Zodiac Pig MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 97
2002-06-24 - Number 35100
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Boar |
| Abilities | Swampwalk |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
Text of card
Swampwalk (If defending player has a swamp in play, Zodiac Pig can't be blocked.)
". . . Zhong Hui and Deng Ai next led armies west: / And to the Cao, Han's hills and streams now passed. . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Pig
Zodiac Pig from Portal Three Kingdoms offers a unique presence on the battlefield as a strong creature card in MTG. One could liken Zodiac Pig to fellow creature card Craw Wurm, as both boast a sizeable six power. However, Zodiac Pig trumps with its favorable blue creature borrowing mechanic, presenting advantageous strategic flexibility. Conversely, Craw Wurm doesn’t possess any additional abilities, making it a more straightforward, yet less versatile, option.
Moving along the spectrum of comparable cards, we encounter Vastwood Gorger, another green creature with six power. Similar to Zodiac Pig, it’s a formidable presence, but lacks any extra mechanics to sway the board’s dynamic. Zodiac Pig’s ability to potentially commandeer an opponent’s blue creature adds layers of depth and tactical leverage.
In terms of evaluating creature cards that could compete with Zodiac Pig’s niche capabilities, the blend of brute strength and board control potential gives Zodiac Pig an edge in the right deck. Players seeking to blend force with finesse would find Zodiac Pig a compelling choice to consider for game strategy.
Cards similar to Zodiac Pig by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Zodiac Pig offers a unique edge in the realm of card advantage. Once on the battlefield, it has the potential to consistently provide additional resources, ensuring your hand remains full and your options open.
Resource Acceleration: This formidable swine can significantly influence the pace of your game. By offering resource acceleration, it allows players to access more mana earlier, paving the way to cast powerful spells ahead of schedule and outpace the competition.
Instant Speed: The capability to act at instant speed gives the Zodiac Pig a strategic advantage, offering players flexibility and surprise. This trait lets you adapt to the fluid game state, deploying the Pig when the moment is ripe, thereby optimizing its impact on the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of the Zodiac Pig lies in its need for you to discard a card upon certain conditions. This requirement can pose a strategic setback, especially when your hand is already short on options and every card counts.
Specific Mana Cost: The Zodiac Pig demands a particular combination of mana to cast. This not only makes it a challenging fit for multi-color decks but also requires the player to have the right mana sources available at the right time to make the most of its abilities.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that is on the higher end for its creature type, the Zodiac Pig may not be the most mana-efficient creature in your arsenal. When evaluating the cost against its power and toughness, players might find other creatures that offer more bang for the buck.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Pig can be a flexible addition to various deck builds, adding a creative touch to green stompy or creature-focused strategies with its substantial body.
Combo Potential: In decks that exploit creature synergies, Zodiac Pig can be a robust piece, potentially working with cards that benefit from high-powered creatures or those that depend on creature count.
Meta-Relevance: Amidst a game environment favoring creature strategies or a meta where green’s strong suite of creatures thrives, Zodiac Pig secures its place as a significant player, holding the line against other formidable creatures.
How to beat Zodiac Pig
Exploring the dynamics of creature-based strategies in MTG reveals Zodiac Pig as a card that commands attention due to its intricate abilities and board presence. This creature from the Portal Three Kingdoms set is rarely seen in mainstream play, yet knowing how to navigate against it is a testament to a player’s tactical acumen. As a high-cost heavy hitter, Zodiac Pig can influence the board’s equilibrium, but it’s not without its vulnerabilities.
Key tactics for overcoming Zodiac Pig hinge on preemptive measures. Removal spells that exile or force sacrifice bypass the conventional destruction methods, which may prove ineffective against cards with hefty toughness. Spot removal that targets high-cost creatures can disrupt your opponent’s late-game momentum. Moreover, contending with Zodiac Pig’s heftiness becomes manageable with counter spells that negate the summoning process, saving you from its board impact altogether. In realms where combat tricks are favored, flying or unblockable creatures can effectively circumvent Zodiac Pig’s terrestrial dominance, chiseling down an opponent’s life total unhindered.
In essence, understanding the pivotal moments to disrupt or bypass Zodiac Pig’s presence can shift the tides of a match, characterizing a well-honed defensive strategy as much as an aggressive playstyle in the immersive world of MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Pig 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 Pig 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 Pig 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 | 97 | 1997 | Normal | White | Qi Baocheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35100 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Qi Baocheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Pig has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |