Although it proved to be an excellent set for Commander, MTG TMNT did not significantly impact Constructed formats. Apart from a few isolated experiments, it was one of the least relevant recent releases in this regard. With Secrets of Strixhaven now on the horizon, however, something is stirring: Casey Jones, Vigilante is starting to carve out a concrete space in Modern.
During the preview season, the card went almost unnoticed, but today it is proving to have much more to say.
Jeskai Blink finds a new engine
Casey Jones, Vigilante
Legendary Creature — Human Berserker
Casey Jones, Vigilante
Legendary Creature — Human Berserker
When Casey Jones enters, draw three cards. At the beginning of your next upkeep, discard three cards at random.
In recent weeks, several players have started testing Casey Jones, Vigilante within Jeskai Blink in Modern. The reason is an extremely effective synergy with an already established staple of the archetype: Consign to Memory.
Historically, this card is used to “stifle” the negative triggers of Phlage, Solitude, and Quantum Riddler. The same interaction works perfectly with Casey Jones as well: by neutralizing the delayed trigger, you avoid discarding three cards.
The result is impressive: Casey Jones, Vigilante effectively becomes a 4/3 for three mana that draws three cards, a decidedly off-the-charts rate. Not only that, it also becomes an ideal target for Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd and Ephemerate, allowing you to repeat the effect and reload your hand with great ease.
These lines make the deck much more solid in the mid-game: even in situations of resource scarcity, it's possible to quickly get back into the game. Furthermore, the drawn cards are never at risk of being "wasted": they can be exiled for Solitude, converted into removal via March of Otherworldly Light, or utilized for Phlage's escape after being discarded.
Casey Jones, Vigilante doesn't revolutionize Jeskai Blink's game plan, but it introduces an explosive element that was previously missing. In early tests, it has already proven to be a solid addition: SPyromancer won a Modern Challenge playing two copies, while others, like Iamyep, have gone up to three. The numbers are still settling, but it's clear that the card has stably entered the archetype.
Jeskai Blink
Jeskai Blink
A sleeper working on multiple fronts
Modern performance isn't the only positive sign. In Standard, Casey Jones, Vigilante is also finding a home in Rakdos Monument, where the discard even becomes an advantage.
Furthermore, interesting discussions are also opening up in cEDH, where Casey Jones is being evaluated as a possible Storm commander. With low-cost red copy effects like Twinflame, it becomes surprisingly easy to cycle the entire deck.
Price still low, but for how long?
Despite its results across multiple formats, Casey Jones, Vigilante remains extremely accessible for now. Near mint copies can be found on Cardmarket for around €0.90, while the Showcase Sewer Frame version hovers around €2.
At these prices, considering the potential already demonstrated across Modern, Standard, and cEDH, the card represents a decidedly interesting purchase. However, with more and more players beginning to recognize its power, it is plausible that this price window will not remain open for much longer.
To conclude, here are all the versions of Casey Jones present in the TMNT set.
