Zur's Weirding MTG Card
1995-06-03 - Number 110
1996-05-02 - Number et110
1997-03-24 - Number 138
1999-04-21 - Number 108
2003-07-28 - Number 116★
2003-07-28 - Number 116
2005-07-29 - Number 114★
2005-07-29 - Number 114
2020-03-08 - Number 32
2020-09-26 - Number 8ED-116
| Card sets | Released in 10 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Enchantment |
Text of card
All players play with the cards in their hands face up on the table. Whenever any player draws a card, any other player may pay 2 life to force the drawing player to discard that card. Effects that prevent or redirect damage cannot be used to counter this loss of life.
Cards like Zur's Weirding
Zur’s Weirding is a unique enchantment card that stands out in Magic: The Gathering due to its ability to disrupt both your and your opponent’s card draws. It shares similarities with cards such as Telepathy, which also provides insight into each player’s hand, removing any element of surprise. However, Zur’s Weirding elevates the level of interaction by allowing players to pay life points to deny the drawn card to the player attempting to draw it, creating a continuous strategic tension throughout the game.
Another comparable card is Lethal Vapors, which also impacts both players by providing control over creatures entering the battlefield. In contrast, while Lethal Vapors can potentially lock out creatures for a prolonged duration, Zur’s Weirding affects the more fundamental aspect of card draw, applying pressure each time a card is attempted to be added to a player’s hand. Finally, there’s Chains of Mephistopheles, a rare and venerable card, which applies a different but harshly restrictive rule on card draw, yet it doesn’t offer the same direct control over the opponent’s potential draws that Zur’s Weirding does.
When evaluating the impact and unique control dynamics they introduce, Zur’s Weirding holds a pivotal role within the pantheon of cards that manipulate draw and hand visibility in Magic: The Gathering, inviting a distinct playstyle that revolves around the vital axis of card advantage.
Cards similar to Zur's Weirding by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Zur’s Weirding presents an intriguing approach to card advantage by giving all players knowledge of each drawn card. This can turn the tides of a match by denying opponents crucial draws and influencing their strategies.
Resource Acceleration: Although not directly providing mana or other resources, by knowing what your opponent draws, you can more efficiently plan your resource allocation, ensuring your mana and other assets are used at the utmost effectiveness.
Instant Speed: While Zur’s Weirding itself is not at instant speed, it significantly impacts the utility of instant-speed plays. Being able to anticipate and react to an opponent’s possible actions because you know their hand can become a strategic advantage, particularly when timing is essential.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Zur’s Weirding has a unique gameplay mechanic that requires players to reveal any card they draw, with opponents having the option to pay 2 life to force a discard. This can put you at a distinct disadvantage as it allows opponents to control your ability to retain valuable cards, potentially disrupting your strategy and leaving you starved for options.
Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes two blue mana symbols, which not only pigeonholes it into blue-centric or blue-inclusive decks but also may not align well with multicolored decks that require a diverse mana base. Players without a consistent source of blue mana may thus find it challenging to use the card effectively.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of four mana, including two specific blue mana, Zur’s Weirding comes into play later than many other enchantments. Considering the multitude of options available in MTG, there are alternative enchantments or spells that could be cast earlier or offer more immediate impact on the game, which makes Zur’s Weirding potentially less desirable in fast-paced games or against decks that exert early pressure.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Zur’s Weirding offers a unique control over the flow of the game, allowing you to influence both your own draws and those of your opponents, making it a versatile addition to decks that aim to manipulate the pace and decisions within a match.
Combo Potential: This card can be a linchpin in strategies that capitalize on knowledge of the opponent’s hand or those that benefit from graveyard interactions. Players often pair it with ways to gain life, ensuring its effect can be sustained while constraining opponents.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where information is power, Zur’s Weirding can tip the scales in your favor. Especially potent in control matchups or formats where longer games allow its unique effect to have a lasting impact on the outcome.
How to beat
Zur’s Weirding is a unique enchantment in MTG that can set the tone of a game. By allowing players to pay life points to prevent their opponents from drawing a card, it turns a typical match into a battle of wits and endurance. It’s a card that demands a strategy to overcome its control on the flow of cards.
To outplay Zur’s Weirding, focus on maintaining a higher life total to utilize its effect more freely. Consider incorporating cards that can gain you life, cards that allow you to draw additional cards outside of the draw step, or cards that can remove enchantments. Prioritize finding a way to deal with the card directly, such as enchantment removal spells or using cards like Boseiju, Who Shelters All to ensure your spells cannot be countered or affected by such control elements.
Bearing in mind the resource disruption it can cause, it’s essential to adapt your playstyle when facing Zur’s Weirding. Try to keep a hand that allows you to play without needing to draw additional cards or using abilities that allow you to draw while circumventing Zur’s Weirding’s influence. Thus, sustaining a strong board presence and keeping your life total healthy are key to winning against this compelling and challenging enchantment.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Zur's Weirding MTG card by a specific set like Ice Age and Pro Tour Collector Set, 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 Zur's Weirding 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
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Printings
The Zur's Weirding Magic the Gathering card was released in 8 different sets between 1995-06-03 and 2020-03-08. Illustrated by 3 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1995-06-03 | Ice Age | ICE | 110 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Liz Danforth | |
| 2 | 1996-05-02 | Pro Tour Collector Set | PTC | et110 | 1993 | Normal | Gold | Liz Danforth | |
| 3 | 1997-03-24 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | 138 | 1997 | Normal | White | Liz Danforth | |
| 4 | 1999-04-21 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | 108 | 1997 | Normal | White | Liz Danforth | |
| 5 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 116★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 6 | 2003-07-28 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | 116 | 2003 | Normal | White | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 7 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 114★ | 2003 | Normal | Black | rk post | |
| 8 | 2005-07-29 | Ninth Edition | 9ED | 114 | 2003 | Normal | White | rk post | |
| 9 | 2020-03-08 | Mystery Booster Retail Edition Foils | FMB1 | 32 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer | |
| 10 | The List | PLST | 8ED-116 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Scott M. Fischer |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Zur's Weirding has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Premodern | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zur's Weirding card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | If a spell or ability causes more than one card to be drawn, draw the cards one at a time and deal with this replacement before drawing the next card. |
| 2004-10-04 | If someone pays the cost, then the card was never drawn or discarded. It just gets put into the graveyard directly from the library. |
| 2004-10-04 | This is a continuous replacement effect that modifies a draw. |
| 2006-04-01 | When using Dredge with this, you have two choices. You can immediately replace the draw with Dredge, or you can apply Zur’s Weirding’s replacement. If the latter, you first resolve Zur’s Weirding’s ability, then if you’re going to draw the card, decide whether or not to replace that draw with Dredge. |