We enter round two of the Theros block with more ‘god like’ spoils. Theros introduced some interesting cards and the return of the Scry mechanic, but what does the new Born of the Gods set have in store? As we await the full list of released cards, some have already been revealed. Let us take a look at these cards and see where they stand in the eyes of the gods.

Archetype of Imagination

Blue cards were made to control and deny your opponent and this is no exception. Archetype of Imagination has a great ability as it is able to give all of your creatures a way to jump over enemy defences. However the card quickly becomes a debateable pick due to two things, its cost and its statistics. A 3/2 for six mana is not the top choice for anyone when it comes to a draft. But you do need to keep in mind that blue creatures are meant to be this weak if they come equipped with an ability of this magnitude. If Archetype of Imagination was going to be a 6/4 creature, you can expect that the cost would go up by at least three mana to compensate. Overall, it is one of the late game surprise cards to put into your control decks. If you know your opponent can’t stop you after giving all your creatures flying, then you officially have bragging rights with this card.

Ashiok’s Adept

Wanted another method of milling your opponent? Well, welcome to the floor Ashiok’s Adept. Talk about value for any mill machine. For three mana you get a 1/3 creature that may not be good off the get go for attacks. However, he now becomes the perfect target for enchantments and bestow spells to help you get rid of your opponents deck. As well as using enchantments, you can also damage this card with targeted spells to also trigger the ability. The problem with this however is that you need damaging spells that can only do a max of two damage so that the Adept can stay alive for more. Overall a great top pick for mill players.

Ephara, God of the Polis

The first new god of the new set has been unveiled and boy is it one out look out for. Ephara is a four mana 6/5, which is instantly worth playing. In addition to being indestructible, the god is also not counted as a creature as long as your devotion to white and blue does not exceed seven. This does seem great at first but keep in mind that it is the combined devotion to those colours. So being able to efficiently manage your colours is essential for playing Ephara, more so than any of the mono coloured gods. Take advantage of the card drawing ability as well by combining Ephara with creature summon spells, even if they only create 1/1s they trigger the effect. Ephara may not be for everyone, but with the power to help you draw cards she can become a formidable force.

Everflame Eidolon

Ever wanted a card that can assist in rush down situations? Then look no further than Everflame Eidolon – do not underestimate this 1/1 spirit. For two mana you may be thinking that as a creature he isn’t worth it, and you’re right, he probably isn’t. However, Everflame is screaming for use as a turn three bestow spell. Bestow this to a weaker creature, and it now gets a 2/1 boost for that turn as well as a permanent 1/1 boost. It may not see a ton of play in late game, but for early rush tactics this card may be the saving grace.

Kiora, the Crashing Wave

The first Planeswalker revealed for the set is none other than the representative for the merfolk. Kiora originally made her debut in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 and is now given the chance to fight alongside Green-Blue aligned decks. Four mana is a great cost but the two Loyalty is a little concerning if your opponent has more than one creature. This is because you can use Kiora’s +1 on the turn she is played and potentially stop any damage done by a creature that turn. The female merfolk can also assist in card draw and land drops with her -1, which is a nice addition. Her ultimate effect can tremendously change the field as your opponent now has to decide whether to deal with you to deal with the potential 9/9 threat. This Planeswalker won’t be for everyone, but she will be sure to help in different situations.

Nyxborn Shieldmate

A valuable card for anyone playing mono white or even Black-White control, Nyxborn Shieldmate can help you depending on the situation. On turn one he can be a great asset as he deals with any other 1/1 creatures and lives. Later on he is a formidable bestow creature and can create some trouble for your opponent. Try combining the Shieldmate with Ashiok’s Adept on turn four to take a 1/3 and turn into a 2/5, as well as milling a card from your opponent. This card allows you to have flexible turns, which makes it a great draft pick.

Oreskos Sun Guide

From a white card with flexibility, to another white card with an ability that raises question marks. Oreskos Sun Guide is an efficient turn two creature, but his ability is a little lacklustre. After playing this creature, you have to wait until after Summoning Sickness to attack with it so that the un-tap ability can be taken advantage of. This makes it unreliable unless you have a way to give it haste on the turn it’s played or have a way of tapping it. Overall, the Sun Guide doesn’t seem like a great pick. If you can manage the ability from turn two, then this is a worthwhile addition.

Pain Seer

With a card draw that can be a true life saver, Pain Seer could end up seeing a lot of play as of the set’s release. If you are in need of a card draw and can reliably trigger the ability without killing the creature, Pain Seer can be the ultimate life saver in any deck running Black. There is one concern however when running with this card. Instead of losing two or three life on card draw you are losing life equal to the card’s mana cost. So if you are in need of Pain Seer’s effect, pray to Erebos that you don’t draw into a card that kills you.

Pharagax Giant

Turn five plays just got more interesting now that this beast has entered the mix. Pharagax Giant is a five mana 3/3 which may put you off, but the ability adds to the cards play value. On turn five you can put down this giant and leave your opponent with a choice. They must either make your creature into a 5/5 that cannot attack on the turn it’s summoned, or take five damage directly. Forcing your opponent to make a decision like this can affect the game in its entirety. Either way your opponent has something to worry about whilst you’re sitting down with a great flavour card on your field.

Skyreaping

A perfect counter to anything your opponent may have to end the game. Skyreaping can be helpful in both the early and late games for different reasons. Early game it can get rid of those annoying flyers that will be doing low damage each turn, whilst late game flying creatures will be almost annihilated via this sorcery’s effect. Something to keep in mind is that Skyreaping is an ideal counter to Archetype of Imagination. Suddenly all of your opponent’s flyers get their wings cut.

Springleaf Drum

An artifact that may not see play everywhere, but can be used to create some interesting plays. Springleaf Drum can see some play in conjunction with cards like Oreskos Sun Guide and Pain Seer to take advantage of their effects. Play this card on turn one and then suddenly your creatures can become colourless lands if you do not have a use for them. Not every deck needs to run this, but it can assist with acceleration in the late game.

Those are all the spoilers so far for Born of the Gods. The next instalment of the Theros block will become available on February 7th with Pre-Release events being arranged on February 1st and 2nd. What do you think of the spoilers so far? Will you be running any of these cards upon rotation? Let us know what you think in the comments.