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Updating Modern with Tales of the Middle Hearth
Quick intro
Lord of the Rings: Tales from Middle-earth has arrived, and within the initial days, we've already seen a significant impact on the Modern format . Today, I'll be discussing a few of the decks utilizing cards from this set in the first week.
The One Ring Decks
We can't discuss Lord of the Rings without mentioning, of course, the Ring itself. It has proven to be one of the most powerful cards released in recent times. With a highly relevant ETB and the ability to draw numerous cards for a not-so-significant drawback. Some decks are already benefiting from its inclusion, with one even achieving a 3-1 record in a MTGO Preliminary.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560103 — 22-Jun-2023
$1126/363.49 Tix
Maindeck (61)
| Creature [14] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Azusa, Lost but Seeking | $6.49 | |
| 4 Primeval Titan | $4.99 | |
| 4 Arboreal Grazer | $0.35 | |
| 4 Dryad of the Ilysian Grove | $12.99 | |
| Artifact [9] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Expedition Map | $2.99 | |
| 4 Amulet of Vigor | $21.99 | |
| 1 Relic of Progenitus | $6.49 | |
| 3 The One Ring | $79.99 | |
| Instant [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Summoner's Pact | $4.99 | |
| Enchantment [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Urza's Saga | $42.99 | |
| Land [30] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Boros Garrison | $0.35 | |
| 2 Golgari Rot Farm | $0.39 | |
| 2 Selesnya Sanctuary | $0.35 | |
| 1 Sunhome, Fortress of the Legion | $0.35 | |
| 1 Gruul Turf | $0.39 | |
| 4 Simic Growth Chamber | $0.35 | |
| 1 Vesuva | $15.99 | |
| 1 Gemstone Caverns | $54.99 | |
| 2 Tolaria West | $1.49 | |
| 1 Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle | $23.99 | |
| 1 Slayers' Stronghold | $0.49 | |
| 1 Cavern of Souls | $42.99 | |
| 1 Breeding Pool | $20.99 | |
| 1 Crumbling Vestige | $0.35 | |
| 2 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 1 Verdant Catacombs | $20.99 | |
| 1 Otawara, Soaring City | $24.99 | |
| 2 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 4 The Mycosynth Gardens | $4.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Engineered Explosives | $11.99 | |
| 1 Pact of Negation | $12.99 | |
| 3 Dismember | $5.49 | |
| 3 Swan Song | $12.99 | |
| 3 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 1 Haywire Mite | $3.99 | |
| 1 Generous Ent | $0.69 | |
| 1 The One Ring | $79.99 | |
$363.49 Tix @cardhoarder
$9.09 / Week @cardhoarder
$1,004.08 @tcgplayer
$1,247.36 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
The One Ring is truly an intriguing card, providing protection the turn it enters play, granting you extra survivability, and allowing you to draw two more cards upon its return, which can make all the difference in a match. It is a card that Amulet decks desperately needs in order to set up unfair turns with Primeval Titan and its allies. This may not always be the case, but in builds with Karn, the Great Creator, the One Ring becomes even more interesting, enabling you to tutor a copy from the sideboard.
Speaking of Karn, another deck where this planeswalker is prevalent is the various Tron builds, and the One Ring fits perfectly into these strategies, shielding you from decks like Burn and Creativity while also providing card draw, something that this type of deck typically lacks access to.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560099 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [7] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Wurmcoil Engine | $17.99 | |
| 2 Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger | $29.99 | |
| 3 Cityscape Leveler | $14.99 | |
| Artifact [18] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Chromatic Sphere | $0.69 | |
| 3 Oblivion Stone | $0.79 | |
| 4 Chromatic Star | $0.35 | |
| 4 Expedition Map | $2.99 | |
| 3 The One Ring | $79.99 | |
| Instant [2] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Warping Wail | $0.79 | |
| Sorcery [9] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Sylvan Scrying | $0.59 | |
| 1 All Is Dust | $4.49 | |
| 4 Ancient Stirrings | $0.35 | |
| Planeswalker [6] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Karn, the Great Creator | $7.49 | |
| 2 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon | $32.99 | |
| Land [18] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Urza's Mine | $0.79 | |
| 4 Urza's Power Plant | $0.79 | |
| 4 Urza's Tower | $0.79 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 3 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 1 Blast Zone | $0.49 | |
| 1 Gemstone Caverns | $54.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ensnaring Bridge | $15.99 | |
| 1 Chalice of the Void | $54.99 | |
| 1 Pithing Needle | $0.69 | |
| 1 Tormod's Crypt | $0.59 | |
| 1 Relic of Progenitus | $6.49 | |
| 1 Liquimetal Coating | $0.35 | |
| 1 Sundering Titan | $0.69 | |
| 1 Walking Ballista | $18.99 | |
| 1 Jegantha, the Wellspring | $0.99 | |
| 1 Trinisphere | $15.99 | |
| 2 Haywire Mite | $3.99 | |
| 1 Cityscape Leveler | $14.99 | |
| 1 The Stone Brain | $1.99 | |
| 1 The One Ring | $79.99 | |
$256.41 Tix @cardhoarder
$6.41 / Week @cardhoarder
$638.14 @tcgplayer
$840.85 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Delighted Halfling Decks
A card that really caught my eye in the spoiler is one that synergizes well with numerous legendary cards in the format. Being able to cast a Teferi, Time Reveler without it being counterable is a game-changer against many decks in the format. Additionally, having a toughness of 2 is quite relevant in a metagame with Wrenn and Six. This card fits nicely into builds such as 4C Money Pile and can even revive some forgotten archetypes like Heliod Combo, serving as another mana dork for the deck while still being relevant with Heliod and the aforementioned Teferi, Time Reveler.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560099 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [19] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Omnath, Locus of Creation | $9.49 | |
| 4 Solitude | $32.99 | |
| 2 Fury | $7.99 | |
| 1 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 2 Fable of the Mirror-Breaker | $21.99 | |
| 1 Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines | $27.99 | |
| 2 Nissa, Resurgent Animist | $37.99 | |
| 3 Delighted Halfling | $13.99 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Prismatic Ending | $0.35 | |
| Enchantment [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Leyline Binding | $6.49 | |
| Planeswalker [9] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor | $23.99 | |
| 4 Wrenn and Six | $32.99 | |
| 4 Teferi, Time Raveler | $8.49 | |
| Land [24] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sacred Foundry | $21.99 | |
| 1 Hallowed Fountain | $10.99 | |
| 1 Steam Vents | $17.99 | |
| 1 Stomping Ground | $13.99 | |
| 4 Flooded Strand | $29.99 | |
| 4 Windswept Heath | $23.99 | |
| 1 Temple Garden | $13.99 | |
| 1 Breeding Pool | $20.99 | |
| 1 Snow-Covered Plains | $0.39 | |
| 1 Snow-Covered Island | $2.29 | |
| 1 Snow-Covered Forest | $0.99 | |
| 1 Zagoth Triome | $23.99 | |
| 1 Raugrin Triome | $16.99 | |
| 4 Misty Rainforest | $23.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Spell Pierce | $0.59 | |
| 1 Hallowed Moonlight | $2.49 | |
| 2 Crumble to Dust | $0.35 | |
| 2 Chalice of the Void | $54.99 | |
| 2 Dovin's Veto | $4.49 | |
| 1 Veil of Summer | $6.49 | |
| 2 Orvar, the All-Form | $6.49 | |
| 1 Dress Down | $1.79 | |
| 1 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 1 Change the Equation | $0.35 | |
$258.32 Tix @cardhoarder
$6.46 / Week @cardhoarder
$1,061.57 @tcgplayer
$1,317.87 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Particularly in this new build featuring Nissa, Who Shakes the World, the card becomes even better. Being able to curve Nissa/Teferi into Omnath, Locus of Creation, without any of them being countered, can create a real snowball effect that your opponent must address, or else they'll be crushed by the card advantage.
