Theros block

The Theros block, is comprised of the large expansion Theros (Template:Set symbol), and the two small expansions Born of the Gods (Template:Set symbol), and Journey into Nyx (Template:Set symbol). It is the 20^th block in Magic: The Gathering history. The block was released over 2013–2014.

Block details

Theros block features a top-down design inspired by Greek mythology. Mechanically it is also very much about tapping into the potential of enchantments.

Sets

Development codenames

The development codenames for the Theros block expansions were "Friends", "Romans", and "Countrymen".

Themes and mechanics

The Theros block had a "enchantment matters" theme and introduced enchantment creatures and enchantment artifacts. Each set featured a part of the pantheon of Gods. The keywords Bestow, Heroic, Scry, Monstrosity, Inspired and Devotion were featured in two or three of the sets.

Mega cycles

The Theros block has two mega cycles.

Cycle name	Description and notes	White card(s)	Blue card(s)	Black card(s)	Red card(s)	Green card(s)
Pantheon of Gods	Each color as well as each two-color pair receives a Legendary Enchantment Creature with the type God. All of these cards are indestructible, have a triggered or static ability, and cease to be creatures unless your Devotion to the appropriate colors is high enough. The mono-colored gods appearing in Theros also each have an activated ability designating them as major gods, while the color-pair Gods are called minor. Allied-colored gods appear in Born of the Gods while enemy-colored gods appear in Journey into Nyx.	Heliod, God of the Sun (Theros,)	Thassa, God of the Sea (Theros,)	Erebos, God of the Dead (Theros,)	Purphoros, God of the Forge (Theros,)	Nylea, God of the Hunt (Theros,)
		Ephara, God of the Polis (Born of the Gods.Template:Wu)	Phenax, God of Deception (Born of the Gods.Template:Ub)	Mogis, God of Slaughter (Born of the Gods.Template:Br)	Xenagos, God of Revels (Born of the Gods.Template:Rg)	Karametra, God of Harvests (Born of the Gods.Template:Gw)
		Athreos, God of Passage (Journey into Nyx, Template:Wb)	Keranos, God of Storms (Journey into Nyx, Template:Ur)	Pharika, God of Affliction (Journey into Nyx, Template:Bg)	Iroas, God of Victory (Journey into Nyx, Template:Rw)	Kruphix, God of Horizons (Journey into Nyx, Template:Gu)
Temples	Each of these rare lands can tap for two different colors of mana, enter the battlefield tapped, and upon entering, allow you to scry 1. In Theros, two of the temples are allied colored and three are enemy colored, following the same distribution as Gatecrash. Born of the Gods introduced the three remained allied colored temples, and Journey into Nyx introduced the two remained enemy colored temples.	Temple of Enlightenment (Born of the GodsTemplate:Wu)	Temple of Deceit (Theros, Template:Ub)	Temple of Malice (Born of the Gods, Template:Br)	Temple of Abandon (Theros, Template:Rg)	Temple of Plenty (Born of the Gods, Template:Gw)
		Temple of Silence (Theros, Template:Wb)	Temple of Epiphany (Journey into Nyx, Template:Ur)	Temple of Malady (Journey into Nyx, Template:Bg)	Temple of Triumph (Theros, Template:Rw)	Temple of Mystery (Theros, Template:Gu)

There is a Mirrored pair spanning two sets in Returned Centaur and Forsaken Drifters. Both are Zombie cards for that mill for four cards. However, Returned Centaur does this when he enters the battlefield and can force an opponent to do so, while Forsaken Drifters do it when they die and it will always be its controller who mills. Also, Forsaken Drifters is 4/2 while the Returned Centaur is 2/4.

Theme decks

Theros has five bicolored intro packs: Template:Intro packs

Born of the Gods has five bicolored intro packs: Template:Intro packs

Journey into Nyx has five bicolored intro packs: Template:Intro packs

Hero's Path

The Hero’s Path is a players' event spanning the complete Theros block. It captures the unique feel of the the mythological Hero and parallels Elspeth's quest in the storyline. Players can participate in the Hero's Path during prerelease events, FNM release events and Game Days. In each of the nine quests of the Hero's Path, they may win an unique Hero card. Collecting them, the players grow in power and become ever-increasingly more prepared for the epic conflicts at the end of each arc.

Choose a Path

In the first quest (Theros prelease) players picked their color, and received a prerelease pack (or Hero Pack) of that color: Path of Honor , Wisdom , Ambition , Battle or Might . Each Prerelease pack contained one Hero card (respectively The Protector, The Philosopher, The Avenger, The Warrior and The Hunter), which weren't for use at the Prerelease. The pack also contained a playable Prerelease promo.

Gift from the Gods

At the FNM Theros Release weekend players solved a visual puzzle in their game shop to get a second Hero card (The Harvester). By connecting the stars in the starfield the combination 5/7 appeared, which represented the power and toughness of Erebos, God of the Dead.

Face the Hydra

At Theros Game Day players pitted their deck against the special Challenge deck Face the Hydra, where they finally could use their Hero cards. By winning against the Challenge deck, they won a third Hero card (The Slayer).

Master your Destiny

The fourth quest on the Hero's Path will take place at the Born of the Gods prerelease, February 1–2, 2014. The players pick their color, and receive a prerelease pack (or Hero Pack) of that color: Destined to Lead , Outwit , Dominate , Conquer or Thrive . Each Prerelease pack contains one Hero card (respectively The General, The Savant, The Tyrant, The Warmonger and The Provider) and a playable Prerelease promo.

Venture into the Wilds

The fifth quest will take place during the FNM Born of the Gods Release weekend, February 7–9, 2014. The "Venture into the Wilds" puzzle poster contains clues that hint at one of the new cards featured in the set. Players who solve the puzzle to get a fifth Hero card (The Provider).

Battle the Horde

The sixth challenge is to Battle the Horde on March 1-2, 2014, at the Born of the Gods Game Day. By winning against the Challenge deck, players win a sixth Hero card (The Vanquisher).

Forge a Godslayer

The seventh quest on the Hero's Path will take place at the Journey into Nyx prerelease, April 26–27, 2014. The players pick their color, and receive a prerelease pack (or Hero Pack) of that color: Forged in Glory , Intellect , Tyranny , War or Pursuit . Each Prerelease pack contains a Hero Equipment card (Spear of the General, Cloak of the Philosopher, Lash of the Tyrant, Axe of the Warmonger or Bow of the Hunter) and a playable Prerelease promo. During the prerelease, players have the opportunity to win three mystical components, represented by reward stickers. Three component stickers combine in specific ways to create one of seven different enhancements. The activity card is handed in to the tournament organizer to receive the corresponding "enhancement sticker". That sticker is put on the player's Hero Card in the blank space as a new permanent ability, thus forging one the most powerful weapons on Theros: a customized Godslayer.

Journey into Nyx

The eighth quest will take place during the FNM Journey into Nyx Release weekend, May 2–4, 2014. The "Journey into Nyx" puzzle poster contains clues that hint at one of the new cards featured in the set. Players who solve the puzzle to get a eighth Hero card (The Destined).

Defeat a God

The final challenge is to Defeat a God on May 24–25, 2014, at the Journey into Nyx Game Day. Players will be able to use three of the Hero Cards they have collected and the Godslayer that they forged at the Prerelease to complete this final quest of the Hero's Path! By winning against the Challenge deck, players win a ninth Hero card (The Champion).