Vizier of Many Faces MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Shapeshifter Cleric
Abilities Embalm
Power 0
Toughness 0

Key Takeaways

  1. Duplicates the best creatures, offering a board advantage without additional card draw.
  2. Can indirectly accelerate resources by copying mana-dork or ramp creatures.
  3. Embalm provides instant-speed flexibility for strategic cloning possibilities.

Text of card

You may have Vizier of Many Faces enter the battlefield as a copy of any creature on the battlefield, except if Vizier of Many Faces was embalmed, the token has no mana cost, it's white, and it's a Zombie in addition to its other types. Embalm


Card Pros

Card Advantage: As a clone effect, Vizier of Many Faces can replicate the best creature on the battlefield, giving you an additional copy without drawing from your deck and contributing to a potential board advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly increasing your mana pool, by copying mana dorks or other creatures with ramp capabilities, Vizier of Many Faces can indirectly contribute to your resource acceleration, allowing for more substantial plays sooner.

Instant Speed: The ability to be embalmed at instant speed adds flexibility, letting you wait until the optimal moment to create a copy, effectively allowing you to maintain the threat of activation during your opponent’s turn. This can lead to more strategic plays and potential missteps by opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Vizier of Many Faces requires a card to be discarded when you exercise its embalm ability. This can be a setback when your hand is already running thin and you need to maintain card advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands two blue mana symbols, this card can be challenging to play outside of mono-blue or two-color decks that include blue. Its casting restrictions essentially rule out inclusion in most multicolored decks without a reliable mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Vizier of Many Faces comes with a cost of four mana, which is significant when contrasted with other clone effects in the game. Considering its abilities, some players might find it less appealing than lower-cost alternatives that offer similar functionality without the extra mana investment.


Reasons to Include Vizier of Many Faces in Your Collection

Versatility: Vizier of Many Faces offers a unique flexibility by copying any creature on the battlefield, adapting to multiple game situations. Whether it’s mimicking a powerful enemy creature or replicating your own game-changing ally, this card’s chameleon-like ability can be pivotal in various deck types.

Combo Potential: As a clone effect on a creature, Vizier can synergize with enter-the-battlefield triggers or leave-the-battlefield effects already present in your deck. This can potentially unlock combo opportunities or enhance your existing strategy.

Meta-Relevance: The playability of Vizier of Many Faces can shift with the meta, but it remains a potent option in environments where high-impact creatures dominate. It allows you to have relevant threats or answers without needing those specific creatures in your deck, embodying clever adaptability against shifting metagames.


How to beat

Vizier of Many Faces offers a unique approach to board presence in Magic: The Gathering, allowing players to copy any creature on the battlefield. This shapeshifter can be a thorn in your side, as it not only mimics the copied creature’s abilities but also has the upside of embalm, giving it a second life from the graveyard. To effectively counter this card, strategic removal is key. Targeted removal spells that exile, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, can prevent the Vizier from returning with embalm. Graveyard hate cards like Rest in Peace or Scavenging Ooze also disrupt the Vizier’s value, ensuring it stays out of play for good.

It’s also beneficial to play cards that limit the types of targets available for copying. Shapers’ Sanctuary and Prowling Serpopard are excellent examples, protecting your creatures from being targeted or counteracting the Vizier’s copying ability respectively. Lastly, maintain a defensive strategy that keeps your valuable creatures out of reach. By intelligently managing your board and keeping key removal at the ready, you can effectively neutralize the advantage granted by Vizier of Many Faces.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering your MTG deck is a blend of skill, strategy, and choosing the right cards. Vizier of Many Faces offers a versatile addition that can turn the tides of battle by replicating powerful creatures. Whether you’re up against formidable opponents or aiming to capitalize on unique synergies within your own deck, this card adapts to the challenges thrown your way. The amalgamation of resourcefulness and strategy it presents makes it a noteworthy contender for any blue strategy ensemble. Dive deeper into the intricacies of the game and enrich your collection with adaptable pieces like Vizier of Many Faces. Explore strategies and refine your deck-building prowess with insights from seasoned players. Join us to expand your knowledge and edge closer to victory in each match you play.


Cards like Vizier of Many Faces

Vizier of Many Faces offers a unique twist in the clone card lineup of Magic: The Gathering. It stands side by side with creatures like Clone, a classic choice for copying creatures on the battlefield. Vizier of Many Faces differentiates itself with embalm, allowing it to be cast from the graveyard for a second round of deception.

Phyrexian Metamorph brings flexibility to the table by cloning not just creatures but also artifacts. However, it lacks the recycled usage that Vizier of Many Faces provides through embalm. Clever Impersonator expands the boundaries further by copying any nonland permanent, offering unparalleled versatility. Yet, once again, it falls short in recursion, a feature where our Vizier shines.

Comparing these alternatives underscores the strategic advantage Vizier of Many Faces grants with its ability to return for another act. This gives it an edge in long games where maximizing card utility is key. In essence, while there are many paths to duplicity in Magic: The Gathering, Vizier of Many Faces carves its niche with its remarkable capacity to reappear and influence the board not once, but twice.

Clone - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Metamorph - MTG Card versions
Clever Impersonator - MTG Card versions
Clone - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Phyrexian Metamorph - New Phyrexia Promos (PNPH)
Clever Impersonator - Khans of Tarkir Promos (PKTK)

Cards similar to Vizier of Many Faces by color, type and mana cost

Phantasmal Forces - MTG Card versions
Phantom Monster - MTG Card versions
Wall of Vapor - MTG Card versions
Tradewind Rider - MTG Card versions
Archivist - MTG Card versions
Thieving Magpie - MTG Card versions
Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - MTG Card versions
Laboratory Drudge - MTG Card versions
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - MTG Card versions
Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
Dream Prowler - MTG Card versions
Clone - MTG Card versions
Cytoplast Manipulator - MTG Card versions
Crookclaw Transmuter - MTG Card versions
Dreamborn Muse - MTG Card versions
Turtleshell Changeling - MTG Card versions
Sower of Temptation - MTG Card versions
Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
Fatestitcher - MTG Card versions
Phantasmal Forces - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Phantom Monster - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Wall of Vapor - Chronicles (CHR)
Tradewind Rider - World Championship Decks 1998 (WC98)
Archivist - Urza's Legacy (ULG)
Thieving Magpie - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Inga Rune-Eyes - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sakashima of a Thousand Faces - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Laboratory Drudge - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Johnny, Combo Player - Unhinged (UNH)
Dream Prowler - Tempest Remastered (TPR)
Clone - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Cytoplast Manipulator - Dissension (DIS)
Crookclaw Transmuter - Time Spiral (TSP)
Dreamborn Muse - Tenth Edition (10E)
Turtleshell Changeling - Lorwyn (LRW)
Sower of Temptation - Wilds of Eldraine Commander (WOC)
Glen Elendra Archmage - Eventide (EVE)
Fatestitcher - Shards of Alara (ALA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vizier of Many Faces MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Amonkhet, 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 Vizier of Many Faces and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vizier of Many Faces Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2024-02-09. Illustrated by Ryan Yee.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 742015normalblackRyan Yee
22017-04-28AmonkhetAKH 152015tokenblackRyan Yee
32017-04-29Amonkhet PromosPAKH 74s2015normalblackRyan Yee
42020-08-13Amonkhet RemasteredAKR 872015normalblackRyan Yee
52024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 52015tokenblackRyan Yee
62024-02-09Murders at Karlov Manor CommanderMKC 1232015normalblackRyan Yee

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vizier of Many Faces has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2017-04-18 Any enters-the-battlefield abilities of the copied creature will trigger when Vizier of Many Faces enters the battlefield. Any “as
-his creature] enters the battlefield” or “
-his creature] enters the battlefield with” abilities of the chosen creature will also work.
2017-04-18 For each card with embalm, a corresponding game play supplement token can be found in some Amonkhet booster packs. These supplements are not required to play with cards with embalm; you can use the same items to represent an embalmed token as you would any other token.
2017-04-18 If Vizier of Many Faces somehow enters the battlefield at the same time as another creature, Vizier of Many Faces can’t become a copy of that creature. You may choose only a creature that’s already on the battlefield.
2017-04-18 If the card copied by the token had any “when
-his permanent] enters the battlefield” abilities, then the token also has those abilities and will trigger them when it’s created. Similarly, any “as
-his permanent] enters the battlefield” or “
-his permanent] enters the battlefield with” abilities that the token has copied will also work.
2017-04-18 If the chosen creature has in its mana cost, X is considered to be 0.
2017-04-18 If the chosen creature is a token, Vizier of Many Faces copies the original characteristics of that token as stated by the effect that created the token. Vizier of Many Faces is not a token in this case unless it’s embalmed.
2017-04-18 If the chosen creature is copying something else (for example, if the chosen creature is another Vizier of Many Faces), then Vizier of Many Faces enters the battlefield as whatever the chosen creature copied.
2017-04-18 The characteristics Vizier of Many Faces gains as part of its copy effect are copiable values that other effects may copy.
2017-04-18 The token copies exactly what was printed on the original card and nothing else. It doesn’t copy any information about the object the card was before it was put into your graveyard.
2017-04-18 The token is a Zombie in addition to its other types and is white instead of its other colors. It has no mana cost, and thus its converted mana cost is 0. These are copiable values of the token that other effects may copy.
2017-04-18 Vizier of Many Faces copies exactly what was printed on the original creature (unless that creature is copying something else or is a token; see below). It doesn’t copy whether that creature is tapped or untapped, whether it has any counters on it or Auras attached to it, or any non-copy effects that have changed its power, toughness, types, color, or so on.
2017-07-14 If a spell or ability puts a creature card with embalm into your graveyard during your main phase, you’ll have priority immediately after that spell or ability resolves. You can activate the creature card’s embalm ability before any player can exile it with an effect, such as that of Crook of Condemnation, if it’s legal for you to do so.
2017-07-14 Once you’ve activated an embalm ability, the card is immediately exiled. Opponents can’t try to stop the ability by exiling the card with an effect such as that of Crook of Condemnatnion.

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