Jump to section ▾
The graveyard as a resource
What this set is
Odyssey starts a new block on Otaria, a continent of Dominaria, a century after the Phyrexian invasion. Its theme is the graveyard as a resource: 44 cards have threshold, which turns on once seven or more cards are in your graveyard, and 28 have flashback, which lets you cast them a second time from there.
Flashback in particular became one of Magic's most reprinted mechanics. Odyssey also printed the five filter lands, Darkwater Catacombs, Skycloud Expanse, Sungrass Prairie, Shadowblood Ridge and Mossfire Valley, which turn {1} into two colored mana.
Entomb, Buried Alive (reprinted from Weatherlight) and the filter lands are the Odyssey cards Commander players use most. Its legends include Braids, Cabal Minion and Atogatog, a five-color Atog.
Themes
Every mechanic in Odyssey
Threshold
An ability word. A threshold ability works only as long as seven or more cards are in your graveyard, so the set rewards filling it.
Flashback
You may cast this card from your graveyard by paying its flashback cost, and it is exiled afterwards. One card, two casts.
Where You Can Play It
Format legality
Odyssey is a single code. Its two notable bans fall in different formats.
Not Standard-legal, and not Modern-legal as a set: Modern starts at Eighth Edition (July 2003). A card from here that was reprinted in a later Modern-legal set is Modern-legal in this printing too, because legality follows the card, not the printing. Legacy bans Entomb, and Commander bans Upheaval. It is also legal in Premodern, the community format built on Fourth Edition through Scourge. Commons from any set are Pauper-legal; that isn't listed per set here.
Commanders
The most played commanders from Odyssey
The legends this set is best known for. Tap one for its printings and what it costs.
Boosters, precons and singles from Odyssey are on TCGplayer.
FAQ
Common questions
Where can I play Odyssey cards?
In Legacy, Vintage and Commander, minus the cards each format bans. Odyssey is too old for Standard, Pioneer or Modern as a set, though any card that was later reprinted in a Modern-legal set is Modern-legal in every printing. It is also legal in Premodern, a community format built on Fourth Edition through Scourge.
Did flashback start in Odyssey?
Yes. Odyssey introduced flashback on 28 cards, and it has returned in many sets since, including both Innistrad blocks.
Is Upheaval banned in Commander?
Yes. Commander bans Upheaval, and Legacy bans Entomb.
All card names, art, and mechanics belong to Wizards of the Coast. Odyssey released on Oct 1, 2001; details reflect the set as published. Sources: Wizards of the Coast set pages and release notes, Draftsim, Untapped.gg.
Playing Odyssey in Commander?
TurnZero HQ keeps deck records, MMR, and moments for every Commander night, so you can see which new cards are actually earning their slot.
Create Free Account