4 Major Predictions for Secrets of Strixhaven Limited

Last updated on April 15, 2026

Deflecting Palm | Illustration by Alex Stone

It's very difficult to predict how a Draft format will pan out. There are just too many moving parts, too many variables.

That being said, that doesn't mean we can't at least try to make some predictions. After all, there are some things that are generally true in Draft formats, there are some cards we're already familiar with, and there is great value to be gained in making good predictions. So it's in that spirit that I present some of my thoughts on the upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven set.

Increment is a Trap

Fractalize | Illustration by Andrew Mar

In a perfect world, every mechanic printed into a new set would work perfectly and be just as good and balanced as every other mechanic, and everyone would be happy and the world would know peace. But that is not the world we live in unfortunately, and it seems like increment may end up lagging behind the other mechanics in this set.

I say this for two reasons. The first is that Quandrix, blue green school that supposedly wants to be playing cards with increment, seems to be split between multiple archetypes. Yes, there are some cards with increment or counter synergy of some kind:

But then there's also a large chunk of cards dedicated to ramping:

And a handful of cards that want you to be playing a lot of different colors for converge:

And then there's all the X-cost synergy cards:

While these themes all feed into each other to an extent–ramping lets you cast bigger spells to keep triggering increment, ramping makes it easier to cast big X-cost spells, ramping lets you get out lands that make other colors of mana for converge…these don't feed into increment. If anything, the focus is on ramping your mana, and increment feels more like something you might have some of and you'll trigger it incidentally. Additionally, the commons that do have increment seem to be lacking.

Overall, I'm sure there will be decks where increment is the big thing you're doing, and +1/+1 counters really do matter a lot, but don't count on that being the majority of the time. I think that Quandrix will end up being better as a deck that cares about ramping to big spells and splashing for converge and other powerful spells.

Prepared is Very Good

Creatures that have prepared spells are good for the same reason creatures with adventures are good: You effectively get two cards in one, the spell and the creature. And with prepared, while the spell is often small and the creature is something you wouldn't play normally, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is not to mention that some creatures can become prepared multiple times, and there are effects like Biblioplex Tomekeeper and Skycoach Waypoint that can prepare a creature again. This is good. Getting two cards worth of value or more out of a single card is good. This is what wins games; add up enough two-for-ones and you will eventually get ahead of your opponent on resources.

Oops, All Tricks!

Vibrant Outburst | Illustration by Eelis Kyattanen

It's beneficial to know what your opponent might have in their hand, and in some formats where there are only so many options, it can be easy enough to guess. But Secrets of Strixhaven is not so simple. One thing that stands out about this set is the sheer abundance of 1-cost combat tricks across all colors. 

Because there's so many of these tricks, not even mentioning all of the tricks that cost more than one mana, there will be a big impact on combat in general. There will be many scenarios where you and/or your opponent can cast a trick to change the outcome of an attack or a block. This puts a lot of weight on the combat step, and you could lose the game or fall far behind for a bad attack or block that can get punished by a trick.

Additionally, these tricks alongside a number of other instants and sorceries that target creatures means that cards with the repartee ability will be fairly easy to trigger.

Combo Decks in Draft

Sanar, Unfinished Genius | Illustration by Justin Gerard

There are often build around cards in limited that reward you for focusing your deck around a specific card or interaction. It is less often the case that doing so can win you the game in a single turn, but it's possible in Secrets of Strixhaven thanks to the bonus sheet where we have Brain Freeze and Empty the Warrens.

Now, this won't happen often, but if you open one of these two cards early, it may be worth it to build around, as there's enough ways to get storm going with cards like Blazing Firesinger and Goblin Glasswright as well as a way to get your combo piece in Sanar, Unfinished Genius. Again, this will not come together frequently, but it makes me happy to know that it's possible.

Final Thoughts

Graduation Day | Illustration by Brian Veleza

My biggest overall prediction about this format is that it will be fun. Prepared is a mechanic that is not only good, but flavorful and exciting. The Mystical Archives bonus sheet will add something to this format that can't be replaced.

However this format pans out in the end, I'm excited to play it when it comes to Arena on April 21st, and I'd love to hear your predictions for how this set will play out.