Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Soldier Warrior
Abilities Horsemanship, Vigilance
Power 4
Toughness 4

Key Takeaways

  1. Offers card advantage by drawing extra cards during combat, ensuring a steady stream of resources.
  2. Enables resource acceleration and mana amplification for casting multiple spells or larger plays.
  3. Provides flexibility and combat trick options with abilities that can be activated at instant speed.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Horsemanship Attacking doesn't cause Zhang Fei to tap.

Zhang Fei's uncharacteristic alliance with a defeated Riverlands general, Yan Yan, allowed Shu forces to advance through forty-five Riverlands strongpoints with no casualties.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior offers a strategic advantage by potentially drawing a card each time it attacks. This function not only supplements your hand but also keeps the pressure on opponents by continuously renewing your resources. This dynamic ensures your deck maintains momentum during the skirmishes that define matches.

Resource Acceleration: By virtue of his abilities, Zhang Fei contributes to the acceleration of resources on the battlefield. This MTG card allows you to potentially amplify your mana resources each turn, thus enabling larger plays or multiple spells to be cast in quicker succession, giving you a critical edge.

Instant Speed: The abilities of Zhang Fei can be leveraged at instant speed, providing flexibility in your gameplay. This aspect empowers you to react swiftly to opponents’ actions, turning the tide in your favor during the heat of battle. Acting on instant speed also means unexpected combat tricks and responsive strategies become part of your tactical arsenal.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior demands players to discard a card, pressing them to weigh hand economy against playing a robust creature.

Specific Mana Cost: Requiring both white and red mana, this card imposes constraints on deck building, necessitating a commitment to a two-color strategy.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost demanding three specific mana and two generic, Zhang Fei could potentially strain your mana curve, especially in fast-paced games.


Reasons to Include Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior in Your Collection

Versatility: Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior is a flexible card that can be deployed effectively in a variety of strategies. Its ability to stand firm as a strong blocker or become an aggressive attacker makes it a useful addition to multiple deck types that value resilience and power.

Combo Potential: With inherent abilities that synergize with warrior and human tribes, this card has excellent potential to facilitate combos, giving rise to synergistic plays with other cards that reward you for playing creatures of those types.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature-based decks are prevalent or on the rise, having Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior offers a significant board presence. Its combat capabilities can help outmaneuver opponents in matches that favor creature interactions and combat tricks.


How to beat

Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior brings a powerful presence to the battlefield, capable of turning the tides in your favor. This legendary creature distinguishes itself with its Vigilance trait, allowing you to remain on the offensive while keeping a stalwart defense. If your strategy hinges on this, your opposition may find themselves at a serious disadvantage. Addressing such a card requires tact and resourcefulness, especially since Zhang Fei’s impressive stats make for an intimidating opponent.

Among the strategies to emerge victorious against Zhang Fei, removal spells shine the brightest. Direct damage spells or targeted removals can effectively handle this threat without the need to engage in direct combat. Therefore, it is prudent to include a healthy mix of such spells in your deck. Cards like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can provide a swift answer to this legendary creature. Furthermore, countering Zhang Fei before it even enters the battlefield is an optimal route, utilizing spells like Counterspell or Essence Scatter to keep this Warrior in the realms of the unplayed.

Ultimately, the secret to overcoming Zhang Fei lies in preparation and striking at the opportune moment. Leverage your removals wisely, and you may find your path to victory a little less fierce.


Cards like Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior

Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior introduces a robust presence to Magic: The Gathering decks with its considerable combat capabilities. It shares similarities with renowned creatures like Surrak Dragonclaw. Both cards offer players a formidable creature that can impact the battlefield upon arrival. However, Zhang Fei stands out with its built-in protection from blue, shielding it from a common control color and giving it an edge in certain matchups.

In the same realm, cards like Glorybringer provide a yardstick for comparison. While Glorybringer offers an exert ability to deal direct damage, it lacks the consistent combat strength and protective traits that Zhang Fei possesses. Additionally, the lower cost of Zhang Fei compared to Glorybringer’s five mana cost gives it an accessibility advantage in the early to mid-game stages.

Considering the strengths and strategic benefits, Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior holds a respectable position among powerful multicolored creatures. It’s particularly advantageous for players seeking to bypass commonly used control mechanics and maintain a strong board presence.

Surrak Dragonclaw - MTG Card versions
Glorybringer - MTG Card versions
Surrak Dragonclaw - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Glorybringer - Amonkhet (AKH)

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Angelic Skirmisher - Gatecrash (GTC)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Masters Edition III, 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 Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Qiao Dafu.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11999-05-01Portal Three KingdomsPTK 321997normalwhiteQiao Dafu
22009-09-07Masters Edition IIIME3 281997normalblackQiao Dafu

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Zhang Fei, Fierce Warrior card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2009-10-01 Despite the similarities between horsemanship and flying, horsemanship doesn’t interact with flying or reach.

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