Zhur-Taa Druid MTG Card


Zhur-Taa Druid offers dual benefits: mana ramp and consistent opponent damage. Its requirement for both green and red mana limits deck inclusion versatility. Comparisons to Llanowar Elves and Birds of Paradise highlight its unique damage-dealing ramp feature.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Human Druid
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

: Add to your mana pool. Whenever you tap Zhur-Taa Druid for mana, it deals 1 damage to each opponent.

"Only the decadent think magic should be pristine and without cost."


Cards like Zhur-Taa Druid

Zhur-Taa Druid is an intriguing mana dork in the world of Magic: The Gathering, reminiscent of cards like Llanowar Elves that provide a mana acceleration advantage. Where the Zhur-Taa Druid steps up the game is in its ability to inflict damage to each opponent while also tapping for mana, transforming a simple resource action into a dual-purpose tactic. Unlike its straightforward counterpart Llanowar Elves, which merely provides a single green mana, Zhur-Taa Druid offers a red or green mana and punctuates your mana ramp with a touch of aggression.

Comparably, Rattleclaw Mystic emerges as another alternative with a twist, proficient in providing three different types of mana upon morphing, which is a compelling distinction. Although it lacks the direct damage feature of Zhur-Taa Druid, it compensates by offering a higher degree of versatility in mana generation. In contrast, Birds of Paradise, a classic mana dork, doesn’t influence the combat stage directly but presents itself as an all-rounder in mana fixing with its ability to tap for any color mana.

Assessing these options, Zhur-Taa Druid stands out among mana accelerants in Magic: The Gathering for players who appreciate a mana dork that can attack an opponent’s life total while curving out their gameplay.

Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Rattleclaw Mystic - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions
Llanowar Elves - MTG Card versions
Rattleclaw Mystic - MTG Card versions
Birds of Paradise - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Zhur-Taa Druid by color, type and mana cost

Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
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Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hedonist - MTG Card versions
Voltaic Brawler - MTG Card versions
Spined Sliver - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Barbarian - MTG Card versions
Firebrand Ranger - MTG Card versions
Horned Kavu - MTG Card versions
Gallia of the Endless Dance - MTG Card versions
Vexing Shusher - MTG Card versions
Gruul Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Hajar, Loyal Bodyguard - MTG Card versions
Burning-Tree Emissary - MTG Card versions
Tin Street Hooligan - MTG Card versions
Scab-Clan Mauler - MTG Card versions
Tattermunge Witch - MTG Card versions
Apocalypse Hydra - MTG Card versions
Nacatl Outlander - MTG Card versions
Rip-Clan Crasher - MTG Card versions
Flinthoof Boar - MTG Card versions
Skarrg Guildmage - MTG Card versions
Disciple of the Old Ways - MTG Card versions
Satyr Hedonist - MTG Card versions
Voltaic Brawler - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: While Zhur-Taa Druid doesn’t directly allow you to draw cards, it offers indirect card advantage by fulfilling the role of both mana source and damage dealer. This duality allows you to have one fewer card dedicated to either function, effectively giving you more resources to work with.

Resource Acceleration: As a mana dork, Zhur-Taa Druid excels at ramping up your mana pool. Tapping for a single red or green mana, it helps deploy threats ahead of schedule, propelling your game plan forward at an accelerated pace.

Instant Speed: Although the druid operates at sorcery speed, it can indirectly influence instant-speed interactions. By providing an additional mana on your turn, it opens up your options to cast spells or activate abilities during your opponent’s turn without tapping out your lands.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Zhur-Taa Druid does not force a card discard upon use, offering seamless integration into your game without sacrificing hand advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: The Druid’s casting cost demands both green and red mana, potentially restricting its playability to Gruul-themed or multicolored decks. Those preferring a mana base centered around other colors might find it challenging to consistently cast Zhur-Taa Druid on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While the Mana cost of Zhur-Taa Druid is not exceptionally high, it is noteworthy that for the same cost, players may access creatures with greater power or versatile spells. This consideration is important when optimizing your deck’s mana efficiency and overall synergy.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: The Zhur-Taa Druid card offers flexibility by generating both mana and dealing damage to opponents. This allows it to fit seamlessly into a variety of decks, particularly those looking to ramp up mana while also putting pressure on the adversary.

Combo Potential: This card is capable of being part of combos in decks that thrive on dealing noncombat damage or those that aim to untap permanents for added value. It has a dual function that can trigger many different synergies or game-winning conditions.

Meta-Relevance: In a format where games can often hinge on resource advantages, the Druid’s ability to passively chip away at an opponent’s life total while ramping up your own mana can be crucial. It’s especially relevant in metas dominated by creature-heavy strategies where it can serve as an additional deterrent or finisher.


How to beat

Zhur-Taa Druid is a versatile card that serves dual purposes in the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering. As a mana dork, it taps for an additional green or red mana, making it a beneficial asset for ramping up your resources. Beyond its mana-generating ability, every time it’s tapped, it deals 1 damage to each opponent, slowly chipping away at their life total. This two-pronged approach makes it a subtly powerful card for any player looking to accelerate their mana pool while applying constant pressure.

To effectively counter this card, you may want to consider employing removal spells that can target creatures before they become too much of a threat. Cheap removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can dispatch Zhur-Taa Druid quickly. Alternatively, focusing on controlling the board state with sweepers like Wrath of God or Damnation ensures that the Druid, along with other creatures, won’t overrun you. Lastly, direct damage spells could eliminate it while also allowing you to maintain the tempo of the game in your favor. Combining swift removal with strategic pressure can dismantle the Druid’s advantages and keep your opponents off-balance.

Mastering the balance of resource management and offensive tactics is crucial in overcoming cards like Zhur-Taa Druid. By keeping their board clear and disrupting their mana curve, you maintain control of the game, rendering the Druid’s benefits null and void.


BurnMana Recommendations

Deepening your understanding of the MTG landscape is key to becoming a formidable player. Zhur-Taa Druid serves as more than just a mana dork, it’s a strategy enhancer, capable of dishing out consistent damage while enriching your mana reserves. With insights on leveraging its benefits and countering its capabilities, your deck can better navigate the diverse challenges of the game. Each card holds the potential to shift the tides of battle, and Zhur-Taa Druid is no exception. We invite you to explore further, integrating such cards into your repertoire for a more nuanced and commanding play style. Learn more about optimizing your MTG deck’s potential with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Zhur-Taa Druid MTG card by a specific set like Dragon's Maze and Duel Decks: Heroes vs. Monsters, 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 Zhur-Taa Druid and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Zhur-Taa Druid Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 2013-05-03 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Mark Winters.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-05-03Dragon's MazeDGM 1202003NormalBlackMark Winters
22013-09-06Duel Decks: Heroes vs. MonstersDDL 482003NormalBlackMark Winters
32016-11-11Commander 2016C16 2322015NormalBlackMark Winters
42019-02-15RNA Guild KitGK2 1012015NormalBlackMark Winters
52019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 15172015NormalBlackMark Winters
62020-09-26The ListPLST C16-2322015NormalBlackMark Winters

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Zhur-Taa Druid has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 If you tap Zhur-Taa Druid for mana during the process of casting a spell or activating an ability, its triggered ability will resolve before that spell or ability.
2013-04-15 Zhur-Taa Druid’s last ability doesn’t trigger if it becomes tapped for any other reason. However, if Zhur-Taa Druid gains another mana ability that requires you tap it, its ability will trigger.
2013-04-15 Zhur-Taa Druid’s last ability isn’t a mana ability. It uses the stack and can be responded to.