A sample of Theros cards used in one Modern Daily

A friend recently told me that Theros block cards saw no play in Modern. That sounded strange to me so I decided to have a look.

I considered this Daily Event: http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/mtgo-standings/modern-daily-2014-07-16

I noted that the excellent new web site from Wizards had a draft viewer for a Constructed Daily Event. How very useful!

Anyway, this is what I found:

Eidolon of the Great Revel and Thoughtseize were the most played cards. The Eidolon actually appeared in two 4-0 decks and four 3-1 decks. It seems to have a solid spot in Burn nowadays.

Three other THS block cards saw main deck play: Temple of Mystery, Courser of Kruphix and Keranos, God of Storms.

That was it.

Fearing that my friend was actually right, I had to look at sideboard usage of the most recent expert level block as well.

The sideboard cards I found were Anger of the Gods (plenty of those), Eidolon of Rhetoric, Thoughtseize, Keranos (again), Searing Blood and Swan Song.

Not an exceptional strong showing for Theros block.

How can you use this information?

Theros block cards are now at their cheapest price before they rotate out in October 2015. If you intend to play Modern before the end of the next PTQ Season (which should end in August 2015 unless they move it again) you should take this opportunity to get the Modern cards you need. They will not be significantly affected by the end of the current Modern PTQ Season as Standard influence card prices much more than Modern does - and these cards are Standard legal for a long time to come.

What other cards from Theros block sees play in Modern?

Remember, this was just one single Daily Event. Which other cards have you seen? Answer in the comments below.

The time to pick up your Theros block cards for the fall is soon

I wrote about this before so this is just a friendly reminder. Pick up your Theros block cards in June.

If you want to know why you should pick up the Theros block cards you want for Khans of Targir standard now, check out this blog post:

http://mtgolibrary.blogspot.se/2013/11/when-to-invest-in-fall-set-theros-for.html

Short version: Its the summer slump. Very soon interest will switch to Vintage Masters and M15. Be sure to pick up all the Theros block cards you need for play in september AND all the cards you want to speculate on.

This was the time you could pick up Jace, Architect of Thought at 14 a year ago and then sell it six months later for 38.

The five gods from Journey into Nyx

We have already met the five major gods and five of the minor gods of Theros. But there are still five more gods to be published in Journey into Nyx (prerelease events start on April 26, 2014).

Let me tell you about these five minor gods.

Iroas, God of Victory (RW)
Iroas is the twin brother of Mogis and while both are gods of war, they have a very different outlook and do not get along. He is worshipped in Akros and the Iroan Games (the Theros version of the Olympics) are held in his honor.

The flavor text from Arena Athlete: “The Iroan Games award no medals. Athletes vie for a visit from Iroas, god of victory.”  


Athreos (BW)
It is unclear what Athreos title will be a this time. He is Charon, the ferryman, and is responsible for getting those who die to Erebos's realm. He is surely upset about the Returned who defied the orderly process of Death that Athreos is responsible for.

The flavor text from Sentry of the Underworld: “When Athreos gathers the newly dead to be ferried across the Five Rivers that Ring the World, he sends skeletal griffins to fetch those who stray.” 

Pharika (GB)
She is the godess of Gorgons, healing and poison. She appears as a Gorgon herself. The other gods most likely despise her.

Pharika’s Cure has the flavor text:"’The venom cleanses the sickness from your body, but it will not be pleasant, and you may not survive. Pharika’s blessings are fickle.’ —Solon, acolyte of Pharika”

Keranos, God of Storms (RU)
While Heliod is the lawful good side of Zeus, Keranos seems to be the wrathful, Lightning side of Zeus. If it wasn't for the blue side of him he would seem to be very much like Thor of Nordic mythology. When he is not blasting stuff, Keranos sends visions and prophecies all over the place. One of his most well-known followers is the Queen of Akros, Cymede, a frequent receives of his visions.

The flavor text from Steam Augury: “Keranos is a fickle god, delivering punishment as readily as prophecy.” 

Kruphix, God of Horizons (UG)
Kruphis is pretty much a mystery at this Point. He does not seem to be very Simic at all, but rather deal in time, unblockability and untapping things. We just don't know very much about him at this point in time, which surely is what he intends.

The flavor text from Prophet of Kruphix: "Time is fluid as a dance and truth as fleeting."