Cauldron of Essence

Secrets of Strixhaven #179

Type: Artifact

Mana cost: {1}{B}{G}

Card text: Whenever a creature you control dies, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life. {1}{B}{G}, {T}, Sacrifice a creature: Return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Activate only as a sorcery.

Rarity: rare

Artist: Craig J Spearing

"In the gloomy depths of Widdershins Hall sits an iron belly—always hungry, but generous to those who feed it."

Released: April 24, 2026

Prices

$3.45 USD · $3.95 USD (Foil) · €3.66 EUR

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Format Legality

Format	Legality
Standard	✓ Legal
Pioneer	✓ Legal
Modern	✓ Legal
Legacy	✓ Legal
Commander	✓ Legal
Vintage	✓ Legal
Pauper	✗ Not Legal
Oathbreaker	✓ Legal

Draft & Sealed Synergies

Best cards to pair with Cauldron of Essence in Secrets of Strixhaven limited

common

Shopkeeper's Bane

Creature — Badger Pest

Shopkeeper's Bane gains you life when it attacks, triggering Cauldron's drain effect, and you can sacrifice it to reanimate better creatures.

Bogwater Lumaret

Creature — Spirit Frog

Bogwater Lumaret gains you life when creatures enter, triggering Cauldron's drain, and you can sacrifice it to reanimate creatures from your graveyard.

Pest Mascot

Creature — Pest Ape

Pest Mascot grows when you gain life from Cauldron's drain effect, and you can sacrifice it when large to reanimate powerful creatures.

uncommon

Essenceknit Scholar

Creature — Dryad Warlock

Essenceknit Scholar creates Pest tokens that you can sacrifice to Cauldron for reanimation, and it draws cards when creatures die, creating card advantage.

rare

Blech, Loafing Pest

Legendary Creature — Pest

Blech grows your Pests when you gain life from Cauldron's drain, and you can sacrifice the large Pests to reanimate creatures while maintaining board presence.

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