Vizier of the Anointed MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 55
2020-08-13 - Number 88
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Cleric |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Grants immediate card advantage by searching for creatures with persisting abilities like eternalize or embalm.
- Facilitates resource acceleration, drawing cards whenever eternalize or embalm is activated.
- Supports instant-speed tactics, aligning well with reactive gameplay and surprise plays.
Text of card
When Vizier of the Anointed enters the battlefield, you may search your library for a creature card with eternalize or embalm, put that card into your graveyard, then shuffle your library. Whenever you activate an eternalize or embalm ability, draw a card.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Vizier of the Anointed enters the battlefield, it enables you to search your library for a creature card with eternalize or embalm, put that card into your graveyard, then shuffle your library. This sets the stage for future card advantages as it allows you to access those abilities and effectively get two uses out of a single card.
Resource Acceleration: Each time you activate an eternalize or embalm ability, Vizier of the Anointed lets you draw a card. This not only accelerates your resources by providing additional options in your hand but also enhances the utility of your graveyard as a resource.
Instant Speed: While Vizier of the Anointed itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with creature cards that can be eternalized or embalmed at instant speed. This interaction allows you to maximize your turns by playing creatures during your opponent’s end step, keeping your mana open for strategic plays and surprises.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Vizier of the Anointed does not enforce a discard directly, it necessitates having creatures in the graveyard to maximize its utility. For players without a graveyard strategy, this translates into requiring additional steps to first get creatures into the graveyard, which can be seen as an indirect discard requirement.
Specific Mana Cost: The Vizier of the Anointed comes with a specific mana requirement of two colorless and two blue mana. This specific investment hampers its versatility as it is anchored firmly in blue-centric or blue-inclusive decks. Such a cost can strain mana bases that aren’t dedicated to blue or are spread across multiple colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of four mana, evaluating the Vizier’s impact on the game against other options at a similar cost is critical. Players might find the cost steep for its embalm activation impact. Competing cards at this mana range could provide immediate effects or stronger board presence, potentially making Vizier of the Anointed a less attractive choice for the four-mana slot in certain decks.
Reasons to Include Vizier of the Anointed in Your Collection
Versatility: Vizier of the Anointed is a dynamic inclusion for decks that capitalize on creature strategies. Its ability to seek out vital creatures from your deck adds depth to any game plan, adapting to a variety of situations on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: With this card, you can unearth powerful combos by using its effect to repeatedly utilize creatures with embalm or eternalize abilities. This pairs well with strategies looking to maximize enter-the-battlefield or leave-the-battlefield triggers.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with graveyard-interaction decks, Vizier of the Anointed holds significant value. It allows players to stay ahead by recurring creature threats while also drawing a card, maintaining card advantage against the competition.
How to Beat
Vizier of the Anointed is a unique card that can create significant card advantage in Magic: The Gathering, especially when used effectively in a graveyard-centric deck. This card allows players to bolster their strategy by recurring creature cards with embalm or eternalize abilities. However, the Vizier’s strength lies in the creatures it supports, not in itself.
To effectively counter it, focus on graveyard disruption. Utilize cards that exile cards from graveyards or restrict players from accessing them, such as Scavenger Grounds or Leyline of the Void. These cards can prevent the Vizier from leveraging the benefits of its ability. Another practical strategy includes employing removal spells or abilities that can target and eliminate the Vizier before its ability is triggered, limiting the value your opponent can extract from creatures with embalm or eternalize.
Keep in mind that disrupting your opponent’s board presence is key. Pay close attention to their gameplay and be ready to act before the Vizier of the Anointed can exploit its synergies. By doing this, you ensure control and maintain the upper hand, negating the potential card advantage your opponent may gain.
Cards like Vizier of the Anointed
Vizier of the Anointed is a unique card that enhances deck strategies focusing on the utilization of the embalm and eternalize mechanics in Magic: The Gathering. It resembles the honored function of cards like Embalmer’s Tools, which also interact with cards in the graveyard, albeit the tools provide a cost reduction for the embalm mechanic, instead of the card draw offered by Vizier of the Anointed. Both cards celebrate the ancient Egyptian-themed abilities that were introduced in the Amonkhet block.
By comparison, Archaeomancer is another creature that retrieves cards from the graveyard, specifically instants and sorceries. While not directly affecting embalm or eternalize, it provides a notable advantage in retrieving valuable spells. In this context, Vizier of the Anointed has a broader impact by allowing a card draw each time you activate either of the named mechanics, but it’s limited to creature cards only. Cards like Scarab God highlight the power of eternalizing creatures, but the Vizier provides consistent card advantage, highlighting its synergy with these mechanics.
Ultimately, when analyzing cards that support graveyard-based strategies, Vizier of the Anointed stands out among its peers for its ability to provide card advantage while bringing back powerful creatures with upgraded abilities.
Cards similar to Vizier of the Anointed by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vizier of the Anointed MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Amonkhet Remastered, 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 the Anointed and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Vizier of the Anointed Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Jakub Kasper.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 55 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper | |
| 2 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 88 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jakub Kasper |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vizier of the Anointed has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vizier of the Anointed card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-07-14 | If you activate an eternalize or embalm ability, you’ll draw a card before that ability resolves, but after you’ve paid all of the costs for that ability. If an eternalize ability requires a discard to activate, you’ll need to have another card available to discard. |
