Samurai Enforcers MTG Card

Samurai Enforcers - Champions of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities	Bushido
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	42
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Mitch Cotie

Key Takeaways

Offers robust defense, deterring attacks and subtly granting card advantage over time.
Demands specific mana and might limit deck-building options due to its white mana requirement.
Combines well within Samurai-themed strategies, adding resilience to these decks.

Text of card

Bushido 2 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.)

From the moment they swore their oaths, they belonged to their lord, sword and soul.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Samurai Enforcers stand out as a potent defender, particularly in formats where trading multiple creatures is common. It aids in maintaining board presence, effectively deterring opponents from attacking, and can be a deciding factor in prolonged games. Its capability can subtly shift card advantage in your favor over time as it repeatedly thwarts multiple enemy threats.

Resource Acceleration: Although Samurai Enforcers don’t directly accelerate resources, their presence can potentially conserve resources you might otherwise spend on defense. By efficiently stalling opposing creatures, you’re able to redirect mana towards developing your board and solidifying control in the mid to late game phases.

Instant Speed: Samurai Enforcers themselves may not boast an instant speed ability, but their robustness shapes the battlefield in a way that can afford you the flexibility to leverage instant speed spells elsewhere. With the assurance of a sturdy line of defense, you can more confidently keep mana available for timely casts and reactive plays, which can be instrumental in shifting the tide of a duel in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you’re utilizing the Samurai Enforcers card, be mindful of its effect that might require you to discard cards, especially in strategic situations where your hand size is critical for maintaining an advantage over your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: The Samurai Enforcers demand a precise combination of mana, with a requirement for white mana that can pose deck-building challenges and restrict its play to decks heavily focused on or incorporating white mana sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for its stats and abilities, Samurai Enforcers might be considered a less economical choice compared to other creatures in its mana range that could provide a better balance of cost to power/toughness ratio or additional abilities.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Samurai Enforcers can be a stable addition to any deck that emphasizes on creature presence. Thanks to its sturdy defensive stats, it offers consistent board stability that’s essential in many game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card excels within synergistic strategies that capitalize on the Samurai type or honor the Bushido mechanic, allowing for a variety of interactions that can bolster your combat effectiveness.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature combat is prevalent, the Enforcers’ Bushido ability gives it an edge by potentially outclassing opponents’ creatures, making it a strategic pick for decks countering aggressive battlefield tactics.

How to Beat

Samurai Enforcers is a resilient creature card in Magic: The Gathering, valued for its Bushido 2 ability, which makes it stronger during combat. Facing down these warriors, it’s important to preempt their Bushido-powered boosts. A proven tactic is to use removal spells that bypass combat entirely—such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which can dispose of Samurai Enforcers before they become a threat.

Another strategy is to overwhelm them with numerous creatures. Samurai Enforcers can only block one attacker per turn, so mustering a wide battlefield can diminish the impact of their Bushido ability. Additionally, evasive creatures that can fly or are unblockable can bypass Samurai Enforcers altogether, applying pressure without engaging in their strength—combat.

Countering them directly from your hand with spells like Cancel or Dovin’s Veto can also ensure these samurai never even touch the battlefield. Ultimately, outmaneuvering Samurai Enforcers relies on smart play, avoiding one-on-one combat, and knowing when to deploy your answers effectively. By maintaining control and dictating the pace of the game, you can nullify the Enforcers’ advantage.

Cards like Samurai Enforcers

Samurai Enforcers join the ranks of MTG’s Samurai creatures, offering a distinct blend of abilities. When compared with other Samurai, such as Hand of Honor, Samurai Enforcers stand out due to their higher power and toughness, allowing them to serve as more formidable defenders or attackers. Unlike Hand of Honor, however, they lack protection from black creatures, which can be crucial in certain matchups.

Further examination reveals Konda’s Hatamoto, another Samurai that gains bonuses when accompanied by a legendary Samurai, thus highlighting the interplay within the Samurai tribe. Samurai Enforcers do not directly benefit from other creatures, focusing instead on their own resilience. Comparatively, Kentaro, the Smiling Cat allows flexible mana payments for Samurai spells, which can be pivotal in deploying multiple creatures quickly, though it doesn’t match the Enforcers’ staying power on the battlefield.

In essence, Samurai Enforcers offer a balance between aggression and durability, making them a reliable choice within Samurai-themed decks. Their straightforward approach prioritizes consistent board presence over the synergistic complexities of other Samurai counterparts in MTG.

Kentaro, the Smiling Cat - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Samurai Enforcers by color, type and mana cost

Personal Incarnation - MTG Card versions

Archon of Coronation - MTG Card versions

Crovax, Ascendant Hero - MTG Card versions

Spirit of the Hearth - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Samurai Enforcers 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 Samurai Enforcers and other MTG cards: