Dosan the Falling Leaf MTG Card


Dosan the Falling Leaf - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Monk
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number205
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMark Zug

Key Takeaways

  1. Dosan the Falling Leaf ensures strategies unfold undisturbed, curbing opponents’ instant-speed disruptions effectively.
  2. The card demands a strategic deck build, considering its mana specificity and impact on gameplay pacing.
  3. Incorporating Dosan can decisively shift control, securing pivotal turns against instant-heavy opponent decks.

Text of card

Players can play spells only during their own turns.

"Each night as Master Dosan prays to the kami, the hate he receives in return withers his body a little more. Though the kami are slowly killing him, still he continues his prayers." —Meditation journal of a young budoka


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Dosan the Falling Leaf ensures that your turns are protected from your opponents’ instants, allowing you to plan and execute strategies without interference. This can lead to a significant advantage as you control the game’s pace and protect your resources.

Resource Acceleration: While this card doesn’t directly accelerate resources, it preserves your board state and hand, indirectly leading to resource acceleration since you can develop your plays unhindered by the threat of instant-speed disruption from opponents.

Instant Speed: Dosan the Falling Leaf alters the game dynamics to essentially remove instant speed actions outside the controller’s turn, imposing a unique tempo where both players are relegated to sorcery speed. This ensures your high-impact sorceries and permanents can land safely, offering a strategic edge.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Dosan the Falling Leaf comes with an implicit discard requirement due to its static ability. This card restricts the opportunity to play spells on other players’ turns, potentially forcing you to discard cards that are best suited for reactionary strategies, particularly if you rely on instant-speed interaction within your deck.

Specific Mana Cost: This card’s mana cost includes two green mana symbols, which makes it a niche addition suitable primarily for green-centric or dual-colored decks. The need for specific mana can make Dosan the Falling Leaf less versatile in decks that draw upon a wider color palette, therefore being a less favorable option in multicolored decks where mana flexibility is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of 1GG, Dosan the Falling Leaf is a three mana creature that doesn’t impact the board immediately upon entry. In a game where tempo can be decisive, investing three mana in a creature that doesn’t provide an immediate advantage or board presence can put you at a comparative disadvantage, especially considering other cards within the same cost range that could offer more impactful effects right off the bat.


Reasons to Include Dosan the Falling Leaf in Your Collection

Versatility: Dosan the Falling Leaf is a flexible addition to green decks that can benefit from locking down opponent’s spells during your own turn. This can be crucial for strategies that revolve around big, game-winning plays uninterrupted by instant-speed disruption.

Combo Potential: With Dosan on the battlefield, you gain the assurance that your combos can be executed without the threat of counterspells or instant-speed removal, opening up opportunities for synergy with numerous other cards.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where control decks and counter-heavy playstyles dominate, Dosan the Falling Leaf offers a strategic edge, ensuring that your key turns are protected from opposing interference, which can be the deciding factor in close matches.


How to beat

Dosan the Falling Leaf is a unique piece of the strategic puzzle in Magic: The Gathering, acting as a paramount silencer against instant-speed shenanigans. Perched in decks that rely heavily on uninterrupted turns, Dosan’s ability to prevent players from casting spells during anyone else’s turn creates a serene battlefield, free from the usual stack-based chaos.

Confronting Dosan’s command over the game requires a pivot in typical combat strategies. To navigate around his lockdown, players should focus on leveraging sorcery-speed removals or wait until their turn to deploy threats and answers. Abilities that do not involve casting spells, such as activated or triggered abilities from permanents on the battlefield, also slip through the net of Dosan’s decree. Moreover, eliminating Dosan during your turn before commencing with other plans disrupts the serene veil he casts over the game. It’s paramount to adapt to the tempo Dosan sets and bide your time, planning for a turn where you can act unhindered.

Leveraging these methods, one can turn the tide of battle back in their favor, ensuring Dosan’s tranquil effect doesn’t leave you helplessly watching from the sidelines. Mastering the art of timing and the efficient use of resources is the key to overcoming the constraint imposed by Dosan the Falling Leaf.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG involves both shrewd tactics and an appreciation for impactful cards like Dosan the Falling Leaf. With its ability to craft a shield against instant spells, this card is a strategic gem for green decks, promoting unbreakable plays and securing your game-winning moves. If you’re curious about integrating Dosan into your deck to dictate the flow of turns or if you need alternatives to fit your strategy, we’re here to guide you. Join our community for deeper insights on building around Dosan’s strengths and learn to pilot your collection to victory against any adversary.


Cards like Dosan the Falling Leaf

Dosan the Falling Leaf stands out among Magic: The Gathering’s green legendary creatures for its unique ability to lock down spells during players’ turns. This ability mirrors that of City of Solitude, which also prevents players from casting spells or activating abilities on other players’ turns. However, Dosan offers this potent effect with a creature that can actively participate in combat.

Another card that generates a comparable impact is Grand Abolisher. Like Dosan, Grand Abolisher restricts your opponents’ actions during your turn, yet the limitation is slightly different as it doesn’t extend to the opponent’s turn. Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir offers a somewhat similar mechanic as well, allowing only the controller to cast spells at instant speed. Though not a green card, it’s essential to acknowledge Teferi’s broader influence in the control aspect of the game.

Analyzing these cards, Dosan the Falling Leaf proves to be a tactical choice for players aiming to exert control over the match’s tempo while also providing an aggressive creature presence. Its distinctive abilities make it a treasured piece in decks designed to dictate the flow of gameplay in Magic: The Gathering.

City of Solitude - MTG Card versions
Grand Abolisher - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir - MTG Card versions
City of Solitude - Visions (VIS)
Grand Abolisher - Magic 2012 (M12)
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir - Time Spiral (TSP)

Cards similar to Dosan the Falling Leaf by color, type and mana cost

Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
Awakener Druid - MTG Card versions
Cat Warriors - Legends (LEG)
Rysorian Badger - Homelands (HML)
Sabertooth Cobra - Mirage (MIR)
Quirion Druid - Visions (VIS)
Spike Feeder - Stronghold (STH)
Hungry Hungry Heifer - Unglued (UGL)
Titania's Chosen - Urza's Saga (USG)
Taoist Mystic - Portal Three Kingdoms (PTK)
Femeref Archers - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Lydari Druid - Sega Dreamcast Cards (PSDG)
Steel Leaf Champion - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Realmwalker - The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Commander (LCC)
Topiary Stomper - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Territorial Scythecat - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Wirewood Savage - Onslaught (ONS)
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - Saviors of Kamigawa (SOK)
Timberwatch Elf - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Pincher Beetles - Tenth Edition (10E)
Yavimaya Elder - Mystery Booster (MB1)
Awakener Druid - Magic 2011 (M11)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Dosan the Falling Leaf 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 Dosan the Falling Leaf and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Dosan the Falling Leaf has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Dosan the Falling Leaf card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

DateText
2004-12-01 Dosan’s ability only stops players from casting spells. It doesn’t stop activated or triggered abilities.

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