Kusari-Gama MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Rare
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Number	260
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tomas Giorello

Key Takeaways

Kusari-Gama’s impact on board control can deliver a substantial card advantage during combat.
Its equipment cost and red mana requirement limit some decks but redefine others.
Versatility makes Kusari-Gama a viable addition to creature-focused MTG strategies.

Text of card

Equipped creature has ": This creature gets +1/+0 until end of turn." Whenever equipped creature deals damage to a blocking creature, Kusari-Gama deals that much damage to each other creature defending player controls. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When equipped, Kusari-Gama enhances the potential for card advantage by forcing opponents to make difficult decisions. Attacking with a creature carrying Kusari-Gama can lead to you decimating an opponent’s board or, alternatively, dealing significant damage if they choose not to block, each outcome helping to tip the game scale in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: Although Kusari-Gama itself does not directly produce resources, it effectively accelerates your board presence. By potentially clearing multiple blockers with a single attack, you pave the way for more of your creatures to connect with your opponent in subsequent turns, speeding up the clock and escalating pressure.

Instant Speed: While Kusari-Gama is not an instant, its interaction in combat can be as sudden and impactful as one. The threat of untapped mana hinting its activation can significantly alter the combat decisions your opponent makes, similar to the strategic depth found in instant-speed interactions.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wielding Kusari-Gama means you must be willing to discard a card, an action that could hinder your momentum if other cards in hand are vital for your game strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: The activation of Kusari-Gama leans heavily on a specific mana alignment, demanding red mana which could be restrictive for decks that are not red-heavy or multicolored with red as a minor component.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Kusari-Gama, you’re investing three mana to cast and an additional two to equip. When evaluating its cost versus benefit, some players might find other equipment or spells that provide more bang for their buck at a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include Kusari-Gama in Your Collection

Versatility: Kusari-Gama enhances any deck focused on combat, offering an edge whether you’re aiming to deal direct damage to creatures or pressure your opponent’s resources. Its ability to equip to a variety of creatures makes it a flexible choice for players.

Combo Potential: This card opens the door for numerous combinations, particularly in decks built around unblockable or trample creatures. When paired with cards that grant those abilities, Kusari-Gama can turn a single attacker into a devastating force.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where creature-based strategies prevail, Kusari-Gama’s impact on the battlefield can be significant. It not only allows for aggressive plays but can also serve as a deterrent, discouraging opponents from blocking.

How to beat

Kusari-Gama is a unique equipment card that can enhance the offensive capabilities of creatures on the battlefield. When a creature equipped with Kusari-Gama deals damage to a defending player, it triggers an ability that can potentially wipe out your opponent’s blocking creatures. This presents a significant challenge in dealing with a Kusari-Gama-threatened board.

To effectively counter this card, one must employ removal spells or abilities that can disrupt the equipment-creature connection before damage is inflicted. Tackling Kusari-Gama itself is also a valid strategy, utilizing artifact removal spells to neutralize the threat. Cards like Disenchant or Naturalize can provide a timely answer, dealing with the equipment and preventing its devastating effect. Another approach involves preventing the equipped creature from dealing combat damage altogether through spells that tap or otherwise neutralize creatures.

In conclusion, while Kusari-Gama has the potential to dominate the battlefield, a well-prepared player with the right answers in their deck can mitigate the risks. Strategic removal or neutralization can keep one’s creatures safe and maintain control over the game’s pace in the face of this formidable equipment card.

Cards like Kusari-Gama

Kusari-Gama is an intriguing equipment card that offers a unique way to deal damage in MTG. Much like other equipment cards such as Grafted Wargear, it provides a significant boost to a creature’s power. Grafted Wargear, with its power enhancement without a mana cost to equip, presents a straightforward advantage, yet it lacks Kusari-Gama’s ability to deal with a multitude of threats at once. Kusari-Gama not only increases a creature’s power but also has the potential to clear out multiple blockers, as any damage to the equipped creature can be dealt to each creature defending player controls.

Another related equipment card is Nemesis Mask, which forces all creatures your opponent controls to block the equipped creature if able. This card, akin to Kusari-Gama, manipulates combat but does so in a way that can orchestrate beneficial attacks for the equipped creature’s controller. Unlike Kusari-Gama, it doesn’t increase the creature’s damage output but instead focuses on tactical board control.

Therefore, within the landscape of MTG equipment cards, Kusari-Gama stands out for its dual ability to both power up a creature and simultaneously handle multiple creatures, a trait that is relatively rare and can sway the course of a game dramatically.

Cards similar to Kusari-Gama by color, type and mana cost

Arena of the Ancients - MTG Card versions

Scale of Chiss-Goria - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kusari-Gama 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 Kusari-Gama and other MTG cards: