Lazav, Wearer of Faces MTG Card
2024-02-09 - Number 366
2024-02-09 - Number 216
2024-02-09 - Number 318
2024-02-10 - Number 216p
2024-02-10 - Number 216s
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary 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.
Cards similar to Lazav, Wearer of Faces by color, type and mana cost
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.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esper Midrange | Gladiator | Gladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024 | |
 | Dimir Midrange | Standard | Dimir Midrange | Standard Challenge 32 2024-04-13 |
 | Decklist | Free form | Torino Tournament - Murders at Karlov Manor | |
 | 4c Legends | Standard | 4c Legends | Standard 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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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
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- MTG Mint Card
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- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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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.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 366 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Tyler Walpole | |
| 2 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 216 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wisnu Tan | |
| 3 | 2024-02-09 | Murders at Karlov Manor | MKM | 318 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Julie Dillon | |
| 4 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 216p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wisnu Tan | |
| 5 | 2024-02-10 | Murders at Karlov Manor Promos | PMKM | 216s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Wisnu Tan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Lazav, Wearer of Faces has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Standardbrawl | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |