الوسم: strixhaven

  • Enhance Your MTG Strixhaven Commander Deck Through Completing and Solving

    Enhance Your MTG Strixhaven Commander Deck Through Completing and Solving

    Some prebuilt Magic: The Gathering Commander decks are great, but they often have hidden potential that can be unlocked with a few smart card additions. All it takes are a few well-chosen upgrades to improve each deck and make it more powerful.

    In this guide, we’ll look at three key upgrades for each of the Secrets of Strixhaven Commander decks. For each deck, we’ll suggest one budget option, one mid-priced choice, and one high-end upgrade to cover all spending levels.

    Note: Prices listed are the lowest and highest bids on TCGPlayer at the time of writing.


    Prismari Artistry

    Shark Tycoon — $1.50–$14
    This inexpensive enchantment is surprisingly flexible. For six mana, it creates X/X flying shark tokens whenever you cast a noncreature spell, with X equal to the mana cost of that spell. You can also cycle Shark Tycoon for X plus two mana to create a shark token with power and toughness equal to X.

    Insurrection — $8–$18
    If you can cast it, this spell turns the tide of the game. It gains control of all creatures, untaps them, and grants them haste for the turn. Though it costs eight mana, having this in hand can be a game-changer when the moment is right.

    Improvisation Capstone — $13–$26
    A bit costly, but very powerful, this card provides you with several free spells each turn, depending on luck. It costs seven mana, but its ability to give you multiple free plays can win clutch games if you resolve it.

    Cards to Remove:

    • Solemn Simulacrum
    • Surge to Victory
    • Twinflame
    • Chaos Warp
    • Prismari Charm

    Quandrix Unlimited

    Broodguard Elite — $0.20
    A budget-friendly pick that helps grow your army fast. Playing this card early helps you put counters on Zimone, which amplifies the power of your X-cost spells. Despite its low cost, it can have a big impact if you draw it early.

    Doppelganger — $5–$50
    This card lets you create tokens copying other creatures, turning threats into your own forces. It requires some math to figure out exactly how many tokens you’ll make, but in mana-rich Commander games, Doppelganger can cause serious trouble for opponents.

    Kalonian Hydra — $5–$29
    A significant upgrade to existing large creatures, Kalonian Hydra enters with four +1/+1 counters and doubles the counters on all your creatures when attacking. Thanks to Trample, it’s a major threat on the green battlefield.

    Cards to Remove:

    • Eureka Moment
    • Quandrix Apprentice
    • Open the Way
    • Curse of the Swine
    • Zimone, All Questioning

    Silverquill Influence

    Ethereal Armor — $0.40
    A perfect addition for enchantment-heavy decks, this card grants a creature +1/+1 for each enchantment you control and gives it First Strike. It’s a cheap upgrade that packs a punch, especially with many enchantments in play.

    Light Paws, Emperor’s Voice — $2–$20
    A versatile two-mana creature, it can fetch other auras with lower or equal mana value each time an aura enters the battlefield, then attach it to Light Paws. In Commander, its ability can quickly empower your enchantments and creatures.

    Sigarda’s Aid — $16–$66
    This enchantment allows you to cast equipment and auras at instant speed, making your plays more flexible. It bypasses many costs associated with attaching items, enabling quick and surprising game-changing moves.

    Cards to Remove:

    • Keen Duelist
    • Anguished Unmaking
    • Firemane Commandos
    • Breena, the Demagogue
    • Mangara, the Diplomat

    Witherbloom Pestilence

    Blech, Loafing Pest — $0.49
    A budget creature that benefits from life gain and +1/+1 counters, Blech accumulates counters each time you gain life, while so do Pest, Bat, Insect, Snake, or Spider tokens you control.

    Vito, Dusk of the Thorn Rose — $9–$59
    A Golgari staple that can create infinite life-loss combos or become a persistent threat. You can activate his ability for five mana to give all your creatures Lifelink, or use him to chip away at opponents’ life totals.

    Sephiroth, Fabled Soldier / One-Winged Angel — $25–$93
    A somewhat unusual choice, Sephiroth thrives on creature sacrifices and life gain. With each of his minions that dies, he chips away at opponents. Once he transforms, he grants you an emblem that makes his ability permanent and can start sacrificing creatures when attacking.

    Cards to Remove:

    • Gilded Goose
    • Nether Traitor
    • Bloodghast
    • Night’s Whisper

    Lorehold Spirit

    Ghost Vacuum — $3–$20
    A slightly pricier inclusion, Ghost Vacuum exiles cards from graveyards and can be sacrificed to return exiled creatures as spirits, benefiting from all buffs on the battlefield. It’s a strong way to control graveyard interactions and resurrect threats.

    Caretaker’s Talent — $8.49–$10
    An enchantment that benefits token strategies by allowing you to draw a card whenever a token enters the battlefield. Higher levels enable copying tokens and boosting all creatures, adding consistency and power.

    Esper Sentinel — $65–$92
    A high-value upgrade that draws you a card whenever an opponent casts their first noncreature spell each turn unless they pay mana equal to its power. It’s a powerful economic tool, especially in multiplayer formats.

    Cards to Remove:

    • Moonshaker Cavalry
    • Secret Rendezvous
    • Lorehold Charm
    • Primary Research
    • Bitterthorn, Nissa’s Animus

    Summary

    With just a few targeted upgrades, each of these decks can reach new heights. Replacing less impactful cards with these recommended choices will give you more options and stronger plays, helping you better control the game and come out ahead.

  • Top 5 Strixhaven Lorehold Cards for Completing and Solving MTG Secrets

    Top 5 Strixhaven Lorehold Cards for Completing and Solving MTG Secrets

    If you enjoy decks in Magic: The Gathering that repeatedly interact with the graveyard, Lorehold might be the college for you at Strixhaven. With the return of the Flashback mechanic, there are many ways to give cards a second shot to influence the game.

    We’ve highlighted some of the top Lorehold cards from Secrets of Strixhaven so far, based on how they could impact Standard or Commander decks.

    Honorable Mentions

    These cards aren’t in the top five yet, but they could become very important once the set releases and the meta shifts:

    • Flashback
    • Borrowed Knowledge
    • Colossus of the Blood Age
    • Kirol, History Buff
    • Ark of Hunger

    5. Aziza, Mage Tower Captain

    For Standard and Commander

    This legendary Djinn sorcerer costs just one white and one red mana. At first glance, it’s a 2/2 legendary creature with no special abilities. However, its ability is quite useful: whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, you may tap three untapped creatures you control to choose new targets for that spell.

    In a way, Aziza acts like a powerful Storm effect, especially useful in clutch situations where you want to double up on spells, even if it means tapping some creatures.


    4. Restoration Seminar

    For Standard and Commander

    This spell costs seven mana, which might seem high at first. The key is understanding the added value: it returns a nonland permanent from your graveyard to the battlefield — a creature, artifact, or enchantment.

    What truly makes this card powerful is the Paradigm mechanic from Strixhaven, allowing you to cast a free copy of the spell at the start of each first main phase for the rest of the game if the initial cast was successful. These additional copies can still be countered but don’t cost mana. Despite the initial cost, successfully resolving this spell can be a game-changer.


    3. Emeritus of Conflict

    For Standard and Commander

    While this card fits well in Prismari decks too, Emeritus of Conflict features first strike—a common trait among Lorehold and Boros creatures. It’s a 2/2 for only two mana and can cast Lightning Bolt for just one mana using the prepare mechanic, dealing three damage to any target.

    To use the prepare ability on Emeritus of Conflict, you need to cast three spells in a turn. It doesn’t enter prepared, which limits its power slightly but keeps it balanced. This card can be very useful in both Prismari and Lorehold decks, showcasing the versatility of the Strixhaven college system, as long as mono-color cards aren’t hampered by restrictive keywords.


    2. Antiquities On The Loose

    For Standard and Commander

    This three-mana sorcery screams Lorehold’s theme. If cast normally or via Flashback, it’s bound to annoy your opponent. It creates two 2/2 spirit tokens, and if cast from anywhere other than your hand (like through Flashback), it puts a +1/+1 counter on every spirit you control, including tokens and non-tokens.

    While the Flashback cost is increased to six mana, it’s worth it if you have spirits on the board and are close to ending the game. Finding ways to reduce its mana cost or trigger additional copies (such as with Aziza) can boost your board presence. Just be cautious if your opponent runs board wipes.


    1. Lorehold, The Historian

    For Standard and Commander

    This legendary 5/5 flying dragon is nothing to overlook. Its true strength lies in its secondary abilities. For five mana, it’s a fair cost for a powerful creature, especially if you can keep it on the battlefield longer.

    Lorehold, The Historian grants each instant and sorcery in your hand “Miracle 2,” meaning you can cast one for just two mana if it’s the first card drawn that turn. Additionally, it allows you to discard a card during each opponent’s upkeep for a chance to draw again, potentially setting up more Miracle plays.

    This card is expected to see more use in Standard initially, as its mana cost is high for Commander, but it’s excellent for mid-to-late game swing plays that can turn the tide of battle.

