Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant MTG Card


Karazikar turns opponents’ strategies against them, forcing attacks that can lead to card advantage. This MTG card accelerates your resources through its menace ability and Treasure token generation. Karazikar’s ability shapes the game’s tempo, posing constant decisions for opponents each combat phase.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Beholder
Abilities Goad
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Whenever you attack a player, tap target creature that player controls and goad it. (Until your next turn, that creature attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.) Whenever an opponent attacks another one of your opponents, you and the attacking player each draw a card and lose 1 life.


Cards like Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant

Karazikar the Eye Tyrant stands out in the Magic: The Gathering deck-building universe due to its unique combination of abilities. When comparing it to other creatures, it’s akin to cards such as Xantcha, Sleeper Agent, given its ability to encourage opponents to attack each other. However, Karazikar takes it up a notch by having each opponent attack this turn if able, thereby escalating the potential for chaos on the board.

Meanwhile, Marisi, Breaker of the Coil offers a similar approach by goading each creature that deals combat damage to a player. Where Marisi leverages combat damage to trigger the goad effect, Karazikar employs a broader strategy, affecting the entire battlefield each turn. Conversely, Grenzo, Havoc Raiser introduces an element of choice, allowing the controller to goad enemy creatures or exile the top card of an opponent’s library to play it themselves.

These comparisons illustrate that while Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant shares a central theme with other goad cards, it is unique in the inevitability and scope of its effect on opponents’ creatures, leading to intricate and shifting alliances that can define the pace and strategy of gameplay in MTG’s multiplayer formats.

Xantcha, Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Marisi, Breaker of the Coil - MTG Card versions
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - MTG Card versions
Xantcha, Sleeper Agent - MTG Card versions
Marisi, Breaker of the Coil - MTG Card versions
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant by color, type and mana cost

Tor Wauki - MTG Card versions
Boltwing Marauder - MTG Card versions
Obosh, the Preypiercer - MTG Card versions
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The Scorpion God - MTG Card versions
Grusilda, Monster Masher - MTG Card versions
Garna, the Bloodflame - MTG Card versions
Greven, Predator Captain - MTG Card versions
Tor Wauki - MTG Card versions
Boltwing Marauder - MTG Card versions
Obosh, the Preypiercer - MTG Card versions
Mishra, Tamer of Mak Fawa - MTG Card versions
Dread Slag - MTG Card versions
Demigod of Revenge - MTG Card versions
Cultbrand Cinder - MTG Card versions
Lightning Reaver - MTG Card versions
Monstrous Carabid - MTG Card versions
Spawn of Rix Maadi - MTG Card versions
Rakdos Ragemutt - MTG Card versions
Master of Cruelties - MTG Card versions
Underworld Cerberus - MTG Card versions
Kragma Warcaller - MTG Card versions
Nightfire Giant - MTG Card versions
Kolaghan, the Storm's Fury - MTG Card versions
The Scorpion God - MTG Card versions
Grusilda, Monster Masher - MTG Card versions
Garna, the Bloodflame - MTG Card versions
Greven, Predator Captain - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Karazikar the Eye Tyrant allows players to take command of the game by compelling each opponent to attack each turn if able. This can lead to situations where opponents are forced to make unfavorable attacks, potentially losing their creatures and providing you with a significant card advantage as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: The menace ability of Karazikar ensures that it is harder for opponents to block and increases the likelihood of you receiving the treasured card draw and Treasure tokens. These tokens are instrumental in accelerating your resources, giving you the necessary mana to deploy more threats or answers to control the board state.

Instant Speed: Although Karazikar itself does not operate at instant speed, its effect influences the pace of the game continuously. The persistent need for opponents to attack creates time-sensitive decisions during each combat phase, akin to the influence instant speed spells hold over a game’s tempo.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Karazikar the Eye Tyrant encourages aggressive play with its ability to have each player draw and discard cards, this can backfire if your hand is already low on cards. Losing valuable resources can be a steep price for activating its ability, especially if the opponents benefit more from the card cycling.

Specific Mana Cost: Karazikar requires a combination of black and red mana to cast, making it inherently restrictive in multi-colored decks. This specific mana requirement can complicate your mana base, particularly in formats where mana fixing is less abundant.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 5 mana, Karazikar’s impact on the game may come a bit late compared to other options in its mana range. In a game where speed can be crucial, its higher cost demands a significant investment for an effect that both you and the opponent share, potentially giving them the same advantage as you.


Reasons to Include Karazikar the Eye Tyrant in Your Collection

Versatility: Karazikar the Eye Tyrant brings unique utility to Commander tables, seamlessly integrating into decks that capitalize on opponent creature control and forced combat scenarios.

Combo Potential: This commander’s ability to draw cards when opponents are coerced into combat pairs well with strategies looking to exploit card advantage and dictate the flow of the game.

Meta-Relevance: With its design primed to disrupt creature-heavy and passive playstyles, Karazikar the Eye Tyrant remains relevant in a meta where political manipulation and direct player interaction are key to victory.


How to beat

Karazikar the Eye Tyrant presents a formidable threat on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering, proving particularly challenging due to its ability to force each player to attack with at least one creature during their turn. Notably, it also provides card advantage by allowing it’s controller to draw a card whenever an opponent is compelled to attack with a creature.

Defeating Karazikar involves strategic considerations, such as maintaining a strong defensive lineup. Opt to use creatures with vigilance to ensure that your defenses remain untapped even after an attack. Cards with flash permit you to surprise your opponent by bringing in defenders during their turn, helping to circumvent Karazikar’s attack trigger. Spells that dictate combat or remove creatures from combat are also effective, as they can modify or diminish the forced attacks Karazikar induces. In addition, enchantments or abilities that prevent your creatures from attacking or make your creatures untouchable during combat can neutralize Karazikar’s attack trigger.

Engaging in direct removal spells is another successful approach, targeting Karazikar before it can leverage its abilities extensively. By preemptively managing the board and using removals when the timing is appropriate, you can minimize the impact of Karazikar the Eye Tyrant and may even turn its forced attack requirement into a disadvantage for your opponent.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive deep into the realm of MTG with Karazikar the Eye Tyrant at your side, commanding each opponent to engage in battle with a courageous spirit. This formidable card reshapes the battlefield dynamics, forcing opponents into tough positions and accelerating your resource pool. Embrace its potential to forge new strategies and overpower the competition. With our insights on Karazikar’s pros and cons, similar cards, and tactics to outmaneuver it, your deck-building prowess and gameplay acumen will reach new heights. Ready to capitalize on forced aggression and steer each match towards triumph? Visit us to enhance your collection and sharpen your competitive edge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant MTG card by a specific set like Forgotten Realms Commander and Forgotten Realms Commander, 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 Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2021-07-23 and 2021-07-23. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 492015NormalBlackJason A. Engle
22021-07-23Forgotten Realms CommanderAFC 3192015NormalBlackJason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal