Zelyon Sword MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact
Released	1994-11-01
Set symbol
Set name	Fallen Empires
Set code	FEM
Number	91
Frame	1993
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Scott Kirschner

Key Takeaways

Zelyon Sword offers card advantage, by enabling extra land plays and accelerating resources efficiently.
Strategic flexibility is achieved through low-cost equipping, allowing instant-speed responses within turns.
While the sword imposes a discard rule and a specific mana cost, its versatility makes it a deck staple.

Text of card

o3, oc T: Target creature gets +2/+0 as long as Zelyon Sword remains tapped. You may choose not to untap Zelyon Sword as normal during your untap phase.

No sheath shall hold what finds its home in flesh.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Zelyon Sword provides a unique form of card advantage. When the equipped creature deals combat damage, you get to play an additional land, increasing the number of resources at your disposal. This effect gets you ahead in land drops or helps you recover if you’ve missed any, maintaining an upper hand over your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: In addition to increasing land plays, the sword accelerates your resources by allowing you to play the top card of your library if it’s a land. This not only feeds into your mana base but also thins your deck, streamlining your draws towards more impactful spells.

Instant Speed: While the Zelyon Sword itself is not cast at instant speed, it equips for just one mana. This low cost means that you could potentially cast a creature, equip the sword, and still keep mana open to respond to an opponent’s actions all in a single turn. The flexibility provided by this can be a significant tactical advantage.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zelyon Sword demands a card discard to trigger its primary ability. This can set players back in terms of card advantage, especially if their hand is already sparse or if key cards are essential for maintaining strategic momentum.

Specific Mana Cost: Its utilization requires a mix of green and specific alternate mana, which may not seamlessly align with decks that can’t support such color requirements or that are focused on a single mana type.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sporting a casting cost that leans on the higher end, Zelyon Sword may not be the most mana-efficient option in a player’s arsenal. There are alternative equipment or aura cards in MTG that offer beneficial effects at a lower mana investment, possibly making them more viable in fast-paced or mana-critical situations.

Reasons to Include Zelyon Sword in Your Collection

Versatility: Zelyon Sword is a flexible option for numerous deck archetypes as it provides both offence and utility. Its ability to be equipped to any creature means it can be tailored to fit the strategy and flow of almost any game.

Combo Potential: This card works well in synergistic play, offering the chance to build powerful combos. Whether enabling increased damage output or interacting with equipment-focused mechanics, its inclusion opens the door to several potent interactions.

Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving meta, having the Zelyon Sword at your disposal ensures you’re prepared to tackle a variety of threats. Its relevance in certain matchups can give you an edge, particularly in environments where equipment and voltron strategies are prominent.

How to beat

Zelyon Sword is one of those artifact cards in MTG that demands immediate attention when it hits the battlefield. This particular card is not just a mere equipment — it’s a potential game-changer that can empower creatures beyond ordinary measures. To effectively counter this card, players should consider a strategy that encompasses artifact removal, creature control, and timing.

Firstly, artifact removal spells are a direct method to deal with Zelyon Sword. Cards like Naturalize or Disenchant provide a straightforward solution by destroying the equipment, thus neutralizing its threat. Secondly, controlling or removing creatures that could be equipped with Zelyon Sword is also an effective strategy. This could involve spot removal spells or board wipes that clear the opponent’s side before they get an opportunity to utilize the sword’s advantages.

Finally, timing is critical when facing a card like Zelyon Sword. Being proactive and keeping mana open for instant-speed responses when your opponent attempts to equip a creature can disrupt their gameplay and give you a significant advantage. By integrating these tactics, MTG players can navigate around the challenges posed by Zelyon Sword and maintain control of the game.

Cards like Zelyon Sword

Zelyon Sword is a unique artifact within the vast array of weaponry that players can access in Magic: The Gathering. It shares some similarities with cards like Bonesplitter, another inexpensive artifact that boosts a creature’s attack. Bonesplitter, however, doesn’t offer the flexibility of Zelyon Sword’s potential to become a creature itself. This key distinction allows Zelyon Sword to serve a dual purpose depending on the situation on the battlefield.

Adventuring Gear is another card that comes to mind when considering Zelyon Sword in terms of equipment that benefits the wielder. While Adventuring Gear needs landfall to trigger its effect, it does not have the capability to become an attacker or blocker, limiting its functionality compared to the transformative nature of Zelyon Sword.

Ultimately, when evaluating Zelyon Sword against its counterparts, it stands out for its adaptive design that can swing the tide of battle. Whether it’s augmenting your forces or joining the fray, Zelyon Sword offers a strategic edge that can adapt to the ebbs and flows of each game.

Cards similar to Zelyon Sword by color, type and mana cost

Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Sword of Feast and Famine - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zelyon Sword MTG card by a specific set like Fallen Empires, 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 Zelyon Sword and other MTG cards: