The Ozolith

The Ozolith Full Guide

Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths Rare
Mana Cost: {1}
Type: Legendary Artifact
The Ozolith Text:
Whenever a creature you control leaves the battlefield, if it had counters on it, put those counters on The Ozolith. At the beginning of combat on your turn, if The Ozolith has counters on it, you may move all counters from The Ozolith onto target creature.
Flavor:
As it twists, so does all life around it.
Artist: Sam Burley
Collector Number: 237
Release Date: 2020-04-24
Art crop
Cards Mentioned in This Review
These cards are referenced in the strategy guide below

Strategy Guide

Last updated 2025-06-30
TL;DR Summary

The Ozolith

This rare, legendary artifact has a moderate power level due to its ability to accumulate counters from creatures that leave the battlefield. It's most useful in Commander decks that rely on counterspells or have a high creature turnover rate.

Use The Ozolith to:

  • Amass counters: Put counters from departing creatures onto the artifact for potential future use.
  • Boost your creatures: Move counters from The Ozolith to targeted creatures at the beginning of combat, enhancing their power and toughness.

The Ozolith is relatively popular in Commander (EDH) decks due to its versatility. It's a great fit for strategies that involve creatures with counters or have a high creature turnover rate.

Card Mechanics & Interactions

The Ozolith is a rare legendary artifact with a unique ability that allows it to accumulate and redistribute counters from creatures on the battlefield.

Card Rules:

  • The Ozolith has no power or toughness, making it irrelevant in combat.
  • Whenever a creature you control leaves the battlefield, if it had counters on it, put those counters on The Ozolith. This is an activated ability that triggers when a creature leaves the battlefield and was under your control at some point during its turn.

Keyword Abilities:

  • There are no keyword abilities to speak of; The Ozolith relies solely on its Oracle Text for functionality.

How it Functions on the Stack and Battlefield:

When a creature you control with counters on it leaves the battlefield, the triggered ability resolves, moving those counters to The Ozolith. This can happen in various situations:

  • A creature dies (e.g., due to damage) and its counters are transferred to The Ozolith.
  • A creature is sacrificed or exiled (e.g., by Elixir of Life) and its counters are moved to The Ozolith.

At the beginning of combat on your turn, if The Ozolith has counters on it, you may move all counters from The Ozolith onto target creature. This ability triggers at the start of combat, allowing you to potentially buff a creature with the accumulated counters:

  • You can use this ability to give a creature a temporary boost in power and toughness.
  • Since it's an activated ability that only costs 0 (no mana), you can freely move counters from The Ozolith onto any target creature during your turn.

Edge Cases:

  • If a creature leaves the battlefield due to Fading or Ephemeral, its counters will still be transferred to The Ozolith.
  • If a creature is sent to exile by an effect (e.g., Exile Card Name), its counters will not be moved to The Ozolith, as it's no longer on the battlefield.

Unusual Rules Interactions:

  • Be cautious when using The Ozolith with Aqueous Form, as moving counters from The Ozolith onto a creature that gains +X/+X can lead to unintended counter accumulation.
  • If you have multiple creatures with counters, be mindful of potential cascading effects; for example, if one creature's counters move to The Ozolith and another creature then moves those counters to a third creature, it could create an infinite loop.

Commander-Specific Quirks:

  • As a rare legendary artifact, The Ozolith can contribute to the card advantage in a Commander deck.
  • In combination with other artifacts or creatures that generate counters (e.g., Flickering Ward), The Ozolith can become a powerful tool for creating and manipulating counter balances.

Keep in mind that this analysis focuses on the mechanical aspects of The Ozolith; Commander-specific considerations may vary depending on the player's playstyle, deck archetype, and personal preferences.

Strategic Applications

The Ozolith is a versatile and strategic artifact that can be integrated into various Commander decks. Its primary function is to accumulate counters from creatures that leave the battlefield, allowing for their redeployment onto another creature at the beginning of combat.

Azorius Control: In Azorius Control decks, The Ozolith pairs well with Archmage's Charm, enabling the player to move counters around strategically and maintain a strong board presence. This archetype benefits significantly from The Ozolith's ability to redirect counters towards more relevant creatures.

WUB (White-Blue-Urza) Midrange: In WUB midrange decks, The Ozolith complements cards like Sword of Feast and Famine by providing an additional means to apply pressure with flying creatures. By moving counters from The Ozolith onto a target creature, players can ensure their flyers remain relevant despite taking damage.

Golgari (Green-Blue-Black) Midrange: Golgari midrange decks often feature Grafdigger's Cage, which, combined with The Ozolith, enables players to remove threats more effectively. By accumulating counters on The Ozolith and moving them onto a creature, the player can create an unstoppable threat.

Niche Builds:

  • Eldrid Lurcher-based decks benefit from The Ozolith's ability to move counters around and maintain its 5/5 trampler with Eldrid Lurcher.
  • Atraxa, Praetors' Voice decks can use The Ozolith to redirect counters towards Atraxa for increased damage output.

In terms of competitive play, The Ozolith is most valuable in formats where midrange strategies are prevalent. It excels at preserving creatures with valuable abilities or large power/toughness values while also allowing players to redeploy their flyers and maintain board presence.

Advanced Techniques

The Ozolith is a versatile artifact that can be used in various Commander decks to create complex synergies and interactions. Its ability to accumulate counters from creatures that leave the battlefield makes it an attractive target for cards like Eldrazi Conscription, which allows you to exile creatures with counters, putting them onto The Ozolith.

One of the most interesting uses of The Ozolith is in combination with cards like Berserk and Conclave Cavalier. These creatures can be equipped with auras or equips that grant them additional power or toughness. When they die, their counters are transferred to The Ozolith, which can then be used to boost the power and toughness of another creature at the beginning of combat.

Another strategy involves using Soul Wist to exile creatures with counters, forcing you to put those counters onto The Ozolith. You can then use Eternal Witness or other recursion tools to bring back a creature that was exiled, transferring its counters back onto itself.

In more aggressive decks, The Ozolith can be used in conjunction with cards like Maelstrom Pulse and Rapid Fire-Hippo, allowing you to quickly accumulate counters on creatures before moving them onto another target. This can create complex combat interactions and make it difficult for opponents to defend against your attacks.

The Ozolith's ability to move counters from itself onto a creature also has implications for cards like Trostani's Summoner and Atraxa, Praetors' Voice. These planeswalkers rely on having a large number of creatures with counters in order to generate card advantage. By using The Ozolith as a counter accumulator, you can create an environment where these planeswalkers are extremely powerful.

Overall, the interactions and synergies created by The Ozolith make it a valuable addition to any Commander deck that can take advantage of its unique abilities.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes to Avoid with The Ozolith

The Ozolith is a complex and powerful artifact that can be tricky to use effectively, especially in Commander. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

  • Failing to protect the counters: When a creature leaves the battlefield, make sure to trigger the ability that puts its counters on The Ozolith. If you don't, those counters will disappear.
  • Not moving counters at the right time: At the beginning of combat, if The Ozolith has counters on it, be sure to move them onto a target creature. This is especially important in multiplayer games where multiple creatures are involved.
  • Using The Ozolith as a sacrifice : While The Ozolith can generate value from sacrificing creatures, using it as a sacrifice itself is often not the best option. You'll lose access to its abilities and the counters on it will be wasted.
  • Not pairing with counter-generating sources: To get the most out of The Ozolith, you need to pair it with cards that generate counters regularly. Cards like Counterflux or Tireless Tracker can help keep The Ozolith stocked with counters.

Timing issues are critical when using The Ozolith effectively. Here's a rough outline of how its abilities interact:

  • Creatures leaving the battlefield: Whenever a creature you control leaves, check if it had any counters on it. If so, trigger the ability that puts those counters on The Ozolith.
  • Beginning of combat: At the beginning of your turn, check if The Ozolith has counters on it. If it does, move all those counters onto a target creature.

By being mindful of these timing issues and avoiding common mistakes, you can unlock The Ozolith's full potential in Commander.

Conclusion

The Ozolith is a rare legendary artifact from the Ixalan set. It's a unique card that offers a combination of value and potential, making it an attractive addition to various decks and strategies.

Prices and Reprint Status

As a rare card, The Ozolith has a relatively high price point, with a non-foil version costing $37.51 USD (or 26.20 EUR). Unfortunately, there has been no reprint of this card yet, making it a sought-after addition to Commander decks and other formats.

Budget-Friendliness

Considering its rarity and high price, The Ozolith is not exactly budget-friendly. However, if you're interested in exploring its potential, you can consider alternative cards that offer similar effects at a lower cost.

Decks and Strategies

The Ozolith is often included in Commander decks that focus on efficient counter management and coordinated attacks. Its ability to redistribute counters allows for creative deck-building possibilities, such as combining it with Meren of Legacy or Estrid, the Masked to create complex strategies centered around life force manipulation.

Budget-Friendly Alternatives

If you're interested in exploring The Ozolith's potential without breaking the bank, consider the following alternatives:

  • For Commander decks: Gilded Lotus ({4}) or Mox Opal ({2}) can provide similar card advantage and mana acceleration.
  • For artifact-heavy decks: Aether Vial ({1}) or Arcane Signet ({2}) offer more affordable ways to generate mana and play spells.

Keep in mind that these alternatives may not perfectly replicate The Ozolith's unique effects, but they can help you achieve similar goals without overspending.

Deckbuilding & Synergies

The Ozolith is a versatile artifact that excels in conjunction with counterspell and counter-removal strategies. It's most effective when paired with creatures that can generate or benefit from counters, such as:

  • Mentor of the Meek: This 3/3 creature generates +1/+1 counters whenever you gain life, which can be transferred to The Ozolith.
  • Craterhoof Behemoth: With its ability to grow in power and toughness based on the number of creatures it has killed, transferring counters from The Ozolith can significantly enhance this behemoth's prowess.

Artifacts like Atraxa, Praetors' Voice and Estrid, the Masked also complement The Ozolith by providing a mechanism to generate or manipulate counters. Estrid's ability allows you to create +1/+1 counters on any creature, which can then be transferred to The Ozolith.

Other notable synergies include:

  • Aether Vial: By accelerating the game and allowing for an earlier gameplan, Aether Vial enables a quicker transition from a low-to-high power level.
  • Sram, Senior EDH Advisor: Sram's ability allows you to generate +1/+1 counters on creatures at will, which can be redirected to The Ozolith using its combat trigger.

Keep in mind that the primary purpose of The Ozolith is not to provide a massive board presence but rather to amplify existing threats or facilitate efficient creature generation.

Format Roles

The Ozolith is a rare legendary artifact that sees play in Commander and other formats. Its unique ability to accumulate counters on itself and then move them onto target creatures makes it an attractive inclusion for strategies focused on creature scaling.

Commander Impact: The Ozolith finds a natural home in Commander, where its ability to grow and transfer counters is particularly potent. It pairs well with counters-based artifacts like Tangle Wire and Vess, Elder Cub, allowing players to create massive creatures by transferring their accumulated counters. The card also synergizes with lifegain effects like Molten Egg or Fell Spectator, enabling it to grow its own value in addition to transferring counters.

Other Formats: Although less prominent outside of Commander, The Ozolith can still be found in casual formats and occasionally in Modern decks that leverage its ability for scaling their creatures. However, its relatively high price point ($37.51 USD) and low power level make it a less competitive choice compared to other options in these formats.

Competitive Usage: In Commander, The Ozolith is most effective when paired with creatures that have a significant impact on the board state or provide a substantial advantage through their abilities. Gix, Yawgmoth Unbound, for example, pairs well with The Ozolith due to its ability to remove opponents' creatures and create an opening for counter transfer.

Casual Usage: In casual play, The Ozolith can be used in more experimental decks focused on scaling creature power through counters. Players can use it alongside cards like Eldrid Lighthouse or Korlash, Heir to Blackblade, which allow for a wide range of possibilities with their counter-accumulating abilities.

Banned and Overlooked: There is no official ban list entry for The Ozolith in any format. Given its moderate power level and unique mechanic, it remains a viable but not essential part of various Commander decks. While not overlooked by experienced players, its relatively low usage rate outside of Commander may lead some to view it as less competitive or relevant in more aggressive formats.

Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate depending on market conditions and card availability.

Key Scenarios

The Ozolith excels in scenarios where it can accumulate counters on itself and then efficiently move them to a target creature. Here are some specific matchups and strategies that take advantage of its abilities:

  • Counter-intensive decks: Decks featuring cards like Aurelia, the Warleader, Grenzo, Dungeon Warden, or Breya, Etherium Shaper can create an environment where The Ozolith thrives. These decks often generate a high number of counters on creatures, which The Ozolith can then transfer to more relevant targets.
  • Token-heavy boards: When the board is filled with tokens from cards like Sylvan Caryatid, Benthic Giant, or Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca, The Ozolith can move its counters onto these creatures, effectively amplifying their power and toughness.
  • Combo potential: The Ozolith can be used in combination with other cards that create counters on creatures. For example, pairing it with Vraska's Contempt or Liliana, Dreadhorde General can create a formidable combo that generates an overwhelming number of counters.

However, there are also scenarios where The Ozolith struggles:

  • Low-counters environments: Decks that focus on direct damage, removal spells, or creatures without counters will not provide The Ozolith with the necessary counters to function effectively.
  • Competitive multiplayer games: In multi-player formats like Commander, players may intentionally target and remove The Ozolith to disrupt its owner's strategy. Additionally, opponents may use cards like Eidolon of Rhetoric or Grenzo, Dungeon Warden to counter the counters on The Ozolith.
  • Limited interaction with creatures: If the game lacks creatures with counters, The Ozolith will have limited opportunities to move its counters and generate value.
History & Meta

The Ozolith, a rare legendary artifact from the Ixalan set, has been a part of Magic's metagame since its introduction in 2017. Here are some key points about its history:

  • Printings: The Ozolith was first printed in Ixalan and has not been reprinted in any other sets.
  • Tournament Presence:
    • According to EDHREC, The Ozolith is relatively popular in Commander decks, ranking 336th out of over 15,000 cards.
    • It's often included in more aggressive and combo-oriented decks that value its ability to transfer counters between creatures.
    • In competitive Constructed tournaments, it's occasionally seen in small quantities, but its impact on the game is generally minor due to its low power level.
  • EDHREC Stats:
    • The Ozolith appears in 2.34% of all Commander decks listed on EDHREC.
    • Its inclusion rate in specific colors and archetypes varies widely, with it being most common in red-green and red-white decks.
  • Iconic Decks:
    • It's a key component in some popular Commander decklists, such as the "Ozolith Combo" archetype, which revolves around using its counter manipulation abilities to generate card advantage.

Keep in mind that The Ozolith is a relatively niche card, often used as a supporting piece rather than a central strategy driver. Its popularity and usage are generally limited to specific Commander decks or casual playgroups.

Flavor & Lore

The Ozolith is a legendary artifact from the realm of Iko, where ancient magic has imbued inanimate objects with sentience. This enigmatic relic was crafted by the long-lost civilization of the Aetherspeakers, who infused it with the essence of their most powerful creations.

As a testament to the Aetherspeakers' mastery over the fundamental forces, The Ozolith embodies the concept of "counter-culture." Whenever a creature under your control departs from the battlefield, its accumulated counters are transferred onto this artifact. At the start of combat on your turn, you can redistribute these counters to any creature, unleashing a burst of energy that amplifies their prowess.

The Aetherspeakers' philosophy revolves around the idea that true strength lies not in individual entities but in the interconnected web of life. By sharing counters with The Ozolith, creatures become part of this grand tapestry, their essence woven into the fabric of existence. In a way, this ancient relic serves as a catalyst for cooperation and synergy between beings.

In the Iko setting, The Ozolith is often sought after by those who aspire to harness its transformative power. Wizards and sorceresses from various factions have attempted to wield it in battles against rival nations or monstrous threats to their realms. However, few possess the necessary understanding of Aetherspeaker magic to unlock The Ozolith's true potential.

When paired with other cards like Meren of Legacy or Estrid, the Masked, The Ozolith can create complex strategies centered around efficient counter management and coordinated attacks. Its ability to redistribute counters allows for creative deck-building possibilities, such as combining it with Griselbrand, the Cards to create an army of undead minions.

In practice, utilizing The Ozolith effectively demands a deep understanding of both Aetherspeaker lore and card synergies. Those who master its intricacies will discover new ways to harness life force, forging unbreakable bonds between creatures and artifacts alike.

Budget/Alternatives

The Ozolith: A Rare Opportunity

The Ozolith, a legendary artifact from the Ixalan set, offers an intriguing combination of value and potential. With a mana cost of just {1}, it's accessible to a variety of decks and strategies.

Prices and Reprint Status

As a rare card, The Ozolith is not particularly expensive in its non-foil version, with a price of $37.51 USD (or 26.20 EUR). However, the foil version is significantly more expensive at $36.62 USD (or 23.60 EUR). Unfortunately, there has been no reprint of this card yet.

Budget-Friendliness

Considering its rarity and relatively high price, The Ozolith is not exactly budget-friendly. Nevertheless, if you're interested in exploring its potential, it's worth considering the following alternatives:

  • For Commander decks: Gilded Lotus ({4}) or Mox Opal ({2}) can provide similar card advantage and mana acceleration.
  • For artifact-heavy decks: Aether Vial ({1}) or Arcane Signet ({2}) offer more affordable ways to generate mana and play spells.

Keep in mind that these alternatives may not perfectly replicate The Ozolith's unique effects, but they can help you achieve similar goals without breaking the bank.