Secrets of Strixhaven Mechanics explained by a Judge!

Hello, everyone!

In just a few weeks, on April 17th, we'll be back on the Arcavios plane, visiting the magic university, Strixhaven, once again!

The first time we visited this place was almost exactly five years ago, in 2021! And now we'll delve deeper into the school and its five colleges, each with a combination of rival colors: Silverquill , Lorehold , Prismari , Quandrix , Witherbloom .

Just like our last article, about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, in today's article we'll analyze the mechanics of the set - both new and returning ones. Let's go!

The new set, Secrets of Strixhaven (code SOS), brings two old mechanics, five new mechanics, and a new artifact subtype.

New subtype: Book

This set brings some cards that will have this new subtype, Book, and some older cards will also retroactively receive the subtype.

In other words, now that this subtype exists, it's possible to have cards that specifically use it – for example, perhaps a card that tutors a Book in your library, a card that has Affinity for Books, and so on.

Returning Mechanic: Converge

Because this set focuses on multi-colored interactions, Converge is an excellent returning mechanic.

Basically, a card with Converge looks at the different colors of mana used to cast it, and provides some kind of bonus or effect for each different color.

Two important reminders: first, colorless is NOT a color. Paying {R}} on a spell with Converge, therefore, only gives you one color.

Second, the ability will check the mana actually used to cast it. That is, if you used an effect that allowed you to cast without paying the cost, you effectively did not spend any color of mana to cast the spell - and Converge, therefore, will not grant any bonus.

New Mechanic: Prepare

This is one of the most talked-about mechanics in the set, and it involves a whole extra design in the cards. So, let's understand how Prepare works!

Prepare, basically, is an ability of certain creatures that bring with them a specific, often iconic, spell – our example above, Emeritus of Ideation, brings with it the very powerful Ancestral Recall.

When a creature has the Prepared status, a copy of the spell to which the creature is connected is created in exile. While the creature is on the battlefield and is Prepared, the creature's controller can cast the copy from exile – obeying, of course, the necessary restrictions (for example, Sorceries can only be cast on your turn, in one of the main phases, and with an empty stack).

When the copy is cast from exile, that copy then goes onto the stack, and can be responded to normally, like any other spell – it can even be countered. Regardless of what happens to this spell, the creature is no longer Prepared. If, somehow, that same creature regains the Prepared status, a new copy of the spell will be created in exile, and can be cast again.

Furthermore, if the creature leaves the battlefield while Prepared (for example, because it was removed), the copy of the spell in exile will cease to exist. That is, that spell is linked to the creature, and its existence depends on it being on the battlefield and Prepared.

It's important to remember that, in terms of cards, creatures with Prepare are not also instans, sorceries, or split cards. The spells in the lower right corner is just the reference for Prepare, but the main card itself is always the creature.

Finally, it's worth noting that making a creature that is already Prepared become Prepared again has no additional effect. You will not gain a second copy of the spell in exile. Prepare only allows one copy in exile per creature with the ability.

New Mechanic: Paradigm

Paradigm is a special mechanic that comes in a cycle of spells in the set. It's quite similar to an old Kamigawa mechanic called Epic.

Basically, the first time you resolve a spell with that name, which has Paradigm, you exile the card instead of putting it into the graveyard. From then on, you can cast a copy of the spell each turn, during your first main phase.

Paradigm will therefore only apply to the first spell with that name that you resolve. Using our example above, if at some point you resolve a second Improvisation Capstone, you will not gain another instance of Paradigm – each spell with a different name will only allow one Paradigm effect.

Oh, and one more information: all cards with Paradigm will also have the Lesson subtype, but the Learn mechanic will NOT be present in Secrets of Strixhaven main set.

College-Specific Mechanics

In addition to the general mechanics explained earlier, we also have five mechanics, each linked to one of the five Colleges of Strixhaven.

Repartee - Silverquill

Repartee is an ability triggered when you cast an instant or sorcery that targets a creature - the effect itself changes for each card, but the triggering condition is always casting a spell that targets.

Note that the text is not restricted to creatures you control, so it works, for example, if you use removal on an opponent's creature, as long as the spell targets.

Also note that the text only considers Instants and Sorceries. Other types of cards or abilities, even if they use the word target, will not activate Repartee.

Flashback - Lorehold

Flashback is another returning mechanic, and a true favorite of many. Basically, it's an ability that allows you to cast a spell from the graveyard, paying its flashback cost.

In practice, it gives you an additional use of a spell, but it's also often used to accumulate resources, milling or discarding cards.

Remember that you need to respect the timing of the spell with Flashback - sorceries must be cast in the main phase, with an empty stack. Also remember that when casting a spell with Flashback, the card leaves the graveyard and goes to the stack, and after it leaves the stack it goes to exile.

Opus - Prismari

The Opus mechanic is, in some ways, an extension of the Prowess mechanic. Basically, it grants a +1/+1 bonus when an instant or sorcery spell is cast – so far, it works just like Prowess, right?

The difference is that when the spell is cast with five or more mana spent, which grants a bonus effect – you gain both the +1/+1 and the extra effect.

Similar to what we saw in Converge, the mechanic looks for the mana actually used to cast the spell. That is, casting a spell without paying the cost will not activate Opus' bonus effect. An example would be the famous Force of Will – if cast at the alternative cost, you don't pay any mana, therefore Opus will only grant the +1/+1.

Increment - Quandrix

Increment is another ability that checks the amount of mana used to cast a spell—this time, any spell, meaning it's not limited to Instants and Sorceries.

If the amount of mana used is greater than the power or toughness of the creature with Increment, you put a +1/+1 counter on the creature.

In other words, you can transform an initially small creature into a progressively larger threat as you invest more mana in other spells.

Infusion - Witherbloom

Finally, the Infusion mechanic grants a certain bonus if you gained life earlier in the turn.

In terms of rules, gaining life doesn't necessarily means additive: an effect that doubled your life points, for example, was effectively a life gain, so it will trigger Infusion.

Also, remember that the effect checks if you gained life at some point in the turn, but not necessarily an increase in your current life. For example, let's say you gained 2 life this turn, but your opponent used a Boltwave, dealing 3 damage to you, so your total life points ultimately decreased -1. Still, there was a life gain at some point, so the Infusion condition is met.

Secrets of Strixhaven features many mechanics, and some of them are somewhat complex, making it even more important to familiarize yourself with them and understand their details and rulings.

These issues can make a big difference, especially in pre-release events, so pay attention!

I hope everyone has great release events, and lots of fun – and remember: when in doubt, call a judge!

Cheers, and until next time!