Assault Zeppelid MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Beast
Abilities	Flying,Trample
Released	2006-05-05
Set symbol
Set name	Dissension
Set code	DIS
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	103
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Jeremy Jarvis

Key Takeaways

Built-in Shroud gives Assault Zeppelid resilience against targeted removal, enhancing board stability.
Combining evasion with a strong midrange cost creates efficiency and versatility in Simic decks.
Despite advantages, the requirement to discard and specific mana colors may limit its utility.

Text of card

Flying, trample

"Show them to Razia and then to the Azorius sky marshals. We could create a fine bidding war—enough to fund the final stages of Project Kraj." —Momir Vig

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The card lets you easily protect it from spot removal with its built-in Shroud ability, keeping your aerial threat safe and sustaining your presence on the board.

Resource Acceleration: With a fairly cost-effective four mana for a 3/3 flyer, the card slots smoothly into many midrange decks, allowing for efficient resource allocation in critical turns.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Assault Zeppelid’s resilience to instant speed removal spells ensures that it can effectively dodge common interaction, leaving opponents flustered and your skies clear for uninterrupted combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Assault Zeppelid can put players in a predicament where the card’s ability necessitates discarding, potentially depleting valuable hand content which could be critical for maintaining card advantage in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Assault Zeppelid is specific to green and blue mana sources. This restricts the card’s integration only to Simic decks or those that can accommodate both types of mana, possibly excluding it from a wider range of deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that requires four mana, including both green and blue, Assault Zeppelid’s resource demands are quite high when contrasted with other creatures in the same mana range. Players might find more efficient creatures to play that offer better stats or more impactful abilities for the same or lower cost.

Reasons to Include Assault Zeppelid in Your Collection

Versatility: Assault Zeppelid offers a flexible addition to decks that aim to dominate the skies. With flying and a solid power and toughness balance, it can serve well in both aggressive and defensive roles.

Combo Potential: Thanks to its flying ability, the Zeppelid can be a part of airborne strategies that capitalize on cards that buff fliers or benefit from creatures dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where ground-based creatures are prevalent, Assault Zeppelid can easily become an evasive threat. Its relevance increases in formats where reaching over ground defenses can make the difference in a game.

How to Beat Assault Zeppelid

Assault Zeppelid is a unique creature flying through the skies of the Magic: The Gathering universe. It comes with flying and can’t be blocked except by creatures with flying or reach, positioning itself as a formidable adversary in aerial combat. To effectively counter this card, focus on removal spells which do not require targeting a blocker. Wrath effects that clear the board, like ‘Wrath of God’ or ‘Damnation’, can take care of the Zeppelid without needing to engage it directly in combat.

Moreover, countering Assault Zeppelid can be done preemptively by using counter spells when your opponent attempts to cast it. ‘Counterspell’ and ‘Dissolve’ are perfect for this situation as they negate the threat before it even hits the battlefield. Lastly, using creatures with reach, like ‘Silklash Spider’, or ones that can deal damage irrespective of blocking, such as ‘Flame Sweep’, can provide a strong defense against this evasive creature. Adopting these strategies will help to ground Assault Zeppelid and maintain control over the game.

In assessing different ways to counter this card, it’s clear that a combination of board control and preemptive counters are effective strategies in mitigating the threat posed by Assault Zeppelid, ensuring you stay ahead in the game.

Cards like Assault Zeppelid

Assault Zeppelid represents an intriguing option in the realm of blue and green creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. It draws a direct comparison to cards like Skyreach Manta or Spinal Centipede, which share a comparable mana value. What makes Assault Zeppelid stand out is its unique blend of evasion abilities, combining flying and being unblockable by creatures with power 2 or less. This combination is relatively rare and gives it an edge in evasion, compared to Spinal Centipede, which lacks any form of inherent evasion.

Looking at Skyreach Manta, while it possesses the advantage of Sunburst, giving it the potential for a larger number of +1/+1 counters based on the colors of mana spent, the Manta does not offer the consistent evasion provided by the Zeppelid. Additionally, Mana Leak is another creature to consider, as it can disrupt opponent tactics. However, it doesn’t offer the board presence and sustained offensive potential that comes with Assault Zeppelid’s evasive abilities.

In summary, while other creatures may offer adaptability or utility, Assault Zeppelid finds a valuable niche with its evasion, making it a card that can consistently apply pressure on an opponent in ways that similar creatures may not.

Cards similar to Assault Zeppelid by color, type and mana cost

Adrix and Nev, Twincasters - MTG Card versions

Kydele, Chosen of Kruphix - MTG Card versions

Ezuri, Claw of Progress - MTG Card versions

Rashmi, Eternities Crafter - MTG Card versions

Zegana, Utopian Speaker - MTG Card versions

Louvaq, the Aberrant - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Assault Zeppelid MTG card by a specific set like Dissension, 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 Assault Zeppelid and other MTG cards: