Artisan of Kozilek is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
When you cast this spell, you may return target creature card from your graveyard to the battlefield. Annihilator 2 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices two permanents of their choice.)
Complete guide
Artisan of Kozilek is a massive Eldrazi that brings both recursion and destruction to the table. As a colorless powerhouse, it provides utility immediately upon being cast, followed by the terrifying pressure of the Annihilator keyword.
Understanding the Cast Trigger
Artisan of Kozilek has a unique ability that triggers 'when you cast' the spell. This means the ability to return a creature from your graveyard to the battlefield goes on the stack on top of the Artisan itself. This ability will resolve even if the Artisan of Kozilek is countered by an opponent, as the trigger exists independently of the spell on the stack.
The Destruction of Annihilator
Whenever Artisan of Kozilek attacks, its Annihilator 2 ability triggers during the declare attackers step. The defending player must choose and sacrifice two permanents they control before they have the chance to declare any blockers. This ensures that resources, including potential blockers or lands, are removed from the board before combat damage is even a consideration.
Common Strategic Mistakes
A common error is forgetting that Annihilator triggers regardless of who or what is being attacked. If Artisan of Kozilek attacks a planeswalker, the defending player still sacrifices permanents. If that planeswalker is sacrificed to the Annihilator trigger, the Artisan remains an attacking creature, though it will deal no combat damage if it remains unblocked.
When to Deploy the Artisan
You should aim to play Artisan of Kozilek when you have a high-value target in your graveyard to maximize the 'Enter the Battlefield' value. Because it costs nine mana, it is often a finisher intended to break a board stall by forcing the opponent to lose their best permanents every turn through Annihilator.
Interaction examples
Kozilek, Butcher of TruthIf Kozilek, Butcher of Truth is in your graveyard, you can cast Artisan of Kozilek and target it with the cast trigger. Before Artisan of Kozilek even enters the battlefield, Kozilek, Butcher of Truth is returned to the battlefield. Note that you do not get to draw four cards from Kozilek because it was put onto the battlefield, not cast.
Summon: BahamutWhen you cast Artisan of Kozilek, you can return Summon: Bahamut from your graveyard to the battlefield. Since Summon: Bahamut is an Enchantment Creature, it is a legal target for the Artisan's ability. It will enter with its first lore counter, allowing you to destroy a nonland permanent immediately, effectively removing three permanents between the Saga and the Artisan's first attack.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Artisan of Kozilek
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
Annihilator abilities trigger and resolve during the declare attackers step. The defending player chooses and sacrifices the required number of permanents before they declare blockers. Any creatures sacrificed this way won't be able to block.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
If a creature with annihilator is attacking a planeswalker, and the defending player chooses to sacrifice that planeswalker, the attacking creature continues to attack. It may be blocked. If it isn't blocked, it simply won't deal combat damage to anything.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
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Meta decks with Artisan of Kozilek
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.