Zada, Hedron Grinder MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 9 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Goblin Ally
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Zada shines by replicating spells across creatures, leveraging immense card advantage and battlefield presence.
  2. The card’s instant speed interaction enables disruptive combat tricks, altering the game unexpectedly.
  3. Meticulous deck construction enhances Zada’s combo potential, ensuring its meta relevance and impact.

Text of card

Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets only Zada, Hedron Grinder, copy that spell for each other creature you control that the spell could target. Each copy targets a different one of those creatures.

"A hedron holds magic for a thousand years—or less, if need be."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zada, Hedron Grinder is known for its exceptional ability to generate significant card advantage. When you cast an instant or sorcery spell targeting Zada, that spell is copied for each other creature you control that the spell could target. This means with just one spell, you can draw multiple cards, buff numerous creatures, or create a myriad of other effects multiplied across your army, leading to a flooded hand and varied options on the battlefield.

Resource Acceleration: Given Zada’s synergy with spells that can also produce mana or untap creatures, it accentuates resource acceleration. When you target Zada with such spells, the ripple effect across your creatures can result in a surge of mana, effectively propelling your gameplay and giving you the resources needed to deploy additional threats or answers from your hand much sooner than your opponent may be ready for.

Instant Speed: Zada turns any instant spell targeting her into a potential battlefield-wide impact at instant speed, allowing for unexpected combat tricks or end-of-turn shenanigans. This can disrupt your opponents’ plans during their turn or dramatically shift the board state in your favor without warning. The instantaneous nature of this interaction ensures that you’re always a step ahead, keeping your adversaries on their toes.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zada, Hedron Grinder doesn’t directly demand discarding, but to capitalize on its ability, you might need to invest cards from your hand, depleting valuable resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Zada requires a notable investment of red mana, which might not seamlessly integrate into multi-color decks that also want access to a variety of spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost of three generic and one red mana, Zada comes into play later than some other options, potentially slowing down your game plan in fast-paced matches.


Reasons to Include Zada, Hedron Grinder in Your Collection

Versatility: Zada, Hedron Grinder excels in decks that capitalize on casting spells that target a single creature. The ability to copy these spells for each creature you control means Zada fits snugly within a wide array of red-based strategies, from aggro to combo.

Combo Potential: With Zada, the right cantrip or buff spell can cascade into an overwhelming advantage by targeting multiple creatures at once. This can lead to explosive turns where you draw multiple cards or grow a modest army into a formidable force, unlocking the potential for game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game state that cherishes swift and decisive plays, Zada can rapidly tilt the battlefield in your favor. Whether in casual circles or more tuned environments, this card’s ability to harness the power of single-target spells across a wider army makes it a persistent threat and a key piece in various competitive scenarios.


How to beat

Zada, Hedron Grinder is a card that can quickly turn tables in a game of Magic: The Gathering. This card’s ability to copy instant or sorcery spells for each creature you control makes it a formidable component in a red deck, especially when combined with spells that boost power or offer protection. Breaking through Zada’s strategy involves disrupting the synergy before it can unfold. Spot removal is key; eliminating Zada before a spell is cast ensures the copy ability doesn’t trigger. Counterspells are also effective as they prevent amplifying buffs that could be spread across an opponent’s entire board. Board wipes can clear out accumulated creatures, minimizing the impact Zada could have on the following turns. Keep in mind that a well-timed response can elucidate a weak spot in your opponent’s defense, tipping the scales in your favor. Recognizing the opportune moment to strike and having removal or countermeasures at the ready will be your best strategy against the explosive potential of Zada, Hedron Grinder.


Cards like Zada, Hedron Grinder

Zada, Hedron Grinder serves as a unique catalyst for combo strategies in MTG, distinguished by its potential to multiply single-target spells. A card such as Mirrorwing Dragon offers a parallel effect, capturing the ability to spread an effect across the creatures you control. Although Mirrorwing Dragon applies the spell to all creatures a player controls, Zada’s ability is sharply focused on the creatures under your command alone, reducing the risk of inadvertently bolstering your opponent’s board.

Considering Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin, we see a synergy with Zada, as both are capable of rapidly expanding a player’s creature presence. Nevertheless, Krenko’s prowess in generating tokens doesn’t parallel Zada’s unique spell-copying dynamic. Also worth comparing is Precursor Golem which, like Zada, can amplify the effects of single-target spells. However, Precursor Golem’s symmetric effect could potentially benefit your opponent as well, unlike Zada’s selective copying limited to the player’s golems.

Ultimately, Zada, Hedron Grinder emerges as a standout among cards that leverage the power of casting spells across multiple creatures. With careful deck construction and strategic planning, Zada has the power to drive explosive turns, outclassing similar MTG options through its precision and potential for overwhelming advantage.

Mirrorwing Dragon - MTG Card versions
Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin - MTG Card versions
Precursor Golem - MTG Card versions
Mirrorwing Dragon - Eldritch Moon (EMN)
Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin - War of the Spark (WAR)
Precursor Golem - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)

Cards similar to Zada, Hedron Grinder by color, type and mana cost

Dragon Whelp - MTG Card versions
Keldon Warlord - MTG Card versions
Crimson Manticore - MTG Card versions
Márton Stromgald - MTG Card versions
Reckless Embermage - MTG Card versions
Wildfire Emissary - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Giant - MTG Card versions
Rathi Dragon - MTG Card versions
Mogg Bombers - MTG Card versions
Warmonger - MTG Card versions
Bloodfire Kavu - MTG Card versions
Whipkeeper - MTG Card versions
Anger - MTG Card versions
Nalathni Dragon - MTG Card versions
Everquill Phoenix - MTG Card versions
Goblin Goon - MTG Card versions
Lesser Gargadon - MTG Card versions
Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions
Ogre Taskmaster - MTG Card versions
Dragon Whelp - Limited Edition Beta (LEB)
Keldon Warlord - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Crimson Manticore - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Márton Stromgald - Ice Age (ICE)
Reckless Embermage - Mirage (MIR)
Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
Flowstone Giant - Tempest (TMP)
Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
Mogg Bombers - Stronghold (STH)
Warmonger - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Bloodfire Kavu - Apocalypse (APC)
Whipkeeper - Odyssey (ODY)
Anger - Judgment (JUD)
Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zada, Hedron Grinder MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar and Battle for Zendikar Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Zada, Hedron Grinder and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zada, Hedron Grinder Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2015-10-02 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12015-10-02Battle for ZendikarBFZ 1622015normalblackChris Rallis
22015-10-02Battle for Zendikar PromosPBFZ 162s2015normalblackChris Rallis
32018-03-16Masters 25A25 1562015normalblackChris Rallis
42023-04-21March of the Machine Art SeriesAMOM 752015art_seriesborderless
52023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 1552015normalblackDominik Mayer
62023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 155z2015normalblackDominik Mayer
72023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 902015normalblackChris Rallis
82023-04-21Multiverse LegendsMUL 252015normalblackDominik Mayer
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2682015normalblackChris Rallis

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zada, Hedron Grinder has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zada, Hedron Grinder card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2018-03-16 Any creature you control that couldn't be targeted by the original spell (due to shroud, protection abilities, targeting restrictions, or any other reason) is just ignored by Zada's ability.
2018-03-16 If the spell that's copied has an X whose value was determined as it was cast (like Rolling Thunder does), the copies have the same value of X.
2018-03-16 If the spell that's copied is modal (that is, it says “Choose one —” or the like), the copies will have the same mode. You can't choose a different one.
2018-03-16 If you cast an instant or sorcery spell that has multiple targets, but it's targeting only Zada with all of them, Zada's ability will trigger. The copies will similarly each be targeting only one of your other creatures. You can't change any of the copy's targets to other creatures.
2018-03-16 The controller of a copy can't choose to pay any alternative or additional costs for the copy. However, effects based on any alternative or additional costs that were paid for the original spell are copied as though those same costs were paid for the copy.
2018-03-16 The copies that the ability creates are created on the stack, so they're not cast. Abilities that trigger when a player casts a spell (like Zada's ability itself) won't trigger.
2018-03-16 You control all the copies. You choose the order the copies are put onto the stack. The original spell will be on the stack beneath those copies and will resolve last.
2018-03-16 Zada's ability triggers whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell that targets only Zada and no other object or player.

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