The Dawning Archaic
~$0.98 low · ~$8.09 high
Colorless. Legendary Creature — Avatar
Secrets of Strixhaven #1 · Illustrated by Josu Solano
Secrets of Strixhaven #1 · Illustrated by Josu SolanoWhat is The Dawning Archaic worth?
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TCGplayer market prices in USD, updated October 14, 2026. Each price is for one printing and one finish.
Oracle text
This spell costs 
less to cast for each instant and sorcery card in your graveyard.
Reach
Whenever The Dawning Archaic attacks, you may cast target instant or sorcery card from your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If that spell would be put into your graveyard, exile it instead.
7/7
Format legality
All 3 printings of The Dawning Archaic
| Printing | Rarity | Non-foil | Foil | Cardmarket (EUR) | My collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Secrets of Strixhaven Promos psos #1p· 2026Promomythic· Cardmarket €1.68 · €2.05 foil | mythic | $2.35 | $8.09 | €1.68€2.05 foil | |
 Secrets of Strixhaven sos #1· 2026mythic· Cardmarket €1.29 · €1.40 foil | mythic | $0.98 | $1.33 | €1.29€1.40 foil | |
 Secrets of Strixhaven sos #289· 2026Borderlessmythic· Cardmarket €2.26 · €3.47 foil | mythic | $1.91 | $3.29 | €2.26€3.47 foil |
Prices are TCGplayer market prices in USD for each printing and finish, via Scryfall. They are a guide, not an appraisal.
Where to buy The Dawning Archaic
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Card details
- First printed
- 2026
- Printings
- 3
- Mana value
- 10
- EDHREC rank
- #8,088 on EDHREC (Commander popularity)
- Keywords
- Reach
- Artists
- Josu Solano, Mintautas Šukys
What the codes mean
The small print at the bottom of the Secrets of Strixhaven card (#1).
0001 · SOS · M · EN
- 0001Collector number: this card's place in the set list.
- SOSSet code for Secrets of Strixhaven
- MMythic rare
- ENPrinted in English
How to read a Magic card: every part and code, on real cards.
Rulings (3)
2026-03-20
You cast the spell while The Dawning Archaic's last ability is resolving and still on the stack. You can't wait to cast it later in the turn. Timing restrictions based on the card's types are ignored. If you cast a spell "without paying its mana cost," you can't choose to cast it for any alternative costs. You can, however, pay additional costs. If the spell has any mandatory additional costs, you must pay those to cast the spell.
2026-03-20
To determine the total cost of a spell, start with the mana cost or alternative cost you're paying, add any cost increases, then apply any cost reductions (such as that of The Dawning Archaic's first ability). The mana value of the spell is determined by only its mana cost, no matter what the total cost to cast that spell was.
2026-03-20
If the target of The Dawning Archaic's last ability has
in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.
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