5 Best Kaldheim Cards for Modern

As with any new set release, Kaldheim continues to offer new and exciting options for Modern.

While we’ve already had some powerful cards exit the format (I’m looking at you, Tibalt’s Trickery), there is a deep tribal theme within a flavorful Nordic backdrop.

There is something for everyone from all backgrounds. Wizards of the Coast continues to push the power of commons and uncommons, reducing the cost of cards further and promoting accessibility.

With this, there are plenty of cards that fit the bill, here are the best Kaldheim cards for Modern, whether you’re looking for competitive or more casual play.

The 5 Best Kaldheim Cards for Modern

With that, there are few honorable mentions which just missed out on the list. Birgi, God of Storytelling is a fun design for those wanting to chain off spells, and Cosima, God of the Voyage is fantastic if you like drawing more cards than your opponent.

To give a snapshot of how the new set is influencing the format, let’s dig in with the best Kaldheim cards for Modern.

5. Reidane, God of the Worthy // Valkmira, Protector’s Shield

Reidane is an interesting option in Modern due to the prevalence of snow within the format. While it’s not quite the hoser people were expecting, Reidane offers a lot of incidental hate which may be enough against certain archetypes. You’ll see Reidane feature in strategies such as Death & Taxes, five-color Humans, and Heliod Company as a disruptive threat. You also get access to the flip-side in Valkmira, Protector’s Shield which is great against Mono-Red Prowess or Izzet Storm.

It’s not Modern defining by any means, but it could prove a useful option in situations where you see more snow within your metagame. Even then, it provides a decent win condition as the 2/3 body with flying and vigilance can be enough to close out the game.

4. Realmwalker

Perhaps one of the best Shapeshifters to see print in some time, Realmwalker is a must if you are looking to play any tribal strategy in Modern. The Shapeshifter is making huge waves in Golgari Elves as a way to cast Elves from the top of your library. Playing this on turn three may seem unimpressive, but with access to Llanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic, you can play this ahead of curve to gain instant value. It’s a sure-fire way to find your win conditions such as Ezuri, Renegade Leader to overwhelm the board, or finding that Shaman of the Pack to finish off your opponent. Not to mention, it is a great find off a Collected Company in a pinch.

Realmwalker offers an extremely high ceiling which will only go further the more creatures are printed into Modern. It’s very flexible since it can slot into any existing tribal strategy.

3. Ravenform

While only at common, Ravenform offers plenty of flexibility in a color that rarely sees clean removal. Not only does Ravenform remove a creature or artifact, but it also exiles the threat altogether which is excellent for Modern. Thanks to Foretell, you can spread the cost across a few turns if you have little else to do. Also, the fact this is a three-mana spell means it will evade Chalice of the Void which is often a nuisance if you play a lot of spell-dense decks such as Izzet Storm. Typically, you’ll see Chalice of the Void enter with one or two counters given the nature of the format, and this is where Ravenform shines. Trading a problematic permanent for a 1/1 Bird token will always feel good.

It’s already seeing play in Modern sideboards as it provides a broad answer and you’ll always have something to sideboard in. Since it is a common, it will be readily accessible for all players making this affordable from the get-go.

2. Pyre of Heroes

Taking inspiration from the once-dominant Birthing Pod, Pyre of Heroes has plenty of potential given Modern is full of strong creatures. Granted, you don’t want Pyre of Heroes in every creature-focused deck as sometimes you want to keep the aggression on the battlefield– this particularly true for Bant Spirits and five-colored Humans. However, the artifact is seeing frequent play in Modern Rakdos Goblins as you are more combo-focused with cards such as Conspicuous Snoop and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker. Even then, it’s extending into niche tribal strategies such as Zombies since you can recur what you sacrifice to extend your board state further.

Pyre of Heroes is a card to keep eye on since it offers unusually a high ceiling. All it takes a new card to push those boundaries further, maybe Strixhaven will offer a suitable option soon?

1. Pathway Land Cycle

Starting in Zendikar Rising, the pathway cycle is now complete in Kaldheim with the Simic, Azoirus, Golgari, and Rakdos pairings featured in the set. These see regular play in Modern as they are a decent budget substitution on shock and fetch lands which remain expensive within the format. For example, you’ll see Hengegate Pathway // Mistgate Pathway feature in Azorius Spirits and Darkbore Pathway // Slitherbore Pathway in Golgari Midrange. What makes this cycle an attractive option is you can use these in Pioneer and Standard to extend your purchases further.

You’ll want these in aggressive, combo or midrange strategies as you care about the land coming in untapped. With this, grabbing these is always a safe option as it allows untapped mana fixing on the cheap.

Read More: Why Are MTG Cards So Expensive?