MTG Eldrazi Guide: Titans, Decks, and Strategies – Part 3

3. The Eldrazi Titans: Gods Among Monsters

Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre

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Card Details and Abilities

Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre is one of the most iconic Eldrazi creatures in Magic: The Gathering. First introduced in the Rise of the Eldrazi set, this legendary creature embodies the cosmic horror and overwhelming power of the Eldrazi titans. Here are its key details:

• Mana Cost: {11}
• Type: Legendary Creature — Eldrazi
• Power/Toughness: 10/10
• Abilities:
  1. When you cast this spell, destroy target permanent.
  2. Indestructible
  3. Annihilator 4 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices four permanents.)
  4. When Ulamog is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles their graveyard into their library.

Ulamog’s high mana cost is offset by its game-changing abilities. The “cast trigger” allows for immediate impact, even if Ulamog is countered. Its indestructibility makes it a resilient threat, while Annihilator 4 can quickly decimate an opponent’s board state.

Strategies Built Around Ulamog

Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre has inspired various strategies across different Magic formats:

1. Ramp Strategies: Due to its high mana cost, Ulamog is often the centerpiece of ramp decks. These decks use mana-producing artifacts, land acceleration, and rituals to cast Ulamog as early as possible.
2. Reanimator Decks: Some strategies aim to cheat Ulamog into play by discarding it and then reanimating it with spells like Unburial Rites or Through the Breach.
3. Tron Decks: In Modern, Ulamog is a popular finisher in Tron decks, which use the Urza lands (Urza’s Mine, Urza’s Power Plant, and Urza’s Tower) to generate large amounts of mana quickly.
4. Commander/EDH: As a commander, Ulamog leads colorless decks focused on artifact ramp and board control. In the 99, it serves as a powerful finisher and answer to problematic permanents.
5. Tinker Strategies: In Vintage and some casual formats, Ulamog is a prime target for Tinker, allowing it to enter the battlefield much earlier than its mana cost would suggest.

Role in the MTG Storyline

Ulamog plays a crucial role in the Magic: The Gathering storyline, particularly in the Zendikar narrative arc:

1. Ancient Threat: Ulamog, along with Kozilek and Emrakul, is one of the three original Eldrazi titans. These beings are described as incomprehensibly old and powerful, existing outside the normal planes of the Multiverse.
2. Imprisonment on Zendikar: Thousands of years before the main storyline, Ulamog and the other titans were lured to Zendikar by three planeswalkers: Sorin Markov, Nahiri, and Ugin. They were then trapped using a complex network of hedrons and leylines.
3. The Eldrazi Release: During the events of the original Zendikar block, the Eldrazi were inadvertently released from their prison, with Ulamog being the first to fully emerge.
4. Devastation of Zendikar: Ulamog’s presence on Zendikar caused widespread destruction. Its spawn and drones, extensions of its will, consumed vast swathes of the plane, turning vibrant landscapes into chalky wastelands.
5. Battle for Zendikar: The conflict against Ulamog formed the central plot of the Battle for Zendikar block. Planeswalkers and Zendikari united to find a way to stop the titan’s rampage.
6. Defeat: In a controversial storyline decision, Ulamog was ultimately defeated and seemingly destroyed during the events of Oath of the Gatewatch, along with Kozilek. This act raised questions about the nature of the Eldrazi and the potential consequences of their destruction.

Ulamog’s presence in the story served to elevate the stakes of the conflict on Zendikar and provided a tangible, awe-inspiring threat that required the cooperation of multiple planeswalkers and the plane’s inhabitants to overcome.

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth

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Card Details and Abilities

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth is one of the most iconic Eldrazi creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This legendary creature card was first introduced in the Rise of the Eldrazi set and has since become a staple in various formats. Here are its key details:

• Mana Cost: {10}
• Type: Legendary Creature — Eldrazi
• Power/Toughness: 12/12
• Abilities:
  1. When you cast this spell, draw four cards.
  2. Annihilator 4 (Whenever this creature attacks, defending player sacrifices four permanents.)
  3. When Kozilek is put into a graveyard from anywhere, its owner shuffles their graveyard into their library.

Kozilek’s high mana cost is balanced by its powerful on-cast trigger and devastating combat ability. The card draw effect ensures value even if Kozilek is countered, while its massive body and Annihilator ability make it a formidable threat on the battlefield.

Unique Effects on Gameplay

Kozilek, Butcher of Truth has several unique effects that significantly impact gameplay:

1. Card Advantage: The “draw four cards” ability provides a substantial card advantage, potentially refilling the hand after spending resources to cast Kozilek.
2. Board Control: Annihilator 4 is one of the most powerful versions of this ability, forcing opponents to sacrifice a significant portion of their board state with each attack.
3. Graveyard Interaction: Kozilek’s ability to shuffle the graveyard back into the library when it’s put into a graveyard from anywhere serves multiple purposes:
   • It prevents reanimation strategies from abusing Kozilek.
   • It can be used as a tool to reset the library in situations where deck-out is a concern.
   • It interacts uniquely with cards that care about library manipulation.
4. Colorless Identity: As a colorless card, Kozilek can be included in any deck, regardless of color restrictions, making it a versatile threat in various strategies.
5. Psychological Impact: The mere presence of Kozilek in a deck can alter an opponent’s playstyle, as they must constantly be wary of its game-ending potential.

Lore and Flavor Text Analysis

Kozilek’s lore and flavor text provide deep insights into the nature of the Eldrazi and their impact on the Magic: The Gathering multiverse:

Flavor Text: “The Eldrazi hunger for the rich mana of Zendikar. They feed on it, and leave the land barren and lifeless.”

This flavor text encapsulates the essence of the Eldrazi threat. It portrays Kozilek and the other Eldrazi as cosmic entities that consume the very essence of planes, leaving destruction in their wake. The use of the word “hunger” anthropomorphizes these alien beings, making their threat more relatable and terrifying.

In the broader lore, Kozilek is known as the Titan of Distortion. Its presence warps reality, bending not just physical matter but the laws of nature themselves. This is reflected in its card design, where it distorts the normal flow of the game through its powerful abilities.

The title “Butcher of Truth” suggests that Kozilek’s influence extends beyond physical destruction. It implies a corruption or destruction of knowledge and reality itself, adding a cosmic horror element to its character.

Kozilek’s role in the story, along with the other Eldrazi titans, represents an existential threat to the entire multiverse. This elevated the stakes of Magic’s storyline, forcing planeswalkers and other characters to confront enemies beyond their comprehension, leading to significant character development and alliances that shaped future narratives.

The design and lore of Kozilek exemplify Magic: The Gathering’s ability to blend compelling gameplay mechanics with rich, evocative storytelling, creating a card that is as fascinating in its lore as it is powerful on the battlefield.

All Parts of the MTG Eldrazi Guide

• 1. Introduction: The Rise of the Eldrazi
• 2. What Are the Eldrazi?
• 3. The Eldrazi Titans: Gods Among Monsters
• 4. Eldrazi in Different MTG Formats
• 5. Top Eldrazi Cards Beyond the Titans
• 6. Eldrazi Deck Strategies
• 7. The Lore of the Eldrazi
• 8. Budget-Friendly Eldrazi Options
• 9. Collecting Eldrazi: From Commons to Mythics
• 10. The Future of Eldrazi in MTG
• 11. Conclusion: Embracing the Cosmic Horror