Josu Vess, Lich Knight MTG Card


Josu Vess offers substantial card advantage by creating multiple zombie tokens to pressure opponents. His presence accelerates strategy by forcing opponents to react, potentially hindering their game plan. Despite a steep mana cost, his potential for game-changing plays makes him a worthy add.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Zombie Knight
Abilities Kicker,Menace
Power 4
Toughness 5

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Menace When Josu Vess, Lich Knight enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, create eight 2/2 black Zombie Knight creature tokens with menace.


Cards like Josu Vess, Lich Knight

Josu Vess, Lich Knight is a versatile creature that boasts intimidating stats and a powerful kicker ability in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relatives in terms of gameplay impact might be cards like Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet. Both are formidable black creature cards that can create a horde of zombie tokens, though Kalitas does so by exiling creatures from the game. Unlike Kalitas, Josu Vess demands a hefty mana investment to unleash its full potential with the kicker, transforming the board state with an army of undead in one fell swoop.

The kicker mechanic itself draws immediate comparison to other cards such as Untamed Kavu. While the Kavu offers a more cost-efficient creature with flexibility for early or late game, it does not change the board as radically as Josu Vess does when its kicker is employed. Another parallel can be drawn with Verix Bladewing, which creates a token copy with its kicker option. However, Josu Vess can summon multiple tokens, providing an advantage in number over Verix’s singular token generation.

Ultimately, Josu Vess carves a unique niche as a potentially game-ending creature owing to its ability to command a legion of zombie tokens, a trait that makes it stand out among other cards with similar kicker mechanics.

Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Untamed Kavu - MTG Card versions
Verix Bladewing - MTG Card versions
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet - MTG Card versions
Untamed Kavu - MTG Card versions
Verix Bladewing - MTG Card versions

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Demon of Catastrophes - MTG Card versions
Bold Plagiarist - MTG Card versions
Dirge Bat - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Josu Vess, Lich Knight boasts a kicker mechanic that upon payment creates eight 2/2 black Zombie Knight creature tokens with menace, potentially flooding the board and overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct form of mana ramp, the inherent threat of activation encourages strategic mana allocation. This pressure may force opponents to deal with Josu Vess preemptively, effectively stalling their development as they react to your potential plays.

Instant Speed: Though not an instant itself, Josu Vess synergizes with cards that flash in creatures or reanimate at instant speed, establishing formidable board states during an opponent’s turn or end step, disrupting their strategy with an unexpected onslaught.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Josu Vess, Lich Knight does not have a discard requirement, which means there’s one less hurdle to casting him in game situations, thus making him a reliable card to have in your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: Josu Vess, Lich Knight has a specific mana cost that includes double black mana, which might restrict him to mono-black or two-color decks where black is a primary color. This could limit deck versatility and make him a less convenient choice in a multicolor build.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At four total mana, two of which are black, Josu Vess can be weighty for early game play. However, it’s his kicker cost that is particularly steep, demanding an additional six mana, which in total can be prohibitive and may delay the execution of his full potential until the late game.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Josu Vess, Lich Knight is a formidable card that can adapt to various playstyles. Its inherent capabilities allow it to stand on its own in both offensive and defensive positions, bolstering midrange and control decks alike.

Combo Potential: With kicker abilities that summon a host of Zombie Knight tokens, this card has incredible synergy with strategies that exploit token generation and sacrifice mechanics, opening doors to numerous powerful combinations on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: Given the right setup, Josu Vess can swing games in your favor against many popular deck archetypes. Its relevance in a meta filled with creature-based strategies can’t be overstated, especially when the game shifts towards a longer play where its full might can be unleashed.


How to beat

Josu Vess, Lich Knight is a formidable black creature card that can be a serious threat when kicked, bringing an army of zombie tokens into play. To counteract Josu Vess effectively, control strategies tend to be favorable. Board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation clear multiple creatures, nullifying the impact of the token swarm. Spot removal before the kick is critical as well; tools like Path to Exile or Go for the Throat ensure Josu Vess doesn’t stay on the battlefield long enough to be a major issue. Utilizing graveyard disruption such as Rest in Peace or Leyline of the Void also hampers strategies that recycle Josu Vess from the graveyard, a common tactic given its kicker ability.

Moreover, cards that counter creature spells will be valuable in keeping Josu Vess in check. Counterspells like Negate or Essence Scatter can prevent him from ever entering the battlefield, especially if there’s a sizeable mana investment with the intent to kick. In the event Josu Vess does get kicked, ensuring you have access to cards that can either exile, return to hand or otherwise neutralize the zombie tokens can also swing the game back in your favor. Emphasis on timely reactions and the optimal choice of removal can dismantle the looming threat of Josu Vess, Lich Knight.


BurnMana Recommendations

From the might of Josu Vess, Lich Knight’s army of zombies to the tactical considerations he brings to the table, your MTG decks can certainly gain an edge. Embrace the challenge of integrating this powerhouse into your playstyle and explore the depths of its strategic potential. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your deck with reliable cards or seeking new combinations to surprise your adversaries, Josu Vess provides both versatility and formidable presence in battle. Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us and discover the endless possibilities that await. Elevate your game and your collection with expert insights and tips.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Josu Vess, Lich Knight MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Dominaria Promos, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Josu Vess, Lich Knight and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Josu Vess, Lich Knight Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2023-04-21. Illustrated by Tyler Jacobson.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12018-04-27DominariaDOM 952015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22018-04-27Dominaria PromosPDOM 95s2015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
32022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 1132015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42023-04-21March of the Machine CommanderMOC 2532015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Josu Vess, Lich Knight has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal