Zombie Goliath MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Zombie Giant
Power 4
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Zombie Goliath’s formidable presence can indirectly contribute to card advantage on the battlefield.
  2. Its synergy with graveyard mechanics can complement broader resource acceleration strategies.
  3. High mana cost and lack of special abilities can leave Zombie Goliath overshadowed by comparable creatures.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Zombie Goliath itself does not directly allow you to draw cards or generate card advantage, this creature can be a formidable presence on the battlefield that demands answers from your opponents. Taking control of the game through such menacing threats can indirectly lead to card advantage when your opponent must use multiple resources to deal with it.

Resource Acceleration: Zombie Goliath doesn’t have inherent abilities that accelerate your mana resources. However, its presence in a deck that utilizes graveyard strategies can synergize with cards that do, potentially fueling more resource acceleration indirectly. It can be seen as a larger puzzle piece in a deck where resource acceleration is part of the broader strategy.

Instant Speed: As a creature, Zombie Goliath is cast at sorcery speed. Yet, its imposing stature means that once on the field, it has the capability to impact the game during each combat phase. In formats where reanimation is common, bringing Zombie Goliath back instantly from the graveyard can catch opponents off-guard and tip the scales mid-combat.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While the Zombie Goliath doesn’t have a direct discard mechanic, the drawback comes from the hefty five-mana cost. This can result in an uncomfortable choice where you may be forced to discard other valuable cards to get this creature on the board sooner.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring one black and four generic mana, Zombie Goliath commands a specific mana investment which pigeonholes it into black-centric or multicolor decks that can support such costs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a vanilla 4/3 creature, the mana investment for Zombie Goliath is on the higher side. Within the same mana range, you could cast creatures with additional abilities or lower cost creatures that leave mana open for other spells and abilities.


Reasons to Include Zombie Goliath in Your Collection

Versatility: Zombie Goliath’s robust stats make it a solid addition to any black-themed deck. Its considerable power makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield, capable of acting both as a reliable blocker and a potent attacker.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with zombie tribal strategies, which are common in MTG. It can benefit from various zombie synergies, such as buffs from lords and graveyard-related mechanics that are particularly prevalent in the black color pie.

Meta-Relevance: Due to the persistent popularity of zombie decks in various MTG formats, Zombie Goliath holds its ground in a meta teeming with tribal strategies. Its presence in your deck ensures an advantage in games where endurance and creature strength are key.


How to beat

Zombie Goliath is one of those creatures in Magic: The Gathering that can intimidate players due to its sheer size. The card presents a substantial body on the battlefield that can sway the tempo in your opponent’s favor. However, like with any creature, strategic plays can circumvent its might. Removal spells are the simplest solution, with options like Doom Blade or Path to Exile offering an efficient way to remove it from play without needing to engage it in combat.

Control decks have an array of counterspells available to prevent Zombie Goliath from ever hitting the board, such as Cancel or Essence Scatter. Should it land on the battlefield, enchantments like Pacifism or Dead Weight can neutralize it, diminishing its impact. Players can also outpace Zombie Goliath with aggressive decks, focusing on speed and smaller, faster creatures to win before it becomes a significant threat. Ultimately, while Zombie Goliath may seem daunting, its lack of evasion or special abilities makes it vulnerable to a variety of commonplace strategic counters.


Cards like Zombie Goliath

Zombie Goliath is a familiar sight to MTG players who appreciate the sheer power of zombie creatures. This card is a simple yet sturdy creature that fits naturally into zombie tribal decks. Its closest comparisons are other five-mana creatures like Sengir Vampire, which not only has flying but also gains +1/+1 counters whenever a creature dealt damage by it dies. While Sengir Vampire offers more abilities, it lacks the zombie synergy that Zombie Goliath provides.

Another creature worth mentioning is the Gray Merchant of Asphodel, or “Gary” as affectionately known by the MTG community. Although Gary comes with one less power, it has the potential to generate a significant life swing with its enter-the-battlefield effect based on your devotion to black. Gray Merchant’s impact can often turn the tides of a game, unlike the more straightforward Zombie Goliath.

Lastly, there’s Gurmag Angler, which also shares the zombie creature type. Gurmag Angler offers a different kind of efficiency, with its delve ability allowing it to be played for a single black mana under the right conditions. This can be a massive advantage in the early to mid-game, where summoning a sizable creature quickly can be pivotal.

Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - MTG Card versions
Gurmag Angler - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Gray Merchant of Asphodel - Theros (THS)
Gurmag Angler - Fate Reforged (FRF)

Cards similar to Zombie Goliath by color, type and mana cost

Skyshroud Vampire - MTG Card versions
Entropic Specter - MTG Card versions
Predatory Nightstalker - MTG Card versions
Fallen Angel - MTG Card versions
Stone Catapult - MTG Card versions
Sengir Vampire - MTG Card versions
Hollow Dogs - MTG Card versions
Grotesque Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Earwig Squad - MTG Card versions
Indulgent Tormentor - MTG Card versions
Sootfeather Flock - MTG Card versions
Zombie Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Gluttonous Zombie - MTG Card versions
Vermiculos - MTG Card versions
Woebearer - MTG Card versions
Wei Elite Companions - MTG Card versions
Halo Hunter - MTG Card versions
Malakir Bloodwitch - MTG Card versions
Caustic Crawler - MTG Card versions
Shriekmaw - MTG Card versions
Skyshroud Vampire - Tempest (TMP)
Entropic Specter - Exodus (EXO)
Predatory Nightstalker - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Fallen Angel - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Stone Catapult - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Sengir Vampire - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Hollow Dogs - Beatdown Box Set (BTD)
Grotesque Hybrid - Torment (TOR)
Earwig Squad - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Indulgent Tormentor - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Sootfeather Flock - Legions (LGN)
Zombie Cutthroat - Scourge (SCG)
Gluttonous Zombie - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Vermiculos - Mirrodin (MRD)
Woebearer - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Wei Elite Companions - Masters Edition III (ME3)
Halo Hunter - Zendikar (ZEN)
Malakir Bloodwitch - Zendikar (ZEN)
Caustic Crawler - Worldwake (WWK)
Shriekmaw - Time Spiral Remastered (TSR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zombie Goliath MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2010 and Magic 2012, 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 Zombie Goliath and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zombie Goliath Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2009-07-17 and 2014-06-06. Illustrated by E. M. Gist.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-07-17Magic 2010M10 1232003normalblackE. M. Gist
22011-07-15Magic 2012M12 1192003normalblackE. M. Gist
32012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1192003normalblackE. M. Gist
42014-06-06ConspiracyCNS 1352003normalblackE. M. Gist

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zombie Goliath has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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