Harmonized TrioHarmonized Trio | Art by Marie Magny

I’ve recorded 70+ episodes of a creature-type-based podcast, Quote of Arms, so I’ve seen a huge array of creature type decks. When I look at spoilers for a new set, I tend to scan for cards that specifically reference a creature type, especially those that provide a new commander, direction, or signpost card for an existing type.

This approach helps me sift through the deluge of new cards and avoid product fatigue.

Those affiliated with the college of Strixhaven include Wizards, Druids, Clerics, Warlocks, Bards, and Sorcerers. All of these are Caster types in Dungeons & Dragons. The former three are types with deep support, two of whom are included in the party mechanic. The latter three are relatively new types, with Sorcerers effectively replacing Shamans as the primarily red spellcasters.

Secrets of Strixhaven is decidedly not a Typal set, but there are some Typal undercurrents, some interesting implications for relatively new types, and some under-the-radar pieces for existing Typal decks. Let's take a look at some of the cards in the set.

Antiquities on the LooseAntiquities on the Loose

Antiquities on the LooseAntiquities on the Loose is a solid addition to Spirit decks, making multiple bodies for three mana and then more bodies later for six. The flashback is what makes this particularly good for Spirit decks, as it puts a layer of +1/+1 counters on all Spirits.

The timing and specifics are a bit awkward, however, as Thalisse, Reverent MediumThalisse, Reverent Medium’s tokens won’t be around to get the boost yet, nor will Ranar the Ever-WatchfulRanar the Ever-Watchful see the exile from the graveyard, as it cares about hand and battlefield. Kykar, Wind's FuryKykar, Wind's Fury, however, loves this card.

Group ProjectGroup Project

This is a Spirit card that Thalisse likes. Group ProjectGroup Project is another Spirit token producer, but its flashback cost doesn’t include mana. It operates similar to convoke, in that it’s flashed back by tapping creatures.

Since it’s an external cost, summoning sick creatures can be tapped to pay for it.

Joined ResearchersJoined Researchers

The reason why this is a strong Typal/Theme Deck card is a subtle one. It’s not about the prepare spell, nor is it about the condition for preparation, the first strike, or even the fact that it’s a Human. No, what makes Joined ResearchersJoined Researchers unique is that it is both a Cleric and a Wizard, so it counts for both types when looking for a completed party.

Spiritcall EnthusiastSpiritcall Enthusiast

Another interesting creature with a prepare spell, this one also isn’t unique for the spell it casts, but the prepare condition is a factor. Cat decks will love Spiritcall EnthusiastSpiritcall Enthusiast, as it is aggressively-costed, its prepare spell adds an additional four power and toughness to the board, and it prepares its spell by doing what the deck already does.

In particular, casting the Enthusiast with Arahbo, the First FangArahbo, the First Fang out will result in the token from Arahbo preparing the Enthusiast.

Harmonized TrioHarmonized Trio

As odd as it might be for a single card to be considered a trio, Harmonized TrioHarmonized Trio’s prepare cost involves itself and two other creatures, so I guess they become the trio together, working in harmony to prepare the spell. And what a spell it is, as repeatable BrainstormBrainstorm is solid and with the cost and spell both being instant-speed, and the tapping being part of a cost, enabling summoning sick creatures to participate.

This is sure to be a Merfolk and Wizard staple going forward.

Mana SculptMana Sculpt

Speaking of powerful Wizard spells, Mana SculptMana Sculpt is an incredible new addition. It’s worth noting that this Mana DrainMana Drain variant only requires one Wizard, so even if your deck is just helmed by one, as long as you can reasonably expect it to stick around, this should be active.

Mana DrainMana Drain is an interesting card to evaluate, as it’s a CounterspellCounterspell that also acts like a ritual. This can impact how you use it, as using it as removal/denial means you’re more likely to hold it, while using it as a ritual means you’re more likely to burn it to enable a big play early.

Orysa, Tide ChoreographerOrysa, Tide Choreographer

Bards might not be a deeply-explored archetype, but Merfolk definitely are. In fact, Hakbal of the Surging SoulHakbal of the Surging Soul is literally and figuratively well-explored. What Orysa brings to the party is a cheap body that draws cards on entering. Merfolk tend to swarm the board quickly, and Orysa helps them kick on the afterburners, as a two-mana 2/2 that draws two cards as long as we have ten toughness of creatures out.

It's also worth noting that this can command a deck of Walls, Crabs, Turtles, or other high-toughness creature types.

Textbook TabulatorTextbook Tabulator

Another incidental addition, Textbook TabulatorTextbook Tabulator may be a Wizard, but works best in Frog decks. It has increment, which cares about the amount of mana spent on any spell, growing each time a spell is cast with mana spent higher than its toughness or initially-nonexistent power. It also surveils two when it enters.

Why is this good for Frogs? Because Frogs bounce! Either growing when we bounce and re-cast other Frogs or being bounced and surveiling over and over again itself, this is a great role-player in Clement, the WorrywortClement, the Worrywort decks.

Emeritus of ConflictEmeritus of Conflict

While this might not seem like a Typal card, the repeatable Lightning BoltLightning Bolt on a stick is a solid card for Wizard decks. Why Wizards? Well, Wizards are a creature type that features both prowess and magecraft, including a super-pumped version in Adeliz, the Cinder WindAdeliz, the Cinder Wind.

With cheap Wizards and one- and two-mana cantrips like Serum VisionsSerum Visions, this is a deck that can easily and repeatedly cast Bolt, which gives the deck reach (ways to win the game outside of combat).

Rubble RouserRubble Rouser

The most important word on Rubble RouserRubble Rouser is likely the Dwarf in its type box. In any other type, the rummager-turned-conditional-mana-dork that pings opponents would be an also-ran, but Magda, Brazen OutlawMagda, Brazen Outlaw instantly makes any creature with the Dwarf type playable.

The fact that it taps for a strong activated ability that adds a Treasure with Magda out is incredibly powerful, and Magda is one of the few Typal commanders capable of piercing the highest echelons of the Bracket system.

Shopkeeper's BaneShopkeeper's Bane

An aggressive trampler that gains life on attacking might not seem like much, but, like some other cards on this list, Shopkeeper's BaneShopkeeper's Bane is a Badger. Badgers got a big feature in Bloomburrow, even getting a commander in Hugs, Grisly GuardianHugs, Grisly Guardian. With the type getting members in Avatar: the Last Airbender’s Badgermoles, it might finally be approaching playability.

Topiary LecturerTopiary Lecturer

Elves and Druids both love mana dorks, and this is a fairly strong one. Like Marwyn, the NurturerMarwyn, the Nurturer, the Lecturer gets bigger and makes mana equal to its power. It can supplement Marwyn or Seton, Krosan ProtectorSeton, Krosan Protector as a big source of mana, or even join the Goreguts gang with Raggadragga, Goreguts BossRaggadragga, Goreguts Boss as a creature with a mana ability.

Blech, Loafing PestBlech, Loafing Pest

Like his progenitor, Blex, Vexing PestBlex, Vexing Pest, Blech pumps Pests, Bats, Insects, Snakes, and Spiders. Father and son also work together, as Blex gains life when he dies and Blech adds layers of counters on instances of life gain. It’s kind of ironic that people were surprised when Blech’s flavor text reflected his father’s passing, as Blex literally had an ability that triggered when he died.

Lluwen, Exchange StudentLluwen, Exchange Student

Each of the mascots of Strixhaven houses, Pests, Spirits, Fractals, Elementals, and Inklings, got adjusted slightly and got some new members and support. In the next few weeks, I intend to do writeups on them.

Lluwen gives Witherbloom’s Pests arguably the biggest glow-up, as he can repeatedly make Pests with his prepare ability. As a result, this undersupported type now has access to a steady stream of members.

Great Hall of the BiblioplexGreat Hall of the Biblioplex

Finding a nonbasic that relates to a creature type was a bit of a stretch in this set, but Great Hall of the BiblioplexGreat Hall of the Biblioplex has a chance of seeing play in Wizard decks. In addition to being a color-fixing version of the pain land cycle (see: Yavimaya CoastYavimaya Coast), it can animate for five mana to become a Wizard with a version of magecraft.

The tricky part is that the ability costs so much - effectively six mana because the land itself can’t tap for mana - so getting any value out of it requires the player to have access to at least seven mana or a free spell. All for a three-power creature without evasion.

Conclusion

For a set that’s based more on being prepared (would’ve expected that from Scars of Mirrodin, as someone who grew up on The Lion King), Secrets of Strixhaven has support for a few different types. They occupy a range of roles, from commanders to signposts to staples to supplementary membership.

In particular, the various flavors of spellcasters got fleshed out. While Warlocks, Bards, and Sorcerers are still developing identities, so it’s tough to tell if they got important members, they did develop color identities, which goes a long way. If that were all this set did, that would have been enough, but it does so much more!

But what cards are going into your Typal decks? And what are the cards you’re looking to pick up?