Loki, God of Mischief is a new card releasing in the Marvel Superheroes expansion. At first glance, the Villain for and an effect reminiscent of the banned Nadu, Winged Wisdom doesn't stack up.
Loki, God of Mischief subtleties might be overlooked because of the comparison to a card that should never have seen print and was an admitted mistake by Wizards of the Coast. The relatively simple text by today's standards applies in many ways that are not immediately obvious.
The first subtlety is "whenever a player or permanent," which is different than "you or a permanent you control," as many of our brains might shortcut to. While the effect is compatible with Nomads en-Kor and Shuko as Cephalid Breakfast players might be excited about, it works just as well when interacting with the opponent.
For example, if you control Loki, God of Mischief and tutor Skateboard off your Urza's Saga, tapping an opposing creature or land will draw you a card. Anything you target with Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd, Flickerwhisp, or Orcish Bowmasters will draw you a card.
My beloved Jace, The Mind Sculptor unsummoning a creature with Loki, God of Mischief on board draws a card. My nemesis Teferi, Time Raveler bouncing anything draws an additional card. Mishra's Bauble and Urza's Bauble will both draw an additional card. Think of this simple sequence:
Turn two, cast Mishra's Bauble, cast Urza's Bauble, cast Loki, God of Mischief, sacrifice a Mishra's Bauble, draw a card. Pass turn, draw off a Mishra's Bauble in their upkeep, sacrifice Urza's Bauble before their draw step, draw a card. On your turn three, draw off Urza's Bauble, draw for turn. You have drawn two additional cards and know two cards in your opponent's hand.
If your opponent has a legendary creature, Karakas bouncing it draws a card. Likewise, protecting Loki, God of Mischief with Karakas draws a card. Bojuka Bog draws a card. Endurance and Solitude draw a card.
There are deck building considerations for Loki, God of Mischief since he cares about abilities not spells, but plenty of tools that already see play at the top of the format trigger his effect.
I don't expect Loki, God of Mischief to overhaul the format, but I wouldn't sleep on it either. I bet he'll live up to his moniker.
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Featured image: Loki, God of Mischief by Vilhelmas Banys
