Kitsune Blademaster MTG Card

Kitsune Blademaster - Champions of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Fox Samurai
Abilities	Bushido,First strike
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	25
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Keith Garletts

Key Takeaways

Empowers decks focused on Spirit or Samurai synergies, enhancing card advantage and battlefield control.
Requires supporting cards for optimal play, limiting its flexibility in less focused deck builds.
Combats and tricks tactics make it a meta-relevant addition to aggressive MTG strategies.

Text of card

First strike Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)

Those kitsune trained in the blade preferred to fight with a blade-catching jitte in the off hand, buying them just enough time to deliver the first deadly cut.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By combining Kitsune Blademaster with cards that reward you for playing Spirits or Samurai, you can effectively create synergy that plays into card advantage. This feeds into building a stronger board presence and applying pressure on your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Kitsune Blademaster itself does not directly contribute to resource acceleration, its synergy with Samurai and Spirit tribal decks can indirectly boost your resources. In a deck well-tuned to take advantage of these tribes, every summoned Kitsune Blademaster can mean accelerating your game plan more efficiently.

Instant Speed: This creature benefits from support cards that can be cast at instant speed, potentially changing combat dynamics in your favor. While the Kitsune Blademaster is not an instant itself, the “Bushido 1” ability triggers during combat which can work well with instants that support combat tricks to outmaneuver your opponent.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kitsune Blademaster requires precise board conditions to be effective, making it less versatile. If you don’t control a relevant supporting card, your Blademaster won’t shine as brightly as in ideal scenarios. This can lead to strategic disadvantages when flexibility is crucial.

Specific Mana Cost: With a cost that includes white mana, Kitsune Blademaster may not fit effortlessly into multicolored decks or decks that are mana-flexible. This can limit its integration, especially in formats where mana bases are stretched across various colors for optimum play.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana, including two that must be white, there may be alternative creatures or spells at lower costs that allow for faster tempo plays. For aggressive or budget decks, this cost can mean slower starts and potentially ceding early game advantages.

Reasons to Include Kitsune Blademaster in Your Collection

Versatility: Kitsune Blademaster is a solid addition to decks that make the most of samurai or warrior synergies. Its double strike capability allows it to be a threat in both offense and defense.

Combo Potential: Due to its Bushido ability, this card pairs well with effects that increase the number of combats per turn, significantly multiplying its damage output.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where combat tricks and aggressive strategies dominate, Kitsune Blademaster can perform exceptionally well by surprising opponents and serving as a key attacker or blocker when needed.

How to Beat Kitsune Blademaster

Kitsune Blademaster stands out in MTG for its combination of the bushido mechanic and the ability to potentially deal double damage with first strike. Neutralizing this Samurai warrior efficiently hinges on timely removal or setting up stronger defensive creatures to absorb or prevent attacks. To counter Kitsune Blademaster, consider instant-speed removal spells such as Path to Exile or Fatal Push, ideally casting them before damage can be dealt.

Another strategy to overcome the Kitsune Blademaster involves outmaneuvering it through combat tricks or spells that decrease its power and toughness. Legacy and modern formats also offer various control options like Swords to Plowshares, which can help you exile the creature before it becomes a threat. When facing this card, remember that blocking it with a creature that has two or more toughness will prevent it from leveraging its first strike advantage, as long as the Blademaster doesn’t get a boost from other cards.

Suppressing Kitsune Blademaster with enchantments that prevent it from attacking or blocking, such as Pacifism, can also be effective. This approach allows you to maintain board presence while undermining Kitsune Blademaster’s offensive potential. Ultimately, preparing versatile responses in your deck is key to ensure you can handle threats like the Kitsune Blademaster whenever they arise.

Cards like Kitsune Blademaster

Kitsune Blademaster joins the lineup of vigilant creatures in Magic: The Gathering with a flair for Samurai tradition. It’s often mentioned alongside cards like Konda’s Hatamoto for their shared traits – both are Samurai and carry the vigilant flag into battle, allowing them to be active on both offense and defense. The Blademaster, however, boasts an additional first strike capability, making it a potent threat during combat phases, akin to a capable swordsman with swift reflexes.

Another card that parallels Kitsune Blademaster in functionality is Nagao, Bound by Honor. Although Nagao demands one extra mana, it provides greater power, making it a formidable presence on the field that can shape the tide of skirmishes. The trade-off in mana cost for increased strength and the same vigilant feature often prompts a strategic consideration for deck builders.

In weighing options, Kitsune Blademaster stands out for its cost-effective mix of vigilance and first strike within its class. Favored in Samurai-themed decks, the card’s ability to control combat dynamics makes it a solid choice for enthusiasts seeking a harmonious blend of aggression and defense.

Nagao, Bound by Honor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kitsune Blademaster by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kitsune Blademaster 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 Kitsune Blademaster and other MTG cards: