Zodiac Horse MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 159
2002-06-24 - Number 35090
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Horse |
| Abilities | Islandwalk,Landwalk |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Islandwalk (If defending player has an island in play, Zodiac Horse can't be blocked.)
". . . 'First take Jingzhou, next the Riverlands; / On that rich region, base your own royal stand.' . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Horse
Zodiac Horse, a creature card from the Magic: The Gathering Portal Three Kingdoms set, shares several characteristics with other creature cards that place a premium on land type synergy. The Zodiac Horse thrives in decks where Forests are abundant, gaining the ability to be unblockable as long as you control a Forest. Other cards like Trailblazer’s Boots equip a creature with nonbasic landwalk, enabling potential unblockability given the common inclusion of nonbasic lands in opponents’ decks.
More closely related in functionality is the card Elvish Reclaimer, which also benefits from a land-centric strategy, offering both land retrieval and potential growth in power. Elvish Reclaimer, however, has the added versatility of fetching any land card at the expense of another land, unlike the Zodiac Horse’s singular focus on advantage through Forests. Lastly, consider Silhana Ledgewalker with its inherent evasion thanks to hexproof and being unblockable except by creatures with flying, a trait that grants it a consistent edge in creature combat.
Balancing the distinctive advantages and roles of each card is essential for deck builders. While Zodiac Horse fits a niche role in Forest-driven decks, considerations of cost, card versatility, and capability to evade defenses are crucial when selecting similar creatures for your MTG strategy.
Cards similar to Zodiac Horse by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zodiac Horse enters the battlefield as a source of incremental card advantage. It does not draw cards directly but by encouraging multi-blocker scenarios where it can often trade one-for-two, it subtly positions you ahead in card economy.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct mana ramp, its stable four mana cost makes it an accessible and efficient play in the mid-game. In decks synergizing with equine or Zodiac themes, it may trigger other cards’ effects, thereby indirectly accelerating your available resources.
Instant Speed: Although not an instant itself, Zodiac Horse can synergize with spells cast at instant speed. Its presence can dissuade opponents from attacking, leaving you free to utilize instants on their turn. Additionally, in formats where flash-enabling cards are played, being able to deploy Zodiac Horse unexpectedly can significantly shift the course of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zodiac Horse might stipulate the discard of another card to activate certain abilities. For MTG players holding a strategic hand, losing a potential card can detract from the game plan, especially if the current board position requires maintaining a full grip of cards to navigate complex situations or if you’re relying on card synergies.
Specific Mana Cost: Cards like Zodiac Horse often come with a specific mana requirement that could complicate its inclusion in multi-colored decks. If the card demands green mana, players running decks without a reliable green source might find it challenging to cast it on time, or at all, thus throttling the card’s utility in a diverse metagame.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Being on the higher end of the mana spectrum, Zodiac Horse’s cost may be considered steep for its offered effects. In a game where efficiency is key, players might lean towards lower-cost creatures that provide similar benefits or higher-impact plays that can change the game-state promptly. The mana investment in Zodiac Horse needs to be justified by a substantial in-game advantage which may not always be achievable.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Horse thrives in various deck builds due to its ability to adapt to multiple strategies. Its interaction with land types makes it exceptionally efficient in decks that manipulate land types for different benefits.
Combo Potential: This card can be a critical component in decks focusing on synergies with creature types or abilities. The power to build around it and include it in a diverse array of combos cannot be disregarded by any serious player.
Meta-Relevance: With decks constantly evolving around the meta, Zodiac Horse can sometimes find a place where its unique attributes line up perfectly with what is prevalent in the competitive scene, making it a sleeper hit in certain environments.
How to beat
Zodiac Horse, while not the most prominent card in competitive MTG play, presents a unique challenge due to its landwalk ability, which can make it unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Forest. This ability can turn Zodiac Horse into a consistent source of damage, especially in formats where Forests are common or in a meta with heavy green presence.
To effectively counteract Zodiac Horse, consider using removal spells that can bypass its landwalk ability. Spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which don’t rely on blocking, can efficiently handle the creature. Additionally, utilizing board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation can clear the field regardless of any specific abilities like landwalk.
Another strategy involves adjusting your land base if possible. By using fewer Forests or employing utility lands that don’t fall into the Forest category, Zodiac Horse’s advantage can be negated. Some decks might also benefit from land transformation spells or effects, changing your Forests into other land types and rendering Zodiac Horse blockable once again. Understanding these key strategies can help turn the tide against this equine adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Horse 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 Horse 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 Horse Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 1999-05-01. Illustrated by Ai Desheng.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 159 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ai Desheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35090 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ai Desheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Horse has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |