Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian | Art by Joshua Raphael

The miracle mechanic has a storied history in the game of Magic, which could be the reason why the commander of the deck we're building today, Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian, is so interested in them. Casting spells for a cheaper cost if they were the first card you drew that turn has led to some truly epic in-game moments ever since their introduction in Avacyn Restored.

Now, as we go back to Strixhaven, we'll see the long-awaited return of this mechanic, which causes players to draw their first card each turn in a very weird way.

So, join me Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks as I cover a budget 99 that you can pick up for about $45 (based on TCGPlayer pricing, and excluding Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian since its presale price is so high).

What Does Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian Do?

Flying in from the plane of Arcavios we have Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian, one of the Elder Dragon founders of the Strixhaven college. This commander gives your instant and sorcery spells miracle, which will require you to set aside the first card you draw each turn. Which is important to keep in mind, since Lorehold lets you discard a card in order to draw a card on each opponent's upkeep.

This will make for some wild plays, where you'll get to disregard timing restrictions, and change the game at the start of someone else's turn.

Budget Cards for Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian

As I built around this commander, I realized just how important it was to find the right balance for the deck. You want to be able to have a high level of instants and sorceries in this list, in order to not draw any "duds," which are basically lands, artifacts, enchantments, and creatures. One of the things that helped with this goal is our first section, which is full of lands that're also spells.

Spells in the Land Slot

• Emeria's CallEmeria's Call: Here's a great example of why modal double-faced cards (MDFCs) are so great in the list. Not only can this be an untapped land when you need it, but it can also be a game altering spell when you're able to cast it for that miracle cost off the top.
• Song-Mad TreacherySong-Mad Treachery: While resolving a theft effect like this on another player's turn might not seem like the best move, it can still be useful to take someone's commander away at the start of their turn, tripping up their game plan.
• Sundering EruptionSundering Eruption: Blowing up someone's powerful land and making a big portion of the board unable to block is a great combo to hit at the start of an opponent's turn. Plus, since your commander has flying, you can still block once this spell has resolved.

• Sejiri ShelterSejiri Shelter: While this might not be the greatest spell to cast for miracle cost, it still can help protect your commander, since it'll likely be a lightning rod for removal.
• Legion LeadershipLegion Leadership: Targeting Lorehold with this spell can be useful for lowering someone's life total, but it also helps when you employ some politics. Since you can double the power of another player's creature in order to send it towards a shared enemy.

Top-Deck Manipulation

• Hidden RetreatHidden Retreat: Here's a very tricky card to include in this deck. It gives you the ability to throw the expensive cards that're stuck in your hand right on top of your library, which sets it up to be the first card you draw that turn.
• BrainstoneBrainstone: Drawing three cards and then putting two back on top allows you to place a couple of great spells you'll want to cast for their miracle costs in a row.
• Dragon's Rage ChannelerDragon's Rage Channeler: There's a large number of noncreature spells in this list which'll ensure you're constantly surveilling with this creature as the game goes on, setting up your future draws.

• Loran's EscapeLoran's Escape: There are several protection spells in this list that help you keep your commander on the board, and this is a great example of what they can provide, since it can save your game plan while allowing you to scry.
• Crystal BallCrystal Ball: While three mana might be expensive to get this down, spending only one mana to scry 2 will ensure that you have better chances to draw an expensive card to cheat out with your commander.
• Conduit PylonsConduit Pylons: Here's a representative of the eight lands in this deck that enter and allow you to manipulate the top of your library. In this case, you get an untapped land that lets you surveil 1 when it hits the board, while also filtering your mana.

Big Splashy Spells

• Storm HerdStorm Herd: When it comes to casting huge spells, this sorcery is one of the first cards that came to mind. If you're looking for a way to win the game, your Pegasus army is here to help.
• Brass's BountyBrass's Bounty: Here's a card that gets better and better as the game goes on. Making Treasures based off of the number of lands you control for as little as two mana could put you in a place where you can cast some of the big spells that have gotten stuck in your hand.
• Hit the Mother LodeHit the Mother Lode: Here's another way to cast some of these big spells in the deck. Plus, even if you hit a cheaper spell with this, you'll make tapped Treasures equal to the difference.

• Waltz of RageWaltz of Rage: Here's a great one-sided board wipe that leaves your commander behind, while also offering some card advantage if you have creatures on the board.
• Invoke CalamityInvoke Calamity: Casting this spell at the start of someone's turn could change the game out of nowhere. Whether you sweep the board, remove some permanents, or even just draw some more cards, this can turn the game around for you.
• Into the Time VortexInto the Time Vortex: While this doesn't have any effect on its own, it does allow you cascade for five, and then lets you cast it again for free on your next turn, making for a great one-two punch.

Mana Advantage

• Bender's WaterskinBender's Waterskin: This mana rock is perfect for the deck's strategy, since you can untap it on other people's turns in order to use it towards your miracle costs.
• Laser ScrewdriverLaser Screwdriver: Here's a bit of a Swiss Army Knife in the list. It offers up several useful abilities, especially that surveil option, assisting your top deck manipulation.
• Storm-Kiln ArtistStorm-Kiln Artist: Since this deck is looking to cast big instants and sorceries, this Dwarf is here to help your engine roll along, building up Treasure tokens over time.

• Grinning IgnusGrinning Ignus: This creature does some great work in the deck for a few reasons. You can get it down in the early game, and then bounce it back to your hand to help with casting your commander. Once it's there, you can discard it to draw a card on an opponent's turn.
• Cartographer's HawkCartographer's Hawk: Typically, the fact that you need to return this Bird to your hand when it hits someone else is a drawback. However, as I mentioned before, putting this back into your hand gives you the chance to rummage it away in order to make a miracle to happen.

Lorehold, the Historian Commander Deck List

Three More Interesting Cards Before I Go

I'm not done talking about the cards in this deck just yet, because there's some interesting inclusions that fill up this list that might not make total sense at first glance.

Squee, Goblin NabobSquee, Goblin Nabob gives you a free card to throw away in order to set up for a miracle on another player's turn, which adds up to a lot of advantage over time when it returns to your hand. Gift of EstatesGift of Estates also gives you some discard fodder, while also thinning out your deck, making it less likely you'll draw a land when you don't want it.

Finally, we have From the AshesFrom the Ashes, which brings some light land destruction to the list (allowing people to search up replacements) but more importantly, it pulls lands out of your deck, and brings them in untapped!

My Final Thoughts on Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian

So, there you have it, a budget 99 build around Lorehold, the HistorianLorehold, the Historian that you can pick up for $45. This deck will lead to some truly wild games, as you get to see your opponents quake in fear after each card you draw.

If you're looking for more budget content from me, you can find it right here on EDHREC as well as on my YouTube channel The Pillow Fort, where I do everything I can to make Magic more accessible for everyone.