Orcish Bowmasters Decks
This card has garnered significant attention in eternal formats like Legacy and Vintage, as it can easily dispatch creatures such as Baleful Strix, Thalia, Guardian of Thraben, and Delver of Secrets, while also making cards like Brainstorm extremely dangerous for opponents. In Modern, it's also quite good, dealing with cards like Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer, Esper Sentinel, and Dragon's Rage Channeler while having the potential to continually grow in power.
(4 - 0)
100% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560099 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [28] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Wall of Roots | $0.35 | |
| 3 Strangleroot Geist | $0.39 | |
| 4 Young Wolf | $0.39 | |
| 1 Blood Artist | $2.79 | |
| 1 Hapatra, Vizier of Poisons | $0.99 | |
| 4 Yawgmoth, Thran Physician | $20.99 | |
| 3 Ignoble Hierarch | $3.99 | |
| 2 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 1 Prosperous Innkeeper | $1.49 | |
| 1 Orcish Bowmasters | $54.99 | |
| 4 Delighted Halfling | $13.99 | |
| Instant [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Chord of Calling | $6.99 | |
| Sorcery [3] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Eldritch Evolution | $5.49 | |
| Planeswalker [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Grist, the Hunger Tide | $8.49 | |
| Land [21] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Swamp | $0.01 | |
| 3 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 2 Twilight Mire | $2.79 | |
| 4 Verdant Catacombs | $20.99 | |
| 2 Khalni Garden | $1.99 | |
| 3 Blooming Marsh | $2.49 | |
| 2 Overgrown Tomb | $15.99 | |
| 2 Nurturing Peatland | $8.49 | |
| 2 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Engineered Explosives | $11.99 | |
| 1 Crime/Punishment | $0.99 | |
| 1 Phyrexian Metamorph | $5.49 | |
| 3 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| 2 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| 2 Force of Vigor | $10.99 | |
| 2 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 1 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse | $79.99 | |
| 1 Haywire Mite | $3.99 | |
| 1 Pile On | $0.49 | |
$170.90 Tix @cardhoarder
$4.27 / Week @cardhoarder
$631.49 @tcgplayer
$819.47 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Yawgmoth seems like the perfect home for this card in Modern, as it can be tutored whenever needed with Eldritch Evolution and Chord of Calling. In addition to the Orc itself, Delighted Halfling also makes an appearance in the list, acting as a mana dork for Grist, the Hunger Tide and Yawgmoth, Thran Physician.
Generous Ent/Oliphaunt/Troll of Khazad-dum Decks
The cycle of creatures with landcycling has significantly influenced the construction of Living End decks, which can now operate with fewer lands due to their ability to fetch shock lands, and also serve as highly relevant creatures when reanimated.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560103 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [34] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Architects of Will | $0.59 | |
| 4 Curator of Mysteries | $0.49 | |
| 4 Striped Riverwinder | $0.35 | |
| 2 Waker of Waves | $0.35 | |
| 4 Grief | $27.99 | |
| 4 Shardless Agent | $0.49 | |
| 4 Street Wraith | $0.35 | |
| 2 Oliphaunt | $0.35 | |
| 2 Generous Ent | $0.69 | |
| 4 Troll of Khazad-dûm | $1.49 | |
| Instant [8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Violent Outburst | $2.79 | |
| 4 Force of Negation | $44.99 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Living End | $8.49 | |
| Land [14] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Stomping Ground | $13.99 | |
| 1 Watery Grave | $15.99 | |
| 1 Blood Crypt | $18.99 | |
| 2 Steam Vents | $17.99 | |
| 2 Breeding Pool | $20.99 | |
| 4 Misty Rainforest | $23.99 | |
| 1 Otawara, Soaring City | $24.99 | |
| 1 Island | $0.01 | |
| 1 Forest | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Leyline of Sanctity | $1.29 | |
| 2 Leyline of the Void | $3.99 | |
| 2 Force of Vigor | $10.99 | |
| 2 Mystical Dispute | $0.39 | |
| 2 Foundation Breaker | $0.35 | |
| 2 Subtlety | $22.99 | |
| 2 Endurance | $27.99 | |
$168.13 Tix @cardhoarder
$4.20 / Week @cardhoarder
$623.01 @tcgplayer
$740.03 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
The land count has dropped to an astonishing 14 lands, which seems almost unthinkable for a competitive constructed deck. However, in this specific deck, it makes perfect sense as you don't want to flood out, and the fewer lands you draw, the higher your chances of winning. Ideally, you want to stay on curve 3 for your cascade spells.
