Tezzeret the Schemer
Oracle Text
+1: Create a colorless artifact token named Etherium Cell with "
, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color."−2: Target creature gets +X/-X until end of turn, where X is the number of artifacts you control.
−7: You get an emblem with "At the beginning of combat on your turn, target artifact you control becomes an artifact creature with base power and toughness 5/5."
Card Rulings
2/9/2017 The value of X for Tezzeret’s second ability is determined only as the ability resolves. It won’t change later in the turn if the number of artifacts you control changes.
2/9/2017 The effect of the emblem’s triggered ability lasts indefinitely.
2/9/2017 An artifact that becomes a creature due to the emblem’s ability can’t attack unless you’ve controlled it continuously since your turn began. It doesn’t matter whether or not it was a creature at that time.
2/9/2017 An artifact creature targeted by the emblem’s ability becomes 5/5 instead of its normal power and toughness.
2/9/2017 A Vehicle targeted by the emblem’s ability becomes a 5/5 creature. Crewing it won’t change its power and toughness.
2/9/2017 If an Equipment becomes a creature, it becomes unattached and it can’t be attached to a creature.
The -x-x option is also weak, need a whole lot of effort to kill creatures on curve with this. This is not a format where you can easily have 3 artifacts out by turn 4, and that isn't enough to kill some threats even.
Finally the ultimate is really weak.
Most of all though this does nothing by itself, you need board presence to use the -2 and cards at hand to use the +1. The etherium tokens should have been 1/1s at least and even then this card was weak, now it's one of the worst planeswalkers ever.
In older formats the abilities get better but he isn't close enough to be even considered in older formats
Yeah quick artifact generators are a definite must. Such as Tezzeret himself. Or, I don't know, the entirety of Kaladesh?
Sweet jesus this card is not worth the poo-pooing people are spewing out.
At 4 mana, this guy needs to be better. I don't even see people using him in EDH/Commander.
He'll be a $5 planeswalker.
He's like the new Tybalt.
The ultimate is cute with vehicles. Not game winning but it would be broken if it was. Still not something I'd want to face against a grindy deck.
The -2 is terrible. He won't be able to defend himself. But his high starting loyalty is a form of defense.
Can see this absorbing a bunch of damage and sprouting an early Noxious Gearhulk or helping crack clue tokens.
IF you can pull that off, Tez becomes overwhelming and can take over a game. With that said, protecting this guy (even in control colors) for the two turns needed to ult (much less the three turns needed to "safely" ult) is... difficult in the current meta.
Look at cards like Era of Innovation, Underhanded Designs, or Contraband Kingpin. They would love to have a free trigger every single turn. Syndicate Trafficker gets easy fodder for +1/+1 counters, Shrewd Negotiation lets you trade a Lotus Petal for their best thing, and so many "as long as you control an artifact" cards just get better.
And lets not forget the set he's coming in. From the Quicksmith cycle to the new Improvise mechanic, Aether Revolt appears to have a strong theme of giving artifacts you control extra utility. If you have lots of cards with Improvise, those Lotus Petals become mana rocks.
His -2 can double as pump and removal, depending on the number of artifacts you control. Excellent. With his high starting loyalty, you might be able to afford to take a threat out.
Turning your artifacts into creatures PERMANENTLY is so good. You can animate your Vehicles. You can turn your Lotus Petals into beatsticks. It might not win you the game immediately, but it will win you the game in an artifact deck.