Iizuka the Ruthless MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Released | 2005-06-03 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Saviors of Kamigawa |
| Set code | SOK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 104 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Darrell Riche |
Text of card
Bushido 2 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.) , Sacrifice a Samurai: Samurai you control gain double strike until end of turn.
Cards like Iizuka the Ruthless
Iizuka the Ruthless brings a unique twist to the Samurai tribe in Magic: The Gathering. With Iizuka, you are given the ability to sacrifice a Samurai to give your army double strike until the end of the turn. Comparable cards provide a variety of buffs but often to individual creatures rather than a sweeping effect. Cards like Fervent Charge are similar as they provide an attack bonus, though Fervent Charge grants a static boost only to attacking creatures and without the sacrifice mechanic.
Another card that synergizes with attacking creatures is Lovisa Coldeyes. Lovisa, however, buffs specific types of creatures by increasing their power and toughness and doesn’t focus on combat keywords like double strike. Then there’s Blood-Chin Fanatic, which offers a sacrifice outlet for Warriors, providing direct life loss to opponents which contrasts with Iizuka’s aggressive combat-focused ability.
When you compare these cards, Iizuka the Ruthless stands out within Magic: The Gathering for its potential to render a swift and impactful combat phase, especially when strategically timing the sacrifice of a Samurai to turn the tides of battle in your favor.
Cards similar to Iizuka the Ruthless by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Iizuka the Ruthless enables a strategic advantage in card management. When playing Iizuka, you’re setting up a scenario where you can potentially sacrifice other samurai to boost its power. This makes each Samura card you draw more valuable as they contribute to fueling Iizuka’s ability, thus providing you with consistent and escalating benefits as the game progresses.
Resource Acceleration: In the context of MTG, Iizuka can act as a form of resource acceleration in a Samurai-focused deck. Although not directly providing mana or treasure tokens, Iizuka accelerates your board presence by potentially doubling the damage your samurais can deal every turn. This type of acceleration applies pressure on your opponent, forcing them to deal with an increasingly threatening board.
Instant Speed: While Iizuka the Ruthless doesn’t function at instant speed, the dynamics of its ability gives you the flexibility similar to instant-speed decisions. Deciding when to sacrifice a Samurai to give Iizuka double strike until end of turn can be pivotal, allowing you to react to your opponent’s blocks or other combat tricks, which adds a complex layer of strategy to your combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Iizuka the Ruthless necessitates that you sacrifice another Samurai you control, which may deplete your board presence and reduce strategic momentum.
Specific Mana Cost: Iizuka’s activation cost demands a hefty sum of red mana, making it less flexible and harder to include in multicolored decks that are not heavily red-centric.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of five mana, including three red, this card occupies a higher mana slot that might otherwise be used for more impactful plays or creatures with immediate board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Iizuka the Ruthless can adapt to various deck archetypes, primarily serving in Samurai-focused builds but is equally potent in any deck that thrives on aggressive strategies and combat tricks.
Combo Potential: Iizuka’s ability to instantly boost your Samurai creatures can synergize with numerous strategies that capitalize on high-power creatures or attack-triggered effects, amplifying the overall impact on the game.
Meta-Relevance: In an environment where swift, combat-centric plays can disrupt slower decks, including control or combo types, having Iizuka the Ruthless in your arsenal can grant you the prowess needed to assert dominance on the battlefield.
How to beat
Iizuka the Ruthless stands as a formidable commander in MTG, bringing a unique strategy to the Samurai tribe. Boasting the ability to sacrifice a Samurai, it doubles the power and toughness of all other Samurai you control, which can quickly turn the tide of battle. As with many powerful creatures, the key to thwarting this card lies in timing and disruption. Employing instant-speed removal spells before Iizuka’s ability can be activated minimizes the threat posed. Cards like Path to Exile or Doom Blade offer an efficient solution, preventing the ability from ever taking root.
Counter strategies also work effectively against Iizuka the Ruthless. Control decks that have access to spells like Counterspell or Negate can prevent Iizuka from hitting the battlefield entirely. Additionally, taking advantage of the board control spells such as Wrath of God or Damnation clears the field of any Samurai waiting to be empowered. Edict effects like Diabolic Edict, which force the opponent to sacrifice a creature, can bypass the need to target Iizuka directly if it is the only creature present.
Ultimately, a swift and direct approach in handling Iizuka the Ruthless can prevent your opponent from leveraging its powerful abilities, ensuring you maintain command of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Iizuka the Ruthless MTG card by a specific set like Saviors 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 Iizuka the Ruthless 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Iizuka the Ruthless has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |