General's Kabuto MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Number | 251 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Alex Horley-Orlandelli |
Text of card
Equipped creature can't be the target of spells or abilities. Prevent all combat damage that would be dealt to equipped creature. Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)
Cards like General's Kabuto
General’s Kabuto is a unique piece of equipment in the world of Magic: The Gathering, providing a distinctive mix of protection and combat viability. It offers a resemblance to cards like Whispersilk Cloak, which also grants unbeatable protection by making creatures both unblockable and shrouded. Yet, General’s Kabuto has its own flare, it safeguards your creature from all damage that would be dealt to it, quite similar to protection from creatures offered by Shield of the Oversoul, albeit the latter also adds a nice boost of stats.
Another artifact to consider when discussing General’s Kabuto is Swiftfoot Boots. While Swiftfoot Boots doesn’t prevent all damage, it does confer hexproof and the much-coveted haste, which can be crucial for turning the tides swiftly. Then there’s Darksteel Plate, a close cousin in the protection department. This indestructible armor ensures the equipped creature shares its unyielding nature. However, it’s vital to note that Darksteel Plate doesn’t protect from damage as comprehensively as General’s Kabuto does.
At its core, General’s Kabuto may favor a more defensive strategy compared to its counterparts, making it a card that generally shines in certain decks that value the longevity of their key creatures. Such protection can be decisive in MTG, positioning General’s Kabuto as a potent option for those looking to preserve their tactical assets.
Cards similar to General's Kabuto by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: General’s Kabuto helps to maintain card advantage by protecting your key creatures from harm. This allows you to keep a strong board presence without losing valuable creatures to your opponents’ removal spells.
Resource Acceleration: While it doesn’t directly accelerate resources like adding mana, General’s Kabuto saves resources by minimizing the need to cast additional creatures. The protection it offers means you’re less likely to need replacements, indirectly conserving your mana and cards for other strategic plays.
Instant Speed: Though the artifact itself doesn’t have an instant-speed ability, it affords you the freedom to play other instant-speed spells without fear of leaving your creatures vulnerable. With your creatures safeguarded, you can confidently pass the turn with mana available for instant-speed interaction.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: General’s Kabuto doesn’t have a discard requirement per se, but considering the equipment must be played and then attached for additional mana, it can steeply impact your resources during a critical turn.
Specific Mana Cost: This artifact requires two colorless mana to cast. While this isn’t inherently restrictive, the additional equip cost demands two more, which means four mana total. For decks that operate on a tight mana curve, this cost can hinder your ability to deploy other spells.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total investment of four mana to equip General’s Kabuto to a creature, players might find themselves weighing its benefits against other cards that could be more impactful for the same, or lower, mana investment. Its protective ability, while strong, doesn’t always justify the initial mana outlay, especially in faster-paced games.
Reasons to Include General’s Kabuto in Your Collection
Versatility: General’s Kabuto offers a shield to your Commander or other valuable creatures, providing protection from all combat damage. This level of defense can be pivotal in Commander format where your key pieces need to survive through board wipes and targeted removal.
Combo Potential: This artifact brings to the table an elevated potential for synergies with cards that benefit from being undamaged. Creatures with ‘enrage’ abilities or those that carry out actions when they’re unharmed find perfect harmony with the Kabuto’s shielding effect.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where aggressive creatures dominate, General’s Kabuto is a tactical inclusion. It tips the scales in your favor by effectively neutralizing combat threats and maintaining your board presence. Its value increases even more when facing opponents that rely heavily on combat damage to transition into their win conditions.
How to beat
General’s Kabuto is a renowned piece of equipment in Magic: The Gathering, offering a powerful protection effect for your creatures. It ensures that any damage that would be dealt to the equipped creature is prevented as long as it’s not from a source with the Shroud or Hexproof ability. This makes creatures nearly invulnerable during combat and against many targeted spells or abilities.
To overcome a creature equipped with General’s Kabuto, consider strategies that don’t rely on dealing damage. Look to spells and abilities that force a player to sacrifice creatures, as these circumvent the damage prevention by not targeting the creature directly. Edict effects, named after the classic card Diabolic Edict, are a prime example of this. Board wipes which don’t target individual creatures, such as Supreme Verdict or Damnation, can effectively remove these protected threats from the battlefield too. Alternatively, counter the General’s Kabuto itself with countermagic upon casting or use artifact removal like Abrade or Nature’s Claim to dismantle your opponent’s defenses before they’re established.
Strategizing around General’s Kabuto’s limitations enables players to maintain control over the battlefield, assuring that this formidable equipment does not become an insurmountable obstacle.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase General's Kabuto 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 General's Kabuto 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 General's Kabuto has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |