Black Waltz No. 3: Enchantment and Artifact Interactions Explained

In TCG ·

Black Waltz No. 3 card art, a legendary wizard with flying and deathtouch

Image courtesy of Scryfall.com

Enchantment and Artifact Interactions: A Red-Black Wizard’s Guide to Powering Noncreature Spells

In the grand tapestry of Magic: The Gathering, some creatures are content to swing for value on their own. Others, like Black Waltz No. 3, lean into the chaos of how you cast spells themselves. This legendary Wizard from the Final Fantasy crossover set leans heavily into a theme that many players adore: using noncreature spells to pressure the board while your opponent’s life total takes a steady, ominous beatdown. With Flying and Deathtouch in the wings, this two-color powerhouse (Black and Red) rewards a clever mix of tempo, reach, and spell economy 🧙‍♂️🔥. When you cast a noncreature spell, you don’t just advance your plan—you send a ping to every opponent, turning each spell into a moment of pressure and drama ⚔️💎.

“You fool. Do I look like some lowly black mage soldier?”

That flavorful line from the card’s lore hints at a character who embraces both ambition and a little theatrical menace. It isn’t just flavor—it's a wink to players who lean into the pivot from raw stats to game-changing triggers. The card’s text is clean, but the implications run deep: every noncreature spell you cast becomes a mini-crusade against your opponents, and you’re the conductor of that chaotic symphony 🎲🎨.

What the card does in practice

  • Stats and suite: A 2/2 with Flying and Deathtouch for a mana cost of 2BR (four mana total) places it squarely in midgame reach. The multicolor identity helps it slot into Rakdos-ish builds that crave midrange disruption with a dash of inevitability.
  • Core mechanic: "Whenever you cast a noncreature spell, Black Waltz No. 3 deals 2 damage to each opponent." That means each instant, sorcery, artifact spell, or enchantment you cast radiates extra pressure. The trigger scales with your spell repertoire, turning a handful of removal or draw spells into a rapid-fire chip damage across the table 🧙‍♂️⚡.
  • Color identity and combat text: The combination of black’s tax-and-control vibes with red’s fast, impulsive streak makes this card thrive in decks that want to keep opponents on their toes. Even when the creature itself is not the biggest threat, its presence encourages you to cast spells with purpose—and to time your noncreature spells for maximum damage distribution.
  • Art and flavor: The Final Fantasy crossover frame and the distinctive Lordigan artwork give the card a tactile presence at the table. The dark, swirling arcana paired with a hint of theatrical danger aligns with how you’ll often run your deck: sharp, stylish, and a touch ruthless 🔥🎨.

From a gameplay perspective, the trigger rewards tempo and spell density. If you’re playing a deck built around bouncing between spots of removal, draw, and utility, you’ll find your opponent’s life total slipping away not just from direct damage, but from a cascade of noncreature spells that each forge a new point of leverage. For players who enjoy enchantment or artifact subthemes, this card makes both lanes live in the same turn: you can cast an enchantment, watch it resolve, and at the same time pressure your foes with the Veteran Wizard’s retaliatory strike. It’s not just about the damage—it’s about weaving a narrative where every spell is a clock-hand, ticking toward a decision point your opponents may not anticipate 🧙‍♂️🕰️.

Deckbuilding ideas: harnessing noncreature spells

Because the trigger floors you a steady stream of damage as you cast noncreature spells, consider building around a robust pool of such spells. Here are some practical directions to explore:

  • Instant-speed disruption: Include a mix of counterspells, mystery removal, and bounce effects—anything that qualifies as a noncreature spell can feed the trigger. Instant-speed interaction means you can respond to threats while still pushing damage through on your next upkeep.
  • Artifact and enchantment variety: Artifacts and Enchantments present durable targets that support long game plans. Think of cheap accelerants, utility artifacts, or a suite of dependable enchantments that offer card advantage or incremental value. Your Black Waltz No. 3 will reward you for rotating through these spell types in a controlled cadence 🔧💎.
  • Red-black synergy: Cards that reward you for casting noncreature spells—think draw spells, rummaging effects, or direct damage—amplify your triggers while maintaining pressure on opponents. A well-timed sweep or a clever spell-storm-like sequence can swing a board state in a single turn when combined with this Wizard’s presence.
  • Protection and resilience: Because this is a creature with a defined disadvantage if it gets blocked by big, unthreatening behemoths, include some ways to protect it or to keep the board in your favor even if it’s not immediately attacking. A careful balance of tempo and protection keeps the dream alive.

In terms of card economics, this uncommon from the Final Fantasy crossover isn’t aimed at the top-end ladder, but it shines in flavorful, themed decks and multiplayer formats where spell density and political interactions drive the game. The card carries a modest price tag—low foil values and a handful of deck-prone EDH recs—yet its real value comes from the killer combination of flavor, synergy, and tempo. Even the artwork and flavor text invite a playful storytelling angle at your table, making it not just a playable piece but a memorable conversation starter 🧙‍♂️💬.

As you plan your days of drafting or casual Commander sessions, remember: the most satisfying moments aren’t always about who swings the hardest, but who bends the flow of the game to their will through smart spell sequencing. Black Waltz No. 3 offers a unique way to leash your noncreature spells into a controlled, thunderous cascade—one that can keep you in the lead even when the board looks uncertain. So polish your playstyle with patience, time your triggers like a maestro, and enjoy the dramatic, arcade-scale energy of a card that fuses strategy with storytelling 🧙‍♂️⚔️.

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