Kethis, the Hidden Hand MTG Card


Enables playing legendary spells from the graveyard, bolstering hand options and gameplay unpredictability. Kethis reduces legendary spell costs, allowing for earlier threats and a swift tempo against opponents. Instant speed play of legendary cards, when Kethis is in play, adds a layer of tactical advantage.
Kethis, the Hidden Hand - Core Set 2020
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Elf Advisor
Released2019-07-12
Set symbol
Set nameCore Set 2020
Set codeM20
Power 3
Toughness 4
Number211
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byYongjae Choi

Text of card

Legendary spells you cast cost less to cast. Exile two legendary cards from your graveyard: Until end of turn, each legendary card in your graveyard gains "You may play this card from your graveyard."

"The pen is mightier than the crown."


Cards like Kethis, the Hidden Hand

Kethis, the Hidden Hand offers a unique dynamic for deck builders in the legendary-themed decks of Magic: The Gathering. Its closest relative might be Captain Sisay, which allows you to fetch legendary cards directly from your library, providing constant access to key pieces. While Captain Sisay acts as a tutor, Kethis’s ability leans towards recursion, allowing for the casting of legendary spells from the graveyard. This subtle distinction broadens your late-game options versus the immediate satisfaction that Captain Sisay offers.

Another card with a resonance in strategy is Sisay, Weatherlight Captain, which grows stronger with a varied cast of legendary companions. While Sisay’s power crests with the diversity of your legends, Kethis reduces the cost of your legendary spells, making it much easier to deploy multiple threats in a single turn. Additionally, Kethis’s effect encompasses all legendary cards—not just creatures—heightening the possible synergies with artifacts, planeswalkers, and enchantments.

When evaluating legendary support cards in MTG, Kethis offers a robust option for players looking to streamline their deck’s mana efficiency and maximize their access to all legendary spells throughout the game. Its specialty in recurring valuable cards gives it an esteemed place among legendary catalysts in the game.

Captain Sisay - MTG Card versions
Sisay, Weatherlight Captain - MTG Card versions
Captain Sisay - MTG Card versions
Sisay, Weatherlight Captain - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kethis, the Hidden Hand. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Kethis ComboKethis Combo ModernKethis ComboModern Preliminary 2023-12-26 (1)
WUBRGWUBRG ModernModern League 2024-02-14
SuperfriendsSuperfriends ModernSuperfriendsModern Super Qualifier 2023-12-26
DecklistDecklist Free form1

Card Pros

Card Advantage: When you have Kethis, the Hidden Hand on the battlefield, you’re empowered to play legendary spells from your graveyard. This allows for a stream of resources that opens up a series of strategic plays, ensuring that your hand remains full of options while diminishing your opponent’s ability to predict your moves. The ability to play additional spells from places other than your hand directly correlates to more opportunity for victory.

Resource Acceleration: Kethis, the Hidden Hand is not just a facilitator of card advantage; it’s also a potent source of resource acceleration. It makes your legendary spells cost one less to cast, which can be particularly influential early in the game. This cost reduction can lead to a significant tempo advantage by enabling you to deploy threats and answers ahead of the standard mana curve, increasing the pressure on your opponent and compounding your lead.

Instant Speed: With Kethis on the field, the option to play cards at instant speed becomes even more tactical. While Kethis itself doesn’t grant instant speed, the legendary cards you’re likely running alongside it may have this attribute, granting the ability to respond to an opponent’s actions immediately. This strategic flexibility can put your adversaries on their heels, as your more efficient use of mana and card resources can lead to sudden shifts in the game state that are difficult to counter.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kethis the Hidden Hand offers a unique ability to play legendary cards from your graveyard, this advantage comes with a notable constraint. You must discard two legendary cards to activate the ability. This requirement can deplete your hand and leave you at a disadvantage if you’re already low on cards or if your deck doesn’t consistently have legendary cards to discard.

Specific Mana Cost: Kethis’ mana cost is specific to white, black, and green (Abzan colors), which may cause difficulties for decks that are not tailored around these colors. The specific mana requirements enforce a strict color commitment, potentially restricting its inclusion in a more extensive range of deck archetypes that can’t accommodate such a restrictive mana base.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Kethis comes with a mana reduction ability for legendary spells, his initial casting cost of three mana, one of each aforementioned color, is relatively high when compared to other commanders or utility creatures. In formats like Commander where speed can be crucial, dedicating three mana for a creature that doesn’t have an immediate board impact may set you back against more aggressive or tempo-based strategies.


Reasons to Include Kethis the Hidden Hand in Your Collection

Versatility: Kethis the Hidden Hand offers exceptional flexibility for deck builders, easily slotting into various commander and brawl deck archetypes. For those keen on legendary creatures and enchantments, Kethis reduces casting costs, making high-impact plays more accessible.

Combo Potential: This Legendary Elf Advisor thrives on synergy, looping legendary cards from your graveyard for an endless array of combo possibilities. Whether you’re looking to recover powerful planeswalkers or recast influential legendary spells, Kethis is your linchpin.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where graveyard strategies and legendary permanents are abundant, Kethis shines by both facilitating your own strategy and diminishing your opponents’ ability to predict your moves. This adaptable legend keeps your gameplay dynamic and intimidating.


How to Beat Kethis the Hidden Hand

Kethis the Hidden Hand offers unique advantages to those who wield legendary spells in Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to reduce the cost of legendary spells is a formidable tool, often resulting in an acceleration of gameplay advantageous to the player with Kethis on the battlefield. Despite its power, there are several strategies to counter Kethis and maintain the upper hand.

Removal spells are your first line of defense. Swift and effective cards like Path to Exile or Assassin’s Trophy can exile Kethis before its cost-reduction capability becomes a significant problem. Graveyard disruption also plays a pivotal role; cards such as Scavenging Ooze can systematically remove potential legendary cards from the graveyard, limiting Kethis’s other ability to play legends from there. Lastly, consider your timing. Timing your removal and disruption after your opponent has committed resources but before they’ve reaped the benefits can be devastating, leaving them resource-strained while you maintain board control.

Utilizing a combination of removal, graveyard disruption, and strategic timing takes away Kethis’s ability to dominate the game, bringing your opponent’s strategy to a halt. This approach can dampen the efficacy of their legendary synergies, keeping you firmly in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

For adept MTG players who treasure depth in gameplay, Kethis the Hidden Hand emerges as a multifaceted powerhouse in legendary-centered decks. With Kethis, you bolster your resource pool and speed, orchestrating a symphony of strategic moves that can outpace your adversaries. Its combo potential invigorates your graveyard, turning it into a treasure trove of legendary spells. Whether you’re a commanding presence in the Commander format or seeking a competitive edge in other formats, integrating Kethis into your collection could be your key to victory. Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us and discover how Kethis can unlock new dimensions in your deck-building endeavors.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kethis, the Hidden Hand MTG card by a specific set like Core Set 2020, 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 Kethis, the Hidden Hand and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kethis, the Hidden Hand has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerBanned
GladiatorLegal
PioneerBanned
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kethis, the Hidden Hand card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2019-07-12 Kethis’s last ability affects only legendary cards that are in your graveyard at the time it resolves. Legendary cards put into your graveyard later in the turn won’t gain the ability. If you play a legendary card and it returns to your graveyard, it won’t have the ability anymore.
2019-07-12 Kethis’s last ability doesn’t change when you can play the legendary cards. For example, if you have a legendary creature card in your graveyard, you can cast it only during your main phase when the stack is empty. If you have a legendary land card in your graveyard, you can play it only during your main phase and only if you have an available land play remaining.
2019-07-12 You’ll still pay all costs for a legendary spell you cast this way, including additional costs. You may also pay alternative costs.