I have started with the Top Green cards for Standard for the upcoming Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty set. I had realized that this weekend is the supposed schedule of the Prerelease events but due to the logistics issue that might be caused again by the pandemic, it was delayed for the Philippines. I guess I’ll just watch some product opening videos in the meantime.

The next color I have chosen to do the top Standard cards was Black, due to the reason that it was one of my deck’s colors when I was just starting to be competitive with the game. I remember playing Orzhov aggro in a Regionals event in Bacolod City back in college. It was Invasion block in the Standard format and I was using Spectral Lynx and Sengir Vampire as my main creatures.

Anyhow, here below are some of the notable Black cards from the set which I can consider as an upgrade for the Standard decks.

Blade of the Oni

An evasive two-drop with a good power to deal early damage and later on can turn your lesser creature into a 5/5 menacing Demon. It is also non-Legendary so having a playset in the deck would not hurt.

Biting-Palm Ninja

This is a good three-drop creature with Ninjutsu as its Coercion effect gives you the chance to discard their best card at the moment and also know their next moves. This will fit perfectly in the Dimir Ninja Rogues deck.

Dockside Chef

Another Black sacrifice enabler with card draw for replacement. I see the current Standard Rakdos Sacrifice deck having this as another component of their engine.

Hidetsugu, Devouring Chaos

Speaking of another sacrifice compo for Rakdos, this provides a variance as its late-game pseudo-card draw effect on exiling the top card of your library and being able to play it this turn. The bonus damage effect can act as a finisher, while indirectly attacking the life total of the opponent.

Junji, the Midnight Sky

The same description can be said the last time I previewed this card in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty batch spoilers. The mana cost, the power/toughness, the flying menace ability are all too good in value.

Malicious Malfunction

Cheap removals like this for Black-based control decks are essential components of the sideboard. The bonus exile effect would also trigger in that turn when you cast spot removals and destroy effects.

March of Wretched Sorrow

The cost of exiling several cards while getting you to deal with an early threat is a good trade. Life gain is also a plus. Imagine drawing into your bulky spells in your early turns, but you have March of Wretched Sorrow to protect you from early damage.

Nashi, Moon Sage’s Scion

This Legendary Rat Ninja is auto-included in the Dimir deck with its card advantage provided at any cost err life. You just need a good creature curve so it can be out to Ninjutsu by your turn four.

Soul Transfer

It is a slow but situational Hero’s Downfall and the good thing is the chance that you can choose both by having an artifact & an enchantment in play. Need a gas late game? Just return your best creature or planeswalker back to your hand.

Tatsunari, Toad Rider

A good three-drop that can summon a 3/3 Frog token, the only commitment in your deck build is to have enchantment creatures in the list. It is not that hard to fulfill as Kamigawa has a lot of options for you to check.

You Are Already Dead

Nani???? *twinkling sounds*

Takenuma, Abandoned Mire

The Black Channel land is a good utility in the late game having the chance to return your best creature or planeswalker back to your hand. Adding three copies in the deck would not hurt. That is unless you are too unlucky to draw three of them in your starting hand.