Iwamori of the Open Fist MTG Card
2005-02-04 - Number 130
2018-03-16 - Number 174
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Monk |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
Text of card
Trample When Iwamori of the Open Fist comes into play, each opponent may put a legendary creature card from his or her hand into play.
Cards like Iwamori of the Open Fist
Iwamori of the Open Fist is an intriguing creature card that has its own space within Magic: The Gathering. It carries a resemblance to other legendary creatures such as Kogla, the Titan Ape for its imposing presence on the battlefield. Iwamori stands out with its Trample ability and the potential to bring forth another legendary creature for your opponent. Kogla, while lacking this peculiar ability, compensates with a suite of features like fighting other creatures upon entry and acting as a removal tool.
Talrand, Sky Summoner could also be considered in the same conversation due to the way they both can quickly change the game’s dynamic, although Talrand shifts focus to instant and sorcery spells by creating drake tokens. Where Iwamori offers a significant power boost, Talrand provides a more controlled but incremental advantage. Another card worth mentioning is Surrak, the Hunt Caller which also grants haste to creatures, facilitating a faster and more aggressive playstyle compared to Iwamori’s immediate impact.
Assessing the offerings of similar cards, Iwamori of the Open Fist presents a unique combination of risk and reward, fitting for players looking to make bold moves and challenge opponents in unexpected ways.
Cards similar to Iwamori of the Open Fist by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Iwamori of the Open Fist doesn’t offer traditional card draw, it provides a significant board presence with its trample ability. This can potentially lead to card advantage by forcing opponents to trade multiple creatures to deal with it or by drawing out removal spells, saving your other threats.
Resource Acceleration: Without a direct impact on mana resources, Iwamori may initially seem lacking. However, its real resource acceleration comes from its aggressive mana cost to power ratio, a 5/5 trampler for only four mana can lead to a faster tempo and pressure the opponent, effectively accelerating your game plan.
Instant Speed: Although Iwamori of the Open Fist is not an instant, it does interact favorably with instant speed spells and effects your deck may run. Given that Iwamori can tempt opponents into playing Legendary creatures that you can then respond to with instant speed removal or trick spells, it leverages interaction on a different level.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Iwamori of the Open Fist necessitates a strategic consideration concerning hand resources. Bringing him onto the battlefield triggers an ability that allows each player the option to put a legendary creature from their hand into play. This interactive play can backfire, effectively weakening your hand as opponents capitalize on the opportunity to discard and play possibly more formidable creatures without tapping their own mana reserves.
Specific Mana Cost: The mana cost for Iwamori of the Open Fist requires both green mana and colorless mana, totaling four mana (2GG). This specific demand can restrain deck building options as it necessitates a solid green mana base, potentially causing difficulties for players aiming to construct a multicolored deck or lacking sufficient mana acceleration.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a converted mana cost of four, Iwamori of the Open Fist may appear daunting when juxtaposed with other creatures in the four-mana slot. While his 5/5 stats are respectable, players may prefer creatures or spells at similar mana costs that offer immediate impact or utility without the associated risks of Iwamori’s abilities.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Iwamori of the Open Fist blends well with various deck themes, providing a sturdy body for aggressive strategies and can also trigger enter-the-battlefield effects for other creatures.
Combo Potential: This legendary creature offers synergy with decks that capitalize on legendary permanents, enabling intricate interactions and powerful turns when combined with the right supporting cards.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta with a high presence of creatures, Iwamori’s substantial power and toughness offer a competitive advantage, making it a potent addition against many common deck archetypes.
How to beat
Iwamori of the Open Fist is a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering that invites a challenge. This legendary creature can be a powerhouse on the battlefield with its trample ability and a strong 5/5 body. However, its downside is giving your opponent the chance to put a legendary creature card from their hand onto the battlefield for free when Iwamori enters the game. This can potentially swing the match in their favor if they have a powerful legendary ready to spring into action.
To effectively play against Iwamori, consider keeping removal spells in hand to promptly deal with any legends your opponent might cast. Also, having instant-speed interaction can give you an edge, allowing you to respond before they exploit Iwamori’s ability. Another strategy is to use Iwamori’s ability to your advantage, baiting out an opponent’s powerful creatures when you are prepared to deal with them. Finally, keeping Iwamori at bay with control elements or counterspells until you have established a robust board presence can neutralize his impact.
Thus, while Iwamori of the Open Fist can be a tempting addition to a Magic: The Gathering deck, it requires strategic handling and timing to ensure it helps more than it hinders your quest for victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Iwamori of the Open Fist MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers of Kamigawa and Masters 25, 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 Iwamori of the Open Fist and other MTG cards:
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Printings
The Iwamori of the Open Fist Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2005-02-04 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by Paolo Parente.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005-02-04 | Betrayers of Kamigawa | BOK | 130 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente | |
| 2 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 174 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Paolo Parente |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Iwamori of the Open Fist has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Iwamori of the Open Fist card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | When Iwamori’s triggered ability resolves, first the player whose turn it is (if that player is an opponent) may choose a legendary creature card in hand without revealing it, then each other opponent in turn order may do the same, then all chosen cards are put onto the battlefield at the same time. |