Lazav, Wearer of Faces MTG Card


Lazav provides card advantage by copying creatures from your graveyard, maximizing resource utility. Instant speed transformation allows Lazav to disrupt opponents and adapt to battlefield changes. Lazav requires strategic discard and precise mana, presenting both opportunity and challenge.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Shapeshifter Detective
Abilities Investigate
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever Lazav, Wearer of Faces attacks, exile target card from a graveyard, then investigate. Whenever you sacrifice a Clue, you may have Lazav become a copy of a creature card exiled with it until end of turn.


Cards like Lazav, Wearer of Faces

Lazav, Wearer of Faces is a unique MTG creature card cherished for its versatility and deceptive abilities. In terms of functionality, it shares similarities with Clone effects such as the classic Clone card itself, which also enters the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the field. However, Lazav upgrades this concept by allowing you to choose a creature card in your graveyard, giving it a more controlled and repeatable element not present in the single-use Clone.

Morphling is another card that exhibits adaptable characteristics like Lazav, especially with its suite of abilities that can be activated at any time. But what sets Lazav, Wearer of Faces apart is its shapeshifting capability, combining surprise factor and adaptability in a way Morphling can’t. Phantasmal Image might be a less expensive clone variant in terms of mana cost, but it lacks the resilience and ongoing flexibility that Lazav provides by allowing you to switch identities multiple times.

When evaluating Lazav against its counterparts, its unique blend of copying and surprise transformation elevates it as a formidable and unpredictable asset in MTG gameplay, making Lazav a multipurpose threat in any deck that runs creatures in the graveyard.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Morphling - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Morphling - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Image - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lazav, Wearer of Faces by color, type and mana cost

Zuran Enchanter - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Hypnotist - MTG Card versions
Metathran Zombie - MTG Card versions
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Lazav, the Multifarious - MTG Card versions
Zuran Enchanter - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Hypnotist - MTG Card versions
Metathran Zombie - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Dimir Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Lurking Informant - MTG Card versions
Inkfathom Witch - MTG Card versions
Sygg, River Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Zombie Outlander - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hibernation Sliver - MTG Card versions
Drowned - MTG Card versions
Woodlot Crawler - MTG Card versions
Returned Phalanx - MTG Card versions
Shipwreck Singer - MTG Card versions
Disciple of Deceit - MTG Card versions
Fathom Feeder - MTG Card versions
Shadowstorm Vizier - MTG Card versions
House Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Lazav, the Multifarious - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Lazav, Wearer of Faces. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-13
DecklistDecklist Free formTorino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor
4c Legends4c Legends Standard4c LegendsStandard Challenge 32 2024-04-13 (1)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The ability to copy any creature card in your graveyard gives you immense versatility and power on the battlefield, essentially pulling additional utility out of seemingly spent resources.

Resource Acceleration: Lazav’s unique mechanism for copying creatures allows for clever exploitation of enter-the-battlefield (ETB) effects or abilities of creatures in your graveyard without the need to cast them, which often results in significant mana savings and an efficient use of resources.

Instant Speed: What sets Lazav apart is the option to deploy his copy ability at instant speed, providing a dynamic response to changing game states and potentially disrupting opponent strategies during their turn, making him a formidable and unpredictable presence.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Lazav, Wearer of Faces necessitates the discarding of a creature card to activate its pivotal ability. This can be a strategic disadvantage, particularly in game scenarios where your hand is nearly depleted of resources, and each card holds significant value.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast this shapeshifting character, a precise combination of mana is necessary — one blue and one black. This requisite can be restrictive for decks that are not tailored to accommodate such mana specificity, thereby reducing its versatility across various deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The cost of deploying Lazav, Wearer of Faces is not to be underestimated. With a total cost that is on the higher side, budgeting four mana for his summoning could potentially delay other crucial plays, making timing and resource management key factors when integrating this card into your strategy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lazav, Wearer of Faces is an adaptable card that can assume the abilities and form of creatures in your graveyard. This allows it to fit seamlessly into various strategies, offering surprise factor and utility in a range of game scenarios.

Combo Potential: Lazav’s ability to become a copy of any creature card in your graveyard means it synergizes well with other cards that manipulate the graveyard. This opens up numerous combo possibilities, making it a linchpin in decks that capitalize on such interactions.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Lazav can turn the tide of the game by copying key creatures from either your or your opponents’ graveyards. This relevance makes it a worthy contender in many decks aiming to stay ahead of the curve.


How to beat

Lazav, Wearer of Faces has a knack for becoming a trickster on the battlefield in the realm of MTG. This multifaceted card creates a unique challenge due to its ability to assume the identity of other creatures in the graveyard. This ability allows Lazav to slip past many traditional removal spells that rely on targeting a creature with a specific name or quality.

To counter the versatility of Lazav, players should consider the use of graveyard removal spells like Tormod’s Crypt or Rest in Peace to clear out potential targets for Lazav’s transformative power. Board wipes such as Wrath of God can effectively reset the board, leaving Lazav without any creatures in the graveyard to copy. Direct exile spells that bypass Lazav’s copycat ability, like Path to Exile, can also be an effective strategy.

It’s crucial to be mindful of Lazav’s board presence and to deal with the card swiftly. Strategies that limit graveyard interactions or use exile mechanics can mitigate the advantage that Lazav brings to the table. Playing around this card requires foresight and an understanding of your opponent’s graveyard to prevent the Wearer of Faces from taking over the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lazav, Wearer of Faces MTG card by a specific set like Murders at Karlov Manor and Murders at Karlov Manor, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Lazav, Wearer of Faces and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Lazav, Wearer of Faces Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2024-02-09 and 2024-02-10. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3662015NormalBlackTyler Walpole
22024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 2162015NormalBlackWisnu Tan
32024-02-09Murders at Karlov ManorMKM 3182015NormalBlackJulie Dillon
42024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 216p2015NormalBlackWisnu Tan
52024-02-10Murders at Karlov Manor PromosPMKM 216s2015NormalBlackWisnu Tan

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lazav, Wearer of Faces has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
StandardbrawlLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal