Kaito's Pursuit MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 3 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Sorcery |
| Released | 2022-02-18 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty |
| Set code | NEO |
| Number | 103 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Cristi Balanescu |
Text of card
Target player discards two cards. Ninjas and Rogues you control gain menace until end of turn. (They can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.)
Kaito knew every rooftop in the city, and closed in quickly on his quarry—but he knew nothing of the Planar Bridge until it was already too late.
Cards like Kaito's Pursuit
Kaito’s Pursuit is an intriguing new addition to the rogue-themed arsenal of Magic: The Gathering. Its most direct comparison might be to cards like Thieves’ Guild Enforcer which, much like Kaito’s Pursuit, thrives in a deck built around rogues. While Thieves’ Guild Enforcer excels in enabling early game pressure by getting a power boost and milling the opponent’s deck, Kaito’s Pursuit offers a steady advantage as the match progresses, enabling you to search for a card with the same name as another one you reveal.
Another card that shares a semblance of utility with Kaito’s Pursuit is Fathom Fleet Captain. Both cards can generate a significant advantage in rogue decks. However, Fathom Fleet Captain demands an active choice and mana investment to create a menacing Pirate token, while Kaito’s Pursuit triggers automatically each time you attack with a rogue, sharpening the focus on evasive attackers to accrue value.
Lastly, Notorious Throng is worth mentioning in this context as it too favors a strategy with rogues and can create a substantial swing in your favor by providing extra turns. But in comparison, Kaito’s Pursuit offers a more reliable, incremental value with less potential for immediate game-changing momentum.
When assessing the potential and synergies of these cards within the context of a focused strategy, players will find Kaito’s Pursuit as a card that consistently nurtures the rogue’s strategy theme in Magic: The Gathering, with a side of versatility and strategic depth.
Cards similar to Kaito's Pursuit by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kaito’s Pursuit grants the ability to sift through the top of your library, putting you in a favorable position by selecting the best options for upcoming turns.
Resource Acceleration: This card synergistically unlocks the potential of ninjutsu strategies, swiftly altering the pace of play and giving you a significant tempo boost.
Instant Speed: Kaito’s Pursuit operates at instant speed, offering a strategic edge by allowing reactive play to the board state and opponent actions, keeping them guessing on your next move.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To cast Kaito’s Pursuit, you’ll need to discard a card, presenting a potential setback when your hand is already depleted.
Specific Mana Cost: The spell requires a blend of blue and generic mana, potentially restricting its inclusion to decks that can consistently provide blue sources.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that may be considered steep for its effect, players might seek out alternatives that offer more impact or versatility for a similar or lower investment.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kaito’s Pursuit adds a strategic edge to numerous decks, as it provides the dual function of allowing you to search your library for a Ninja card, thereby tailoring your tactics mid-game, and also giving you an unblockable creature until your next turn, enhancing both offensive and defensive plays.
Combo Potential: This card slots in seamlessly with decks aiming to exploit Ninjutsu mechanics or those that capitalize on creatures being unblockable to enable potent hit-triggered abilities. It can pave the way for high-impact plays by ensuring your key creatures connect with your opponent.
Meta-Relevance: Within an environment teeming with creature-based strategies, Kaito’s Pursuit can gain immense value. Ensuring a creature slips past blockers can be critical for setting up game-winning combos or simply maintaining a constant offensive presence on the battlefield.
How to beat Kaito’s Pursuit
Kaito’s Pursuit is a card that brings a unique angle to gameplay in Magic: The Gathering. This versatile ninjutsu spell serves as an ingenious method to deploy creatures covertly. Unlike spells that place creatures directly onto the battlefield, Kaito’s Pursuit requires a different strategic approach to counter effectively.
One method to outmaneuver Kaito’s Pursuit involves maintaining instant-speed removal in your hand. Holding back on spells until your opponent commits to the ninjutsu sequence allows you to eliminate the unblocked attacker or the ninja, thus thwarting the surprise switch. Additionally, incorporating creatures with vigilance or reach in your deck increases the likelihood of having a blocker available to prevent the successful execution of ninjutsu.
Moreover, cards that restrict your opponents from paying alternative costs or casting spells from anywhere other than their hands can lock out ninjutsu abilities altogether. Cards like Kaito’s Pursuit highlight the dynamic interactions in Magic: The Gathering, where anticipation and strategic disruption can pivot the outcome of a match.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kaito's Pursuit MTG card by a specific set like 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 Kaito's Pursuit 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
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kaito's Pursuit has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Standard | Legal |
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | 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 Kaito's Pursuit 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 | The Ninjas and Rogues that gain menace are determined only once, as Kaito's Pursuit resolves. A Ninja or Rogue that enters the battlefield after it resolves will not have menace, and a creature that gained menace this way but then stops being a Ninja or Rogue due to another effect will not lose menace. |