Zhao, the Seething Flame
Legendary Creature — Human Soldier
Menace (This creature can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
- CMC
- 5
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- R
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Set
- Avatar: The Last Airbender Eternal
- Price
- $0.16
- EDHREC rank
- #25701
Zhao, the Seething Flame lands as a threat that demands an answer the turn it enters — that kind of immediate pressure is what separates playable legends from table ornaments. The cost is that you're building around a specific style of aggression, and if the board answers Zhao before you can capitalize, you're left rebuilding from nothing.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | not legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
Commander is where Zhao, the Seething Flame belongs — the singleton format rewards legends that generate value on their own, and Zhao's aggressive profile fits red-heavy strategies that want to end games before the table stabilizes. Legacy and Vintage are technically legal, but those formats don't have room for a commander-class creature that needs a supporting cast to close games. Oathbreaker is another home worth considering if the card's triggered or activated abilities align with a relevant signature spell.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.16 bulk tier
At $0.16, Zhao, the Seething Flame is deep bulk — you're paying for cardboard, not scarcity. Bulk rares at this price point rarely climb without a breakout competitive application, so treat it as a cheap pickup for the effect, not a spec.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.