Vulturous Zombie MTG Card
Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 5 |
Rarity | Rare |
Type | Creature — Plant Zombie |
Abilities | Flying |
Power | 3 |
Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Flying Whenever a card is put into an opponent's graveyard from anywhere, put a +1/+1 counter on Vulturous Zombie.
"When something dies, all things benefit. Well okay, just our things." —Ezoc, Golgari rot farmer
Cards like Vulturous Zombie
Vulturous Zombie flies high in the realm of creature cards with an insatiable appetite for growth as it feeds off the demise of other creatures. Amid the roster of similar cards, we have Scavenging Ooze, which also takes advantage of creatures hitting the graveyard by allowing you to exile them and in turn, bolstering its power. But unlike Vulturous Zombie, Scavenging Ooze offers the benefit of life gain in addition to power growth.
Another contender in the category is Lhurgoyf, which shares the graveyard-dependant power dynamic. Lhurgoyf’s strength and toughness are directly tied to the number of creature cards in all graveyards, not just from card deaths during the game. However, it doesn’t boast the aerial advantage or the ability to grow during your opponents’ turns which the Zombie does. Lastly, we consider Izoni, Thousand-Eyed. While this card doesn’t grow in power, it creates creature tokens and has built-in sacrifice mechanics, offering a form of utility and board presence that contrasts with Vulturous Zombie’s straightforward size increase.
Ultimately, each of these cards has its situational strengths, but for MTG players looking to build a deck around graveyard synergy with a high-flying beatstick, Vulturous Zombie stands out with its distinctive growth mechanic and evasion in the air.
Cards similar to Vulturous Zombie by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Vulturous Zombie can quickly become a massive threat by gaining +1/+1 counters every time a card is put into an opponent’s graveyard from anywhere. This can lead to a dominating presence on the board, providing you with significant card advantage as the creature’s size becomes harder to manage for your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: By converting cards cycled or discarded by your opponents into power on the board, Vulturous Zombie turns potential temporary setbacks for your opponents into lasting advantages for you. Each counter gained is a proactive step towards victory which accelerates your win condition without relying on additional mana resources.
Instant Speed: While Vulturous Zombie itself does not operate at instant speed, its ability triggers during any phase of the game, including your opponent’s turn. This aspect of the card ensures that your resource acceleration does not pause and could deter opponents from their typical graveyard strategies, knowing the Zombie will only grow stronger as a result.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Vulturous Zombie can be less effective in decks that don’t maintain a full graveyard. It relies on cards being sent to the graveyard to grow, so without this constant stream, it’s not reaching its full potential.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s casting cost requires both black and green mana, which can limit deck-building options and make it harder to cast on curve, especially in multicolored decks that may need mana fixing.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined cost of five mana, the card may take too long to hit the board in faster-paced games. In competitive play, where efficiency is key, its cost can be a significant drawback amidst a field of lower-cost, high-impact creatures and spells.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Vulturous Zombie floats effortlessly into a variety of deck archetypes, particularly those revolving around the graveyard or counters strategies. Its ability to grow in power with each card put into an opponent’s graveyard, makes it a dynamic asset in any match.
Combo Potential: This card pairs well with mechanics that force discards or mill opponents, amplifying its stat line exponentially. These combinations can quickly spiral out of control, making it an integral part of decks that focus on such synergies.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creatures regularly hit the graveyard due to high removal rates or self-mill strategies, Vulturous Zombie can become a significant threat. Its relevance grows in metas filled with fetch lands, sacrifice mechanics, and board wipes, ensuring that it scales with the pace of the game.
How to beat
Vulturous Zombie can be an intimidating presence on the battlefield in MTG. This flying creature grows stronger with each card that hits the graveyard, posing a significant threat over time. Tackling this menace requires a strategic approach. Targeting its weaknesses is crucial such as employing removal spells that can bypass its ability to grow. Cards like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can exile the Zombie, ensuring it doesn’t come back to haunt you.
Another effective tactic is to manage your graveyard interactions meticulously. With fewer opportunities for the Vulturous Zombie to feed upon, its potential threat diminishes. Graveyard hate cards like Relic of Progenitus or Rest in Peace can also be invaluable in this matchup. They not only contain the growth of the Zombie but also render many graveyard-dependent strategies moot. Timing is everything, and holding back these spells until the critical moment can ensure that Vulturous Zombie doesn’t spiral out of control.
By understanding the nature of Vulturous Zombie and incorporating effective countermeasures into your deck, you can contain and overcome this potent adversary in your MTG matches. Remember, swift removal and graveyard control are your best allies in this battle.
BurnMana Recommendations
Understanding the mechanics of Vulturous Zombie is critical in MTG, whether you’re incorporating it into your deck or devising strategies to counter it. Embrace the card’s strengths, like its impressive board presence and potential for exponential growth, making it a formidable opponent. Take into account its vulnerability to specific removal spells and limitations due to mana cost. MTG players eager to exploit graveyard synergies or seeking an imposing airborne creature will find the Vulturous Zombie an attractive choice. Dive deeper with us and discover the myriad ways to optimize your gameplay with this card. Learn more and harness its full potential in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Vulturous Zombie MTG card by a specific set like Ravnica: City of Guilds and Commander 2011, 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 Vulturous Zombie 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
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Printings
The Vulturous Zombie Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2005-10-07 and 2018-06-08. Illustrated by Greg Staples.
# | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2005-10-07 | Ravnica: City of Guilds | RAV | 238 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
2 | 2011-06-17 | Commander 2011 | CMD | 236 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
3 | 2015-11-13 | Commander 2015 | C15 | 238 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
4 | 2016-11-11 | Commander 2016 | C16 | 228 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
5 | 2017-06-09 | Commander Anthology | CMA | 196 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples | |
6 | 2018-06-08 | Commander Anthology Volume II | CM2 | 170 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Greg Staples |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Vulturous Zombie has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Commander | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Predh | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Vulturous Zombie card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
Date | Text |
---|---|
2005-10-01 | The ability doesn’t care why a card goes to your opponent’s graveyard — only that it does. The ability triggers when a card is put into your opponent’s graveyard from the stack (a spell resolves, fails to resolve, or is countered), from the battlefield (a permanent is destroyed or sacrificed), from the player’s hand (a card is discarded), from the player’s library (from a Millstone-like effect), or from any other zone. |
2005-10-01 | This ability triggers only on cards, so it won’t trigger when a token is put into your opponent’s graveyard. |