Isshin, Two Heavens as One MTG Card
2022-02-18 - Number 224
2022-02-18 - Number 488
2022-02-18 - Number 224p
2022-02-18 - Number 328
2022-02-18 - Number 224s
2002-06-24 - Number 98083
2022-02-18 - Number 69
2022-02-18 - Number 14
| Card sets | Released in 8 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Samurai |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Isshin excels in amplifying triggered abilities, offering strategic advantages and significant board presence.
- Adapting to its specific mana requirement and high cost is key to harnessing Isshin’s full potential.
- Due to its versatile nature and combo potential, Isshin is a must-have for players pursuing dynamic playstyles.
Text of card
If a creature attacking causes a triggered ability of a permanent you control to trigger, that ability triggers an additional time.
Trained by the Imperials but disillusioned by their rigidity, he gave his heart—and his swords—to the Asari Uprising.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Isshin, Two Heavens as One naturally amplifies card efficiency by doubling triggered abilities from various permanents, leading to potential advantages in card utility and board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While it does not directly produce mana or tokens, Isshin’s ability to double triggers can interact with permanents that do, leading to increased resource acceleration indirectly.
Instant Speed: Although Isshin itself is not an instant, it encourages a strategy that leverages instant speed interactions by maximizing the value gained from instant speed triggers during both your own turn and your opponent’s turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While Isshin, Two Heavens as One doesn’t force you to discard cards, its need for a focused deck strategy means that each card you play must be synergistic with Isshin, resulting in a hand that can sometimes feel restrictive. This need for strategic consistency might lead you to discard valuable cards to keep your engine running smoothly.
Specific Mana Cost: Isshin’s presence in the deck demands a commitment to three specific colors of mana—white, black, and red. This can be limiting for players looking to incorporate him into a deck, as it narrows down the mana base and potentially reduces the consistency with which you can cast your spells on time.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Costing three specific mana types and one generic, Isshin taps into your mana pool significantly. This high cost means it competes with other four-mana spells that can affect the game immediately. With faster aggro decks in the format, Isshin’s cost can sometimes slow you down just enough to give your opponent the upper hand.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Isshin, Two Heavens as One meshes well with different play styles, as it amplifies the effects of attack triggers. This allows for flexibility in deck building by enhancing aggressive strategies or supporting more control-oriented gameplay.
Combo Potential: This legendary creature doubles the number of attack-triggered abilities, effectively creating powerful synergies and combos with cards designed to capitalize on such effects, thereby unlocking new strategic avenues for players to explore.
Meta-Relevance: With a continuously evolving competitive scene, Isshin can disrupt current dynamics by empowering strategies that exploit attack triggers, making it an unexpectedly robust choice against popular deck archetypes.
How to beat
Isshin, Two Heavens as One presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its ability to trigger additional attack phases from your other creatures’ combat triggers. It effectively doubles the effects of attack-triggered abilities, making it a formidable card to face. To counter this double-strike enabler, it’s crucial to have strategies in place that focus on either preventative or reactive measures.
Players looking to tackle Isshin must consider instant-speed removal spells, which can disrupt the combat phase and prevent multiple ability triggers. Moreover, employing board wipes before Isshin’s effect can activate ensures a clear battlefield, nullifying the card’s doubling effect. Enchantments that restrict the number of creatures that can attack each turn can also significantly lessen Isshin’s impact. Lastly, leveraging cards that change the turn structure, such as those which grant additional combat phases to the opponent, can turn the tide in your favor by exploiting the same advantage that Isshin provides.
In essence, defeating Isshin involves a mix of timing your spells correctly, controlling the battlefield effectively, and occasionally using your opponent’s strategy against them. With these tactics, you’re well on your way to neutralizing the threat Isshin, Two Heavens as One poses.
Cards like Isshin, Two Heavens as One
Isshin, Two Heavens as One emerges as a unique commander choice in MTG, drawing comparisons to other legendary creatures that amplify abilities or double triggers. A parallel can be drawn to Anax and Cymede, which enhances the impact of auras and instant spells targeting creatures you control. However, Isshin’s ability to duplicate triggers not only from auras but from a broader range of permanent abilities sets it in a league of its own.
Close in functionality to Isshin is Adriana, Captain of the Guard, boasting melee that becomes more potent with more opponents, influencing the tactical deployment of creatures. Where Isshin stands apart is in its ability to affect an array of permanents and their triggered abilities whether the battlefield is crowded or not. With the right setup, Isshin can lead to a flurry of doubled effects that can quickly overwhelm opponents.
Isshin, with its capacity for duplicate triggers, can create decisive turning points and strategic advantages unmatched by similar legendary creatures. Its distinctive ability to double up on triggered effects aligns it with top-tier choices for players seeking a powerful and synergistic commander in their MTG deck.
Cards similar to Isshin, Two Heavens as One by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Isshin, Two Heavens as One MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and 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 Isshin, Two Heavens as One and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- 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
Printings
The Isshin, Two Heavens as One Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 98083 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | ||
| 2 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 224 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 3 | Neon Dynasty Art Series | ANEO | 69 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 4 | Neon Dynasty Art Series | ANEO | 14 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | |||
| 5 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 488 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 6 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos | PNEO | 224p | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast | |
| 7 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty | NEO | 328 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Yamada Rokkaku | |
| 8 | 2022-02-18 | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos | PNEO | 224s | 2015 | Normal | Black | Ryan Pancoast |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Isshin, Two Heavens as One has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Future | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Brawl | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Isshin, Two Heavens as One card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2022-02-18 | Isshin's effect doesn't copy the triggered ability; it just causes the ability to trigger twice. Any choices made as you put the ability onto the stack, such as modes and targets, are made separately for each instance of the ability. Any choices made on resolution are also made individually. |
| 2022-02-18 | Isshin, Two Heavens as One's ability affects only triggered abilities with conditions that are directly related to attacking, such as “whenever -his creature] attacks” or “whenever you attack with one or more creatures.” It does not affect triggered abilities with other trigger conditions, such as “whenever -his creature] becomes tapped.” |