Zhur-Taa SwineHow it works & interactions with other cards

Understanding Bloodrush

Bloodrush is an activated ability that can only be used if Zhur-Taa Swine is in your hand and you have a creature currently declared as an attacker. By paying one red, one green, and one generic mana, you discard the card to grant a target attacking creature a massive +5/+4 power and toughness boost until the end of the turn. Because this is an activated ability and not a spell, it cannot be countered by traditional 'counterspell' effects that target spells.

Step-by-Step Resolution

To use Zhur-Taa Swine effectively, first enter your combat phase and declare your attackers. Once attackers are set, you gain priority; announce the Bloodrush ability, pay the mana cost, and discard Zhur-Taa Swine from your hand. You must choose a legal target that is currently attacking. If the ability resolves, the creature grows immediately, potentially changing the outcome of combat damage before blockers are even declared or during the declare blockers step.

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is trying to use Bloodrush on a creature that isn't attacking, such as a blocker or a creature during your main phase. Additionally, remember that because Bloodrush involves discarding the card as a cost, if the ability is countered (by something like Stifle), the card remains in the graveyard and you do not get the mana back. Lastly, Zhur-Taa Swine is not a 'creature spell' when played this way, so it won't trigger effects that care about creatures entering the battlefield.

Strategic Timing

The best time to use Zhur-Taa Swine is often after your opponent has already committed to their blocks. By waiting until the Declare Blockers step, you can ensure your creature survives a trade or pushes through lethal trample damage. It can also be used to save a key creature from damage-based removal like Lightning Bolt if that creature is currently attacking.

Interaction examples

A Golem's Charge

Solemn Simulacrum

You attack with Solemn Simulacrum. Before damage is dealt, you activate Zhur-Taa Swine's Bloodrush ability targeting the Golem. The Solemn Simulacrum becomes a 7/6 creature until end of turn. If it dies later in combat, you still get to draw a card from its own triggered ability, but the Swine is already in the graveyard.

Static vs. Triggered Interactions

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and have chosen 'Boar', it will not affect Zhur-Taa Swine's Bloodrush. This is because Bloodrush is an activated ability (indicated by the colon), not a triggered ability (which would use 'when', 'whenever', or 'at'). Furthermore, Roaming Throne only doubles triggers from permanents on the battlefield, whereas Zhur-Taa Swine's ability activates from your hand.

Solo Play

If you have six mana available and need a blocker, you can simply cast Zhur-Taa Swine as a 5/4 creature. It will enter the battlefield as a standard creature. If you later have another copy in hand while the first one attacks, you can use the second copy's Bloodrush to buff the one on the field to a 10/8.