Devoted Retainer MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 1 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 7 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Hildebrandt |
Text of card
Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
Deep within Eiganjo Castle lay the Palace of Infinite Halls, a seemingly endless network of corridors once guarded by a seemingly endless legion of samurai.
Cards like Devoted Retainer
Devoted Retainer, a loyal card from the Kamigawa block, is an efficient one-drop creature in Magic: The Gathering that dutifully serves the Samurai tribe. It aligns closely with other one-mana creatures like Savannah Lions, which is also known for its immediate combat presence. What Devoted Retainer brings to the table, however, is Bushido 1, a mechanic that boosts its power and toughness in combat, giving it a slight edge during battle phases.
Comparing it to Elite Vanguard, another one-mana creature of choice, Devoted Retainer stands out as even more combat-centric. While Elite Vanguard lacks any additional effects, it does boast a consistent 2/1 stat line, offering more predictable damage output. The retainer, on the other hand, can surprise opponents by becoming a 2/2 during combat, which can be tactically advantageous.
To round out similar options, Isamaru, Hound of Konda commands attention as a legendary one-mana creature. Its 2/2 starting stats are formidable, though it lacks the combat trickery of Bushido. Each creature shines in its unique way, but for players looking for a resilient and evasive one-drop that embodies the spirit of the Samurai tribe, Devoted Retainer is a worthy card to have in your MTG arsenal.
Cards similar to Devoted Retainer by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Devoted Retainer can be a subtle yet strategic inclusion in decks focused on utilizing the graveyard. Although it may not directly provide card advantage when played from the hand, its ability to be exploited from the graveyard by various effects in the game can result in indirect card advantage over the course of play.
Resource Acceleration: While Devoted Retainer itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, its low casting cost allows for a quicker buildup of on-board presence. This samurai offers deck builders options to establish early-game defenses or to be utilized in strategy that pivots toward offense without hefty mana investments.
Instant Speed: The agile nature of samurai in gameplay extends to this card, which can be returned from the graveyard to the battlefield with effects that operate at instant speed. This can catch an opponent unprepared during combat or end-of-turn scenarios, making Devoted Retainer a versatile tool when paired with the right synergies.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Devoted Retainer demands the right setup to benefit from its ability, but this can trip players up if they’re forced to discard other valuable cards from their hand to maintain board presence.
Specific Mana Cost: Devoted Retainer’s requirement for white mana can be restrictive, particularly in multicolored decks that might struggle to consistently generate the necessary mana, limiting its flexibility across various deck builds.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: While offering solid loyalty in combat, Devoted Retainer’s mana cost might be considered steep when weighed against other cards with similar combat stats or abilities, potentially impacting your mana curve and overall deck efficiency.
Reasons to Include Devoted Retainer in Your Collection
Versatility: Devoted Retainer is a solid addition to any collection for its capacity to mesh with a wide array of deck styles. As a low-cost creature, it fits effortlessly into Samurai and Warrior tribal themes or any deck looking for a quick board presence.
Combo Potential: Its one mana cost allows it to synergize with numerous combo strategies. It acts as an enabler for bounce-back mechanics or sacrificing effects to trigger powerful plays or amplify key synergies within a deck.
Meta-Relevance: Given its role in fast-paced aggressive strategies, Devoted Retainer can be particularly effective in a meta that favors quick starts and early creature pressure—making it a smart inclusion in competitive settings where timing is crucial.
How to beat
The Devoted Retainer card presents a unique challenge for Magic: The Gathering players. This one-mana creature from the Kamigawa set can be sneakily effective, especially when paired with other bushido cards or utilized in strategies that buff its combat capabilities. The simple yet strategic design of this card allows it to serve as both an early-game defensive blocker and an aggressive attacker when the opportunity arises.
To tackle this card, consider employing removal spells that can deal with low-cost creatures efficiently. Since the Devoted Retainer is just a 1/1, spells like Shock or Fatal Push can easily dispatch it before it becomes a larger threat with its bushido ability. Furthermore, strategically timing your spells to bypass the bushido trigger is key. Waiting for it to block or be blocked before casting your removal ensures that you don’t end up facing a more formidable creature as a result of the bushido ability.
Another tactic is to exploit the fact that Devoted Retainer operates best when complemented with other samurai or bushido cards, so focusing disruption or counterplay on these synergistic elements can dismantle the whole strategy. Denying your opponent the critical mass they need to leverage bushido can make the Devoted Retainer just another minimal threat on the board.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Devoted Retainer 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 Devoted Retainer and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Devoted Retainer has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |