Secrets of Strixhaven Skirts Reserved List with Provocative Ancestral Recall "Reprint" A leaked card from the upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven set has sparked intense speculation, featuring a card named "Ancestral Recall" with a twist that defies traditional Reserved List rules. The card, which surfaced online after a Whatnot streamer claimed to open it from a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles booster pack, includes the iconic name and mana cost of the original Ancestral Recall but appears to function differently. While the text box matches the classic card, its mechanics remain unclear, raising questions about its role in the set. The card’s design suggests it is not a direct reprint of the Power Nine card, as it lacks the adventure mechanic that made the original Ancestral Recall a staple in Limited play. Instead, it seems tied to a new mechanic involving "prepared" creatures, a concept referenced in earlier leaks. The card’s text appears to be locked behind a condition where a creature, such as Emeritus of Ideation, must be prepared. This could mean the spell is cast as part of an attack trigger or through another interaction, allowing players to "recharge" the effect by preparing the creature again. However, the exact rules and implications remain speculative until the set’s official release. The leak has raised questions about whether this constitutes a violation of Wizards of the Coast’s Reserved List policies. While the company cannot legally reprint Power Nine cards, it has historically found creative ways to circumvent the restriction. For example, cards like Donate and Juzám Djinn have been reimagined with altered mechanics or color shifts. Similarly, Ancestral Recall appears to be repurposed through a new framework, possibly as part of a "Boon" cycle referencing Alpha-era spells.#wizards_of_the_coast #strixhaven #ancestral_recall #mark_rosewater #mana_sculpt
Leaked Strixhaven MTG Card Lets You Cast a Power Nine Spell in Standard A leaked card from the upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven set has sparked intense speculation among Magic: The Gathering players, as it appears to grant access to one of the game’s most iconic and powerful spells. The card, titled Emeritus of Ideation, is a Mythic blue creature with Ward 2 and flying, but its true significance lies in the rules text on its right-hand side. The card’s description includes the name and mechanics of Ancestral Recall, a legendary spell from the Power Nine—a group of cards considered among the most overpowered in Magic’s history. Ancestral Recall is a staple of the game’s early years, allowing players to draw three cards for just one mana, a power that was once deemed balanced but now feels wildly unbalanced by modern standards. The leaked card suggests that Emeritus of Ideation could enable players to cast Ancestral Recall in Standard, a format that typically avoids such extreme power. However, Wizards of the Coast has historically avoided printing Power Nine cards in Standard, citing concerns about power creep. This raises questions about how the card’s mechanics function. The key lies in the new Prepared mechanic introduced on the card. According to the text, when a creature becomes prepared, it can be cast as a spell. Emeritus of Ideation enters the battlefield prepared, meaning it can be cast immediately as a spell. Additionally, the card can be "reloaded" by exiling cards from the graveyard when it attacks. This suggests that players could potentially reuse the Ancestral Recall effect by exiling a set number of cards, though the exact mechanics remain unclear.#wizards_of_the_coast #magic_the_gathering #ancestral_recall #strixhaven #prepared_mechanic
Wizards Reveals Full Decklist and Details for Dandan Secret Lair Wizards of the Coast has officially shared the complete decklist and details for the upcoming Dandan Secret Lair drop, which is set to release via the Chaos Vault on March 16th at 9 a.m. PT. The format, designed by MTG enthusiast Nick Floyd, offers players a unique gameplay experience centered around the card Dandan. Players must share a deck and attempt to win by dealing lethal damage using this card, a concept that, while seemingly simple, involves intricate strategic elements due to the carefully balanced decklist. The Dandan Secret Lair deck is scheduled to debut in the Chaos Vault, marking the first time this format will be available to the public. The decklist includes a mix of utility lands, key spells, and the iconic Dandan cards. Notable changes to the original design include the removal of certain cards to enhance gameplay. For instance, Supplant Form has been replaced with Control Magic, and Diminishing Returns was swapped for Day’s Undoing to make game-ending plays more accessible. These adjustments aim to refine the experience while maintaining the format’s complexity. Despite some high-cost cards being excluded, the deck includes additional utility lands like Haunted Fengraf, which provide flexibility for mana management. The inclusion of the swingy Capture of Jingzhou rewards players for consistent land drops and successful Dandan plays. However, some staple cards have been cut to accommodate these additions. Vision Charm, a card known for its one-sided Wrath of God effect, is notably absent, which may impact the deck’s strategic depth. The full 80-card decklist features 20 Island cards with four art styles, 10 Dandân cards with two art styles, and a selection of utility spells.#wizards_of_the_coast #magic_the_gathering #chaos_vault #dandan_secret_lair #nick_floyd
Wizards of the Coast Launches 'Magic: The Gathering' Chaos Vault for Dandan Deck Wizards of the Coast has officially opened the Chaos Vault for the Secret Lair: Dandan Deck, a new release for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The decklist for the set has been fully revealed, featuring a combination of land cards and utility spells designed to create a unique gameplay experience. The included cards are: two Svyelunite Temples, two The Surgical Bays, two Captures of Jingzhou, two Mystic Sanctuaries, and four Accumulated Knowledge. A notable feature of the set is the inclusion of four distinct Islands, which can be arranged side by side to form a cohesive art scene. This design element adds a visual and thematic layer to the deck, enhancing its collectible value. The Dandan Deck will be available for purchase at a retail price of $99.99. The release is part of Wizards of the Coast's ongoing efforts to expand the Magic: The Gathering universe through limited-edition sets. Fans are encouraged to explore ICv2's 2025 Magic: The Gathering product calendar for further details on upcoming releases. A gallery of full-size images related to the set is also available for viewing. Jeffrey Dohm-Sanchez, the managing editor at ICv2, has covered the Magic: The Gathering community since 2019. Prior to his current role, he worked in game design and publishing, and authored roleplaying game content such as Steamfortress Victory and The Vampire's Codex. He also operates a commercial online content creation studio called 20 Eyes Entertainment.#wizards_of_the_coast #magic_the_gathering #secret_lair_dandan_deck #icv2 #jeffrey_dohm_sanchez
