Kumano's Pupils MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Creature — Human Shaman |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 177 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Greg Hildebrandt |
Text of card
If a creature dealt damage by Kumano's Pupils this turn would be put into a graveyard, remove it from the game instead.
"Long before he reluctantly joined the war, stories spread of Kumano's followers winning victories against the kami." —*Observations of the Kami War*
Cards like Kumano's Pupils
Kumano’s Pupils is a noticeable contender in combat-focused red creature cards within Magic: The Gathering. Its resemblance to cards like Caldera Hellion is evident, as both creatures exert their influence on the battlefield by dealing damage. Kumano’s Pupils has an intriguing twist with its ability to deal damage upon death to a number of creatures based on the amount of mana spent to cast it. Caldera Hellion, by contrast, deals damage across the board as it enters the fray with its devour ability.
Another card worth comparing is Flame-Kin Zealot. Both are red creatures that can alter the game’s dynamics through their presence. While Flame-Kin Zealot provides a boost to your creatures when it hits the field, Kumano’s Pupils offer a more defensive edge, reducing the opponent’s creature count as a reaction to being targeted or removed.
Ultimately, Kumano’s Pupils adds a strategic layer to deck building, offering a potent ability that can shift the game’s course. Its unique afterlife damage dealing creates options for players looking to craft a deck with a blend of aggressive play and reactive tactics.
Cards similar to Kumano's Pupils by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Kumano’s Pupils is a card that ensures players have a consistent presence on the battlefield. Every time a player casts a Spirit or Arcane spell, they may return Kumano’s Pupils from their graveyard to their hand. This recyclable nature provides a meaningful advantage, effectively augmenting hand resources and keeping the pressure on opponents.
Resource Acceleration: Though Kumano’s Pupils itself doesn’t directly produce resources, its synergy with Spirit and Arcane spells often found in decks that utilize such themes can fuel resource acceleration. For example, Spirits that tap for mana or Arcane spells that untap lands can pair well with this card, leading to faster and more powerful plays.
Instant Speed: While Kumano’s Pupils is not an instant, it interacts favorably with instant speed mechanics. It can be returned to a player’s hand at the end of an opponent’s turn if they’ve cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, ready to be played out on their own turn. This can strategically set up defenses or maintain a board presence that opponents must cautiously navigate.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Kumano’s Pupils mandates a card discard when played. This prerequisite can set back your hand, especially when your card count is already dwindling.
Specific Mana Cost: The card asks for a rigid, specific mix of mana to cast – this can hamper its integration into multi-color decks or those with a varied mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the higher end, Kumano’s Pupils might not be as appealing as lower-cost alternatives that perform similar functions in a deck’s strategy.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Kumano’s Pupils can adapt to different play styles with ease. Whether you’re piloting a deck focusing on creature-based strategies or one that harnesses the abilities of spirits and arcane spells, these disciples of the legendary creature Kumano will find their place, enhancing the flexibility of your deck.
Combo Potential: As a card that benefits whenever you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, Kumano’s Pupils can synergize with a variety of cards, setting the stage for power plays that build off each other for greater impact, allowing savvy deck builders to explore intriguing and powerful combinations.
Meta-Relevance: In a setting where interactions matter and the board state is constantly evolving, Kumano’s Pupils can hold relevance. Against decks that might dominate with a flurry of spells each turn, these pupils can offer a recurring benefit, making them a valuable asset in an ever-changing competitive landscape.
How to beat
Kumano’s Pupils is a unique creature card that brings a fresh challenge to the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. With its ability to not only deal damage to creatures but also to the player controlling any creature destroyed this way, it requires a careful approach to overcome. Unlike cards that simply remove creatures, Kumano’s Pupils demand attention due to its potential to turn creature deaths into direct life loss.
To effectively counter this card, consider using spells that don’t destroy creatures but rather exile them, such as Path to Exile, to prevent the trigger of Kumano’s Pupils’ intimidating ability. Additionally, avoiding attacking or blocking with weaker creatures that would easily fall to Kumano’s Pupils can minimize the damage taken. Employing counterspells to prevent Kumano’s Pupils from ever entering the battlefield is another sound strategy. Spells like Negate or Essence Scatter can be key in maintaining control. Tactics that manipulate the opponent’s creature abilities through cards like Hushbringer or effects that grant indestructibility to your creatures for a turn can also be crucial in combatting the raw power of Kumano’s Pupils.
In summary, while Kumano’s Pupils present a multifaceted threat, strategic deck building and understanding the MTG metagame allow for several approaches to tackle this formidable foe, ensuring your life total remains safe from its direct assault.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Kumano's Pupils 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 Kumano's Pupils 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 Kumano's Pupils has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Restricted |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kumano's Pupils card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | If a creature dealt damage by Kumano’s Pupils this turn would be put into a graveyard, exile it instead, even if it’s going to the graveyard at the same time as Kumano’s Pupils. |
| 2004-12-01 | Kumano’s Pupils must be on the battlefield when the creature would be put into a graveyard in order to exile it. |