Zombie BruteHow it works & interactions with other cards

What It Does

Zombie Brute is a 6/6 Zombie with Trample that features the Amplify 1 ability. As it enters the battlefield, you have the choice to reveal any number of Zombie cards from your hand. For every Zombie card you reveal this way, Zombie Brute enters the battlefield with an additional +1/+1 counter. Because it has Trample, any excess damage it deals to blockers will carry over to your opponent or the planeswalker they are defending.

How It Resolves Step by Step

Amplify is a replacement effect, not a triggered ability. First, as Zombie Brute is about to enter the battlefield, you choose which Zombie cards in your hand to reveal. Second, you count the number of revealed cards. Third, Zombie Brute enters the battlefield with that many +1/+1 counters already on it. Because this happens as it enters, there is no window for opponents to respond between the time you reveal the cards and the time the creature has its counters.

Common Mistakes

A common error is trying to wait for Zombie Brute to be on the battlefield before revealing cards. Since Amplify says 'As this creature enters', you must reveal the cards while it is still moving from the stack to the battlefield. Additionally, you cannot reveal Zombie Brute to its own Amplify ability, as it is no longer in your hand when the ability checks for cards to reveal.

When to Play It

Zombie Brute is best played when you have a hand full of other Zombie creatures to maximize its size. It serves as a finisher that can reliably push through damage. If you have ways to return creatures to your hand, you can ensure that you always have enough cards to reveal to make this brute a massive threat.

Interaction examples

Scaling the Brute

If you cast Zombie Brute while holding two other Zombie cards, you may reveal them to put two +1/+1 counters on it. It enters as an 8/8 creature with Trample. If you have no other Zombies in hand, it simply enters as a 6/6.

Interaction with Non-Zombies

Massacre Wurm

If you have Massacre Wurm in your hand when casting Zombie Brute, you cannot reveal the Wurm for the Amplify ability. Even though Massacre Wurm is a powerful creature, it does not have the Zombie subtype, so it provides no bonus to the Brute.

Recursive Synergy

Sheoldred, Whispering One

While Sheoldred, Whispering One is a Praetor and not a Zombie, she can return a Zombie card from your graveyard to your hand during your upkeep. This allows you to replenish your hand with a Zombie card to reveal when you eventually cast Zombie Brute, ensuring it enters the battlefield with at least one counter.