Theros: Beyond Death Conclusions and Additions

I like the set and the cards and the flavour and really most things here. It is not my favourite or anything like that, I just quite like it. There are some interesting cards and some really impressive flavour wins. What there is not is anything oppressive or bonkers, at least not in a limited format. Plenty of cards just at or above the drafting cube threshold but just none above that. My thoughts on the power level of this set rather depend. I would like to see sets a little more powerful but only on the condition that there is less new product released each year. Given how much product is coming out the power level of this set seems pretty spot on. We could afford a couple more cards in the 8/10 rating region for which this set gave us none. Plenty more sets to get such things in. Certainly Throne of Eldraine proved you don't want too many bombs all at once and probably did for our 8/10+ cards for the time being! A card too powerful for a format is a bad thing but it is made even worse by there being many.

This set will not have a huge impact on cube compared to other recent sets but it does give us some nice support cards and a load of welcome depth. The biggest impact to cube I think will be due to just one card - Thassa's Oracle. I feel like it will be in the same sort of camp as Emrakul the Promised End or Recurring Nightmare. A kind of inevitability that you can rely on and build around. The icing that will go on to finish off a lot of differing archetypes. I think it will make draw spells a lot more powerful and playable. I might even consider reinstating Fact or Fiction just to see how that works out. The next biggest deal will likely be from Shadowspear just slightly taking the edge off some otherwise pretty tedious cards. Welcome but very minor.




To Add


Elspeth Conquers Death
Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis
Thassa's Oracle
Woe Strider
Anax, Hardened by the Forge
Omen of the Sea
Ashiok, Nightmare Muse
Shadowspear


To Test (High Hopes)



Ox of Agonas
Heliod, Sun-Crowned
Tymaret Calls the Dead
The First Ironian Games
Thassa's Intervention
Phoenix of Ash
Eat to Extinction
Storm's Wrath
Nightmare Shepherd
Shatter the Sky
Thryx, The Sudden Storm
Tectonic Giant
The Birth of Meletis
Medomai's Prohpecy
Elspeth's Nightmare
Mire Triton
Mogis's Favour
Cling to Dust
Klothys, God of Destiny
Kunuros, Hound of Athreos
Dream Trawler
Uro, Titan of Nature's Wrath



To Test (low expectations)


Erebos, Bleak-Harted
Atris, Oracle of Half-Truths
Kiora Bests the Sea God
Nadir Kraken
Eidolon of Obstruction
Lampad of Death's Vigil
Dryad of the Ilysian Grove
Daxos, Blessed by the Sun
Tymaret, Chosen from Death
Omen of the Sun
Omen of the Forge
Chainweb Aracnir
Blood Aspirant
Alirios Enraptured
Agonizing Remorse
Drag to the Underworld
Threnody Singer
Whirlwind Denial
Reverent Hoplite
Daybreak Chimera
Stern Dismissal
Satyr's Cunning
Gallia, of the Endless Dance
Sentinel's Eyes
Bronzehide Lion
Polukranos Unchained
Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger
Careless Celebrant



For the Constructed Things


Thassa
Purphoros
Nylea
Aphemia, the Cacophony
Arasta of the Endless Web
Storm Herald
Destiny Spinner
Treacherous Blessing
Setessan Champion
Underworld Breach
Alseid of Life's Bounty
Callaphe, Beloved of the Sea
Renata, Called to the Hunt
The Binding of the Titans
Omen of the Dead
Omen of the Hunt
Sage of Mysteries
Mystic Repeal
Hateful Eidolon
Pious Wayfarer
Pharika's Libation
Relentless Pursuit
Thirst for Meaning
Soul-Guide Lantern
Nyx Lotus
Staggering Insight
Siona, Captain of the Pyleas
Mischievous Chimera
Hero of the Nyxborn
Enigmatic Incarnation
Dalakos, Crafter of Wonders
Archon of Sun's Grace
Wavebreak Hippocamp
Discordant Piper
Hero of the Pride
Acolyte of Affliction
Slaughter Priest of Mogis
Wolfwillow Haven