Farewell, Theros Beyond Death

Today is part 2 of my look at sets departing standard, looking at Theros Beyond Death (TBD). Released in January 2020, this was the last set in our pre-pandemic world. TBD drew inspiration from Greek mythology, returning to the world laid out in 2013's Theros block. Its mechanics featured enchantments and escaping from the graveyard (underworld in Greek lore).

Favorites

Yesterday, I had problems choosing only five Eldraine cards to feature here. Today, I struggled coming up with five TBD cards I really care about.

Banishing Light was a solid removal card; I loved Nadir Kraken but never got it to work. Gray Merchant was fun in a black devotion deck, and Setessan Champion made enchantment decks viable.

Good Riddance

It was easier finding cards for this category.

Alseid was okay but so annoying in the protection it offered others. Thassa frustrated me in bounce decks. Elspeth's was a control spell I grew to disdain. And Kroxa, Polukranos, and Uro used TBD's 'graveyard' mechanics to be super-annoying. (Uro would later be banned.) 

Final Thoughts

Overall, I'm ambivalent towards this set. I'd categorize it as 'underwhelming' or 'forgettable.' I'm neither thrilled nor sad to see it go.