Lantern Kami MTG Card


Lantern Kami grants turn-based scry for sustained deck filtering and better draw quality. Instant speed activation provides strategic flexibility and potential for disruption. High mana cost may reduce its efficiency compared to similar low-mana creatures.
Lantern Kami - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number32
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byJohn Avon

Text of card

Flying

"Snuffing the light of a lantern without saying a small prayer is bad luck. Though its flame can only singe, its soul can repeatedly visit misery on one's house." —Teachings of Eight-and-a-Half-Tails


Cards like Lantern Kami

Lantern Kami is a unique creature card that shines within the Magic: The Gathering universe. Its similarities with other one-mana spirit creatures, such as Healer’s Hawk or Hopeful Eidolon, come into focus primarily due to their shared low-cost and creature type. Yet Lantern Kami stands out with its “Soulshift 1” ability, which trails away from the lifelink and flying provided by its counterparts. This ability allows for a strategic element of recursion, bringing back other spirit cards from the graveyard to hand – an advantage not seen in the other mentioned creatures.

Delving deeper into the realm of one-mana creatures, Suntail Hawk also presents a resemblance in cost and flying ability, but without the synergistic aspect of the soulshift mechanic. Furthermore, Lantern Kami also associates with Lantern Spirit but for different reasons. Although Lantern Spirit has a higher mana cost and includes the valuable ability to return to the owner’s hand, it lacks the graveyard interaction that embodies the central theme of Lantern Kami’s design.

In evaluating the diverse options within the same mana range, Lantern Kami holds a distinct position, bringing both aerial aggression and a nuanced angle of graveyard play to the battlefield that is nuanced among other one-drop creatures in Magic: The Gathering.

Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Hopeful Eidolon - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Lantern Spirit - MTG Card versions
Healer's Hawk - MTG Card versions
Hopeful Eidolon - MTG Card versions
Suntail Hawk - MTG Card versions
Lantern Spirit - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Lantern Kami by color, type and mana cost

Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
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Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
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Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
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Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
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Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions
Savannah Lions - MTG Card versions
Benalish Hero - MTG Card versions
Icatian Infantry - MTG Card versions
Icatian Scout - MTG Card versions
Icatian Javelineers - MTG Card versions
Kjeldoran Warrior - MTG Card versions
Trade Caravan - MTG Card versions
Vigilant Martyr - MTG Card versions
Honor Guard - MTG Card versions
Volunteer Militia - MTG Card versions
Nomads en-Kor - MTG Card versions
Soul Warden - MTG Card versions
Resistance Fighter - MTG Card versions
Cho-Arrim Alchemist - MTG Card versions
Honorable Scout - MTG Card versions
Devoted Caretaker - MTG Card versions
Faerie Guidemother // Gift of the Fae - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Yoshimaru, Ever Faithful - MTG Card versions
Mother of Runes - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Lantern Kami provides the player with the ability to scry each turn, offering consistent deck filtering to ensure you draw your key cards more frequently.

Resource Acceleration: This spirit enhances your board presence early in the game, letting you establish control and tempo by efficiently utilizing your mana pool.

Instant Speed: Its activated ability can be used at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to opponents’ moves, disrupt their strategy, or simply gain the upper hand at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the noticeable downsides to Lantern Kami is its demand that a player must discard a card to activate certain abilities. This can put a strain on a player’s hand, especially in the crucial late-game scenarios where each card held could represent a tactical advantage. Leveraging Lantern Kami’s abilities often hinges on a careful balance of resource management which not all deck types can afford.

Specific Mana Cost: Lantern Kami requires a particular blend of mana to cast. This can be a stumbling block for decks that are not heavily invested in the color pie necessary to meet its casting requirements. It makes the card somewhat less versatile and can lead to situations where it’s stuck in hand without the resources to play it effectively.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When it comes to mana economy, Lantern Kami might not always come out on top. Its casting cost is on the higher side compared to other options in its category. Players might find that there are alternate cards that offer similar benefits without the hefty mana investment, making it a less optimal choice in tightly curated decks.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Lantern Kami serves as a reliable one-drop with flying, making it a suitable fit for various decks. Its flying trait allows it to sneak past ground defenses, useful for chipping away at an opponent’s life total or for defending against other flying creatures.

Combo Potential: This card holds potential in decks that capitalize on the spirit or arcane synergies. Its ability to return to your hand when its arcane ability is activated allows for recurring uses, making it a handy piece in combos and recurring block strategies.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where one-drops can make a significant impact from the game’s onset, Lantern Kami shines. Its early presence on the battlefield can be critical for setting the pace against opponents, especially in a meta where efficient, low-cost creatures are valuable.


How to Beat Lantern Kami

Lantern Kami is an intriguing card in Magic: The Gathering that requires strategic play to overcome effectively. Known to adorn the early game with its presence, Lantern Kami may initially seem like a lightweight adversary. Yet, it often comes with evasion in the form of flying, making it a repetitive source of damage that can slowly whittle down a player’s life total. To counter this pesky spirit, consider using cheap removal spells. Options like Shock or Dead Weight can easily dispatch it without setting you back in terms of mana efficiency.

Another tactic is to fortify your aerial defense by introducing creatures with reach or other flyers that can block Lantern Kami. If you prefer a more assertive approach, spells that can sweep the board, such as Pyroclasm or Electrickery, offer an answer not just to Lantern Kami but to other small creatures that may accompany it. It’s crucial to manage these early threats so they don’t escalate into bigger problems as the game progresses. This proactive approach can help ensure that Lantern Kami’s light fades swiftly, preserving your life total and board presence to carry you through to the late game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Lantern Kami MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Lantern Kami and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Lantern Kami has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal