Lazav vs Undead Alchemist

Deck Help forum

Posted on Feb. 27, 2013, 11:24 a.m. by thulcandra

I need some help understanding 2 things.

1. Lazav, Dimir Mastermind can only copy one creature at a time correct? I can't have him become a copy of Boros Reckoner and of Avacyn's Pilgrim (not that this combo would be exceptionally helpful). I ran into this problem a couple games ago when I realized that his card has no specifics of how many cards he can become a copy of.
2. Does Undead Alchemist's 2nd effect resolve before Lazav's? Meaning, can I copy the creature onto Lazav and then exile it or does it get exiled b/c its going to the graveyard?

ChiefBell says... #2

Regarding Lazav - he becomes a copy of the last card to have entered the graveyard. Copy by definition means he can't have the abilities of two cards because then he wouldn't be a copy of either of them. He has to be exactly the same as that last card.

I don't know about the second problem.

February 27, 2013 11:40 a.m.

MagnorCriol says... #3

Both Lazav and Alchemist have triggered abilities, so when the appropriate event happens and they both trigger, you get to choose the order of the triggers. You can choose to put Alchemist's on the stack first, then Lazav's, meaning Lazav's trigger will resolve first (making him a copy) before the Alchemist's trigger exiles the card.

Note that even with Alchemist on the field, cards still hit the graveyard. The creature cards are just exiled after they go there. If the ability didn't let the cards go to the graveyard at all, it would be a replacement effect worded something like "If a creature card would be put into an opponent's graveyard from his or her library, exile it instead. If you do..." Sort of like Leyline of the Void.

February 27, 2013 12:17 p.m.

MagnorCriol says... #4

Forgot to add, ChiefBell got it right on the first question. He can't be a copy of two things at once.

February 27, 2013 12:18 p.m.

Rhadamanthus says... #5

In addition to what's been said already, Lazhav will still become a copy of the creature if you have Alchemist's trigger resolve first. The game will use last-known-information about the card as it last existed in the graveyard.

February 27, 2013 2:32 p.m.

MagnorCriol says... #6

That's a good point. I hadn't really thought about that. But yeah, thanks to the way he's worded LKI is invoked. Interesting. Generally I only associate LKI with things no longer on the battlefield.

February 27, 2013 2:44 p.m.

thulcandra says... #7

Thanks to all of you for the clarification.

February 27, 2013 4:57 p.m.