This forgotten Magic card just got new life with Secrets of Strixhaven’s most popular Commander
Magic: The Gathering’s latest set, Secrets of Strixhaven, is reshaping the game’s card economy by creating new synergies that revitalize previously overlooked cards. The phenomenon demonstrates how new set releases cascade through Magic’s extensive card pool, making older cards suddenly viable in competitive and casual deck-building.
A prime example is The Gitrog, Ravenous Ride, a five-cost Legendary Frog Horror Mount from the earlier Outlaws of Thunder Junction set. Despite Outlaws of Thunder Junction being overshadowed by more recent sets, The Gitrog is experiencing unexpected renewed interest and value due to powerful synergies with Secrets of Strixhaven’s Golgari (black-green) strategies.
The creature is a 6/5 with trample and haste, representing a new take on classic creature concepts from Shadows Over Innistrad. Its connection to popular Commander decks—particularly those built around Dina, Essence Brewer—is driving significant player interest. This synergy exemplifies how Magic’s design philosophy intentionally bridges older and newer cards, creating interconnected gameplay possibilities that encourage players to reconsider cards in their collection.
These value fluctuations are a natural part of Magic’s trading card economy, where new set releases frequently trigger discovery of overlooked synergies and deckbuilding recipes. As players explore Secrets of Strixhaven’s mechanics, cards that previously saw limited play find new homes and competitive applications, benefiting both the secondary market and the game’s overall health by expanding viable deck strategies.