Zedruu the Greathearted MTG Card


Zedruu allows for card advantage by drawing extra for gifted permanents, promoting a distinct playstyle. The card can boost life total for each donated permanent, offering resource acceleration. Instant speed interactions enhance Zedruu’s gifting abilities, maximizing roundly benefits.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Minotaur Monk
Power 2
Toughness 4

Text of card

At the beginning of your upkeep, you gain X life and draw X cards, where X is the number of permanents you own that your opponents control. : Target opponent gains control of target permanent you control.


Cards like Zedruu the Greathearted

Zedruu the Greathearted is a unique multifaceted commander in MTG, transcending simple card comparisons. Its nearest counterparts in terms of donating control of permanents might be cards like Harmless Offering and Bazaar Trader. While Harmless Offering is a single-action spell letting you gift an opponent one of your own creatures or enchantments, it lacks the built-in incentives Zedruu provides. Bazaar Trader can also transfer control of permanents, but like Harmless Offering, it doesn’t offer the continual advantage of card draw and life gain that makes Zedruu stand out.

Puca’s Mischief shares the philosophy of exchanging control of permanents with Zedruu, but instead of donating, it swaps your permanents with those of an opponent at each turn. Though this card creates a balance in the exchange, it misses the direct benefit to your resource pool and life total. Gilded Drake is another notable mention; it exchanges control of itself with a creature an opponent controls but unlike Zedruu, it’s a one-time effect and doesn’t provide the ongoing draw and life mechanics.

Ultimately, Zedruu the Greathearted sits in a league of its own. Its ability to convert generosity into card advantage and life makes it a distinct presence in MTG, blending altruism with strategy.

Harmless Offering - MTG Card versions
Bazaar Trader - MTG Card versions
Puca's Mischief - MTG Card versions
Gilded Drake - MTG Card versions
Harmless Offering - MTG Card versions
Bazaar Trader - MTG Card versions
Puca's Mischief - MTG Card versions
Gilded Drake - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Zedruu the Greathearted by color, type and mana cost

Lightning Angel - MTG Card versions
Gnostro, Voice of the Crags - MTG Card versions
Hinata, Dawn-Crowned - MTG Card versions
Ruhan of the Fomori - MTG Card versions
Kykar, Wind's Fury - MTG Card versions
Immard, the Stormcleaver - MTG Card versions
Dynaheir, Invoker Adept - MTG Card versions
Narset, Enlightened Exile - MTG Card versions
Gandalf of the Secret Fire - MTG Card versions
Aragorn, King of Gondor - MTG Card versions
Kate Stewart - MTG Card versions
The Face of Boe - MTG Card versions
Lightning Angel - MTG Card versions
Gnostro, Voice of the Crags - MTG Card versions
Hinata, Dawn-Crowned - MTG Card versions
Ruhan of the Fomori - MTG Card versions
Kykar, Wind's Fury - MTG Card versions
Immard, the Stormcleaver - MTG Card versions
Dynaheir, Invoker Adept - MTG Card versions
Narset, Enlightened Exile - MTG Card versions
Gandalf of the Secret Fire - MTG Card versions
Aragorn, King of Gondor - MTG Card versions
Kate Stewart - MTG Card versions
The Face of Boe - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Zedruu the Greathearted presents a unique way to gain card advantage by drawing extra cards for each permanent you own under an opponent’s control. This encourages a gameplay style focused on generosity, as giving away your items can lead to significant gains in the long run.

Resource Acceleration: This card isn’t just about the warm and fuzzy feeling of giving; it’s also about gaining life. With Zedruu, you can potentially accelerate your resource pool by gaining life for each given-away permanent, bolstering your position and fortifying your defenses.

Instant Speed: Although Zedruu herself doesn’t operate at instant speed, her ability to donate permanents pairs well with instant-speed tricks and surprises. You can change the ownership of permanents just before your turn begins, ensuring you get the maximum benefit from Zedruu’s card draw and life gain abilities each round.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One aspect where Zedruu the Greathearted might pose a challenge is her dependency on having cards in hand to donate for value. Without a sufficient supply, players may find their strategy stalling.

Specific Mana Cost: Zedruu’s Jeskai color identity requires a commitment to blue, red, and white mana. This specific mana cost can complicate deckbuilding, especially for those looking to create a mana base that supports cards from a wide color palette.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of one red, one blue, one white, and one generic mana, Zedruu demands a significant investment before providing any benefit. In fast-paced games, this can put Zedruu players at a disadvantage against more aggressively costed commanders and strategies.


Reasons to Include Zedruu the Greathearted in Your Collection

Versatility: Zedruu the Greathearted brings a unique dynamic to the table, able to seamlessly integrate into decks that capitalize on donating cards to opponents. Its ability to draw cards and gain life based on the number of gifts you’ve given enriches control, pillow fort, and group hug archetypes.

Combo Potential: The card excels in combinations, particularly with permanents that have detrimental effects when owned by opponents. Pairing Zedruu with cards like Illusions of Grandeur can create a powerful and surprising shift in the balance of gameplay.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where political plays and long-term strategies thrive, Zedruu’s capacity to curry favor with opponents while benefiting from each transaction keeps it relevant. The political nuance it brings to the table can disrupt opponent strategies and turn the tide in games that reward diplomatic finesse and foresight.


How to beat

Zedruu the Greathearted poses a unique challenge in the vast landscape of MTG due to her ability to donate cards to your opponents while gaining life and drawing cards. This commander thrives on surprise and unpredictability, but there are tactics to dismantle her strategy. Answering Zedruu with direct removal spells can be effective, such as Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile, which can deal with her before her ability becomes a problem.

Countering Zedruu’s ability to donate permanents can also disrupt her game plan. Running cards like Homeward Path can return control of permanents to their original owners, neutralizing the advantage Zedruu’s controller would gain. Additionally, incorporating graveyard recursion in your deck allows you to recover important pieces that might be donated and further use them to your advantage.

Managing your own board state is equally essential. Apply pressure with creatures and spells that can alter the board quickly. The key is to remember that Zedruu’s strength lies in a prolonged game, so maintaining a more aggressive stance can lead to overwhelming her before her strategy fully manifests, securing you the upper hand in the matchup.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deep diving into Zedruu the Greathearted’s mechanics reveals a card that is as complex as it is intriguing. Mastering her abilities can set you up for monumental turns and strategic dominance. But to truly leverage her unique gifts in MTG, you need to understand both the subtleties of her playstyle and the ways to counteract her. Whether enhancing your collection with her altruistic might or fortifying your deck against her, there’s much to explore. Ready to optimize your deck and elevate your MTG gameplay? Dive deeper with us to master the art of generosity and strategy with Zedruu.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zedruu the Greathearted MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2011 Oversized, 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 Zedruu the Greathearted and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zedruu the Greathearted Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2011-06-17 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Mark Zug.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861862015NormalBlackMark Zug
22011-06-17Commander 2011 OversizedOCMD 2402003NormalBlackMark Zug
32011-06-17Commander 2011CMD 2402003NormalBlackMark Zug
42015-11-18Legendary Cube Prize PackPZ1 1192015NormalBlackMark Zug
52016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2312015NormalBlackMark Zug
62020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5432015NormalBlackMark Zug

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 If an opponent leaves the game, all permanents you gave to them courtesy of Zedruu will return to your control.
2020-11-10 If either the opponent or the permanent you control becomes an illegal target by the time Zedruu's last ability tries to resolve, the ability does nothing.
2020-11-10 If you leave the game, all permanents you own leave the game with you.