The full set list is here! So let's talk about it-first the mechanics. (This went up a day early than I meant! Sorry-your Thursday post is Wednesday!_
Escape: hey, they fixed Delve! Well, no; but they didn't fix Flashback either, instead giving us a hybrid between the two. Magic is frequently about getting as much value from the cards you have (hand, graveyard), instead of the cards you wish you had (library) and this is an interesting way to help push that value.
I don't know if it will make a huge impact but it certainly seems to be useful in limited doses, just as Delve is, and less inherently broken, unlike Delve.
Devotion: is back! A popular card condition making a return doesn't suck to me. I still hesitate to call it a mechanic, except that the word is shorthand for 'abilities in a Magic set'. Aside from that, I have to admit that it was more interesting than I gave it credit for, and gave deckbuilders a tangible goal to hit, with reasons to hit that goal. Glad to see it return.
Constellation: or Enchantment landfall. It's a good thing to put a clear enchantment theme into an enchantment block and Constellation does that as well as anything. With the addition of cards from Journey Into Nyx, it's possible we could see the skeleton of a deck using Constellation as its linchpin.
Sagas: This gets an A+ for me in regards to fit. Sagas are an excellent spot to put in a set with these themes and it was a very savvy decision to bring them in. Are they good? Eeeehhhh...they're as good or bad as any other mechanic. But they're cool, they do interesting things, and they fit well here.
Now let's get into the colors.
White
I'm certainly glad to see a card like Eidolon of Obstruction, let's just admit that a) it's not nearly enough, and b) it's late.
The new Elspeth is mechanically interesting and a new execution in White with the all minus abilities and graveyard recursion. Just goes to show they'll bend anything into a color if the story suits it.
After that, I'm not seeing a lot to glom on to. It's not bad-the typical arrangement of decent white cards are there, including a creatures sweeping spell, which we could use. I don't know how much it does to address white's general lack of oomph as of late but with the boost to enchantments and white's synergy with them, maybe white will see new avenues of play.
From this set, maybe even a WR aura deck? There's a skeleton, I think.
Blue
Now here's where things are getting interesting. The theme in Blue and Red where you get bonuses for playing spells on your opponent's turn is a cool idea to me. Does it place too much emphasis on Instants? Probably. Is that risky? Yeah, because those two colors are already strong in that arena and being able to play your game on your opponent's turn is one thing that made Blue so dominant in past years. However, I don't know if it's good. I just believe it's interesting and Red especially could use some extra themes to play with.
Of the rest, Thassa's Oracle's new win condition is neat. I have no idea if it's possible but it looks cool, doesn't it? Also, it's a little strange to see the "big creature" theme play out in Blue with Thryx, The Sudden Storm. Last time they leaned into it that I recall was during the Tarkir block-but with Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths coming up next, it's a perfect time to plant some seeds!
Black
HOLY CRAP THE ART ON ASPECT OF LAMPREY.
Ok. Let's just...ease past that card. ~shudder
People are hyped on Drag to the Underworld but I don't see it. Yes, it's cheap removal starting on turn three...but so is Murder. It's good, but is it great? Cheap removal is still cheap removal.
I don't understand why Enemy of Enlightenment costs six: that's a very expensive creature with a pretty legit drawback. The upside doesn't seem all that great, although that's probably because it costs six.
Gravebreaker Lamia seems interesting, although it is likely for Commander. Still, a tutor is a tutor and I'd be surprised if it had zero value in Standard. And Nightmare Shepherd is going to be a wrecking crew. A twist on God-Pharaoh's Gift seems pretty good.
Hm. Black seems to have gotten a lot of cool cards this round.
Red
Furious Rise could be a real boon to big creature decks. I know that I've really liked the variant of that ability in my Red Alert deck. But it does have the drawback of doing nothing the turn you cast it, so again: probably a Commander card.
Also: Note that the Hero cards come in at 2, 4 (white), 3 and 5 (red). That's a pretty sweet curve with creatures that have a decent ability.
I will admit, I don't understand what's going on with the art in Impeding Doom: maybe I just need to hold that card in my hand to get it. I also like the attempt to make Labyrinth of Skophos relevant with the thematic tie to Skophos Maze-Warden. (But the Labyrinth is bad).
Storm Herald does something weird for red and I just don't know what to make out of it. That feels like the kind of effect that should end a game: load up the graveyard with Auras, cast this, bring the Auras all out and just win, right there.
But what Auras do you pull? Is this card actually strong or just seems awesome? I have no idea what the ceiling is here. That's a good thing!
Green
Alright, somebody is going to have a life-changing moment after looking at Dryad of the Ilysian Grove.
There seems to be a definite push for creatures with reach/against flyers. Gift of Strength, Chainweb Aracnir, Nylea's Intervention, Plummet. Again, I'm wondering if they're laying some groundwork for further sets or if this is just to help green have some interaction.
Multicolored
They seem OK. Yes, the Titans both appear pretty crazy, not unlike the Titan cycle of old. Other cards look to be filling in niche spots-Dalakos, Kunoros (which I especially like), Enigmatic Incarnation is waiting for someone to break it.
So they're fine.
Artifact/Land
Unsurprisingly, not much interesting in the artifact realm. Decent role players: Altar of the Pantheon, Thundering Chariot, Traveler's Amulet, alongside Nyx Lotus which has "Untap this: Win" all over it.
And the scry lands coming back is great! I am a fan of those, as they proved to be worth it. I was almost certainly too hard on them back in the day, but I have come around and advocate for those lands. They do good stuff.
That's about it for me. Seems like a pretty solid but not shockingly powerful set and it should shore up some holes in decks I like to play, so I'm good with it.
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