Zodiac Goat MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Goat
Abilities Mountainwalk
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Zodiac Goat offers card advantage and mana flexibility beneficial for maintaining board control in MTG.
  2. Its demand for specific mana can be a constricting factor, potentially limiting deck compatibility.
  3. Despite cons, Zodiac Goat’s versatility makes it a niche choice for tribal and combo decks.

Text of card

Mountainwalk (If defending player has a mountain in play, Zodiac Goat can't be blocked.)

". . . Near death in Baidi, having reigned three years, / Bei sadly placed his son in Kongming's care. . . ."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zodiac Goat provides a reliable chump blocker which can often lead to favorable trades on the battlefield, allowing its controller to maintain board presence and potentially save key creatures from destruction.

Resource Acceleration: As part of the mana cost, Zodiac Goat offers flexibility in mana resources by accepting either of two colors, helping smooth out early-game mana curves and allowing for more consistent play.

Instant Speed: While Zodiac Goat itself is not an instant, it synergizes well with instant speed spells due to its cost-effective nature, ensuring you have sufficient board presence while keeping mana ready for reactions during the enemy’s turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zodiac Goat requires discarding another card as part of its casting cost. This can put you at a disadvantage, especially if your hand is already dwindling and every card counts towards your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The spell demands both generic and specific mana types which can sometimes complicate your mana base, restricting its seamless play in decks not dedicated to its colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the creature may have desirable traits, its casting cost is substantial when compared with other creatures that could be played for a similar mana investment, potentially reducing its overall utility in a fast-paced game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Zodiac Goat is a flexible addition to any Commander or casual deck that leverages creature types. As a Goat, it fits perfectly in tribal-themed decks that benefit from various creature synergies.

Combo Potential: This card’s low casting cost and creature type can be exploited in combos with cards like “Springjack Shepherd” or “Goatnapper”, offering a unique angle for creative and fun interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Despite not being a staple in competitive formats, its inclusion in quirky and theme-based decks can catch opponents off guard, which can be a significant advantage in less-formal settings or when the meta is unpredictable.


How to beat Zodiac Goat

Zodiac Goat might not be the flashiest card in Magic: The Gathering, but underestimating its role on the battlefield can lead to unexpected hurdles. Its steadfast presence as a 1/1 creature for two mana with mountainwalk can easily slide past defenses if you’re unprepared. For those unfamiliar, mountainwalk means if an opponent controls a mountain, the Goat can’t be blocked, potentially leading to consistent damage over time.

Solving the Zodiac Goat puzzle is simple with the right countermeasures. Utilize land alteration spells or abilities to ensure mountains are scarce on your side of the field, thus negating its mountainwalk ability. Spells that change the terrain, such as Sea’s Claim or cards that allow you to swap lands, can be clever ways to turn the tides. Alternatively, since the Goat’s statistics are not imposing, one can employ cheap removal spells or those that do not rely on blocking like Shock or Dead Weight to deal with it before the mountainwalk ability becomes relevant.

Ousting the Zodiac Goat from play shouldn’t be a steep climb if you’re prepared with adaptive strategies or removal. Ensuring it doesn’t hit the field in the first place through counter spells or preemptive control can also ensure the Zodiac Goat won’t become a thorn in your side.


Cards like Zodiac Goat

When taking a closer look at Zodiac Goat in MTG, its parallels to other creatures are noteworthy. This card might remind veteran players of Gray Ogre, due to their identical mana costs and power/toughness ratio. Both are 2/2 creatures for three mana, offering a reliable yet straightforward choice for early game board presence. The distinction arises from Zodiac Goat’s particular requirement of one Mountain as part of its casting cost, which can be a slight limitation compared to the more flexible mana requirement of Gray Ogre.

Exploring further, the trusty Hill Giant also comes to mind, offering a sturdy 3/3 for just one more mana than Zodiac Goat. For players seeking a bit more impact on the board, Hill Giant might edge out our Goat friend, especially in a deck that isn’t constrained by the specific mana requirements. Meanwhile, among Mountain-specific creatures, Raging Goblin offers a different angle—agility over strength—with its one mana cost and haste, providing an immediate but less substantial presence.

When placed against its kin, Zodiac Goat maintains a balanced spot. Its specific mana alignment may align well within a Mountain-centric deck, ensuring a sturdy early drop that can hold its own on the battlefield.

Gray Ogre - MTG Card versions
Hill Giant - MTG Card versions
Raging Goblin - MTG Card versions
Gray Ogre - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Hill Giant - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Raging Goblin - Portal (POR)

Cards similar to Zodiac Goat by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Balloon Brigade - MTG Card versions
Hurr Jackal - MTG Card versions
Primordial Ooze - MTG Card versions
Gorilla Shaman - MTG Card versions
Goblin Swine-Rider - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Raiders - MTG Card versions
Orcish Conscripts - MTG Card versions
Mountain Goat - MTG Card versions
Jackal Pup - MTG Card versions
Flailing Soldier - MTG Card versions
Branded Brawlers - MTG Card versions
Scarred Puma - MTG Card versions
Mogg Fanatic - MTG Card versions
Grim Lavamancer - MTG Card versions
Kessig Wolfrider - MTG Card versions
Skirk Prospector - MTG Card versions
Crazed Goblin - MTG Card versions
Akki Avalanchers - MTG Card versions
Mons's Goblin Waiters - MTG Card versions
Mogg Sentry - MTG Card versions
Goblin Balloon Brigade - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Hurr Jackal - Fourth Edition (4ED)
Primordial Ooze - Chronicles (CHR)
Gorilla Shaman - Alliances (ALL)
Goblin Swine-Rider - Visions (VIS)
Mons's Goblin Raiders - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Orcish Conscripts - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mountain Goat - Portal (POR)
Jackal Pup - The List (PLST)
Flailing Soldier - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Branded Brawlers - Prophecy (PCY)
Scarred Puma - Invasion (INV)
Mogg Fanatic - Tenth Edition (10E)
Grim Lavamancer - Torment (TOR)
Kessig Wolfrider - Innistrad: Crimson Vow (VOW)
Skirk Prospector - Vintage Masters (VMA)
Crazed Goblin - Darksteel (DST)
Akki Avalanchers - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Mons's Goblin Waiters - Unhinged (UNH)
Mogg Sentry - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zodiac Goat 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 Goat and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zodiac Goat Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 1999-05-01. Illustrated by Qi Baocheng.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 1321997normalwhiteQi Baocheng
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 350981997normalblackQi Baocheng

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zodiac Goat has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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