THE FANTASY WEEK IS HERE!
UNLEASH THE DRAGONS! Welcome to the third week of our January 2026 Forecast. If your collection level is crying from all the amazing drops lately, honestly, same. We are officially in the thick of the Dragon Season, and the art is hitting a level of "instant buy" that should probably come with a financial health warning.
This week, we are looking at everything from pint-sized engines of city destruction to literal cosmic gods. We’ve got high fashion sorceresses, armored lizards who clearly lift more than you, and a return to the mind-bending chaos of the Sanctum Showdown. Whether you’re here for the "aww" factor or you want a card that looks like it could eat your opponent’s turn 6 for breakfast, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into the reviews and see which variants are earning our highest ratings this week!
01/20
Fin Fang Foom: Chibi Chaos in the City!
Artist: Rian Gonzales
Source: Super Rare
Rating: 4
This variant takes Fin Fang Foom and turns him into a pint-sized engine of destruction that you want to high-five.
The detail here is quintessential Rian. Look at those sparkly, diamond eyes. He isn't just destroying a city; he’s having the absolute time of his life. He’s clutching a tiny little building like it’s a juice box, and the background is a literal explosion of her signature candy-coated dreamscape. We’ve got a small, determined Iron Man flying in from the left and a passenger plane on the right that looks like it's just trying to find a parking spot amidst the prehistoric chaos.
The colors are vibrant, popping with those neon greens, purples, and oranges that make Rian's work look like a collectible sticker came to life on your game board. It’s a total mood lifter, even if your opponent just dropped a 12-power dragon into your favorite lane.
The Perfect Split
You already know what I’m going to say. A Rainbow Kirby Krackle is the only way to go here. The colorful sparks would match the energy of the burning city and the stars in his eyes perfectly, making the entire card feel like a cosmic party.
If you want to keep the frame looking sharp, a Gold Cosmic Border would highlight those golden scales and the orange glow of the background, turning this little monster into a high-end masterpiece.
Fin Fang Foom: The Ancient Terror
Artist: Divebound Studio
Source: Conditional Bundle
Rating: 4.5
This variant is a massive departure from the "candy-coated" vibes we usually see in the Dragon Season. Divebound Studio has leaned into a high fantasy, cinematic style that makes the character feel less like a comic book villain and more like a legendary boss from a dark RPG. The level of grit here is off the charts.
The first thing you notice is the texture. Look at the way the light hits those individual green scales and the weathered, purple armor plating on his shoulders. This is a dragon that has seen some serious combat. Instead of the usual giant lizard look, we get this majestic, flowing white mane and antlers that give him an ancient, sage-like aura, even while he's screaming at the top of his lungs. The fire glowing in his throat is a terrifyingly realistic touch, making it feel like the card is seconds away from melting your screen.
It’s a serious, heavy-hitting variant that perfectly fits the "Kaiju" theme of the season.
The Perfect Split
If you’re a fan of the "shiny" stuff, a Purple Neon Border is a top-tier choice here. It would perfectly frame his armor and that glowing throat, making the entire piece feel like it’s humming with radioactive power.
Lizard: The Swamp Warlord
Artist: Divebound Studio
Source: Bundle - Morphic Punch
Rating: 4.5
If you’re tired of the standard "scientist in a lab coat" vibe, this variant is precisely what the doctor ordered, assuming that doctor is a 6-foot-tall lizard with a penchant for enchanted armor. Divebound Studio has completely reimagined Curt Connors as a battle-hardened warrior, sporting some seriously impressive purple and bronze plating that makes him look less like a Spidey villain and more like a lizard-folk general.
The lighting here is the real star of the show. The way the purple gem in his pauldron glows, casting that eerie light onto his tattered white tunic and scaly skin, gives the card a massive sense of atmosphere. And can we talk about that tongue? It’s a small, gruesome detail that perfectly captures the character’s primal nature while he’s lunging through a misty, mountainous pass. This isn't just a 2-cost card; it's a statement piece that screams "I will hold this lane until my tail falls off".
The Perfect Split
To really lean into the mystical warrior aesthetic, a Green Neon Border is the top-tier choice. It would perfectly frame his radioactive skin and highlight the subtle green mid-tones in his scales, making him look like he’s actually humming with swampy energy.
If you managed to pull an Ink Finish, you’d be looking at a gritty, classic fantasy illustration that really lets Divebound Studio’s incredible line work shine.
01/21
Morgan Le Fay: The Arcane Enchantress
Artist: Eduardo Viera
Source: Rare
Rating: 3
If you’ve been using Morgan Le Fay to pull off those massive, high-stakes turn 6 swings, Eduardo Viera has delivered the perfect variant to celebrate your mastery over the dark arts. This version of Morgan is a complete 180 from her usual "Arthurian Legend" intensity. Viera’s signature style gives her a playful, almost mischievous vibe that makes her look like she’s about to win the game and then grab a celebratory coffee.
The detail in the chaos magic is fantastic. You’ve got those swirling pink and yellow energy mandalas around her hands that really pop against her classic green outfit and skull belt. The warm, orange background creates a beautiful contrast, making Morgan the undisputed star of the frame.
The Perfect Split
To really capture the magical vibe of this card, you have to go with a Purple or Green Neon Border. It would perfectly frame those psychic energy beams and match the darker tones in her hair and cape, making the entire card feel like it’s vibrating with arcane power.
01/22
Arcane Assembly: The Fantasy Fellowship
Artist: Various (Fantasy Theme)
Source: Arcane Assembly Album
Rating: 5
This album is a masterclass in thematic consistency. Every single variant feels like it was plucked straight from the cover of a classic fantasy novel. We aren't just looking at superheroes anymore; we’re looking at a party of adventurers ready to crawl through the deepest dungeons of the multiverse.
Let’s break down the legendary 10 variants you'll need to complete this assembly:
Rewards Worth the Quest
Completing the assembly isn't just for the aesthetic flex; the rewards are top-tier for any serious collector:
3/10 Reward: "Can't Do" Emote. Perfect for letting your opponent know their combo just hit a brick wall.
5/10 Reward: A Cannonball Fantasy Variant. He looks like he’s literally launching himself out of a medieval catapult.
8/10 Reward: 3x MetalChains Card Borders. These add a rugged, industrial weight to any card they touch.
10/10 Reward: The ultimate prize, a Redwing Fantasy Variant. It’s the definitive look for the legendary bird of prey.
01/23
Victoria Hand: The Red Stripe Professional
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: Bundle - Jan 26 Han
Rating: 4.5
Victoria Hand has always been the definitive engine for decks that love generating cards, but this variant finally gives her a look that matches her authority. Creative House Pocket has nailed the anime-inspired, high-fashion vibe here. The pinstripe red suit is a massive standout!
The color palette is incredibly punchy. You have these vibrant pink and blue sunset hues in the background that make the deep reds of her suit and hair look like they’re glowing. It’s a clean, modern design that moves away from her usual tactical gear, making her feel like a legendary power player in a high-stakes corporate thriller. If you’re running her alongside Valentina or Kate Bishop to flood your hand with buffed-up tokens, this is the version you want representing your board.
The Perfect Split
To keep the aesthetic as sharp as her suit, you have to go with a Pink Cosmic Border. It would excellently match the sunset background and the purple accents in her hair, creating a cohesive, "Cyberpunk" look that feels incredibly premium.
01/24
Eson: The Celestial Searcher
Artist: Eric Guerrero
Source: Bundle - Celestial Seeker
Rating: 5
Eson is already a powerhouse for any deck that loves generating value, but this variant gives him a sense of "cosmic authority" that’s hard to ignore. Eric Guerrero has absolutely mastered the lighting here. You have those six glowing eyes and the core energy segments that really pop against the deep blue of the nebula background. The way he’s holding his massive staff while reaching through the frame gives the card an incredible sense of presence, making it look like he’s physically manifesting onto your game board.
The detail on the armor is staggering. You can see the intricate, stone-like textures on his copper and gold plating, which creates a dark, moody contrast against the twinkling stars and distant planets behind him. It captures the character in his most aggressive form, wreathed in a golden aura that radiates pure authority.
The Perfect Split
To really lean into the cosmic mysticism, a Gold Cosmic Border is the only way to go. It would perfectly complement the golden armor and the stars in the art, making the entire card look like it was forged in the heart of a sun.
01/25
Pixie: The Street-Level Sorceress
Artist: Ben Harvey
Source: Super Rare
Rating: 4
Pixie is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward card, shuffling costs like a chaotic dealer at an underground casino. Ben Harvey has perfectly captured that kinetic energy here. Forget the whimsical butterfly vibes we usually get; this variant feels gritty and cinematic. Pixie is captured mid-air against a towering cityscape, with her wings spread wide and those signature pink and yellow energy trails crackling around her.
The contrast is what really makes this work. Her dark, sleek suit and intense expression are set against the cool blue glow of the city lights at night. The way the energy flashes across the frame gives the card a massive sense of motion, almost like she’s vibrating right out of the digital cardboard. It’s a sharp, modern take on Megan Gwynn that makes her feel like an elite urban defender.
