Izzet Guildmage MTG Card
2006-02-03 - Number 145
2012-09-07 - Number 4
2024-01-12 - Number 191
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Wizard |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Izzet Guildmage provides powerful card advantage by duplicating spells, maximizing card impact without depleting the hand.
- The card’s instant speed copying ability allows for strategic flexibility and reactive play on the evolving battlefield.
- While offering combo potential, it also requires careful mana management and can be susceptible to removal strategies.
Text of card
({UR} can be paid with either or .) : Copy target instant spell you control with converted mana cost 2 or less. You may choose new targets for the copy. : Copy target sorcery spell you control with converted mana cost 2 or less. You may choose new targets for the copy.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Izzet Guildmage taps into the core strength of the Izzet league – manipulating spells for profit. By duplicating instants or sorceries, you not only maximize the effects of your cards but essentially draw into the power of an additional card without spending from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: The adaptability of Izzet Guildmage allows for unexpected bursts of resources. Whether it’s creating a surplus of spells or generating combinations that ramp up your mana, this card accelerates the pace at which you can deploy your resources, keeping opponents on their toes.
Instant Speed: The ability to copy instant and sorcery spells at instant speed gives you the flexibility to adapt to the evolving battlefield. Hold back on your mana and respond to your adversaries’ moves with a flurry of spells, turning the tide in your favor when they least expect it.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Izzet Guildmage demands a hand card discard for activating certain abilities. This can deplete your in-hand resources rapidly, especially if the game prolongs and you’re in need of multiple options.
Specific Mana Cost: This character’s abilities are locked behind blue and red mana costs. This specificity narrows deck compatibility, potentially excluding the Guildmage from various strategic builds that can’t afford such stringent color demands.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost that can climb depending on the spells you’re aiming to copy, the Izzet Guildmage’s abilities can become mana-intensive. Alternative cards might offer spell copying or direct card advantages at a lower and more competitive mana investment.
Reasons to Include Izzet Guildmage in Your Collection
Versatility: Izzet Guildmage is a multifaceted card that can slide into a variety of decks within the Izzet archetype. Its ability to copy instant or sorcery spells grants flexibility and an array of strategic moves during gameplay.
Combo Potential: This card shines when it comes to setting up powerful combos. With the right setup, it can replicate key spells multiple times, potentially leading to game-winning turns through substantial spell duplication.
Meta-Relevance: For players engaged in formats where long-term strategies and spell-slinging are common, Izzet Guildmage remains a relevant choice. Its capabilities align well with the frequent spellcasting that typifies many current meta decks, ensuring it has a place in your collection ready to face such strategies.
How to beat
The Izzet Guildmage card demands attention in any game of Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that can lend itself to combo potential, understanding how to disrupt its mechanics is key. To gain the upper hand against this card, consider employing instant removal spells that can interrupt the Guildmage before they demonstrate their value. Direct damage spells or those that can exile it before it activates its abilities can effectively mitigate the threat.
Interrupting the mana generating combos that Izzet Guildmage is often a part of is equally crucial. Cutting off the Guildmage’s mana sources leaves it as a mere vanilla creature, vulnerable and ineffective. Counterspells also play a pivotal role when dealing with the Guildmage, especially when the user is attempting to kick-start a combo. Timing is essential; as such, keeping mana open and ready to disrupt key spells in the opponent’s arsenal can prevent the Guildmage from becoming an insurmountable problem.
In short, the Izzet Guildmage card can be a formidable adversary, but it’s far from unbeatable. With calculated moves and a strategy aimed at preemptive actions, maintaining control of the game is entirely within grasp.
Cards like Izzet Guildmage
The Izzet Guildmage is an intriguing utility creature card in Magic: The Gathering. It bears some similarity to cards like Goblin Electromancer, which also aid in the casting of instants and sorceries by making them cheaper. Izzet Guildmage’s unique ability to replicate instant and sorcery spells further distinguishes it, allowing for potential combo plays and increased value from single cards.
A parallel can be drawn with cards such as Nivix Guildmage. Both belong to the Izzet League and focus on leveraging spells. However, Nivix Guildmage requires more mana investment to replicate spells and also includes a card draw ability. While Nivix Guildmage offers more versatility, Izzet Guildmage excels in efficiency and the potential for early game pressure.
Among its similarities, we also find Melek, Izzet Paragon, which provides a different approach by playing with the top deck and copying spells from there. Though Melek affects the overall game plan differently, it emphasizes the thematic core of the Izzet: manipulating spells for impactful plays. Each of these cards exemplifies the Izzet Guild’s innovative and synergistic spell-slinging tactics.
In appraisal of the Izzet Guildmage, its value arises from its early playability and the unique spell-copying mechanic, which can create a ripple effect of advantages for players adept at chaining instants and sorceries.
Cards similar to Izzet Guildmage by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Izzet Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Guildpact and Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari, 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 Izzet Guildmage 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 Izzet Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2006-02-03 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Jim Murray.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006-02-03 | Guildpact | GPT | 145 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | |
| 2 | 2012-09-07 | Duel Decks: Izzet vs. Golgari | DDJ | 4 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray | |
| 3 | 2024-01-12 | Ravnica Remastered | RVR | 191 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jim Murray |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Izzet Guildmage has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
