AI DraftFeb 26, 2026
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind + Tandem Lookout
Overview
If Tandem Lookout is paired with Niv‑Mizzet, the Firemind (via Soulbond ) and you have Niv‑Mizzet deal 1 damage to an opponent (for example by activating Niv‑Mizzet’s "
: Draw a card." ability and targeting an opponent), you create a repeating loop of triggers: drawing a card causes Niv‑Mizzet’s "Whenever you draw a card, Niv‑Mizzet deals 1 damage to any target" trigger; that damage dealt to an opponent causes the Tandem Lookout–granted ability "Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card" to trigger; resolving that draw retriggers Niv‑Mizzet’s ability, and so on. This is an unbounded loop of triggered abilities that will continue until something interrupts it (for example a player losing the game) , , Ruling [2018-03-16].
: Draw a card." ability and targeting an opponent), you create a repeating loop of triggers: drawing a card causes Niv‑Mizzet’s "Whenever you draw a card, Niv‑Mizzet deals 1 damage to any target" trigger; that damage dealt to an opponent causes the Tandem Lookout–granted ability "Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card" to trigger; resolving that draw retriggers Niv‑Mizzet’s ability, and so on. This is an unbounded loop of triggered abilities that will continue until something interrupts it (for example a player losing the game) , , Ruling [2018-03-16].Step 1
Ensure Tandem Lookout and Niv‑Mizzet, the Firemind are paired via Soulbond .
Step 2
Activate Niv‑Mizzet’s ': Draw a card.' ability and resolve it; you draw a card.
: Draw a card.' ability and resolve it; you draw a card.Step 3
Niv‑Mizzet’s triggered ability 'Whenever you draw a card, Niv‑Mizzet deals 1 damage to any target.' triggers and is put on the stack per triggered-ability rules .
Step 4
When that Niv‑Mizzet trigger resolves, it deals 1 damage to the chosen target; if you choose an opponent, Niv‑Mizzet has dealt damage to an opponent .
Step 5
Because Tandem Lookout is paired with Niv‑Mizzet, Niv‑Mizzet has the granted triggered ability 'Whenever this creature deals damage to an opponent, draw a card.' When Niv‑Mizzet dealt that 1 damage to the opponent, that granted ability triggered and is put on the stack , .
Step 6
When the Lookout-granted trigger resolves, you draw a card, which again triggers Niv‑Mizzet’s 'Whenever you draw a card...' ability, returning to the earlier step and creating a repeating sequence of triggers.
Step 7
This repeating sequence will continue to produce triggers and resolves until something interrupts it (for example a player is reduced to 0 or less life and loses per , or a player attempts to draw from an empty library and loses per ). Ruling [2018-03-16] confirms the loop continues until interrupted.
Resolution
When Tandem Lookout is paired with Niv‑Mizzet, the Firemind (soulbond per ) and Niv‑Mizzet deals 1 damage to an opponent (for example after you activate : Draw a card and choose an opponent), the interaction creates a repeating sequence of triggered abilities: Niv‑Mizzet’s draw trigger deals 1 damage; that damage to an opponent triggers the Tandem Lookout–granted draw trigger; that draw triggers Niv‑Mizzet again, etc. This loop continues until interrupted, typically by a game-ending event such as a player being reduced to 0 or less life or a player attempting to draw from an empty library (see Ruling [2018-03-16]). If the paired creature or Tandem Lookout is dealt lethal damage at the same time it dealt damage to an opponent, the Lookout-granted trigger still triggers (Ruling [2017-03-14]).
: Draw a card and choose an opponent), the interaction creates a repeating sequence of triggered abilities: Niv‑Mizzet’s draw trigger deals 1 damage; that damage to an opponent triggers the Tandem Lookout–granted draw trigger; that draw triggers Niv‑Mizzet again, etc. This loop continues until interrupted, typically by a game-ending event such as a player being reduced to 0 or less life or a player attempting to draw from an empty library (see Ruling [2018-03-16]). If the paired creature or Tandem Lookout is dealt lethal damage at the same time it dealt damage to an opponent, the Lookout-granted trigger still triggers (Ruling [2017-03-14]).Feedback