Secrets of Strixhaven

One-pick Draft · Cards, plans & rules · Arena win rates (Premier Draft, Apr 21–Jun 2, 2026)

Released April 24, 2026

The ten-second pick check

4 questions

Ask them in this order.

Can I cast it?

Check colored mana and the turn when this card needs to matter.

What job is missing?

An early creature or answer may matter more than another expensive payoff.

Does the support exist?

Count actual cards that enable the reward, not the ones you hope to open.

What will I cut?

Keep a coherent deck and enough lands instead of every interesting card.

What job does this card do?

All 45 card notes →

Look past the power level. Name the job before deciding whether it belongs.

Enablers

Dissection Practice

A cheap creature-targeting spell for repartee, with life gain that also enables infusion.

9 enablers →

What matters in Secrets of Strixhaven

All mechanics →

Prepared means another spell to pay for

Prepared spells use their own mana costs and timing. Plan the turn when you can afford the creature and its stored spell.

Learn prepare and the set mechanics →

Spend mana deliberately

Opus and increment use actual mana spent. Flashback and additional costs can satisfy them; a free spell usually cannot.

Follow a college, or the cards you receive

Five colleges have published archetypes. The other pair pages explain workable combinations without inventing college names.

Before your event & where to play

Draft with friends
Paper, at homeAny time
Event rules
Use three Play Boosters per player; take one card per pick and build at least 40 cards.

Before a paper event

Confirm the format, start time and registration with the store. For Two-Headed Giant, confirm the team’s booster allocation.
Bring sleeves, a deck box, blank paper and a pen, and distinct counters for loyalty and +1/+1 counters.
Have your Wizards account ready in the Companion app. The store can explain joining and reporting results.
Keep pools from different events separate. Use only this event’s cards and permitted basic lands.
Read the guide before play; ask the judge when outside notes or devices may be used.

Find a store → Event locator ↗ Magic Companion ↗

Take with you

Your first Prerelease →Learn · 4 min

Outside strategy notes cannot be consulted during sanctioned drafting, construction or games. Brief prewritten notes may be reviewed between games; public Oracle lookup follows separate rules. Ask your organizer about devices and note use.