Staff of Zegon MTG Card
1994-03-04 - Number 65
2011-01-10 - Number 229
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact |
Text of card
o3: Target creature loses -2/-0 until end of turn. Creatures with power less than 1 deal no damage.
Though Mishra was impressed by the staves Ashnod had created for Zegon's defense, he understood they only hinted at her full potential.
Cards like Staff of Zegon
The Staff of Zegon is an intriguing artifact in the realm of MTG, nuanced by its activated ability that offers a reliable, albeit modest, form of creature control. When exploring cards with a parallel function, Icy Manipulator emerges as a direct comparison. Like the Staff of Zegon, the Icy Manipulator utilizes a tap ability to control combat dynamics, though it demands no mana investment to activate, providing more flexibility despite its higher initial casting cost.
Delving into the arsenal of control artifacts, we encounter the likes of Winter Orb, another classic that alters the rhythm of play. While not offering targeted creature control, Winter Orb exerts a broader influence on the untap phase, restricting the resources available to an opponent. Despite obvious functional differences, what it shares with Staff of Zegon is the strategic imposition on opponents’ abilities to fully utilize their cards each turn.
Given this context, Staff of Zegon holds a special place with its combined low-cost and creature focus. For players seeking targeted, cost-effective board control options in MTG, Staff of Zegon is a compelling card that can skillfully maneuver the flow of battle without exhausting significant resources.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Staff of Zegon provides a substantial benefit by allowing you to tap into your deck for additional resources. This advantage can help tip the scales in your favor during a prolonged match.
Resource Acceleration: When deploying Staff of Zegon, players can experience a boost in resource management. This artifact can be an asset for ramping up your mana pool and enabling bigger plays sooner than your opponents expect.
Instant Speed: The inherent flexibility of Staff of Zegon allows for strategic plays at crucial moments. Utilizing its abilities at instant speed, you can optimize your turns and outpace the opposition with swift, decisive actions.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Holding the Staff of Zegon can be a downside if you’re required to discard another card to play or activate it, especially in situations where your hand size is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: As Staff of Zegon demands a particular blend of mana to cast or utilize, it may not seamlessly fit into multicolored decks that struggle with specific mana generation.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With the cost to get Staff of Zegon’s effects into play, you may find that there are alternative artifacts or spells available that could provide similar or better utility at a lower mana commitment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Staff of Zegon is a flexible accessory for your deck, especially in formats where equipping creatures at a low cost is crucial. Its ability to enhance any creature can be a game-changer in prolonged duels.
Combo Potential: With the right setup, Staff of Zegon can become a critical component in artifact-centric combos, enabling synergies with cards that care about artifacts or equipped creatures.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that’s heavy on combat and creature interaction, Staff of Zegon can provide the necessary edge by augmenting your creatures’ capacity to both withstand and deliver damage effectively.
How to beat
The Staff of Zegon may not be a household name in Magic: The Gathering, but it’s a card that can be quite potent under the right circumstances. Just like any artifact, its power lies in being able to use its effect repeatedly, providing consistent pressure or utility to its controller. The key to overpowering the Staff of Zegon hinges on artifact disruption tactics. By utilizing cards that specifically target artifacts such as Naturalize or Disenchant, you can remove it from play effectively, denying your opponent the advantage it offers.
Another strategy involves being proactive and using counter spells like Negate or Mana Leak when your opponent is casting the Staff of Zegon. Keeping the board clear of artifacts is also crucial; therefore, controlling the flow of the game with card removal and sweepers can limit its usefulness. It’s essential to keep in mind that while the Staff of Zegon can be an enabler for some strategies, maintaining versatility in your deck to address different threats is the bedrock of a well-rounded MTG strategy.
To sum up, prevailing against the Staff of Zegon requires a blend of direct artifact disruption, strategic counterplay, and a versatile deck that can adapt to numerous threats on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Staff of Zegon MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Masters Edition IV, 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 Staff of Zegon 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
Printings
The Staff of Zegon Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Mark Poole.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-03-04 | Antiquities | ATQ | 65 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 229 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Mark Poole |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Staff of Zegon has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |