Beastly Mage

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Anbu [Rising Threat]
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Remember that exclusive preview we did a few weeks back? This card has the same name and has nearly the same effect but better. The benefits that this Anbu has over the other one are that it has arguably better stats, a better effect, and is Leaf rather than Mist, which helps with cards like Succeeded Will Of Fire and the [Reliance] Ninjas.

This card will be played in threes in Fire decks, and probably splashed for other elements. Free deployment is always great, and no card can do it better than Anbu. It also makes it rather easy to play "World of Fire". If you get the right hand, You can mill half of your opponent's deck as early as turn one.

Limited: 4.75/5
Unlimited: 4.5/5
Block: 4.5/5

Happy new format! from my own initial testing, i personally am pretty satisfied where the balance of the elements is at. In honor of the new format, we have a card that is looking to be the most influencing card of the format, anbu rising threat.
 
Anbu is a 0/2 0/0 turn 0 fire ninja. he has anbu, which not only is cool but gives him some interesting synergy with his element.  his effect triggers from your hand to put him into play for free to give all anbu ninja +1/+1 for that turn. he's also non-unique.
 
His effect does a couple of interesting thing for this game:
 
He can allow for the under-stated curves like kiba keen nose and shino insect warrior without giving healthy status/battle rewards to the multiple 4/0's of this game.
 
anbu can give a free two blocks while playing your a double personality sakura or other battle avoiding ninjas on 0.
 
 Anbu also can make your on-par 4/0 combat turn 0 into the magic 7 (7 is important as temari cant block by herself and maintain healthy status)
 
The last thing I'll touch on is that anbu allows for three double drops in the game, to be used whenever a player may wish.
 
Fire-Anbu is a automatic three of, on 0 fire is not blessed with the best lineup, but not the worst either, anbu helps reduce the limited options fire has on 0.
 
Wind-another automatic three of. Anbus synergy with temari is very strong.
 
Lightning-easily a three of, either for aggressive decks or for the more later game based decks of lightning, anbu is the first guy to look at.
 
Earth-with sakura adp back at three, earths 0 lineup goes from stat oriented to a more effect oriented, anbu providing at the least two free blocks is very useful in a deck that is going to be losing the stat war.
 
Water-with giant spider being in the deck, water will either back off its early game stat advantages or will ignore anbu completely. time will tell which method is more effect i think.
 
Void-if you want to play anbu, forget playing deidara and kisame, find someone else on those turns. Kisame is hard to imagine losing, so it's possible that void players take a pass on anbu.
 
Anbu is a very interesting card, mostly because if he's the next victim of the ban list, the masses will simply play the mist variant, so there's the feeling that this card will be around through even the next rotation. better get your foils before he goes up to set 12 shino insect warrior prices;)
 
Limited: 5/5 (rush rush and rush)
Block:
Fire: 5/5
Wind: 5/5
Lightning: 5/5
Earth: 5/5
Water:3/5
Void: 2/5
Art: 5/5 (thanks for putting that effect on this anbu, easily the coolest mask)
 
I'm DIMHWT, and this was the naruto COTD, see you tomorrow ;)