Throne of Eldraine, the latest Magic: The Gathering set, is so mighty that you would think lists like this barely scratch the surface of what's on deck.
There are so many breakable, worthwhile cards in Modern that it's impossible to see all the ins and outs without actually playing and testing them yourself.
However, this list hopes to pinpoint the 15 most significant cards from Throne of Eldraine. Many of the cards included here can change how games unfold in the Modern format.
Hopefully, you will find something that suits your regular decks, and maybe inspire you to create something new.
Drown in the Loch
There are certain limitations when it comes to the graveyard condition of this card. Though, the flexibility of a counterspell and a removal spell at instant speed wins most disputes.
Mill players will want an entire set of this spell since they're the ones who control the state of the opponent's graveyard. But Grixis and Esper control archetypes will find this just as meaningful.
All in all, it's a perfect counter and removal card for any mid- and late-game turns.
The Royal Scions
There aren't many decks this planeswalker would call home. Admittedly, though, UR Delver and Dreadhorde Arcanist decks will settle for several copies of The Royal Scions.
Of course, a planeswalker that can't protect itself doesn't sound too intriguing. Its low mana cost and high loyalty count already make it well protected from aggro players.
This card's ultimate ability can be a great finisher, and it looks like getting there wouldn't be too troublesome.
Deafening Silence
In the history of Magic, there have been many counters to non-creature decks, such as Storm and Cheerios. But it looks like Deafening Silence is the best of them all.
Storm players can simply bounce it back, as they usually do, but if you have more than one copy on board, then dealing with them would be a lot harder.
That is why Deafening Silence is so cheap; you can cast two and three copies very early in the match-up.
Charming Prince
This is another blink spell that carries a relatively low cost of only two mana. Jeskai Saheeli is the first deck that comes to mind when looking at Charming Prince, which is where I would guess it will end up this season.
Humans can also find this card very valuable for blinking such spells like Reflector Mage, Thalia's Lieutenant, and Meddling Mage.
After Stoneforge Mystic got unbanned in Modern this summer, Charming Prince will help you get even more equipment on board.
Brazen Borrower
Tempo is written all over this new adventure card, whether you consider its instant or creature side. In the first case, you can easily remove a big blocker. And in the case of a flying Faerie, you can play it using the Flash mechanic, which will let you unleash surprise attacks at the end of the turn.
This card will be huge in any Blue-Black Faerie deck precisely for the reasons. The flexibility has always been an enormous boon for tempo decks, and this one will undoubtedly prove its worth.
Stonecoil Serpent
Hardened Scales decks have a new fancy toy to play with.
Hardened Scales' power level can be massive. If you consider the effect of Solidarity of Heroes, which doubles the number of +1/+1 counters on Stonecoil Serpent for mere two mana, you have a powerful card in your hands.
That would be more than enough to swing for lethal damage early on in a match-up. It also dodges a large number of multicolored removals, such as Terminate, Assassin's Trophy, and Abrupt Decay.
Castle Locthwain
A new rare land cycle in Throne of Eldraine offers some cool lands, but Castle Locthwain looks interesting for several Modern decks, such as Jund and 8-Rack.
Its draw ability works well in decks that empty their hand quickly, so this it requires a specific approach. Some players will find a way to fit this in Death's Shadow, too.
In either case, it will surely find its home in Modern. All we need is time to test it out properly.
Mystic Sanctuary
Modern players can use this card in so many ways, but the most interesting one is combining it with Cryptic Command.
Here's the possible sequence:
- Play Mystic Sanctuary
- Play Cryptic Command with one of the abilities to return a permanent to their controller's hand
- Return Mystic Sanctuary to your hand
- Play Mystic Sanctuary again
- Put Cryptic Command on top of your library
- Rinse and repeat
This simple combo will let you loop the combo and have infinite Cryptic Commands. Not many decks will be able to play against it.
Castle Garenbrig
It seems that Wizards of the Coast has specifically designed this card to cast Primeval Titan. It costs six mana and is a green creature that ramps for more green mana.
What Castle Garenbrig potentially allows you to cast Primeval Titan on turn three or four. That's powerful and will probably not find too many counters these days.
Emry, Lurker of the Loch
This little Merfolk Wizard can perform mindblowing combos in Modern with artifacts like Mishra's Bauble, Welding Jar, Pyrite Spellbomb, and many others.
It plays well in well-established decks like Whirza, Lantern Control, and Affinity. If this little fella' turns out to be as strong as it looks, then we may have another candidate for a new ban in Modern, just as with Hogaak this past summer.
Thrill of Possibility
When Faithless Looting was banned in Modern, many Magic: The Gathering players sighed relief. Others were furious.
Although Thrill of Possibility is not as good as Faithless Looting, it's something everyone can play. It is also much better than Tormenting Voice since it's an instant, flexible spell.
Consequently, it may see play in Dredge and Young Pyromancer decks.
Fires of Invention
Foretold from Amonkhet is still played in some Modern decks with colossal success. However, this only applies to blue decks.
Fires of Invention offers something similar, but for red decks. You can play this enchantment on turn four and immediately play another spell, which costs four mana, for free.
On the next turn, you can play a land and cast two spells that cost five mana for free, and so on. It turns out to be a reliable ramp card, which quickly breaks in Modern.
Once Upon a Time
This instant spell combines well with either Birds of Paradise or Llanovar Elves. If you have either of those cards in your opening hand but no lands, then you can use Once Upon a Time to find one.
On the other hand, if you have lands but no cheap mana producers, then you can use Once Upon a Time to find such cards.
In either case, Once Upon a Time will play a key role in ramping fast and early in any match-up.
Wishclaw Talisman
In Modern, you can exploit a repeatable Tutor effect using Wishclaw Talisman. However, there is one drawback: you must give this card to your opponent as soon as you've used it once. But who said you couldn't bounce it back?
If you don't have bounce spells in your hand, then you can restrict your opponent from searching too far using such cards as Aven Mindcensor and Ashiok, Dream Render.
As a result, you will have your card, while your opponent will have no way to use it.
Fervent Champion
This hasty little creature can produce a lot of damage very early in the match-up. Its most peculiar ability is an equip cost reduction that can make many expensive weapons viable in Modern.
With the help of Stoneforge Mystic, you can put the best weapons from your deck right into your hand and onto the battlefield. Then, you can equip them to fervent Champion and hit for a ton on turn three.
The two most obvious weapon choices for Fervent Champion are Sword of Sinew and Steel and Sword of Truth and Justice.
---
In addition to this list of the best Throne of Eldraine cards for Modern, be sure to check out our other MtG guides below:
Published: Sep 26, 2019 06:34 am