Zur the Eternal Schemer is a powerful and iconic card in Magic: The Gathering, especially in Commander format. Known for his unique combination of colors white, blue, and black and his ability to turn enchantments into creatures, Zur has inspired countless combo decks and strategies. Building around Zur isn’t just about control or tempo; it’s about leveraging his ability to fetch enchantments directly from the library and turning them into game-winning combos. Understanding how to design a strong Zur the Eternal Schemer combo deck is essential for players who want to dominate the battlefield with enchantment synergy, clever interactions, and efficient win conditions.
Overview of Zur the Eternal Schemer
Before diving into combos, it’s important to understand what makes Zur unique. As a 1/4 flyer with lifelink, Zur’s stats are modest. But his power lies in his static ability: he gives all enchantment creatures you control deathtouch, lifelink, and hexproof. Most importantly, his activated ability allows you to pay {1}{W}{U}{B} to turn any non-Aura enchantment you control into a creature with base power and toughness equal to its mana value. This opens up a wide variety of combo possibilities.
Core Strengths of Zur
- Enchantment tutoring from the battlefield
- Protection and lifegain through built-in hexproof and lifelink
- Flexible color identity for diverse combo potential
- Synergy with enchantments that can transform into creatures
Enchantment-Based Win Conditions
Zur the Eternal Schemer shines when supported by enchantments that generate value or directly lead to victory. Since he can make enchantments into creatures, you can design combos that abuse this interaction. Here are some of the most reliable enchantment-based win conditions:
Necropotence Combo Engine
Necropotence allows you to pay life to draw cards. Combined with lifelink on Zur and other enchantment creatures, this becomes a nearly infinite draw engine. Here’s how it works:
- Play Necropotence using Zur’s tutor or draw it naturally
- Pay life to exile cards
- Attack or activate Zur to turn enchantments into lifelink creatures
- Regain life through combat, loop card draw
With a card likeLaboratory ManiacorThassa’s Oracleon the board, this becomes a win condition when your library is depleted.
Opalescence and Parallax Wave Lock
Opalescence turns all enchantments into creatures. Pair it with Parallax Wave and some flicker interaction likeEstrid’s Invocationto create a lockdown:
- Use Parallax Wave to exile opponents’ creatures
- Flicker Parallax Wave with Estrid’s Invocation
- Reset Parallax Wave, reusing the exiling effect indefinitely
- Opponent creatures never return soft lock achieved
This Zur combo doesn’t instantly win but establishes control long enough to secure victory.
Classic Zur Combos Adapted for Eternal Schemer
Players familiar with the original Zur the Enchanter may remember combos likeZur + Necropotence + Yawgmoth’s Will. While Zur the Eternal Schemer plays differently, many old-school combo elements still apply, especially in enchantment-heavy builds.
Zur + Solemnity + Phyrexian Unlife
This combo prevents you from dying while making you effectively invincible:
- Solemnity prevents counters from being placed
- Phyrexian Unlife lets you survive damage below 0 life as long as you don’t get infect
- You cannot die to normal damage buying time for other win conditions
While not a win condition on its own, it creates a soft lock that buys time to set up a game-ending combo.
Making Enchantments Creatures for Value
One of the most underused parts of Zur the Eternal Schemer’s design is his ability to animate non-Aura enchantments. This can be used both offensively and defensively, especially with enchantments like:
- Ghostly Prison– Becomes a creature with lifelink and hexproof while still taxing attackers
- Smothering Tithe– Turns into a strong mana-generating attacker
- Rest in Peace– Becomes an indestructible blocker that nullifies graveyard strategies
Animating enchantments while maintaining their original effects gives Zur insane board value and flexibility.
Infinite Combos with Zur
If you’re looking for infinite loops, there are a few enchantment-based combos that allow you to win outright. One notable setup includes:
Enchanted Evening + Aura Thief
This combo steals every permanent on the battlefield:
- Play Enchanted Evening to make everything an enchantment
- Sacrifice or destroy Aura Thief
- Aura Thief steals all enchantments including lands, artifacts, creatures
- You gain control of the entire board
Use Zur to fetch Enchanted Evening and set up the combo piece by piece. It requires a sacrifice outlet or another way to destroy Aura Thief, but the result is a complete swing in board control.
Synergistic Cards to Include
To optimize your Zur combo deck, there are many key enchantments and support cards to consider. Here’s a short list of cards that synergize well with Zur the Eternal Schemer:
- Detention Sphere– Spot removal that becomes a protected threat
- Greater Auramancy– Grants shroud to other enchantments
- Seal of Doom– A creature that functions like instant-speed removal
- Flickering Ward– Reusable enchantment for draw engines
- Propaganda– Adds control while doubling as a creature with hexproof
Tips for Playing Zur the Eternal Schemer
Zur combo decks are fragile but rewarding. Timing and knowledge of the board state are key. Keep these tips in mind during gameplay:
- Use Zur’s ability carefully prioritize key enchantments first
- Protect Zur with hexproof, shroud, or counterspells
- Use enchantments that have utility before and after becoming creatures
- Look for lines where a single enchantment can enable multiple combos
- Always check for synergy with lifelink, especially for sustainability
Zur the Eternal Schemer offers a flexible and combo-rich experience in Commander and casual formats. By focusing on enchantments that can act as both utility pieces and game-winning threats, you can craft a deck that leverages Zur’s unique abilities to their fullest. Whether you’re locking down the board with soft control, assembling infinite loops, or creating an unstoppable board presence, Zur enables you to build a synergistic and explosive strategy. With the right pieces and timing, a Zur Eternal Schemer combo deck can dominate the table with elegance and precision.