Tezzeret's SimulacrumHow it works & interactions with other cards

A Deadly Connection

Tezzeret's Simulacrum has a simple activated ability: you tap it, and a target opponent loses life. The amount of life lost is usually 1, but the ability checks for a specific condition as it resolves. If you control any planeswalker with the sub-type 'Tezzeret', the life loss increases to 3. This is a static check that happens during the ability's resolution, not when you activate it.

Resolving the Ability

First, you activate the ability by tapping the creature and choosing a target opponent. When the ability resolves, the game checks your battlefield for a Tezzeret planeswalker. If one is found, the 'instead' clause replaces the 1 life loss with 3. Because it is life loss and not damage, it cannot be prevented by effects that stop damage, and it does not cause planeswalkers to lose loyalty.

Common Mistakes

A common error is assuming that the Tezzeret must be on the battlefield when the ability is first put on the stack. In reality, you can activate the ability, and if a Tezzeret enters the battlefield before the ability resolves (perhaps via an effect with Flash), the opponent will lose 3 life. Conversely, if your Tezzeret is destroyed in response to the ability, the opponent will only lose 1 life.

When to Play It

This creature excels in grindy matchups where you can stall the board. Since it is an Artifact Creature — Golem, it benefits from artifact synergies and tribal bonuses. It serves as a reliable finisher if the board state becomes stalled, as its ability does not require the creature to attack, bypassing blockers entirely.

Interaction examples

The Golem Duo

Solemn Simulacrum

If you have both Golems on the battlefield, you can use Solemn Simulacrum to ramp into your Tezzeret planeswalker. Once the planeswalker is out, Tezzeret's Simulacrum's tap ability is upgraded to 3 life loss. If the opponent attacks, you can use the Solemn Simulacrum to block and die, drawing you a card to find more protection for your Tezzeret while the other Simulacrum continues to drain life.

Simulacrum Synergies

Roaming Throne

You play Roaming Throne and choose 'Golem' as the creature type. While Roaming Throne doubles triggered abilities, note that Tezzeret's Simulacrum has an activated ability (indicated by the colon). Therefore, Roaming Throne will not cause the life loss to trigger twice. However, if you have other Golems like Solemn Simulacrum, Roaming Throne will double their enter-the-battlefield and death triggers while Tezzeret's Simulacrum provides consistent pressure.