Body of Jukai MTG Card


Body of Jukai - Betrayers of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost9
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Soulshift,Trample
Released2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameBetrayers of Kamigawa
Set codeBOK
Power 8
Toughness 5
Number121
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byLuca Zontini

Key Takeaways

  1. Maximizes card advantage through graveyard-to-hand creature retrieval, enhancing strategic depth in matches.
  2. Facilitates resource acceleration, allowing players to tap into additional lands for a strategic edge.
  3. Incorporates into various strategies by synergizing with instant speed cards, offering adaptable gameplay.

Text of card

Trample Soulshift 8 (When this is put into a graveyard from play, you may return target Spirit card with converted mana cost 8 or less from your graveyard to your hand.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Body of Jukai can be a key contributor to card advantage in the late game. Its ability to return from the graveyard to your hand ensures that you consistently have a substantial creature to play, keeping your hand well-stocked and your threats persistent.

Resource Acceleration: Not only is this card a formidable presence on the battlefield, but it also aids in resource acceleration. When you play the Body of Jukai, you often have the option to leverage additional resources, such as lands, to enhance its impact, giving you a substantial edge in resources over your opponent.

Instant Speed: Although the Body of Jukai itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, its synergies with other cards in your deck that do can create a dynamic and flexible strategy. This allows you to adapt quickly during a game, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing you to make moves at the most opportune times.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When playing the Body of Jukai, players may find the discard aspect quite limiting, especially when hand size is critical to maintain strategic advantage or when the game is drawing out and resources are scarce.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for the Body of Jukai requires a commitment to the green mana pool, which can be restrictive for multicolor deck strategies or those that lack the necessary land ramp or mana fixing capabilities.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its substantial mana cost, the Body of Jukai could potentially slow down your game, offering a challenge in efficiency when other cards at a lower mana echelon may provide immediate impact or better synergy with existing deck mechanics.


Reasons to Include Body of Jukai in Your Collection

Versatility: Body of Jukai offers flexibility for deck builders. As a large creature with Soulshift, it can be a commanding presence on the battlefield with the capability to bring back Spirits from your graveyard.

Combo Potential: Given its Soulshift ability, the card has excellent synergy with Spirit and Arcane spells, potentially creating strong chains of play that can overwhelm opponents with recurring threats.

Meta-Relevance: In a metagame that’s creature-heavy or where graveyard interactions are key, Body of Jukai can be an essential card. Because it can recur other spirits, it interacts well with the current dynamics, counteracting creature removals and providing resilience.


How to Beat Body of Jukai

Overcoming the challenges presented by Body of Jukai in MTG can be a daunting task. This formidable creature brings resilience and strength to the battlefield, requiring a strategic approach. Key to success is addressing its trample ability, which allows excess combat damage to be dealt to a player or planeswalker they’re attacking. Ensuring that you have adequate blockers or spells to neutralize the trample effect is crucial.

Control decks have an answer in the form of counter spells or removal spells like Path to Exile or Rapid Hybridization, which can effectively handle the creature before it becomes a threat or changes the tide of a game. On the flip side, aggro decks might struggle due to Body of Jukai’s high toughness, but they can rely on cards like Roil Eruption or Power Word Kill to remove it without going toe-to-toe.

Ultimately, patience and strategic forethought are your allies when facing Body of Jukai. Making judicious use of your removal options, considering the timing of your plays, and reserving key spells for crucial moments will serve you well in outmaneuvering an opponent who brings this powerful spirit to the fray.


Cards like Body of Jukai

The Body of Jukai melds into the tapestry of versatile creatures within Magic: The Gathering by offering a unique mix of abilities. This towering spirit from the Kamigawa block can be compared to other formidable treefolk like Dungrove Elder. The Elder also scales in power and toughness with the number of forests you control. Nevertheless, Dungrove Elder lacks the soulshift ability which allows Body of Jukai to play a strategic role in late-game, granting an avenue to retrieve key spirits from the graveyard.

We can also look to Unstoppable Ash for parallels, another treefolk with a similar knack for protection and enhancement. Unstoppable Ash offers championing another treefolk or warrior, potentially providing a robust, albeit temporary, barrier. Yet, only Body of Jukai has the added benefit of trample, ensuring it can still deal damage through blockers. Additionally, while Unstoppable Ash is more cost-efficient, the Body of Jukai’s soulshift 8 embodies a higher potential for graveyard interaction, especially in dedicated spirit decks.

Assessing their place within the broader context, Body of Jukai represents a potent option for players seeking to leverage a sizable creature that offers both offensive capabilities and sustainable board presence through its recurring potential.

Dungrove Elder - MTG Card versions
Unstoppable Ash - MTG Card versions
Dungrove Elder - DCI Promos (PDCI)
Unstoppable Ash - Morningtide (MOR)

Cards similar to Body of Jukai by color, type and mana cost

Sproutback Trudge - MTG Card versions
Titanoth Rex - MTG Card versions
Krosan Colossus - MTG Card versions
Myojin of Life's Web - MTG Card versions
Mockery of Nature - MTG Card versions
Arboretum Elemental - MTG Card versions
Apex Altisaur - MTG Card versions
The Tarrasque - MTG Card versions
Sproutback Trudge - Commander 2021 (C21)
Titanoth Rex - The List (PLST)
Krosan Colossus - Murders at Karlov Manor Commander (MKC)
Myojin of Life's Web - The List (PLST)
Mockery of Nature - Shadows over Innistrad Remastered (SIR)
Arboretum Elemental - Guilds of Ravnica (GRN)
Apex Altisaur - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
The Tarrasque - Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Promos (PAFR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Body of Jukai MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers 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 Body of Jukai and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Body of Jukai has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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