MTG just printed another three-mana Oko, but it's not as controversial

Lorwyn Eclipsed asks, "Who let the elks out?"

If you were playing competitive or semi-competitive Magic: The Gathering back in 2019, then you will surely remember the misery that Oko, Thief of Crowns brought to tables all over the world. When the strongest deck in Standard is built around Food tokens, and matches at Pro Tour level become tedious, endless drags, you know that Wizards messed it up badly. So, you'd think they would never print another Simic three-mana planeswalker again, right? Wrong.

Oko is back, MTG fans, but despite costing three mana again, this time he's far from the power level that had pro players like Ben Stark and LSV recommend his ban almost as soon as the card was printed. The sexy shapeshifter who really hates shirts and covering his abs returns in Lorwyn Eclipsed as Oko, Lorwyn Liege, a blue planeswalker that can transform into the green Oko, Shadowmoor Scion. At first glance, this card should not raise any alarms, and I don't expect it to join its infamous predecessor on the "three mana Simic card ban list," along with Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath, and Nadu, Winged Wisdom.

Outside of tribal synergies, which are prominent mostly just in Commander, the front side of Oko only impacts the battlefield by giving -2/-0 to a target creature. As a few Jace cards taught us, that's better than it looks. Bringing Oko's loyalty to a respectable 4, shutting down a creature may give you the time to flip Oko uncontested on the next turn, and then generate two 3/3 elk tokens. However, that's where the fun ends.

Your Oko is now stuck at low loyalty (likely 1). Even transforming him back into his blue version won't change that (as the card doesn't get exiled). Paying four mana and spending two turns to make two 3/3 tokens is hardly exciting in today's competitive environment, and that's if Oko doesn't get sniped after the first, mostly irrelevant activation. So it does seem like Wizards has learnt from past mistakes.

Nonetheless, the inclusion of Oko in the new set is great from a lore perspective. The trickster is the scion of the fairy queen Oona, who once attempted to use him to bypass the effects of the Great Aurora, the event that causes Lorwyn to change into Shadowmoor and vice versa. However, Oko escaped and ended up in Eldraine, where he caused plenty of trouble before going through his cowboy phase on Thunder Junction. Now, he's finally back home, where he reconnected with his sister Maralen, saving her life in the process.

Lorwyn Eclipsed is a pleasant return to a beloved setting and a welcome respite in between Universes Beyond sets. This new Oko may not warrant a quick ban like the first, but it's surely a successful card flavor-wise. Sure, he's still a thirst trap, but at least he's not wearing a cowboy hat.