Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp MTG Card

Zabaz enhances artifact synergy, offering indirect card advantage and board persistence through modular mechanics. The card facilitates quick power escalation of artifact creatures, enabling aggressive strategies with a low cast cost. Instantaneous self-replication and the option for immediate +1/+1 counter distribution provide tactical benefits during play.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact Creature — Insect
Abilities Modular
Power 0
Toughness 0

Text of card

Modular 1 If a modular triggered ability would put one or more +1/+1 counters on a creature you control, that many plus one +1/+1 counters are put on it instead. : Destroy target artifact you control. : Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp gains flying until end of turn.

Cards like Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp

Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp carves its niche in the Magic: The Gathering modular creature family. A natural comparison arises with Arcbound Ravager, a hallmark of artifact synergy, though Zabaz does not consume other artifacts in the same way. Instead, Zabaz offers flexibility with its modular ability and the option to buff other artifact creatures or itself, a unique twist differentiating it from Ravager’s on-the-fly growth strategy.

Looking to Steel Overseer, another artifact creature with a role in bolstering its kin, Zabaz again shines with a lower cost and the ability to immediately impact the board with +1/+1 counters. In contrast, Steel Overseer requires a tap to give your team a boost, making Zabaz the more immediate option. The inclusion of a built-in destruction mechanism also distances Zabaz from Steel Overseer, providing strategic versatility.

Analyzing these relationships showcases Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp as a potent and adaptable card within the Magic: The Gathering artifact ecosystem. It competes well with its modular mechanics, providing deck builders with a bevy of strategic options while holding its own against other creature-based artifacts in the game.

Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Mono-Green Hardened ScalesMono-Green Hardened Scales ModernHardened ScalesModern League 2024-04-30

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp may not directly provide card draw, but it enhances synergy with artifact strategies, often resulting in an indirect card advantage. Its ability to modify modular creatures and self-replicate when destroyed while a modular creature is present provides a continuous presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Zabaz itself doesn’t ramp, it aids resource acceleration in artifact-centric decks. Its low casting cost and the modular ability to distribute +1/+1 counters can quickly escalate the power of your artifact creatures, allowing for a quicker offensive strategy.

Instant Speed: Although Zabaz operates at sorcery speed, its ability to destroy and replace itself instantaneously with the modular trigger can be a tactical advantage. This feature, coupled with instant-speed artifacts or abilities in the deck, can lead to surprising shifts in the board state during your opponent’s turn.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp doesn’t directly require you to discard, but it does necessitate having artifact creatures to maximize its potential, which can strain your hand if you’re not drawing enough cards.

Specific Mana Cost: Zabaz may be adaptable with its modular ability, but it requires red or white mana to utilize all its abilities effectively, potentially limiting deck-building options for players with more restrictive manabases.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Zabaz’s initial cost is low, fully leveraging its abilities to enhance other artifacts can lead to a high cumulative mana cost throughout the game, which might detract from other strategic plays and resource allocations.

Reasons to Include Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp in Your Collection

Versatility: Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp is a modular card that can adapt to various playstyles, making it a strong addition to any artifact-focused deck. Its ability to gain counters and modify other artifacts lends it to multiple strategies and synergies.

Combo Potential: With its modular ability and low casting cost, Zabaz can be a catalyst for combo plays, particularly in decks that revolve around +1/+1 counters and artifact shenanigans. It can be a key piece in creating an overwhelming board presence.

Meta-Relevance: As the game continues to evolve, Zabaz’s unique mechanism that aids the strength of artifact creatures ensures its relevance. In metagames where artifacts are prevalent, Zabaz becomes an even more valuable asset, interacting dynamically with the current competitive landscape.

How to beat Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp

Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp emerges as a unique creature in Magic: The Gathering, particularly within artifact and Modular strategies. When facing this buzzing threat, successful tactics hinge on disrupting its synergies. Consider leveraging artifact removal spells such as Abrade or Shatter to neutralize key pieces before Zabaz can leverage their benefit. Removing artifacts promptly hinders its ability to grow through Modular mechanics, substantially weakening its impact.

Another strategy is to employ instant-speed removal to address Zabaz itself. Since it relies on counters, utilizing spells like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can effectively eliminate it before its abilities trigger and it becomes out of reach. Furthermore, because Zabaz can potentially save itself once with its indestructible ability, timing your removal after this ability has been activated is crucial to ensure it doesn’t linger on the battlefield.

Combatting Zabaz also involves managing the board state to prevent the accumulation of counters and Modular transfers. Prioritizing the destruction of creatures or artifacts that could boost Zabaz’s presence ensures the Glimmerwasp does not become an overwhelming force. Vigilant gameplay and strategic removal can often outpace and defeat the cunning resilience of Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Modern Horizons 2 Art Series, 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 Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2021-06-18 and 2021-08-26. Illustrated by Jason Felix.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 913692015NormalBlackJason Felix
22021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 652015Art seriesBorderlessJason Felix
32021-06-18Modern Horizons 2 Art SeriesAMH2 65s2015Art seriesBorderlessJason Felix
42021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 4742015NormalBlackJason Felix
52021-06-18Modern Horizons 2MH2 2432015NormalBlackJason Felix
62021-06-19Modern Horizons 2 PromosPMH2 243s2015NormalBlackJason Felix
72021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 7622015NormalBlackJason Felix

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
GladiatorLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zabaz, the Glimmerwasp card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-06-18 If this creature gets enough -1/-1 counters put on it to cause it to go to the graveyard, modular will put a number of +1/+1 counters on the target artifact creature equal to the number of +1/+1 counters on this creature before it left the battlefield.
2021-06-18 Zabaz the Glimmerwasp's replacement effect requires it to be on the battlefield to work. Notably, that means it won't increase the counters given by its own modular ability.