Vizkopa Guildmage MTG Card


Vizkopa Guildmage offers adaptability and incremental advantage without relying on direct card draw. Its activated abilities at instant speed can decisively alter the game state and surprise opponents. While powerful, it requires a dedicated Orzhov mana base and careful resource management.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Wizard
Power 2
Toughness 2

Text of card

: Target creature gains lifelink until end of turn. : Whenever you gain life this turn, each opponent loses that much life.


Cards like Vizkopa Guildmage

Vizkopa Guildmage stands out in MTG as a unique multi-faceted creature card. It bears comparison with other cards that offer life manipulation abilities such as Syndic of Tithes, which also hails from the Orzhov guild. However, unlike the Syndic’s ability to simply extort extra life from the opponent when you cast spells, Vizkopa Guildmage elevates the game with its second ability, enabling any life gain to also cause equivalent life loss to an opponent.

Another comparable card is Cliffhaven Vampire, which, similar to the Guildmage, turns life gain into opponent life loss. However, Vizkopa Guildmage possesses the capacity to influence all life gain effects for a turn, not just ones triggered by cards entering the battlefield or creatures attacking like Cliffhaven Vampire. Lastly, Sanguine Bond’s enchantment mirrors the Guildmage’s intimidating second ability, yet it is not as flexible due to its higher mana cost and dependency on being on the field without the functional benefits of a creature.

Overall, while there are other cards that can serve a similar purpose, Vizkopa Guildmage provides a dynamic and potentially game-ending combo piece that can be tactically advantageous in life-centric MTG decks.

Syndic of Tithes - MTG Card versions
Cliffhaven Vampire - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Bond - MTG Card versions
Syndic of Tithes - MTG Card versions
Cliffhaven Vampire - MTG Card versions
Sanguine Bond - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Vizkopa Guildmage by color, type and mana cost

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Putrid Warrior - MTG Card versions
Triumphant Adventurer - MTG Card versions
Shaile, Dean of Radiance // Embrose, Dean of Shadow - MTG Card versions
Silverquill Silencer - MTG Card versions
Mourning Thrull - MTG Card versions
Suture Spirit - MTG Card versions
Nightsky Mimic - MTG Card versions
Cloistered Youth // Unholy Fiend - MTG Card versions
Loyal Cathar // Unhallowed Cathar - MTG Card versions
Cartel Aristocrat - MTG Card versions
High Priest of Penance - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Edge - MTG Card versions
Chief of the Scale - MTG Card versions
Karlov of the Ghost Council - MTG Card versions
Wayward Servant - MTG Card versions
Legion Lieutenant - MTG Card versions
Syndicate Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Cruel Celebrant - MTG Card versions
Corpse Knight - MTG Card versions
Wintermoor Commander - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Vizkopa Guildmage. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Orzhov ComboOrzhov Combo ModernOrzhov Scam#30 Last Chance Qualifier: Modern

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The versatility of Vizkopa Guildmage abilities promotes incremental card advantage by offering multiple options within a single card. While it does not draw cards directly, it provides sustained value as long as it remains on the battlefield. This adaptability enables players to tailor their strategy effectively in response to the game state.

Resource Acceleration: Though not a direct ramp tool, Vizkopa Guildmage’s second ability can significantly amplify life gain effects, which could translate into larger swings in lifepoints and indirectly lead to a form of resource acceleration against opponents. This acceleration occurs in the context of gaining an advantage that could otherwise require multiple spells or turns to achieve.

Instant Speed: The Vizkopa Guildmage’s abilities can be activated at instant speed, offering significant strategic depth. Players can respond to opponents’ actions or end-of-turn situations to optimize the timing of life swings or damage. This reactive potential keeps opponents guessing and allows for surprise shifts in the board state that can turn the tide of a game.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Vizkopa Guildmage doesn’t directly require a discard, many strategies involving life gain or loss may necessitate additional resources, sometimes leading players to discard cards for optimization, potentially depleting their hand.

Specific Mana Cost: This Guildmage demands a precise Orzhov color combination of white and black mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can consistently produce those colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost tied to its abilities, it might be challenging to utilize the card’s full potential in a single turn without significant mana investment, which might be inefficient compared with other options in the same mana range.


Reasons to Include Vizkopa Guildmage in Your Collection

Versatility: Vizkopa Guildmage serves multiple roles within a variety of decks. It can act as a life-gain enabler, a damage dealer through its second ability, or as a key supportive creature in Orzhov-themed decks. The flexibility to fit into both aggressive and control strategies makes it a valuable asset.

Combo Potential: Capable of comboing with cards that grant you life, Vizkopa Guildmage has significant potential to swing games. Pairing it with high life-gain cards can create a situation where opponents are rapidly losing life as you gain it, often leading to unexpected wins.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where lifegain strategies are prevalent and effective, having Vizkopa Guildmage in your arsenal adds depth to your gameplay. Against certain metagames, it can provide essential pressure by turning what is usually a defensive strategy into a formidable offensive one.


How to Beat Vizkopa Guildmage

Vizkopa Guildmage is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering that can pose significant threats on the battlefield with its life-drain abilities. A savvy tactic against this guildmage is to employ instant-speed removal spells, targeting it before its controller has the opportunity to utilize its activated abilities. Cards such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push work well here due to their low mana costs and efficiency in handling creatures.

Another effective strategy to contend with Vizkopa Guildmage is to limit the opponent’s life gain options, thus rendering the guildmage’s second ability less impactful. Applying pressure with aggressive creatures can hinder your opponent’s ability to stabilize their life total and capitalize on Vizkopa Guildmage’s skill set. Moreover, including graveyard disruption in your deck, such as Tormod’s Crypt or Scavenging Ooze, can counter the combo potential that this card presents when paired with recurring life gain effects from graveyard mechanics.

In conclusion, by keeping these strategies in mind and having the right answers at critical moments, you can mitigate the threat of Vizkopa Guildmage and maintain control of the game pace, avoiding the deadly life swings it can generate.


BurnMana Recommendations

Diving into the intricate world of MTG, the Vizkopa Guildmage emerges as a beacon of strategy and adaptability, especially for aficionados of the Orzhov Syndicate. This card stands as a testament to the power of life manipulation in gameplay. If you’ve felt the thrill of orchestrating a masterful combo or the satisfaction of outmaneuvering your opponent through clever life gains and losses, you’ll understand the Guildmage’s allure. Augmenting your collection and strategizing with Vizkopa Guildmage can elevate your deck to new heights. Enrich your MTG knowledge and gameplay with us as you discover the full potential of this multifaceted card. Join our community for insights and strategies that can transform your play experience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Vizkopa Guildmage MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Commander 2013, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Vizkopa Guildmage and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Vizkopa Guildmage Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 2062003NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22013-11-01Commander 2013C13 2252003NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
32017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 2112015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 472015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Vizkopa Guildmage has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vizkopa Guildmage card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2017-11-17 Each time Vizkopa Guildmage’s second ability resolves, a delayed triggered ability is created. Whenever you gain life that turn, each of those abilities will trigger. For example, if you activate the second ability twice, let those abilities resolve, then gain 2 life, each opponent will lose a total of 4 life.
2017-11-17 In a Two-Headed Giant game, Vizkopa Guildmage’s delayed triggered ability causes the opposing team to lose twice the life you gained.
2017-11-17 Multiple instances of lifelink on the same creature are redundant.