Kodama of the South Tree MTG Card

Kodama provides card advantage, bolstering deck exploration and maintaining strategic momentum. Resource acceleration is innate, enabling quicker deployment and mana access through Spirits. Boosts instant-speed spell playability, increasing reactive and surprise play potential.

Kodama of the South Tree - Champions of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Spirit
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	223
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ron Spears

Text of card

Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, each other creature you control gets +1/+1 and gains trample until end of turn.

"The monks of the South Tree had always reveled beneath their kodama's friendly gaze. During the Kami War, this gaze became fierce and full of hate." —"Poem of the Five Trees"

Cards like Kodama of the South Tree

Kodama of the South Tree, a formidable figure in the pantheon of MTG, bears a resemblance to other cards in the game that echo its spirit bond with creatures. One such card is Kodama of the North Tree, which, much like its southern counterpart, has a strong presence on the battlefield but offers shroud instead of trample. While Kodama of the South Tree thrusts forward with power and trample, the North Tree provides a shield of protection against targeted spells.

Further comparisons can be drawn to cards like Sosuke, Son of Seshiro, who also boosts other creatures and shares a kinship with snake creatures, enhancing their combat prowess. Sosuke, however, doesn’t offer the same broad support across your creatures as Kodama of the South Tree, which empowers a more diverse array of warriors. Then we have the likes of Bow of Nylea, giving creatures you control the potential for deathtouch, though it is an artifact and lacks the direct synergy of creature type.

These subtle but impactful differences accentuate the unique strategic advantages of Kodama of the South Tree within the vast lineup of creature-focused cards in MTG.

Kodama of the North Tree - MTG Card versions

Sosuke, Son of Seshiro - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kodama of the South Tree by color, type and mana cost

Ulvenwald Oddity // Ulvenwald Behemoth - MTG Card versions

Viridian Lorebearers - MTG Card versions

Monkey Monkey Monkey - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Kodama of the South Tree card shines by allowing you to explore the depths of your deck. Each time you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, you gain an opportunity to potentially draw into more powerful spells or essential creatures, bolstering your overall strategy and maintaining momentum against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: This unique card inherently promotes resource acceleration. It empowers your Spirits, making them a formidable force on the battlefield. Moreover, it enables a swifter deployment of your game plan by allowing you to tap an untapped Spirit you control to secure that crucial mana needed to cast your next game-changing spell.

Instant Speed: Kodama of the South Tree may not directly interact at instant speed, but it indirectly enhances your gameplay by amplifying the capabilities of other instant-speed spells in your deck. With the acceleration it provides, you’ll find yourself more frequently in a position to react to an opponent’s actions or end their turn with a strong, unexpected play, effectively catching them off guard and turning the tide of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In the case of Kodama of the South Tree, players need to be aware that harnessing its full potential may come at the cost of parting with valuable cards from their hand. This could be particularly detrimental in scenarios where your hand is depleted and each card’s value is magnified.

Specific Mana Cost: Costing two generic and two green mana means that Kodama of the South Tree demands a committed investment in green resources. This specificity narrows deck-building options, potentially excluding it from more varied or color-flexible strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Allocating four mana may represent a significant investment, particularly in the earlier phases of gameplay. There are alternative creatures that may be cast at a lower mana cost, affording players the opportunity to develop their board presence with greater efficiency and versatility.

Reasons to Include Kodama of the South Tree in Your Collection

Versatility: Kodama of the South Tree can seamlessly adapt to a variety of deck builds, especially those harnessing the power of spirit or arcane spells. Its ability to give other spirits you control trample can turn even the most unassuming creatures into significant threats.

Combo Potential: This card’s synergy with spirit and arcane spells not only boosts your attacking forces but can also unlock powerful interactions with other cards that reward you for casting those spell types or attacking with multiple creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment favoring creature strategies or where spirits are a prominent tribe, Kodama of the South Tree’s impact on the battlefield is magnified, making it a potent addition to any deck that aims to capitalize on these dynamics.

How to beat

Confronting the Kodama of the South Tree can be quite the strategic puzzle in Magic: The Gathering. This card is a versatile force, boasting its Soulshift ability which allows the player to return a Spirit card with a lesser mana value back to their hand from the graveyard when the Kodama goes to the graveyard. Tackling such resilience requires a thoughtful approach.

A surefire way to mitigate the Kodama’s advantage is by employing graveyard disruption. Cards that can exile creatures from graveyards disrupt the Soulshift mechanic, ensuring that the value gained from the Kodama’s ability is minimized. Direct removal spells that exile, rather than destroy, can be key in preventing the Kodama’s Soulshift from activating.

Alternatively, preventing the creature from hitting the battlefield in the first place by utilizing counterspells can stifle the strategic momentum provided by the Kodama. It’s clear that when dealing with such a dynamic card, prioritizing removal efficiency and timing can make the difference between victory and defeat against the Kodama of the South Tree.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kodama of the South Tree MTG card by a specific set like Champions 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 Kodama of the South Tree and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kodama of the South Tree has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal