Strixhaven: School of Mages

Strixhaven: School of Mages, often shortened as Strixhaven, is the 87th Magic expansion. It is set at the Strixhaven school on the plane of Arcavios. It was released on April 23, 2021.
==Set details==
Strixhaven: School of Mages is a bottom-up enemy color faction set based on “instants and spells matter”. Creatively, the design of this set is Magic’s take on the magical school genre. Each one of the featured colleges represents one of Magic’s enemy color combinations, with their character and mechanics. Cards associated with the different colleges feature separate watermarked insignias. This set contains 275 regular cards and includes randomly inserted premium versions of all cards. The basic lands are numbered outside the main set and therefore don't appear in the draft boosters.
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 lands 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 cards 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 (), Prismari (), Witherbloom (), Lorehold (), and Quandrix . The five colleges battle it out with their takes on magic. Several planeswalkers, 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 Spotlights in Strixhaven are:
====Magic Story====
Title	Author 	Release Date	Setting 	Featuring
 	Adana Washington 	2021-03-25 	Arcavios, Kylem	Liliana, Codie, Shaile Talonrook, Nassari, Lisette, Will, Rowan, Kasmina, Mavinda Sharpbeak, Alibou, Lukka, Mila, Extus Narr
 	Aysha U. Farah 	2021-03-26 	Arcavios 	Rootha Squallheart, Uvilda, Nassari, Samara Squallheart, Felisa Fang, Tomlin Squallheart
 	Adana Washington 	2021-03-31 	Arcavios 	Tavver, Extus Narr, Liliana, Lukka, Mila, Beledros Witherbloom, Taiva, Gladefell, Valentin, Lisette, Rowan
 	Adana Washington 	2021-04-07 	Arcavios 	Will, Rowan, Auvernine, Plink, Quintorius Kand, Dinsley, Liliana, Isabough, Arlo Wickel, Kasmina, Lukka, Mila, Extus Narr
 	Reinhardt Suarez 	2021-03-31 	Arcavios 	Dina, Maraff, Tivash, Willowdusk, Lisette, Valentin, Embrose Lu, Killian Lu, Liliana, Ana
 	Adana Washington 	2021-04-14 	Arcavios 	Will, Rowan, Arlo Wickel, Liliana, Kianne, Imbraham, Plink, Auvernine, Extus Narr, Tavver, the Blood Avatar
 	Reinhardt Suarez 	2021-04-16 	Arcavios 	Quintorius Kand, Golwanda, Xandril, Plargg, Asterion, Teutamos, Crethea, Pasiphaë, Deianira, Achelous, Arboron, Vis Svokunol, Hofri Ghostforge, Huerty Kostambul, Siulogma, Xyrun-Jed, Kollema
 	Adana Washington 	2021-04-21 	Arcavios 	Will, Rowan, the Blood Avatar, Extus Narr, Uvilda, Plink, Auvernine, Lukka, Mila, Nassari, Lisette, Kasmina, Liliana
 	Innocent Chizaram Ilo	2021-04-23 	Arcavios 	Zimone Wola, Ellina, Amaka, Nnanyielugo, Wallader, Nimiroti Wola, Isabough, Kianne, Imbraham, Zihir Wola, Dipo Wola, Codie, Extus Narr, Pita
 	Marcus Terrell Smith 	2021-04-30 	Arcavios 	Killian Lu, Razineth, Embrose Lu, Doco, Fannessa Fjyorne, Shaile Talonrook, Quintorius Kand, Dobarius Egolt, Dina, Vickus
===Marketing===
Strixhaven: School of Mages is sold in regular 16-card Draft Boosters (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 Boosters, Collector Boosters (including three Mystical Archive cards, one certified Japanese version), Set Boosters (with a Mystical Archive card and a Lesson card), the Strixhaven: School of Mages bundle and five Commander decks. 
The packaging of Strixhaven: School of Mages features key art of 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> , <c>Spectacle Mage</c> , <c>Professor of Zoomancy</c> , <c>Lorehold Apprentice</c> , and <c>Quandrix Apprentice</c> . The Collector Boosters feature the art of the Mystical Archive 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====
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 Coasts has reprinted 63 of the most famous instants and sorceries of all time in specially designed showcase frames and at all rarities. Strixhaven Draft and Set Boosters contain one Mystical Archive card, and Collector Boosters have at least three. These will only be legal in formats 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
*Tabletop Prerelease: April 16–April 22, 2021 
**Each prerelease pack contains one College Booster.
*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: 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: , , , and .
*Buy-a-Box: foil alternate, extended art 
*Bundle promo: foil alternate art 
====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 helper card with a standard card back. There are a total of nine tokens and emblems: 
# 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>.
# 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>.
# 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>.
# 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>.
# 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>.
# 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>.
# 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 College Boosters of the prerelease packs contain the following s double-sided tokens:
;Silverquill
* 2/1 Inkling creature with flying — 1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life"
* 2/1 Inkling creature with flying — 3/2 Spirit creature
;Prismari
* 4/4 Elemental creature — 3/2 Spirit creature
* 4/4 Elemental creature — Treasure
;Witherbloom
* 1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life" — 2/1 Inkling creature with flying
* 1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life" — 0/0 Fractal creature
;Lorehold
* 3/2 Spirit creature — 4/4 Elemental creature
* 3/2 Spirit creature — 2/1 Inkling creature with flying
;Quandrix
* 0/0 Fractal creature — 1/1 Pest creature with "When this creature dies, you gain 1 life"
* 0/0 Fractal creature — 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 cards. 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 "instants and spells matters" theme. 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.
A new mechanic is Magecraft, an ability word that causes an effect whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell. 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 controls, counter it unless that player pays an additional cost.
Strixhaven also has a creature token theme in the form of mascots for the colleges. 
===Card types===
The Set introduces the Inkling and Fractal creature types and the Lesson spell type. Pests appear for the first time outside of 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. 
===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.
*: +1/+1 Counters (<c>Spiteful Squad</c>)
*: Big-spell casting (<c>Spectacle Mage</c>)
*: Life gain (<c>Blood Researcher</c>)
*: Leaves-graveyard triggers (<c>Stonebound Mentor</c>)
*: Eight-lands ramp (<c>Eureka Moment</c>)
==Cycles==
Strixhaven: School of Mages has twenty-five cycles.
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Rare lessons 	 	 	 	 	
Rare lessons 	Five rare monocolored Lessons. 	Five rare monocolored Lessons. 	Five rare monocolored Lessons. 	Five rare monocolored Lessons. 	Five rare monocolored Lessons.
Rare learners 	 	 	 	 	
Rare learners 	Five rare monocolored permanents with learn. 	Five rare monocolored permanents with learn. 	Five rare monocolored permanents with learn. 	Five rare monocolored permanents with learn. 	Five rare monocolored permanents with learn.
Masteries 	 	 	 	 	
Masteries 	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. 	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. 	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. 	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. 	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.
Uncommon lessons 	 	 	 	 	
Uncommon lessons 	Five uncommon monocolored lessons. 	Five uncommon monocolored lessons. 	Five uncommon monocolored lessons. 	Five uncommon monocolored lessons. 	Five uncommon monocolored lessons.
Uncommon learners 	 	 	 	/ 	
Uncommon learners 	Five uncommon monocolored spells with learn. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards) 	Five uncommon monocolored spells with learn. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards) 	Five uncommon monocolored spells with learn. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards) 	Five uncommon monocolored spells with learn. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards) 	Five uncommon monocolored spells with learn. (Loose cycle because it has two red cards)
Uncommon Magecrafters 	 	 	 	 	
Uncommon Magecrafters 	Five uncommon monocolored creatures with Magecraft. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent) 	Five uncommon monocolored creatures with Magecraft. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent) 	Five uncommon monocolored creatures with Magecraft. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent) 	Five uncommon monocolored creatures with Magecraft. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent) 	Five uncommon monocolored creatures with Magecraft. (Loose cycle because Mage Hunter acts as Magecraft for the opponent)
Cycle name 	 	 	 	 	
Founders 	 	 	 	 	
Founders 	Five mythic rare Elder Dragon creatures as illustrated by Raymond Swanland, each of whom is the founder of their college. 	Five mythic rare Elder Dragon creatures as illustrated by Raymond Swanland, each of whom is the founder of their college. 	Five mythic rare Elder Dragon creatures as illustrated by Raymond Swanland, each of whom is the founder of their college. 	Five mythic rare Elder Dragon creatures as illustrated by Raymond Swanland, each of whom is the founder of their college. 	Five mythic rare Elder Dragon creatures as illustrated by Raymond Swanland, each of whom is the founder of their college.
Mythic Rare spells 	 	 	 	 	
Mythic Rare spells 	Five mythic rare spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect. 	Five mythic rare spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect. 	Five mythic rare spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect. 	Five mythic rare spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect. 	Five mythic rare spells with an expensive cost (or in one case, must be paid expensively) for a powerful, massive effect.
Hybrid Rares 	 	 	 	 	
Hybrid Rares 	Five rare spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding hybrid mana. 	Five rare spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding hybrid mana. 	Five rare spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding hybrid mana. 	Five rare spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding hybrid mana. 	Five rare spells with mana cost HHHH, where H is the corresponding hybrid mana.
Legendary students 	 	 	 	 	
Legendary students 	Five uncommon legendary creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five uncommon legendary creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five uncommon legendary creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five uncommon legendary creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five uncommon legendary creatures, each supporting a draft archetype.
Apprentices 	 	 	 	 	
Apprentices 	Five uncommon multicolored humans with magecraft. 	Five uncommon multicolored humans with magecraft. 	Five uncommon multicolored humans with magecraft. 	Five uncommon multicolored humans with magecraft. 	Five uncommon multicolored humans with magecraft.
Gold hybrids 	 	 	 	 	
Gold hybrids 	Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N. 	Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N. 	Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N. 	Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N. 	Five powerful uncommon creatures with mana costs XMHN, where H is the hybrid of M and N.
Two-mana utility spells 	 	 	 	 	
Two-mana utility spells 	Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana. 	Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana. 	Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana. 	Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana. 	Five gold uncommon utility spells that cost two mana.
Summonings 	 	 	 	 	
Summonings 	Five common hybrid Lessons that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs. 	Five common hybrid Lessons that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs. 	Five common hybrid Lessons that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs. 	Five common hybrid Lessons that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs. 	Five common hybrid Lessons that each create one or more creature tokens of the type characteristic of that college. Each has two hybrid symbols in its costs.
Pledgemages 	 	 	 	 	
Pledgemages 	Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs. 	Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs. 	Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs. 	Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs. 	Five common hybrid creatures with magecraft. Each has two hybrid symbols in its mana costs.
Gold common creatures 	 	 	 	 	
Gold common creatures 	Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored creatures, each supporting a draft archetype.
Gold common spells 	 	 	 	 	
Gold common spells 	Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype. 	Five common multicolored instants or sorceries, each supporting a draft archetype.
Hybrid common spells 	 	 	 	 	
Hybrid common spells 	Five common hybrid instants or sorceries. 	Five common hybrid instants or sorceries. 	Five common hybrid instants or sorceries. 	Five common hybrid instants or sorceries. 	Five common hybrid instants or sorceries.
Double-evergreen creatures	 	 	 	 	
Double-evergreen creatures	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.	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.	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.	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.	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.
Campuses 	 	 	 	 	
Campuses 	Five common dual taplands with ", : Scry 1." 	Five common dual taplands with ", : Scry 1." 	Five common dual taplands with ", : Scry 1." 	Five common dual taplands with ", : Scry 1." 	Five common dual taplands with ", : Scry 1."
===Modal double-faced cycles===
Cycle name 	Side 	 	 	 	 	
Mythic Legends	 	 	 	 	 	
Mythic Legends	 	 	 	 	 	
Mythic Legends	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs. 	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs. 	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs. 	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs. 	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs. 	Five mythic rare legendary MDFCs.
Deans 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deans 	 	 	 	 	 	
Deans 	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.	Five rare legendary MDFC creatures. Each side represents a dean who is a Spellcaster aligned with one color of a college.
Cycle name 	Side 	 	 	 	 	 	
Spell Permanents	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Spell Permanents	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Spell Permanents	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.	Six rare MDFC permanents, the back of each being an instant or sorcery.
===Vertical cycles===
Cycle name 	 	 	
Treasure Spells	 	 	
Treasure Spells	Each of these three instant or sorcery spells has a mana value over 6, and can be discarded for to create a Treasure.	Each of these three instant or sorcery spells has a mana value over 6, and can be discarded for to create a Treasure.	Each of these three instant or sorcery spells has a mana value over 6, and can be discarded for to create a Treasure.
===Pairs===
Pair	Pair	Description
() 	() 	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).
 	 	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===
Cycle name	 	 	 	 	
Snarls 	 	 	 	 	
Snarls 	Five rare reveal lands that enter the battlefield tapped, 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	Five rare reveal lands that enter the battlefield tapped, 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	Five rare reveal lands that enter the battlefield tapped, 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	Five rare reveal lands that enter the battlefield tapped, 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	Five rare reveal lands that enter the battlefield tapped, 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
Commands 	 	 	 	 	
Commands 	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. 	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. 	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. 	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. 	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.
*<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 decks are released, which are flavorfully connected to the main set. This is Commander 2021 aligning with Strixhaven: School of Mages.
==Notable cards==
*The art of came under investigation after the artist was accused of plagiarism.
*<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.
**There is also a "cycle" of five colorless sorceries, flavored as first year lessons (<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.
==References==
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