Bazaar of Wonders MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | World Enchantment |
| Released | 1996-10-08 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Mirage |
| Set code | MIR |
| Number | 55 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Liz Danforth |
Text of card
When Bazaar of Wonders comes into play, remove all cards in all graveyards from the game. Whenever a spell is played, counter it if a card with the same name is in play or in any graveyard.
Cards like Bazaar of Wonders
Bazaar of Wonders brings a unique twist to board control in Magic: The Gathering. It shares conceptual space with cards like Grafdigger’s Cage, as both create hurdles for opponents who rely on strategies based on their graveyard or casting the same spells multiple times. Yet, Bazaar of Wonders adds a distinctive feature by exiling any spell that has a duplicate in any graveyard upon its successful cast, thus reshaping the texture of the game.
Similar to Ground Seal, Bazaar of Wonders has the capability to interfere with graveyard interactions. Ground Seal draws a card upon entering the battlefield and prevents cards in graveyards from being the targets of spells or abilities, but it doesn’t affect the stack or provide the same type of locking mechanism. Then we have Rest in Peace, another relative, which outright exiles all cards in all graveyards and then continues to exile any cards that would be put into a graveyard, putting a definitively full stop to any graveyard-based tactics.
When comparing the nuances and potential impacts on gameplay, Bazaar of Wonders stands out among its peers for its singular ability to shape the playspace and prevent repetition, an attribute that surely makes it an interesting card for players who wish to craft a game around surprise and denial.
Cards similar to Bazaar of Wonders by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Bazaar of Wonders presents a unique deck construction challenge that rewards the savvy player. Once it’s on the battlefield, each spell that hasn’t been cast by you or put into a graveyard due to being a duplicate essentially comes with a free “exile that card” effect. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy and enhance your control over the game.
Resource Acceleration: While the Bazaar of Wonders doesn’t directly accelerate your resources, its ability can save on the resources you would have to invest in removal. By having each new spell also act as a potential disruption to your opponent’s strategy, you’re preserving the resources you have for advancing your board state instead of worrying about theirs.
Instant Speed: Although the Bazaar itself is not an instant, its ability affects the game at instant speed. No waiting for a sorcery-speed opportunity; your opponents will have to second-guess every spell they cast. This puts pressure on opponents to consider the state of their graveyard and current spells, possibly altering their plays to avoid unwanted exiles.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Bazaar of Wonders requires a significant setup to work effectively. Notably, its ability mandates that each player discard their hand, which can be a setback if you’re holding onto key cards. This prerequisite can be quite demanding, especially in decks that rely on a variety of strategies.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes two blue mana, Bazaar of Wonders may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored decks. Its mana requirements restrict its use predominantly to mono-blue or blue-heavy decks, potentially excluding it from a broader range of strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The card costs five mana, which is steep considering its impact may not always match the investment. Other cards provide more immediate or impactful effects with a lower mana investment, making Bazaar of Wonders less economical in some scenarios.
Reasons to Include Bazaar of Wonders in Your Collection
Versatility: Bazaar of Wonders offers a unique way to disrupt your opponent’s gameplay by preventing duplicate spells from being played. It’s a great addition to any deck focusing on controlling the game state and maintaining a strategic advantage.
Combo Potential: This card shines in combo-centric decks, where it can be used to safeguard your own combo pieces while halting the progress of your opponents’ combos. Its synergies with graveyard manipulation strategies can also turn the tides in your favor.
Meta-Relevance: In a constantly evolving MTG meta where recurring spells and strategies become the norm, Bazaar of Wonders serves as a strong contender to keep common threats at bay. It’s particularly effective in singleton formats where its ability can be a game-changer.
How to beat
If you’re facing off against the intriguing Bazaar of Wonders card on the battlefield, your strategy needs to adapt. This spell, once in play, prevents any spell from taking effect if another card with the same name is in a player’s graveyard. To successfully navigate around this magnitude of a roadblock and maintain casting freedom, diversification in your deck is crucial. Including a wide variety of spells can mitigate the limitation Bazaar of Wonders introduces, ensuring you’re not handcuffed by your or your opponent’s graveyard content.
In addition to deck variation, focusing on abilities that remove enchantments can tip the scales in your favor. Employing cards with naturalize effects or universal removal spells enables you to dismantle the Bazaar and reclaim control over your casting options. It’s also wise to keep graveyard manipulation strategies in your toolkit. By using cards that exile cards from graveyards, you can selectively clear a path for your spells to make their impact felt, essentially nullifying the Bazaar’s influential presence.
Understanding the unique challenges Bazaar of Wonders presents and crafting a multifaceted approach that combines enchantment removal, graveyard management, and deck diversity will usher in a viable path to victory over this imposing enchantment.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Bazaar of Wonders MTG card by a specific set like Mirage, 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 Bazaar of Wonders and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Bazaar of Wonders has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Bazaar of Wonders card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2008-10-01 | This has the supertype world. When a world permanent enters the battlefield, any world permanents that were already on the battlefield are put into their owners’ graveyards. This is a state-based action called the “world rule.” The new world permanent stays on the battlefield. If two world permanents enter the battlefield at the same time, they’re both put into their owners’ graveyards. |