Fissure Wizard MTG Card


Fissure Wizard - Zendikar Rising
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goblin Wizard
Released2020-09-25
Set symbol
Set nameZendikar Rising
Set codeZNR
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number140
Frame2015
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byLius Lasahido

Key Takeaways

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Text of card

When Fissure Wizard enters the battlefield, you may discard a card. If you do, draw a card.

He might call up a burst of lava or a raging hellion from Akoum's volcanic depths. Or he might just fall in.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Fissure Wizard enables players to optimize their hand by discarding a card, then drawing a card, ultimately helping maintain control over the game flow.

Resource Acceleration: Fitting perfectly into decks that benefit from cards in the graveyard, Fissure Wizard can hasten your strategy by filling your graveyard faster, serving as a catalyst for powerful plays.

Instant Speed: The Wizard’s ability operates at instant speed, offering flexibility to react to the opponent’s moves, making it a versatile tool for both offensive and defense maneuvers within a match.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Fissure Wizard necessitates the discard of a card upon its ability’s activation, which could diminish your hand and potentially deplete valuable resources, particularly if your hand size is already running low.

Specific Mana Cost: This card strictly requires red mana, which may not synergize well with multi-colored decks that struggle to consistently produce the necessary red mana to play and utilize Fissure Wizard effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that could be considered steep for the provided effect, there might be alternative creatures or spells in MTG that offer similar or more impactful abilities at a lower mana value, leading to a more streamlined and economical deck building approach.


Reasons to Include Fissure Wizard in Your Collection

Versatility: Fissure Wizard serves as a multi-purpose tool in decks, offering not just a creature presence but also a way to modify your hand by discarding and drawing cards, perfect for strategies needing to cycle through their deck or dump specific cards into the graveyard.

Combo Potential: This creature’s enter-the-battlefield ability can seamlessly fit into strategies aiming to cast spells with flashback from the graveyard or work with cards that capitalize on discarding as a cost or trigger for larger effects.

Meta-Relevance: As the metagame can shift towards graveyard synergy or against decks relying on crucial hand composition, incorporating Fissure Wizard can provide an edge by disrupting opponents while fine-tuning your own game plan.


How to beat

Fissure Wizard presents a unique challenge in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to disrupt an opponent’s hand when it enters the battlefield. Facing this goblin wizard, your best tactic is to limit its impact by minimizing valuable cards in your hand when you anticipate its arrival. Cards with instant speed responses or those with flash can be played in reaction to the Fissure Wizard’s cast, ensuring you’re not forced to discard something crucial.

Additionally, employing graveyard retrieval strategies can help mitigate the damage done by the Fissure Wizard’s ability. By using cards that allow you to bring back discarded cards, you can effectively neutralize the wizard’s advantage. It’s also wise to keep pressure on the board, forcing your opponent to choose between deploying their Fissure Wizard and managing your growing threats. Always play strategically, and consider the potential loss when holding onto key cards if a Fissure Wizard is a known factor in your opponent’s deck.

Ultimately, while the Fissure Wizard can be an annoyance, it’s entirely possible to outmaneuver its disruptive presence. Careful consideration of your hand and a well-timed strategy can ensure that this particular card doesn’t dictate the flow of the game in your opponent’s favor.


Cards like Fissure Wizard

Fissure Wizard is a distinctive character on the Magic: The Gathering battlefield, resonating with those who appreciate a tactical approach to manipulating their hand. Its most direct comparison is to the likes of Rummaging Goblin, which also offers the ability to discard a card in order to draw another. Unlike Fissure Wizard, Rummaging Goblin doesn’t come with the upside of being a spell, but it does provide a repeatable effect without an additional mana cost.

Analogous to Fissure Wizard’s one-time use is Tormenting Voice, which requires discarding as part of its casting cost and proceeds to draw two cards. Tormenting Voice differs with its sorcery speed and inability to leave a creature behind but offers an immediate deeper dig into your deck. Additionally, Faithless Looting stands out with its low cost and flashback ability, granting a second opportunity to utilize its discard and draw mechanics later in the game, though it doesn’t contribute a creature to your board presence like Fissure Wizard does.

In evaluating these options, the Fissure Wizard offers a strategic advantage through its dual capacity as both a creature and a way to refine a player’s hand, showcasing its versatility within Magic: The Gathering’s roster of red spells and creatures.

Rummaging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Tormenting Voice - MTG Card versions
Faithless Looting - MTG Card versions
Rummaging Goblin - Magic 2013 (M13)
Tormenting Voice - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Faithless Looting - IDW Comics Inserts (PIDW)

Cards similar to Fissure Wizard by color, type and mana cost

Rock Hydra - MTG Card versions
Ironclaw Orcs - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Weaponsmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Rock Sled - MTG Card versions
Dwarven Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Goblin Recruiter - MTG Card versions
Heart Sliver - MTG Card versions
Mogg Flunkies - MTG Card versions
Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions
Fireslinger - MTG Card versions
Skittish Kavu - MTG Card versions
Rage Weaver - MTG Card versions
Minotaur Explorer - MTG Card versions
Sparksmith - MTG Card versions
Goblin Lookout - MTG Card versions
Skirk Marauder - MTG Card versions
Goblin Raider - MTG Card versions
Hellspark Elemental - MTG Card versions
Utvara Scalper - MTG Card versions
Storm Entity - MTG Card versions
Rock Hydra - Intl. Collectors' Edition (CEI)
Ironclaw Orcs - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Dwarven Weaponsmith - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
Goblin Rock Sled - The Dark (DRK)
Dwarven Lieutenant - Fallen Empires (FEM)
Goblin Recruiter - Visions (VIS)
Heart Sliver - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Flunkies - Stronghold (STH)
Goblin Elite Infantry - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Fireslinger - Duel Decks Anthology: Jace vs. Chandra (JVC)
Skittish Kavu - Invasion (INV)
Rage Weaver - Invasion (INV)
Minotaur Explorer - Odyssey (ODY)
Sparksmith - Onslaught (ONS)
Goblin Lookout - Legions (LGN)
Skirk Marauder - Legions (LGN)
Goblin Raider - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Hellspark Elemental - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Utvara Scalper - Dissension (DIS)
Storm Entity - Future Sight (FUT)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Fissure Wizard MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar Rising, 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 Fissure Wizard and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Fissure Wizard has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

DateText
2020-09-25 While resolving Fissure Wizard’s ability, you can’t discard more than one card.

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