Editing Strixhaven: School of Mages

{{SubTabs
|noitalic=1
|sub1 = Mystical Archive
|sub2 = Trivia
|sub3 = Card comparisons
|sub4 = Art series
}}
{{Infobox set
  |image = Strixhaven logo.png
  |image_bgcolor = black
  |symbol_description = A [[Wikipedia:Strix (mythology)|Strix]]
  |design = [[Mark Rosewater]] (lead)<ref name="Haven 1">{{DailyRef|making-magic/strixhaven-part-1-2021-03-29|In the Strixhaven, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|March 29, 2021}}</ref><br>[[Andrew Veen]]<br>[[Ari Nieh]]<br>[[Daniel Holt]]<br>[[George Fan]]<br>[[Sydney Adams]]<br>[[Yoni Skolnik]]
  |development = Yoni Skolnik (lead)<br>[[Erik Lauer]]<br>[[Ian Duke]]<br>[[Mark Gottlieb]]<br>Daniel Holt<br>[[Ken Nagle]]<br>[[Michael Hinderaker]]<br>[[Andrew Brown]]<br>[[Ben Hayes]]<br>[[Kazu Negri]]<br>Ari Nieh<br>Andrew Veen<br>[[Chris Mooney]]<br>[[Reggie Valk]]
  |art = [[Taylor Ingvarsson]]
  |release = April 23, 2021
  |mechanics = [[Modal double-faced card]]s, [[Lesson]]s, "[[instant]]s and [[spell]]s matter", [[enemy color]]s, [[creature]] [[token]]s
  |keywords = [[Learn]], [[Magecraft]], [[Ward]]
  |size = 275 + 107
  |code_expansion = STX
  |code_expansion_ref = {{WebRef|url=https://www.magic.gg/standings|title=Standings 2020-21|author=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|publisher=[[Magic.gg]]}}
  |plane=[[Arcavios]]
  |code_expansion_explain = 
  |code_development = Fencing
  |standard0 = Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms{{!}}Forgotten Realms
  |standard1 = Zendikar Rising
  |standard2 = Kaldheim
  |standard3 = Strixhaven: School of Mages
  |previous = Challenger Decks 2021
  |next = {{noslash|Strixhaven: School of Mages/Mystical Archive}}
}}
'''''Strixhaven: School of Mages''''', often shortened as '''''Strixhaven''''', is the 87th ''[[Magic: the Gathering|Magic]]'' expansion. It is set at the [[Strixhaven]] school on the plane of [[Arcavios]].<ref>{{DailyRef|news/zendikar-debut-and-announcement-day-recap-2020-09-01|Zendikar Debut and Announcement Day Recap|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|September 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{YouTubeRef|ObbMbC1v0H4|Strixhaven Sneak Peek|channel=Weekly MTG|date=February 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|feature/first-lesson-introduction-strixhaven-2021-02-18|The First Lesson: Introduction to Strixhaven|[[Blake Rasmussen]]|February 18, 2021}}</ref> It was released on April 23, 2021.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/strixhaven-school-mages-and-commander-2021-edition-release-notes-2021-04-16|Strixhaven: School of Mages and Commander (2021 Edition) Release Notes|[[Jess Dunks]] and [[Matt Tabak]]|April 16, 2021}}</ref>

==Set details==
[[File:STX School Map.jpg|thumb|right|250px|School map]]{{Cquote|Choose Excellence}}
''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' is a [[bottom-up]] [[enemy color]] faction set based on “instants and spells matter”.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/646652659474087936/what-makes-strixhaven-a-bottom-up-set-seems|title=What makes Strixhaven a bottom up set?|March 25, 2021}}</ref> Creatively, the design of this set is ''[[Magic]]''’s take on the [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WizardingSchool magical school genre].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/642497564431761408/not-sure-if-you-can-answer-but-this-shouldnt|title=Is Strixhaven based on anything?|February 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Haven 1"/> Each one of the featured colleges represents one of ''Magic''’s [[enemy color]] combinations, with their character and mechanics.<ref name="Names"/> Cards associated with the different colleges feature separate [[watermark]]ed insignias. This set contains 275 regular cards {{curmb|105|80|69|21|}} and includes randomly inserted [[premium]] versions of all cards. The [[basic land]]s are numbered outside the main set and therefore don't appear in the [[draft booster]]s.

Alternate card frames have another card number than the original version. [[Borderless]] planeswalkers are numbered #276-279, borderless elder dragons are #280-284, and [[extended artwork]] cards are numbered #285-365. [[Basic land]]s are #366-375. The [[Buy-a-Box]] card is #376 and the [[Bundle promo]] is #377. The FNM-treatment cards from the [[Universal promo pack]] are numbered #378-382. There are no [[showcase card]]s in this set, as the [[Mystical Archive]] fills that position. 

This set introduces the term [[mana value]] as a wording change for [[converted mana cost]]. Also, "shuffle your library" is shortened to [[shuffle]], and "activate this ability only any time you could cast a sorcery" is shortened to "activate only as a sorcery."

===Storyline===
Strixhaven is the most elite University in the [[Multiverse]]. It features five colleges founded by the elder dragon whose name each college bears: [[Silverquill]] ({{W}}{{B}}), [[Prismari]] ({{U}}{{R}}), [[Witherbloom]] ({{B}}{{G}}), [[Lorehold]] ({{R}}{{W}}), and [[Quandrix]] {{nowrap|({{G}}{{U}})}}.<ref>{{YouTubeRef|wGUAB7ORw64|The Zendikar Adventuring Party|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=September 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Names">{{WebRef|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/lkwe29/leak_strixhaven_house_names_apparently_leaked/|title=Strixhaven house names apparently leaked|date=February 16, 2021|publisher=Reddit}}</ref> The five colleges battle it out with their takes on magic. Several [[planeswalker]]s, each with their motivations, have sought out [[Arcavios]] and [[Strixhaven]] as their refuge. They are confronted by the [[Oriq]].

The cards that represent the [[Story Spotlight]]s in ''Strixhaven'' are:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
*<c>Crackle with Power</c>
*<c>Culmination of Studies</c>
*<c>Defend the Campus</c>
*<c>Draconic Intervention</c>
*<c>Explosive Welcome</c>
*<c>Extus, Oriq Overlord // Awaken the Blood Avatar</c>
*<c>Letter of Acceptance</c>
*<c>Mage Hunters' Onslaught</c>
*<c>Mascot Interception</c>
*<c>Mentor's Guidance</c>
*<c>Plumb the Forbidden</c>
*<c>Practical Research</c>
*<c>Professor's Warning</c>
*<c>Rise of Extus</c>
*<c>Tempted by the Oriq</c>
}}

====''Magic'' Story====
{{main|Magic Story}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Title !! Author !! Release Date !! Setting !! Featuring
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-1-class-session-2021-03-25|Episode 1: Class is in Session}} || [[Adana Washington]] || 2021-03-25 || [[Arcavios]], [[Kylem]] || [[Liliana Vess]], [[Will Kenrith]], [[Rowan Kenrith]], [[Lukka]], [[Kasmina]], [[Shaile]], [[Nassari]], [[Lisette]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/cry-magic-2021-03-26|A Cry of Magic}} || [[Aysha U. Farah]] || 2021-03-26 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Rootha Squallheart]], [[Uvilda]], [[Nassari]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-2-lessons-2021-03-31|Episode 2: Lessons}} || [[Adana Washington]] || 2021-03-31 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Lukka]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Beledros Witherbloom]], [[Extus Narr]], [[Rowan Kenrith]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-3-extracurriculars-2021-04-07|Episode 3: Extracurriculars}} || [[Adana Washington]] || 2021-04-07 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Will Kenrith]], [[Rowan Kenrith]], [[Quintorius Kand]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Kasmina]], [[Lukka]], [[Extus Narr]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/chains-bind-2021-04-09|The Chains That Bind}} || [[Reinhardt Suarez]] || 2021-04-09 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Dina]], [[Valentin]], [[Lisette]], [[Killian Lu]], [[Liliana Vess]] 
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-4-put-test-2021-04-14|Episode 4: Put to the Test}} || [[Adana Washington]] || 2021-04-14 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Will Kenrith]], [[Rowan Kenrith]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Kianne]], [[Imbraham]], [[Extus Narr]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/mentor-2021-04-16|The Mentor}} || [[Reinhardt Suarez]] || 2021-04-16 || [[Arcavios]] || [[Quintorius Kand]], [[Hofri Ghostforge]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/episode-5-final-exam-2021-04-21|Episode 5: Final Exam}} || [[Adana Washington]] || 2021-04-21 ||[[Arcavios]] || [[Will Kenrith]], [[Rowan Kenrith]], The [[Blood Avatar]], [[Extus Narr]], [[Uvilda]], [[Lukka]], [[Mila]], [[Nassari]], [[Lisette]], [[Liliana Vess]], [[Kasmina]]
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/blue-green-ribbons-2021-04-23|Blue-Green Ribbons}} || [[Innocent Chizaram Ilo]] || 2021-04-23 ||[[Arcavios]] || 
|-
| {{ArticleArchive|magic-story/silent-voice-calls-2021-04-30|A Silent Voice Calls}} || [[Marcus Terrell Smith]] || 2021-04-30 ||[[Arcavios]] || 
|}

===Marketing===
[[File:STX Bundle.png|thumb|right|250px|Bundle with [[Rowan Kenrith|Rowan]] and [[Will Kenrith]] [[key art]]]]
[[File:STX scarves.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Strixhaven'' promotional scarves]]
''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' is sold in regular 16-card [[Draft Booster]]s (one card being a [[marketing card]]). A ''[[Mystical Archive]]'' card appears as a bonus card in each Draft Booster. These ''Mystical Archive'' cards don't replace another card of the same rarity in a pack. So you can get multiple rare cards in a draft booster.

In addition, the product line includes five bi-colored [[Theme Booster]]s, [[Collector Booster]]s (including three ''Mystical Archive'' cards, one certified Japanese version), [[Set Booster]]s (with a ''Mystical Archive'' card and a [[Lesson]] card), the ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' [[bundle]] and five [[Commander (format)|Commander]] decks.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://www.heo.com/de/en/show/P9c5_M489_Of/strixschoolmages|title=Strixhaven: School of Mages|publisher=Heo.com}}</ref><ref name="Product Overview"/> 

The packaging of ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' features [[key art]] of [[Will Kenrith|Will]] and [[Rowan Kenrith]]. The Draft Boosters feature artwork of [[Killian Lu]], [[Rootha Squallheart]], [[Dina]], [[Quintorius Kand]] and [[Zimone Wola]]. The Theme Boosters feature art from <c>Clever Lumimancer</c> {{nowrap|({{W}}{{B}})}}, <c>Spectacle Mage</c> {{nowrap|({{U}}{{R}})}}, <c>Professor of Zoomancy</c> {{nowrap|({{B}}{{G}})}}, <c>Lorehold Apprentice</c> {{nowrap|({{R}}{{W}})}}, and <c>Quandrix Apprentice</c> {{nowrap|({{G}}{{U}})}}. The Collector Boosters feature the art of the ''[[Mystical Archive]]'' {{card|Memory Lapse||STA}} and the Set Boosters feature original art of the battle between the Strixhaven residents and the [[Oriq]].

With the release of ''Strixhaven'', 55 cards were rotated into [[The List]], many of which were thematically or mechanically linked to the set. In 5% of the Set Boosters, the [[marketing card]] is replaced by a [[minigame]] card.

====Mystical Archive====
{{Main|Strixhaven: School of Mages/Mystical Archive}}
''Mystical Archive'' is a separate set of cards associated with ''Strixhaven: School of Mages''. It is similar to the [[Masterpiece Series]] but the cards appear more frequently in the boosters of the main set. In ''Mystical Archive'', [[Wizards of the Coast]]s has [[reprint]]ed 63 of the most famous [[instant]]s and [[sorcery|sorceries]] of all time in specially designed [[showcase]] frames and at all [[rarity|rarities]]. ''Strixhaven'' Draft and Set Boosters contain one ''Mystical Archive'' card, and Collector Boosters have at least three. These will only be legal in [[format]]s that they are already legal in. They are not part of the [[Standard]] environment. However, the cards may be used in [[Limited]] events.
 
====Events====
*[[Magic Online]] and [[MTG Arena]] release: April 15, 2021<ref>{{DailyRef|/news/strixhaven-school-mages-previews-and-more-2021-magic-release-dates-2021-03-18|Strixhaven News + More|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 18, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Tabletop]] [[Prerelease]]: April 16–April 22, 2021<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/strixhaven-school-mages-prerelease-primer-2021-04-12|''Strixhaven: School of Mages"' Prerelease Primer|[[Gavin Verhey]]|April 12, 2021}}</ref> 
**Each [[prerelease pack]] contains one ''[[Prerelease#Strixhaven: School of Mages|College Booster]]''.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://wpn.wizards.com/en/products/strixhaven-school-mages|title=Strixhaven: School of Mages Prerelease Pack|author=[[WPN]]|date=March, 2021|publisher=[[Wizards Play Network]]}}</ref>
*[[Launch party]]: April 23–April 25, 2021
*[[Friday Night Magic]]: April 23–July 2, 2021
*[[Commander Nights]]: April 23–July 8, 2021

====Promotional cards====
*[[Prerelease card|Prerelease]]: a stamped card that can be any rare or mythic rare related to the college of choice.
*Other events: cards from the ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' [[universal promo pack]].
**The seasonal dark-frame promos are: {{card|Fracture||STX|#=378}}, {{card|Expressive Iteration||STX|#=379}}, {{card|Mortality Spear||STX|#=380}}, {{card|Rip Apart||STX|#=381}} and {{card|Decisive Denial||STX|#=382}}.
*[[Buy-a-Box]]: [[foil]] [[alternate art|alternate]], [[extended art]] {{card|Dragonsguard Elite||STX|#=376}}<ref name="Product Overview">{{DailyRef|feature/strixhaven-school-mages-product-overview-2021-03-25|''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' Product Overview|[[Ari Zirulnik]]|March 25, 2021}}</ref> 
*[[Bundle promo]]: foil alternate art {{card|Archmage Emeritus||STX|#=377}}<ref>{{YouTubeRef|b23oHHziMto|Strixhaven: School of Mages Campus Tour|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=March 25, 2021}}</ref>

====Tokens and emblems====
The sixteenth card in the boosters is a [[token]] creature card or an [[emblem]], with advertisements on the backside. It can also be a [[substitute card|helper card]] with a standard card back. There are a total of nine tokens and emblems:<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/tokens-stx-and-c21-2021-04-15|The Tokens of ''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' and ''Commander (2021 Edition)''|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|April 15, 2021}}</ref> 
#{{B/R}} 3/6 [[Avatar]] creature with [[haste]] and "Whenever this creature attacks, it deals 3 damage to each opponent," for <c>Awaken the Blood Avatar</c>.
#{{U/R}} 4/4 [[Elemental]] creature, for <c>Elemental Expressionist</c>, <c>Elemental Masterpiece</c>, <c>Elemental Summoning</c>, <c>Magma Opus</c>, <c>Mascot Exhibition</c>, <c>Multiple Choice</c>, <c>Resculpt</c>, and <c>Will, Scholar of Frost</c>.
#{{G/U}} 0/0 [[Fractal]] creature, for <c>Emergent Sequence</c>, <c>Fractal Summoning</c>, <c>Kasmina, Enigma Sage</c>, <c>Kianne, Dean of Substance</c>, <c>Leyline Invocation</c>, <c>Manifestation Sage</c>, <c>Biomathematician</c>, <c>Body of Research</c>, and <c>Serpentine Curve</c>.
#{{W/B}} 2/1 [[Inkling]] creature with [[flying]], for <c>Blot Out the Sky</c>, <c>Dramatic Finale</c>, <c>Inkling Summoning</c>, <c>Mascot Exhibition</c>, <c>Shadrix Silverquill</c>, and <c>Umbral Juke</c>.
#{{B/G}} 1/1 [[Pest]] creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life," for <c>Beledros Witherbloom</c>, <c>Callous Bloodmage</c>, <c>Containment Breach</c>, <c>Hunt for Specimens</c>, <c>Pest Summoning</c>, <c>Pestilent Cauldron</c>, <c>Professor of Zoomancy</c>, <c>Sedgemoor Witch</c>, <c>Tend the Pests</c>, and <c>Valentin, Dean of the Vein</c>.
#{{R/W}} 3/2 [[Spirit]] creature, for <c>Illuminate History</c>, <c>Illustrious Historian</c>, <c>Lorehold Command</c>, <c>Lorehold Excavation</c>, <c>Make Your Mark</c>, <c>Mascot Exhibition</c>, <c>Quintorius, Field Historian</c>, <c>Reduce to Memory</c>, and <c>Spirit Summoning</c>.
#{{C}} [[Treasure]] artifact, for <c>Creative Outburst</c>, <c>Culmination of Studies</c>, <c>Elemental Masterpiece</c>, <c>Galazeth Prismari</c>, <c>Ingenious Mastery</c>, <c>Magma Opus</c>, <c>Prismari Command</c>, <c>Storm-Kiln Artist</c>, and <c>Sudden Breakthrough</c>.
#[[Emblem]] for <c>Lukka, Wayward Bonder</c>.
#[[Emblem]] for <c>Rowan, Scholar of Sparks</c>.

The ''[[Prerelease#Strixhaven: School of Mages|College Booster]]s'' of the [[prerelease pack]]s contain the following s [[double-sided token]]s:
;Silverquill
*{{W/B}} 2/1 Inkling creature with flying — {{B/G}} 1/1 Pest creature with  "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life"
*{{W/B}} 2/1 Inkling creature with flying — {{R/W}} 3/2 Spirit creature
;Prismari
*{{U/R}} 4/4 Elemental creature — {{R/W}} 3/2 Spirit creature
*{{U/R}} 4/4 Elemental creature — {{C}} Treasure
;Witherbloom
*{{B/G}} 1/1 Pest creature with  "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life" — {{W/B}} 2/1 Inkling creature with flying
*{{B/G}} 1/1 Pest creature with  "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life" — {{G/U}} 0/0 Fractal creature
;Lorehold
*{{R/W}} 3/2 Spirit creature — {{U/R}} 4/4 Elemental creature
*{{R/W}} 3/2 Spirit creature — {{W/B}} 2/1 Inkling creature with flying
;Quandrix
*{{G/U}} 0/0 Fractal creature — {{B/G}} 1/1 Pest creature with  "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life"
*{{G/U}} 0/0 Fractal creature — {{U/R}} 4/4 Elemental creature

==Themes and mechanics==
In place of the abandoned [[block]] model, [[R&D]] has found a new way to tie together the three non-core premier sets in a single ''Magic'' "year" (aka the fall, winter, and spring sets—using northern hemisphere seasons): they share a common mechanic. For ''[[Zendikar Rising]]'', ''[[Kaldheim]]'' and ''Strixhaven'' that is [[modal double-faced card]]s.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/zendikar-rising-challenge-part-2-2020-09-07|''Zendikar Rising'' to the Challenge, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|September 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{WebRef|url=https://mashable.com/article/magic-the-gathering-zendikar-rising-reveal-shatterskull|title=New 'Magic: The Gathering' ''Zendikar Rising'' card makes rocks fall, everyone dies|author=Amanda Yeo|date=September 4, 2020|publisher=Mashable.com}}</ref><ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/628355870144741376/so-theres-an-article-around-on-mashable-that|title= Just want to confirm that this is accurate information?|September 4, 2020}}</ref> Unlike the other two sets, there is no hard rule as to the nature of the MDFCs. This is the first time sorceries and instants were printed on the back face of a DFC.

''Strixhaven'' is the first set centered on an "[[instant]]s and [[spell]]s matters" theme.<ref name="Haven 1"/> It is designed around five [[enemy color]] pairs, which despite the many years of ''Magic'' has not been done before as a large expansion - ''[[Apocalypse]]'', the other enemy color set, was drafted as a counterpart at the tail end of [[Invasion block]], and likewise with ''[[Eventide]]'' and the [[Shadowmoor block]]. Unlike the Ravnican guilds, the Strixhaven colleges aren’t built around the similarities of the two colors, but rather around their conflict.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/643839052451348480/im-very-excited-about-the-colleges-ive-been-big|title=I'm very excited about the Colleges.|February 22, 2021}}</ref>

A new mechanic is '''[[Magecraft]]''', an [[ability word]] that causes an effect whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell.<ref>{{DailyRef|feature/strixhaven-school-mages-mechanics-2021-03-25|''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' Mechanics|[[Matt Tabak]]|March 25, 2021}}</ref> Another new mechanic is '''[[Learn]]''' (You may reveal a [[Lesson]] card you own from [[outside the game]] and put it into your hand, or discard a card to draw a card.). Both of these tie into the higher "spells matter" gameplay, which was previously limited to blue and red.

'''[[Ward]]''' is a new [[evergreen]] [[keyword]]. Whenever a [[permanent]] with ward becomes the [[target]] of a [[spell]] or [[ability]] an [[opponent]] [[control]]s, [[counter]] it unless that player pays an additional [[cost]].<ref>{{DailyRef|card-preview/introducing-ward-2021-03-25|Introducing Ward|[[Andrew Brown]] and [[Jules Robins]]|March 25, 2021}}</ref>

''Strixhaven'' also has a [[creature]] [[token]] theme in the form of [[mascot]]s for the colleges.<ref>{{DailyRef|making-magic/strixhaven-part-2-2021-04-05|In the Strixhaven, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 5, 2021}}</ref> 

===Card types===
The Set introduces the '''[[Inkling]]''' and '''[[Fractal]]''' creature types and the '''[[Lesson]]''' [[spell type]]. '''[[Pest]]s''' appear for the first time outside of [[Mirrodin (plane)|Mirrodin]]. [[Spirit]]  and [[Elemental]] round out the token mascot quintet. 

Compared to [[Kaldheim]] and [[Zendikar Rising]], there are fewer Rogues and Warriors for the [[Party]]. Instead, the three other major [[spellcaster]] classes (Shaman, Druid, Warlock) return, joining the Party's [[Wizard]] and [[Cleric]]. There are more than twice the amount of Warlocks in this set as there are in Magic's history. The specially-reserved subtype [[Elder]], last seen in ''[[Theros Beyond Death]]'', returns for the Founder Dragon cycle. 

'''[[Food]]''' tokens return in the associated Commander product. They are made by Chef [[Gyome]].<ref>{{YouTubeRef|iEXMlvhfx1w|Strixhaven Commander Sneak Peek: Legendaries, Hints, Art & More! Part 1|channel=[[Good Morning Magic]]|date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> 

===Draft Archetypes===
The draft archetypes are designed to be significantly different from those on [[Ravnica]], due to the strong association with color pairs from the Guilds and their play style.

*{{W}}{{B}}: +1/+1 Counters (<c>Spiteful Squad</c>)
*{{U}}{{R}}: Big-spell casting (<c>Spectacle Mage</c>)
*{{B}}{{G}}: Life gain (<c>Blood Researcher</c>)
*{{R}}{{W}}: Leaves-graveyard triggers (<c>Stonebound Mentor</c>)
*{{G}}{{U}}: Eight-lands ramp (<c>Eureka Moment</c>)

==Cycles==
''Strixhaven: School of Mages'' has twenty-five [[cycle]]s.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
!Cycle name
!{{W}}
!{{U}}
!{{B}}
!{{R}}
!{{G}}
|-
|rowspan="2" style="width:10%;"|'''Rare lessons'''
|{{card|Academic Probation||STX}}
|{{card|Teachings of the Archaics||STX}}
|{{card|Confront the Past||STX}}
|{{card|Illuminate History||STX}}
|{{card|Basic Conjuration||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[rare]] [[monocolored]] [[Lesson]]s.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Rare learners'''
|{{card|Sparring Regimen||STX}}
|{{card|Dream Strix||STX}}
|{{card|Poet's Quill||STX}}
|{{card|Retriever Phoenix||STX}}
|{{card|Gnarled Professor||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five rare monocolored permanents with [[learn]].
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Masteries'''
|{{card|Devastating Mastery||STX}}
|{{card|Ingenious Mastery||STX}}
|{{card|Baleful Mastery||STX}}
|{{card|Fervent Mastery||STX}}
|{{card|Verdant Mastery||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five rare monocolored spells, each with a lower alternate casting cost that provides some kind of benefit to an opponent if the alternate cost is paid.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon lessons'''
|{{card|Reduce to Memory||STX}}
|{{card|Mercurial Transformation||STX}}
|{{card|Necrotic Fumes||STX}}
|{{card|Start from Scratch||STX}}
|{{card|Containment Breach||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[uncommon]] monocolored lessons.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon learners'''
|{{card|Professor of Symbology||STX}}
|{{card|Divide By Zero||STX}}
|{{card|Eyetwitch||STX}}
|{{card|Academic Dispute||STX}} / {{card|Igneous Inspiration||STX}}
|{{card|Overgrown Arch||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon monocolored spells with [[learn]]. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards)
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Uncommon Magecrafters'''
|{{card|Clever Lumimancer||STX}}
|{{card|Symmetry Sage||STX}}
|{{card|Mage Hunter||STX}}
|{{card|Storm-Kiln Artist||STX}} 
|{{card|Karok Wrangler||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon monocolored creatures with [[Magecraft]]. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent)
|-
!Cycle name
!{{W}}{{B}}
!{{U}}{{R}}
!{{B}}{{G}}
!{{R}}{{W}}
!{{G}}{{U}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Founders'''
|{{card|Shadrix Silverquill||STX}}
|{{card|Galazeth Prismari||STX}}
|{{card|Beledros Witherbloom||STX}}
|{{card|Velomachus Lorehold||STX}}
|{{card|Tanazir Quandrix||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[mythic rare]] [[Elder]] [[Dragon]] [[creatures]] as illustrated by [[Raymond Swanland]], each of whom is the founder of their college. 
|-
|rowspan="2" |'''Mythic Rare spells'''
|{{Card|Blot Out the Sky||STX}}
|{{Card|Magma Opus||STX}}
|{{Card|Harness Infinity||STX}}
|{{Card|Hofri Ghostforge||STX}}
|{{Card|Body of Research||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5" |Five [[mythic rare]] spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Hybrid Rares'''
|{{card|Dramatic Finale||STX}}
|{{card|Elemental Expressionist||STX}}
|{{card|Daemogoth Titan||STX}}
|{{card|Blade Historian||STX}}
|{{card|Manifestation Sage||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[rare]] spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding [[hybrid mana]].
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Legendary students'''
|{{card|Killian, Ink Duelist||STX}}
|{{card|Rootha, Mercurial Artist||STX}}
|{{card|Dina, Soul Steeper||STX}}
|{{card|Quintorius, Field Historian||STX}}
|{{card|Zimone, Quandrix Prodigy||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[uncommon]] [[legendary]] creatures, each supporting a draft archetype.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Apprentices'''
|{{card|Silverquill Apprentice||STX}}
|{{card|Prismari Apprentice||STX}}
|{{card|Witherbloom Apprentice||STX}}
|{{card|Lorehold Apprentice||STX}}
|{{card|Quandrix Apprentice||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five uncommon multicolored [[Human|humans]] with [[magecraft]].
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Gold hybrids'''
|{{card|Shadewing Laureate||STX}}
|{{card|Maelstrom Muse||STX}}
|{{card|Daemogoth Woe-Eater||STX}}
|{{card|Returned Pastcaller||STX}}
|{{card|Quandrix Cultivator||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Two-mana utility spells'''
|{{card|Fracture||STX}}
|{{card|Expressive Iteration||STX}}
|{{card|Deadly Brew||STX}}
|{{card|Rip Apart||STX}}
|{{card|Decisive Denial||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Summonings'''
|{{card|Inkling Summoning||STX}}
|{{card|Elemental Summoning||STX}}
|{{card|Pest Summoning||STX}}
|{{card|Spirit Summoning||STX}}
|{{card|Fractal Summoning||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five [[common]] hybrid [[Lesson]]s that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Pledgemages'''
|{{card|Silverquill Pledgemage||STX}}
|{{card|Prismari Pledgemage||STX}}
|{{card|Witherbloom Pledgemage||STX}}
|{{card|Lorehold Pledgemage||STX}}
|{{card|Quandrix Pledgemage||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Gold common creatures'''
|{{card|Spiteful Squad||STX}}
|{{card|Spectacle Mage||STX}}
|{{card|Blood Researcher||STX}}
|{{card|Stonebound Mentor||STX}}
|{{card|Biomathematician||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Gold common spells'''
|{{card|Exhilarating Elocution||STX}}
|{{card|Elemental Masterpiece||STX}}
|{{card|Infuse with Vitality||STX}}
|{{card|Thrilling Discovery||STX}}
|{{card|Eureka Moment||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Hybrid common spells'''
|{{card|Rise of Extus||STX}}
|{{card|Teach by Example||STX}}
|{{card|Cram Session||STX}}
|{{card|Make Your Mark||STX}}
|{{card|Square Up||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common hybrid instants or sorceries.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Double-evergreen creatures'''
|{{card|Owlin Shieldmage||STX}}
|{{card|Oggyar Battle-Seer||STX}}
|{{card|Moldering Karok||STX}}
|{{card|Relic Sloth||STX}}
|{{card|Needlethorn Drake||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common gold creatures, all with two abilities. Four of them have two [[evergreen]] keyword abilities, while one has one evergreen keyword and one evergreen keyword action.
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Campuses'''
|{{card|Silverquill Campus||STX}}
|{{card|Prismari Campus||STX}}
|{{card|Witherbloom Campus||STX}}
|{{card|Lorehold Campus||STX}}
|{{card|Quandrix Campus||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5"|Five common dual [[tapland]]s with "{{4}}, {{T}}: [[Scry]] 1." 
|}

===Modal double-faced cycles===
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
!Cycle name
!Side
!{{W}}{{B}}
!{{U}}{{R}}
!{{B}}{{G}}
!{{R}}{{W}}
!{{G}}{{U}}
|-
|rowspan="3" style="width:10%;"|'''Mythic Legends'''
|align="center"| {{dfc|front}}
|{{card|Extus, Oriq Overlord||STX}}
|{{card|Rowan, Scholar of Sparks||STX}}
|{{card|Blex, Vexing Pest||STX}}
|{{card|Mila, Crafty Companion||STX}}
|{{card|Jadzi, Oracle of Arcavios||STX}}
|-
|align="center"| {{dfc|back}}
|{{card|Awaken the Blood Avatar||STX}} {{nowrap|({{B/R}})}}
|{{card|Will, Scholar of Frost||STX}}
|{{card|Search for Blex||STX}}
|{{card|Lukka, Wayward Bonder||STX}}
|{{card|Journey to the Oracle||STX}}
|-
|colspan="6" |Five mythic rare [[legendary]] [[MDFC]]s.
|-
|rowspan="3" style="width:10%;"|'''Deans'''
|align="center"| {{dfc|front}}
|{{card|Shaile, Dean of Radiance||STX}}
|{{card|Uvilda, Dean of Perfection||STX}}
|{{card|Valentin, Dean of the Vein||STX}}
|{{card|Plargg, Dean of Chaos||STX}}
|{{card|Kianne, Dean of Substance||STX}}
|-
|align="center"| {{dfc|back}}
|{{card|Embrose, Dean of Shadow||STX}}
|{{card|Nassari, Dean of Expression||STX}}
|{{card|Lisette, Dean of the Root||STX}}
|{{card|Augusta, Dean of Order||STX}}
|{{card|Imbraham, Dean of Theory||STX}}
|-
|colspan="6" |Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a [[Spellcaster]] aligned with one color of a college.
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
!Cycle name
!Side
!{{W}}{{B}}
!{{U}}{{R}}
!{{B}}{{G}}
!{{R}}{{W}}
!{{G}}{{U}}
!{{C}}
|-
|rowspan="3" style="width:10%;"|'''Spell Permanents'''
|align="center"| {{dfc|front}}
|{{card|Selfless Glyphweaver||STX}}
|{{card|Torrent Sculptor||STX}}
|{{card|Pestilent Cauldron||STX}}
|{{card|Flamescroll Celebrant||STX}}
|{{card|Augmenter Pugilist||STX}}
|{{card|Wandering Archaic||STX}}
|-
|align="center"| {{dfc|back}}
|{{card|Deadly Vanity||STX}}
|{{card|Flamethrower Sonata||STX}}
|{{card|Restorative Burst||STX}}
|{{card|Revel in Silence||STX}}
|{{card|Echoing Equation||STX}}
|{{card|Explore the Vastlands||STX}}
|-
|colspan="7" |Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an [[instant]] or [[sorcery]].
|-
|}

===Vertical cycles===
{| class="wikitable" width="66%"
!Cycle name
!{{keyrune|STX|rarity=M|grad=1}}
!{{keyrune|STX|rarity=u|grad=1}}
!{{keyrune|STX}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|'''Treasure Spells'''
|{{card|Magma Opus||STX}}
|{{card|Creative Outburst||STX}}
|{{card|Elemental Masterpiece||STX}}
|-
|colspan="3"|Each of these three {{U}}{{R}} instant or sorcery spells has a mana value over 6, and can be discarded for {{U/R}}{{U/R}} to create a [[Treasure]].
|}

===Pairs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2" width="30%"|Pair
!Description
|-
|{{Card|Harness Infinity|3=STX}} ({{B/G}})
|{{Card|Body of Research|3=STX}} ({{G/U}})
|Two mythic rare multicolored green spells whose colored cost is NNNMMM, with effects that scale to the size of a large game zone (graveyard or library, respectively).
|-
|{{card|Dueling Coach||STX}} {{nowrap|({{W}})}}
|{{card|Tenured Inkcaster||STX}} {{nowrap|({{B}})}}
|Two [[uncommon]] 2/2 creatures that put a +1/+1 counter on a creature when they enter the battlefield. Each has a secondary ability that benefits creatures with a +1/+1 counter on them.
|}

===Mega cycles===
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
!Cycle name
!{{W}}{{B}}
!{{U}}{{R}}
!{{B}}{{G}}
!{{R}}{{W}}
!{{G}}{{U}}
|-
|rowspan="2" style="width:10%;" |'''Snarls'''
|{{card|Shineshadow Snarl||STX}}
|{{card|Frostboil Snarl||STX}}
|{{card|Necroblossom Snarl||STX}}
|{{card|Furycalm Snarl||STX}}
|{{card|Vineglimmer Snarl||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5" |Five rare [[reveal land]]s that enter the battlefield [[tap]]ped, except if you reveal a land with the corresponding [[basic land type]] from your hand. They complete a cycle started in ''[[Shadows over Innistrad]]'', and are all illustrated by Sam Burley
|-
|rowspan="2" |'''Commands'''
|{{card|Silverquill Command||STX}}
|{{card|Prismari Command||STX}}
|{{card|Witherbloom Command||STX}}
|{{card|Lorehold Command||STX}}
|{{card|Quandrix Command||STX}}
|-
|colspan="5" |Each of these [[rare]] [[modal]] spells has four modes and allows you to choose two different modes rather than merely one. They complete a cycle of two-colored [[Elder Dragon]]-named spells started in ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]''.
|}

==Reprinted cards==
Besides one futureshifted card, there are no reprints in the base set. R&D decided to use the Mystic Archive for reprints.<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/647470776968216576/was-there-a-decision-to-avoid-reprints-for|April 3, 2021|title=Was there a decision to avoid reprints for Strixhaven?}}</ref>

*<c>Grinning Ignus</c>, first printed in ''[[Future Sight]]'', last seen in ''[[Time Spiral Remastered]]'' (Common to Uncommon).

===Functional reprints===
*<c>Archway Commons</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Rupture Spire</c> and <c>Transguild Promenade</c>.
*<c>Leech Fanatic</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Blood Burglar</c>, except for creature types.
*<c>Soothsayer Adept</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Erratic Visionary</c>, except for creature types.
*<c>Spined Karok</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Colossodon Yearling</c>, except for creature types.
*<c>Springmane Cervin</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Sylvan Brushstrider</c>, except for creature types.
*<c>Twinscroll Shaman</c> is a functional reprint of <c>Raging Redcap</c>, except for creature types.

==Preconstructed decks==
On the same date, five [[Commander (format)|Commander decks]] are released, which are flavorfully connected to the main set. This is '''''[[Commander 2021]]''''' aligning with ''Strixhaven: School of Mages''.
{{Decks|commander
  |page name=Commander 2021
  |Silverquill Statement|WB|Breena, the Demagogue
  |Prismari Performance|UR|Zaffai, Thunder Conductor
  |Witherbloom Witchcraft|BG|Willowdusk, Essence Seer
  |Lorehold Legacies|RW|Osgir, the Reconstructor
  |Quantum Quandrix|GU|Adrix and Nev, Twincasters
}}

==Notable cards==
*The art of {{card|Crux of Fate|Mystical Archive|STA}} came under investigation after the artist was accused of plagiarism.<ref>{{WebRef|url=https://articles.starcitygames.com/2021/03/29/mystical-archive-crux-of-fate-allegedly-uses-stolen-art/|title=Mystical Archive Crux Of Fate Allegedly Uses Stolen Art|author=Nick Miller|date=March 29, 2021|publisher=[[StarCityGames]]}}</ref><ref>{{DailyRef|news/statement-crux-fate-2021-03-30|Statement of Crux of Fate|[[Wizards of the Coast]]|March 30, 2021}}</ref>
*<c>Elite Spellbinder</c> depicts [[2019 World Championship]] winner [[Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa]], the second [[Player Spotlight]] printed.
*<c>The Biblioplex</c> is a "fixed" version of <c>Library of Alexandria</c> with an appropriate power level for non-eternal formats.
*<c>Body of Research</c> is a mechanically condensed version of <c>Animate Library</c>.
*<c>Dragon's Approach</c> is the first "[[relentless]]" non-creature card.
*<c>Strixhaven Stadium</c> is an [[alternate-win card]].
*<c>Wandering Archaic</c> continues a trend of colorless non-artifact, non-Eldrazi creatures, last seen in [[Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths]].<ref>{{YouTubeRef|M4ErpTmJCN0|What's the Secret Behind Colorless Spells in Strixhaven?|channel=[[Good Morning Magic]]|date=March 31, 2021}}</ref>
**There is also a "cycle" of five [[colorless]] [[sorceries]], flavored as first year [[lesson]]s (<c>Environmental Sciences</c>, <c>Expanded Anatomy</c>, <c>Introduction to Annihilation</c>, <c>Introduction to Prophecy</c> and <c>Mascot Exhibition</c>). Colorless instants and sorceries were last seen in [[Battle for Zendikar block]], devoid or otherwise.

===Banned and restricted Cards===
*<c>Divide by Zero</c>, a combined counter and bounce spell at no cost to card advantage, was banned in Standard in January 2022. <c>Lier, Disciple of the Drowned</c>, which allowed graveyard recursion of spells at the cost of countermagic, was made into a monster by a spell that countered without "countering". The ban occurred at the same time as <c>Alrund's Epiphany</c>, a card that had drawn far more player outcry for its oppression of diversity in Standard, but Wizards stated that Divide by Zero would still have bolstered blue control decks on its own. 
*<c>Expressive Iteration</c> combines card selection of blue with the impulsive draw of red, creating an efficient draw spell that tends to be "draw two of three top cards". It powered blue-red decks across all formats, but as Pioneer uniquely also has <c>Treasure Cruise</c> and <c>Dig Through Time</c>, it was deemed that the Delve spells could stay and Iteration was the Izzet draw spell to be banned for Pioneer and Explorer in June 2022. Legacy also banned it in March 2023 to weaken Izzet Delver's card advantage.
*<c>Grinning Ignus</c>, a reprint from ''[[Future Sight]]'', forms an infinite loop with <c>Birgi, God of Storytelling</c> from the previous ''[[Kaldheim]]'' set. In Standard, this combo appeared infrequently for lack of available payoffs, while non-rotating formats with access to [[storm]] had similarly powerful combos and sufficient means to interact with them. [[Alchemy]] had the first and lacked the second, leading to a deck that "fell outside [Wizards'] format goals." Despite the power to rebalance cards in Alchemy, Wizards found that every rebalancing option would eliminate the combo as if it were banned, so it was simpler to ban Grinning Ignus on July 5, 2022 — the first-ever ban in Alchemy.

===Misprints===
*<c>Zaffai, Thunder Conductor</c> is referred to as Zaffai, Thunder Collector in its [[text box]].<ref>{{EzTumblr|https://markrosewater.tumblr.com/post/646669873777459200/fyi-zaffai-thunder-conductor-text-box-says|title=Fyi, Zaffai, Thunder Conductor text box says Zaffai, Thunder collector|March 25, 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{YouTubeRef|si8G0pR7zSI|Welcome to Strixhaven! trailer|channel=[[Magic: The Gathering]]|date=March 26, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/schools-session-2021-04-12|School 's in Session|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 12, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/strixhaven-vision-design-handoff-document-part-1-2021-04-19|Strixhaven Vision Design Handoff Document, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 19, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/strixhaven-vision-design-handoff-document-part-2-2021-04-26|Strixhaven Vision Design Handoff Document, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|April 26, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-strixhaven-part-1-2021-05-03|Odds and Ends: Strixhaven, Part 1|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 3, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/odds-ends-strixhaven-part-2-2021-05-10|Odds and Ends: Strixhaven, Part 2|[[Mark Rosewater]]|May 10, 2021}}
*{{DailyRef|making-magic/lessons-learned-part-6|Lessons Learned, Part 6|[[Mark Rosewater]]|October 9, 2023}}

{{Sets|state=collapsed}}
{{Arcavios}}