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Born of the Gods
 
 
 

Born of the Gods
BNGLogo
Set Information
Set symbol
Symbol description Horns of Xenagos
Design Ken Nagle (lead)
Ethan Fleischer
Billy Moreno
Mark Rosewater
Ryan Spain
Development Tom LaPille (lead)
Chris Dupuis
Mark Gottlieb
David Humpherys
Billy Moreno
with contributions from Matt Tabak
Art direction Jeremy Jarvis
Release date February 7, 2014
Plane Theros
Themes and mechanics Gods. Heroes, Monsters, Enchantment creatures
Keywords/​ability words Inspired, Tribute, Bestow, Devotion, Heroic and Scry
Set size 165 cards
(60 commons, 60 uncommons, 35 rares, 10 mythic rares)
Expansion code BNG[1]
Development codename Romans
Theros block
Theros Born of the Gods Journey into Nyx
Magic: The Gathering Chronology
Commander 2013 Born of the Gods Duel Decks: Jace vs. Vraska

Born of the Gods is the second set in the Theros block. It is the 63rd Magic expansion and was released on February 7, 2014.[2] It is a small expansion.

Set details[ | ]

“  Awaken the Myth  ”

Like its predecessor, Born of the Gods has an ancient Greek-themed top-down design, making use of many mythological tropes.[3][4] The set contains 165 cards (60 Common, 60 Uncommon, 35 Rare, 10 Mythic) and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards. The set contained the planeswalker card for Kiora, anticipated since her introduction in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012.[5][6]

Flavor and storyline[ | ]

No longer content to walk the planes of the Multiverse seeking pleasure, the planeswalker Xenagos returns to Theros to become the god of revels.[7] The boundaries that separate everyday existence from Nyx are growing dangerously thin. Strange creatures of enchantment, called Nyxborn or Born of the Gods, are pouring into the mortal world as Xenagos threatens to disrupt the very nature of the plane. Mogis, the god of slaughter sends hordes of mortal and Nyxborn minotaurs against the human cities Akros, Meletis, and Setessa. Elspeth Tirel leads an army of heroes to break the minotaur siege at Akros. The humans were victorious, but the victory celebration after the battle became the ultimate ritual to launch Xenagos into Nyx as a god. Elspeth is blamed for his ascension and driven away in disgrace.

Storyline sources[ | ]

Title Author Publishing date Setting (plane) Featuring
Journey into Nyx: Godsend, Part II, first part Jenna Helland May 2014 Theros Anax, Cymede, Keranos, Xenagos, Mogis, Elspeth, Daxos, Medomai, Anthousa, Iroas, Rhordon, Heliod, Nylea, Ajani, Brimaz, Callaphe, Kiora, Arixmethes, Thassa, Kruphix, Erebos

Magic Story[ | ]

Main article: Magic Story
Title Author Release Date Setting (plane) Featuring
The Nature of Identity Adam Lee 2014-01-15 Theros Perisophia, Kyrios, Samia, Rhytho, Melia, Phelos, Salis, Matatios, Ephara
Cowardice of the Hero Matt Knicl 2014-01-22 Theros Vinack, Athreos, Heliod, Pharika, Zerili, Mogis
Emonberry Red Clayton Kroh 2014-02-05 Theros Adrasteia, Pavios and Thanasis, Purphoros, Erebos
Kiora's Followers Kelly Digges 2014-02-12 Shandalar, Theros Kiora, Kalemnos, Thassa, Kruphix
Dance of the Flitterstep Jennifer Clarke Wilkes 2014-02-19 Theros Perisophia, Anthousa, Kruphix
The Walls of Akros Kelly Digges 2014-02-26 Theros Leandros, Kyrillos, Bardas, Borias, Haemon, Nikasios, Xanthos, Mnesos, Diocles, Pallas, Eumalos, Athreos, Iroas, Mogis
The Hero of Iroas Matt Knicl 2014-03-05 Theros Aesrias, Iroas, Pilun, Anax, Xenagos
The Oracle of Ephara Jeremiah Isgur 2014-03-19 Theros Iris, Alexio, Perisophia, Ephara, Purphoros
Seasons in Setessa Ken Troop 2014-03-26 Theros Cilissa, Karametra, Thora, Niketa, Kelios, Natasa, Delia

Marketing[ | ]

Born of the Gods was sold in 16-card boosters (one card being a marketing card), five intro packs, one event deck and a fat pack.[8] The boosters feature artwork from Mogis, God of Slaughter, Ephara, God of the Polis and Phenax, God of Deception. The set features the continuation of the Hero's Path.

Prerelease[ | ]

Quest 4 on the Hero's Path takes place at the Born of the Gods Prerelease events, February 1 and 2, 2014.[9] As with Theros, players will choose their destiny based on a favorite mana color and receive a Seeded Prerelease Pack based on that color (Destined to Lead {W}, Outwit {U}, Dominate {B}, Conquer {R} or Thrive {G}). The Prerelease Pack contains a Spindown™ Life Counter, one of five Hero cards (respectively The General, The Savant, The Tyrant, The Warmonger and The Provider), one of five quiz activity cards, two Born of the God boosters, three Theros boosters, and a seeded booster featuring cards appropriate for that player's chosen path—including one of the five Prerelease promo cards.[10]

Launch Weekend[ | ]

Born of the Gods launched February 7, 2014 and the month's first Friday Night Magic started off the festivities. Players on the Hero's Path came to their stores to "Venture into the Wilds" and solved a puzzle hidden within the poster included in the Born of the Gods Launch Weekend kit. Players who solved the puzzle received a copy of the Quest 5 Hero card (The Provider).

Game Day[ | ]

On March 1 and 2 Born of the Gods Game Day players can use their Standard decks for the sixth quest on the Hero's Path: Battle the Horde, a special Challenge Deck provided to the retailer.[11] By winning against the Challenge deck, players win a sixth Hero card (The Vanquisher).

Promotional Cards[ | ]

Tokens / Emblem[ | ]

A sixteenth card in the boosters can be a token creature card or an emblem, with advertisements on the back side:[14]

  1. {W} 1/1 Bird creature, created by Ornitharch
  2. {W} 1/1 Cat Soldier creature, created by Brimaz, King of Oreskos and Vanguard of Brimaz
  3. {W} 1/1 Soldier enchantment creature, created by God-Favored General
  4. {U} 2/2 Bird enchantment creature, created by Aerie Worshippers
  5. {U} 9/9 Kraken creature, created by Kiora, the Crashing Wave
  6. {B} 2/2 Zombie enchantment creature, created by Forlorn Pseudamma
  7. {R} 3/1 Elemental enchantment creature, created by Satyr Nyx-Smith
  8. {G} 3/3 Centaur enchantment creature, created by Fated Intervention and Pheres-Band Raiders
  9. {G} 2/2 Wolf creature, created by Raised by Wolves
  10. {C} Gold artifact, created by Gild (this is the first ever non-creature token)
  11. Emblem for Kiora, the Crashing Wave

Themes and mechanics[ | ]

  • Enchantment creatures, bestow, devotion, heroic and scry return from the previous set.[15][16][17]
  • Inspired (ability word) — Whenever ~ becomes untapped, do something. Creatures with inspired abilities represent the divine inspiration that comes from the world of dreams. A creature's inspired ability triggers every time the creature becomes untapped.[18]
  • Tribute (static ability) — A creature with a tribute ability offers an opponent a choice: either it becomes even larger, or it does something nasty to your opponent when it enters the battlefield. E.g. Tribute 6 (As this creature enters the battlefield, an opponent of your choice may put 6 +1/+1 counters on it.) When ~ enters the battlefield, if its tribute wasn't paid, you may have ~ fight another target creature.[19] It is said that Tribute replaced Monstrosity in this set, but wasn't said if Monstrosity will make a return in the 3rd set of the block.

Cycles[ | ]

Born of the Gods has nine cycles. Some cards are part of a Theros block mega cycle.

Cycle name {W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Nyxborn Nyxborn Shieldmate Nyxborn Triton Nyxborn Eidolon Nyxborn Rollicker Nyxborn Wolf
Five common creatures with the bestow mechanic and no additional abilities.
Inspired creatures God-Favored General Aerie Worshippers Forlorn Pseudamma Satyr Nyx-Smith Pheres-Band Raiders
Five uncommon creatures with the inspired mechanic, creating creature enchantment tokens for {2}M when untapping.
Archetypes Archetype of Courage Archetype of Imagination Archetype of Finality Archetype of Aggression Archetype of Endurance
Five uncommon enchantment creatures, one of each color. Each Archetype has two abilities: one that grants a keyword ability to all of your creatures, including itself, and one that makes your opponents' creatures lose that same keyword.
Uncommon Tribute Ornitharch Siren of the Fanged Coast Shrike Harpy Thunder Brute Nessian Demolok
Five uncommon creatures with the tribute mechanic.
Enemy-colored activatd ability uncommons Akroan Phalanx Odunos River Trawler Stormcaller of Keranos Graverobber Spider
An incomplete cycle of uncommon cards that have an ability that requires an enemy color. The cycle goes in the opposite direction from the similar cycle of commons from Theros. The cycle misses its {U} member with a {G} activated ability (a spot taken instead by Kiora's Follower, the sixth gold uncommon card).
Tapping Auras Ephara's Radiance Evanescent Intellect Claim of Erebos Epiphany Storm Karametra's Favor
Five common auras that grant ability with {T} in its cost.
Devotion X Spells Acolyte's Reward Thassa's Rebuff Sanguimancy Thunderous Might Skyreaping
Five uncommon cards that scale according to your devotion to that color.
Fated spells Fated Retribution Fated Infatuation Fated Return Fated Conflagration Fated Intervention
Five rare instant spells with a cost that includes MMM. These spells let you scry 2 when you play them in your turn.[20][21]
Cycle name {W}{U} {U}{B} {B}{R} {R}{G} {G}{W}
Gold uncommons Ephara's Enlightenment Siren of the Silent Song Ragemonger Fanatic of Xenagos Reap what is Sown
A cycle of five uncommon allied-colored gold cards with colors matching the gods of the set.
Gods Ephara, God of the Polis Phenax, God of Deception Mogis, God of Slaughter Xenagos, God of Revels Karametra, God of Harvests
Five multicolored mythic rare legendary enchantment creatures that each embody one of the gods of Theros. Each card has a low casting cost but is not a creature until your Devotion to their two colors is 7 or more. They are all indestructible and have one static ability.[22]

Reprinted cards[ | ]

Functional reprints[ | ]

Strictly better[ | ]

Strictly worse[ | ]

Notable cards[ | ]

  • Courser of Kruphix is a card advantage engine that was a staple in Standard and continued to be played in Modern and Pioneer long after.
  • Gild is the first card to create a non-creature artifact token.
  • Satyr Wayfinder sees frequent play in Pioneer and Modern decks seeking to fill their graveyard
  • Brimaz, King of Oreskos was a powerhouse in aggro Standard decks and has continued to see success in other formats
  • Retraction Helix has a unique and powerful effect and is the core of the eponymous Pioneer deck

Preconstructed decks[ | ]

Intro packs[ | ]

Born of the Gods has five bicolored intro packs:[24]

Intro pack name Colors Included Foil rare
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Gifts of the Gods W U Silent Sentinel
Inspiration-Struck U B Arbiter of the Ideal
Insatiable Hunger R G Nessian Wilds Ravager
Death's Beginning B G Eater of Hope
Forged in Battle W R Forgestoker Dragon

Event deck[ | ]

Born of the Gods has one event deck.[25]

Event
deck name
Colors Included
{W} {U} {B} {R} {G}
Underworld Herald B

References[ | ]

  1. Product information
  2. Trick Jarrett (August 12, 2013). "Announcing Born of the Gods". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  3. Mark Rosewater (January 13, 2014). "The Born Identity". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  4. Ken Nagle (January 20, 2014). "Twelve Labors". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  5. Mike McArtor (March 12, 2014). "Kiora Package". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  6. Sam Stoddard (January 10, 2014). "Developing a Planeswalker". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  7. The Magic Creative Team (January 08, 2014). "Planeswalker's Guide to Born of the Gods". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  8. Trick Jarrett (January 14, 2014). "Born of the Gods Packaging". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  9. Mike McArtor (January 27, 2014). "Born of the Gods Prerelease Primer". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  10. MTG Realm (November 28, 2013). "Magic: the Gathering - Born of the Gods Prerelease". MTG Realm. Tumblr.
  11. Trick Jarrett (November 26, 2013). "Battle the Horde". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  12. Trick Jarrett (January 15, 2014). "Born of the Gods Promos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  13. Wizards of the Coast (January 16, 2014). "Buy a Box Promotion". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  14. Trick Jarrett (January 22, 2013). "Born of the Gods tokens". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  15. Kelly Digges (January 13, 2014). "The Mechanics of Born of the Gods". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  16. Wizards of the Coast (January 22, 2014). "Born of the Gods Release Notes". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  17. Sam Stoddard (January 24, 2014). "Widening the Field". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  18. Tom LaPille (January 13, 2014). "Devign Inspiration". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  19. Mark Rosewater (January 20, 2014). "Born Legacy". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  20. Mark Rosewater (March 10, 2014). "Twist of Fate". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  21. Mike McArtor (March 11, 2014). "It is Fated!". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  22. Gavin Verhey (January 21, 2014). "The Order of the Phenax". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  23. Trick Jarrett (January 23, 2014). "Existence Revoked". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  24. Wizards of the Coast (January 29, 2013). "Born of the Gods Intro Pack Decklists". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
  25. Trick Jarrett (February 06, 2014). "Born of the Gods Event Deck". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.

External links[ | ]

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