The Runetide Flotilla and Defensive U/W

While the green-white coalition is ensconced in the Arbor trying to keep the beasts and overgrowth at bay, those who lived off on the fringes of society ended up getting pushed further and further toward the coasts. With little room, some started building a flotilla of ships and rafts to live on to both stay away from all the animals and try to stay isolated from disease.

This over years ended up growing and growing in size and population until it became a small city of its own, now known as the Runetide Flotilla. This is how blue-white will be represented in the set.

The theme here is of a very defensive, reactive posture meant to keep big creatures at bay with the two colors' emphasis on control abilities. Then the win comes from its evasive flying creatures.

Nothing terribly pioneering in the ally's nature in this set. But that's okay--not every color in a Magic set gets to go bonkers.

Particular to this set is that these two colors will have an emphasis on really shutting down large creatures. It is intended to be strong against mutate-heavy decks, but vulnerable to other decks that go wider than it does (like the green-black vermin deck) and it will be probably more vulnerable to spells as it will be focused so heavily on controlling opposing creatures. (Though of course blue can always splash in some counters).

Some card concepts:

I kind of go back and forth as to whether this is common. Detain is much more powerful than tapping, but it's also conditional. I think this can be common. I want it to be common.

And yes, I know this is actually flavored for The Arbor. But you'll still be drafting this in White-Blue.

Note that with this enchant and with the the pikeman, targeting a creature with mutate will immediately give it a +1/+1 counter, so there's some interesting interactions. Every time the pikeman detains a creature with mutate, it will get a counter. If the pikeman leaves the battlefield, you might be in some deep trouble. Also maybe the pikeman should be 3/1?

A win-condition card for white. Note that creatures that have been detained or are otherwise unable to attack can still contribute to the angel's triggered ability. She's intended to help you stabilize if you're confronted with big beasts.

Very simple variation on blue unblockability.

I've tinkered with the bird lord, which is also the signpost uncommon for blue-white:

A bit of a wonky ability. I wanted to make it clear that this color combo is not about going tall, but rather taking the high route. I don't like the activation cost, but given that it's uncommon, it seems like it's necessary for a repeat trigger.