M:tG Precon Decon - Return to Ravnica Part 2: Izzet Ingenuity

Nostalgic ramblings about preconstructed theme decks from Magic: the Gathering's history. In this video, I look at Izzet Ingenuity from the 2012 Return to Ravnica expansion. #mtg #MagictheGathering #casualMtG

[jameslabbe]

Izzet is a top favorite guild for me for its zany flavor, humor, and impulsive play style. Thoughtflare has always been a pet card for me, a smidge expensive IMO, but the art and effect perfectly represent the card and the philosophy of the guild itself. Goblin Test Pilot would have also been great here too.

[ProudNitro]

This precon was the deck that got me into Magic. I've tried to keep some idea of this deck alive throughout the years I've played on and off, but I think the latest version is the one I'm happiest with. I spent a lot of time trying to navigate this weird midrange/control space that topped out with Niv-Mizzet and just doesn't make much sense. Today in Pioneer, I think it might consist of Delver of Secrets / Monastery Swiftspear and the cheapest instants around - but I'll never give up my Guttersnipe and Goblin Electromancer!

[Shadow]

Any card that has an effect that hits everythign that isn't yours is quite powerful in commander especially as a lot of players tend to over commit in Commander because it's viewed as a "casual" format so people don't expect much interaction from their opponents. Or at least it used to be I don't really play anymore so my opinion may be based on old information.

The deck seems like a pretty good deck it's nice that the rares aren't just both gigantic overcosted creature I think I would have liked more instants and sorceries and fewer creatures though.

[Reuben.Aotearoa]

It doesn’t specify what colour its eyes are so it’s not a very Yu-Gi-Oh name. But it’s a weird card: it’s Air Elemental with haste, the ability doesn’t really matter all that much and would have been better to be on a 2 mana dude or something instead.

Guttersnipe is what you spend your removal on playing against this deck. Holding onto it on the off chance it’s played, even. Absolute lynchpin.

I have both this and the Guildpact Izzet deck: I think this one is better, but the older one is more fun. Maybe because it is much trickier to pilot and feels better when you manage to win with it? They do share a bit of inconsistency: sometimes you drop that early snipe and just tempo your way to a win on the back of that. Or one of the big haste creatures comes out of nowhere and blindsides them. But there’s also times it doesn’t really work.