Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei MTG Card


Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei - Portal Three Kingdoms
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier
Released1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set namePortal Three Kingdoms
Set codePTK
Power 3
Toughness 3
Number96
Frame1997
Layoutnormal
Borderwhite
Illustred byLi Youliang

Key Takeaways

  1. Gaining card advantage is pivotal, and Zhang Liao excels at replenishing your hand upon dealing combat damage.
  2. It indirectly aids in resource acceleration by pressuring opponents and managing the pace of the game.
  3. Flexibility is key in MTG – drawing into instant speed spells with Zhang Liao can be a game-changer.

Text of card

When Zhang Liao successfully damages your opponent, he or she chooses and discard a card from his or her hand. (Ignore this effect if your opponent doesn't have any cards.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: In a strategic MTG game, card draw spells are critical for maintaining hand superiority, and Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei, excels at providing card advantage. When this legendary warrior deals combat damage to a player, it offers the beneficial ability to draw cards, thus restocking your hand and increasing options for future turns.

Resource Acceleration: Alongside card advantage, one of the key elements for winning games is being able to outpace your opponents with resource acceleration. While Zhang Liao may not generate additional mana directly, this card’s presence can put opponents on the back foot, effectively slowing them down and giving you the upper hand in the resource game over the course of the match.

Instant Speed: Another essential aspect of competitive MTG play is adaptability and the capacity to act at instant speed. Zhang Liao might not have instant speed himself, but his ability to draw into cards that do operate at this speed can catch opponents off guard, providing you with the flexibility to respond to threats or create your own at the most opportune times without telegraphing your moves.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: This card necessitates the discard of another card from your hand, which can prove to be a setback especially during the late game where every card in hand counts.

Specific Mana Cost: Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei requires a combination of black and generic mana, potentially restricting deck-building options as it demands a commitment to specific colors in your mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that could be considered steep for its provided effects, there are alternative cards that might fulfill similar roles at a lower cost, thus leading to more efficient mana usage over the course of the game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei complements a diverse array of strategies as it serves as a reliable combatant with its horsemanship ability. This quality ensures it can be a key player in decks that prioritize evasive creatures.

Combo Potential: This card can synergize well with various abilities that trigger upon dealing combat damage or when creatures remain unblocked. Its innate capability helps to enable such combos with greater consistency.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where board presence and creature-based tactics are prevalent, Zhang Liao can maintain its relevance by bypassing crowded battlefields. Given its ability to avoid being blocked by most creatures, it can be a strategic asset against decks that lack fliers or reach.


How to beat

Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei has carved out a niche amongst MTG warriors with its distinctive ability to alter the course of combat. What sets Zhang Liao apart is the protection it offers to other creatures you control by preventing all combat damage that would be dealt to them. To effectively counter this card, targeted removal spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can be critical, removing Zhang Liao from the battlefield before its ability becomes a factor.

Furthermore, including board wipes such as Wrath of God in your deck can clear the field of Zhang Liao and other problematic creatures simultaneously. It’s essential to have these answers ready if Zhang Liao is on the opposing side. Considering its capabilities, having strategies in place to handle this stalwart defender can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Another viable tactic is to use counterspells to prevent Zhang Liao from ever hitting the board. Spell Pierce or Negate can be particularly useful given their low mana cost. Anticipating and disrupting your opponent’s plays are crucial to ensuring that the Hero of Hefei doesn’t turn the tides against you.


Cards like Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei

As MTG enthusiasts delve into the historic aspect of the game, the Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei card stands out as a formidable representation of the Warrior archetype. In comparison, characters like Loyal Cathar carry a similar weight, known for its vigilance, although Loyal Cathar does not have the power boost based on the card types in the graveyard, a distinction that gives Zhang Liao an edge during gameplay. Yet, unlike Zhang Liao, Loyal Cathar can transform into Unhallowed Cathar, adding a different layer to its strategic use.

Another card that echoes the essence of Zhang Liao is Knight of the White Orchid. Both cards provide an advantageous battlefield presence, with the Knight’s ability to synergize with land acquisition presenting a different route for players to gain the upper hand. However, Knight of the White Orchid lacks the graveyard interaction that makes Zhang Liao unique. Additionally, Mirran Crusader offers protection from black and green, and double strike, factors absent in Zhang Liao’s skill set, but it doesn’t offer the same potential for increasing strength over time.

When evaluating these cards side by side, it becomes clear that while each has their individual merits, Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei holds a strong position among warrior-themed MTG cards, thanks to its scalable power and synergy with certain deck strategies.

Knight of the White Orchid - MTG Card versions
Mirran Crusader - MTG Card versions
Knight of the White Orchid - Shards of Alara (ALA)
Mirran Crusader - Mirrodin Besieged Promos (PMBS)

Cards similar to Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei by color, type and mana cost

Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions
Geth, Lord of the Vault - MTG Card versions
Toxic Nim - MTG Card versions
Dark Hatchling - MTG Card versions
Nightmare - Arena Beginner Set (ANB)
Ihsan's Shade - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Necrosavant - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Face of Fear - Odyssey (ODY)
Wire Surgeons - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Grave Titan - Fallout (PIP)
Chittering Harvester - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Crossway Troublemakers - Crimson Vow Commander (VOC)
Anurid Murkdiver - Onslaught (ONS)
Gempalm Polluter - Legions (LGN)
Nefashu - Scourge (SCG)
Twisted Abomination - Scourge (SCG)
Iname, Death Aspect - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Yawgmoth Demon - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Ascendant Evincar - Tenth Edition (10E)
Bog Hoodlums - Lorwyn (LRW)
Helldozer - Planechase (HOP)
Geth, Lord of the Vault - Scars of Mirrodin (SOM)
Toxic Nim - New Phyrexia (NPH)
Dark Hatchling - Commander 2011 (CMD)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zhang Liao, Hero of Hefei has restrictions

FormatLegality
PredhLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

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