Sphere of Influence: February 13, 2026

Devourer of Destiny | Illustrated by Raph Lomotan

Welcome to Sphere of Influence, a pre-FNM look at some potential movers and shakers that are worth picking up before their prices increase.

The Modern metagame is undergoing shifts now that Lorwyn Eclipsed is part of the equation, so here are some affordable cards that serve as archetype staples for you to pick up and ride the metagame wave.

Blood Moon - $6.50

Ain't no party like a Blood Moon party. Since debuting in The Dark, this three-mana enchantment has been transforming nonbasic lands into Mountains and crushing dreams. The card is especially relevant because five-color decks and Tron variants have maintained popularity. It also works well in Boros Energy.

Memnite - $1.50

With so many great artifact creatures available, many Affinity decks don't even run Ornithopter anymore. Memnite is the preferred zero-drop creature because it has a power value and can swing in for some damage in a pinch. The card is rarely reprinted, and $1.50 is a great price for it.

Devourer of Destiny - $1

No Modern Eldrazi deck is complete without a handful of these Devourers to start the game off on the right foot. If one is in our opening hand, we can choose the best of our top four cards and ensure it's the first we draw for the game, an incredibly powerful ability considering it costs zero mana and still allows us to cast a removal spell with a 6/6 body attached later in the game.

Dryad Arbor - $1.50

If we're running Chord of Calling or Green Sun's Zenith, Dryad Arbor is a no-brainer. It's a land and a creature that can be tutored up like a ramp source or plopped down as a chump blocker. The versatility is never-ending.

Emperor of Bones - $1.50

For two mana, Emperor of Bones remains a scary card in any deck that can place +1/+1 counters on its creatures, including Death & Taxes variants. It's graveyard hate, reanimation, and a way to steal opponents' creatures all in one.

Thoroughly Modern

How are you feeling about the Modern metagame these days? Would love to know what you're sleeving up!