Cast into the Fire Decks
A card that was initially speculated for use in Pauper has gradually started to show up in Modern sideboards as well. The format features numerous creatures with one toughness, as well as some artifacts, which makes this card particularly appealing against decks like Hammer and Scales.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560096 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [14] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Murktide Regent | $17.99 | |
| 4 Dragon's Rage Channeler | $1.49 | |
| 4 Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer | $49.99 | |
| 3 Ledger Shredder | $18.99 | |
| Artifact [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Mishra's Bauble | $0.79 | |
| Instant [19] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Counterspell | $1.99 | |
| 3 Spell Pierce | $0.59 | |
| 3 Lightning Bolt | $1.29 | |
| 1 Force of Negation | $44.99 | |
| 4 Unholy Heat | $0.35 | |
| 4 Consider | $0.99 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Expressive Iteration | $0.69 | |
| Land [19] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Steam Vents | $17.99 | |
| 2 Scalding Tarn | $22.99 | |
| 2 Misty Rainforest | $23.99 | |
| 1 Flooded Strand | $29.99 | |
| 2 Polluted Delta | $34.99 | |
| 4 Spirebluff Canal | $4.99 | |
| 3 Island | $0.01 | |
| 1 Fiery Islet | $1.99 | |
| 1 Otawara, Soaring City | $24.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Engineered Explosives | $11.99 | |
| 2 Blood Moon | $7.49 | |
| 2 Flusterstorm | $29.99 | |
| 2 Mystical Dispute | $0.39 | |
| 1 Orvar, the All-Form | $6.49 | |
| 2 Dress Down | $1.79 | |
| 1 Fury | $7.99 | |
| 1 Subtlety | $22.99 | |
| 1 Unlicensed Hearse | $0.99 | |
| 1 Cast into the Fire | $0.69 | |
$223.27 Tix @cardhoarder
$5.58 / Week @cardhoarder
$681.93 @tcgplayer
$817.05 @cardkingdom
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Similar Decks
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Arwen, Mortal Queen Decks
As mentioned earlier, the Heliod Combo archetype has been somewhat overlooked in the Modern format, despite once being one of the premier decks in the meta. The list below does not include Delighted Halfling; however, another fascinating card from the LoTR set makes an appearance: Arwen, Mortal Queen.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560099 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (61)
| Creature [28] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Spike Feeder | $0.59 | |
| 1 Grand Abolisher | $5.99 | |
| 4 Arbor Elf | $0.49 | |
| 2 Walking Ballista | $18.99 | |
| 4 Ranger-Captain of Eos | $23.99 | |
| 4 Heliod, Sun-Crowned | $14.99 | |
| 4 Conclave Mentor | $0.49 | |
| 1 Skyclave Apparition | $2.49 | |
| 1 Giver of Runes | $9.49 | |
| 3 Arwen, Mortal Queen | $2.49 | |
| Instant [7] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Collected Company | $11.99 | |
| 3 Eladamri's Call | $11.99 | |
| Enchantment [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Utopia Sprawl | $0.39 | |
| Land [22] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Horizon Canopy | $3.99 | |
| 1 Pendelhaven | $3.99 | |
| 1 Gavony Township | $2.49 | |
| 4 Temple Garden | $13.99 | |
| 4 Windswept Heath | $23.99 | |
| 2 Prismatic Vista | $32.99 | |
| 1 Yavimaya, Cradle of Growth | $15.99 | |
| 1 Boseiju, Who Endures | $49.99 | |
| 2 Forest | $0.01 | |
| 2 Plains | $0.01 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 Burrenton Forge-Tender | $0.35 | |
| 3 Damping Sphere | $0.99 | |
| 2 Veil of Summer | $6.49 | |
| 1 Drannith Magistrate | $22.99 | |
| 1 Orvar, the All-Form | $6.49 | |
| 3 Endurance | $27.99 | |
| 2 Force of Vigor | $10.99 | |
| 1 Haywire Mite | $3.99 | |
$101.72 Tix @cardhoarder
$2.54 / Week @cardhoarder
$625.60 @tcgplayer
$768.58 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
The card is quite intriguing in the lineup, boasting indestructibility on its own, making it an excellent blocker against cards like Ragavan and truly challenging for some decks to handle. Furthermore, it can protect another creature if needed, and even has the potential to grant lifelink, serving as one of the combo pieces for Heliod himself.
Sauron’s Ranson Decks
I must admit, this card didn't initially catch my attention, but after taking a closer look, I found it to be much better than what I initially thought.. The ability to put cards into the graveyard can act as a delve for Murktide Regent and Tasigur, and the ring's ability might still prove to be relevant, preventing one of your creatures from being blocked by larger ones or even providing loot for useless lands/cards in the mid/late game. At the very least, it's a 3-mana, draw 2, which might not be the most impressive, but it can certainly hold its own in the right builds, which seems to be the case for this deck.
(3 - 1)
75% in MTGO Modern Preliminary #12560099 — 22-Jun-2023
Maindeck (60)
| Creature [14] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Street Wraith | $0.35 | |
| 4 Death's Shadow | $2.29 | |
| 2 Tasigur, the Golden Fang | $0.49 | |
| 4 Murktide Regent | $17.99 | |
| Instant [23] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Counterspell | $1.99 | |
| 2 Dismember | $5.49 | |
| 2 Stubborn Denial | $2.29 | |
| 4 Fatal Push | $2.49 | |
| 3 Archmage's Charm | $0.59 | |
| 3 Drown in the Loch | $1.49 | |
| 4 Consider | $0.99 | |
| 2 Sauron's Ransom | $0.69 | |
| Sorcery [4] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4 Thoughtseize | $10.99 | |
| Land [19] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Island | $0.01 | |
| 4 Flooded Strand | $29.99 | |
| 4 Polluted Delta | $34.99 | |
| 4 Watery Grave | $15.99 | |
| 3 Scalding Tarn | $22.99 | |
| 1 Otawara, Soaring City | $24.99 | |
| Sideboard [15] | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3 Engineered Explosives | $11.99 | |
| 2 Jace, the Mind Sculptor | $23.99 | |
| 1 Flusterstorm | $29.99 | |
| 2 Stubborn Denial | $2.29 | |
| 1 Brazen Borrower | $8.99 | |
| 3 Dress Down | $1.79 | |
| 1 Tourach, Dread Cantor | $2.29 | |
| 1 Sheoldred's Edict | $4.49 | |
| 1 Sauron's Ransom | $0.69 | |
$171.69 Tix @cardhoarder
$4.29 / Week @cardhoarder
$577.72 @tcgplayer
$700.75 @cardkingdom
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Magic online format
Apprentice and MWS .dec
Final words
LoTR may not have the power level of MH1 and MH2, but within the first week, it already features cards in some of the main decks of the format, as well as reviving others. This alone is quite significant, especially in a diverse format like Modern.
Until next time!