Melek, Izzet Paragon MTG Card
2013-04-27 - Number 84
2013-05-03 - Number 84
2015-11-13 - Number 227
2020-04-17 - Number 220
2023-08-04 - Number 345
2002-06-24 - Number 48578
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Weird Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Doubles spell casting from the library, maximizing turn potential and leading to powerful synergies.
- Enables a heightened spell tempo, accelerating resources for a commanding presence on the battlefield.
- Offers strategic flexibility, allowing additional copies of spells, creating a diverse range of tactical plays.
Text of card
Play with the top card of your library revealed. You may cast instant and sorcery spells from the top of your library. Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell from your library, copy it. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: With Melek Izzet Paragon, you get the unique benefit of playing the top card of your library if it’s an instant or sorcery, effectively doubling your spell capacity and maximizing your card potential in every turn.
Resource Acceleration: This commander’s ability to cast two spells for the price of one can lead to major resource acceleration, propelling you ahead as you cast more spells and disrupt your opponents’ strategies.
Instant Speed: Melek enhances the value of instant-speed spells by allowing you to copy them if they’re on top of your library, providing flexibility and strategic depth as you react to the ever-changing battlefield with a widened array of options.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Melek, Izzet Paragon’s ability revolves around playing spells from the top of your library, which could lead to a depleted hand if not managed properly, therefore undermining your strategic reserve.
Specific Mana Cost: A casting cost containing both blue and red mana demands a commitment to a dual-color mana base, limiting the card’s flexibility and potentially complicating your mana curve in a multicolored deck.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost of six, including two that are color-specific, this card comes into play later in the game. This can be a critical disadvantage against fast-paced decks or when quicker board presence is essential.
Reasons to Include Melek Izzet Paragon in Your Collection
Versatility: Melek Izzet Paragon offers dynamic gameplay, giving you the ability to play with the top card of your library revealed, potentially doubling the impact of any instant or sorcery spells you cast from there.
Combo Potential: This card enables intricate combinations with spells that can lead to powerful plays or even game-winning loops, making it an excellent catalyst for combo-oriented decks.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames that favor high-impact spells or combo-heavy decks, Melek Izzet Paragon can serve as a cornerstone to outmaneuver your opponents with unforeseen spell synergies.
How to beat
Melek Izzet Paragon is a unique card that amplifies the potential of spell-based strategies within the Magic: The Gathering universe. This powerful Izzet guildmage allows you to play with the top card of your library revealed, and if it’s an instant or sorcery, you may cast it as if it were in your hand. Additionally, whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell from your library, Melek lets you copy it for even more impact.
To efficiently counter this formidable threat, it’s vital to disrupt the set-up that Melek necessitates. Direct removal spells, especially instant-speed ones, can take Melek off the board before the player can make use of its ability. Hand disruption also plays a key role, as it can remove key instants and sorceries before they’re cast or copied. Strategies focusing on graveyarad hate can also be effective, considering the deck might employ ways to retrieve spells from the graveyard for another chance at copying them. Playing around Melek’s strengths by avoiding the build-up of a substantial spell sequence and keeping pressure on your opponent is essential in mitigating the advantage Melek Izzet Paragon can provide.
Robust strategies that employ counter measures to negate Melek’s abilities, complemented by persistent board control, are instrumental in prevailing over this high-impact card. Maintaining pace and applying pressure can suppress Melek’s influence and steer the game in your favor.
BurnMana Recommendations
The path to MTG mastery is both challenging and exhilarating, especially when piloting a deck with Melek Izzet Paragon at the helm. The card’s innate ability to exploit spell synergies can pave the way for victory. Whether it’s harnessing the raw power of instant and sorcery spells, accelerating your resources, or navigating strategic plays, Melek invites a gameplay experience filled with surprises and tactical depth. If you’re intrigued by this spell-slinging wizard and eager to build a deck that can double the impact of your magic, join our community. Dive into our resources and unlock the full potential of Melek Izzet Paragon in your arsenal.
Cards like Melek, Izzet Paragon
Melek, Izzet Paragon carves a unique niche amongst the pantheon of spell-focused commanders in MTG. Sibling to the spell copying capabilities of cards like Swarm Intelligence, Melek stands out by allowing you to cast the top card of your library and copy it should it be an instant or sorcery. This not only fosters an unpredictable and thrilling game dynamic but also enables the manipulation of your deck to optimize the spell you reveal.
On the other hand, consider Mizzix of the Izmagnus, which reduces the cost of your spells for each experience counter you’ve gained, thereby championing a strategy of casting an increasing number of spells as the game progresses. Meanwhile, the card Narset, Enlightened Master offers a different approach, allowing you to cast noncreature spells for free upon attacking, which can lead to explosive turns.
Each of these commanders brings an individual strength to the table, making them formidable in their right. However, Melek’s ability to play from the top of the library with a copying effect can potentially offer unlimited value and combo opportunities, setting it apart in a deck built to exploit these synergies to the fullest.
Cards similar to Melek, Izzet Paragon by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Melek, Izzet Paragon MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dragon's Maze Promos, 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 Melek, Izzet Paragon 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
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Printings
The Melek, Izzet Paragon Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2013-04-27 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Release | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 48578 | 2003 | normal | black | Johann Bodin | ||
| 2 | 2013-04-27 | Dragon's Maze Promos | PDGM | 84 | 2003 | normal | black | Johann Bodin | |
| 3 | 2013-05-03 | Dragon's Maze | DGM | 84 | 2003 | normal | black | Jason Chan | |
| 4 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 227 | 2015 | normal | black | Jason Chan | |
| 5 | 2020-04-17 | Commander 2020 | C20 | 220 | 2015 | normal | black | Jason Chan | |
| 6 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 345 | 2015 | normal | black | Jason Chan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Melek, Izzet Paragon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Melek, Izzet Paragon card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-15 | If the spell being copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Debt to the Deathless has), the copy has the same value of X. |
| 2013-04-15 | If the spell being copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copy will have the same mode. You can’t choose a different one. |
| 2013-04-15 | If the top card of your library changes while you’re casting a spell, playing a land, or activating an ability, the new top card won’t be revealed until you finish doing so. |
| 2013-04-15 | Instant and sorcery cards with miracle allow a player to cast a card immediately upon drawing it. If you cast a spell this way, you’re casting it from your hand, not your library. Melek’s ability won’t trigger. |
| 2013-04-15 | Melek doesn’t affect the timing rules associated with when you can cast the card. If it’s a sorcery card, you can cast it only during your main phase when the stack is empty. |
| 2013-04-15 | Melek’s last ability will copy any instant or sorcery spell you cast from your library, not just one with targets. |
| 2013-04-15 | The copy will have the same targets as the spell it’s copying unless you choose new ones. You may change any number of the targets, including all of them or none of them. If, for one of the targets, you can’t choose a new legal target, then it remains unchanged (even if the current target is illegal). |
| 2013-04-15 | The top card of your library isn’t in your hand, so you can’t suspend it, cycle it, discard it, or activate any of its activated abilities. |
| 2013-04-15 | When playing with the top card of your library revealed, if an effect tells you to draw several cards, reveal each one before you draw it. |
| 2013-04-15 | When the last ability resolves, it creates a copy of the spell. You control the copy. That copy is created on the stack, so it’s not “cast.” Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell won’t trigger. The copy will then resolve like a normal spell, after players get a chance to cast spells and activate abilities. |
| 2013-04-15 | You still pay all costs for that spell, including additional costs. You may also pay alternative costs, such as overload costs. Although you can’t pay additional costs for the copy that’s created, effects based on any additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy too. For example, if a player sacrifices a 3/3 creature to cast Fling, and you copy it, the copy of Fling will also deal 3 damage to its target. |
