Cards from Zendikar Rising as compared to cards from earlier sets.
Strictly better
- Archpriest of Iona is strictly better than Devoted Hero, Eager Cadet, Sanctuary Cat, Squire, and Volunteer Militia.
- Bala Ged Recovery is strictly better than Elven Cache and Recollect.
- Broken Wings is strictly better than Return to the Earth and Wing Snare.
- Deadly Alliance is strictly better than Finishing Blow and Reach of Shadows.
- Expedition Diviner is strictly better than Cloud Manta, Moon Heron, Snapping Drake, and Talas Air Ship.
- Expedition Skulker is strictly better than Cabal Evangel, Craven Knight, Cyclopean Mummy, Dakmor Scorpion, Exiled Boggart, Felhide Brawler, Filthy Cur, Fleshmad Steed, Gutter Skulk, Headless Horseman, Krovikan Scoundrel, Mindless Null, Queen's Bay Soldier, Scathe Zombies, Skeletal Snake, Spineless Thug, Walking Corpse, Wei Infantry, Whipstitched Zombie, and Young Wei Recruits.
- Field Research is strictly better than Counsel of the Soratami, Divination, and Touch of Brilliance.
- Gnarlid Colony is strictly better than Balduvian Bears, Barbary Apes, Bear Cub, Cylian Elf, Forest Bear, Grizzly Bears, and Runeclaw Bear.
- Highborn Vampire is strictly better than Dreg Reaver, Giant Cockroach, Nether Horror, and Zombie Goliath.
- Kabira Outrider is strictly better than Mercenaries, Shu Elite Infantry, and Trokin High Guard.
- Kitesail Cleric is strictly better than Aven Skirmisher, Kitesail Scout, Lantern Kami, Royal Falcon, and Suntail Hawk.
- Kor Blademaster is strictly better than Fencing Ace.
- Resolute Strike is strictly better than Qilin's Blessing.
- Risen Riptide is strictly better than Armored Whirl Turtle.
- Skyclave Cleric is strictly better than Hipparion and Squire.
- Spitfire Lagac is strictly better than Barbarian Horde, Canyon Minotaur, Ekundu Cyclops, Highland Giant, Hill Giant, Hyena Pack, Lagac Lizard, Ogre Warrior, Orazca Raptor, Russet Wolves, Tor Giant, and Wild Jhovall.
- Tajuru Paragon is strictly better than Balduvian Bears, Barbary Apes, Bear Cub, Cylian Elf, Forest Bear, Grizzly Bears, Runeclaw Bear, Swordwise Centaur, and Terrain Elemental.
- Tangled Florahedron is strictly better than Woodland Mystic.
- Umara Mystic is strictly better than Wee Dragonauts.
- Vastwood Surge is strictly better than Explosive Vegetation.
- Windrider Wizard is strictly better than Wind Drake.
- Zulaport Duelist is strictly better than Fugitive Wizard, Merfolk of the Pearl Trident, and Wandering Ones.
Strictly worse
- Cliffhaven Sell-Sword is strictly worse than Accorder Paladin, Aethergeode Miner, Audacious Infiltrator, Daring Skyjek, Daybreak Charger, Glory-Bound Initiate, Kor Castigator, Leonin of the Lost Pride, Oketra's Avenger, Seasoned Hallowblade, Shepherd of the Flock, Valiant Rescuer, and Wandering Champion.
- Highborn Vampire is strictly worse than Thrasher Brute.
- Tajuru Blightblade is strictly worse than Gnarlwood Dryad, Narnam Renegade, and Wasteland Viper.
- Tajuru Snarecaster is strictly worse than Nexus Wardens and Sporecap Spider.
- The Pathway lands are strictly worse than the original dual lands:
- Branchloft Pathway is strictly worse than Savannah.
- Brightclimb Pathway is strictly worse than Scrubland.
- Clearwater Pathway is strictly worse than Underground Sea.
- Cragcrown Pathway is strictly worse than Taiga.
- Needleverge Pathway is strictly worse than Plateau.
- Riverglide Pathway is strictly worse than Volcanic Island.