Zhou Yu, Chief Commander MTG Card

Zhou Yu, Chief Commander - Portal Three Kingdoms

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Soldier
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Power	8
Toughness	8
Number	65
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Xu Xiaoming

Key Takeaways

Zhou Yu offers card advantage and resource acceleration, essential for maintaining dominance in games.
Instant speed ability ensures strategic depth and flexibility during critical turns.
The card’s drawbacks include a discard condition and a specific, sometimes restrictive mana cost.

Text of card

Zhou Yu can't attack unless your opponent has an island in play.

"After making me, Zhou Yu, did you have to make Kongming?" —Zhou Yu crying to heaven on his deathbed

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zhou Yu, Chief Commander is a potent card that can greatly increase card advantage with its effect. Being able to consistently control the flow of cards into your hand is a key tactic for maintaining dominance during play.

Resource Acceleration: This card also contributes to resource acceleration. By efficiently managing your resources, you’re set to outpace your opponents by deploying threats earlier or having the means to react swiftly to their plays.

Instant Speed: The capability to operate at instant speed gives the wielder of Zhou Yu, Chief Commander the flexibility to act on critical turns without preemptively committing to a course of action. This strategic depth allows for better decision-making and potential outplays as the game evolves.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the notable downsides of Zhou Yu, Chief Commander is the discard condition attached to its ability. This aspect forces players to forego a card from their hand, potentially causing a disadvantage in the resource game, especially detrimental when your options are already limited.

Specific Mana Cost: Zhou Yu’s casting cost demands a precise combination of mana, including both blue and other colors. This specificity can pose a deck-building challenge, restricting its inclusion predominantly to dedicated blue-based strategies and alienating it from more flexible or varied deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When evaluating its overall impact on gameplay, Zhou Yu, Chief Commander comes with a substantial mana investment. Its cost is on the higher side when weighed against other options in the game that might yield a similar or greater effect for less, potentially affecting its efficiency and play rate in highly-competitive formats.

Reasons to Include Zhou Yu, Chief Commander in Your Collection

Versatility: Zhou Yu, Chief Commander has a broad appeal, capable of fitting into a variety of blue-based decks. Known for its solid body, it can be a dependable creature on the battlefield that’s tough for opponents to deal with.

Combo Potential: This card’s static abilities can align with strategies that capitalize on power-based triggers and effects. It can serve as a cornerstone in decks looking to exploit these conditions for powerful gameplay sequences.

Meta-Relevance:In an environment where maintaining a board presence is crucial, Zhou Yu, Chief Commander holds its own. Its inherent resilience to certain spells and abilities makes it a strong contender against decks that rely heavily on targeting strategies, consistently influencing the current meta-game.

How to beat

An innovative twist in the strategy arena, Zhou Yu, Chief Commander enhances the dynamics of control decks in MTG. Known for amplifying spell capabilities, this legendary creature requires a tailored approach to overcome. One efficient strategy is using targeted removal spells that bypass its protection abilities. Cards like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can neutralize Zhou Yu without triggering its protective measures.

Another effective tactic involves changing the rules of engagement by utilizing board wipes. Supreme Verdict or Damnation can clear the field without targeting, thus circumventing Zhou Yu’s defenses. Providing a clear path to eliminate creatures, board wipes play a pivotal role against resilient commanders.

Counterspells also prove valuable by stopping Zhou Yu before it can influence the battlefield. Swift denial with cards like Counterspell or Mana Leak can ensure the powerful commander never becomes a threat. Considering these strategies when facing down Zhou Yu, Chief Commander can decisively shift the battle in your favor, reflecting a deep understanding of gameplay mechanics and card interactions in MTG.

Cards like Zhou Yu, Chief Commander

In the realm of MTG, Zhou Yu, Chief Commander distinguishes itself within the suite of legendary creatures. With parallels to Lorthos, the Tidemaker, Zhou Yu offers a robust presence in blue-focused decks. Where Lorthos can tap down potential threats or resources, Zhou Yu, while lacking that control aspect, compensates with aggressive stats for mana cost and a unique passive ability that supports naval or ship-focused themes.

Another equivalent might be Talrand, Sky Summoner, which, like Zhou Yu, can dominate the mid-game but hinges on the casting of spells to create drake tokens. Zhou Yu’s approach is less dependent on spellcasting but rather on maintaining a board presence, which can align well with decks built around him. Additionally, comparing Zhou Yu to Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir highlights Zhou Yu’s lack of flash or control over opponent spells, but his lower casting cost and synergy within specific archetypes showcases his value as a commander in particular strategies.

To sum up, if one weighs the abilities, cost, and synergy of cards like Zhou Yu against other similar commanders, he undoubtedly holds a place in decks that favor a more straightforward combat approach, whilst still leaving room for inventive deck building around his theme.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions

Talrand, Sky Summoner - MTG Card versions

Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zhou Yu, Chief Commander 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 Zhou Yu, Chief Commander and other MTG cards: