Lazav, the Multifarious MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Shapeshifter
Abilities Surveil
Power 1
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Lazav allows for adaptable strategies by transforming into any graveyard creature, providing in-game flexibility.
  2. Activating Lazav’s ability at instant speed grants a tactical advantage during critical game moments.
  3. Despite its strengths, Lazav requires careful graveyard management and can be mana intensive.

Text of card

When Lazav, the Multifarious enters the battlefield, surveil 1. (Look at the top card of your library. You may put it into your graveyard.) : Lazav, the Multifarious becomes a copy of target creature card in your graveyard with converted mana cost X, except its name is Lazav, the Multifarious, it's legendary in addition to its other types, and it has this ability.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lazav the Multifarious’s ability to transform into any creature card in your graveyard not only versatilely adjusts to the state of the game but also provides a form of card advantage. You effectively have access to an arsenal of creatures without expending additional cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct form of resource acceleration, Lazav’s low casting cost and transformative ability can save you mana over time. Instead of casting a high-cost creature from your hand, you simply pay the meager activation cost to have Lazav become a copy of that creature, preserving your mana resources for other strategic plays.

Instant Speed: Lazav’s transformation ability can be activated at instant speed, offering flexibility and a tactical edge. This enables reactive play during your opponent’s turn, whether it’s becoming a creature with hexproof to dodge removal, or a creature with lifelink to surprise block and gain life when it’s most crucial.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This MTG card requires you to have a creature card in your graveyard to utilize its full potential. This can be a drawback if your graveyard is not well-stocked, forcing you to discard possibly important cards to reap benefits from Lazav’s ability.

Specific Mana Cost: Lazav the Multifarious demands both blue and black mana for its casting cost, which confines it primarily to dimir decks or those with reliable mana fixing to accommodate his strict color requirement.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, including one of each aforementioned color, Lazav has a higher cost relative to other two-mana creatures, especially considering he initially enters the battlefield as merely a 1/3 creature. Decks may opt for alternatives that offer more immediate board presence or utility for the same investment.


Reasons to Include Lazav the Multifarious in Your Collection

Versatility: Lazav the Multifarious stands out due to its ability to become a copy of any creature card in your graveyard with a different name, at the mere cost of paying mana equal to that creature’s CMC. This adaptability allows it to fit seamlessly into a wide array of deck strategies, ensuring it’s a card that can pivot roles as the game progresses.

Combo Potential: The true power of Lazav manifests when unlocking combos. Whether you’re setting up a graveyard with a suite of creatures that have powerful enter-the-battlefield effects or death triggers, Lazav helps you maximize those effects on the fly, offering exciting and unpredictable ways to outmaneuver opponents.

Meta-Relevance: Lazav remains relevant in formats where the graveyard is a resource just as important as the hand or battlefield. Its low cost and ability to dodge removal by changing its characteristics make it an asset in games that require resilience against the ever-changing competitive scene.


How to beat

Lazav the Multifarious is a shapeshifting character in Magic the Gathering that poses a unique challenge due to its ability to become a copy of any creature card in your graveyard, all the while gaining its abilities and strength. To outplay this versatile threat, focus on graveyard control strategies. Using cards that exile opponent’s graveyards such as Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze can effectively neuter Lazav’s transformative potential. Timing is essential; aim to remove key creatures from the graveyard before Lazav can copy them.

Another effective method to combat Lazav is to prevent it from entering the battlefield in the first place. Counterspells or hand disruption tactics can ensure Lazav is dealt with before it can become a problem. In a pinch, direct removal spells that exile, such as Path to Exile or Vraska’s Contempt, can remove Lazav after it has transformed. Keep in mind that once Lazav copies a creature with hexproof or indestructible, your options to remove it become limited, so proactive control is crucial.

Overall, staying one step ahead and disrupting the graveyard synergies are your best bet to outmaneuver Lazav the Multifarious and its unpredictable nature.


BurnMana Recommendations

MTG enthusiasts, the journey through the dimensions of deck-building and gameplay is one paved with endless possibilities. Mastering Lazav the Multifarious is akin to embracing the art of strategy and adaptation. This card’s transformative ability not only enhances your play but can be the linchpin of your deck’s versatility, capable of tilting the scales in your favor when least expected. But mastering such a card goes beyond understanding its strengths; it involves strategies to counteract its weaknesses and outplay opponents. Dive deeper with us, refine your skills, and unlock the full potential of Lazav the Multifarious in your collection for an edge that resonates with each shuffle and draw. Navigate with us to stay sharp and ahead in the MTG realm.


Cards like Lazav, the Multifarious

Lazav the Multifarious offers a unique angle on versatility in Magic: The Gathering. It invites comparison with other shapeshifting cards, such as Volrath, the Shapestealer. Lazav’s ability to become a copy of any creature card in your graveyard gives it a strategic edge, allowing you to adapt to the changing tides of the game at a moment’s notice. Volrath, on the other hand, can become a copy of any creature on the battlefield until your next turn, demanding a more opportunistic playstyle.

Another similar card with morphing capabilities is the Protean Thaumaturge, which only requires a permanent entering the battlefield under your control to become a copy of that permanent until it leaves the battlefield. Despite being easily triggered, it lacks the repeatable nature of Lazav’s ability. Then there’s also the Mirror Image, a simple clone spell with no additional bells and whistles. While it might be a straightforward embodiment of another creature on the battlefield, it doesn’t offer the tactical flexibility found in Lazav the Multifarious’s varied transformations.

Ultimately, Lazav stands out in the landscape of MTG’s transformable creatures for its dynamic adaptability and potential for tactical deception, making it a formidable asset in any game where strategy defined by versatility is key.

Volrath, the Shapestealer - MTG Card versions
Protean Thaumaturge - MTG Card versions
Mirror Image - MTG Card versions
Volrath, the Shapestealer - Commander 2019 (C19)
Protean Thaumaturge - Theros Beyond Death (THB)
Mirror Image - Core Set 2019 (M19)

Cards similar to Lazav, the Multifarious by color, type and mana cost

Vodalian Hypnotist - MTG Card versions
Metathran Zombie - MTG Card versions
Dimir Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Dimir Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Inkfathom Witch - MTG Card versions
Zombie Outlander - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hibernation Sliver - 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
House Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Soul Diviner - MTG Card versions
Cunning Nightbonder - MTG Card versions
Sygg, River Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Inkfathom Infiltrator - MTG Card versions
Krydle of Baldur's Gate - MTG Card versions
Cavern Harpy - MTG Card versions
Vodalian Hypnotist - Invasion (INV)
Metathran Zombie - Invasion (INV)
Dimir Infiltrator - Planechase Anthology (PCA)
Dimir Guildmage - Ravnica Remastered (RVR)
Inkfathom Witch - New Capenna Commander (NCC)
Zombie Outlander - Conflux (CON)
Vedalken Ghoul - Alara Reborn (ARB)
Hibernation Sliver - Commander Masters (CMM)
Woodlot Crawler - Dragon's Maze (DGM)
Returned Phalanx - Masters 25 (A25)
Shipwreck Singer - Theros (THS)
Disciple of Deceit - Journey into Nyx (JOU)
Fathom Feeder - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
House Guildmage - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Soul Diviner - War of the Spark (WAR)
Cunning Nightbonder - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Sygg, River Cutthroat - The List (PLST)
Inkfathom Infiltrator - The List (PLST)
Krydle of Baldur's Gate - The List (PLST)
Cavern Harpy - The List (PLST)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lazav, the Multifarious MTG card by a specific set like Guilds of Ravnica and Guilds of Ravnica Promos, 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, the Multifarious and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See Magic products

Printings

The Lazav, the Multifarious Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-10-05 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Yongjae Choi.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-10-05Guilds of RavnicaGRN 1842015normalblackYongjae Choi
22018-10-05Guilds of Ravnica PromosPGRN 184s2015normalblackYongjae Choi
32020-09-26The ListPLST GRN-1842015normalblackYongjae Choi
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 371z2015normalblackYongjae Choi
52024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1962015normalblackYongjae Choi
62024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3711997normalblackYongjae Choi
72024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 2142015normalblackYongjae Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lazav, the Multifarious has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Lazav, the Multifarious card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2018-10-05 Any effects that applied to Lazav before it becomes a copy of another card will continue to apply once it’s become a copy. The same is true of any counters that are on Lazav.
2018-10-05 Because Lazav isn’t entering the battlefield when it becomes a copy of a card, any “When this enters the battlefield” or “This enters the battlefield with” abilities of the copied card won’t apply.
2018-10-05 If a card in your graveyard has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2018-10-05 If the copied card has an ability that can be activated only once each turn, copying that card a second time will allow you to activate the new instance of that ability.
2018-10-05 Lazav copies exactly what was printed on the original card and nothing else, except the characteristics it specifically modifies. It doesn’t copy any information about the object the card was before it was put into your graveyard.
2018-10-05 When you surveil, you may put all the cards you look at back on top of your library, you may put all of those cards into your graveyard, or you may put some of those cards on top and the rest of them into your graveyard.
2018-10-05 You perform the actions stated on a card in sequence. For some spells and abilities, you’ll surveil last. For others, you’ll surveil and then perform other actions.

Recent MTG decks

Continue exploring other format decks
More decks