From player reaction alone, it’s clear that Secrets of Strixhaven is an all-timer. Between the new Commander precons and an incredible cycle of elder dragons, there’s a ton of stuff for players to get excited about. These cards are so exciting, even by 2026 MTG’s standards, that a lot of other, powerful cards are getting overlooked. This, however, is great news for budget-conscious players, as multiple $0.50 Secrets of Strixhaven MTG cards are breaking out in competitive formats. While it’s still early days for Secrets of Strixhaven, if these cards stick around, they could become expensive.
MTG Colorstorm Stallion
Price $0.25
While Colorstorm Stallion certainly has some combo potential, this Elemental Horse is primarily played as an aggressive beater. Appearing primarily in Standard Izzet Prowess, this growing threat comes in swinging with some extra protection, to boot. The horse’s full Opus ability may never be triggered in Prowess, but it does occasionally come up in Izzet Spellementals. Thanks to quickly copying itself, letting it completely take over games, it’s no wonder Colorstorm Stallion has multiple MTGO Challenge and Showcase top eights to its name already.
While most high-performing Standard rares can get pricy, Colorstorm Stallion bizarrely remains $0.25. With a playset just costing a dollar to pick up, you might want to grab some of these before the Pro Tour.
MTG Traumatic Critique
Price: $0.55
Currently, the best way to trigger Colorstorm Stallion’s Opus ability, Traumatic Critique, is also seeing lots of play across Standard’s smattering of Izzet decks. Primarily appearing in slower Izzet archetypes, including self-bounce, Spellementals, this card essentially becomes a two-for-one when used as removal. The card is particularly explosive in Jeskai Control, where Resonating Lute turns it into a massive win condition.
While best used as removal, even for just two mana, Traumatic Critique still does a great job fueling your graveyard. This, in turn, can act as a crucial discount for Eddymurk Crab and Hearth Elemental. Unlike past discard outlets, like Abandon Attachments, you notably get to draw before discarding, too. Considering the card’s potential, picking Traumatic Critique up for just $0.55 is a steal.
MTG Prismari Charm
Price: $0.20
Despite many players overlooking the two-mana instant, Prismari Charm is on an absolute tear. Appearing in almost every successful Standard Izzet list right now, this modal spell is seeing some success in Pioneer and Legacy.
Unlike many of the other Secrets of Strixhaven Charms, all of Prismari Charm’s options are quite powerful. Bouncing a nonland permanent or dealing one damage to two targets punishes a lot of common cards in Standard. Whether you’re cleaning up Stormchaser’s Talent tokens, or bouncing a hate piece, this instant can do it all. At worst, you can use Prismari Charm’s Consider mode, trying to find something better. Because of how versatile this instant is, I would be very surprised if this card maintained its $0.20 price tag for long.
MTG Petrified Hamlet
Price: $0.40
Petrified Hamlet is quickly making a name for itself in Legacy, where colorless decks thrive. When you don’t need to be producing specific colors of mana, this land-focused Pithing Needle effect doesn’t have any downsides. While the card can occasionally snipe Fetch Lands, Petrified Hamlet does a better job at naming cards with game-changing activated abilities like Boseiju, Who Endures, Wasteland, and Urza’s Saga. Interfering with Wasteland, in particular, is rather egregious in Legacy, allowing colorless decks to protect their high-value lands like Eye of Ugin and Urza’s Workshop.
Thanks to this, Petrified Hamlet is starting to become a common offender in Eldrazi decks, protecting crucial lands while annoying Legacy players with its sniping antics. For now, this $0.40 card is just beginning to see some play, but picking them up while they’re cheap might not be a bad idea.
Stick with us here at mtgrocks.com: the best site for Magic: The Gathering coverage. Be sure to check out our deckbuilder for your next big brew, and our brand new MTG Rocks Podcast!