Zodiac Rooster MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 163
2002-06-24 - Number 35082
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Bird |
| Abilities | Plainswalk |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Plainswalk (If defending player has a plain in play, Zodiac Rooster can't be blocked.)
". . . But the time of Han had run—could he [Kongming] not tell?— / That night his master star fell past the hills. . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Rooster
Zodiac Rooster may not be the most notorious creature in the Magic: The Gathering roster, but it certainly stands its ground among various other cards with landwalk abilities. Take the case of Whippoorwill, a card that shares the landwalk capability without the stipulation of specific land types. While Zodiac Rooster requires Plains to be effective, Whippoorwill can bypass any type of land as long as it’s targeted.
Another card worth mentioning is Mountain Goat, which boasts the ever-valuable mountainwalk. While not as niche as the plains-specific requirement of Zodiac Rooster, it does cater to a more prevalent land type in the MTG meta, thus potentially having more chances to be unblockable. In direct comparison, Zodiac Rooster might find less frequent use, but it excels in environments heavily populated with Plains.
In essence, while Zodiac Rooster might not see play in every deck, in the right setting it can be unassailable by opponents who favor Plains. Within the context of MTG’s vast array of creatures with landwalk abilities, Zodiac Rooster presents a unique flavor of tactical advantage that appeals to a more focused strategy.
Cards similar to Zodiac Rooster by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zodiac Rooster may not directly generate card advantage, but its ability to potentially clear a path for your other creatures can tip the scales in your favor, leading to advantageous board states.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct mana acceleration, the Zodiac Rooster’s appeal lies in its unique deck synergy potential, opening up resource acceleration through aligned deck strategies.
Instant Speed: As a creature card, Zodiac Rooster doesn’t operate at instant speed, yet it can still be a crucial component in strategies seeking to optimize timing and interactions within the confines of the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Zodiac Rooster necessitates discarding other cards, a trade-off that can deplete your hand and reduce future options.
Specific Mana Cost: Zodiac Rooster requires green mana, making it less flexible for decks that are not focused on green mana sources or multicolored strategies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost to get into play which can be inefficient when considering its ability, there might be alternatives that offer more impact for the same or lower mana investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Rooster can be a unique addition to decks that capitalize on creature types, thanks to its status as a Bird. Its landwalk ability ensures that it can potentially remain unblockable in matches against decks using plains, making it a subtle but strategic fit for various game plans.
Combo Potential: As a creature with a specific landwalk ability, Zodiac Rooster could form part of combos in decks that manipulate land types on the battlefield. This could enable you to surpass your opponent’s defenses or work in tandem with cards that benefit from creatures connecting with a player.
Meta-Relevance: Its fitting role in specific metas, particularly when popular decks are heavy on plains, makes Zodiac Rooster a tactical choice. Including it could yield a surprise advantage in games where opponents do not anticipate landwalk abilities to be a factor.
How to beat
The Zodiac Rooster card in MTG presents a peculiar case, predominantly in land walk strategy. This creature card, part of the Portal Three Kingdoms set, boasts an ability that may seem circumstantial but can be tactical in games focused on combat. Its land walk ability ensures it can be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a Plains. But how exactly do you navigate around this feathery adversary?
To beat the Zodiac Rooster, it’s essential to manage your land types thoughtfully. Simply avoiding or limiting Plains in your deck can render the Rooster’s ability useless. Another strategy is to utilize spells that alter land types. Changing your Plains into a different land type when the Rooster attacks can be a game-changer. Removal cards are also a straightforward solution – they can take care of the Rooster regardless of its land walk ability. Board wipes, which clear all creatures, are useful since they do not target and thus do not care about protections or specific abilities.
Through these strategies, Zodiac Rooster can be neutralized effectively. Being prepared with versatile land management and removal options can diminish the impact of this card on your gameplay.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Rooster 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 Rooster 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 Rooster 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 | 163 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ai Desheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35082 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ai Desheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Rooster has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |