Galazeth PrismariGalazeth Prismari | Art by Raymond Swanland

In 2021, players were introduced to Strixhaven, a school with five Colleges focused on a different "enemy-color" pairing. Beyond more support for , , , , and decks, Strixhaven: School of Mages brought quite a bit to the game, including magecraft, learn, Lessons, and ward.

For Commander, the set's Mystical Archive included reprinted staples like Teferi's ProtectionTeferi's Protection, CounterspellCounterspell, Demonic TutorDemonic Tutor, Chaos WarpChaos Warp, CultivateCultivate, and more!

Strixhaven also grew the pool of available modal double-faced cards that can be commanders, and marked the first set allowing players to cast an instant or sorcery from the command zone.

Speaking of commanders from this set, it's been nearly five years since the set's release, and we're set to revisit Strixhaven this spring. So today I'm going through the top ten commanders from Strixhaven, using synergy numbers to briefly describe their top strategies, and evaluating how fun they would be to build in Brackets 2-3.

10. Velomachus LoreholdVelomachus Lorehold – 1,441 decks

Velomachus decks are all about setting up for a big, explosive turn. Because of this Dragon's attack trigger, this deck is understandably loaded with five-mana instants and sorceries with substantial effects on the game.

The simplest idea involves additional combat phases using cards like Relentless AssaultRelentless Assault and Seize the DaySeize the Day that allow Velomachus to spin into another spell. Even if you miss on extra combats, sweepers like Slash the RanksSlash the Ranks remove opposing hordes while keeping the one creature that matters – Velomachus – alive.

Does this commander look fun to build? In short, not really. Supporting a seven-mana commander seems really hard, especially in , a color combination best known for catch-up rampcatch-up ramp and one-time bursts of manaone-time bursts of mana.

To make matters worse, Velomachus is going to have a big target on her scaly back and getting her sent to the command zone means she'll cost nine, then even more mana.

Unlike with a commander like Xyris, the Writhing StormXyris, the Writhing Storm, there isn't a lot of room for playing politics and promising players "If you let me attack, I'll let you draw lots of cards." The much less compelling story being presented here is, "If you let me attack, I'll get to attack even more."

Also, swinging six times in a row and winning with commander damage isn't necessarily a satisfying way to end a Commander game.

9. Hofri GhostforgeHofri Ghostforge – 1,707 decks

Hofri's first line of text cares about Spirits, but the most common builds of this strategy load up on creatures that have abilities when they enter the battlefield (ETB) and/or die, then sacrifice them for value. Many of the cards with the highest synergy with this Dwarf Cleric enable the deck to grind out for value or combo off in a game-winning flurry.

At least half of all Hofri decks contain sacrifice outlets like Fanatical DevotionFanatical Devotion and Goblin BombardmentGoblin Bombardment. Hofri combines well with just a few simple creatures like Duergar Hedge-MageDuergar Hedge-Mage and Solemn SimulacrumSolemn Simulacrum for a bunch of card advantage and disruption.

Speaking of value, one sub-theme of this deck involves mass theft, enabled by cards like Molten PrimordialMolten Primordial. The Primordial is particularly powerful with Hofri and a sacrifice outlet, because it will steal a creature from each opponent, which can in turn be sacrificed and turned into permanent token versions.

But that's not all. Don't forget to sacrifice the Primordial itself, copy it, and repeat the whole process one more time!

Does Hofri look fun to build? At first glance, it seemed like a lot of confusing wheel-spinning, but the Molten PrimordialMolten Primordial synergy is just so awesome and I can never say no to some sweet Reveillark value. I'll give it a solid maybe/leaning yes.

8. Jadzi, Oracle of ArcaviosJadzi, Oracle of Arcavios – 1,829 decks

The first MDFC commander on this list, Jadzi represents some interesting flexibility: although it costs a whopping to cast, the back faceback face is much more manageable at – and gives you a repeatable form of ramp in the command zone.

Cards like Sprouting VinesSprouting Vines, Mind's DesireMind's Desire are nods to Jadzi's magecraft ability. With a high enough storm count, a single cheap spell like Weather the StormWeather the Storm will grant you tons of flips to hit new lands and spells to keep the train rolling.

Meanwhile, Archmage EmeritusArchmage Emeritus and Quandrix ApprenticeQuandrix Apprentice grant extra value during these big storm turns, while creatures like Lotus CobraLotus Cobra keep the mana flowing, leading to infinite or nearly-infinite Jadzi reveals.

It seems like the goal of the average deck is taking one long turn and basically drawing your whole deck while everyone else waits around for you to find a Laboratory ManiacLaboratory Maniac to put them out of their misery.

I'm not here to play solitaire in Commander, so the way this deck is usually built does not look very fun. Maybe a different version exists out there where you plop big cards like Sandwurm ConvergenceSandwurm Convergence onto the field instead.

7. Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill – 2,736 decks

Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill shares some political similarities to Breena, the DemagogueBreena, the Demagogue from the Silverquill precon deck.

Both Breena and Shadrix have similar energy: give your opponents creatures and even make them bigger – but turn them against each other instead of at you. Cards like Combat CalligrapherCombat Calligrapher, Nils, Discipline EnforcerNils, Discipline Enforcer, and Windborn MuseWindborn Muse encourage attackers to leave you alone while you're building out your own big board thanks to cards like Kambal, Profiteering MayorKambal, Profiteering Mayor and Keeper of the AccordKeeper of the Accord.

All in all, this is the exact opposite of commanders like Velomachus LoreholdVelomachus Lorehold or Jadzi, Oracle of ArcaviosJadzi, Oracle of Arcavios. Instead of peaking at one big moment, Shadrix constricts around your opponents while making them point fingers at each other. If you're looking for an interactive, political commander, this one is for you.

I come into Commander games hoping for some slow and steady card advantage, interaction to stop important stuff, and making alliances if needed. So yes, this commander looks very fun to build!

6. Killian, Ink DuelistKillian, Ink Duelist – 3,006 decks

Same Silverquill color combination, completely different direction. Killian is pretty simple, with the top cards pointing to an Auras/Enchantress strategy.

Aura decks usually need to be intentional about mitigating card disadvantage. Beyond the classic cards like Sram, Senior EdificerSram, Senior Edificer and Mesa EnchantressMesa Enchantress, Killian's cost reduction means more Auras that replace themselves, like Unquestioned AuthorityUnquestioned Authority. The deck also has more card advantage in the form of Sage's ReverieSage's Reverie and Mantle of the AncientsMantle of the Ancients.

Timely WardTimely Ward and Blessing of LeechesBlessing of Leeches can protect Killian for a single mana, while Battle MasteryBattle Mastery, Light of PromiseLight of Promise, and the new Tempest TechniqueTempest Technique grow him to a lethal size.

Killian's cost reduction also helps removal spells, explaining high synergy numbers for Astarion's ThirstAstarion's Thirst, Curtains' CallCurtains' Call, and Crib SwapCrib Swap.

Am I going to build Killian? Probably not, but it's a personal preference – I think you should build Killian instead, especially if you're interested in an Enchantress Voltron deck.

5. Beledros WitherbloomBeledros Witherbloom – 4,018 decks

Beledros has a powerful effect – untapping all your lands – at a very steep cost – paying a full 10 life. She undoes some life loss through PestPest tokens, and lots of high synergy cards have these creatures in mind.

Many of the most played cards with this commander create more Pest tokenscreate more Pest tokens, gain life when they entergain life when they enter, or gain life when they diegain life when they die. Meanwhile, all these creature deaths are draining out your opponentsdraining out your opponents.

For Velomachus LoreholdVelomachus Lorehold, I talked about how the expensive commander turned me away from building the deck. For this Elder Dragon, however, there are important differences. First, has spells like CultivateCultivate that give you a permanent land boost. Second, unlike Velomachus, you don't need to attack for big effect. You can untap all your lands as soon as Beledros resolves.

Finally, this commander isn't all-in or reliant on a single win condition. You can play a normal Aristocrats strategy and win by attacking or draining out opponents. Beledros exists to accentuate the deck, not as the only option.

If you hadn't already guessed, building around this commander is a resounding yes for me.

4. Galazeth PrismariGalazeth Prismari – 4,025 decks

The highest Elder Dragon on this list, Galazeth connects strategies that don't often exist together – artifact tokens and Spellslinger. Most high synergy cards create a steady stream of artifact tokens to use for big spells.

There is a surprising number of cards that connect these strategies and a ton of different artifact tokens to create, whether IncubatorsIncubators, SoldiersSoldiers, ServosServos, or simply even more Treasureseven more Treasures.

Throw in some big mana payoffs like Crackle with PowerCrackle with Power and Comet StormComet Storm, and synergistic tech in Howling MineHowling Mine, and you've got yourself a deck!

Yes, building around Galazeth Prismari looks very fun. TreasureTreasure tokens have become a big part of Commander and turning them into a permanent mana advantage engine seems like a really good time. also has all the card draw, advantage, and interaction you could ever ask for.

3. Extus, Oriq OverlordExtus, Oriq Overlord – 6,380 decks

A second MDFC commander has entered the building, and this one has "Build around me" written all over it. Between its two faces, this commander connects Aristocrats and Spellslinger strategies. The deck's cards have a decent amount of overlap with Beledros WitherbloomBeledros Witherbloom, as Awaken the Blood AvatarAwaken the Blood Avatar also wants you to sacrifice lots of tokens.

Cards like Young PyromancerYoung Pyromancer tie both these themes together, aided by token-producing instants like Secure the WastesSecure the Wastes. Also, the combination grants Aristocrats players access to powerful payoffs like Mahadi, Emporium MasterMahadi, Emporium Master and Mayhem DevilMayhem Devil.

It's an interesting puzzle whether to focus a deck more on Extus's front or back face and Awaken the Blood AvatarAwaken the Blood Avatar is a powerful, snowballing effect to have access to in the command zone. It's a yes from me – this deck looks fun to build and fun to pilot as well.

2. Codie, Vociferous CodexCodie, Vociferous Codex – 6,863 decks

In a world of Dragons, Warlocks, and Wizards, the #2 slot is... a talking book? As seen by its high synergy cards, Codie is not here to do fair things.

Its mana ability allows you to spin any one-mana spell into a free tutor for the card you need the mostfree tutor for the card you need the most or an opponent's best creaturean opponent's best creature.

Because Codie prevents you from casting permanent spells, the top win conditions include Approach of the Second SunApproach of the Second Sun or Reshape the EarthReshape the Earth (grabbing a bunch of Gates and Maze's EndMaze's End).

The average Codie deck has tons of Game Changers, tutors, and fast mana, so I do not recommend building this commander in lower Brackets.

1. Dina, Soul SteeperDina, Soul Steeper – 8,263 decks

As a two-mana uncommon, this Dryad Druid certainly appears innocuous and an unlikely candidate for the #1 slot. But look a little closer and you'll see Dina is the perfect leader for an efficient Aristocrats strategy that can drain out opponents in the blink of an eye.

Already impactful mass drain cards like Zulaport CutthroatZulaport Cutthroat and Witherbloom ApprenticeWitherbloom Apprentice become way scarier when paired with this commander, or with the manymany otherother versionsversions of this same effect. Of course, pair any of these cards with Sanguine BondSanguine Bond and it's immediate game over for your opponents.

There is significant overlap with the Beledros WitherbloomBeledros Witherbloom deck mentioned at the #5 spot, so if you like Golgari Aristocrats but prefer to trade out raw power for mana efficiency and combo potential, this is a great fit for you.

I'll give Dina the same answer as Killian – I'm not going to built it, but it's a personal preference (I'd build Beledros instead)!

Final Scores

Building immediately – Beledros WitherbloomBeledros Witherbloom

Would happily build – Extus, Oriq OverlordExtus, Oriq Overlord, Galazeth PrismariGalazeth Prismari , Shadrix SilverquillShadrix Silverquill

Maybe/you should but I won't – Dina, Soul SteeperDina, Soul Steeper, Hofri GhostforgeHofri Ghostforge, Killian, Ink DuelistKillian, Ink Duelist

No thanks – Codie, Vociferous CodexCodie, Vociferous Codex, Jadzi, Oracle of ArcaviosJadzi, Oracle of Arcavios, Velomachus LoreholdVelomachus Lorehold

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! I hope this breakdown got your deck building juices flowing while we await more Secrets of Strixhaven previews. See you next time.