Tezzeret, Artifice MasterHow it works & interactions with other cards

Token Production and Card Advantage

Tezzeret's primary function is to protect himself while building your resource base. His +1 ability creates a 1/1 Thopter token, providing a flying blocker and increasing your artifact count. This synergizes perfectly with his 0 ability, which allows you to draw a card, or two cards if you control three or more artifacts. Since the Thopters he creates are artifacts, he effectively fuels his own draw engine over just a couple of turns.

The Path to the Emblem

If you manage to activate Tezzeret's -9 ability, you gain an emblem that triggers at the beginning of every one of your end steps. This ability searches your library for any permanent card and puts it directly onto the battlefield. Because it happens every turn for free, it quickly creates an insurmountable advantage by tutoring for your best creatures, enchantments, or other planeswalkers.

Timing and Triggers

It is important to understand the timing of the emblem's effect. The ability triggers 'at the beginning of your end step.' If you put a permanent onto the battlefield using this effect, and that permanent has an ability that also triggers 'at the beginning of your end step,' it will not trigger during that specific turn. The window for beginning-of-end-step triggers has already passed by the time the new permanent enters.

Strategic Deployment

Tezzeret is best played in decks that can reliably maintain at least two other artifacts to ensure his 0 ability always draws two cards. He is a high-priority target for opponents because he generates flyers and card draw simultaneously. Use his +1 ability immediately if you need blockers, or his 0 ability if you are hunting for answers in your deck.

Interaction examples

Building the Thopter Swarm

Thopter

You cast Tezzeret, Artifice Master and use his +1 ability. This creates a 1/1 colorless Thopter artifact creature token with flying. On your next turn, you can use the +1 again to create a second Thopter. With two Thopters and Tezzeret on board, you are one artifact away from unlocking his 'draw two cards' bonus for the 0 ability.

Mastering Card Draw

ThopterUgin, the Ineffable

If you control two Thopter tokens and Ugin, the Ineffable, you have three artifacts (as tokens are permanents). When you activate Tezzeret's 0 ability, the game checks your artifact count. Since you meet the requirement of three or more, you draw two cards instead of one, all without losing any loyalty counters.

End Step Tutoring

Tezzeret, Artifice Master EmblemJace, Wielder of Mysteries

During your end step, the Tezzeret, Artifice Master Emblem triggers. You search your library for a permanent card, such as Jace, Wielder of Mysteries, and put it onto the battlefield. You then shuffle your library. Jace is now on the field ready to be used on your next turn, or to provide a passive victory condition if your library is empty.