Tezzeret's Gambit
Sorcery
(
can be paid with either 
or 2 life.)
Draw two cards, then proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)
- CMC
- 4
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- U
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- New Phyrexia
- Price
- $0.29
- EDHREC rank
- #914
Tezzeret's Gambit draws two cards and drops a proliferate trigger on every permanent with a counter — all for three mana with a Phyrexian cost that lets you shave it to two by paying two life. In counter-heavy builds, especially under Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus where that proliferate doubles, it's one of the most mana-efficient draw spells in the format.
Best Commanders
Commanders with the highest synergy
Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus doubles every proliferate trigger, so Tezzeret's Gambit becomes draw two and proliferate twice — absurd value for three mana or two life.
Ezuri, Stalker of Spheres
Ezuri, Stalker of Spheres draws a card whenever you proliferate, so Tezzeret's Gambit immediately triggers that ability while also drawing two cards on its own, turning one spell into a three-card swing.
Mizzix of the Izmagnus
Mizzix of the Izmagnus uses experience counters to reduce spell costs, and Tezzeret's Gambit proliferates those counters while simultaneously drawing into more spells to chain.
Jin-Gitaxias
Jin-Gitaxias accumulates progress counters to advance its saga chapters, and Tezzeret's Gambit accelerates that clock while refilling your hand — exactly the tempo a proliferate shell wants.
Inspirit, Flagship Vessel
Inspirit, Flagship Vessel cares about crew and mission counters, and Tezzeret's Gambit advances those counters while drawing into more action to press the advantage.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Tezzeret's Gambit is a Commander card first and foremost — the proliferate clause is largely irrelevant in non-multiplayer formats where counters build slowly and games end fast. In Legacy and Vintage it's legal but sees no meaningful play; decks there want unconditional two-mana draw or better, and paying three (or two life plus two mana) for a sorcery-speed cantrip with a conditional upside doesn't compete. Commander is where the card earns its slot: 100-card singleton slows the game enough that proliferate has time to snowball, and the Phyrexian mana clause makes the life payment genuinely attractive in the mid-game. Oathbreaker is the one other format where it can shine, since planeswalker loyalty counters make proliferate immediately impactful.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.29 bulk tier
At $0.29, Tezzeret's Gambit is firmly bulk — easy to pick up in any collection trade or $1 bin. That price reflects wide reprint availability rather than low power, so don't expect it to rise, but also don't hesitate to grab copies freely.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
- Tekuthal, Inquiry Dominus
- Ezuri, Stalker of Spheres
- Mizzix of the Izmagnus
- Jin-Gitaxias
- Inspirit, Flagship Vessel
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.