Zodiac Goat MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 132
2002-06-24 - Number 35098
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Goat |
| Abilities | Mountainwalk |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Mountainwalk (If defending player has a mountain in play, Zodiac Goat can't be blocked.)
". . . Near death in Baidi, having reigned three years, / Bei sadly placed his son in Kongming's care. . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Goat
When taking a closer look at Zodiac Goat in MTG, its parallels to other creatures are noteworthy. This card might remind veteran players of Gray Ogre, due to their identical mana costs and power/toughness ratio. Both are 2/2 creatures for three mana, offering a reliable yet straightforward choice for early game board presence. The distinction arises from Zodiac Goat’s particular requirement of one Mountain as part of its casting cost, which can be a slight limitation compared to the more flexible mana requirement of Gray Ogre.
Exploring further, the trusty Hill Giant also comes to mind, offering a sturdy 3/3 for just one more mana than Zodiac Goat. For players seeking a bit more impact on the board, Hill Giant might edge out our Goat friend, especially in a deck that isn’t constrained by the specific mana requirements. Meanwhile, among Mountain-specific creatures, Raging Goblin offers a different angle—agility over strength—with its one mana cost and haste, providing an immediate but less substantial presence.
When placed against its kin, Zodiac Goat maintains a balanced spot. Its specific mana alignment may align well within a Mountain-centric deck, ensuring a sturdy early drop that can hold its own on the battlefield.
Cards similar to Zodiac Goat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zodiac Goat provides a reliable chump blocker which can often lead to favorable trades on the battlefield, allowing its controller to maintain board presence and potentially save key creatures from destruction.
Resource Acceleration: As part of the mana cost, Zodiac Goat offers flexibility in mana resources by accepting either of two colors, helping smooth out early-game mana curves and allowing for more consistent play.
Instant Speed: While Zodiac Goat itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells due to its cost-effective nature, ensuring you have sufficient board presence while keeping mana ready for reactions during the enemy’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zodiac Goat requires discarding another card as part of its casting cost. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already dwindling and every card counts towards your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell demands both generic and specific mana types which can sometimes complicate your mana base, restricting its seamless play in decks not dedicated to its colors.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the creature may have desirable traits, its casting cost is substantial when compared with other creatures that could be played for a similar mana investment, potentially reducing its overall utility in a fast-paced game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Goat is a flexible addition to any Commander or casual deck that leverages creature types. As a Goat, it fits perfectly in tribal-themed decks that benefit from various creature synergies.
Combo Potential: This card’s low casting cost and creature type can be exploited in combos with cards like “Springjack Shepherd” or “Goatnapper”, offering a unique angle for creative and fun interactions.
Meta-Relevance: Despite not being a staple in competitive formats, its inclusion in quirky and theme-based decks can catch opponents off guard, which can be a significant advantage in less-formal settings or when the meta is unpredictable.
How to beat Zodiac Goat
Zodiac Goat might not be the flashiest card in Magic: The Gathering, but underestimating its role on the battlefield can lead to unexpected hurdles. Its steadfast presence as a 1/1 creature for two mana with mountainwalk can easily slide past defenses if you’re unprepared. For those unfamiliar, mountainwalk means if an opponent controls a mountain, the Goat can’t be blocked, potentially leading to consistent damage over time.
Solving the Zodiac Goat puzzle is simple with the right countermeasures. Utilize land alteration spells or abilities to ensure mountains are scarce on your side of the field, thus negating its mountainwalk ability. Spells that change the terrain, such as Sea’s Claim or cards that allow you to swap lands, can be clever ways to turn the tides. Alternatively, since the Goat’s statistics are not imposing, one can employ cheap removal spells or those that do not rely on blocking like Shock or Dead Weight to deal with it before the mountainwalk ability becomes relevant.
Ousting the Zodiac Goat from play shouldn’t be a steep climb if you’re prepared with adaptive strategies or removal. Ensuring it doesn’t hit the field in the first place through counter spells or preemptive control can also ensure the Zodiac Goat won’t become a thorn in your side.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Goat 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 Goat 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 Zodiac Goat 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 | 132 | 1997 | Normal | White | Qi Baocheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35098 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Qi Baocheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Goat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |