In the third Magic: The Gathering campaign setting to expand into Dungeons & Dragons, Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos introduces players to a unique take on magical college life. Like other fictional magic schools, Strixhaven features a selection of distinct houses branching off from the main campus, each of which specializes in a different areas of magical expertise. Students attending Strixhaven can choose from five houses, which specialize in everything from the mathematical formulae associated with space and time magic to calling upon the elements to aid casters in performances powerful enough that none who witness them would dare forget.

Players creating Strixhaven students (or alums) will have to choose which College to attend, which provide different benefits based on the school's specialty. These function just like the game's existing backgrounds, enriching a player's backstory and providing them with additional skills. Here's what to know about Strixhaven's colleges and how to determine which one is right for your character.

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Lorehold: College of Archaeomancy

mtg strixhaven lorehold command card art

Lorehold students delve deep into history, scrubbing ancient tombs, ruins and dungeons in search of artifacts or lore that once served great or terrible purpose. They place value on the past, knowing they can draw upon it to predict (or even mold) the future. This background serves as a leaping off point for players who want to give themselves an archaeological or anthropological background.

These students gain proficiency in the History and Religion skills and can learn two additional languages. They also gain access to the Strixhaven Initiative feat and must choose Lorehold. Additionally, they learn spells that help their work, including the Lorehold-specific Borrowed Knowledge, Locate Object, Speak With Dead and Legend Lore.

This College is great for Bards, Wizards, Clerics or Warlocks who focus heavily on the past. Barbarian following the Path of the Ancestral Guardian or Paladins who have sworn the Oath of the Ancients could also benefit from what Lorehold has to offer.

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Prismari: College of Elemental Arts

Prismari College Strixhaven D&D 5e

The elements hold incredible power, and students of Prismari College devote their studies to understanding how to harness it. These students are artists, dancers, actors, musicians and even architects who draw upon the elements to bolster their performance or creations in ways that leave lasting impressions on the world.

Prismari students have proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance, as well as one type of musical instrument or artisan's tools. They learn one language of their choice and gain access to spells like Thunderwave, Flaming Sphere, Water Walk, Conjure Elemental and the Prismari-specific Kinetic Jaunt. They also gain access to the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Prismari.

This College is a good option for Bards, Warlocks, Wizards and Druids. Monks who follow the Way of the Four Elements may also find a home in this college, alongside Rogues looking to add flare to their Acrobatics skills.

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Quandrix: College of Numeromancy

Quandrix College Strixhaven D&D 5e

Mathematics is as the center of all creation, and the students of Quandrix College study the complicated formulae that holds the fabric of the multiverse together. Through their understanding of these formulae, they learn to wield the magic that lies between and within the numbers. Quandrix alumni may go on to become engineers, physicists and statisticians.

In addition to gaining proficiency in Arcana and Nature, Quandrix students choose one set of artisans tools and one language. They have access to the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Quandrix. Spells they specialize in demonstrate their ease with complex formulae, like Enlarge/Reduce, Haste, Freedom of Movement, Circle of Power and Quandrix-specific Vortex Warp.

This is a particularly great background for boosting things like the Sorcerer's Metamagic or the scholarly aspect of the Wizard. It could also work well for Monks, Rangers, Fighters and Rogues.

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Silverquill: College of Eloquence

Strixhaven 5e Silverquill Student Duel

The students of Silverquill understand the power of a well-spoken or written word, with many of their students going on to become writers, poets, lawyers and public speakers. Silverquill students participate in more magical duels than any other college on campus, which primes them to become some of the multiverse's most adept battle mages.

On top of gaining proficiency in Intimidation and Persuasion, they also learn an additional two languages of their choice. They have automatic access to the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Silverquill upon taking it. Having access to spells like Dissonant Whispers, Calm Emotions, Compulsion, Dominate Person and the Silverquill-specific spell Silvery Barbs grants them heavy control over conversational situations, both on and off the battlefield.

Many Bards find their home in Silverquill, along with Wizards who specialize in Illusion or Enchantment magics. Light and Trickery Domain Clerics also fit in well here alongside Paladins and Rogues.

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Witherbloom: College of Essence

A Druid of the Circle of Spores in DnD 5e

Witherbloom students are most comfortable in the natural world, among the plants and animals, and those study under this College go on to become powerful healers, biologists, agriculturists and necromancers. Studying plants and animals gives them greater understanding of the patterns between life and death so they might manipulate them to their will.

Those choosing Witherbloom gain proficiency in Nature and Survival, as well as the Herbalism Kit. They learn one language of their choice and gain access to the Strixhaven Initiate feat, though they must choose Witherbloom. Powerful spells they learn include things like Cure Wounds, Inflict Wounds, Vampiric Touch, Blight and the Witherbloom-specific spell, Wither and Bloom.

Druids, Clerics and Wizards can easily make themselves at home in the bayou campus of Witherbloom College, alongside Rangers and Barbarians.

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