Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot MTG Card

Ishi-Ishi can gain card advantage by dealing damage when opponents play specific spell types. Synergies with instant-speed spells enhance control and maintain a favorable board state. Deck building around Ishi-Ishi requires consideration of its unique activation requirements and mana cost.

Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	2
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Goblin Warrior
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	110
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Christopher Rush

Text of card

Whenever an opponent plays a Spirit or Arcane spell, Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot deals 2 damage to that player.

"Here fell Ishi-Ishi, King of the Flaming Pebbles, Scourge of the Mountain Kami, Lover of Goats. May his shell never burn." —Cave inscription

Cards like Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot

Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot offers a unique twist on creature abilities within MTG, providing an intriguing dynamic akin to that of cards like Harsh Mentor. Ishi-Ishi, focused on punishing players for casting spells, deals damage each time an opponent casts a spirit or arcane spell. In contrast, Harsh Mentor targets abilities activated from an array of sources, inflicting pain whenever opponents tap into them for any reason. While the latter doesn’t limit its scope to a specific spell type, Ishi-Ishi has the potential for more substantial impact in formats abundant with spirit and arcane spells.

Looking towards an even earlier card archetype, we find Zo-Zu the Punisher, another member of the red deck family; this card deals damage to opponents whenever they drop a land into play, following a similar punishing mantra. Conversely, Ishi-Ishi’s effect is restricted to spell casting, presenting a narrower but no less effective strategy. This targeted approach can be an advantage in the right deck, like how Zo-Zu the Punisher is a cornerstone in land-denial strategies.

Overall, while each card discharges damage in varying ways, Ishi-Ishi stands out in metagames where spirit and arcane cards flourish, cementing its place in MTG as a specialized tool for selective punishment.

Cards similar to Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot by color, type and mana cost

Goblin Elite Infantry - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot’s capacity to consistently damage opposing players whenever they cast a Spirit or Arcane spell can potentially create direct card advantage. This essentially punishes opponents for playing certain strategies, which can lead to gaining a tactical upper hand.

Resource Acceleration: While Ishi-Ishi itself does not directly generate resources, its ability to disrupt the opponent’s game plan can serve as indirect resource acceleration. This is because maintaining board pressure allows for a more efficient deployment of your own resources.

Instant Speed: While Ishi-Ishi operates at sorcery speed, it synergizes well with instant-speed removal or damage spells. This combination helps maintain control during the opponent’s turn and keeps the board state favorable.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot demands precise deck construction to maximize its ability, as it necessitates having other cards in hand that trigger its damage output, potentially straining your hand size.

Specific Mana Cost: Ishi-Ishi has a mana cost that requires red mana, which may not align with all deck strategies, particularly those that are color-intensive or multi-colored where red is not a primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: For a card that leans towards an aggressive playstyle, Ishi-Ishi comes with a relatively steep mana cost. Players might find other creatures or spells that offer more immediate impact on the game or more powerful effects for the same or fewer resources.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ishi-Ishi excels in red-based decks that capitalize on direct damage. Its ability to ping an opponent every time a spell hits the stack adds a steady stream of damage output effective in various game scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in a build that maximizes the cast of numerous spells per turn. Paired with cards that copy spells or trigger upon casts, Ishi-Ishi can rapidly become a significant threat, multiplying its damage output for devastating combos.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment teeming with spellslinger decks, this Akki Crackshot establishes itself as a cogent counter, punishing opponents for each spell cast. Its modest casting cost means it hits the battlefield early, ready to influence the game’s flow from the get-go.

How to beat

Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot presents a unique challenge on the battlefield as it can cause unexpected damage to opponents in Magic: The Gathering. It thrives in decks loaded with spells that target multiple creatures, since every time an opponent’s creature becomes the target of a spell, Ishi-Ishi deals 2 damage to that player. It becomes crucial to carefully navigate around this ability to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

To surmount this, a viable strategy is to use removal spells that don’t target creatures, like board wipes, which can eliminate Ishi-Ishi without triggering his dreaded ability. Another approach is to employ counter spells to prevent the casting of spells that would allow Ishi-Ishi to inflict damage. Additionally, one can deploy creatures with the protection mechanic or ones that can’t be targeted by spells or abilities your opponents control, essentially neutralizing Ishi-Ishi’s potential for havoc.

Governed by tactical spellcasting and responsible creature deployment, a player can effectively mitigate the destructive capabilities of Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot and maintain control of the game. Understanding the types of interactions that trigger its ability is the key to nullifying this formidable threat on the MTG battlefield.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot 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 Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ishi-Ishi, Akki Crackshot has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal