Kami of the Waning Moon MTG Card


Kami of the Waning Moon - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Flying
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Power 1
Toughness 1
Number120
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byMatt Thompson

Key Takeaways

  1. Grants menace, indirectly leading to card advantage by complicating your opponent’s blocking decisions.
  2. Though it strains your hand, the discard requirement can be strategized to your advantage in gameplay.
  3. Supports spirit and arcane themed decks well, adding versatility and combo potential to your collection.

Text of card

Flying Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, target creature gains fear until end of turn.

"For a moment, Reito's defenders regrouped. Then wailing kami reappeared to send them scattering like flocks of frightened birds." —*Great Battles of Kamigawa*


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kami of the Waning Moon ensures that the creatures you control become more troublesome for your opponent to block by giving them menace. This ability can indirectly lead to card advantage by forcing unfavorable blocks or preventing the opponent from blocking entirely, potentially allowing you to maintain more creatures on the board.

Resource Acceleration: While Kami of the Waning Moon itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its presence can enable swifter attacks that lead to damaging your opponent more effectively. Clearing a path with its menace ability can result in quicker games, impacting the overall resource pace in your favor.

Instant Speed: The true power of Kami of the Waning Moon may not be in its interaction with instant speed, but its ability can certainly complement plays made at instant speed by maximizing the impact of combat tricks or removal spells that clear the way for an effective attack.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kami of the Waning Moon’s playability is bottlenecked by the necessity to discard another card. This requirement could strain your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses.

Specific Mana Cost: To cast this card, players need access to not only two generic mana but also one black mana. This restricts its integration predominantly to black decks or those with a reliable mana base to accommodate the color-specific demand.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With an investment of three mana for its abilities, Kami of the Waning Moon might not be the optimal choice when you’re trying to maximize the efficiency of your mana usage. Other creatures or enchantments could offer more impactful effects or better stats at a similar cost.


Reasons to Include Kami of the Waning Moon in Your Collection

Versatility: Kami of the Waning Moon is a card that adapts well in various deck themes, particularly those embracing a spirit or arcane theme. Its ability to grant flying to targeted creatures adds a layer of evasion that can be crucial in many game states.

Combo Potential: This card works excellently with strategies that aim to capitalize on creature abilities. It can turn any creature into a more formidable threat, pairing well with cards designed to capitalize on dealing combat damage to a player.

Meta-Relevance: Given that flying creatures can offer strategic advantages against numerous popular deck types, the relevance of Kami of the Waning Moon in your deck can’t be understated. Whether you’re evading blockers or sneaking in for that last bit of damage, the tactical flexibility it provides might prove pivotal in your matches.


How to beat

Kami of the Waning Moon adds a stealthy layer of complexity to creature strategies in Magic: The Gathering. This spectral spirit boosts your attacking creatures with fear when it’s in play, making them harder to block except by artifact creatures and/or those sharing a color. To effectively counteract this card, focus on flexible removal spells that aren’t dependent on the combat phase. Options like Doom Blade or Path to Exile can help you remove the Kami before it starts dictating the flow of combat.

Additionally, fine-tuning your deck to include artifact creatures can render the fear ability ineffective, ensuring you have reliable blockers regardless of the opponent’s tactics. Board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation can also clear the battlefield of Kami of the Waning Moon, simultaneously addressing the broader threat of a creature-heavy strategy. Remember, a well-prepared strategy includes answers to a variety of threats, and incorporating versatile control elements is key to maintaining dominance on the battlefield against cards like Kami of the Waning Moon.


Cards like Kami of the Waning Moon

Kami of the Waning Moon holds a unique position among Spirit creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to cards like Thief of Hope, which also provides benefits to other Spirits. However, Kami of the Waning Moon offers a specific advantage by giving flying to our Spirit creatures, which can be a game-changer in combat, especially in Spirit tribal decks.

Another card with synergetic abilities is Tallowisp, which has a kinship with Kami of the Waning Moon in terms of supporting the Spirit tribe. Tallowisp fetches an Aura card whenever you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, capitalizing on the Spirit theme but focusing on deck utility rather than direct combat prowess. In comparison, Long-Forgotten Gohei is yet another Spirit-focused artifact that reduces the casting cost of your Spirit spells besides boosting their power.

Each of these cards provides value to Spirit decks in their unique ways, but Kami of the Waning Moon stands out for its capacity to elevate your Spirits, giving you a literal edge in aerial tactics. This card’s ability to alter the battlefield dynamics can often turn the tide in favor of its wielder.

Thief of Hope - MTG Card versions
Tallowisp - MTG Card versions
Long-Forgotten Gohei - MTG Card versions
Thief of Hope - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Tallowisp - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Long-Forgotten Gohei - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Cards similar to Kami of the Waning Moon by color, type and mana cost

Nettling Imp - MTG Card versions
Royal Assassin - MTG Card versions
Plague Rats - MTG Card versions
El-Hajjâj - MTG Card versions
Frozen Shade - MTG Card versions
Scathe Zombies - MTG Card versions
Sorceress Queen - MTG Card versions
Lost Soul - MTG Card versions
Mindstab Thrull - MTG Card versions
Mischievous Poltergeist - MTG Card versions
Strongarm Thug - MTG Card versions
Razortooth Rats - MTG Card versions
Ghastly Remains - MTG Card versions
Lord of the Undead - MTG Card versions
Deepwood Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Dross Prowler - MTG Card versions
Nim Lasher - MTG Card versions
Nim Abomination - MTG Card versions
Vesper Ghoul - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Specter - MTG Card versions
Nettling Imp - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
Royal Assassin - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Plague Rats - Foreign Black Border (FBB)
El-Hajjâj - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Frozen Shade - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Scathe Zombies - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Sorceress Queen - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Lost Soul - Introductory Two-Player Set (ITP)
Mindstab Thrull - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Mischievous Poltergeist - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)
Strongarm Thug - Mercadian Masques (MMQ)
Razortooth Rats - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Ghastly Remains - Legions (LGN)
Lord of the Undead - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Deepwood Ghoul - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Dross Prowler - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Lasher - Mirrodin (MRD)
Nim Abomination - Darksteel (DST)
Vesper Ghoul - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Hypnotic Specter - Magic Player Rewards 2006 (P06)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kami of the Waning Moon 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 Kami of the Waning Moon and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kami of the Waning Moon has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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