Storm off in Commander, With Prismari, the Inspiration

Ranking Every Elder Dragon On a Tier List

<p style="text-align: right;"><em><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> | Art by <a href="https://www.artstation.com/jsraphael" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joshua Raphael</a></em></p>
<p>The <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Miracle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">miracle</a> mechanic has a storied history in the game of <em>Magic</em>, which could be the reason why the commander of the deck we're building today, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, is so interested in them. Casting spells for a cheaper cost if they were the first card you drew that turn has led to some truly epic in-game moments ever since their introduction in <em><a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/avr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avacyn Restored</a></em>.</p>
<p>Now, as we go back to <a href="https://edhrec.com/sets/sos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Strixhaven</em></a>, we'll see the long-awaited return of this mechanic, which causes players to draw their first card each turn in a very weird way.</p>
<p>So, join me <a href="https://linktr.ee/pillowfortmtg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tyler 'Savesya' Bucks</a> as I cover a budget 99 that you can pick up for about $45 (based on <a href="https://www.tcgplayer.com/product/675584/magic-secrets-of-strixhaven-lorehold-the-historian?irclickid=SfrVsYSKHxycUQrwtpRxjWrOUkuwCOyzESECz40&amp;sharedid=&amp;irpid=4913290&amp;irgwc=1&amp;afsrc=1&amp;utm_source=impact&amp;utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_campaign=Space%20Cow%20Media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TCGPlayer</a> pricing, and excluding <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> since its presale price is so high).</p>
<h2>What Does <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> Do?</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Lorehold, the Historian"></div></div>
<p>Flying in from the plane of <a href="https://mtg.wiki/page/Arcavios" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arcavios</a> we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, one of the Elder Dragon founders of the Strixhaven college. This commander gives your instant and sorcery spells miracle, which will require you to set aside the first card you draw each turn. Which is important to keep in mind, since Lorehold lets you discard a card in order to draw a card on each opponent's upkeep.</p>
<p>This will make for some wild plays, where you'll get to disregard timing restrictions, and change the game at the start of someone else's turn.</p>
<h2>Budget Cards for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>As I built around this commander, I realized just how important it was to find the right balance for the deck. You want to be able to have a high level of instants and sorceries in this list, in order to not draw any "duds," which are basically lands, artifacts, enchantments, and creatures. One of the things that helped with this goal is our first section, which is full of lands that're also spells.</p>
<h3>Spells in the Land Slot</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Emeria&#039;s Call"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Song-Mad Treachery"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sundering Eruption"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Emeria&#039;s Call" href="#" target="_blank">Emeria&#039;s Call</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a great example of why modal double-faced cards (MDFCs) are so great in the list. Not only can this be an untapped land when you need it, but it can also be a game altering spell when you're able to cast it for that miracle cost off the top.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Song-Mad Treachery" href="#" target="_blank">Song-Mad Treachery</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While resolving a theft effect like this on another player's turn might not seem like the best move, it can still be useful to take someone's commander away at the start of their turn, tripping up their game plan.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sundering Eruption" href="#" target="_blank">Sundering Eruption</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Blowing up someone's powerful land and making a big portion of the board unable to block is a great combo to hit at the start of an opponent's turn. Plus, since your commander has flying, you can still block once this spell has resolved.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Sejiri Shelter"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Legion Leadership"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Sejiri Shelter" href="#" target="_blank">Sejiri Shelter</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this might not be the greatest spell to cast for miracle cost, it still can help protect your commander, since it'll likely be a lightning rod for removal.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Legion Leadership" href="#" target="_blank">Legion Leadership</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Targeting Lorehold with this spell can be useful for lowering someone's life total, but it also helps when you employ some politics. Since you can double the power of another player's creature in order to send it towards a shared enemy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Top-Deck Manipulation</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hidden Retreat"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brainstone"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hidden Retreat" href="#" target="_blank">Hidden Retreat</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a very tricky card to include in this deck. It gives you the ability to throw the expensive cards that're stuck in your hand right on top of your library, which sets it up to be the first card you draw that turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brainstone" href="#" target="_blank">Brainstone</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Drawing three cards and then putting two back on top allows you to place a couple of great spells you'll want to cast for their miracle costs in a row.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler" href="#" target="_blank">Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There's a large number of noncreature spells in this list which'll ensure you're constantly surveilling with this creature as the game goes on, setting up your future draws.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Loran&#039;s Escape"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Crystal Ball"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Conduit Pylons"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Loran&#039;s Escape" href="#" target="_blank">Loran&#039;s Escape</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: There are several protection spells in this list that help you keep your commander on the board, and this is a great example of what they can provide, since it can save your game plan while allowing you to scry.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Crystal Ball" href="#" target="_blank">Crystal Ball</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While three mana might be expensive to get this down, spending only one mana to scry 2 will ensure that you have better chances to draw an expensive card to cheat out with your commander.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Conduit Pylons" href="#" target="_blank">Conduit Pylons</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a representative of the <em>eight</em> lands in this deck that enter and allow you to manipulate the top of your library. In this case, you get an untapped land that lets you surveil 1 when it hits the board, while also filtering your mana.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Big Splashy Spells</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm Herd"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Brass&#039;s Bounty"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Hit the Mother Lode"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm Herd" href="#" target="_blank">Storm Herd</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: When it comes to casting huge spells, this sorcery is one of the first cards that came to mind. If you're looking for a way to win the game, your Pegasus army is here to help.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Brass&#039;s Bounty" href="#" target="_blank">Brass&#039;s Bounty</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a card that gets better and better as the game goes on. Making Treasures based off of the number of lands you control for as little as two mana could put you in a place where you can cast some of the big spells that have gotten stuck in your hand.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Hit the Mother Lode" href="#" target="_blank">Hit the Mother Lode</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's another way to cast some of these big spells in the deck. Plus, even if you hit a cheaper spell with this, you'll make tapped Treasures equal to the difference.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Waltz of Rage"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Invoke Calamity"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Into the Time Vortex"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Waltz of Rage" href="#" target="_blank">Waltz of Rage</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a great one-sided board wipe that leaves your commander behind, while also offering some card advantage if you have creatures on the board.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Invoke Calamity" href="#" target="_blank">Invoke Calamity</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Casting this spell at the start of someone's turn could change the game out of nowhere. Whether you sweep the board, remove some permanents, or even just draw some more cards, this can turn the game around for you.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Into the Time Vortex" href="#" target="_blank">Into the Time Vortex</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: While this doesn't have any effect on its own, it does allow you cascade for five, and then lets you cast it again for free on your next turn, making for a great one-two punch.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Mana Advantage</h3>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Bender&#039;s Waterskin"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Laser Screwdriver"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Storm-Kiln Artist"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Bender&#039;s Waterskin" href="#" target="_blank">Bender&#039;s Waterskin</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This mana rock is perfect for the deck's strategy, since you can untap it on other people's turns in order to use it towards your miracle costs.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Laser Screwdriver" href="#" target="_blank">Laser Screwdriver</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Here's a bit of a Swiss Army Knife in the list. It offers up several useful abilities, especially that surveil option, assisting your top deck manipulation.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Storm-Kiln Artist" href="#" target="_blank">Storm-Kiln Artist</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Since this deck is looking to cast big instants and sorceries, this Dwarf is here to help your engine roll along, building up Treasure tokens over time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Grinning Ignus"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Cartographer&#039;s Hawk"></div></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Grinning Ignus" href="#" target="_blank">Grinning Ignus</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: This creature does some great work in the deck for a few reasons. You can get it down in the early game, and then bounce it back to your hand to help with casting your commander. Once it's there, you can discard it to draw a card on an opponent's turn.</li>
<li><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Cartographer&#039;s Hawk" href="#" target="_blank">Cartographer&#039;s Hawk</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>: Typically, the fact that you need to return this Bird to your hand when it hits someone else is a drawback. However, as I mentioned before, putting this back into your hand gives you the chance to rummage it away in order to make a miracle to happen.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Lorehold, the Historian Commander Deck List</h2>
<div class="edhrecp__deck mtgh"><span class="edhrecp__deck-s" name="Lorehold, the Historian - Budget Build by Tyler &#039;Savesya&#039; Bucks" site="edhrec" archidekt_link="" cards="[Commander]
*1 Lorehold, the Historian
[/Commander]
[Sorceries]
*1 Brass&#039;s Bounty
*1 Emeria&#039;s Call // Emeria, Shattered Skyclave
*1 Faithless Looting
*1 Fiery Confluence
*1 From the Ashes
*1 Gift of Estates
*1 Hit the Mother Lode
*1 Inspired Tinkering
*1 Into the Fire
*1 Into the Time Vortex
*1 Kayla&#039;s Command
*1 Mob Verdict
*1 Pirate&#039;s Pillage
*1 Promise of Loyalty
*1 Scouring Sands
*1 Season of the Bold
*1 Seize the Spoils
*1 Snort
*1 Song-Mad Treachery // Song-Mad Ruins
*1 Storm Herd
*1 Sundering Eruption // Volcanic Fissure
*1 Thrilling Discovery
*1 Throes of Chaos
*1 Waltz of Rage
*1 Will of the Jeskai
[/Sorceries]
[Instants]
*1 Abrade
*1 Big Score
*1 Blacksmith&#039;s Skill
*1 Boon of Safety
*1 Chaos Warp
*1 Expose to Daylight
*1 Fiery Temper
*1 Giantfall
*1 Gods Willing
*1 Intimidation Bolt
*1 Invoke Calamity
*1 Legion Leadership // Legion Stronghold
*1 Loran&#039;s Escape
*1 Rally the Monastery
*1 Raphael&#039;s Technique
*1 Redeem the Lost
*1 Reprieve
*1 Riddle of Lightning
*1 Sejiri Shelter // Sejiri Glacier
*1 Sheltering Light
*1 Stroke of Midnight
*1 Unexplained Absence
*1 Your Temple Is Under Attack
[/Instants]
[Creatures]
*1 Cartographer&#039;s Hawk
*1 Dragon&#039;s Rage Channeler
*1 Grinning Ignus
*1 Squee, Goblin Nabob
*1 Storm-Kiln Artist
*1 Summon: G.F. Cerberus
[/Creatures]
[Artifacts]
*1 Arcane Signet
*1 Bender&#039;s Waterskin
*1 Brainstone
*1 Crystal Ball
*1 Laser Screwdriver
*1 Mana Geode
*1 Ore-Rich Stalactite // Cosmium Catalyst
*1 Seer&#039;s Lantern
*1 Sol Ring
*1 Talisman of Conviction
[/Artifacts]
[Enchantments]
*1 Hidden Retreat
[/Enchantments]
[Lands]
*1 Battlefield Forge
*1 Clifftop Retreat
*1 Command Tower
*1 Conduit Pylons
*1 Crystal Grotto
*1 Exotic Orchard
*1 Furycalm Snarl
*1 Hidden Grotto
*1 Lorehold Campus
*1 Path of Ancestry
*1 Promising Vein
*1 Rugged Prairie
*1 Rumble Arena
*1 Sunscorched Divide
*1 Temple of Triumph
*1 Zhalfirin Void
*11 Mountain
*7 Plains
[/Lands]"></span></div>
<h2>Three More Interesting Cards Before I Go</h2>
<p>I'm not done talking about the cards in this deck just yet, because there's some interesting inclusions that fill up this list that might not make total sense at first glance.</p>
<div class="edhrecp__cards"><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Squee, Goblin Nabob"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="Gift of Estates"></div><div class="edhrecp__card-container" name="From the Ashes"></div></div>
<p><span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Squee, Goblin Nabob" href="#" target="_blank">Squee, Goblin Nabob</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> gives you a free card to throw away in order to set up for a miracle on another player's turn, which adds up to a lot of advantage over time when it returns to your hand. <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Gift of Estates" href="#" target="_blank">Gift of Estates</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> also gives you some discard fodder, while also thinning out your deck, making it less likely you'll draw a land when you don't want it.</p>
<p>Finally, we have <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="From the Ashes" href="#" target="_blank">From the Ashes</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, which brings some <em>light</em> land destruction to the list (allowing people to search up replacements) but more importantly, it pulls lands out of your deck, and brings them in untapped!</p>
<h2>My Final Thoughts on <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span></h2>
<p>So, there you have it, a budget 99 build around <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Lorehold, the Historian" href="#" target="_blank">Lorehold, the Historian</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span> that you can pick up for $45. This deck will lead to some truly wild games, as you get to see your opponents quake in fear after each card you draw.</p>
<p>If you're looking for more budget content from me, you can find it right <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/tyler-bucks?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here on EDHREC</a> as well as on my YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzUtnBZogc1TSttr8eLUK_w/?utm_source=edhrec" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Pillow Fort</a>, where I do everything I can to make <em>Magic</em> more accessible for everyone.</p>


https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ON-A-BUDGET-15.png

Lorehold, the Historian - Boros Miracles on a Budget

<p>On Saturday, June 21st, Wizards of the Coast officially announced the dates and locations of their MagicCon events for 2026. What's more, they did it in a YouTube video, which may or may not have had a few <em>Secret</em> easter eggs hidden in it. What are the dates and locations, and what do the easter eggs mean? Let's dive into this!</p>
<h2>MagicCon Dates and Locations</h2>
<p>According to the official event site <a href="https://www.mtgfestivals.com/global/en-us.html">MagicFestivals.com</a>, the dates and locations for MagicCon in 2026 list the following pieces of information:</p>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li><span class="text--xlarge">MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026: May 1–3, 2026</span></li>
<li><span class="text--xlarge">MagicCon: Amsterdam 2026: July 17–19, 2026</span></li>
<li><span class="text--xlarge">MagicCon: Atlanta 2026: November 13–15, 2026</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p>These event locations aren't anything too terribly new. However, it's worth noting that the conventions will return to these places again, especially for those in the area.</p>
<p>Now, we don't have any promo card information nor any confirmation one way or another. But, the YouTube video promoting these dates may hold a secret or more within it.</p>
<h2>A <em>Secret Lair</em> Teaser?</h2>
<p>As mentioned above, a YouTube video accompanied the location and date information for next year's set of MagicCon events. In that YouTube promo video, we see multiple references to the Elder Dragons of the <em>Legends</em> expansion.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" title="Announcing the 2026 MagicCon Lineup" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aC7lecbmXvE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Check this screenshot out again:</p>
<div id="attachment_156909" style="width: 2570px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-scaled.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-156909" class="size-full wp-image-156909" src="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-scaled.png" alt="A still from the MagicCon 2026 promo video. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast" width="2560" height="1429" srcset="https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-scaled.png 2560w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-300x168.png 300w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-1024x572.png 1024w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-768x429.png 768w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-1536x858.png 1536w, https://cloudflare.edhrec.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/palladia-more-and-chromiyums-2048x1144.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-156909" class="wp-caption-text">A still from the MagicCon 2026 promo video. Image credit: Wizards of the Coast</p></div>
<p>Pausing this, you can see posters for <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Palladia-Mors" href="#" target="_blank">Palladia-Mors</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Chromium" href="#" target="_blank">Chromium</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>, and <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Nicol Bolas" href="#" target="_blank">Nicol Bolas</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. In an earlier still, you can see an ad for "Arcades' Arcade", a reference to the Elder Dragon <span class="edhrecp__link"><a class="edhrecp__link-a" content="Arcades Sabboth" href="#" target="_blank">Arcades Sabboth</a><span class="edhrecp__link-image"></span></span>. These poster-style ads are in various art styles befitting of a <em>Secret Lair</em> drop. Does this mean that players will have copies of these cards in a drop? Will it be Commander-At-Home for 2026? This is entirely plausible, but as we don't have concrete confirmation, you are best off taking this as a rumor for now.</p>
<p>Overall, players are probably super-excited to attend MagicCon in 2026. Are you? Will you be attending any of these events, or even Atlanta's event later this year? Sound off below!</p>


elder dragon

Storm off in Commander, With Prismari, the Inspiration

Ranking Every Elder Dragon On a Tier List

Lorehold, the Historian - Boros Miracles on a Budget

MagicCon 2026 Dates, Locations Officially Announced