Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant 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
Whenever you attack a player, tap target creature that player controls and goad it. (Until your next turn, that creature attacks each combat if able and attacks a player other than you if able.) Whenever an opponent attacks another one of your opponents, you and the attacking player each draw a card and lose 1 life.
Complete guide
Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant is a political powerhouse that forces your opponents into combat while rewarding them for fighting each other. As a legendary Beholder, it dictates the flow of battle by tapping down defenders and goading them into aggressive action. This commander turns every combat phase into a card-drawing engine, provided you aren't the one being targeted.
Master of Manipulation
Karazikar has two distinct triggered abilities. The first triggers whenever you attack a player, allowing you to tap and goad one of their creatures. The second is a symmetrical draw engine that triggers whenever an opponent attacks one of your other opponents. Note that 'attacking a player' means at least one creature must be declared as an attacker against that specific opponent during the Declare Attackers step.
The Goading Process
When you attack a player, Karazikar's first ability targets a creature they control. That creature is tapped and gains the goaded keyword. Until your next turn, that creature must attack each combat if able, and it must attack a player other than you if able. If the creature cannot attack another player (for example, if you are the only opponent left), it must still attack you if it is able to attack at all.
Strategic Incentives
The second ability triggers once per opponent attacked. If Opponent A attacks Opponent B, Karazikar triggers, causing both you and Opponent A to draw a card and lose 1 life. This encourages your rivals to ignore you in favor of attacking each other for resources. However, if an opponent attacks you, or attacks a planeswalker or battle, this ability does not trigger.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake is thinking Karazikar triggers when you attack a Planeswalker; the text specifically requires attacking a 'player.' Additionally, remember that goad is a requirement. If a goaded creature is affected by a cost to attack (like Propaganda), the owner isn't forced to pay that cost, and if they don't, the creature isn't able to attack.
Interaction examples
Solemn SimulacrumYou declare an attack against an opponent who controls a Solemn Simulacrum. Karazikar's ability triggers, targeting the Simulacrum. The Simulacrum becomes tapped and goaded. Because it is now tapped, it cannot be declared as a blocker during the 'Declare Blockers' step of your turn, clearing the path for your attackers.
Roaming ThroneWith Roaming Throne on the battlefield naming 'Beholder', Karazikar's abilities trigger an additional time. If you attack a player, you target and goad two of their creatures. If an opponent attacks another opponent, Karazikar's draw ability triggers twice, resulting in you and the attacking opponent drawing two cards and losing 2 life total.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Karazikar, the Eye Tyrant
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
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