Patron Wizard MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Tap an untapped Wizard you control: Counter target spell unless its controller pays o1.
"The best way to teach is by example."
Cards like Patron Wizard
Patron Wizard is a unique figure in the MTG lineup, offering a powerful control element to Wizard tribal decks. It stands in line with other taxing effects, like Judge’s Familiar, which also presents an obstacle to opponents’ spells. While Judge’s Familiar can be sacrificed to counter a spell unless its controller pays one more mana, Patron Wizard offers a repeatable effect, albeit restricted to the control of other Wizards you may have on the battlefield.
The comparison extends to Voidmage Prodigy, another Wizard that can counter spells. Unlike Patron Wizard, Voidmage Prodigy requires sacrificing a Wizard, including itself, but it doesn’t ask for the additional mana to be paid. Furthermore, the Prodigy can also counter without relying on the presence of other Wizards, offering flexibility. Then there’s Glen Elendra Archmage, which has persist and can counter noncreature spells, providing a more durable presence but lacking the broader countering scope of Patron Wizard.
Patron Wizard’s ability to potentially counter multiple spells per turn, as long as you control other Wizards, places it in a prominent position for players seeking to build around a Wizard tribal theme and exert continual control over the game’s flow.
Cards similar to Patron Wizard by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Patron Wizard. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jeskai Oracle Combo | Legacy | Blue Oracle Combo | Legacy League 2024-03-12 | |
UBR | Legacy | Legacy Challenge 64 2024-01-07 | ||
Mono-Blue Combo | Legacy | Blue Oracle Combo | 2023 Asia Legacy Championship |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Patron Wizard enables a significant advantage in card utility by allowing you to counter an opponent’s spell unless they pay an additional cost. This not only disrupts their strategy but also conserves the cards in your hand, ensuring you maintain upper hand in resources.
Resource Acceleration: This card can effectively tap an opponent’s resources by forcing them to allocate more mana to casting their spells. This indirect resource acceleration can stunt your opponent’s board development, giving you a clear path to advance your position on the field.
Instant Speed: The ability to counter spells with Patron Wizard operates at instant speed, granting you the flexibility to decide the best moment to interfere with your opponent’s plays. Whether it’s during their turn or in response to a game-altering spell, this card ensures you’re always ready to act in a pinch.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Patron Wizard’s ability calls for you to tap an untapped Wizard you control, which can be restrictive as it depletes your board presence, making it difficult to use if you’re running low on creatures.
Specific Mana Cost: Patron Wizard requires blue mana not only for casting but also insists on a mono-blue commitment for optimal use, potentially limiting deck flexibility and constraining its integration into multi-colored decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two blue, Patron Wizard can be a weighty investment in the early game compared to other disruption options which may offer similar effects with a lower mana requirement.
Reasons to Include Patron Wizard in Your Collection
Versatility: Patron Wizard offers a flexible role in your deck due to its capability to disrupt opponents at any point in the game. His ability to counter spells can be crucial for protecting your strategy or weakening your opponent’s.
Combo Potential: This card can be instrumental within wizard-themed decks or any setup aiming to lock down the opponent’s game plan. Its synergistic potential with other wizards can create potent combinations that can dominate the board.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment heavily influenced by spell-based strategies, having a card like Patron Wizard can tilt matches in your favor. It acts as a deterrent for opponents who rely on non-creature spells, thereby solidifying its position as a valuable asset against certain meta decks.
How to Beat
The Patron Wizard card plays a powerful role in control decks within the Magic: The Gathering universe. With the ability to counter spells by tapping an untapped Wizard you control, opponents often find themselves in a bind. To maneuver past this hurdle, strategy and deck composition are key. One effective method is by using instant-speed removals, like Lightning Bolt or Fatal Push, to take out the Wizard before its ability can be activated. Employing uncounterable spells, such as Abrupt Decay or Supreme Verdict, can also bypass the Patron Wizard’s interfering grasp.
In addition, squeezing in aggressive creatures early in the game can pressure a Patron Wizard user before they establish their counterspell wall. Cards with the prowess and haste abilities can swiftly change the pace before the wizard’s power becomes overwhelming. Another tactic is leveraging spells that cannot be countered. Cavern of Souls, a land that ensures creatures of a chosen type can’t be countered, is an exemplar tool against Patron Wizard’s ability. Remaining adaptable and predicting when to hold back or charge forward can turn the tide against the influence of Patron Wizard in MTG.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re looking to sharpen your MTG gameplay and bolster your deck’s control capabilities, Patron Wizard is an invaluable asset to consider. With its unique ability to tap into your wizardry arsenal and counter critical spells, this card can be a linchpin in many strategic scenarios. In wizard-centric decks, it provides a persistent threat to your opponent’s game plan, creating opportunities for you to dictate the pace of play. To delve deeper into maximizing Patron Wizard’s potential and integrating it seamlessly into your collection, join our community. Together, we can explore powerful combos, refine deck-building strategies, and navigate the battlefield with finesse. Start mastering your counterspell game today.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Patron Wizard MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Patron Wizard 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
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Printings
The Patron Wizard Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2001-10-01 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001-10-01 | Odyssey | ODY | 89 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola | |
2 | Secret Lair Drop | SLD | 1002 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Volkan Baǵa | ||
3 | The List | PLST | ODY-89 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Donato Giancola |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Patron Wizard has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Premodern | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Patron Wizard card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2004-10-04 | Since the cost does not include the symbol, it can tap itself even on the turn it enters the battlefield. |