The preview season for Strixhaven: School of Mages, officially kicked off today, giving us our first look at brand new cards, artworks, and new mechanics from the upcoming magical school-themed Magic: The Gathering set. The new mechanics include Lesson/Learn, Magecraft, and Ward. The Modal Double-Faced Card (MDFC) mechanic also returns, and we got our first look at the first MDFC with Planeswalker cards in both sides, Rowan, Scholar of Sparks/ Will, Scholar of Frost. Shortly after the stream ended, Wizards of the Coast has released more information about the new mechanics, including videos explaining how they work.
Learn and Lesson
If a spell or ability instructs you to learn, you have three choices:
- You can discard a card then draw a card.
- You can reveal a Lesson card from outside the game.
- Do nothing.
Magecraft
Magecraft is an ability word that highlights triggered abilities that give players some sort of benefit whenever you cast —or copy—an instant or sorcery spell. Each magecraft bonus is different, and Strixhaven will feature a variety of magecraft cards to support various deck styles and play preferences.
Ward
Similar to Hexproof, Ward is a triggered ability. Whenever a permanent with ward becomes the target of a spell or ability an opponent controls, counter that spell or ability unless that opponent pays whatever cost is after the word “ward.” The cost can be life, mana, or anything that can be a cost. This includes Aura spells, triggered abilities, and anything else that targets a permanent with ward.
Modal Double-Faced Cards (MDFCs)
Originally introduced in Zendikar Rising last year, Modal Double-Faced Cards (MDFC) will return in Strixhaven: School of Mages, and the amount of MDFCs are expected to be similar to Kaldheim’s. Magic head designer Mark Rosewater teased that there will be card type combinations we haven’t seen in an MDFC before. You can check out one of the MCFCs in Strixhaven: Plargg, Dean of Chaos // Augusta, Dean of Order.
To check out the latest Strixhaven cards revealed, check out our spoiler section.
Strixhaven: School of Mages is set to release for tabletop on April 23, and it will be released on Magic: The Gathering Arena and Magic Online on April 15. Check out the important dates here.
