Zoologist MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Creature — Human Druid |
| Released | 2001-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Odyssey |
| Set code | ODY |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 285 |
| Frame | 1997 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Text of card
o3o G, oc T: Reveal the top card of your library. If it's a creature card, put it into play. Otherwise, put it into your graveyard.
"With friends like these, who needs people?"
Cards like Zoologist
Zoologist brings a unique twist for players seeking creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Zoologist shares similarities with notable creature tutors like Fauna Shaman, which permits players to search their library for a creature card, albeit with the cost of discarding a creature and a green mana. Unlike Fauna Shaman, Zoologist doesn’t require a discard but demands a four-mana investment and that the sought creature shares a creature type with one you control.
Eladamri’s Call is another comparable card, providing an unrestrictive search through your library for any creature card, with a less mana-intensive casting cost. Whereas Zoologist has the potential to be reused every turn, the Call is a one-time effect but with the advantage of being an instant. Natural Order balloons in this comparison as a powerful search card that cheats big creatures onto the battlefield, but it comes with the cost of sacrificing a green creature and a stricter mana cost.
Understanding these dynamics, Zoologist stands out for its repeatable tutor ability within tribal decks, offering a reliable way to streamline a strategic creature lineup for the long game in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Zoologist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Zoologist card stands out due to its ability to let you regularly sift through your deck, ensuring a consistent flow of creature cards into your hand. This ongoing card advantage can be crucial for maintaining the upper hand and outpacing your opponent over the course of the game.
Resource Acceleration: Zoologist’s skill at converting one type of resource into another is remarkable. It allows you to use creatures in your hand as a resource to potentially put them on the battlefield sooner than normal. This acceleration of your board state can be decisive, particularly in creature-focused decks that aim to overwhelm the opponent with an array of threats.
Instant Speed: While Zoologist’s abilities do not operate at instant speed, the tactical flexibility it provides can feel similar. Giving you the power to react to your opponent’s plays by allowing you to end your turn with a range of options, Zoologist can pivot your strategy mid-game, keeping your adversaries on their toes and unsure of what you’ll bring to the battlefield next.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zoologist requires you to discard a creature card to activate its ability. This can be costly if your hand is already depleted or if you need to maintain card advantage against your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: Activating Zoologist’s ability necessitates a combination of one green mana plus three of any other type. This specific mana cost can restrict its integration in multi-colored decks that may have a strained mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an activation cost of four mana to potentially put a creature card onto the battlefield, this cost can be significant, particularly in the early game where speed is essential. Furthermore, there are other cards in the same mana range that could offer more immediate impacts on the game state.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zoologist is a card that can effortlessly slide into a variety of deck archetypes. This creature can become a staple in any build seeking to make use of creature-based strategies or those aiming to accelerate board presence through efficient creature casting.
Combo Potential: As a card with the capability to cheat creatures onto the battlefield, Zoologist pairs exceptionally well with decks that play around with the top of the library or have mechanisms to manipulate creature card types, opening the door to high-impact plays and synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the ever-shifting nature of the game, the inclusion of Zoologist in your collection can give you a tactical edge, especially in a meta where quickly establishing a wide array of creatures on the board or securing key creature-based combos is crucial.
How to beat
Zoologist is one of those intriguing Magic: The Gathering cards that can quickly turn the tides if left unchecked on the battlefield. This card allows players to put creature cards from their hand onto the battlefield, potentially unleashing powerful beasts well ahead of the normal mana curve. It presents a unique challenge but isn’t invincible.
To counter Zoologist effectively, consider integrating removal spells that can target and eliminate this creature before it takes full effect. Instant speed removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can be particularly effective as they can be played in response to the Zoologist’s activation. Another strategy includes utilizing counter spells to prevent Zoologist from ever hitting the board in the first place, a move that blue mages are particularly fond of with options like Counterspell or Mana Leak at their disposal.
Control decks that can manage the board and hand consistently have an edge against Zoologist, as they diminish the chances of your opponent having numerous creatures to exploit its ability. Remember, staying one step ahead in card advantage and resource management can be the key to outmaneuvering Zoologist and maintaining dominance in the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zoologist MTG card by a specific set like Odyssey, 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 Zoologist 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
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zoologist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |