theros

Theros is a plane in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse that draws heavily on ancient Greek mythology. It was introduced in 2013 with the set Theros, the first entry in the Theros block, and was followed by Born of the Gods (2013) and Journey into Nyx (2014). A later revisit appeared with Theros Beyond Death in 2020, expanding the world and returning to its mythic themes.

Geography and culture in Theros center on a society organized around a powerful pantheon of gods who grant blessings to mortals and enforce divine order. The world emphasizes hero worship, mortal devotion to the gods, and stories of legendary champions who rise to confront fate, underworld trials, and cosmic threats. The plane’s inhabitants include humans and various fey-touched and mythic races such as satyrs, centaurs, minotaurs, and nymphs. The gods are prominent in both daily life and political power, shaping rituals, law, and warfare.

Mechanics and design introduced in Theros include the devotion mechanic, which measures the total mana symbols of a color within a spell’s cost and rules text to unlock special effects for that color. Bestow is another notable mechanic from the block, allowing a spell to enter as an enchantment creature attached to a target creature. The set also featured indestructible enchantment creatures known as gods, which function as powerful mana-efficient leaders for their respective colors.

Key pantheon members include Heliod, Thassa, Erebos, Nylea, Purphoros, Iroas, and Kruphix, each associated with a color and embodying aspects of the plane’s mythic culture. Theros has influenced subsequent MTG design by showcasing mythic storytelling through a cohesive pantheon, hero narratives, and color-centric mechanics.