Bazaar TrademageHow it works & interactions with other cards

Efficiency with a Downside

Bazaar Trademage is designed to be a fast, aggressive threat. As a 3/4 flyer for three mana, it outclasses many other creatures at the same cost. Its enters-the-battlefield ability allows you to draw two cards, providing immediate card selection, but the requirement to discard three cards means you lose one net card from your hand. This makes it an excellent tool for decks that want to fill the graveyard or find specific pieces quickly.

Resolving the Ability

When Bazaar Trademage enters the battlefield, its triggered ability goes on the stack. Once that ability begins to resolve, you perform all actions in the order listed: first you draw two cards, then you discard three cards. This all happens as a single event; no player can cast spells or activate abilities between the drawing and the discarding. If you have fewer than three cards in hand after drawing, you must simply discard your entire remaining hand.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is assuming you can use the cards you just drew before you have to discard. Because the draw and discard are part of the same triggered ability, you cannot cast an Instant you just drew to avoid discarding it. Another mistake is forgetting that you still discard even if you have no cards in hand when the ability triggers; you simply draw two and then discard whatever is now in your hand.

Strategic Timing

The best time to play Bazaar Trademage is when your hand contains cards that have benefits in the graveyard, or when you desperately need to dig for a specific answer. Because it triggers on entering the battlefield, it is also highly synergistic with effects that copy triggered abilities or 'blink' creatures. Just be careful not to empty your hand too early if you cannot afford the card disadvantage.

Interaction examples

Doubling the Trade

Roaming Throne

If you have Roaming Throne on the battlefield with 'Human' or 'Wizard' chosen, Bazaar Trademage's ability triggers twice. You will draw two cards and discard three, then draw another two cards and discard another three. This allows you to see four new cards, but you will end up discarding six total!

Sequential Value

Solemn Simulacrum

If you cast Solemn Simulacrum first to fetch a land, you increase your hand size and thin your deck. When you follow up with Bazaar Trademage, you have more 'fodder' to discard, ensuring you can keep your most important spells while putting the land or the Simulacrum itself (if it dies later) to good use.

The Solo Filter

With only Bazaar Trademage, if you have one card in hand when it enters, you draw two cards (total of three) and then must discard all three. You are left with a 3/4 flyer but an empty hand.