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Some prebuilt Magic: The Gathering Commander decks are great, but they often have hidden potential that can be unlocked with a few smart card additions. All it takes are a few well-chosen upgrades to improve each deck and make it more powerful.
In this guide, we’ll look at three key upgrades for each of the Secrets of Strixhaven Commander decks. For each deck, we’ll suggest one budget option, one mid-priced choice, and one high-end upgrade to cover all spending levels.
Note: Prices listed are the lowest and highest bids on TCGPlayer at the time of writing.
Prismari Artistry
Shark Tycoon — $1.50–$14
This inexpensive enchantment is surprisingly flexible. For six mana, it creates X/X flying shark tokens whenever you cast a noncreature spell, with X equal to the mana cost of that spell. You can also cycle Shark Tycoon for X plus two mana to create a shark token with power and toughness equal to X.
Insurrection — $8–$18
If you can cast it, this spell turns the tide of the game. It gains control of all creatures, untaps them, and grants them haste for the turn. Though it costs eight mana, having this in hand can be a game-changer when the moment is right.
Improvisation Capstone — $13–$26
A bit costly, but very powerful, this card provides you with several free spells each turn, depending on luck. It costs seven mana, but its ability to give you multiple free plays can win clutch games if you resolve it.
Cards to Remove:
- Solemn Simulacrum
- Surge to Victory
- Twinflame
- Chaos Warp
- Prismari Charm
Quandrix Unlimited
Broodguard Elite — $0.20
A budget-friendly pick that helps grow your army fast. Playing this card early helps you put counters on Zimone, which amplifies the power of your X-cost spells. Despite its low cost, it can have a big impact if you draw it early.
Doppelganger — $5–$50
This card lets you create tokens copying other creatures, turning threats into your own forces. It requires some math to figure out exactly how many tokens you’ll make, but in mana-rich Commander games, Doppelganger can cause serious trouble for opponents.
Kalonian Hydra — $5–$29
A significant upgrade to existing large creatures, Kalonian Hydra enters with four +1/+1 counters and doubles the counters on all your creatures when attacking. Thanks to Trample, it’s a major threat on the green battlefield.
Cards to Remove:
- Eureka Moment
- Quandrix Apprentice
- Open the Way
- Curse of the Swine
- Zimone, All Questioning
Silverquill Influence
Ethereal Armor — $0.40
A perfect addition for enchantment-heavy decks, this card grants a creature +1/+1 for each enchantment you control and gives it First Strike. It’s a cheap upgrade that packs a punch, especially with many enchantments in play.
Light Paws, Emperor’s Voice — $2–$20
A versatile two-mana creature, it can fetch other auras with lower or equal mana value each time an aura enters the battlefield, then attach it to Light Paws. In Commander, its ability can quickly empower your enchantments and creatures.
Sigarda’s Aid — $16–$66
This enchantment allows you to cast equipment and auras at instant speed, making your plays more flexible. It bypasses many costs associated with attaching items, enabling quick and surprising game-changing moves.
Cards to Remove:
- Keen Duelist
- Anguished Unmaking
- Firemane Commandos
- Breena, the Demagogue
- Mangara, the Diplomat
Witherbloom Pestilence
Blech, Loafing Pest — $0.49
A budget creature that benefits from life gain and +1/+1 counters, Blech accumulates counters each time you gain life, while so do Pest, Bat, Insect, Snake, or Spider tokens you control.
Vito, Dusk of the Thorn Rose — $9–$59
A Golgari staple that can create infinite life-loss combos or become a persistent threat. You can activate his ability for five mana to give all your creatures Lifelink, or use him to chip away at opponents’ life totals.
Sephiroth, Fabled Soldier / One-Winged Angel — $25–$93
A somewhat unusual choice, Sephiroth thrives on creature sacrifices and life gain. With each of his minions that dies, he chips away at opponents. Once he transforms, he grants you an emblem that makes his ability permanent and can start sacrificing creatures when attacking.
Cards to Remove:
- Gilded Goose
- Nether Traitor
- Bloodghast
- Night’s Whisper
Lorehold Spirit
Ghost Vacuum — $3–$20
A slightly pricier inclusion, Ghost Vacuum exiles cards from graveyards and can be sacrificed to return exiled creatures as spirits, benefiting from all buffs on the battlefield. It’s a strong way to control graveyard interactions and resurrect threats.
Caretaker’s Talent — $8.49–$10
An enchantment that benefits token strategies by allowing you to draw a card whenever a token enters the battlefield. Higher levels enable copying tokens and boosting all creatures, adding consistency and power.
Esper Sentinel — $65–$92
A high-value upgrade that draws you a card whenever an opponent casts their first noncreature spell each turn unless they pay mana equal to its power. It’s a powerful economic tool, especially in multiplayer formats.
Cards to Remove:
- Moonshaker Cavalry
- Secret Rendezvous
- Lorehold Charm
- Primary Research
- Bitterthorn, Nissa’s Animus
Summary
With just a few targeted upgrades, each of these decks can reach new heights. Replacing less impactful cards with these recommended choices will give you more options and stronger plays, helping you better control the game and come out ahead.
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