The Perfect Split
To really make this card pop off the screen, you have to go with a Pink Cosmic Border. It ties in perfectly with her signature hair and the psychic energy trails, making the entire design feel cohesive and vibrant.
Sasquatch: The Alpha Flight Enforcer
Artist: Marcelo Vignali
Source: LTM: Sanctum
Rating: 3.5
While we’ve seen some great Sasquatch variants lately, including that massive Winking Studios version from the recent album, this one from Marcelo Vignali hits different; it moves away from the more "noble" or "scientific" depictions of Heather Hudson. It leans fully into the primal terror of the transformation.
The composition here is fantastic. Sasquatch is looming out of a misty forest, teeth bared and claws ready to shred whatever lane your opponent thought was safe. Vignali’s use of lighting is subtle but effective; those glowing red eyes are the only thing you’d see before a 10 power drop ruins your afternoon. The textured detail on the fur and the sheer muscle mass of the character make it feel like she’s actually vibrating with rage on the card. If you’re playing a bounce or zoo deck to cheat her out for cheap, this is the definitive variant to let your opponent know you mean business.
The Perfect Split
To really lean into the "horror in the woods" aesthetic, an Ink Finish with a Green Kirby Krackle would be breathtaking. It would turn the lush forest background into a gritty, black-and-white monster movie poster while making the energy around her look volatile and radioactive.
Mantis: The Empathic Echo
Artist: Mooncolony
Source: LTM: Sanctum
Rating: 4
If you’ve been ignoring Mantis in your collection, Mooncolony just gave you a very flashy reason to reconsider. This variant captures her mid-action, wreathed in a stunning display of psychic energy that makes her 2-power stat feel a lot more intimidating. The signature Mooncolony style is on full display here, with clean, anime-inspired linework and a vibrant use of light that makes the psychic "bloom" around her hand look like it’s actually pulsing.
The background is a gorgeous cosmic blue that makes her green and purple suit absolutely sing. It’s a sophisticated take on the character that balances her gentle nature with the raw power she brings to the board when you successfully copy an opponent's key card. It’s easily one of the most visually arresting "Rare" variants we’ve seen in a while, and it perfectly fits the mystical theme of the Sanctum Showdown event.
The Perfect Split
To lean into that psychic energy, you have to go with a Green Neon Border. It ties the energy effects and the purple accents in her hair together perfectly, creating a cohesive look that feels like the card is buzzing with telepathic power.
Hela: The Goddess of the Gilded Grin
Artist: Creative House Pocket
Source: LTM: Sanctum
Rating: 5
Hela has always been the ultimate "Turn 6 Hail Mary" card, but this variant gives her a level of anime-inspired swagger that perfectly matches her power to raise the dead. Creative House Pocket has gone for a sleek, high-fashion aesthetic here. The deep purple and electric blue of her suit are sharp, and that smirk? It's the face of someone who just discarded the INFINUAT and knows precisely where he’s landing.
The composition is pure energy. You have these massive, swirling emerald and teal magic effects framing her as she points directly at your opponent's soon-to-be-lost cubes. The neon highlights on her signature headdress make her look less like a dusty myth and more like a legendary final boss from a futuristic RPG.
The Perfect Split
To really lean into the spectral neon vibe, you have to go with a Green or White Neon Border. It would perfectly frame those mystical energy swirls and match the glowing highlights on her headdress, making the entire card look like it’s humming with radioactive magic.
If you’re hunting for a high-end flex, an Ink Finish with a Purple Kirby Krackle would be legendary. It would turn the variant into a high-contrast manga panel, pulling all the focus onto her intense gaze and that iconic silhouette while the purple sparks mimic the dark energy of the underworld.
THE WRAP-UP
What a week! From Rian Gonzales' glittery chaos to the gritty, armored realism of Divebound Studio, this stretch has proven that there is no such thing as "too many variants". Whether you're grinding the Sanctum Showdown for those exclusive LTM rewards or dropping tokens on a cosmic powerhouse like Eson, the artistic range in SNAP right now is just staggering.
Ratings are always subjective, of course. You might think a chibi dragon is a "5" while I'm over here drooling over a battle-hardened Lizard, and that is half the fun of the community. Some of these cards are pure spectacle, while others are all about that personal deck identity and letting your opponent know you have impeccable taste before you steal their cubes.
Now I want to hear from you. Did I underrate the "Goddess of the Gilded Grin," or did the "Chibi Chaos" deserve even more love? Drop your take below, and I will pick a Winner to gift a Season Pass Bundle!