Zealot of the God-Pharaoh MTG Card
2017-07-14 - Number 207
2019-11-07 - Number 1107
2019-11-15 - Number 45
2020-08-13 - Number 181
2020-09-26 - Number HOU-207
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Minotaur Archer |
| Power | 4 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
: Zealot of the God-Pharaoh deals 2 damage to target opponent.
The God-Pharaoh's most devoted took it upon themselves to follow his example.
Cards like Zealot of the God-Pharaoh
Within the reaches of MTG’s vast card library, Zealot of the God-Pharaoh presents an intriguing option for players seeking to leverage creature cards with a direct damage ability. It invites comparisons with cards such as Guttersnipe, which offers a reliable way to deal damage to each opponent whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell. While Guttersnipe has a lower casting cost and can potentially deal more damage over time, it requires a heavier investment in those spell types to be effective.
Magma Giant is another similar card but operates on a more grandiose scale. Upon entering the battlefield, it deals damage to all creatures and each opponent. This can provide a significant one-time board impact, which Zealot of the God-Pharaoh lacks. However, Zealot of the God-Pharaoh’s ability allows for repeated use, albeit with a required mana investment per use.
Lastly, when evaluating options for burn strategies, Firebrand Archer could be considered alongside these cards. It costs less and deals damage each time a noncreature spell is cast. The repeating damage potential is similar to the Zealot, albeit through a different trigger condition. Each card offers unique approaches to damage output, making Zealot of the God-Pharaoh a versatile candidate in specific decks, especially those looking for repeated direct damage capabilities.
Cards similar to Zealot of the God-Pharaoh by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Zealot of the God-Pharaoh does not provide card draw on its own, its recurring ability can be seen as a form of virtual card advantage as it provides a consistent damage output without needing to commit additional cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: This creature doesn’t directly accelerate resources in terms of mana, but its 4/3 stats for a 4-mana investment align well with the mana curve, ensuring a solid presence on the battlefield without falling behind in resource deployment.
Instant Speed: The ability of the Zealot of the God-Pharaoh to deal 2 damage to each opponent can be activated at instant speed. This provides flexibility, allowing you to utilize mana efficiently at end of turn if you did not play other spells during your turn, keeping pressure on your opponents during their turns.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Zealot of the God-Pharaoh does not force a card discard upon casting, it does necessitate a significant commitment of resources to activate its ability. Each activation effectively costs the player both mana and the potential use of another card they could have played instead, which can be especially detrimental in a game where maintaining card advantage is critical.
Specific Mana Cost: Zealot of the God-Pharaoh’s mana cost necessitates a specific color combination, which is two colorless and two red mana. This makes it a less flexible option for multi-colored decks that may not reliably have enough red mana resources, thus limiting the number of deck types it can be optimally included in.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana for a 4/3 creature, Zealot of the God-Pharaoh is positioned at a competitive spot in terms of mana curve. However, its ability cost is also comparatively high. For two colorless and two red mana, the ability deals only 2 damage to each opponent, a rate of return that may not be as cost-effective compared to other cards that can impact the board more significantly for the same, if not lower, mana investment.
Reasons to Include Zealot of the God-Pharaoh in Your Collection
Versatility: Zealot of the God-Pharaoh is a flexible option for decks requiring a proactive four-drop creature. Its ability to deal direct damage to opponents means it can serve a role both in aggressive red strategies and as a finisher in control-oriented decks.
Combo Potential: The card compliments strategies centered around untap mechanics, allowing you to activate its ability multiple times in a single turn. This synergizes well with cards that provide cost reductions for abilities or red spells that incite additional activations.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta teeming with creature-based strategies, Zealot of the God-Pharaoh stands out as a resilient threat, one that can apply pressure without entering combat. Its direct-damage capability keeps it relevant, especially against decks that are vulnerable to non-combat damage.
How to beat
Zealot of the God-Pharaoh enters the battlefield as a respectable creature that can chip away at an opponent’s life total with its activated ability. To effectively counter this card, consider using removal spells before it can start inflicting damage. Instant-speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile work well because they can be used before the opponent has a chance to utilize the Zealot’s ability.
Control strategies that limit the opponent’s mana are also effective in stifling the Zealot’s impact. By restricting your opponent’s resources with cards like Damping Sphere, you inhibit their ability to both cast spells and activate abilities, including the Zealot’s. In grindier games, opt for enchantments like Pacifism to neutralize the Zealot without having to invest multiple resources into removing it.
Another tactic is to go on the offensive and outpace the damage output of the Zealot with aggressive creatures or an overwhelming board presence. Using creatures with lifelink or proposing favorable trades can diminish the relative value of the Zealot’s repeated damage and help maintain your life total as you march closer to victory. By staying one step ahead, you’ll find the Zealot of the God-Pharaoh more nuisance than threat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zealot of the God-Pharaoh MTG card by a specific set like Hour of Devastation and Mystery Booster, 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 Zealot of the God-Pharaoh 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 Zealot of the God-Pharaoh Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2017-07-14 and 2020-08-13. Illustrated by Gabor Szikszai.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-07-14 | Hour of Devastation | HOU | 207 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai | |
| 2 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1107 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai | |
| 3 | 2019-11-15 | Game Night 2019 | GN2 | 45 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai | |
| 4 | 2020-08-13 | Amonkhet Remastered | AKR | 181 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | HOU-207 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gabor Szikszai |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zealot of the God-Pharaoh has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |