Kami of the Honored Dead MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 7 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Spirit |
| Abilities | Flying,Soulshift |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 12 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Zug |
Text of card
Flying Whenever Kami of the Honored Dead is dealt damage, you gain that much life. Soulshift 6 (When this is put into a graveyard from play, you may return target Spirit card with converted mana cost 6 or less from your graveyard to your hand.)
Cards like Kami of the Honored Dead
Kami of the Honored Dead is an intriguing addition to the lineup of creature cards that Magic: The Gathering offers. One can’t help but notice how it compares to the spirit giants— those that use their immense size to impact the board state. It holds a particular resemblance to Yosei, the Morning Star, another significant spirit creature. Both are from the famous Kamigawa set, and Yosei brings the game to a halt by tapping down the opponent’s resources upon its death.
While considering similar effects, Patron of the Kitsune comes to mind, a creature that heals you whenever creatures attack, much like how Kami of the Honored Dead bestows you with life whenever it takes damage. However, where Patron of the Kitsune requires a constant offensive from the opponent to trigger, Kami of the Honored Dead has the added benefit of being a flying blocker, potentially dissuading attacks altogether.
The functional differences between these cards and Kami of the Honored Dead give this spirit a specific role in a defensive strategy, particularly emphasizing the importance of life gain and deterring aggression. Its distinctive presence in a deck can turn the tide of battle, contributing not only to the mythical lore of MTG but also to the strategic depth of the game.
Cards similar to Kami of the Honored Dead by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Kami of the Honored Dead offers significant value by potentially drawing you a card whenever it’s targeted by a spell your opponent controls. This can swiftly turn the tides by giving you more options and keeping your hand stocked in a prolonged match.
Resource Acceleration: By untapping all lands you control when it dies, this powerful spirit can lead to a massive surge in resources. This acceleration allows you to quickly deploy the rest of your hand or activate abilities that may have otherwise been out of reach, setting you up for a strong follow-up turn.
Instant Speed: With the ability to block flyers, Kami of the Honored Dead can be a surprise defender, especially if cast at instant speed due to an effect that enables flash. This can disrupt your opponent’s strategy, particularly if they were relying on evasive creatures to chip away at your life total.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: One potential drawback of Kami of the Honored Dead is that its benefits can come at a steep price. When playing this card, players must be strategic about the contents of their hand, as leveraging its full potential might necessitate discarding valuable cards, which can prove to be a significant cost if your hand is already dwindling in size.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Kami of the Honored Dead demands a deliberate inclusion of color-specific mana within a deck. This requirement can restrict deck-building options, as you’ll need a particular mana base to summon this spirit, potentially complicating your strategy against color-flexible opponents.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: For the abilities it provides, the mana investment for Kami of the Honored Dead may seem disproportionately high. In the current game meta, there are alternative cards that might provide similar benefits without such a substantial mana expenditure, allowing for a more economic and versatile play throughout the game.
Reasons to Include Kami of the Honored Dead in Your Collection
Versatility: Kami of the Honored Dead provides both a resilient threat and a life-gaining mechanism. As a flying card, it can be a formidable defender against other aerial threats or an offensive powerhouse that’s hard to block.
Combo Potential: When it’s in your graveyard, you can use its ability to repeatedly protect your spirit and arcane spells from counterspells, giving you a tactical advantage over opponents in longer matches.
Meta-Relevance: In a game that is rich with spirit strategies or against decks that rely heavily on noncreature spells, Kami of the Honored Dead’s abilities can disrupt your opponent’s plans while fortifying your own game state.
How to beat
Kami of the Honored Dead can present a challenge on the battlefield with its unique abilities, especially in Spirit tribal decks. This card is known for causing life loss to an opponent whenever it’s targeted, which can deter targeted removal spells. Moreover, it often comes with built-in protection in the form of the ability ‘flying’, making it unreachable for creatures without that ability or reach.
To overcome Kami of the Honored Dead, consider using board wipes that don’t target, such as ‘Day of Judgment’ or ‘Supreme Verdict’, to remove it without triggering its punitive effect. Another strategy is to employ indirect damage through cards like ‘Pyroclasm’ or ‘Anger of the Gods’, which deal damage to each creature. Players can also utilize exile effects through spells such as ‘Path to Exile’ or ‘Swords to Plowshares’ that can bypass the Kami’s potential to cause life loss when targeted.
Managing your resources effectively and choosing the right moment to deal with Kami of the Honored Dead is crucial. A mindful approach to removal and damage can ensure that this spiritual behemoth doesn’t stand in the way of your victory.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kami of the Honored Dead 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 Kami of the Honored Dead 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 Kami of the Honored Dead has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |