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Strixhaven Commander Decks Spark Debate Over Dragon Exclusion

4/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The new Secrets of Strixhaven Commander decks feature valuable reprints and include four Elder Dragons.
The Lorehold Spirit deck excludes Velomachus Lorehold and includes Atsushi, the Blazing Sky, to align with the deck's spirit typal strategy.
The absence raises questions because Velomachus' abilities do not support the deck's focus on graveyard mechanics.
Players are invited to share their thoughts on the decision in the Wargamer Discord.

History

Historical Context

In 2011, Wizards of the Coast launched the Commander format for Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to build unique 100-card decks centered around legendary creatures. This innovation attracted over 1 million players by 2020, reflecting the format's growing popularity. The recent release of the Secrets of Strixhaven Commander decks continues to evolve gameplay, influencing strategies and community engagement within the competitive scene.

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Story summary

The new Secrets of Strixhaven Commander decks feature valuable reprints and include four Elder Dragons.
The Lorehold Spirit deck excludes Velomachus Lorehold and includes Atsushi, the Blazing Sky, to align with the deck's spirit typal strategy.
The absence raises questions because Velomachus' abilities do not support the deck's focus on graveyard mechanics.
Players are invited to share their thoughts on the decision in the Wargamer Discord.

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