Konda's Hatamoto MTG Card

Konda's Hatamoto - Champions of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities	Bushido
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Power	1
Toughness	2
Number	31
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Lars Grant-West

Key Takeaways

Strengthens Samurai decks with bushido and synergy with legendary Samurai, enhancing both offense and defense.
It’s a cost-effective option, with a unique vigilance trait that contributes to a more flexible combat stance.
Incorporate removal and evasion tactics to effectively counter Konda’s Hatamoto’s combat-focused advantages.

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) As long as you control a legendary Samurai, Konda's Hatamoto gets +1/+2 and has vigilance. (Attacking doesn't cause this creature to tap.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: With Konda’s Hatamoto, players gain a significant board presence that supports their other Samurai or Bushido cards. It thrives in specific deck builds, allowing for synergetic tactics and potentially overwhelming the opponent with a fortified strategy.

Resource Acceleration: While Konda’s Hatamoto itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low cost and defensive capabilities can help preserve your life total and other resources, enabling a stable buildup of your board without needing to invest heavily in other defensive measures.

Instant Speed: Although Konda’s Hatamoto is not an instant, its strength lies in providing a resilient and steadfast defender that can be a surprise blocker after it’s played at sorcery speed. Being ready to defend against attacks right off the bat can sometimes be as tactically sound as having an instant response in your hand, especially in matches focusing on combat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Konda’s Hatamoto necessitates the presence of a legendary Samurai to unlock its full potential. This condition can be unwieldy, especially in decks lacking a consistent way to deploy legendary creatures onto the battlefield.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for casting Konda’s Hatamoto is specifically tuned for white mana-heavy decks. This inflexibility can be a disadvantage in multicolored decks looking to maintain a diverse mana base for a wider range of spells.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that demands two white mana sources, Konda’s Hatamoto might be considered costly for its base stats. Players may find other creatures or spells that can have a more immediate or considerable impact on the game at a similar or lower mana cost.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Konda’s Hatamoto thrives in decks that lean on the Samurai theme or where defenders matter. Its ability to become tougher to remove during combat if you control a legendary Samurai makes it a reliable fixture on the battlefield.

Combo Potential: As a card that benefits from the presence of legendary Samurai, Konda’s Hatamoto can be part of synergistic plays. Pair it with cards that manipulate legendary permanents to gain additional advantages, enhancing both its offensive and defensive capabilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given that strategy adaptation is always key in MTG, Konda’s Hatamoto can be a meta-specific inclusion. In an environment where combat tricks prevail, or Samurai are part of the local meta, it could provide substantial and consistent value.

How to beat

Konda’s Hatamoto is a card that offers robust defensive capabilities in Magic: The Gathering, particularly in decks built around Samurai or Bushido themes. The card shines in combat scenarios, gaining a significant toughness boost and vigilance when paired with a legendary Samurai. This makes it particularly tricky to tackle in head-on battles, inspiring players to adopt alternative strategies.

To effectively combat Konda’s Hatamoto, consider utilizing removal spells that don’t rely on dealing damage, as this card’s boosted toughness can make it resistant to traditional burn strategies. Additionally, evasion techniques are key—cards that grant unblockable status or those that can control the battlefield by tapping opponents’ creatures will bypass the Hatamoto’s combat advantages. In essence, shifting the focus from direct combat to leveraging control and evasion tactics emerges as the most viable way to overcome the formidable defenses of Konda’s Hatamoto in MTG matchups.

Ultimately, while Konda’s Hatamoto can be a pillar of defense in the right deck, its strengths are counterbalanced by its susceptibility to non-combat removal and evasion maneuvers. Careful planning and the right mix of spells can mitigate the impact of this dedicated defender and keep you in control of the game.

Cards like Konda's Hatamoto

Konda’s Hatamoto shines in the realm of Magic: The Gathering as a loyal samurai card that offers unique advantages to players utilizing a samurai or warrior-based deck. Comparable cards such as Takeno’s Samurai enhance gameplay around these themes, but Konda’s Hatamoto ups the ante by providing bushido and gaining vigilance whenever you control a legendary samurai. This vigilance aspect isn’t seen in Takeno’s Samurai, giving Konda’s Hatamoto a strategic edge in maintaining a defense while still being able to attack.

Kitsune Blademaster is another card with bushido, though it does not offer the specific synergy with legendary samurai that Konda’s Hatamoto does. The Blademaster carries a higher power yet lacks the situational benefits that make Hatamoto noteworthy. Furthermore, Hand of Honor shares a resistance to black spells with Konda’s Hatamoto but remains a stand-alone card without the benefit of synergy with a legendary creature. This can make a significant difference in a duel where every tactical support counts.

On balance, Konda’s Hatamoto delivers a compelling option for samurai-themed deck strategies, standing out with its bushido and interaction with legendary creatures that can shape the dynamic of a match in Magic: The Gathering. Its defensive and synergistic qualities ensure Konda’s Hatamoto is a valuable card to have in your arsenal.

Cards similar to Konda's Hatamoto by color, type and mana cost

Voice of the Blessed - MTG Card versions

Silverflame Squire // On Alert - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Konda's Hatamoto 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 Konda's Hatamoto and other MTG cards: