Exclusive Strixhaven: School of Mages Card Reveal

The anticipation for Magic: The Gathering’s return to the hallowed halls of Strixhaven is reaching a fever pitch. As the spoiler season progresses, we’ve seen the five colleges arming themselves with devastating new sorceries and charms. Today, we are thrilled to unveil two exclusive additions to the set.

Courtesy of Wizards of the Coast, we have the pleasure of showcasing a pair of cards that are sure to shake up the meta: a robust removal spell perfect for Silverquill or Lorehold enthusiasts, and a high-flying threat designed to dominate in Quandrix and Prismari builds. Take a look at Stand Up for Yourself and Encouraging Aviator.

Stand Up for Yourself

At its core, Stand Up for Yourself is a reliable three-mana removal spell. While it avoids the flashiness of more complex mechanics, its utility is undeniable; sometimes, you simply need an efficient way to exile a major threat from the board. Nathaniel Himawan’s striking artwork provides an excellent sense of depth and focus to this essential tool.

Encouraging Aviator

On the blue-aligned spectrum, we have the Encouraging Aviator. This 2/3 Bird Wizard offers early-game board presence with its built-in flying ability. However, its real power lies in the new “Prepared” mechanic, which allows the creature to cast iconic spells—in this case, the classic Jump—for a specific cost and speed. You can find more details on the intricacies of the Prepared mechanic here.

This aviator is a versatile mid-game headache for opponents, particularly as it navigates around standard removal like Stand Up for Yourself. The whimsical pairing of an owl and a frog, beautifully illustrated by Oriana Menendez, perfectly encapsulates the magical atmosphere of the university. It’s a wonderful spiritual successor to the charm seen earlier this year in Lorwyn Eclipsed.

You can explore the full gallery of revealed cards from Secrets of Strixhaven here. Classes officially commence on April 24, with pre-release events kicking off at local game stores across the country the preceding weekend.