Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Rise of Extus and the Art of Wylie Beckert
When you think Strixhaven, you think flashy school vibes, intricate spellwork, and all the ways color and knowledge collide. Rise of Extus stands as a vivid example of that collision, not just as a card but as a window into Wylie Beckert’s striking storytelling through art. The black-border era of Strixhaven brought a flood of magical moments, and this common sorcery—colorful in mana cost and in concept—showcases the elegance and edge that Beckert brings to MTG’s broader tapestry 🧙♂️🔥.
With a mana cost of {4}{W/B}{W/B}, Rise of Extus is a six-mana spell that spans both white and black identities, a reminder that the school’s aura isn’t about neat divisions but about the dynamic tension between order and shadow. The card’s Learn mechanic nudges players toward thoughtful sequencing: you exile a threat, you disrupt a graveyard, and you set up future plays with a Lesson from outside the game. Beckert’s art often leans into narrative cues—subtle glances, charged textures, and a sense of imminent consequence—and Rise of Extus captures that moment when a plan starts snapping into place in the student hallways of Strixhaven 🧪🎨.
Exile target creature. Exile up to one target instant or sorcery card from a graveyard. Learn. (You may reveal a Lesson card you own from outside the game and put it into your hand, or discard a card to draw a card.)
That text is more than a checklist of effects; it’s a compact philosophy of playing MTG in a tabletop campus where every decision echoes across the university’s echoing halls. The exile-on-target-two-stage approach gives you immediate impact against a troublesome blocker or threat, while the graveyard interaction props up your longer-term strategy by pulling a Lesson into your hand or by fueling a draw with a discarded card. It’s a card that rewards planning ahead—an ethos that Beckert’s illustrations often amplify, with looming silhouettes and decisive, almost cinematic composition.
Why this card shines as a centerpiece of Beckert’s catalog
- Bold color pairing: The hybrid white/black identity mirrors the artistic theme of dualities—discipline and unrest, law and longing. It’s not just color for color’s sake; it’s a statement about the kinds of stories Beckert tends to tell through her lines and shading.
- Learn as a design signal: Learn is a mechanic that rewards deck-building discipline. Rise of Extus hellos you to blend disruption with card advantage—exiling a creature now, then leveraging a Lesson later. In a world of flashy finishers, this card quietly champions thoughtful, durable gameplay 🧠⚔️.
- Accessibility and collectibility: As a common from Strixhaven: School of Mages, Rise of Extus is approachable for newer players while still offering depth for veteran grinders who enjoy layering your graveyard and hand with resourceful plays. The card’s foil and nonfoil finishes maintain broad accessibility, a hallmark of Beckert’s widely printed pieces.
- Artistic resonance: Beckert’s work on Strixhaven often centers on powerful, introspective moments. Rise of Extus fits that vibe—an image that makes you pause, consider the consequences, and imagine the classroom drama that unfolds once Extus has his machinations in motion 🧙♂️💎.
For players who collect cards with a story, Rise of Extus is a neat intersection of lore and craft. The flavor text—“With one lethal strike, Extus took control of the Oriq and took his first step towards vengeance.”—gives a peek into the broader Strixhaven narrative while Beckert’s illustration anchors the card in a moment of quiet, malevolent poise. It’s one of those pieces that looks great on a shelf and plays well on the table, especially in Commander or casual multi-player formats where you can lean into the strategic wiggle room that Learn affords 🧩🎲.
From a collector’s lens, Rise of Extus remains accessible—its market profile reflects a stable, low-cost entry point into a card with clear playlines and a storied artist behind it. Even if you’re not drafting with a Strixhaven theme, the card’s synergy with graveyard interactions and spell-denial tactics makes it a tasteful inclusion for any 60-card or 100-card magic collection. And yes, a well-chosen play or two can earn nods from opponents who recognize Beckert’s distinctive storytelling etched into each frame 🪄🎨.
Practical play notes for fans and builders
- Pair Rise of Extus with removal-heavy or creature-heavy boards to maximize its two-pronged exile effect.
- Value add comes from Lessons: include a thoughtful suite of Lessons that complement your strategy—draw, tutoring, or extra answers can swing turns when you’re leaning on Learn to replace what you’ve used.
- In Commander, the spell’s two-for-one style (exile a creature and an instant/sorcery from graveyard) can disrupt opposing plans while smoothing your own, especially against midrange and control shells.
- Be mindful of mana efficiency; the hybrid cost requires careful timing, but the payoff—an adaptable, resilient play pattern—can outpace resource-denied boards 🔥💡.
If you’re scouting the broader spectrum of Wylie Beckert’s MTG contributions, Rise of Extus is a standout that balances thematic depth with practical play. It’s a card you can describe with a wink and a nod to the lore, while also sneaking in the occasional clutch moment that turns the tide of a game. And yes, the Strixhaven backdrop gives it a scholarly aura—perfect for fans who love the romance of a well-timed Learn reveal and the cool calculus of graveyard politics ⚔️🎓.
To bring this dynamic card into your setup and support the shop that loves to curate this kind of magic, consider the Rectangular Gaming Neon Mouse Pad with extended comfort. It’s a small, stylish upgrade that makes long sessions a little more vibrant—a nod to the modern MTG hobbyist who appreciates both the art on the card and the ergonomics at the desk. Rise of Extus and the rest of Beckert’s lineup remind us that magic is as much about the stories we tell as the spells we cast. 🧙♂️💥
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