Magic: The Gathering’s next set, Theros: Beyond Death, releases in just a few weeks, which means it’s time for Spikes to start doing their homework. Next weekend’s pre-release events will offer a ton of opportunities to play Sealed tournaments and Drafts, so players should start thinking now about which cards are best for the Limited environment.

For those new to Magic: The Gathering tournaments, Limited is a style of competition where players open a certain about of packs (or draft a certain number of packs) and can only use the cards from that pool during their matches. This pretty greatly changes the power level of decks and forces players to get creative and concentrate on bombs, removal, and the most reliable staples.

One nice thing about Limited is that players don’t need to worry about spending a lot of money building a deck full of the most expensive Theros: Beyond Death cards. Instead, they’re able to just focus on building the most efficient deck from the card pool that they’ve opened. To help with that, it’s good to identify some of the best Limited cards ahead of time, so that the drafting or deck-building process is a little easier.

Keep in mind that Theros: Beyond Death is a set with a focus on Devotion and it is likely to reward monocolor decks, but there will be a few cards that push players into two colors. Playing three colors, even if it’s just a splash, is likely very dangerous and probably should be avoided if possible.

White

Archon of Sun’s Grace

This is a super powerful rare that white Devotion decks are going to eat up. Flying and Lifelink on a 3/4 are powerful enough, but the added bonuses make it even more powerful.

Banishing Light

Banishing Light is still powerful removal in TBD, but please be careful with it. Many decks will be running mainboard enchantment removal, which means Banishing Light isn’t the same kind of permanent removal that it typically is in other sets.

Elspeth, Sun’s Nemesis

Elspeth is a strong planeswalker that can dominate the game once it hits the battlefield. It’s ability to Escape makes it a recurring threat that will drive opponents mad.

Heliod, Sun-Crowned

Opening a Mythic Rare in Limited isn’t going to happen a lot, but players who manage to crack open Heliod will be very happy when they do. This God can dominate a game when it lands without much help at all.

Heliod’s Intervention

Heliod’s Intervention represents some frighteningly efficient removal that we definitely don’t want to be on the receiving end of. This card is obviously going to be better in some board states than others, but in general seems very powerful.

Shatter the Skies

Board wipe effects are always going to be bombs in Limited and Theros: Beyond Death is no exception. This sort of game reset has a ton of potential and is a powerful tool in any deck.

Taranika, Akroan Veteran

Talk about a creature that is perfect for Limited white aggro decks. This three-drop does a top of upside and is going to be powerful even when it is cast later in the game.

Blue

Kiora Bests The Sea God

Seven mana is a TON of mana in Limited. But that said, casting Kiora Bests the Sea God is going to be a game winner when it can be pulled off. The value of this card will completely rely on how fast this format ends up being. In general, passing up the opportunity to put an 8/8 hexproof creature on the board isn’t something many players are going to want to do.

Nadir Kraken

This card is great early in the game and will be a serious problem for opponents when it is actually cast on turn three.

Thassa, Deep-Swelling

Thassa is one of the best Gods for Limited thanks to her powerful two abilities. Players who can also reliably get to five devotion will cause some serious problems for their opponents.

Thryx, the Sudden Storm

Five-mana for a 4/5 Flying that can enter the battlefield at instant speed is all we need to hear. The additional ability is great too, but this creature is going to cause some major swings even just as a body on the board.

 

Green

Setessan Champion

This is one of the Rares that will be likely to pull drafters into green if they open it early in a tournament. The three-drop has some great early game defense, becomes more powerful the longer it’s around, and gives added card draw. That makes this card powerful at nearly any point in the game, which means players should value it very highly while drafting.

Nylea, Keen-Eyed

Not all gods are great for Limited, but Nylea actually does some solid work. Additional card draw and casting spells at a cheaper cost are both huge benefits in Limited, so if players are lucky enough to open this Mythic Rare early in a draft, it is worth a pick.

Loathsome Chimera

Although X/1s usually aren’t anything to write home abut, this Chimera is an exception to that rule. Three mana for four power is a great deal for Green and the added bonus that this card will likely return from the graveyard as a 5/2 for 5-mana later in the game helps make it a solid playable common.

Return to Nature

In most sets Return to Nature is strictly a sideboard card, but in Theros: Beyond Death it becomes premium removal. This set is full of powerful enchantments and players should always plan to have a way to remove them. The added benefit of exiling a card fro the graveyard before it can use Escape makes it even more powerful.

Mystic Repeal

Again, removal is crucial. Green scores one of the best removal cards in the set with Mystic Repeal, so expect this card to be a first pick from plenty of packs. One mana to bury an enchantment at the bottom of its owner’s library is a huge score in Limited.

Renata, Called to the Hunt

Renata starts out as a 2/3 for four that has an upside when you play additional creatures and only gets better from there. This is a powerful Devotion-themed card that will be best in monogreen decks, but is honestly always going to be powerful whenever it is cast.

Be sure to check back in the near future for more Magic: The Gathering strategy guides, news, and updates. Until then, draw well, planeswalkers!

Magic: The Gathering’s Theros: Beyond Death set releases January 24, 2020. Magic Arena is available now in select regions on Android and iOS devices. The Magic: The Gathering Throne of Eldraine expansion set is available now.