Zurgo Bellstriker from Dragons of Tarkir - A Magic the Gathering Card Review

by ElspethFTW, Old School Duelist

In the alternate timeline of Dragons of Tarkir, the mighty Zurgo Helmsmasher is now Zurgo Bellstriker. While his job would seem to be striking a bell in order to summon Dragons, this incarnation of Zurgo doesn't have anything to do with that. Some players have expressed disappointment at this, but so many pro-Dragon cards are already littered throughout the set. Let's see what this Zurgo does offer.

For only a single Red mana, Zurgo Bellstriker is a 2/2 Orc Warrior. He cannot black creatures with power 2 or greater, which is actually the same drawback as a Fifth Edition creature, Ironclaw Orcs. Also, having the ability to Dash for 1R essentially makes him a 2/2 with Haste for 1R that returns to your hand at end of turn.

Honestly, on a one-drop 2/2 creature, this blocking restriction isn't a horrible drawback compared to other 2/2 one-drops. Goblin Guide, one of the most popular, allows your opponent to get extra lands whenever it attacks. Rakdos Cackler is a 2/2 when it uses its Unleash ability, and in doing so can't block at all. Isamaru, Hound of Konda is a Legendary Creature with no drawback.

This Zurgo being a Legendary Creature is sort of a drawback, but it shouldn't limit his playability in aggressive strategies. Alongside the popular Monastery Swiftspear, Zurgo Bellstriker should provide aggro decks with just a little extra punch in Constructed.  He may even be a fun casual Commander to play around with, as long as you keep in mind that his Dash cost won't reduce the Commander tax of needing to pay an extra 2 colorless mana each time he's cast from the Command Zone. However, that ability to Dash does actually make him a lot easier to recast if you can return him to your hand. That sort of evasion could make him a sneaky budget Voltron Commander.

While he's no Zurgo Helmsmasher, this little Zurgo will end up seeing a ton more play.

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