Ash Zealot MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Warrior |
| Abilities | First strike,Haste |
| Released | 2012-10-05 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Return to Ravnica |
| Set code | RTR |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 86 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Eric Deschamps |
Key Takeaways
- The card offers strategic edge by disrupting opponent graveyard plays and maintaining card advantage.
- Its quick aggression due to haste makes it apt for fast-paced red decks and pressuring opponents.
- Mana cost and synergy with red mechanics make it a tactical pick in certain MTG deck builds.
Text of card
First strike, haste Whenever a player casts a spell from a graveyard, Ash Zealot deals 3 damage to that player.
"Smarter than death? Let's see you outsmart my mace, necromancer!"
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Ash Zealot enters the battlefield, it can immediately impact the game without granting your opponent any card advantage. Its First Strike ability often lets it survive combat that would typically lead to a loss of card equity on your side. Moreover, its ability to damage opponents when they cast spells from the graveyard subtly shifts card advantage in your favor by disrupting their strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Ash Zealot itself may not directly provide resource acceleration in the traditional sense. However, its relatively low mana cost for a 2/2 creature with First Strike and Haste means it can apply pressure quickly, forcing your opponent to deal with it and potentially diverting resources away from their own development.
Instant Speed: While Ash Zealot doesn’t have abilities that operate at instant speed, its Haste characteristic allows it to swing into action immediately, akin to the surprise factor often valued in instant-speed interactions. This can be advantageous for applying pressure or reacting to unexpected openings in your opponent’s defense.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ash Zealot doesn’t directly demand that you discard cards, yet it punishes graveyard strategies which might force you to reconsider discarding as a tactical move, potentially hindering your deck’s synergy.
Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires two red mana, Ash Zealot can be restrictive in multicolor decks. This requirement means you need a solid base of red mana to ensure it’s playable when you need it.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although a 2/2 creature with haste for two red mana might seem reasonable, in the evolving landscape of Magic the Gathering, there are creatures with similar or greater abilities for a more cost-effective mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ash Zealot offers a robust choice for decks requiring agile responses to various threats. Its ability to punish graveyard strategies is effective in numerous match-ups.
Combo Potential: This card integrates well with red decks focused on dealing direct damage. Its first strike ability also makes it an asset in combat-based synergies.
Meta-Relevance: As decks that leverage the graveyard are prevalent in the current meta, Ash Zealot’s ability to deal damage for every graveyard cast keeps such strategies in check. Its relevance extends to constraining opponents’ options, making it a tactical inclusion.
How to beat
Ash Zealot presents a dynamic challenge on the battlefield with its quick pace and punishing abilities for players who delve into their graveyards. As a two-mana creature with haste and first strike, Ash Zealot excels in aggressive red decks and can quickly turn the tide if left unchecked. However, beating this card can be straightforward with the right approach.
To outmaneuver an Ash Zealot, consider using removal spells that can bypass its first strike, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. Efficient removal can neutralize the threat before it capitalizes on its graveyard-punishing ability. Keeping in mind its two toughness, damage-based removal like Lightning Bolt also works well. Moreover, deploying creatures with higher toughness can block and survive an assault from an Ash Zealot, turning aggressiveness into a liability for your opponent.
Strategically, it’s also wise to limit using spells from the graveyard or refrain from employing “flashback” and similar mechanics while Ash Zealot is in play. Adjusting your playstyle and prioritizing the removal of this creature can ensure that its presence on the board is short-lived, allowing you to regain control of the game pace and proceed with your strategy uncompromised.
Cards like Ash Zealot
Ash Zealot is a fiery staple in MTG decks that favor quick, aggressive strategies. One might draw parallels between Ash Zealot and other two-mana hasty creatures, like Rakdos Cackler. While both have the capability to strike fast, Ash Zealot introduces additional utility with its anti-graveyard abilities, punishing opponents for playing cards from the graveyard. Rakdos Cackler, conversely, offers only a solid creature without the extra flare of graveyard control.
Considering creatures like Eidolon of the Great Revel, you get a broader picture of the red aggro approach. Eidolon, like Ash Zealot, impacts the game beyond mere combat damage by penalizing non-creature spells. Although it doesn’t directly inhibit graveyard tactics, the Eidolon can disrupt an opponent’s strategy on a wider scale. Meanwhile, Tormod’s Crypt provides a purely reactive graveyard hate option, lacking Ash Zealot’s board presence but excelling at graveyard control without a mana investment.
Ultimately, Ash Zealot remains a red deck favorite due to its multifaceted ability to engage in combat and simultaneously disturb prevalent graveyard strategies, a trait that’s quite rare for creatures within its mana value.
Cards similar to Ash Zealot by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ash Zealot MTG card by a specific set like Return to Ravnica, 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 Ash Zealot and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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 Ash Zealot has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ash Zealot card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2012-10-01 | Ash Zealot’s ability doesn’t allow any player to cast cards from a graveyard. Such cards need another way to be cast, such as the flashback ability. |
| 2012-10-01 | Ash Zealot’s ability doesn’t trigger if you put a card onto the battlefield from a graveyard (using Grave Betrayal’s ability, for example). |
| 2012-10-01 | Ash Zealot’s triggered ability will resolve before that spell resolves. |
