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The Dawning Archaic

{10}

Legendary Creature — Avatar

SOSSecrets of Strixhaven#1mythic
Finishes
Nonfoil · Foil
Border
black
Security stamp
oval
Frame
2015
Pull rate
about 1 per booster–1 in 1856
Illustrator
Josu Solano
Found in
Secrets of Strixhaven MTGO Redemption Secrets of Strixhaven Redemption · Secrets of Strixhaven Prerelease Pack Lorehold · 6 more
Printings3EDHREC rank#8,697
CommanderLegalModernLegalStandardLegal
Format legality

Constructed

StandardLegal
PioneerLegal
ModernLegal
LegacyLegal
VintageLegal
PauperNot legal

Commander

CommanderLegal
Pauper CommanderNot legal
Duel CommanderLegal
PreDHNot legal
OathbreakerLegal
Tiny LeadersNot legal

Arena

AlchemyLegal
HistoricLegal
TimelessLegal
BrawlLegal
Standard BrawlLegal
Competitive BrawlLegal
GladiatorLegal

Other

PremodernNot legal
Old SchoolNot legal
Penny DreadfulNot legal
Future StandardLegal
This spell costs {1} 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
Reach
Plays as:
Attack TriggerGraveyard Recast
Market · per finishspark updated 24h ago · prices as of 2026-08-29
Nonfoil-1.6%
$1.21
$0.50 low$0.24 gapTCGplayer
Foil-23.1%
$1.53
$1.09 low$0.71 gapTCGplayer
Cheapest playable copy$1.21· across 3 printings· you're viewing it

Rulings

3 · latest Mar 20, 2026
  • WotCMar 20, 2026

    If the target of The Dawning Archaic's last ability has {X} in its mana cost, you must choose 0 as the value of X when casting it without paying its mana cost.

  • WotCMar 20, 2026

    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.

  • WotCMar 20, 2026

    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.