Zacama, Primal Calamity MTG Card
2018-01-19 - Number 174
2021-01-01 - Number 10
2023-08-04 - Number 598
2023-08-04 - Number 365
2023-08-04 - Number 691
2023-11-17 - Number 296
2020-09-26 - Number RIX-174
Text of card
Vigilance, reach, trample When Zacama, Primal Calamity enters the battlefield, if you cast it, untap all lands you control. : Zacama deals 3 damage to target creature. : Destroy target artifact or enchantment. : You gain 3 life.
Cards like Zacama, Primal Calamity
Zacama, Primal Calamity is a titan among creatures within the MTG multiverse, embodying raw power and versatility. In the landscape of formidable creatures, Atla Palani, Nest Tender offers a similar vibe by creating a possibility for cheating expensive creatures like Zacama onto the battlefield without paying their colossal mana costs. However, Zacama doesn’t require such contrivances as it offers direct value upon entering play.
Gishath, Sun’s Avatar bears resemblance as another massive dinosaur. Gishath too can drastically alter the course of a game, not through direct mana manipulation but by introducing other dinos directly onto the field. Crucially though, Zacama’s immediate board impact is its capability to untap all lands you control, potentially allowing the utilization of its powerful activated abilities the same turn it’s played.
Unquestionably, Zacama stands tall among its counterparts. Its trifecta of activated abilities provides a Swiss Army knife of options to disrupt opponents, something neither Atla Palani nor Gishath can claim. The calibre of instant-speed interaction offered by Zacama makes it a unique and formidable powerhouse in any match.
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Zacama, Primal Calamity. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | WRG | Modern | Modern League 2024-03-04 | |
 | Hidden Strings | Pioneer | Hidden Strings | Pioneer Preliminary 2024-03-05 (1) |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zacama, Primal Calamity delivers on multiple fronts when it comes to card advantage. Beyond its formidable presence on the battlefield, each of its activated abilities can be translated into potential card advantage, be it by removing threats, gaining life, or untapping lands for further plays.
Resource Acceleration: With its ability to untap all lands you control when it enters the battlefield, Zacama can lead to significant resource acceleration. This can set you up for powerful turns where mana becomes less of a constraint, letting you cast additional spells or activate more abilities.
Instant Speed: While Zacama itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, the fact that it gives you access to untapped lands during your main phase means you’re always ready to react at instant speed with other spells in your hand, thus maintaining the element of surprise and flexibility during your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Zacama, Primal Calamity does not have a discard requirement, its significant board presence can be a liability against decks running control strategies, which can often remove, exile, or otherwise neutralize costly creatures quickly, leaving you at a resource disadvantage.
Specific Mana Cost: Calling on a mix of red, green, and white mana, Zacama’s tri-color identity restricts it to decks that can consistently produce or fetch these specific mana colors, impacting deck-building choices and potentially reducing flexibility.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its nine mana casting cost makes it one of the more expensive creatures to play. This high cost can be cumbersome, as it often requires building resources over multiple turns, leaving players vulnerable as they work to summon Zacama to the battlefield.
Reasons to Include Zacama, Primal Calamity in Your Collection
Versatility: Zacama, Primal Calamity is a dynamic force adaptable to multiple deck archetypes in Commander format. Its ability to untap lands upon entry enables various instant-speed responses, making it a versatile tool against a range of threats.
Combo Potential: The card’s individual abilities are a combo enabler’s dream, offering direct damage, creature control, and life gain. These options can synergize with numerous strategies, particularly in decks built around untapping mechanisms or ability copying.
Meta-Relevance: As a powerful late-game finisher, Zacama can dramatically swing games in its controller’s favor. Its relevance in the meta is driven by its potential to counteract dominant control decks and outpace other high-impact creatures present in the current game environment.
How to beat
Zacama, Primal Calamity presents a unique challenge in the world of MTG. As a towering elder dinosaur, it demands a specific set of strategies to overcome. You’re up against a creature that can untap all lands you control on entry and has a trio of potent activated abilities to disrupt your board state. It’s vital to prevent this behemoth from taking over the game.
The key to besting Zacama lies in timing and resource management. Counter spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can halt Zacama before it ever hits the battlefield. Should Zacama land, instant-speed removals such as Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization can eliminate it before it becomes a larger problem. Artifact-based strategies can also pay off, with cards like Grafdigger’s Cage restricting creature abilities from being used from the graveyard or library.
Ultimately, defeating Zacama requires a careful balance of pre-emptive denial and the readiness to dispatch it rapidly once on the field. Ensuring you have the right answers in your deck and the foresight to play them at the opportune moment will keep Zacama’s cataclysmic force at bay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zacama, Primal Calamity MTG card by a specific set like Rivals of Ixalan and The List, 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 Zacama, Primal Calamity 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 Zacama, Primal Calamity Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-01-19 and 2023-11-17. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-01-19 | Rivals of Ixalan | RIX | 174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | RIX-174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | ||
| 3 | 2021-01-01 | Judge Gift Cards 2021 | PJ21 | 10 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yigit Koroglu | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 598 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 5 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 365 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones | |
| 6 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 691 | 2015 | Normal | Borderless | Bastien Grivet | |
| 7 | 2023-11-17 | The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander | LCC | 296 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Jaime Jones |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zacama, Primal Calamity has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zacama, Primal Calamity card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-01-19 | Zacama's triggered ability triggers if you cast it from any zone. It doesn't trigger if you put Zacama onto the battlefield without casting it. |
| 2023-07-28 | Zacama's damage-dealing ability can be activated during combat, perhaps targeting a creature blocking it. If all creatures blocking Zacama are destroyed, its combat damage is assigned to the player, planeswalker, or battle it's attacking because of trample. If the blocking creatures are dealt nonlethal damage, that damage is considered when assigning trample damage. |
Guide to Vigilance card ability
In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.