Zoanthrope is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Official card text
Ravenous (This creature enters with X +1/+1 counters on it. If X is 5 or more, draw a card when it enters.) Flying, wardWarp Blast — When this creature enters, it deals X damage to any target.
Complete guide
Zoanthrope is a powerful Tyranid that channels the raw energy of the Warp to devastate your opponents. By utilizing the Ravenous mechanic, it scales from a small aerial threat to a massive game-ending monster that replenishes your hand. Understanding how its X-value interacts with the stack and the battlefield is key to mastering this creature.
Unpacking Ravenous and Warp Blast
Zoanthrope features the Ravenous keyword, which defines how it enters the battlefield. You choose a value for X as you cast the spell, and the creature enters with that many +1/+1 counters. If you chose 5 or more for X, a triggered ability goes on the stack after it enters, allowing you to draw a card. Simultaneously, its Warp Blast ability triggers, dealing X damage to any target of your choice.
Step-by-Step Resolution
First, you cast Zoanthrope and pay {X}{U}{R}. As it resolves, it enters the battlefield with X counters already on it; it never exists on the battlefield as a 0/0. Once it is on the battlefield, the Warp Blast ability and the Ravenous draw ability (if X is 5+) are put onto the stack. You choose your targets for the damage at this time. Finally, the abilities resolve independently of whether Zoanthrope stays on the battlefield.
Common Pitfalls
A common mistake involves copy effects. If a card enters the battlefield as a copy of Zoanthrope, X is considered 0 for the copy because the value of X is only tied to the spell as it was cast. Additionally, remember that Ravenous checks the value of X chosen during casting, not the number of counters currently on the creature. If an effect doubles the counters as it enters, the Ravenous draw trigger still only cares if the original X was 5 or more.
When to Cast Zoanthrope
Zoanthrope is most effective when X is 5 or greater to maximize card advantage, but don't overlook its defensive utility. With Flying and Ward {2}, it is a difficult creature for opponents to remove efficiently. Use it to pick off problematic utility creatures or to deal direct damage to a player when you have excess mana to spend.
Interaction examples
Ornithopter of ParadiseYou tap Ornithopter of Paradise for mana to help pay the {X} cost of Zoanthrope. If you spend enough mana to set X to 3, Zoanthrope enters as a 3/3 flyer and its Warp Blast triggers to deal 3 damage to an opponent's creature. Ornithopter of Paradise provides the color fixing needed to satisfy the {U}{R} requirement.
Professional Face-BreakerYou attack with Professional Face-Breaker to create a Treasure token. You then sacrifice that Treasure to exile the top card of your library, revealing Zoanthrope. You cast Zoanthrope from exile, choosing X=5. Because X is 5, you draw a card from Ravenous and deal 5 damage to your opponent via Warp Blast, all while putting a 5/5 flying threat onto the board.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Zoanthrope
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
- #1· Wizards of the Coast
A creature with ravenous gets its counters as it enters the battlefield. It doesn't enter the battlefield first and then get its counters. Any triggered ability that looks for a creature with a certain power or toughness entering the battlefield will see the counters when it checks to see if it should trigger.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #2· Wizards of the Coast
The triggered ability that checks to see if X is 5 or greater refers to the value of X that was chosen as the spell was cast, which may be different from the number of counters it entered with if there are replacement effects involved. This is also true for any other ability that it has which refers to X and triggers when it enters the battlefield.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #3· Wizards of the Coast
If another permanent enters the battlefield as a copy of a creature with Ravenous, it will not enter with any counters from the ravenous ability.
No other card is named in this ruling.
- #4· Wizards of the Coast
If a permanent spell with ravenous is copied, the copy will have the same value for X, and the token permanent that the spell becomes as it enters the battlefield will enter with X counters.
No other card is named in this ruling.
Legal formats
Commentaires
- Sois le premier à commenter cette carte.
Read next
Meta decks with Zoanthrope
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.