Zodiac Dog MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 130
2002-06-24 - Number 35102
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Dog |
| Abilities | Mountainwalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Mountainwalk (If defending player has a mountain in play, Zodiac Dog can't be blocked.)
". . . Jiang Wei alone still strove with might and main: / Nine times more he fought the north—in vain. . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Dog
Zodiac Dog, a part of the Chinese themed Zodiac cycle in Magic: The Gathering, is a creature card that shares similarities with other canine companions in the game. Like Zodiac Dog, Isamaru, Hound of Konda is also a low-cost creature, but Isamaru boasts being a legendary with a solid 2/2 for just one white mana, an efficient deal for early game presence.
Comparing further, we encounter Pack Leader, another dog-themed card that not only provides a respectable creature for two mana but also offers a protective ability for all other dogs you control. This makes it tremendously valuable in a dog-focused deck. Alpha Status is an enchantment that can turn Zodiac Dog or any other creature into a formidable threat by giving a large boost if you control other creatures that share a type with it, ensuring your loyal hounds pack more bite in battle.
While Zodiac Dog has its unique charm, being part of the Zodiac collection and providing a niche combat trick with its ability to avoid being blocked by green creatures, other cards offer more impactful benefits on the battlefield, cementing their place in a player’s deck depending on the strategy they wish to employ.
Cards similar to Zodiac Dog by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zodiac Dog, while not directly drawing cards, can be instrumental in replenishing your hand by facilitating favorable trades on the battlefield or encouraging card draw through synergy with other cards that reward creature control.
Resource Acceleration: This canine-themed card may not produce mana or treasure tokens outright, but it can contribute to resource acceleration by its cost-effectiveness. Deploying a solid creature without investing too much mana allows for more significant plays earlier on or the ability to keep mana available for other strategic moves.
Instant Speed: The Zodiac Dog card itself may not operate at instant speed, but it can synergize well with cards that do. Its presence can provide the strategic advantage of threatening your opponent’s moves while you keep up the mana for instant-speed interactions, enhancing your ability to respond to threats efficiently.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: When playing the Zodiac Dog, you’re obliged to discard another card from your hand to unleash its abilities. This can be particularly taxing when your hand size is shrinking, leaving you at a disadvantage by reducing your tactical options.
Specific Mana Cost: Zodiac Dog comes with a mana cost that requires both white and red mana. This dual necessity can be restrictive, forcing players to build their mana base around this card if they wish to include it in their deck, potentially limiting deck diversity.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a creature of its size, Zodiac Dog’s mana cost leans towards the higher end of the spectrum. Players may find that other creatures or spells at a similar cost might provide superior utility or impact on the game, making Zodiac Dog a less than optimal choice in many situations.
Reasons to Include Zodiac Dog in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Dog can easily adapt to numerous deck strategies. Its low casting cost makes it a reliable early-game play, while its pump ability offers late-game flexibility, fitting perfectly into aggro or control decks alike.
Combo Potential: This card’s interaction with creature abilities that trigger upon casting a spell or attacking can serve as a springboard for advantageous synergies, enhancing your overall game plan and creating opportunities for impressive combos.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where combat tricks and creature interaction are pivotal, Zodiac Dog shines by providing a cost-effective creature that can surprise opponents and shift the board state in your favor.
How to beat
Zodiac Dog often catches players off guard in Magic: The Gathering. This creature from the Portal Three Kingdoms set can present an unexpected challenge with its Mountainwalk ability, allowing it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Mountain. A simple 2/2 for three mana, it might seem inconsequential, but gameplay can prove otherwise when utilized effectively in a deck designed around land types.
To effectively neutralize the threat of Zodiac Dog, consider incorporating cards that change land types or remove lands altogether. Cards with the ability to alter an opponent’s Mountain into another basic land type are efficient against Mountainwalk, making the Zodiac Dog blockable once again. Additionally, using instant speed removal when the Dog is declared as an attacker can be a prudent way to manage this unassuming but potentially powerful creature. Players should always be mindful of their Mountain count against a deck that might play Zodiac Dog, adjusting their strategies and keeping those removal spells handy to maintain control of the game.
Overall, while the Zodiac Dog might have a simple design, it teaches players to anticipate unblockable threats and employ effective countermeasures. It serves as a reminder that even the more straightforward cards in Magic: The Gathering can require specific answers to overcome.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Dog MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Magic Online Promos, 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 Zodiac Dog 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Zodiac Dog Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 1999-05-01. Illustrated by Qi Baocheng.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 130 | 1997 | Normal | White | Qi Baocheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35102 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Qi Baocheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Dog has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |