Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars MTG Card
Mana cost | |
Converted mana cost | 3 |
Rarity | Uncommon |
Type | Legendary Enchantment Creature — Shrine |
Abilities | First strike |
Released | 2022-02-18 |
Set symbol | |
Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
Set code | NEO |
Power | 2 |
Toughness | 2 |
Number | 144 |
Frame | 2015 |
Layout | Normal |
Border | Black |
Illustred by | Johannes Voss |
Text of card
First strike At the beginning of your end step, you may pay . When you do, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars deals X damage to target player or planeswalker, where X is the number of Shrines you control.
It seeks those consumed with rage and offers burning blades.
Cards like Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars
Diving into the diverse pool of enchantments in MTG, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars card stands tall within its niche. It’s a creature enchantment paralleling the Shrine mechanic seen in cards like Sanctum of All, which also boosts power through accumulating Shrines. However, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars differs as it can spawn 1/1 colorless Spirit creature tokens, a unique feature setting it apart from other Shrine cards.
Shining a light on another relative, Honden of Infinite Rage from the Kamigawa block also compliments Shrine strategies but focuses on direct damage rather than creature generation. It provides consistent damage output, whereas Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars offers more versatility with its token creation, potentially leading to significant board presence over time.
Scaling the impact of such cards, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars carves out a distinct identity in Shrine-centered decks. Its ability to alter the battlefield dynamics with an ever-growing army of Spirits is a tactical advantage that cannot be mirrored by many. In the realm of Shrine synergies, this card not only enriches the Shrine dynamic but also opens up varied strategic pathways for players to explore.
Cards similar to Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
# | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Five-color Midrange | Gladiator | Sword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 06 2024 |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars shines when it comes to maintaining a steady influx of card resources. It possesses the ability to enable card draw when other Shrines are under your control, helping to build a substantial lead in card advantage as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: This card can be a key component in Shrine-focused decks, where it often acts as a resource acceleration tool. By possibly lowering the cost of Shrine spells, it assists in deploying threats and building your board presence much quicker than usual.
Instant Speed: While Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars itself isn’t an instant, it synergizes well with decks that operate at instant speed. It provides a durable threat on the board that can benefit from other instant-speed interactions, seamlessly fitting into a strategy that keeps the opponent guessing and reacting to your plays.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars requires a player to discard another card, which can put you at a disadvantage, particularly in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost of Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars is very particular, needing a combination of red and white mana. This specificity can make it challenging to fit into decks that do not strictly adhere to those colors or a multicolor strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes several mana of specific colors, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars can be on the higher side of the mana curve. In scenarios where speed is of the essence, its cost may hinder its playability, especially when compared to other cards with lower cost and similar abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars slots into a variety of decks, particularly ones that capitalize on Shrine synergies or Commander decks that need a consistent damage source.
Combo Potential: This card’s ability to create a 1/1 colorless Spirit creature token under specific conditions enables numerous combo opportunities, especially in decks that exploit token generation or sacrifice mechanics.
Meta-Relevance: With an ever-shifting competitive landscape, Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars holds its ground by offering an ongoing threat that must be addressed, making it a solid choice against control decks that may struggle with multiple triggers and effects.
How to beat
Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. As a part of the enchanting array of Shrines you might encounter, this card synergizes powerfully within a Shrine-focused deck. It garners strength from each Shrine you control, making it a formidable adversary, especially if allowed to amass a wide presence on the board. To effectively combat this threat, you must first prevent the proliferation of Shrines, which could mean employing targeted removal or counter spells to the initial casting of Shrines.
Further, a strategy focusing on board wipes can be particularly effective against a Shrine-heavy deck, neutralizing the accumulating advantages that Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars offers with every additional Shrine. By disrupting your opponent’s board presence, you sever the ties between Shrines, rendering Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars far less menacing. It is also beneficial to pressure your opponent early in the game, restricting their ability to set up the Shrine network that Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars capitalizes on for its power boost.
Consider leveraging cards that can dismantle enchantments or utilizing strategies to outpace the slow buildup of Shrine effects. By staying one step ahead of Shrine deployment or by clearing them swiftly off the board, you can undermine the impact of Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars and keep your opponent’s strategy in check.
BurnMana Recommendations
If you’re intrigued by the strategic depth and synergy Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars brings to the table, there’s much more to explore. This MTG card is not just a powerhouse in Shrine-heavy decks but a beacon of creative deck-building opportunities. With its card advantage, resource acceleration, and potential for instant speed shenanigans, there’s a well of strategies to tap into. Deck builders seeking a rather specialized yet robust addition to their collections should consider the unique prospects that this card has to offer. Expand your tactical horizons and infuse those Shrine synergies into your arsenal—learn how and see your game flourish. Nourish your deck-building prowess by further understanding this and other MTG stratagems with us.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars 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 Go-Shintai of Ancient Wars has restrictions
Format | Legality |
---|---|
Standard | Legal |
Historicbrawl | Legal |
Historic | Legal |
Legacy | Legal |
Paupercommander | Restricted |
Oathbreaker | Legal |
Gladiator | Legal |
Pioneer | Legal |
Commander | Legal |
Modern | Legal |
Future | Legal |
Vintage | Legal |
Duel | Legal |
Explorer | Legal |
Brawl | Legal |
Penny | Legal |
Timeless | Legal |