MTGGoldfish is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Browse > Home / Strategy / Articles / Top 10 Pioneer Cards from Zendikar Rising

Top 10 Pioneer Cards from Zendikar Rising


It's release week (at least, digitally) for Zendikar Rising, which means it's time to start talking about what the cards from Magic's newest set can do in various constructed formats. Today, we jump into Pioneer! What Zendikar Rising cards can make waves in the format? Let's find out! After the video, make sure to let us know which Zendikar Rising cards you are most excited to play in Pioneer in the comments!

Three quick notes before we get to the video. First, the list in the video is a combination of Seth's and Crim's individual lists. You can find both of their personal lists below. Second, as usual, the dual-land cycle was excluded from the countdown because they aren't all that exciting to talk about, even though they will likely see at least some Pioneer play, especially in aggro decks. Finally, we decided to group the mythic double-faced modal cards together; otherwise, the lists would be dominated by this cycle. Anyway, without further ado, here are our top 10 Pioneer cards from Zendikar Rising!

Top 10 Pioneer Cards from Zendikar Rising

Combined Lists

Individual Lists
Ranking Seth Crim
10 Jwari Disruption Feed the Swarm
9 Feed the Swarm Valakut Awakening
8 Lotus Cobra Nighthawk Scavenger
7 Sea Gate Stormcaller Lotus Cobra
6 Nighthawk Scavenger Magmatic Channeler
5 Magmatic Channeler Skyclave Apparition
4 Bloodchief's Thirst Roiling Vortex
3 Skyclave Apparition Skyclave Shade
2 Skyclave Shade Bloodchief's Thirst
1 Mythic Modal Double-Faced Cards Mythic Modal Double-Faced Cards

Previous Countdowns



More on MTGGoldfish ...

Image for Single Scoop: Don't Let Azorius Control Hit The Ultima Enrage!! single scoop
Single Scoop: Don't Let Azorius Control Hit The Ultima Enrage!!

Control decks are pretty much raid bosses trying to hit their enrage mechanic. Lets see if the meta can stop Control and it's new tools before they lose!

Jul 1 | by TheAsianAvenger
Image for Commander Clash Podcast 206: Commander Hot Takes commander clash podcast
Commander Clash Podcast 206: Commander Hot Takes

The spiciest takes in the Multiverse.

Jul 1 | by mtggoldfish
Image for Podcast 542: Early Rotation for Standard podcast
Podcast 542: Early Rotation for Standard

The crew breaks down today's massive ban list update and answers #MTGFishmail!

Jun 30 | by mtggoldfish
Image for Banned and Restricted Update, June 30, 2025: Standard Shake Up banned and restricted
Banned and Restricted Update, June 30, 2025: Standard Shake Up

All of the top decks get a hit.

Jun 30 | by mtggoldfish

Layout Footer

Never miss important MTG news again!

All emails include an unsubscribe link. You may opt-out at any time. See our privacy policy.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Twitch
  • Instagram
  • Tumblr
  • RSS
  • Email
  • Discord
  • YouTube

Price Preference

Default Price Switcher