Emeritus of Conflict

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A 2cmc 2/2 first strike Human Wizard with a "Prepared" keyword that bundles a Lightning Bolt face — providing a 1cmc instant that deals 3 damage to any target as the back half. The creature face is an efficient aggro/tempo threat, and the Lightning Bolt mode is the iconic burn spell. Together this package is premier in red aggro, burn, tempo, and spellslinger shells. At 25 life in Brawl the Bolt face is especially punishing, pushing the card to tier-1 there.

• The 'Prepared' keyword on this card functions like an adventure or dual-face mechanic, letting you cast the Lightning Bolt face independently — the 3-damage instant is not a cost or activated ability but a separately castable spell.

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• Despite the Bolt face being iconic, the creature half's first strike on a 2/2 for 2 is the primary Commander pull — it makes wizard/human typal decks more interested than pure spellslinger shells.

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• In Brawl at 25 starting life, a bundled Lightning Bolt on a permanent is significantly stronger than in Commander where 3 damage to a player is largely irrelevant against 40 life.

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• EDHREC rank: #13,089