Magic: The Gathering‘s latest set is here (at least in prerelease), and for the first time since Tarkir: Dragonstorm last year, we’re getting not one, not two, but five Commander precons for Secrets of Strixhaven.
It’s a set packed with great reprints and the Mystical Archive of classic Magic spells, but some decks have been more popular than others. A quick look online shows the likes of Lorehold Spirit and Silverquill Influence selling out swiftly, followed not long after by Witherbloom Pestilence and Prismari Artistry.
The odd one out? Quandrix Unlimited — and yet you should discount it at your peril. It’s a simic (blue-green) deck helmed by Zimone, Infinite Analyst. She’s a 0/4 that gets bigger with counters as you cast X spells, then Zimone uses those counters to discount more X spells. Put simply, she’s a great engine, and it won’t take long to ramp up to a point where you’re using her for big spell discounts, especially since she’s a three-cost card.
There are no fewer than 27 spells with X in the mana value in the game, meaning it shouldn’t take long for her to build up a head of steam.
That’s on top of some very welcome reprints, like Ozolith, the Shattered Spire, Benevolent Hydra, Primordial Hydra, Three Visits, and Unbound Flourishing, a $20 card (although that price will drop once the deck hits shelves).
Combined with awesome new cards like Owlin Spiralmancer, which can copy those X spells and Nev, the Practical Dean — which can give creatures with counters trample — you can see how this can unfold. Out of the box, I’m impressed by just how cohesive this deck is at both dropping counters on your cards and casting huge spells with X in their value.
All of this is to say that the precon is still available at Amazon for MSRP. Even if you’re not looking to play it, there are some great green and blue cards to use elsewhere once you take it apart.
For more on Magic: The Gathering’s new Secrets of Strixhaven set, find out why we’re so excited about the new prepare mechanic in the set, as well as an upgrade route for this deck’s secondary Commander choice.
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