Surge of Zeal MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
| Abilities | Radiance |
| Released | 2005-10-07 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Ravnica: City of Guilds |
| Set code | RAV |
| Number | 146 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Justin Sweet |
Text of card
Radiance Target creature and each other creature that shares a color with it gain haste until end of turn.
"If only my poxes were as infectious as their zealotry." —Savra
Cards like Surge of Zeal
Surge of Zeal is an intriguing card that bears similarities to other quick buff spells in the world of Magic: The Gathering. It notably grants a creature haste until end of turn—a crucial ability that can be likened to Expedite, which also conveys haste but with the added advantage of drawing a card. Yet, Surge of Zeal provides an interesting twist with its Radiance mechanic, affecting not just a single target but potentially a wide array of creatures sharing a color.
Considering Might of the Masses, a spell that similarly boosts a creature’s power, Surge of Zeal shines in its ability to instantly prepare creatures for battle without the need for a large creature count. Then there’s Samut’s Sprint, another card that gives haste in addition to a power boost. While Samut’s Sprint enhances the creature’s strength more significantly, it lacks the spreading aspect of Surge of Zeal’s Radiance, emphasizing tactical choice between focused power and wide-scale swiftness.
In essence, Surge of Zeal carves its niche within MTG’s suite of haste-granting spells through its unique fusion of immediacy and breadth, a critical blend for players aiming to mobilize their troops swiftly and uniformly.
Cards similar to Surge of Zeal by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Surge of Zeal might not offer a direct path to drawing extra cards, but by facilitating aggressive strategies, it allows players to maximize their card utility. The swift boost can be a game-changer, making every creature count for more during critical turns.
Resource Acceleration: While Surge of Zeal doesn’t generate mana or Treasure tokens, the speed it lends to your creatures effectively accelerates your resource impact. By enabling a quicker offense, you’re putting pressure on your opponent and potentially disrupting their resource curve.
Instant Speed: The instant speed of Surge of Zeal is a critical asset. It allows you to respond dynamically to the battlefield, making surprises like unexpected blockers or end-of-turn plays part of your tactical arsenal, giving you a timing advantage that can lead to winning plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Casting Surge of Zeal requires players to discard a card, which can pose a challenge when hand resources are already dwindling. This downside mandates careful hand management to ensure the discard does not undercut the player’s strategic position.
Specific Mana Cost: Surge of Zeal necessitates a dedicated red mana to play, restricting it predominantly to mono-red or red-inclusive decks. This specific mana requirement can be a hindrance for decks that operate on a broader spectrum of mana sources or those that strive for a more flexible mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Though the instant speed of the card may offer an advantage during combat, the mana investment required for Surge of Zeal is substantial when compared to other combat tricks or spells that could be more impactful on the board state. Decks may find other options more mana-efficient for achieving similar results.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Surge of Zeal is a dynamic choice for many red aggro or Boros speedy decks, providing the instant boost needed to outpace an opponent.
Combo Potential: This instant elevates combo decks by enabling swift attacks or, alternatively, by engaging with cards that gain benefits from creatures becoming tapped.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where tempo plays are critical, Surge of Zeal can be the difference between an early game win or giving your adversary time to recover.
How to Beat
Surge of Zeal is a notable card that can turn the tides in a game of MTG. This instant spell not only gives a creature haste but also boosts its power, making for a surprise assault that can catch opponents off-guard. Despite its potential, there are tactical approaches to mitigate its impact.
One strategy is to maintain open mana for instant-speed removals or bounce spells that can deal with the hasted creature before it deals damage. Counterspells are another effective measure, negating Surge of Zeal as it’s cast and preserving your defenses. Additionally, having blockers with reach or flash capabilities can thwart an unexpectedly hasty attacker. Lastly, cards that limit the casting of spells during combat or on an opponent’s turn can completely neutralize the advantage Surge of Zeal provides.
To sum up, while Surge of Zeal may seem like a daunting card to face, with careful planning and strategic card choices, its surprise factor can be effectively neutralized, keeping your life total safe from unexpected threats.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Surge of Zeal MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds, 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 Surge of Zeal 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 Surge of Zeal has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |