several sideboards. Being able to bring this effect at instant speed would only last a turn, like with Dress Down.

This Thrull answers the effect right away and remains on the board, demanding an answer - keep in mind that, one of the most common answers, Solitude, doesn't affect it. It is time to RSVP this card's presence at the Karlov mansion party.

See you later!