There is a quiz currently available on the Secrets of Strixhaven site to help you determine which magical college you belong to. While you might want to ignore that traumatic memory of every millennial claiming they were a Hufflepuff, you should pay attention to the upcoming wizard university set. This release focuses heavily on differentiating the colleges, making the factions even more vital than they were in the original Strixhaven set.
Mastering the Mechanics of this Wizard University Set
Each college is defined by more than just a pair of colors; every faction features its own signature mechanic. To succeed in this wizard university set, players will need to master several distinct playstyles:
- Witherbloom (Green/Black): Focused on life and death, this "half hippy, half goth" college utilizes the Infusion mechanic, which triggers whenever you gain life. An example is Poisoner's Apprentice, which can grant -4/-4 to an opponent if you have gained life that turn.
- Prismari (Red/Blue): These "artsy theatre kids" use the Opus mechanic. This triggers upon casting an instant or sorcery, with effects becoming significantly more powerful if the spell costs five or more mana.
- Quandrix (Blue/Green): The math-focused college uses the Increment keyword. Whenever you cast a spell with a mana cost higher than a creature's power or toughness, that creature receives a +1/+1 counter.
- Lorehold (Red/White): As the history-focused college, they utilize mechanics dug up from Magic's past. This includes Flashback—a mechanic dating back to Odyssey in 2001—and Arcane Archaeology.
- Silverquill (White/Black): These wizards utilize abilities labeled Repartee. This mechanic triggers when you cast an instant or sorcery that targets a creature, featuring various different effects.
Preparing for the Secrets of Strixhaven Release
The design of this wizard university set places a heavy emphasis on instants and sorceries rather than "controlling armies of little guys." This ensures the gameplay maintains a true spellcasting atmosphere. Whether you are looking forward to the chaotic energy of Silverquill or hoping for a Witherbloom resurgence, there is plenty to learn.
Make sure to mark your calendars for the upcoming release dates:
- Magic: The Gathering Arena: April 21
- Tabletop Magic: April 24
