Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Djinn
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 6

Key Takeaways

  1. Zahid’s casting by artifact tapping can offer significant card utility, keeping strategic options open.
  2. Early presence through resource acceleration makes this djinn a formidable force in artifact decks.
  3. Strategic influence on opponents’ play can be gained by the threat of a 5/6 flyer at reduced cost.

Text of card

You may pay and tap an untapped artifact you control rather than pay this spell's mana cost. Flying

"I do as I please, little mortal. Do go on about your wishes, though—they amuse me to no end."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp provides a significant boost in card utility by allowing you to tap an artifact rather than pay the mana cost, effectively letting you cast a powerful creature while keeping your hand filled with other strategic options.

Resource Acceleration: This djinn’s alternative casting cost synergizes with artifact decks, turning any low-cost artifact into a resource accelerator. By putting a formidable presence on the board early, you pave the way to unleash other high-cost spells sooner than your opponent might anticipate.

Instant Speed: While Zahid itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its strategic value lies in forcing your opponents to always consider the possibility of an impending large threat. This can influence them to play more conservatively or hold back removal, which could impact the pace and decisions made during each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp challenges players by demanding an artifact card to be discarded as part of its stipulated summoning cost. This trade-off can leave players at a resource disadvantage, particularly when their hand is brimming with potential rather than disposable artifacts.

Specific Mana Cost: Zahid’s casting flexibility is constrained by a set mana composition—requiring two islands among the four necessary to cast. This can be restrictive for decks that aren’t dedicated to blue mana and can impair the Djinn’s applicability across a broader range of deck archetypes.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total cost of six mana to cast without the discount condition—specifically four colorless and double blue—Zahid’s power level may not align with the investment. Other creatures or spells available at a similar or lower mana cost can offer more advantageous board presence or effects, potentially making Zahid a less efficient choice for players looking to maximize their mana usage.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp offers flexible play options in various deck archetypes. With its ability to be cast using artifacts you control, it fits into strategies that already take advantage of artifact synergies, allowing for an earlier than expected powerful presence on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: This card can be part of formidable combos, particularly in artifact-heavy decks. The potential to utilize Zahid’s reduced casting cost can enable game-changing plays, making it easier to summon other high-value cards or activate key abilities sooner.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current gameplay dynamics, having a 5/6 flyer like Zahid can be a significant advantage. It can hold its ground in creature matchups and often requires an immediate answer from opponents, making it a valuable asset in your lineup against a variety of decks in the meta.


How to beat

Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp, presents an intriguing challenge on the battlefield due to its ability to be cast at a significantly reduced cost by tapping an artifact. This formidable flyer becomes a force to reckon with, especially considering its powerful 5/6 stat line. However, it’s not invincible. To effectively counter Zahid, control strategies are key. Cards that can exile, bounce, or destroy it before it can attack or block give you an upper hand. Instant-speed removals like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can manage the Djinn even when cast for its alternative cost.

Another tactic is to disrupt the artifact synergy. Without an artifact to tap, the cost reduction for casting Zahid is nullified, making it substantially slower and easier to handle. Artifact removal spells or shattering effects prevent this synergy. Additionally, counter spells kept in hand for pivotal turns can thwart an early appearance of this flying juggernaut.

Overall, facing Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp, requires a sharp timing strategy and a well-prepared deck with answers to its swift deployment and sturdy presence on the board.


Cards like Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp

Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp stands out in MTG as a creature card with a unique casting cost flexibility. It draws comparison to cards like Thran Temporal Gateway, which like Zahid, offers an alternative way to put high-cost creatures onto the battlefield. While Thran allows for the placement of historic spells at a reduced speed and cost, Zahid requires a specific artifact to tap, leading to earlier game potential advantage.

Looking at other creature options, we have Metalwork Colossus, which also leverages the artifacts a player controls but reduces its own casting cost rather than having an alternative cost. This difference in mechanics offers a distinct strategic choice between the two. Meanwhile, Summoning Station offers a comparable analog in creating large artifact creature tokens without spending mana. Although it doesn’t bring the immediate board presence of Zahid, it provides a recurring advantage.

Every card has its place and purpose, and while Zahid offers a decent beatstick capable of flying over defenders, it’s important to weigh its cost and conditions against similar MTG creatures and artifacts that can provide comparable or better value in a given deck strategy.

Thran Temporal Gateway - MTG Card versions
Metalwork Colossus - MTG Card versions
Summoning Station - MTG Card versions
Thran Temporal Gateway - Dominaria Promos (PDOM)
Metalwork Colossus - Kaladesh Promos (PKLD)
Summoning Station - Fifth Dawn (5DN)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Dominaria 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 Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 680412003normalblackTyler Jacobson
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 76s2015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
32018-04-27DominariaDOM 762015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
42018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 762015normalblackTyler Jacobson
52018-11-16Game NightGNT 262015normalblackMagali Villeneuve
62023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1362015normalblackMagali Villeneuve

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zahid, Djinn of the Lamp has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

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