Strixhaven: School of Mages

STX · 383 cards · Released

Vortex Runner
Creature — Human Wizard

As long as you control eight or more lands, this creature gets +1/+0 and can't be blocked.

"By using the vortex, I can study for at least fifteen extra minutes between every class. I wasn't being reckless, Dean Imbraham. I was being efficient."

2/3
Waterfall Aerialist
Creature — Djinn Wizard

Flying

Ward (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays .)

Form and function in perfect unity.

3/1
Wormhole Serpent
Creature — Serpent

: Target creature can't be blocked this turn.

After drownings, devourings, and one highly unpleasant algae infestation, unsupervised portal use on campus was banned.

3/5
Arrogant Poet
Creature — Human Warlock

Whenever this creature attacks, you may pay 2 life. If you do, it gains flying until end of turn.

"I would be kinder to my peers, Professor, but I simply don't have any."

2/1
Baleful Mastery
Instant

You may pay rather than pay this spell's mana cost.

If the cost was paid, an opponent draws a card.

Exile target creature or planeswalker.

Brackish Trudge
Creature — Fungus Beast

This creature enters tapped.

: Return this card from your graveyard to your hand. Activate only if you gained life this turn.

Most trudges are covered with decaying plant matter, making them ideal breeding grounds for fungal spores.

4/2
Callous Bloodmage
Creature — Vampire Warlock

When this creature enters, choose one —

• Create a 1/1 black and green Pest creature token with "When this token dies, you gain 1 life."

• You draw a card and you lose 1 life.

• Exile target player's graveyard.

2/1
Confront the Past
Sorcery — Lesson

Choose one —

• Return target planeswalker card with mana value X or less from your graveyard to the battlefield.

• Remove twice X loyalty counters from target planeswalker an opponent controls.

"Why, Gideon? Of all people, why save me?"

Crushing Disappointment
Instant

Each player loses 2 life. You draw two cards.

Most students could barely endure Dean Embrose's scrutiny for a semester or two; Killian lived with it his entire life.

Essence Infusion
Sorcery

Put two +1/+1 counters on target creature. It gains lifelink until end of turn.

"I'd say it's still a fair fight—now my friend is about the size of your ego."

Eyetwitch
Creature — Eye Bat

Flying

When this creature dies, 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.)

Oculomancers see the ideal potion ingredient. The bats don't see it that way.

1/1
Flunk
Instant

Target creature gets -X/-X until end of turn, where X is 7 minus the number of cards in that creature's controller's hand.

"I assure you, no one fails my course more than once."

—Embrose, Silverquill dean

Go Blank
Sorcery

Target player discards two cards. Then exile that player's graveyard.

The only feeling worse than not knowing the answer is the certainty that you once did.

Hunt for Specimens
Sorcery

Create a 1/1 black and green Pest creature token with "When this token dies, you gain 1 life."

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.)

Lash of Malice
Instant

Target creature gets +2/-2 until end of turn.

"The strongest shadow spells come from disdain for someone else, not frustration with yourself."

—Embrose, Silverquill dean

Leech Fanatic
Creature — Human Warlock

During your turn, this creature has lifelink.

"Everyone thinks that leeches maintain a strictly sanguivorous diet, but in fact, most freshwater leeches are carnivores. Wait, where are you going?"

2/2
Mage Hunter
Creature — Horror

Whenever an opponent casts or copies an instant or sorcery spell, they lose 1 life.

One of the Oriq's most powerful tools is the mage hunter, a vile monstrosity created to seek out and snuff out the arcane.

3/4
Mage Hunters' Onslaught
Sorcery

Destroy target creature or planeswalker.

Whenever a creature blocks this turn, its controller loses 1 life.

Extus stood before his alma mater for a moment, remembering first his studies, then his vengeance. At his command, the mage hunters unfolded.

Necrotic Fumes
Sorcery — Lesson

As an additional cost to cast this spell, exile a creature you control.

Exile target creature or planeswalker.

When live specimens aren't readily available, Witherbloom mages make creative use of ragged spirits clinging to long-dead bodies.

Novice Dissector
Creature — Troll Warlock

, Sacrifice another creature: Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature. Activate only as a sorcery.

"The professor said to first extract the venom glands, then the acid sac. Next up, the . . . meeping organ?"

3/3
Oriq Loremage
Creature — Human Warlock

: Search your library for a card, put it into your graveyard, then shuffle. If it's an instant or sorcery card, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

Nothing can quell the Oriq's thirst for the forbidden secrets of the past.

3/3
Plumb the Forbidden
Instant

As an additional cost to cast this spell, you may sacrifice one or more creatures. When you do, copy this spell for each creature sacrificed this way.

You draw a card and lose 1 life.

Strixhaven forbade all magic from the Blood Age, so that is where Extus began his research.

Poet's Quill
Artifact — Equipment

When this Equipment enters, 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.)

Equipped creature gets +1/+1 and has lifelink.

Equip

Professor Onyx
Legendary Planeswalker — Liliana

Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, each opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.

[+1]: You lose 1 life. Look at the top three cards of your library. Put one of them into your hand and the rest into your graveyard.

[−3]: Each opponent sacrifices a creature with the greatest power among creatures that player controls.

[−8]: Each opponent may discard a card. If they don't, they lose 3 life. Repeat this process six more times.

Loyalty: 5
Professor's Warning
Instant

Choose one —

• Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.

• Target creature gains indestructible until end of turn. (Damage and effects that say "destroy" don't destroy it.)

Professor Onyx urged the twins to prepare for the dark mage Extus, sounding very much like someone familiar with the rise of tyrants.

Promising Duskmage
Creature — Human Warlock

When this creature dies, if it had a +1/+1 counter on it, draw a card.

"Your technique is sloppy, but there is talent there. Do it again, and keep your right arm in position this time."

2/3
Sedgemoor Witch
Creature — Human Warlock

Menace

Ward—Pay 3 life. (Whenever this creature becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter it unless that player pays 3 life.)

Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, create a 1/1 black and green Pest creature token with "When this token dies, you gain 1 life."

3/2
Specter of the Fens
Creature — Specter

Flying

: Target opponent loses 2 life and you gain 2 life.

Foul specters hunt down those who try to back out of a deal with a daemogoth.

2/3
Tenured Inkcaster
Creature — Vampire Warlock

When this creature enters, put a +1/+1 counter on target creature.

Whenever a creature you control with a +1/+1 counter on it attacks, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life.

"Ah, another future archmage for my collection."

2/2
Umbral Juke
Instant

Choose one —

• Target player sacrifices a creature or planeswalker of their choice.

• Create a 2/1 white and black Inkling creature token with flying.

The sport of Mage Tower was conceived as a playful testing ground for young spellcasters.

Unwilling Ingredient
Creature — Frog

Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)

, Exile this card from your graveyard: You draw a card and you lose 1 life.

"Don't look at me like that. It was either this or being eaten by a groff."

—Dina, Witherbloom mage-student

1/1
Academic Dispute
Instant

Target creature blocks this turn if able. You may have it gain reach until end of turn.

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.)

"I'll show you original research, you hack!"

Ardent Dustspeaker
Creature — Minotaur Shaman

Whenever this creature attacks, you may put an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard on the bottom of your library. If you do, exile the top two cards of your library. You may play those cards this turn.

"The Founder Dragons weren't even hatched when this scroll was written!"

3/4
Blood Age General
Creature — Spirit Warrior

: Attacking Spirits get +1/+0 until end of turn.

His troops took the Fortress of Caerdoon centuries ago, yet he fights on.

2/2
Conspiracy Theorist
Creature — Human Shaman

Whenever this creature attacks, you may pay and discard a card. If you do, draw a card.

Whenever you discard one or more nonland cards, you may exile one of them from your graveyard. If you do, you may cast it this turn.

2/2
Crackle with Power
Sorcery

Crackle with Power deals five times X damage to each of up to X targets.

Will gasped as Rowan drew from the raw power of the Strixhaven Snarl. For a moment, she was luminous, transcendent, terrible.

Draconic Intervention
Sorcery

As an additional cost to cast this spell, exile an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard.

Draconic Intervention deals X damage to each non-Dragon creature, where X is the exiled card's mana value. If a creature dealt damage this way would die this turn, exile it instead.

Exile Draconic Intervention.

Dragon's Approach
Sorcery

Dragon's Approach deals 3 damage to each opponent. You may exile Dragon's Approach and four cards named Dragon's Approach from your graveyard. If you do, search your library for a Dragon creature card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.

A deck can have any number of cards named Dragon's Approach.

Efreet Flamepainter
Creature — Efreet Shaman

Double strike

Whenever this creature deals combat damage to a player, you may cast target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that spell would be put into your graveyard, exile it instead.

1/4
Enthusiastic Study
Instant

Target creature gets +3/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

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.)

"If the pen is mightier than the sword, just think what a giant tome could do!"

Explosive Welcome
Instant

Explosive Welcome deals 5 damage to any target and 3 damage to any other target. Add .

Rowan and Will were a natural fit in Prismari College, the school of outrageous elemental arts.

Fervent Mastery
Sorcery

You may pay rather than pay this spell's mana cost.

If the cost was paid, an opponent discards any number of cards, then draws that many cards.

Search your library for up to three cards, put them into your hand, shuffle, then discard three cards at random.

First Day of Class
Instant

Whenever a creature you control enters this turn, put a +1/+1 counter on it and it gains haste until end of turn.

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.)

Fuming Effigy
Creature — Spirit

Whenever one or more cards leave your graveyard, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent.

Some spirits share ancient wisdom. Others just get mad you touched their stuff.

4/3
Grinning Ignus
Creature — Elemental

, Return this creature to its owner's hand: Add . Activate only as a sorcery.

On rare occasions, a Prismari student will summon an elemental that shows such promise that it's permitted to stay and enroll.

2/2
Hall Monitor
Creature — Lizard Shaman

Haste

, : Target creature can't block this turn.

"No unauthorized summoning. No writing in the library books. And absolutely no indoor dueling!"

1/1
Heated Debate
Instant

This spell can't be countered. (This includes by the ward ability.)

Heated Debate deals 4 damage to target creature or planeswalker.

"While you were wasting time with abstract equations, I mastered ancient Oggyar fire magic. Your move."

Igneous Inspiration
Sorcery

Igneous Inspiration deals 3 damage to any target.

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.)

Prismari fosters a burning need to create.

Illuminate History
Sorcery — Lesson

Discard any number of cards, then draw that many cards. Then if there are seven or more cards in your graveyard, create a 3/2 red and white Spirit creature token.

"Look at the detail in this stonework! Professor, our assumptions about early Kathorran tool use may not be correct."

Illustrious Historian
Creature — Human Shaman

, Exile this card from your graveyard: Create a tapped 3/2 red and white Spirit creature token.

The most distinguished Lorehold professors are eligible to receive extended tenure, even beyond the limits of their own mortality.

2/1
Mascot Interception
Sorcery

This spell costs less to cast if it targets a creature token.

Gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gets +2/+0 and gains haste until end of turn.

Far from the trappings of royalty, Rowan and Will found inspiration from the most popular sport on campus, Mage Tower.

Pigment Storm
Sorcery

Pigment Storm deals 5 damage to target creature. Excess damage is dealt to that creature's controller instead.

When art projects collapse, Prismari students revel in the beauty of destruction. Everyone else runs for cover.

Pillardrop Warden
Creature — Spirit Dwarf

Reach

, , Sacrifice this creature: Return target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard to your hand. Activate only as a sorcery.

A giant statue of a dwarf is still a giant statue.

1/5
Retriever Phoenix
Creature — Phoenix

Flying, haste

When this creature enters, if you cast it, 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.)

As long as this card is in your graveyard, if you would learn, you may instead return this card to the battlefield.

2/2
Start from Scratch
Sorcery — Lesson

Choose one —

• Start from Scratch deals 1 damage to any target.

• Destroy target artifact.

"I don't care what they think!" Rootha snapped. "I know I can do better."

Storm-Kiln Artist
Creature — Dwarf Shaman

This creature gets +1/+0 for each artifact you control.

Magecraft — Whenever you cast or copy an instant or sorcery spell, create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")

A captured elemental makes for a potent, albeit unstable, power source.

2/2
Sudden Breakthrough
Instant

Target creature gets +2/+0 and gains first strike until end of turn.

Create a Treasure token. (It's an artifact with ", Sacrifice this token: Add one mana of any color.")

Rootha created constantly, passionately, in hopes of impressing her greatest critic: herself.

Tome Shredder
Creature — Wolf

Haste

, Exile an instant or sorcery card from your graveyard: Put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.

"Quintorius, would you care to explain why you didn't complete your homework?"

—Augusta, Lorehold dean

2/2
Twinscroll Shaman
Creature — Dwarf Shaman

Double strike

"May your wretched name never grace the annals of history, you ignorant buffoon!"

1/2
Accomplished Alchemist
Creature — Elf Druid

: Add one mana of any color.

: Add X mana of any one color, where X is the amount of life you gained this turn.

"Tincture of murkroot and lizard feet? Simple. One that doesn't taste like murkroot and lizard feet? I'm working on it."

2/5