A new iteration of a divisive planeswalker has been released in Magic.
If you were diving into competitive or semi-competitive Magic: The Gathering back in 2019, you likely remember the frustration that Oko, Thief of Crowns brought to the game. When the top Standard deck revolves around Food tokens and Pro Tour matches turn into tedious marathons, it’s clear that something went awry. You might think they’d steer clear of printing another three-mana Simic planeswalker, but here we are.
Oko is back, MTG fans! This time, though, he’s not the powerhouse that had pro players like Ben Stark and LSV calling for his ban right out of the gate. The shapeshifting trickster returns in Lorwyn Eclipses as Oko, Lorwyn Liege, a blue planeswalker who can morph into the green Oko, Shadowmoor Scion. At first glance, this card doesn’t seem alarming, and it’s unlikely to join its notorious predecessor on the “three mana Simic card ban list,” alongside Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom.
Outside of tribal synergies, which mainly shine in Commander, Oko’s front side only affects the battlefield by giving -2/-0 to a target creature. As some Jace cards have shown us, that can be more impactful than it appears. With a loyalty of 4, shutting down a creature might buy you the time to flip Oko uncontested on your next turn, allowing you to create two 3/3 elk tokens. But that’s where the excitement ends.
Once you’ve activated Oko, he’s likely stuck at low loyalty (probably 1). Transforming him back into his blue form won’t change that since the card doesn’t get exiled. Spending four mana and two turns to generate two 3/3 tokens isn’t exactly thrilling in today’s competitive scene, especially if Oko gets taken out after the first, mostly inconsequential activation. It seems Wizards has learned from their past missteps.
On the lore side, Oko’s inclusion in the new set is fantastic. He’s the scion of the fairy queen Oona, who once tried to use him to circumvent the Great Aurora, the event that transforms Lorwyn into Shadowmoor and vice versa. Oko managed to escape and ended up in Eldraine, where he stirred up plenty of chaos before going through his cowboy phase on Thunder Junction. Now, he’s back home, reconnecting with his sister Maralen and even saving her life.
Lorwyn Eclipses is a delightful return to a cherished setting and a refreshing break between Universes Beyond sets. While this new Oko may not be a candidate for an immediate ban like his predecessor, he certainly succeeds in capturing the flavor of the game. Sure, he’s still a thirst trap, but at least he’s ditched the cowboy hat.