  • Strixhaven MTG Arena Bundles: Completing and Solving Secrets to Buy

    Strixhaven MTG Arena Bundles: Completing and Solving Secrets to Buy

    If you like playing Magic: The Gathering online, especially through MTG Arena, you’ll want to know how to make the most of the Secrets of Strixhaven set release. There are two bundles available, each designed for different types of play: Standard or Limited.

    No matter if you prefer building 60-card decks for ranked matches or enjoy drafting with a pick-and-pass style, there’s a Secrets of Strixhaven MTG Arena bundle for you.

    Play Bundle — $49.99

    The Play bundle is mainly aimed at limited play and doesn’t include packs to open. Instead, it offers the following:

    • Four draft tokens
    • Two sealed tokens
    • 20 Play-In Points
    • A Professor Dellian Fel card
    • A Dellian Fel card style
    • Dellian Fel card sleeves
    • Abigail as a companion

    This bundle is available for pre-order now on MTG Arena. It’s a good deal, especially if you’re skilled at drafting. With four draft tokens, you can turn them into 8,800 Arena gems and 24 Secrets of Strixhaven card packs. To do this, you’ll need to win seven games before losing three on each of your four drafts.

    Pack Bundle — $49.99

    The Pack bundle is designed for players who love deck building and want to stay current with the Standard format. It includes:

    • 45 Secrets of Strixhaven packs
    • Five mythic Packs
    • Five Golden packs
    • A Ral Zarek, Guest Lecturer card
    • A Ral Zarek card style
    • Ral Zarek card sleeves

    If you’re looking to get quick wildcards, this bundle is the best option. With 55 packs in total, you’re likely to earn lots of rare wildcards, and possibly mythic wildcards too, depending on luck.

    Both bundles are separate, so you can buy either one or both without any overlap. Whether you prefer limited or constructed play, grabbing both packages gives you a complete experience. That’s why the planewalker cards and cosmetics are divided between the two options.

  • Strixhaven Lorehold Spirit Commander Deck List & Completing Upgrades

    Strixhaven Lorehold Spirit Commander Deck List & Completing Upgrades

    Five new Commander pre-constructed decks are arriving in Secrets of Strixhaven, and we’re here to break down each one so you can decide which fits your play style best.

    If your strategy involves graveyard recursion, token creation, or if you have a soft spot for Lorehold College, the Lorehold Spirit deck is an excellent choice. We’ll also look at possible upgrades, especially from the white and red mana pools.

    Lorehold Spirit Deck List

    Much about the full deck list is currently unknown, unlike the Prismari Artistry deck which leaked earlier. More details are expected during spoiler season.

    Here’s what we know so far about the deck’s key cards:

    Card Name Card Type Cost
    Quintorius, History Chaser Planeswalker 1 Red, 1 White + 2 Colorless
    Arcane Signet Artifact 2 Colorless
    Sol Ring Artifact 2 Colorless
    Talisman of Conviction Artifact 2 Colorless

    Full deck details are anticipated in late March or early April.

    Commander Breakdown

    The Commander for this deck is Quintorius, History Chaser, which is a planewalker, not a legendary creature—a rare choice for Commander decks that can work if explicitly specified. Planeswalkers as Commanders are uncommon but powerful when used correctly.

    Quintorius’s abilities clearly define the deck’s focus: whenever cards leave your graveyard, you get to create a 3/2 white and red spirit token. Its +1 ability allows you to discard a card, draw two, and mill one, helping to fill your graveyard and draw more cards to interact with it. The -4 grants all your spirit tokens vigilance and double strike, making them more formidable in combat.

    Deck Theme & Strategy

    From the packaging and the Commander, the deck centers around two main themes: casting cards from the graveyard and generating spirit tokens. Mechanics like flashback, unearth, dredge, or delve are likely included, as they all involve interacting with your graveyard. While most focus on creature cards, non-creature cards that leave your graveyard can also be part of the strategy, especially creature cards that can return to the battlefield repeatedly, creating recurring threats for opponents.

    Enhancing your spirits and creatures with spells or enchantments to boost their power is also expected, making your tokens even more menacing alongside your graveyard recursion.

    Upgrades

    We can’t specify which cards will be removed until the full deck list is available, but we can suggest existing Commander-legal cards that would complement this deck.

    Some promising options include:

    • Sacred Fire: This flashback spell deals two damage to any target and restores two life. Its initial cost is low, making it good for early removal of small creatures. Its flashback cost is six mana, but it can also help when your life is low by dealing damage and creating a spirit token if Quintorius is on the battlefield.

    • Quintorius, Field Historian: A legendary creature that shares the same ability as Quintorius, creating a spirit token whenever you leave cards from your graveyard. Having both on the battlefield means you’ll consistently generate two spirits each time you interact with your graveyard, and it also boosts spirits’ power by +1/+0.

    • Firemane Angel: A 4/3 flying, first strike creature that gains you one life at the start of each upkeep if it’s on the battlefield or in your graveyard. Recasting it from the graveyard costs ten mana but can be done during your upkeep, providing a way to activate Quintorius’s talent repeatedly. Accumulating life over time can be a useful buffer.

    • Rally The Peasants: An instant that gives all creatures +2/0 until end of turn, ideal for boosting your spirits’ attack power. It has a flashback cost similar to its original, allowing you to cast it twice, maximizing its value during the match.

    The deck will likely revolve around mechanics that involve cards leaving your graveyard, with creature cards that can repeatedly return to play being particularly disruptive for opponents. Expect numerous ways to enhance your spirits and creatures, either through instant spells or enchantments, to strengthen your tokens and overall board presence.

  • Which Strixhaven MTG Products Help You Complete and Solve Your Deck?

    Which Strixhaven MTG Products Help You Complete and Solve Your Deck?

    The second set of Magic: The Gathering’s 2026 releases is almost here, and for the third time in a row, a new product is hitting the market. First came Draft Night in Lorwyn Eclipsed, then Turtle Team-Up in TMNT, and now there’s the Codex Bundle.

    This themed bundle is selling out quickly at many stores, and it’s easy to see why. It offers great value. Here’s a summary of what it includes and other available products to help you decide.

    When is the Secrets of Strixhaven release date?
    The worldwide release date for Secrets of Strixhaven is April 24, 2026. All products will be available for purchase then, including pre-orders from online shops. Pre-release events start a week earlier, on April 17, 2026. Check with your local game store for event details. The MTG Arena release is expected around April 21, 2026, but this hasn’t been confirmed.

    What Secrets of Strixhaven products are available?
    There will be at least 17 different products released around the prerelease and launch date. Most of these are five new College-themed Commander decks and prerelease packs, which form the core of the offerings. The most exciting new product is the Codex Bundle, which is specially themed and shows how much creativity can go into designing new products.

    The products and their prices are approximately:
    – Collector Booster Box: $324
    – Play Booster Box: $165
    – Commander Decks: $50 each
    – Themed Standard Decks: $24 each
    – Prerelease Pack: price varies by store
    – Draft Night Box: $90
    – Bundle: $58
    – Codex Bundle: $90
    (Note: Prices for some items like prerelease packs vary by retailer, and the bundle prices are approximate retail values.)

    Collector Booster Box
    This box, or individual packs, is the best option if you want to pull the rarest cards in Secrets of Strixhaven. Most of the highly valuable cards are exclusive to Collector Booster packs, which can’t be found in other products.

    For investors, the Collector Booster box is an ideal short-term money-maker because these boxes are rarely reprinted after the initial release, leading to high resale values. If the set becomes very popular and some cards are worth a lot, their value can increase over time.

    Play Booster Box
    The basic product is a pack containing 14 cards, including possible cards from The List and guest artist cards. An art card may also be included but doesn’t count as part of the 14 playable cards. These packs are legal in Limited formats but may include guest cards that are banned in Standard.

    Play Boosters are great for drafting and building a collection of playable cards, especially commons and uncommons. For rarer cards, buying singles is usually a better choice.

    Codex Bundle
    This new product was teased earlier in the year and is now official. Each Codex Bundle includes:
    – Two Collector Booster Packs
    – Six Play Booster Packs
    – 20 Foil Land cards
    – An oversized Spindown Die
    – Two borderless foil promo cards (out of a possible six)

    Retailing at around $90, the value of this bundle is impressive. However, it quickly sold out and now fetches over $190 on sites like TCGPlayer because it can’t be found at retail prices anymore.

    Prerelease Pack
    Coming back this year, these packs are available in five variants—one for each College. Check with local stores for pricing and availability. Each pack contains:
    – Five Play Boosters
    – One Seeded Booster (matching your chosen college)
    – An oversized Spindown Die
    – One unstamped promo card

    Commander Decks
    Five brand-new Commander decks are launching, one for each College. These decks cost about $50 each, which is a good deal. Many retailers, including online stores like Amazon, offer a bundle with all five decks. For detailed info on each deck, refer to the upcoming Commander deck guide once the cards are released.

    Themed Standard Decks
    Two themed 60-card standard decks will be available for around $24 each. They are excellent for newcomers, providing a simple way to start playing without building decks from scratch. The decks are balanced enough for casual and beginner play but may not be powerful enough for serious competition.

    Bundle
    The bundle includes nine Play Boosters, 30 lands (15 foil and 15 non-foil), a promo card, a storage box, a Spindown die, and two reference cards. It’s perfect for players who want the fun of opening packs without the cost of a full booster box—great for drafting or starting a collection.

    Draft Night Box
    This returns with the same format as in Lorwyn Eclipsed and TMNT. It’s designed for up to four players, providing everything needed for a draft night, including a bonus Collector Booster pack for the top player. Each box contains 12 Play Boosters, 90 lands, 10 double-sided tokens, and a Collector Booster.

    This product helps assemble a fun drafting experience while offering a great value, making it ideal for casual game nights.

  • Understanding the Five Colleges of Strixhaven in MTG: Completing and Solving

    Understanding the Five Colleges of Strixhaven in MTG: Completing and Solving

    The Secrets of Strixhaven marks the return of the five Mage Colleges, making it an ideal moment to revisit what each stands for and how they might influence the upcoming set.

    Each college has a dual-color theme that shapes how they play. While some standalone cards can fit into the current Standard and Commander formats, if you want to maximize the set’s synergies, it’s best to build decks mainly with cards from the new release.

    Lorehold
    Represented by white and red, Lorehold is the college of Archaeomancy, founded by the dragon Velomachus Lorehold. Its focus is uncovering history through magic—finding artifacts, communicating with spirits, and exploring the past. Its students include archaeologists, linguists, and art historians, often overlapping with Prismari students. A core part of Lorehold’s identity involves military strength—its Dean Augusta believes in societal progress, while Plargg, the orc Dean, emphasizes individual strength. Many students use spirits, golems, and artifacts in combat. Careers include Archaeoscribes, Dustspeakers, and Ruin Shamans. The upcoming Spirit Commander pre-con deck features a white and red theme, centered on creating token spirits that grow stronger and deal damage.

    Prismari
    This college focuses on elemental magic and creativity, combining blue and red. Founded by the dragon Galazeth Prismari, it values artistic expression and explosive performances. Ulvilda, the Dean of Perfection, believes art should be skillful and detailed, while Nassari, Dean of Expression, champions raw emotion and spontaneity. Their magic involves working with elemental forces—water, fire, air, and lightning—used in paintings, dance, or music, with elementals as symbols. Students might specialize in Opusmancy, shaping earth and lava, or Aesthemancy, exploring beauty. The Prismari Artistry deck in Secrets of Strixhaven emphasizes spells that generate tokens and buff them based on spells cast earlier.

    Quandrix
    Green and blue magic define Quandrix, which studies the structure of the universe through math and physics. Founded by the dragon Tanazir Quandrix, the college explores geometry, fractals, and the nature of mana. Its debates revolve around whether math is discovered or invented, known as the Substance versus Theory debate, often with its two Deans disagreeing. Kianne, the Dean of Substance, applies math to practical magic, manipulating space and size, while Imbraham, Dean of Theory, focuses on questioning and creating illusions. The Quandrix Unlimited deck features counters and spells with variable effects, led by Zimone, Infinite Analyst.

    Witherbloom
    Centered in biology, Witherbloom studies life and decay, using magic from the swampy terrain of Arcavios. Its philosophy is dual—Lisette, Dean of the Root, values life’s sacredness and aims to preserve it, whereas Valentin, Dean of the Vein, sees death and decay as fueling nature’s cycle. Its students include potion makers, necromancers, and wildlife manipulators. Witherbloom’s mascots are unique, representing natural ecosystems. The upcoming Pestilence deck emphasizes sacrifice and life gain, led by Dina, Essence Brewer, who sacrifices creatures to gain life and empower others.

    Silverquill
    This college uses words, rhetoric, and oration, thriving on white and black magic. Its nickname is the College of Eloquence, with a mission to inspire and dominate through language. Its mascots, the Inklings, symbolize creative magic. Silverquill students focus on literature, poetry, and debate, casting spells that undermine opponents’ confidence or boost allies’ resolve. The debate between Radiance and Shadow reflects their approach: Shaile, Dean of Radiance, believes in uplifting through positive rhetoric, while Embrose, Dean of Shadow, advocates for the power of harsh words and realism. The Silverquill Influence deck features enchantments and a goad mechanic to encourage opponents to target others, setting the stage for a strategic and competitive gameplay style.

    This overview highlights the core philosophies, themes, and upcoming card sets associated with each college, emphasizing their unique roles in the evolving world of Magic: The Gathering.