Metathran Zombie MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Metathran Zombie |
| Released | 2000-10-02 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Invasion |
| Set code | INV |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 63 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Arnie Swekel |
Text of card
oo B Regenerate Metathran Zombie.
"Rise, metathran. You shall serve a nobler cause in death." —Tsabo Tavoc, Phyrexian general
Cards like Metathran Zombie
Metathran Zombie stands as a notable figure in the realm of black creature cards, reminiscent of other undead staples that share its eerie thematic roots. When drawn for a comparison, the Metathran Zombie glares back with its innate capability of swarming the battlefield, akin to the classic Drudge Skeletons. Although both have the regenerative ability, Metathran Zombie offers a slight edge with its cheaper regeneration cost.
Dissimilar yet worth mentioning is the Walking Corpse. This zombie too is a simple creature, but it lacks any additional ability, relying purely on raw strength to fulfil its role. The absence of regeneration makes it less flexible in the potentially tumultuous environment of a match. And there’s the Dreg Mangler, a plant zombie that gives players a different angle of approach with its haste, enabling quicker assaults but at a higher mana cost.
Each of these creatures provides unique benefits for strategists inclined towards the undead, but Metathran Zombie nudges itself into a sweet spot with its low-cost utility in the strategic landscape of MTG.
Cards similar to Metathran Zombie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Metathran Zombie offers a unique card advantage in graveyard-utilizing decks, where reanimated creatures or those with unearth become pivotal. It can pull more value from your graveyard, repeatedly using creatures that thrive on such mechanics, keeping your hand fueled while pressuring opponents.
Resource Acceleration: This card serves as a resource accelerator in zombie tribal or reanimator archetypes. It can seamlessly integrate into a strategy that seeks to quickly populate the board with threats, paving the way for an aggressively expanding zombie horde that could overwhelm opponents.
Instant Speed: With the ability to utilize instant speed interactions, Metathran Zombie proves versatile in various scenarios. It can catch opponents off-guard, potentially leading to favorable blocks or surprise combat advantages when timing is key. The option to act at the end of an opponent’s turn adds a layer of tactical depth to gameplay.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing the Metathran Zombie could set you back in terms of card advantage, since it necessitates discarding another card. This can prove to be a steep price, especially in tight matches where every card in hand counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The summoning of the Metathran Zombie demands an exact combination of mana colors, potentially limiting its inclusion in multi-colored decks. Deck builders must ensure that their mana base can consistently support this requirement, which might not always be feasible.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessed against other creatures in the game, the Metathran Zombie’s mana cost might be considered on the higher side for the stats and abilities offered. Savvy players might opt for lower-cost zombies that provide similar, if not greater, value to their strategic plays.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Metathran Zombie is a flexible card that can easily find a home in black-based decks, lending its abilities to strategies focused on graveyard synergy and efficient creature deployment.
Combo Potential: This creature can be a lynchpin in various combos, particularly those that capitalize on death triggers or require a consistent board presence of zombies to enhance effects or unlock potent abilities.
Meta-Relevance: Given the right circumstances, especially within a meta that favors creature-based tactics or the use of card types from graveyards, Metathran Zombie’s utility could prove invaluable, aligning well with current gameplay trends.
How to beat
The Metathran Zombie card is one intriguing piece in players’ MTG arsenals due to its unearth ability, allowing it to come back from the graveyard for another turn. This makes it a persistent threat that can return to the battlefield even after removal. However, it’s not invincible. To effectively counter a Metathran Zombie, it’s crucial to neutralize its graveyard-triggered abilities.
Graveyard management cards, such as Relic of Progenitus or Bojuka Bog, provide an excellent counter by removing the zombie from the game before its unearth ability can be activated. Additionally, playing cards with exile effects, like Path to Exile, ensures that the Metathran Zombie doesn’t make a reappearance. It’s also worth noting that exile effects are often more efficient than destruction in this instance as they bypass any on-death abilities the zombie may have.
In essence, to counter the tenacity of the Metathran Zombie, a strategic approach targeting its core mechanic – the unearth ability – is crucial. By keeping the graveyard clear or exiling it upon death, you diminish its chances for an encore, thus disarming its potential impact on the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Metathran Zombie MTG card by a specific set like Invasion, 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 Metathran Zombie 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
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Metathran Zombie has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |