Modern Horizons 3 (MH3) isn’t just another supplemental set—it’s a format-shifting juggernaut packed with free spells, splashy mythics, and a resurgence of beloved mechanics. For players, it unlocks powerful synergies across Modern, Commander, and Limited. For collectors and investors, MH3 offers a blend of serialized titans, key reprints, and long-term value plays. Let’s break down the cards that stand out for gameplay relevance and collectible potential.
Top 5 Cards to Watch: Gameplay + Investment Ratings
1. Ugin’s Labyrinth
Gameplay Impact (5/5)
A zero-mana land that taps for colorless—provided you exile a colorless card from your hand. This fuels explosive starts in colorless-heavy strategies like Eldrazi Tron, ramp decks, or even artifact shells. The ability to bypass mana development costs is game-warping in the right build.
Investment Potential (4.5/5)
Its niche effect has broad application across formats. As a unique enabler for colorless strategies, this is poised to become a foundational piece in certain archetypes. Demand should remain stable over time, especially for premium printings.
2. Flare of Denial
Gameplay Impact (4.5/5)
A “free” counterspell that requires sacrificing a blue creature instead of paying mana. This is a perfect tool for tempo and control decks that feature cheap creatures like Delver of Secrets, evasive threats, or token generators. It allows decks to maintain pressure while holding up protection.
Investment Potential (4/5)
Historically, free interaction spells with alternate costs tend to hold solid long-term value. Flare of Denial has clear use cases and is likely to gain traction in multiple formats. Premium versions may see elevated interest from collectors and high-end players alike.
3. Birthing Ritual
Gameplay Impact (4.5/5)
This enchantment lets players sacrifice a creature at their end step to look at the top seven cards and cheat in another creature. In decks with recursive creatures or sacrifice payoffs, the card offers steady card advantage and board presence. It’s an engine piece for midrange combo and aristocrats-style decks.
Investment Potential (4/5)
Its versatility makes it a long-term consideration for Commander and possibly Modern. While initial interest may fluctuate, its potential in multiple archetypes gives it staying power. Showcase and alternate-frame versions add collector appeal.
4. Emrakul, the World Anew
Gameplay Impact (5/5)
This Eldrazi titan redefines inevitability with built-in protection and devastating board presence. Its synergy with mana ramp like Ugin’s Labyrinth and Eldrazi Temple makes it a natural finisher in dedicated Eldrazi decks. It’s a serious threat that must be answered quickly—if it can be answered at all.
Investment Potential (5/5)
As a mythic rare with a unique and powerful design, this Emrakul checks all the boxes for long-term desirability. Its playability across formats and prominence as a flagship card will likely make it a consistent high-demand item in multiple printings.
5. Enemy Fetch Land Reprints
Gameplay Impact (5/5)
The return of enemy-colored fetch lands brings greater consistency to mana bases in Modern and Commander. These lands remain some of the most powerful and universally useful cards for multi-color decks.
Investment Potential (5/5)
Fetch lands always rebound from reprints over time. Their enduring utility ensures steady long-term value. For collectors and investors, extended art and foil variants continue to be popular targets, even when short-term price dips occur post-release.
Limited Format Highlights: What to Watch
Eldrazi and Colorless Mana
With the return of Eldrazi, many Limited bombs now require colorless mana to cast. Success in MH3 Limited depends on prioritizing mana sources like Eldrazi Spawn and colorless-producing lands. Players ignoring these pieces may find their best cards uncastable.
Draft Strategy: Draft colorless enablers early and often if you’re leaning into Eldrazi. Prioritize synergy over raw power.
Energy Mechanic Returns
Energy provides a unique, persistent resource across multiple cards. MH3 enhances its utility with both enablers and payoff cards that can swing games if energy is carefully managed. It rewards consistent planning and resource tracking.
Draft Strategy: Focused energy decks are strong. Avoid spreading energy across too many colors or weak synergies.
Modal Double-Faced Cards (MDFCs)
These cards add flexibility by offering either a land or a spell, greatly improving curve consistency. MH3 includes MDFCs across all rarities, making them valuable tools in both Limited and Constructed.
Draft Strategy: Treat good MDFCs as early picks. They reduce variance and provide versatility in late-game situations.
Collector and Investor Corner
Serialized Eldrazi Titans
Each Eldrazi titan receives an extremely limited serialized printing. These uniquely numbered cards are already drawing intense interest from high-end collectors and are likely to hold or increase in value due to their scarcity.
Outlook: Serialized cards continue to define ultra-premium MTG collecting. Long-term appeal is high, particularly in sealed condition.
Showcase and Borderless Treatments
MH3 continues the trend of alternate-art treatments with showcase frames, extended art, and borderless designs. These not only appeal visually but often command higher demand on the secondary market.
Outlook: Premium variants of high-playability cards will remain top choices for collectors. Mythics and staple rares are particularly attractive for long-term holding.
Recap: Best Picks by Category
For Players
- Ugin’s Labyrinth – efficient ramp for colorless decks
- Flare of Denial – free interaction for tempo and control
- Birthing Ritual – sacrifice engine with deep synergy
- Emrakul, the World Anew – end-game powerhouse
- Enemy Fetch Lands – mana base essentials across formats
For Investors
- Serialized Eldrazi Titans – ultra-rare, highly desirable
- Borderless or showcase mythics – visually striking and collectible
- Extended art fetch lands – evergreen demand with a premium edge
- Playable rares with unique mechanics – strong candidates for gradual growth
Sealed Product Investment Outlook
Modern Horizons 3 sealed products—particularly Collector Boosters and Set Boosters—are poised to be strong long-term investments. With serialized Eldrazi, reprinted fetch lands, and high-impact mythics, these boxes are dense with value and chase cards. Limited print runs, combined with strong gameplay relevance, make sealed MH3 a compelling option for investors seeking medium- to long-term appreciation.
Modern Horizons 3 delivers a carefully tuned mix of power, innovation, and collectibility. For players, it introduces meta-defining tools and strategic depth. For investors, the set offers both high-end scarcity plays and evergreen utility staples. Whether you’re optimizing a Modern deck or curating a long-term collection, MH3 stands as one of the most impactful releases in recent memory.
Disclaimer: TCGplayer links on this page use a referral system that helps support the content—at no extra cost to you.
