Mothrider Samurai MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 4 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Human Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido,Flying |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
| Number | 34 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Mark Zug |
Text of card
Flying Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.)
When the night blossoms open, the wings of Eiganjo take flight.
Cards like Mothrider Samurai
Mothrider Samurai is an intriguing creature within the vast universe of Magic: The Gathering. It shares common features with other cards like Leonin Skyhunter, both being 2-mana cost flyers, offering decent mobility on the board. The defining trait of the Mothrider is Bushido 1, empowering it when blocking or being blocked. This subtle power boost differentiates it from Leonin Skyhunter, which lacks any combat-related abilities.
Another comparable card is Loyal Pegasus, boasting flying and requiring no mana for casting but comes with the stipulation of needing another creature to attack. While Loyal Pegasus can be more aggressive early in the game, Mothrider Samurai provides consistent defense and putative, yet pivotal, pressure on the opponent. Additionally, Skyknight Legionnaire presents itself as a hasty flyer, immediately swinging the momentum, albeit at a higher casting cost but without Bushido’s benefits.
Examining the abilities and tactical applications Mothrider Samurai holds a unique position. Its balance between offensive capabilities and defensive utility makes it a card that can be a subtle workhorse in any deck it’s a part of, especially in formats where combat tricks are prevalent.
Cards similar to Mothrider Samurai by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Mothrider Samurai allows you to bolster your board presence while retaining card parity. Deploying creatures is key to maintaining pressure, and Mothrider Samurai fulfills this role adeptly by offering a body on the field that can influence the state of the game.
Resource Acceleration: Seamless playability on curve allows for resource optimization. While it may not directly produce additional mana or tokens, operating efficiently within mana constraints ensures that your gameplay remains swift and effective, keeping pace with or surpassing your opponent’s developments.
Instant Speed: The bushido ability of Mothrider Samurai activates whenever it blocks or becomes blocked, making it a versatile option at instant speed. This reactive capability enhances your strategic flexibility during combat, potentially shifting the odds in your favor with each engagement.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Mothrider Samurai can hinder your hand by requiring a card discard to activate its bushido ability, potentially depleting valuable resources.
Specific Mana Cost: This card demands a particular blend of mana, including white, which might not seamlessly fit into all deck strategies, especially in multi-colored or splash-heavy decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the battlefield impact versus the mana investment, Mothrider Samurai carries a mana cost that could be seen as steep for its overall contribution, especially in formats where mana efficiency is key.
Reasons to Include Mothrider Samurai in Your Collection
Versatility: Mothrider Samurai provides a flexible approach for deck builders, as it serves as both an offensive and a defensive choice. Its flying ability lets it soar over ground-bound creatures, making it a solid pick for evasion-centric strategies.
Combo Potential: With its bushido ability, which increases its power and toughness whenever it blocks or becomes blocked, this card can synergize with various combat tricks and strategies that aim to manipulate combat interactions to your advantage.
Meta-Relevance: In environments where creature combat is prevalent, Mothrider Samurai’s abilities can have a significant impact. Its nature as a combat-centric creature can disrupt opponents’ strategies, especially against decks that rely heavily on non-flying creatures.
How to beat
Mothrider Samurai brings a unique dynamic to combat scenarios in Magic: The Gathering. At the heart of this card’s strength is the Bushido ability, which temporarily boosts its power and toughness during battle, catching many opponents off-guard. When facing a Mothrider Samurai on the field, the key to gaining the upper hand is to neutralize it before it can engage or bypass the Bushido trigger altogether.
One effective tactic is using instant-speed removal spells when the Samurai isn’t attacking or blocking, thereby sidestepping the Bushido bonus. Another is by utilizing evasion-enabling cards to ensure your creatures can avoid confrontation with the Samurai entirely, thereby mitigating the Bushido impact. Alternatively, managing the battlefield through sweepers like Wrath of God before the Samurai can assert its presence also works. Remember, timing is critical when dealing with combat trickery — anticipating your opponent’s moves will always give you a strategic edge.
In essence, the Mothrider Samurai requires specific attention but can be readily managed through careful play, strategic removal, and evasion techniques, ensuring it never becomes the formidable foe it has the potential to be.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Mothrider Samurai 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 Mothrider Samurai 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
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Mothrider Samurai has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |