If you have been following my blog, then thank you.  I realized as the block constructed season for Scars of Mirrodin got underway that many of you were viewing my research for tips into the upcomming metagame. While I feel that eventually, after setting myself up to play over seven hundred games of magic with decks that weren’t even tournament quality, we would have gotten to where we are going, I realized that the information contained in this summary on how to define and “break” a format was simply dated.

I compiled this process from ancient articles, that while good, are like learning the theory in school before you get to practical application. While exciting to know, rarely does it actually help you in the real world. As a historian by education, it is difficult for me to think about a vast pool of knowledge from 5-10 years ago as dated, especially since we still hold concepts from that period in high regard. Concepts like ‘mana curve’ and ‘threat density’ are still taught today and refined to a high level.  The truth is that, while secret tech is awesome, it does not replace community intelligence in an era where the metagame can change daily with the release of new cards.

One of those cards is this one: Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas.

Tezzeret Agent of Bolas

We haven’t had a solid multi-color planeswalker since Ajani Vengeant, and even he took a while to catch on, not fitting in the lighting fast Boros deck. Tezzeret fits into so many archetypes in Scars of Mirrodin Block that he is certain to shape the format, and not getting four when you can will certainly be a crime.

I want you to look at his abilities before I touch briefly on the types of Block Constructed decks into which he fits.

[+1] Look at the top five cards of your library. You may reveal an artifact card from among them and put it into your hand. Put the rest on the bottom of your library in any order.

Unlike Zendikar, Mirrodin Block doesn’t have a lot of search and filter cards. This is a powerful one that is likely to connect with its target, especially in block constructed where decks contain a lot of artifacts. This ability also gives much needed card advantage and works well with other artifact based card advantage cards such as Ichor Wellspring.

[-1] Target artifact becomes a 5/5 artifact creature.

Hello, and thanks for playing. Once we find and cast our artifacts for the lowly price of 1 loyalty we can turn them into 5/5 beat sticks that can either defend Tezz or swing. This is an incredible win condition for any artifact deck with enough threat density. Lowly 1/1 or 2/1 artifact creatures are no longer vulnerable. Chargeless artifacts are now creatures providing for thier reuse.

[-4] Target Player looses X life and you gain X life where X is the number of artifacts you control.

This ability seems weak, but can still provide a buffer against some of the faster non infect decks in the format, or provide the last few points of reach.

Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas Decks

I see Tezzeret fitting into three archetypes in block constructed. The first is a traditional Architect deck that brings in Tezzeret as an alternate win condition and an updated card advantage engine. The second is Artifact Combo with Kuldotha Forgemaster. Tezzeret makes a great alternate win condition in case the combo gets hated out and provides much needed search for combo pieces. Finally I think Tezzeret fits perfectly into a new breed of U/B infect decks that can abuse proliferate and card advantage to turn a nearly endless supply of metal monsters into a game ending force.


Based on the deck provided by TriumphantReturn on MTG Salvation.

I will be testing these decks over the weekend while watching the continuing coverage from Magic Weekend: Paris. Follow me on Twitter @the_cardfather for immediate results.