Cartouche of Zeal MTG Card
2017-04-28 - Number 124
2019-11-07 - Number 881
2020-08-13 - Number 145
2020-09-26 - Number AKH-124
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Enchantment — Aura Cartouche |
| Abilities | Enchant |
Text of card
Enchant creature you control When Cartouche of Zeal enters the battlefield, target creature can't block this turn. Enchanted creature gets +1/+1 and has haste.
The fifth cartouche is the final affirmation of glory, granted only to the worthy dead.
Cards like Cartouche of Zeal
Cartouche of Zeal is a distinctive card from the Amonkhet set in Magic The Gathering, offering both aggression and utility. This enchantment can be likened to cards like Hammerhand, which grants a creature haste and buffs it with +1/+1 until end of turn. Both are notable for their low cost and ability to disrupt the opponent’s blockers.
In a side-by-side comparison, Rites of Initiation also emerges as a relative, allowing a player to discard any number of cards to strengthen a creature by the same amount, providing instant speed flexibility as opposed to Cartouche of Zeal’s single card advantage and permanent haste. Then there is Brute Force, presenting another parallel as it also increases a creature’s power, but instead emphasizes a substantial strength surge with a +3/+3 boost only for the turn.
Analyzing these cards alongside Cartouche of Zeal reveals a strategic preference for maximizing early game aggression in Magic The Gathering. With Cartouche of Zeal, your creature not only becomes faster but also temporarily disables potential blockers, creating clear pathways for early damage—traits highly valued in decks aiming for a quick victory.
Cards similar to Cartouche of Zeal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Cartouche of Zeal doesn’t directly allow a player to draw additional cards, it contributes to card efficiency by turning any creature into an immediate threat. This enhances the effectiveness of each creature played, potentially forcing the opponent to deal with multiple enhanced threats over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: Cartouche of Zeal gives you a powerful early game play by increasing the speed of your aggressive strategies. It’s low mana cost allows you to develop your board presence while also leaving resources available for other plays, keeping the pressure on your opponent and expediting your path to victory.
Instant Speed: Although the Cartouche is itself an enchantment that must be played at sorcery speed, its ability to give a creature haste means it mimics the effect of an instant by allowing that creature to swing without giving your opponent a turn to prepare. This immediate impact on the game state can catch opponents off guard and alter their calculations, resulting in a form of temporal advantage.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Cartouche of Zeal requires you to have a creature on the battlefield to attach to, which can be restrictive if your board is clear.
Specific Mana Cost: While affordable, the requirement of one red mana makes the Cartouche exclusive to red-inclined or multicolored decks, which may not always align with your strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating cards for the one-drop slot, the Cartouche of Zeal competes with other impactful one-mana spells, and some players may find alternatives that provide more immediate or versatile benefits.
Reasons to Include Cartouche of Zeal in Your Collection
Versatility: Cartouche of Zeal offers a unique blend of utility by enhancing a creature with a boost in power and the added advantage of haste. This simple enchantment can be slotted into aggressive decks, supporting strategies that aim to deal damage quickly and efficiently.
Combo Potential: Being part of a set of enchantments known as Cartouches, this card can interact with other cards like the Trial cards from Amonkhet. When paired with Trial of Solidarity, for example, it can provide an unexpected burst of speed and damage, catching opponents off guard.
Meta-Relevance: In metagames that favor quick creature-based strategies, Cartouche of Zeal shines by allowing for immediate board impact. It can turn the tides by enabling a quicker win condition, which is essential in matches against control decks that aim to stabilize the board in the later game stages.
How to Beat Cartouche of Zeal
Understanding the nuances of Cartouche of Zeal is key for players aiming to deftly navigate the combat phase in Magic: The Gathering. This enchantment provides a creature with not only a slight power boost but also grants it haste, allowing for immediate impact on the game. The additional benefit of making an opponent’s creature unable to block adds a layer of strategy to consider.
To counteract the Cartouche, it’s wise to have instant-speed removal or bounce spells at the ready, allowing you to respond swiftly to its deployment. Cards that neutralize enchantments can also dismantle the setup that Cartouche of Zeal relies on, ensuring your defenses remain intact. Look towards spells like Naturalize or Disenchant that cater to this purpose and keep your opponent’s tempo in check.
Beyond direct answers, ensuring a robust defense can mitigate the card’s impact. Creatures with good toughness or those that bring beneficial effects when entering the battlefield, such as life gain or creating additional blockers, can serve as a cushion against the aggression propelled by Cartouche of Zeal. Incorporating these strategies enhances deck resilience and blunts the edge that this particular enchantment seeks to hone.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Cartouche of Zeal MTG card by a specific set like Amonkhet and Mystery Booster, 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 Cartouche of Zeal and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
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Printings
The Cartouche of Zeal Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2017-04-28 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Kieran Yanner.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-04-28 | Amonkhet | AKH | 124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 881 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 3 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 145 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner | |
| 4 | The List | PLST | AKH-124 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Kieran Yanner |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Cartouche of Zeal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cartouche of Zeal card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2017-04-18 | Cartouche is an enchantment subtype with no special meaning. Other cards may care about which enchantments are Cartouches. |
| 2017-04-18 | Each Cartouche is an Aura with “Enchant creature you control.” If another player gains control of either the Cartouche or the enchanted creature (but not both), then the Cartouche will be enchanting an illegal permanent and be put into its owner’s graveyard as a state-based action. |
| 2017-04-18 | If the target creature becomes an illegal target before a Cartouche spell resolves, the spell doesn’t resolve. It doesn’t enter the battlefield. |