Brothers Yamazaki MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 160a
2004-10-01 - Number 160b
2020-09-26 - Number CHK-160
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Text of card
Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) If there are exactly two permanents named Brothers Yamazaki in play, the "legend rule" doesn't apply to them. Each other creature named Brothers Yamazaki gets +2/+2 and has haste.
Cards like Brothers Yamazaki
The Brothers Yamazaki holds a unique place in the Magic: The Gathering landscape, offering an intriguing twist when it comes to creature cards. Surrounded by others like Varchild, Betrayer of Kjeldor, Brothers Yamazaki shares the red color identity but diverges with its unusual offering – the ability to have two identical legendary creatures on the battlefield simultaneously, assuming they have different art and collector numbers.
Closer comparisons can be drawn with cards like Mirror Gallery or Sakashima the Impostor, known for bending the legendary rule that typically limits one of any particular legendary creature on the battlefield. While Mirror Gallery removes the legendary rule entirely, Brothers Yamazaki allows for a duo to work in tandem provided the conditions are met. Sakashima the Impostor can copy any creature, including a legendary one, without the copy being subject to the “legend rule.”
Looking closer at gameplay dynamics, each Brother may not be as flexible as other red creatures, but the chance to get two 2/1 creatures for the cost of merely three mana each—one potentially with bushido—can inject a rush of power into a game. Availability depends on the specific print runs, which makes Brothers Yamazaki a novelty for collecting and deck building within the MTG universe.
Cards similar to Brothers Yamazaki by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Brothers Yamazaki offers a unique edge in terms of card advantage. When you have both versions of the Brothers in play, it’s akin to having two creatures for the price of one. This can be especially impactful when building board presence and maintaining pressure on your opponent.
Resource Acceleration: While not providing direct mana acceleration, each Brother can attack and thus contribute to resource acceleration by dealing commander or combat damage, enabling you to effectively use various synergistic cards or effects that require combat success. This makes them formidable early-game threats that can disrupt your opponent’s tempo.
Instant Speed: Brothers Yamazaki doesn’t have instant speed inherently, but it pairs well with cards that facilitate instant-speed play. This allows you to keep mana open for responses and take full advantage of surprise tactics, which can tilt the battlefield in your favor during crucial turns. When paired with equipment or spells that give flash, the Brothers can become even more versatile and threatening.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Although not directly demanding card discard, the unique ability of being able to control only one version of Brothers Yamazaki limits hand flexibility. Players might find themselves discarding the second copy if drawn because of the “legend rule” in Magic.
Specific Mana Cost: Brothers Yamazaki demands a specific mana alignment, including three red mana. This can be restrictive and makes it challenging to include in multi-colored or mana-intensive decks where color diversity is critical.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three red and one other mana, Brothers Yamazaki’s impact on the game doesn’t always justify the investment. Other creatures or spells at this cost could offer more immediate board presence or versatility in gameplay scenarios.
Reasons to Include Brothers Yamazaki in Your Collection
Versatility: The unique mechanic of Brothers Yamazaki allows for two copies to be on the battlefield simultaneously without violating the legendary rule, making them adaptable to a variety of red-themed decks that can capitalize on this unusual ability.
Combo Potential: Brothers Yamazaki can synergize well with equipment and buffs that take advantage of their shared traits. Coupling them with cards that amplify attack or defense statistics, or that provide beneficial effects to legendary creatures, can lead to devastating combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where individual creature strength and resilience can turn the tide, Brothers Yamazaki stand out by offering a persistent threat. They compel opponents to deal with not one, but two robust attackers or blockers that can significantly impact board control.
How to beat
The Brothers Yamazaki card possesses a unique dynamic in Magic: The Gathering, offering a singular advantage when there are two on the battlefield simultaneously. This synergy echoes the lore of the sibling warriors, designed to fight as one. To counter this duo effectively, one strategy to adopt is the control of the game’s pacing. Utilizing removal spells that target multiple creatures, such as Wrath of God or Damnation, before both Brothers are in play, mitigates their fostered strengths.
Alternatively, single-target removal such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade wielded strategically can disrupt the beneficial duplication before it becomes too great a threat. Another angle of approach is through counter magic, interrupting your opponent’s strategy and keeping the battlefield clear of both Brothers. Lastly, engaging in combat with creatures that have deathtouch or utilizing cards that restrict attacking can prove limiting to the brothers’ potentials, ensuring they never reach their combined peak performance, thus maintaining dominion over the match.
Recognizing the strategic deployment and timely removal of the Yamazaki twins is key in overcoming the challenges they present. A player armed with the right spells and tactics can nullify the siblings’ advantages and maintain control over the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Brothers Yamazaki MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and 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 Brothers Yamazaki 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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Printings
The Brothers Yamazaki Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by Ron Spears.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 160a | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 2 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 160b | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears | |
| 3 | The List | PLST | CHK-160 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Ron Spears |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Brothers Yamazaki has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Brothers Yamazaki card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | The two Brothers could be controlled by different players. |
| 2004-12-01 | There are two versions of this card, each with different art. The cards are numbered 160a/306 and 160b/306. The art has no effect on game play. |
| 2013-07-01 | If a third Brothers Yamazaki enters the battlefield, the legend rule will apply. If one player controls more than one Brothers Yamazaki at that time, that player will have to choose one and put the rest into their graveyard. |