by Richard Rowell, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
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.
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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