Zodiac Tiger MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 164
2002-06-24 - Number 35088
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Cat |
| Abilities | Forestwalk |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Text of card
Forestwalk (If defending player has a forest in play, Zodiac Tiger can't be blocked.)
". . . Three kings no more—Chenliu, Guiming, Anle. / The fiefs and posts must now be filled anew. . . ."
Cards like Zodiac Tiger
The Zodiac Tiger is a creature card that resonates with fans of the storied game of Magic: The Gathering for its unique blend of defensive strength and the flavor it brings to the table. It shares some characteristics with other green creatures like Stampeding Wildebeests and Garruk’s Companion. Just like the Wildebeests, the Zodiac Tiger lets players return a green card to their hand when it comes to play, providing strategic recycling of resources. In contrast, Garruk’s Companion offers a less complex presence with its straightforward stats and abilities.
Exploring further within green’s territory, cards like Thragtusk also come to mind – a creature that brings life-gain and token generation to the fray, although without the recurrence ability of Zodiac Tiger. Thragtusk may command a higher mana cost but compensates with a wider impact on game state. Bereft of the complex interactions that the Zodiac Tiger enables, these cards lean towards more direct creature-to-creature comparison in terms of power and toughness.
In essence, while the raw power and immediate board presence of other creatures are undeniable, Zodiac Tiger provides a distinct tactical advantage by leveraging card return, which can be pivotal in prolonged matches. Its balanced attributes uphold its position in creature-based strategies within Magic: The Gathering’s diverse ecosystem.
Cards similar to Zodiac Tiger by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zodiac Tiger offers strategic depth by potentially drawing cards when played under certain conditions, which bolsters your hand and yields a more robust strategy.
Resource Acceleration: With abilities that might influence mana resources, Zodiac Tiger can be a catalyst for accelerating your plays, setting the stage for powerful turns and overtaking opponents.
Instant Speed: While Zodiac Tiger itself isn’t an instant, its interactions with instant speed spells in your deck can craft unexpected turns and disrupt opponents’ plans, making it a versatile addition to any strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Zodiac Tiger comes with an inherent downside. At times, you must discard another card to enable its most potent effects. This can set you back, particularly when you’re running low on cards and need to keep all your options open.
Specific Mana Cost: As a card that demands specific mana types, namely green, it can be restrictive. This limitation means it fits best in mono-green or two-color decks that can reliably produce green mana, potentially excluding it from a wider array of deck archetypes.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost leaning on the higher side, the Zodiac Tiger faces competition from other creatures that may provide more impact or versatility at a lower cost. When deck building, considering the curve is crucial, and the Tiger may not always find its place in the most efficient of game plans.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zodiac Tiger fits comfortably in a variety of green-based decks that capitalize on its forestwalk ability, allowing you to bypass ground defenses whenever a forest is under an opponent’s control.
Combo Potential: As part of a creature-based strategy, Zodiac Tiger pairs well with effects that care about creature types or power, exploiting tribal synergies or facilitating substantial combat damage.
Meta-Relevance: In game environments where green is prevalent, Zodiac Tiger gains additional value, potentially weaving through enemy lines unchallenged, which can pressure opponents reliant on green mana sources.
How to beat
Confronting the Zodiac Tiger in a game of Magic: The Gathering can be quite the challenge. This green creature card is known for its forestwalk ability, which allows it to be unblockable as long as the opponent controls a forest. Because of this, the Zodiac Tiger can become a persistent threat to players without the appropriate strategy.
To effectively neutralize this feline force, one option is to control the types of lands your opponent has at their disposal. Utilizing cards that alter land types, such as Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth or Blood Moon, can strip the Zodiac Tiger of its forestwalk capability, making it blockable once more. Another route is to focus on removal spells that can bypass the creature’s evasion ability, including the likes of Path to Exile or Doom Blade, ensuring that the Tiger can be addressed regardless of the lands in play.
It’s essential to factor in the Zodiac Tiger’s interaction with other cards that affect land types or boost its power. Being prepared with a diverse set of answers to various threats can help maintain control of the battlefield and ultimately lead you to victory over this stealthy adversary.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Tiger 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 Tiger 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 Tiger 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 | 164 | 1997 | Normal | White | Ai Desheng | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 35088 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Ai Desheng |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Tiger has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |