Throne of Eldraine: Conclusions and Additions

Well this set is just plain lovely. I don't know why I like this Brothers Grimm, Arthurian mix of mythology and lore in the Magic setting so much. I didn't expect to but it is done so well in flavour and art that I cannot help be enchanted by it all. The cards are a delight on all fronts including the all important design. When things are great at what they are designed to do but also fire on other cylinders powerfully as well it creates an overall most impressive set. I really have almost nothing bad to say about this one. It feels like Modern Horizons except that it has flavour and theme added perfectly in a way that really adds to it as well as being reasonably priced! I have already done far more draft and sealed events for Throne than I have for any set since I was playing competitively. So far it seems pretty good for limited too although it is too early to say and I am no authority on that. I have had one of the most extreme limited control decks as well as some pretty all in aggro decks which is a good sign the format is diverse and interesting.

The set doesn't even feel like it has a load of dud commons just to fill out packs and support a tried and testing booster draft meta. The commons are interesting and powerful and playable and broadly feel like they are at least uncommon. There have been a lot of recent sets where few to no commons wind up doing much of much, certainly not in the drafting cube. This set has multiple as well as a healthy chunk of strong and interesting uncommons too. I think the power level of this set hits a good sweet spot. Nothing is totally absurd (for drafting cube and probably singleton in general at least) yet lots has interest and value. Some ideas have been pushed which is always promising. I am excited to see more one mana ramp and more free spells and effects that happen without mana. I am even more excited to see the push to make more playable cards for use on turn one. Things like Merchant of the Vale are a somewhat new take on ways to make viable one drops and I am hoping to see more in the same vein. Despite my attempts to reduce the length of my reviews this has been one of the longest. I am not sure if it the interesting design, impressive power level, or just my fondness for the set that has lead to this long review. Usually when you have multiple reasonable sounding explanations like this it is a bit of each of them.




IN


Oko, Thief of Crowns
Witching Well
Gilded Goose
Foulmire Knight
Venerable Knight
Once Upon a Time
Murderous Rider
Charming Prince
Torban, Thane of Red Fell
Brazen Borrower
Fabled Passage
Thrill of Possibility


TEST (high expectations)


Vantress Gargoyle
Bonecrusher Giant
Rankle, Master of Pranks
Faerie Guidemother
Questing Beast
Embercleave
Wicked Wolf
Wildborn Preserver
Epic Downfall
Specter's Shriek
Castle Embereth
Castle Ardenvale
Castle Garenbrig
Castle Vantress
Castle Locthwain
Merchant of the Veil
The Great Henge


TEST (low expectations)


Stormfist Crusader
Garruk, Cursed Huntsman
Lovestruck Beast
Order of Midnight
Slaying Fire
The Royal Scions
Mystical Dispute
Doom Fortold
Wishclaw Talisman
Witch's Vengeance
Giant Killer
Covetous Urge
Robber of the Rich
Claim the Firstborn
Gadwick the Wizened
Opportunistic Dragon
Idyllic Grange
Fae of Wishes
Kenrith's Transformation
So Tiny
Return of the Wildspeaker
Mystic Sanctuary
Rimrock Knight
Dawrven Mine
Crashing Drawbridge


CONSTRUCTED RESERVES

Witch's Cottage
Golden Egg
Eye Collector
Tome Raider
Maraleaf Pixie
Fearie Vandal
Midnight Clock
Smitten Swordmaster
Syr Konrad, the Grim
Tournament Grounds
Embereth Sheildbreaker
Belle of the Brawl
Knight's Charge
Acclaimed Contender
The Circle of Loyalty
Worthy Knight
Blacklance Paragon
Inspiring Veteran
Wintermoor Commander
All that Glitters
Corridor Monitor
Frogify
Rosethorn Acolyte
Beanstalk Giant
Savvy Hunter
Arcanist's Owl
Witch's Oven
Alela, Artful Provocateur
Banish into Fable
Faerie Formation
Gluttonous Troll
Once and Future
Emry, Lurker of the Loch
Trail of Crumbs
Feasting Troll King
Curious Pair
Hypnotic Sprite
Ayara, First of Locthwain
Gingerbrute
Inquisitive Puppet
Fervent Champion
Cauldron Familiar
Redcap Mele
Edgewall Inkeeper
Deafening Silence
Glass Casket
Thunderous Snapper
Oathsworn Knight
Faeburrow Elder
Stonecoil Serpent
Dance of the Manse
Irencrag Feat
Mirrormade
Clockwork Servant
Fires of Invention
Bartered Cow
Giant Opportunity
Linden, Steadfast Queen
Yorvo, Lord of Garenbrig
Forever Young
Cauldron of Eternity
Overwhelmed Apprentice
Syr Faren, the Hengehammer
Lucky Clover
Gingerbread Cabin
Irencrag Pyromancer
Improbable Alliance
Mantle of Tides
Locthwain Gargoyle
Deathless Knight
Happily Ever After
Hushbringer
Merfolk Secretkeeper
Drown in the Loch
Folio of Fancies