The next Magic: The Gathering set will be here soon. Secrets of Strixhaven debuted today on YouTube and Twitch and Wizards of the Coast revealed a lot of new information about their next in-universe set. Today we learned just a taste of what’s coming when class is back in session at Strixhaven
Emeritus of Ideation and The Power Nine
The Power Nine are a collection of nine cards printed in the early days of Magic: The Gathering that are considered by every available metric to be completely overpowered. As a result, they are banned in every format except Vintage where they are restricted. Additionally, all of the cards in The Power Nine are on the reserved list meaning they can never be printed in a set again.
Emeritus of Ideation doesn’t skirt that rule per se but does allow for players who have never cast a Power Nine spell to do so for the first time ever. Emeritus of Ideation uses a new mechanic called Prepare. Creatures that use this mechanic will have a secondary spell that can only be cast if the creature is prepared. Each creature will have its own rules for becoming prepared. In this case, Emeritus of Ideation enters prepared. Additionally, it can become prepared when it attacks by exiling eight cards from the graveyard. The Power Nine instant spell, Ancestral Recall is printed at the lower right of Emeritus of Ideation and can be cast as long the creature is prepared.
In addition to being linked to one of the most powerful spells in all of Magic’s history, Emeritus of Ideation also serves as the headliner for Secrets of Strixhaven. A special throwback framed version of Emeritus of Ideation was made using artwork by prolific artist Mark Poole. This collector booster exclusive is serialized and there will only be 500 of them in existence. Also, if you look real closely at this serialized version of Emeritus of Ideation, you’ll see many elements of the original Mark Poole artwork for Ancestral Recall.
Return to the Mystical Archive
As we’ve seen in recent in-universe sets, Magic: The Gathering is returning to the Mystical Archive once again. These cards showcase some of the most powerful spells in Magic’s history. Cards like Vampiric Tutor and Giant Growth will be in the bonus sheet in both English and Japanese.
Each Play Booster will contain a Mystical Archive card. In Collector Boosters, there will be three cards from the Mystical Archive and they may be English, Japanese or Japanese with a silver scroll foil treatment.
Planeswalkers
There will be two Planeswalkers in the main set for Secrets of Strixhaven. The first was the subject of speculation ever since his picture first appeared alongside the opening chapter of the Secrets of Strixhaven story. Ral Zarek, normally an Izzet-themed Planeswalker, appeared in Orzhov clothing, and now we know definitively that it’s because in Secrets of Strixhaven, he is a professor in the Orzhov school, Silverquil. Ral Zarek, Guest Lecturer is a black Planeswalker with abilities that lean heavily into the mechanic of creating chaos for your opponents.
A new Planeswalker to Magic is a Witherbloom professor by the name of Dellian Fel. Professor Dellian Fel uses his green side to gain life but his black side reminds us that there is always a cost for using Magic. 
The Elder Dragons And Their Mascots
The five schools of Strixhaven are named after the Elder Dragon that founded them. Lorehold is and has a Spirit Mascot. Witherbloom is and has a Pest Mascot. Prismari is and has an Elemental Mascot. Silverquil is and has an Inkling Mascot. Quandrix is and has a Fractal Mascot.
In addition to being represented by both its founding Elder Dragon and a mascot, each school also has its own mechanic. Lorehold has spells with the returning mechanic, Flashback. Witherbloom has the mechanic Infusion which checks for whether or not you gained life on the turn that a creature with Infusion enters. Prismari uses a trigger-based mechanic called Opus that checks for your use of instants and sorceries. Similarly, Silverquil also checks for your use of instants and sorceries to trigger their Repartee mechanic. Quandrix sees the return of the Cascade mechanic on their spells.
Important Dates For Secrets of Strixhaven
- April 7: Omens of Chaos novel by Seanan McGuire releases
- April 10: Full Set revealed
- April 17-23: Prerelease events at WPN stores
- April 21: MTG Arena release date
- April 24: Tabletop release date
- May 1-3: Pro Tour Secrets of Strixhaven at MagicCon Las Vegas
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