Kami of Ancient Law MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 21
2010-11-08 - Number A9
2015-05-22 - Number 21
2022-12-02 - Number 203
| Card sets | Released in 4 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
Sacrifice Kami of Ancient Law: Destroy target enchantment.
"Duty and law are the foundation on which civilization stands. They must not fall, for when they do, they take everything with them." —Lord Konda
Cards like Kami of Ancient Law
Kami of Ancient Law is a versatile creature in Magic: The Gathering representing the rich, lore-infused Spirit tribe. Its most notable feature is its enchantment removal ability, which resembles that of other cards like Keening Apparition. Both serve a similar purpose, but Kami of Ancient Law stands out with its elegant synergy within a Spirit tribal deck and the efficient two-mana cost for a 2/2 creature.
Analogous to Kami of Ancient Law, Felidar Cub also carries the enchantment-busting ability while being a 2/2 creature for two mana. Yet, it misses the tribal synergies that could be crucial in certain matchups. A step away from the creature-based removal, Demystify targets enchantments directly for a single white mana, providing a cheaper removal option without the body on the battlefield.
Within the domain of MTG, comparing these cards reveals that Kami of Ancient Law is particularly balanced. It offers not only removal utility but also potential for combat, and it holds an esteemed place in decks that capitalize on Spirit synergies.
Cards similar to Kami of Ancient Law by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: While Kami of Ancient Law itself does not draw cards directly, its presence on the battlefield acts as a deterrent against enchantment-based strategies, effectively neutralizing certain cards and maintaining a sort of virtual card advantage. Additionally, when it sacrifices to destroy an opponent’s enchantment, it results in a one-for-one trade that can sometimes shift the balance in your favor.
Resource Acceleration: Although Kami of Ancient Law doesn’t boost your mana pool, its low casting cost of two mana means it’s easily deployed early in the game. Getting creatures on the board swiftly can contribute to a form of tempo acceleration, allowing you to apply pressure and shaping the pace of the match.
Instant Speed: The ability to sacrifice Kami of Ancient Law at instant speed gives you the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s threats on their turn. This instant-speed interaction can keep your opponents guessing, as they must consider the possibility of their enchantments being destroyed at any moment, which can disrupt their strategy and timing.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: While needing to sacrifice Kami of Ancient Law can disrupt an opponent’s strategy, it also means relinquishing a creature on your side. This could set you back, especially if your board presence is limited or if Kami is your only creature capable of dealing with enchantments.
Specific Mana Cost: Kami of Ancient Law requires white mana for casting, which might restrict its inclusion in multi-color decks not focused on white. Decks without a strong white mana base might struggle to deploy it consistently.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Sitting at two mana may not seem excessively high, but when assessing the cost-to-effect ratio, Kami of Ancient Law’s ability to only destroy enchantments might not seem as cost-effective. There are alternative, lower-cost creatures or spells with broader removal capabilities or added benefits.
Reasons to Include Kami of Ancient Law in Your Collection
Versatility: Kami of Ancient Law is a flexible card that can serve multiple roles in your deck. As a two-mana creature, it can be a cost-effective addition to White Weenie or control decks, while its ability to sacrifice itself to destroy an enchantment can be a strategic asset in games where enchantments play a key role.
Combo Potential: This spirit creature’s self-sacrifice ability not only clears the way for your game plan by dealing with troublesome enchantments, but it can also be utilized in conjunction with graveyard retrieval strategies or cards that benefit from creatures dying, to provide continuous utility throughout the match.
Meta-Relevance: With a constantly evolving metagame, the Kami of Ancient Law remains relevant due to its inherent answer to enchantment-based strategies, which frequently surface in various formats. Its presence in your collection ensures you have a ready tool to adapt to these shifts in the metagame.
How to Beat
Kami of Ancient Law is known for its presence in the enchantment-heavy environments of Magic: The Gathering. Its true power lies in its simple sacrificial ability, enabling players to remove problematic enchantments from the battlefield with ease. To effectively counter Kami of Ancient Law, one must employ strategic removal or timing. Direct removal spells like Path to Exile or Fatal Push work perfectly, bypassing the Kami’s ability by not targeting enchantments directly.
Another method is to wait for the Kami to activate its ability and in response, employing instant-speed interaction to disrupt the opponent’s plans. This could involve using a counterspell to negate the enchantment removal or a flash creature that can block and eliminate the Kami. Since the Kami requires sacrifice as a cost, once it’s activated, it won’t be around to protect against future enchantments, making your timing crucial. Always consider the resource exchange and remember, denying your opponent the choice of when to use the Kami’s ability can be just as important as the removal itself.
In matches where enchantments dictate the pace, understanding when and how to address Kami of Ancient Law can pivot the game in your favor, showcasing the depth of strategy in Magic: The Gathering.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kami of Ancient Law MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Magic Online Theme Decks, 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 Kami of Ancient Law 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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Printings
The Kami of Ancient Law Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2022-12-02. Illustrated by Mark Tedin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 21 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 2 | 2010-11-08 | Magic Online Theme Decks | TD0 | A9 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 3 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 21 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin | |
| 4 | 2022-12-02 | Jumpstart 2022 | J22 | 203 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Mark Tedin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kami of Ancient Law has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |