In Theros, the pantheon of gods vies for undying devotion among their mortal subjects. But in the Underworld, there is only one master: the Lord of the Dead. Break free from death's shackles as a hero reborn. Choose your god and fight in their name...or forge a destiny all your own.
Theros: Beyond Death Prerelease Overview
As with previous prerelease events, you have three days to choose from! Starting on Friday, January 17th, we'll offer 2 prerelease events per day for the entire weekend. You can register for as many events as you'd like!
Important note - Our web store now shows the amount of tickets available, so we will no longer update this blog post to show remaining spots. If you're curious as to whether an event has tickets remaining, please check our web store for that information.
Friday, January 17th
- Flight 1 - 3:00 PM* - 64 Spots
- Flight 2 - 7:00 PM - 64 Spots
Saturday, January 18th
- Flight 3 - 11:00 AM - 64 Spots
- Flight 4 - 5:00 PM - 64 Spots
Sunday, January 19th
- Flight 5 - 12:00 PM - 2-Headed Giant - 30 Team Spots
- Flight 6 - 5:30 PM - 64 Spots
*This event will be a 3-round sealed event.
Pricing for each of the events will be the same as previous prerelease flights. Each regular flight will run you $30, while our 2-Headed Giant event will run $60 for each team. When you're ready to register, follow the link here or the picture below to head over to our web store's even registration page.
All prices are inclusive of state and local sales tax.
Prizes
With the exception of the 3 PM Friday prerelease all of our Theros Beyond Death prerelease events will be 4 rounds of swiss-style competition. Prizes will be given out on a Pack-Per-Win Basis. What does that mean? It looks a little bit like this:
- 4 - 0 : 4 Packs
- 3 - 1 : 3 Packs
- 2 - 2 : 2 Packs
- 1 - 3 : 1 Pack
In the event of odd-numbered players, byes count as wins!
3:00 PM Prerelease Prize Information
Because we only run 3 rounds of swiss for our 3 PM event, the pack-per-win system leaves us with some extra prize packs to give out. The way we handle this is that for the last round of the event, match wins count for 2 packs.
What's new in Theros: Beyond Death?
What would a world based around the Greek and Roman gods be without some appropriately thematic card mechanics? Theros: Beyond Death reintroduces us to some old favorite abilities and adds one new keyword ability to spice things up - Escape.
Escape
In the world of Theros, death is just another step in the journey of a hero. Sent to the underworld, the most powerful of creatures (and spells) can now escape back into play. Escape is an alternative casting cost that can only be used if the card is in the graveyard, and includes exiling cards from the graveyard as part of the card's escape ability.
Devotion
Next up is the first returning mechanic from the original Theros expansion - Devotion. Devotion is determined by adding up the total number of mana symbols on permanents you control of a specific color (or colors).
Enchantments - Constellation and Sagas
The second and third returning mechanics are best covered together. Constellation is a keyword ability that triggers when enchantments enter the battlefield under your control. Enchantments like, say, Sagas. A saga is a type of enchantment that provides multiple effects over the course of several turns as the various chapters of the saga play out on your board.
Throne of Eldraine Prerelease FAQ
Q: I've never played in a Magic Tournament before. Should I be nervous?
A: No! Prerelease events are about as casual and low-competitiveness level as they can be. We've got a judge on-staff to assist with any questions you may have, so relax and enjoy yourself!
Q: I really like one of the cards one of the players next to me pulled, can I trade them for it and use it in my prerelease deck?
A: You're only allowed to play with the cards you pulled out of your own boosters, so no. You can still trade that person after the event, but during the event trading is not allowed.
Q: How do I preregister?
A: Click this link. It will take you to our event registration page. Just pick the event or events you want to play in and add them to your cart!
Q: Can I preregister for multiple events?
A: Sure!
Q: What's in each prerelease pack?
A: Each prerelease pack contains 6 packs of Throne of Eldraine. In addition, there will be a small extra pack with a promotional rare or mythic card that's foil and stamped with the prerelease date.
Q: Can I register for multiple people at the same time?
A: Sure! Just make sure to provide Wizards Account Numbers (formerly DCI Numbers) for everyone (leave them in the box for 'special instructions for seller' prior to proceeding to the payment stage of checkout).
Q: What's a Wizards Account Number and how do I get one?
A: Wizards Account Numbers are just the way we track each player's performance during an event. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up for one here. If you show up and don't have one, don't worry! We can also issue you a number at the event. (Note: if you don't have one and preregister, please let us know that you're a new player so that we can be prepared ahead of time)
Q: Ack! I preregistered and something came up! What happens if I don't make it to the event?
A: If you know ahead of time, please call or email us so that we can issue a refund and open that slot back up for another player.
Q: Opposite question! I didn't preregister and the event's full! What should I do?
A: This happens sometimes! If you have one event that you're dead set on, come in about an hour prior to the event's start time and check in with the staff. We might be able to put you on a waitlist, or we might have had a last-minute cancellation. Either way if there's space at all, we'll get you in there!
Q: What if I still want the prerelease pack? Or what if I just want the prerelease pack and don't want to play?
A: Sorry, but due to the limited number of prerelease packs and the fact that we are almost always packed to the gills with people wanting to play, we cannot hold prerelease packs for certain at this time. We need to hold the packs for people who want to participate in the events.
Q: What's a 2-Headed Giant tournament?
A: It's a 2-player team style tournament. Each player will get their own prerelease pack and build their own deck (using all 12 Throne of Eldraine packs and both promo cards as one shared pool), but compete as a single player sharing a single turn. For more information, check out Wizard's own details on the format here.
Q: Where's good parking for the store?
A: The parking garage that we recommend on weekends is at the corner of Harvard and Pine. We recommend taking either bus or light rail (since we are directly across the street from the Capitol Hill light rail station). Don't park at Dick's! They will tow you!
Q: What else should I bring with me?
A: Water or a water bottle is a good idea. Sleeves if you're worried about playing with good cards or foils. And of course you can bring snacks! Bear in mind that it's no big deal if you forget these things, cause we sell all of the above and will have plenty in stock!
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