Inzerva, Master of Insights MTG Card

Inzerva, Master of Insights - 2017 Heroes of the Realm

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Mythic
Type	Legendary Planeswalker — Inzerva
Abilities	Scry
Released	2018-08-01
Set symbol
Set name	2017 Heroes of the Realm
Set code	PH17
Loyalty	4
Number	2
Frame	2015
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Filip Burburan

Key Takeaways

Inzerva offers sustained card advantage, predicting your plays and outpacing your opponent.
The card’s strict mana needs may complicate inclusion in varied decks.
Versatile and meta-relevant, Inzerva fits well in control and midrange decks.

Text of card

+2: Draw two cards, then discard a card.
-2: Look at the top two cards of each other player's library, then put any number of them on the bottom of that library and the rest on top in any order. Scry 2.
-4: You get an emblem with "Your opponents play with their hands revealed" and "Whenever an opponent draws a card, this emblem deals 1 damage to them."

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Inzerva, Master of Insights enables you to glean crucial insights from your deck by allowing you to peek at the top two cards, thereby maintaining a robust hand and giving you options that keep you one step ahead of your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This card is a beacon of opportunity in the mana spectrum, as it encourages strategic play with the scry ability, guiding you toward your much-needed lands or spells to establish a formidable position on the battlefield.

Instant Speed: The brilliance of Inzerva lies in its ability to operate on your terms, at instant speed. This flexibility empowers you to adapt to the unfolding game, making pivotal decisions at the most opportune moments, whether that’s disrupting an opponent’s strategy or fortifying your own stance as you journey to victory.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Inzerva, Master of Insights necessitates letting go of a card, often putting players in a bind when their hand is running low on cards. This can sometimes backfire, especially if you’re discarding something that could be crucial for later turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card commands a strict combination of blue and colorless mana, which can be tricky in multicolor decks not heavily skewed towards blue. If your mana base isn’t well-tuned, you might find yourself unable to cast it when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Fetching Inzerva onto the battlefield isn’t cheap—its mana cost is on the steep side, making it a potential liability in fast-paced matches where tempo is key. Other options might give you more immediate board presence or card advantage without such a significant investment.

Reasons to Include Inzerva, Master of Insights in Your Collection

Versatility: Inzerva, Master of Insights is a multifaceted card that can adapt to varying gameplay styles. Its ability to grant you insight into your opponent’s hand while also drawing cards makes it a valuable asset in control and midrange decks.

Combo Potential: This legendary creature can be a linchpin in combos, particularly in decks that capitalize on knowledge of the opponent’s hand or that benefit from specific draw mechanics. The foresight it offers allows you to set up your plays with unprecedented precision.

Meta-Relevance: Given its capability to provide both information and card advantage, Inzerva, Master of Insights is particularly effective in metagames where strategy and adaptability are key. Whether the meta favors slow, thoughtful play or more rapid exchanges, this card holds its ground as an exceedingly practical choice.

How to Beat

Inzerva, Master of Insights poses a unique challenge on the MTG battlefield with its ability to peek into an opponent’s strategy by revealing their hand and controlling the tides of play with card selections. To outmaneuver this wizard, a keen understanding of game mechanics and smart deck construction is essential. Denying resources can cripple Inzerva’s effectiveness. Implementing cards that limit hand visibility like Seer’s Vision deter Inzerva’s revealing capability, while discard effects from cards like Thoughtseize disrupt the carefully selected advantage Inzerva offers.

Equally, you can employ counterspells to prevent Inzerva from entering the battlefield in the first place. A well-timed Counterspell or Mana Leak can ensure that your opponent’s plans are thwarted before Inzerva can manifest its insights. In a pinch, removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile can deal with Inzerva post-summoning, pivoting the game back in your favor.

Rounding out your defenses, it’s wise to maintain board presence with creatures that can quickly pressure planeswalkers. Swift attackers can redirect the game’s focus and force your adversary to defend rather than exploit Inzerva’s knowledge. In summary, a balanced strategy incorporating disruption, control, and aggression can effectively neutralize the threat of Inzerva, Master of Insights.

Cards like Inzerva, Master of Insights

Inzerva, Master of Insights introduces a distinctive approach to card advantage in Magic: The Gathering. Aligning in function with renowned cards such as Jace, the Mind Sculptor, Inzerva provides both foresight and selection with its scry ability. However, Inzerva edges out with its unique potential to gain new cards while keeping the existing hand intact. Jace requires the player to brainstorm and potentially shuffle away undesired cards, where Inzerva secures information control without losing hand resources.

Consecrated Sphinx is another relevant comparison, granting a swell in card count as opponents draw. Yet, Inzerva appeals to subtler tactics, offering incremental knowledge and card gain while avoiding direct dependency on an opponent’s actions. Glimpse the Unthinkable also shares this card insight arena, though it specifically targets opponent libraries. Inzerva’s advantage is its intrinsic ability to bolster its controller’s strategy directly versus Glimpse’s focus on milling.

When evaluating the dynamics of card advantage tools within the MTG realm, Inzerva, Master of Insights claims its niche. Its harmonious blend of scrying and drawing, without compulsory discard or reliance on others, renders it an intelligent choice for players aiming to fine-tune their game with precision and foresight.

Jace, the Mind Sculptor - MTG Card versions

Glimpse the Unthinkable - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Inzerva, Master of Insights by color, type and mana cost

Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // Will, Scholar of Frost - MTG Card versions

A-Rowan, Scholar of Sparks // A-Will, Scholar of Frost - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Inzerva, Master of Insights MTG card by a specific set like 2017 Heroes of the Realm, 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 Inzerva, Master of Insights and other MTG cards:

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Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2019-12-07	The Commander RC has ruled that if your name is printed on the bottom of a Heroes of the Realm card, that card is legal for you in Commander.