How to use Lazav.
Standard forum
Posted on Nov. 5, 2013, 11:17 a.m. by Zicca21
I like Lazav, Dimir Mastermind quite a bit and his ability loves mill, but is there a really great way to build a deck around him?
GreatSword says... #3
He's really only as good as your opponent's newly-dead creature card. I mean think of the things that have to happen (in order) for this guy to not just be a UUBB Hill Giant with hexproof.
Your opponent has a creature you want to copy.
You have a suitable Doom Blade for killing said creature.
He can certainly be fun for casual play, making some great stories, but I wouldn't take him to the local GP.
November 5, 2013 12:07 p.m.
But you don't need to kill a creature, it just has to be put in an opponent's graveyard, from anywhere. Duress or Thoughtseize would give you a specific card while Tome Scour just gives you a chance.
November 5, 2013 1:43 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #5
Duress only does instants and sorceries. Tome Scour is a chance, and that chance is meh.
In control, I only run 4-6 creatures, meaning, that tome scour isnt going to hit a whole lot, mostly land. And control is on top right now, so that's what you would have to take into consideration.
November 5, 2013 2:32 p.m.
just to nitpick, Duress hit's non-land and non-creature cards, so it does instants, sorceries, enchantments, and planeswalkers. Still doesn't help with Lazav, but I just wanted to point out it hits more than instants and sorceries.
November 5, 2013 4:07 p.m.
vampirelazarus says... #7
Too nitpick even further, it also does artifacts.
:P
November 5, 2013 4:10 p.m.
infinitemana says... #9
There are plenty of decks with Lazav on the site that you could check out.
November 5, 2013 5:22 p.m.
You could probably run Esper control with him in there, because the countered creatures would go to the graveyard
November 5, 2013 6:05 p.m.
If your opponent plays control then Lazav, Dimir Mastermind still has hexproof to fend off Doomblade or bounce cards. He can still get hit with Supreme Verdict or Anger of the Gods , but then no card is perfect; don't write him off.
vampirelazarus says... #2
In EDH, its easier. In standard, I don't think it would be of much impact.
November 5, 2013 11:23 a.m.