Through the Omenpaths is the Arena Exclusive set web-slinging enwebbing to Arena September 23rd. This set is a little different from the paper counterpart: Marvel’s Spider-Man, due to licensing issues that we don’t need to get into. I’m just clarifying for anyone confused about what the new set is, and why Peter Parker is called Surris, Spidersilk Innovator on Arena. With that out of the way, let’s start breaking down the cards for the new set!
5.0: Disgustingly powerful and basically unbeatable. Either answer it the turn it comes down or just pack up your cards. (Gruff Triplets, Virtue of Persistence, The Eternal Wanderer)
4.5: Incredible bomb that still gives your opponent a slim chance. (Virtue of Loyalty, Imodane's Recruiter, Realm-Scorcher Hellkite)
4.0: Great rare or the absolute best uncommons and removal. (Faunsbane Troll, Gumdrop Poisoner, Talion’s Messenger)
3.5: Great role filler or removal that you never cut. (Candy Grapple, Hearth Elemental, Torch the Tower)
3.0: Good playable that I’m basically never cutting. (Shrouded Shepherd, Spellscorn Coven, Sharae of Numbing Depths)
2.5: Decent playable and the bar I hope nearly every card in my deck to reach. (Evolving Wilds, Archon's Glory, Flick a Coin)
2.0: Mediocre filler that normally is your 20-23rd card(s). (Mintstrosity, Ice Out, Grabby Giant)
1.5: Replaceable, overall bad filler. Could also be decent sideboard cards. (Titanic Growth, Scarecrow Guide, Territorial Witchstalker)
1.0: Bad filler. Gets cut most of the time. (Dark Tutelage, Kindled Heroism, Impact Tremors)
0.5: Very unhappy to main deck this, but maybe it has fringe sideboard applications. Cards that “could” be situationally decent, but bad in most situations. (Smothering Tithe, Rhystic Study, Mana Flare)
0.0: Unplayable in every possible situation. They rarely print cards this bad these days. (Hew the Entwood, One with Nothing)
Cactarantula Saddle
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
There’s a good amount of creatures that can benefit from the power boost, like Margot, On the Case. But in most decks, the equip cost might be a little too taxing.
Carriage of Dreams
Rating: 1.0 // 5.0
I’m not a big fan of this at all. It’s difficult for everything to line up well without this just immediately dying in combat.
Data Scrubber
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
Connive is very powerful, but I’m not sure if it’s powerful enough for this card to be generically good.
Eerie Gravestone
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
I’m not sure how I feel about this one yet. It does provide some value, even though it’s slow. It seems fine to play in self-mill synergy decks, and not great everywhere else.
Error-9, Viral Node
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
There aren’t very many non-creature non-equipment artifacts around, outside some tokens. If you have a good amount of artifact token production, this seems ok.
Fizik, Etherium Mechanic
Rating: 3.5 // 5.0
This thing is powerful by itself, especially because of vigilance. The more artifact creatures/tokens you have, the crazier this becomes.
Giantcraft Helm
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
The problem is that most decks don’t want very many creatures with a mana cost of 5 or greater. This still is an impactful equipment, even if it only gets equipped once or twice.
Goro Rel, Scourge to Spiders
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This seems fine. There are a good amount of spiders in this set that this can challenge, and it works well with self-mill and connive.
Opulent Valet
Rating: 1.0 // 5.0
Me no likey.
Perfected Pastry
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
The first half is a 2 mana Honor, and the second half is a 3 mana Revitalize. Having the option between the two, is nice, but I’m not sure if the extra mana makes up for it or not.
Phenomena Recorder
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is a bit too cute for my taste, but you can certainly build a deck around this card.
Reality Fulcrum
Rating: 1.0 // 5.0
This is kind of like a 4 mana Divination. Sure, you can cast the spells a little easier, but you can also hit 2 lands.
Scuttling Spidercoach
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This is a vehicle I can get behind. There are a good amount of spiders in the set, so long as your deck has a high count (8+ or so), I’m happy to include this.
Steelweb Surveyor
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is fine for any deck that needs a 2 drop. It works much better in multicolor decks or ones with a splash.
Stitcher’s Wings
Rating: 3.0 // 5.0
Most decks won’t cast this for it’s mayhem cost, but if you do – it’s going to feel very powerful. The equip cost is a bargain for the effect, so I’m happy to put this in almost any deck.
Temple Trap
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is an upgrade from previous iterations of this card, like Ready to Rumble, or Fiery Intervention. Essentially making it a split card with Shatter as the other half. It works fine if you need the removal, but it’s still a bit slow.
Treat Trolley
Rating: 1.5 // 5.0
This is a solid mana rock for 4-5 color late game decks, where the food token can help you stay alive. Other than that, I’m not very interested in this card.
Vinewoven Chariot
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
This one actually has some practical applications. It’s not great during late-game or on defense, but if you can attack with it during the early game to get a free land, it feels very good.
Campuses
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
These are the missing 5 “colleges” introduced in Strixhaven: School of Mages. They are solid to include, and the activated ability can make a big impact later in the game.
Exclusive Nightclub
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This is a pretty sick tri-land. Make sure you haven’t played a land for your turn if you plan on playing this for its mayhem cost.
Urban Retreat
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This tri-land can actually ramp you, working well with something like a turn 1 City Pigeon.
Fearsome Ridgeline
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
I’m not a huge fan of the mana fixing aspect of this land, but it’s important to keep in mind just how many legendary creatures are in this set. 79 of the 113 creatures are legendary, so it’s important not to write it off.
Multiversal Passage
Rating: 2.5 // 5.0
This is a really cool land. The fact that it can mana fix and not come in tapped is pretty huge.
Vibrant Cityscape
Rating: 2.0 // 5.0
A carbon copy of Terramorphic Expanse. You’re typically happy to play this in most any deck.
That’s it! We’ve got Through the Omenpaths coming out tomorrow. I’ll see you in the Arena!
Lose and Learn, Learn and Win!
