Kentaro, the Smiling Cat MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Released | 2005-02-04 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Betrayers of Kamigawa |
| Set code | BOK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
| Number | 13 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Donato Giancola |
Text of card
Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) You may pay rather than pay the mana cost for Samurai spells you play, where X is that spell's converted mana cost.
"The bonds of bushido will draw the dishonored back someday, and I will be there waiting."
Cards like Kentaro, the Smiling Cat
Kentaro, the Smiling Cat adds another dimension to the cadre of legendary creatures in Magic: The Gathering. This card echoes the features of commanders like Isamaru, Hound of Konda, for its low mana cost and respectable power. Kentaro, however, boasts a unique ability to potentially bypass mana color restrictions for Samurai creatures, enhancing deck flexibility and strategic depth.
Akin to Kentaro’s low-cost leadership is Eight-and-a-Half-Tails, offering both low-cost entry and an ability-focused approach to protecting creatures on the battlefield. While Eight-and-a-Half-Tails excels in defensive strategies, Kentaro’s role pivots more towards an offensive Samurai tribal theme. Another familiar character in this space is Takeno, Samurai General, whose ability amplifies other Samurai’s strength based on their bushido. Takeno’s approach is granting global buffs, in contrast to Kentaro’s mana adaptability.
In sum, Kentaro, the Smiling Cat stands its ground in the Magic: The Gathering universe by providing players a unique blend of early game presence and late-game tactical advantages. His ability to facilitate a smoother mana curve for Samurai decks without hindering the power of individual cards is a subtlety that can dominate in the right deck build.
Cards similar to Kentaro, the Smiling Cat by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kentaro, the Smiling Cat can significantly swing a game by allowing you to potentially bypass mana payments for Samurai creatures. This unique ability can lead to overwhelming your opponents with a barrage of Samurai without depleting resources, effectively maintaining card advantage by saving mana for other strategic plays or countermagic.
Resource Acceleration: With Kentaro, the Smiling Cat leading your forces, you have the potential to deploy high-cost Samurai cards earlier than usual. This acceleration is especially critical in formats where speed can make the difference between victory and defeat, enabling you to outpace opponents by quickly establishing a formidable board presence.
Instant Speed: While Kentaro himself does not have an ability that operates at instant speed, his contribution to the board primes your strategy for instant-speed interactions. By efficiently managing your mana resources when casting Samurai, you can keep mana open to respond with instants, disrupt opponent plays, or adjust your tactics on the fly, thus providing a blend of aggression and control.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: To take full advantage of Kentaro, the Smiling Cat’s abilities, you may need to part with valuable cards from your hand. This requirement can deplete your resources at crucial times and may not always align with your strategy.
Specific Mana Cost: Kentaro’s effectiveness is tied to a deck that can consistently provide white mana. Players running multicolored decks might find this mana specification a bit restricting when planning their game strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When looking at the mana investment Kentaro demands, you may find other creatures or spells that provide greater versatility or impact on the game for a similar or lesser cost.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kentaro, the Smiling Cat supports a broad spectrum of decks, offering an edge to ones that capitalize on Samurai and Warrior synergies or a desire for efficient mana expenditure.
Combo Potential: This card can be a key piece in combos that revolve around creature-based strategies, effortlessly fitting into Samurai-themed interactions or working tandem with cards that reward you for playing legendary creatures.
Meta-Relevance: Being adaptable to a variety of metagames, Kentaro, the Smiling Cat can shine in environments where creature-heavy decks prevail, making it a crafty addition that could pivot the balance in your favor.
How to beat
Kentaro, the Smiling Cat introduces an intriguing level of strategy to Magic: The Gathering games, where it allows players to play Samurai creatures without paying their mana cost. This ability can significantly accelerate your opponent’s board state, particularly in Samurai-themed decks. To counter Kentaro, consider using removal spells that can bypass Kentaro’s ability to bring in Samurai without paying their mana costs. Cards like Path to Exile or Fatal Push are efficient ways to handle Kentaro before the board becomes overwhelming.
Moreover, since Kentaro’s ability hinges on the Samurai creature type, cards that hinder creature abilities or change creature types can also be valuable. Consider employing creature type altering spells like Amoeboid Changeling or cards like Damping Matrix to suppress activated abilities altogether. Preventive measures like counterspells are particularly crucial during the early phases when Kentaro is attempting to hit the battlefield. Be vigilant for a well-timed Mana Leak or Negate to ensure Kentaro never gets a chance to flash that smile.
Ultimately, dealing with Kentaro, the Smiling Cat, is a matter of preparedness and timing. Having the right answers at the right moment is decisive in keeping the feline’s influence in check and securing your victory on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kentaro, the Smiling Cat 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 Kentaro, the Smiling Cat 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 Kentaro, the Smiling Cat has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kentaro, the Smiling Cat card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2005-02-01 | Kentaro doesn’t change when you can cast Samurai. It just makes Samurai castable for generic mana. |
| 2005-02-01 | Kentaro’s ability only applies while Kentaro is on the battlefield. You have to pay for Kentaro normally. It still costs . |