Part 57

Unlock the secrets of Part 57 in Magic: The Gathering Arena. Discover strategies for 'Theros: What's in the Box?' and 'Ravnica: Boros Fist' encounters, including creature lists and difficulty tips.

This section of the guide covers two distinct encounters in Magic: The Gathering Arena: 'Theros: What's in the Box?' and 'Ravnica: Boros Fist'.

THEROS: WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Difficulty: 3 of 5

This deck is Pyxis-themed, designed to exile cards each turn. When the opponent reaches 7 lands, they sacrifice the Pyxis of Pandemonium to summon a swarm of powerful creatures. With over two-thirds of the deck being creatures, this can be a swift defeat for the player. Many creatures are high power, low toughness, but some pose immediate threats: Benthic Giant has hexproof, Vulpine Goliath has trample, and Gluttonous Cyclops has Monstrosity 3.

Creatures [44]: [×4] Benthic Giant, [×4] Borderland Minotaur, [×2] Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass, [×4] Gluttonous Cyclops, [×4] Nessian Courser, [×4] Nettle Swine, [×4] Oreskos Swiftclaw, [×4] Pensive Minotaur, [×3] Silent Artisan, [×4] Supply-Line Cranes, [×4] Vulpine Goliath, [×3] Wild Celebrants

Artifacts [3]: [×3] Pyxis of Pandemonium

Lands [13]: [×3] Forest, [×2] Island, [×3] Mountain, [×3] Plains, [×2] Swamp

Deck Stats: CONTROL -: poor, DRAWPOWER: none, SPEED ---: slow, STAYPOWER: average, STRENGTH : high, SYNERGY -: poor, RETRIEVAL: none

Special Condition: Foe begins with a Pyxis of Pandemonium on the field. The deck has the most monsters and least lands of all opponents. Opponent begins with a Pyxis and ~5 lands (1 per type) in hand, and always goes second.

On Planeswalker Difficulty: The opponent starts with a Pyxis in play, allowing them to immediately begin their strategy. This gives the player little time to react, as the Pyxis does not require mana to activate its exile cost. It's possible the opponent also starts with a full hand of lands.

Strategies:

• Force dead draws by destroying the Pyxis early or targeting lands the opponent needs. Islands are a good target due to their scarcity.
• Alternatively, decimate the opponent's hand using effects like Monomania or Mind Rot, as they have limited retrieval or searching options outside of Pyxis. Most milling strategies can be effective.
• To destroy the Pyxis by turn 2, use cards like Naturalize or an Elvish Pioneer/Reclamation Sage combo. Burning Inquiry, which forces players to draw 3 and discard 3 randomly, can also be effective in making the opponent mana-starved. These tactics can still be used on Planeswalker difficulty, but it's impossible to prevent the Pyxis from activating before it goes off.

RAVNICA: BOROS FIST

Difficulty: 2 of 5

This is a Red/White Battalion-themed deck, focusing on creature abilities that activate when attacking with allies. It's a straightforward beatdown and speed strategy.

Creatures [31]: [×4] Assault Griffin, [×4] Bomber Corps, [×4] Boros Elite, [×4] Boros Mastiff, [×4] Daring Skyjek, [×4] Nav Squad Commandos, [×3] Ordruun Veteran, [×4] Skyknight Legionnaire

Instants [4]: [×4] Swift Justice

Lands [25]: [×4] Boros Guildgate, [×8] Mountain, [×9] Plains, [×4] Sacred Foundry

Deck Stats: CONTROL -: poor, DRAWPOWER: none, SPEED ---: fast, STAYPOWER: average, STRENGTH : average, SYNERGY -: good, RETRIEVAL: none

Planeswalker Difficulty Changes:

• Added: [+2] Assemble the Legion, [+2] Boros Charm, [+4] Truefire Paladin
• Removed: [-4] Boros Mastiff, [-4] Nav Squad Commandos

Boros Charm offers powerful abilities like double strike or making creatures indestructible. Truefire Paladin replaces Boros Mastiff, retaining lifelink and adding an activated ability for first strike. Assemble the Legion is a particularly troublesome enchantment that spawns increasing numbers of 1/1 soldiers with haste each turn, quickly overwhelming the player.

Other Notes

Anax and Cymede: This legendary creature can trigger multiple times, creating a formidable attack turn from several small creatures. While it's a strong effect, the creature itself is weak, and only one copy can be on the field at once. It's a prime target for instants and auras.

Akroan Horse: When summoned, this artifact is automatically given to the opponent, who uses it to gain free tokens. However, the player can reclaim it using effects that summon creatures to their side (e.g., Rescue from the Underworld, Undying Evil before killing the Horse, Cloudshift). Once reclaimed, the opponent cannot remove it, making it a permanent source of 1/1 tokens each turn.

Creatures Returned to Hand: Creatures returned to the hand lose all their counters. This can be used to neutralize a large creature built up by the opponent by bouncing it back to their hand, removing its counters and any attached auras. Note that this does not cancel Anax and Cymede's ongoing creature boost effect.