Magus of the Bazaar MTG Card
2007-02-02 - Number 43
2018-12-07 - Number 63
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
: Draw two cards, then discard three cards.
"Some trade in goods, some in secrets. My soul has walked the futures, and I offer the rare coin of possibility."
Cards like Magus of the Bazaar
Magus of the Bazaar stands out in the realm of MTG’s card selection tools with its unique ability to draw and discard cards. The Magus parallels the functionality of Bazaar of Baghdad, a land-based card from Arabian Nights. Both cards allow a player to draw two cards and discard three, without paying mana for the effect. Yet, Magus of the Bazaar has the advantage of being a creature, which means it could be summoned using various creature support spells.
Another card that often comes up in discussions is Merfolk Looter. This creature offers the simpler draw and discard effect, though it limits the player to one card each, whereas Magus of the Bazaar can sift through more cards at once. Then there’s Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy, which transforms into a planeswalker with card selection capabilities. While Jace allows for tailored discarding and drawing, it requires setup time that Magus of the Bazaar does not.
Examining these cards, it’s evident that Magus of the Bazaar fills a unique niche for those players desiring rapid hand cycling and the tactical advantage of dredging through their decks, meshing well with strategies focused on graveyard play and card advantage.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Magus of the Bazaar. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mono-Red Burn | Legacy | Burn | Circuito Legacy Catarinense | Temporada 2024 | Etapa 2 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Magus of the Bazaar enables you to draw up to two cards, offering the potential to dig deeper into your deck to find key pieces for your strategy.
Resource Acceleration: By facilitating card selection, it permits you to sculpt your hand rapidly, thus accelerating your access to essential resources.
Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, Magus of the Bazaar operates at instant speed, allowing you to maximize your mana usage and make critical decisions during any player’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Magus of the Bazaar requires you to discard two cards in order to draw two cards. This could put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand already lacks valuable plays. It forces you to make tough decisions on which cards to keep and which to throw away, potentially weakening your game plan.
Specific Mana Cost: The card’s activation cost necessitates a blue mana, making it less flexible for decks that aren’t heavy on blue mana sources. This limitation might discourage players with multicolored decks from including it, as it might not consistently align with their mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana and providing no immediate impact on the board can set you behind, particularly when compared to other card draw options available. This makes Magus of the Bazaar a less appealing option for players looking for immediate card advantage or those attempting to maintain a stronger board presence in the early to mid-game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Magus of the Bazaar offers flexibility in controlling your hand content, allowing for the refinement of strategies across various deck types by filtering out unwanted cards for more desirable draws.
Combo Potential: This card can enable various graveyard-based combos or synergies by actively selecting cards to discard, thereby setting up potential plays that can turn the tide of the game.
Meta-Relevance: In a game where information and the right card combinations are key, Magus of the Bazaar remains relevant for its ability to dig deeper into your library and adapt to different metagame conditions.
How to beat Magus of the Bazaar
When facing the Magus of the Bazaar card on the battlefield, it pays to recognize that this card can be a double-edged sword. The power of Magus of the Bazaar lies in its ability to draw two cards, then discard three cards. This card selection method is potent in decks that benefit from having certain cards in the graveyard, functioning as a graveyard enabler as much as a draw mechanism.
To effectively counter this unique strategy, one would do well to limit the card’s utility or remove it before it can significantly impact the game. Removal spells that can deal with creatures swiftly, like Path to Exile or Fatal Push, are key in disrupting your opponent’s plans. Additionally, employing graveyard hate cards such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void can negate the advantage your opponent gains from loading their graveyard with resources.
Executing a timely strategy to mitigate the potential card advantage and graveyard setup can be the tipping point in your favor. Understanding that the cost of activating Magus of the Bazaar’s ability is not just in mana but in card economy can guide you in devising an effective approach to conquer this peculiar foe on the MTG battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Magus of the Bazaar MTG card by a specific set like Planar Chaos and Ultimate Masters, 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 Magus of the Bazaar 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Magus of the Bazaar Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2007-02-02 and 2018-12-07. Illustrated by Rob Alexander.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2007-02-02 | Planar Chaos | PLC | 43 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander | |
| 2 | 2018-12-07 | Ultimate Masters | UMA | 63 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Rob Alexander |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Magus of the Bazaar has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Magus of the Bazaar card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-12-07 | You draw two cards and discard three cards all while the activated ability is resolving. Nothing can happen between the two, and no player may choose to take actions. |