Zhur-Taa Swine MTG Card
2013-02-01 - Number 210
2019-02-15 - Number 102
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Boar |
| Abilities | Bloodrush |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Bloodrush — , Discard Zhur-Taa Swine: Target attacking creature gets +5/+4 until end of turn.
Gurley was the first to domesticate one, though his widow didn't take much solace in that accomplishment.
Cards like Zhur-Taa Swine
Zhur-Taa Swine holds a unique place in the world of creature spells in Magic: The Gathering, offering both a significant power punch and a bloodrush ability for aggressive strategies. Drawing parallels to other cards, one can look at Rubblebelt Maaka, also boasting the bloodrush mechanic. While Maaka provides a smaller boost of power, Zhur-Taa Swine stands out with its ability to potentially add a whopping +5/+4 to another attacking creature, making it a formidable force during combat.
Rampaging Rendhorn presents another comparison, which can be played as a 4/4 creature with haste or a more durable 5/5 without haste. It lacks the bloodrush ability but makes up for it in flexibility of use. Then we see Ghor-Clan Rampager, a powerhouse that shares the bloodrush mechanic with Zhur-Taa Swine, however, it’s not just an ability but also a solid creature on its own. The Rampager presents a direct choice for players—use it as a creature or as a combat trick for a smaller, yet possibly game-swinging, boost.
When evaluating Zhur-Taa Swine against these alternatives, it certainly stands tall amongst creature spells with an emphasis on heavy hitting and the surprise factor supplied by its bloodrush ability—instantly equipping players with the potential for a game-changing power play.
Cards similar to Zhur-Taa Swine by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Zhur-Taa Swine may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, using it in conjunction with the Bloodrush ability can turn it into a surprise combat trick that also effectively cycles itself out of your hand, subtly nudging the card advantage in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although the Zhur-Taa Swine doesn’t offer a traditional form of resource acceleration, its presence can pressure opponents into committing more resources to deal with it, potentially accelerating the depletion of their resources while you maintain a solid board state.
Instant Speed: The real surprise element of Zhur-Taa Swine comes from its Bloodrush ability, which can be activated at instant speed. This allows for dynamic combat phases where you can outmaneuver an opponent with unexpected power boosts during battle.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While the bloodrush ability of the Zhur-Taa Swine can be a surprising buff, it requires you to discard the card, which might deplete your hand when you might need those cards for later plays.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature card demands a mix of red and green mana, making it exclusively efficient in Gruul decks or others that can accommodate such mana requirements – possibly limiting its versatility across various deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands four resources, including two that are color-specific, this boar can be a bit hefty on your mana curve. There are alternative creatures that can provide similar or greater impact at a lower resource investment.
Reasons to Include Zhur-Taa Swine in Your Collection
Versatility: Zhur-Taa Swine can easily find a home in Gruul aggro decks or other aggressive strategies. Its Bloodrush ability allows it to be a flexible card that can be used both as a creature and as a combat trick, providing utility depending on the situation on the battlefield.
Combo Potential: The Bloodrush mechanic offers synergies with cards that track instances of creature spells being cast or abilities used. This can be especially potent in decks that aim to capitalize on pumping creatures or interacting with the stack.
Meta-Relevance: Against control decks that rely on maintaining board presence, the option to utilize Zhur-Taa Swine as an instant-speed boost can disrupt your opponent’s plans and swing games in your favor. Its relevance can ebb and flow with the meta, but it possesses the potential to be a dark horse in certain matchups.
How to beat
If you’re facing off against a Zhur-Taa Swine in Magic: The Gathering, the key is understanding how to mitigate this formidable creature’s impact. As a potent force in the red and green mana archetype, the Swine not only boasts considerable power but also has the Bloodrush ability, enabling it to give a significant, albeit temporary, boost to another creature.
To properly prepare for an encounter with Zhur-Taa Swine, prioritizing removal spells that can handle creatures regardless of their size, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, can be especially effective. It’s also beneficial to include creatures with reach or those that can block multiple creatures to mitigate the threat of a Bloodrush-enhanced attacker. Consider cards that can force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, which avoids triggering Bloodrush, as there would be no viable target for the ability to enhance.
Ultimately, maintaining board control and having a solid defensive strategy are your best bets against the Zhur-Taa Swine’s substantial attack capabilities. Keeping removals at the ready and not letting your guard down against this Gruul clan brawler can ensure that its presence on the battlefield is short-lived.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zhur-Taa Swine MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and RNA Guild Kit, 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 Zhur-Taa Swine 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
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Printings
The Zhur-Taa Swine Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2019-02-15. Illustrated by Yeong-Hao Han.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2013-02-01 | Gatecrash | GTC | 210 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han | |
| 2 | 2019-02-15 | RNA Guild Kit | GK2 | 102 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yeong-Hao Han |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zhur-Taa Swine has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |