A-Ancestral Katana MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | A-1 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Daniel Ljunggren |
Text of card
Whenever a Samurai or Warrior you control attacks alone, you may pay . When you do, attach Ancestral Katana to it. Equipped creature gets +2/+2 and has "This creature has first strike as long as it's attacking." Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like A-Ancestral Katana
Ancestral Katana carves its niche within the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a potent artifact that equips creatures with power and foreboding presence on the battlefield. It’s often compared to other equipment like O-Naginata, which also grants a significant power boost and demands a creature with considerable strength to wield it effectively. But the Ancestral Katana forgoes the restriction for one with greater base power, instead banking on the collective might of swift, multiple attackers to accrue its honor counters.
Then there’s Tenza, Godo’s Maul, a counterpart that similarly amplifies a creature’s attacking force and resilience. While it can enhance any creature, Tenza’s particular synergy with legendary creatures makes it especially formidable when paired appropriately, offering a custom fit for deck-building aficionados. Masako’s Suneate exhibits another comparison point, granting equipped creatures haste, which can turn the tides of combat unexpectedly, although lacking the cumulative power boost found in the Ancestral Katana.
Overall, Ancestral Katana’s unique approach to incremental power buildup provides a different tactical angle compared to its peers. It rewards players who favor a strategy involving a legion of warriors, indicating its specialized role in equipment-centric decks of Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to A-Ancestral Katana by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When armed with A-Ancestral Katana, your creatures not only become more formidable but also pave your way to an enriched hand. Each attack promises the opportunity to gain a new card, keeping your options plentiful and your strategy flexible.
Resource Acceleration: A masterstroke of this equipment is its ability to bolster your resources. The Katana’s unique ability to convert combat success into additional mana can propel you ahead, enabling bigger plays or crucial reactions ahead of your scheduled turn.
Instant Speed: Agility is king in the realm of tactical play, and the instant speed interaction offered by A-Ancestral Katana can catch an adversary unprepared. Equip at a moment’s notice, transform a simple blocker into a titan, or secure a card at the death of a turn, keeping your foes on their toes.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: The Ancestral Katana requires players to discard a card upon use, which can be challenging when your hand is already depleted or you’re holding onto key pieces for your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a particular combination of mana, including color-specific mana. This makes it less flexible and potentially difficult to cast on curve in multicolored or mana-tight decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its substantial mana requirement, the Ancestral Katana may not be as cost-effective as other equipment or spells with similar benefits. In fast-paced games, this can put a player at a disadvantage compared to utilizing lower-cost alternatives.
Reasons to Include Ancestral Katana in Your Collection
Versatility: Ancestral Katana is a card that can be slotted into a variety of decks, especially those focusing on creature-based strategies or wanting to bolster their offensive capabilities with equipment.
Combo Potential: This card has innate synergy with warrior or samurai-themed decks, enhancing its power and utility. It can act as a key piece in combinations aiming to quickly accumulate combat damage or leverage equipment synergies.
Meta-Relevance: Given the fluctuating landscape of MTG play, a card with a strong presence like Ancestral Katana often proves valuable. It can adapt to various play styles and fend off common threats in numerous game environments.
How to beat
Ancentral Katana is a card that can shape the battlefield in MTG, much like its predecessors from the equipment card genre. Its ability to provide a creature with power boosts and protection makes it a target for any player aiming to maintain board control. To counter this, you can use versatile artifact removal spells such as Disenchant or target specifically with more robust answers like Shatter or By Force to dismantle the equipment advantage.
Similarly, instant-speed interaction spells play a crucial role in mitigating the effectiveness of Ancentral Katana. Having the capacity to respond to the equip action with a Murderous Cut or a Path to Exile can neutralize the threat before it has the chance to manifest. It’s essential to keep mana open for these interactions, which strategically keeps your opponent guessing and reluctant to commit to an equip play that could be disrupted. Cards like Krosan Grip also avoid counterplay with its Split Second ability, denying your opponent the opportunity to save their treasured equipment.
Strategically, maintaining a balance of control and threat assessment ensures Ancentral Katana does not dominate the game. Properly timing your removal, anticipating your opponent’s plays, and having a variety of answers at your disposal will help secure your position against such powerful equipment in MTG.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase A-Ancestral Katana MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 A-Ancestral Katana and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where A-Ancestral Katana has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |