Isao, Enlightened Bushi MTG Card


Isao excels in board control with instant speed regeneration, posing a continuous defensive threat. His uncounterable nature ensures consistent play, making him a reliable inclusion in decks. Although powerful, Isao’s discard condition for regeneration may hinder hand advantage during play.
Isao, Enlightened Bushi - Betrayers of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities Bushido
Released2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameBetrayers of Kamigawa
Set codeBOK
Power 2
Toughness 1
Number129
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byChristopher Moeller

Text of card

Isao, Enlightened Bushi can't be countered. Bushido 2 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.) : Regenerate target Samurai.

"I do not care if he claims no allegiance in this war. Find him, Takeno." —Lord Konda


Cards like Isao, Enlightened Bushi

Isao, Enlightened Bushi offers a unique dynamic among legendary creatures in the vast pantheon of Magic the Gathering. He shares similarities with other creatures that protect themselves from spells and abilities, such as Autumn Willow. Both cards boast an innate shroud-like ability, with Isao allowing you to spend mana to protect him from being targeted. However, Autumn Willow’s ability is always active and does not require additional mana investment.

Looking at Thrun, the Last Troll, we also see a shared indestructibility towards spells. Thrun can regenerate, which makes him exceptionally hard to remove from the battlefield, much like Isao has the potential to be. Unlike Isao, Thrun comes with regeneration intrinsic to his abilities without the need for further mana expenditure at the moment of the action.

When dissecting the nuances of these cards, Isao, Enlightened Bushi stands out with his ability to safeguard not only himself but also other Samurai cards. This gives him a niche but powerful role in any deck focusing on a Samurai tribal theme, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Thrun, the Last Troll - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Thrun, the Last Troll - MTG Card versions

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Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
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Yavimaya Elder - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Isao, Enlightened Bushi brings an edge by offering the potential for indomitable board presence. Able to regenerate other Samurai, Isao can effectively protect your key creatures, making sure you maintain a solid front while diminishing your opponent’s resources.

Resource Acceleration: With Isao’s ability to not be countered, players get reliable access to this legendary creature. This trait allows for assured resource planning, as you have one less variable to worry about when deploying your forces.

Instant Speed: Isao’s regeneration ability can be activated at instant speed, permitting a dynamic defense during combat. This flexibility means that at any moment of peril, you can ensure Isao or another Samurai’s survival, making him a tactical asset against heavy removal decks.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Isao, Enlightened Bushi offers the ability to regenerate other Samurai creatures, it comes at the cost of card advantage. Each regeneration requires you to discard a card, which could deplete your hand quickly and leave you at a strategic disadvantage, especially if you’re facing a deck that pressures your resources.

Specific Mana Cost: Isao’s casting cost demands two green mana, limiting his flexibility. Decks not heavily featuring green might find it difficult to consistently meet this requirement, thereby restricting his inclusion to primarily green or green-focused multicolor decks.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three mana might not seem excessive on the surface, but for a creature with 2/1 stats, one might expect more immediate board impact. Other creatures or spells at this cost can offer greater offensive capabilities or utility, potentially making Isao a less efficient choice in a tightly-curated deck.


Reasons to Include Isao, Enlightened Bushi in Your Collection

Versatility: Isao, Enlightened Bushi offers a dynamic role in green decks, with the ability to regenerate other Samurai you may control. This not only protects your key creatures but can also be a deterrent for opponents considering board wipes or spot removal.

Combo Potential: As a Legendary Creature, Isao can be a commander or part of the 99, creating synergy with cards that benefit from having a high number of Samurai or Warriors. His regeneration ability also works well in combos that require sacrificing creatures as you can save your vital pieces from being destroyed.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment that’s heavy on creature-based strategies, having Isao can be quite strategic. He’s not only a competent combatant on his own but his ability to protect important Samurai gives him relevance in a meta that values resilient board states.


How to beat Isao, Enlightened Bushi

Isao, Enlightened Bushi stands out in MTG for his unique ability to make himself indestructible. This can make him a persistent threat on the battlefield, especially when matched with his power to regenerate other Samurai creatures. To effectively counter Isao, players should look to spells or abilities that do not destroy but exile him, circumventing his indestructibility. Cards such as Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can remove Isao from the game entirely, regardless of his defensive capabilities.

Control strategies that change the rules of engagement are also effective. Ensnaring spells that prevent creatures from attacking or blocking can render Isao’s combat advantages moot. Alternatively, one can change their own deck’s strategy to outpace or outvalue the samurai. Strategies focusing on combo wins or large amounts of direct player damage can bypass Isao’s field presence altogether. Considering these various strategies, players can tailor their approach to handle the resilience of Isao, Enlightenment Bushi, ensuring they remain one step ahead in the game of MTG.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Isao, Enlightened Bushi MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers 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 Isao, Enlightened Bushi and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Isao, Enlightened Bushi has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal