Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" MTG Card
1999-05-01 - Number 9
2009-09-07 - Number 16
2013-11-01 - Number 16
2014-06-16 - Number 33
2018-03-16 - Number 20
2002-06-24 - Number 33442
| Card sets | Released in 6 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Human Advisor |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
All your other creatures get +1/+1 as long as Kongming is in play.
"Such a lord as this—all virtues' height— Had never been, nor ever was again."
Cards like Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon"
Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” is an intriguing creature card that supports others on the battlefield. While Kongming itself does not pose a significant offensive threat, it shines by boosting the power of other creatures. It’s comparable to creatures like Captain of the Watch, which enhances soldier creatures by giving them +1/+1. Kongming, however, grants a broad bonus to all other creatures you control, akin to the effect of Glorious Anthem which also offers a sweeping power and toughness boost, regardless of creature type.
Another kindred card is Always Watching, a non-creature spell that gives all non-token creatures you control +1/+1 and vigilance, though Kongming’s advantage is its applicability to all creatures, including tokens. Mirror Entity stands out in this cohort, transforming any creature on your board to a bigger threat based on the mana you spend. While more flexible, Mirror Entity requires an active investment of mana, unlike Kongming, which continuously empowers your forces passively.
Assessing Kongming in the context of these similar cards reveals its value in a deck that seeks to build a formidable army across the board without needing extra mana investment, making it a strong passive enhancer in MTG strategies involving creature swarms.
Cards similar to Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” bolsters your board presence by providing a steady buff to your other creatures, which can transform even a modest gathering of creatures into a formidable army. This creates an indirect form of card advantage, as it makes each individual creature in your control more of a threat, reducing the need to overextend and draw into more creature spells.
Resource Acceleration: While Kongming itself doesn’t produce additional mana or tokens, its ability to enhance your creatures ensures the ones you have on the board can potentially trade up or deal extra damage more efficiently. This, in turn, can open up your mana resources for further development of your board state instead of having to replace fallen creatures.
Instant Speed: Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” operates at sorcery speed, but its enduring effect on the battlefield means you’re always playing with an “instant-speed mindset.” Every creature you cast post-Kongming threatens to have an immediate impact because of the power and toughness boost, which can alter the flow of the game significantly and force your opponent to respond on their turn.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Playing Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” doesn’t come without its downsides. For those who may not be familiar, any additional cost that forces a player to discard a card can potentially set you back, particularly if your hand is already dwindling and you need every card you can get to maintain control of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: Kongming’s mana cost is highly specific, requiring two white and two additional mana of any color. This can be restrictive, as it ties the card usage mainly to white-based or multicolored decks that can accommodate such cost without a hitch. Deck versatility may suffer as a consequence, limiting your ability to swiftly adapt to the dynamic battlefield of MTG.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Weighing in at four mana overall, Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” isn’t the most cost-effective creature you could deploy. Given the competitive landscape of MTG, there are a plethora of cards that can provide similar or even better enhancements to your creatures for a smaller investment, which is something to consider when deck building and aiming for optimal efficiency.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” brings a blend of power to the battlefield that can adapt to numerous deck styles. As a white creature that boosts others, it’s a natural fit for creature-based decks and can pivot roles depending on the game state.
Combo Potential: With its passive ability to strengthen your other creatures, Kongming is an excellent piece in combos revolving around creature synergies, making it a valuable asset for decks aiming to overwhelm opponents with superior forces.
Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where white decks and creature strategies are flourishing, Kongming’s consistent buff to other creatures makes it an influential card, potentially turning the tide of battle in your favor.
How to beat
Kongming, “Sleeping Dragon” is a notable figure that buffs your other creatures by giving them a sustained power boost in the form of +1/+1 as long as it’s on the battlefield. To outmaneuver Kongming, addressing this card swiftly is of utmost importance. Direct removal spells are your go-to solution as they bypass the boost and eliminate the source. Cards such as Murder or Path to Exile can cleanly handle the task without triggering on-death abilities due to their straightforward exile or destroy effects.
Another effective strategy is using board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which not only deal with Kongming but also clear out the creatures that benefit from its presence. This resets the playing field and neutralizes the advantage your opponent amassed. Additionally, countering Kongming before it lands on the battlefield with spells like Cancel or Mana Leak gains extra value since it prevents the bolster effect altogether, keeping your opponent’s creatures within easier reach of your removal tools.
Utilizing these methods ensures that you maintain control over the game state and prevent your adversary from leveraging Kongming’s ability to their advantage. It’s a test of timing and resource management, but a crucial one if you aim to reign supreme on the battlefield.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms and Magic Online Promos, 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 Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" 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 Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" Magic the Gathering card was released in 6 different sets between 1999-05-01 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by Gao Yan.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1999-05-01 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | 9 | 1997 | Normal | White | Gao Yan | |
| 2 | Magic Online Promos | PRM | 33442 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Gao Yan | ||
| 3 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 16 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Gao Yan | |
| 4 | 2013-11-01 | Commander 2013 | C13 | 16 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Gao Yan | |
| 5 | 2014-06-16 | Vintage Masters | VMA | 33 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gao Yan | |
| 6 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 20 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Gao Yan |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Kongming, "Sleeping Dragon" has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |