Zagoth Crystal MTG Card


Zagoth Crystal - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact
Abilities Cycling
Released2020-04-24
Set symbol
Set nameIkoria: Lair of Behemoths
Set codeIKO
Number242
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRaoul Vitale

Key Takeaways

  1. Zagoth Crystal provides deck filtering and resource ramping, crucial for advancing gameplay strategically.
  2. Its specific Sultai mana requirement and cycling cost impact deck building and in-game tempo.
  3. It stands out for versatility and meta-relevance among similar mana artifacts in MTG.

Text of card

: Add , , or . Cycling (, Discard this card: Draw a card.)

From the fertile muck of Zagoth, everything—animal, botanical, and crystalline—grows with rugged beauty.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zagoth Crystal offers a distinct edge by potentially filtering through your deck, helping you access key cards faster and ensuring you aren’t falling behind your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: The crystal fits seamlessly into the ramp archetype, enabling you to reach critical mana thresholds sooner and cast game-changing spells ahead of schedule.

Instant Speed: Its instant speed interaction means you can efficiently manage your resources, keeping your options open until the most opportune moment to disrupt your opponent or advance your board state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zagoth Crystal demands a commitment of valuable hand resources. Discarding a card can undercut your strategic plays, especially if your hand is already depleting faster than you can replenish it. This cost can be particularly taxing in tight situations where every card in hand counts for your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: Zagoth Crystal features a tri-color mana investment, making it intrinsically tied to decks that can produce black, blue, and green mana. This specific requirement can constrain deck building and limit its inclusion to only those that conform to its Sultai color identity.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana for its cycling ability, Zagoth Crystal’s is steep compared to other mana-fixing options available. In a game where tempo can be crucial, this cost might set you back more than it propels you forward, particularly when you’re aiming to establish or maintain a board presence.


Reasons to Include Zagoth Crystal in Your Collection

Versatility: Zagoth Crystal, known for its adaptability, easily finds a home in decks that appreciate its mana filtering capability. It’s particularly useful in multicolor builds, where managing resources efficiently is critical.

Combo Potential: This crystal isn’t just a pretty face in the battlefield. In the hands of a savvy player, it can unlock combinations by providing the needed mana acceleration, proving to be a seamless addition to synergy-centric decks.

Meta-Relevance: As the gaming landscape evolves, adaptability becomes key. Zagoth Crystal’s ability to be cycled away makes it a smart pick for staying relevant and responsive to the shifting tides of competitive gameplay.


How to beat Zagoth Crystal

Zagoth Crystal is a versatile mana artifact that can aid in ramping up a player’s resources in Magic: The Gathering. It belongs to a class of cards that offer a burst of color fixing, allowing a player to tap into a diverse array of mana. In comparison to other mana artifacts, Zagoth Crystal stands out by offering access to three colors of mana, which can be instrumental in executing a multicolor strategy effectively.

To counter Zagoth Crystal, consider running artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or Abrade, which can dismantle the mana acceleration and color fixing it provides. Focused discard strategies using cards like Thoughtseize can also preemptively remove Zagoth Crystal from an opponent’s hand before it hits the battlefield. Moreover, countering it with spells like Negate can ensure that Zagoth Crystal never influences the game. By disrupting an opponent’s mana development, you hinder their ability to stabilize or cast high-impact, multicolored spells that could turn the game in their favor.

Ultimately, by incorporating a blend of removal, discard, and counter strategies into your deck, you can efficiently neutralize the advantages granted by Zagoth Crystal, keeping the battlefield in a state that favors your game plan.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering the intricacies of MTG is a journey that rewards those who invest in understanding each card’s potential. As you’ve seen, Zagoth Crystal can be a powerful inclusion in decks that capitalize on its unique strengths. Whether it’s card advantage, instant speed resource management, or ramping up your mana base, this multifaceted gem can impact your strategy in significant ways. Keep an eye on the ever-shifting metagame and consider how Zagoth Crystal could elevate your deck’s performance. Join us for deeper insights and strategies, ensuring your next encounter at the game table isn’t just a match, but a showcase of your tactical prowess and depth of knowledge.


Cards like Zagoth Crystal

Zagoth Crystal carves its niche within the set of artifact ramp options in the world of MTG. It’s similar to other mana crystals like the Gruul, Boros, and Azorius variants, all providing mana flexibility along with cycling ability. However, Zagoth Crystal stands out by specifically tailoring to the Sultai color mix, offering a trifecta of black, green, and blue mana upon tapping. This specific color conjunction is not available with the other crystals.

Comparable too is the Chromatic Lantern, which provides a broader spectrum of mana production, undeniably an asset in multicolored decks. Yet, Zagoth Crystal prioritizes color-focused decks that revolve around its Sultai alignment. Another peer in its category, Manalith, offers manifold color accessibility yet lacks the cycling feature that Zagoth Crystal boasts, thus giving Zagoth Crystal an edge in card draw flexibility.

In gauging its utility amongst its peers, Zagoth Crystal presents a valuable tool for Sultai decks or any strategy looking to capitalize on a specific three-color combination along with the utility of card cycling.

Chromatic Lantern - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions
Chromatic Lantern - MTG Card versions
Manalith - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zagoth Crystal MTG card by a specific set like Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, 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 Zagoth Crystal and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zagoth Crystal has restrictions

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

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