Norika Yamazaki, the Poet MTG Card


Yamazaki accelerates gameplay by making instants and sorceries cheaper to cast. With flash ability, she offers surprise plays and potential board disruption. Her discard requirement may limit hand options, balancing her advantages.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityUncommon
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities Vigilance
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Vigilance Whenever a Samurai or Warrior you control attacks alone, you may cast target enchantment card from your graveyard this turn.

"The blades will have their say, but peace is built with words."


Cards like Norika Yamazaki, the Poet

Norika Yamazaki the Poet offers a unique twist to the gameplay for Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts. This card can be likened to other control pieces like Silent Submersible, which also nudges playstyle towards drawing cards. However, Norika Yamazaki stands out with her ability to potentially draw multiple cards in a single turn, providing an edge over Silent Submersible’s once-per-turn capability.

Comparably, we have Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive, which shares the trait of making creatures unblockable, though Norika Yamazaki’s influence extends to a larger variety of creatures based on power rather than specific criteria. Tetsuko’s impact is more focused, favoring creatures with power or toughness of one or less. Norika Yamazaki, conversely, can make any number of creatures with one or less power unblockable, promoting a wider strategic advantage in the game.

From a strategic standpoint, Norika Yamazaki the Poet carves a niche among Magic: The Gathering cards that influence combat and card draw. Her unique blend of card accessibility and combat manipulation clearly delineates her from her counterparts, setting her up as a potent inclusion in decks that benefit from unimpeded attack strategies and card flow maximization.

Silent Submersible - MTG Card versions
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive - MTG Card versions
Silent Submersible - MTG Card versions
Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive - MTG Card versions

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Femeref Knight - MTG Card versions
Border Guard - MTG Card versions
Benalish Knight - MTG Card versions
Regal Unicorn - MTG Card versions
Wild Griffin - MTG Card versions
Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions
Dogged Hunter - MTG Card versions
Diving Griffin - MTG Card versions
Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty - MTG Card versions
Freewind Equenaut - MTG Card versions
Sanctum Guardian - MTG Card versions
Field Marshal - MTG Card versions
Kithkin Healer - MTG Card versions
Kor Hookmaster - MTG Card versions
Zhalfirin Commander - MTG Card versions
Silverblade Paladin - MTG Card versions
Emancipation Angel - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the biggest benefits of Norika Yamazaki the Poet is her ability to potentially provide card advantage. Activating her ability can allow you to access more spells and options from your deck, giving you an edge over your opponent with a bolstered hand.

Resource Acceleration: Norika offers a passive resource boost by making your instants and sorceries cost one less to cast. This reduction can significantly speed up your gameplay, allowing you to deploy threats or answers more efficiently than your opponent.

Instant Speed: As a creature with flash, Norika Yamazaki the Poet can be played at instant speed, which provides strategic flexibility for players. You can surprise your opponent by bringing her onto the battlefield during their turn, potentially disrupting their plans or creating unexpected blocking scenarios.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One of the drawbacks of Norika Yamazaki the Poet is needing to discard a card to utilize its effect. This stipulation can leave players at a disadvantage, especially when options are limited or each card in hand is crucial for upcoming turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Her casting requirements demand specific mana colors that may not blend seamlessly into every deck strategy. Players using a multicolored deck might find her mana cost restrictive and challenging to meet consistently, limiting the card’s overall versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana cost that’s on the higher end for her effects, Norika Yamazaki the Poet competes with other options within the same mana range that might provide a more immediate or impactful board presence, potentially overshadowing her role in a match.


Reasons to Include Norika Yamazaki the Poet in Your Collection

Versatility: Norika Yamazaki the Poet introduces flexible strategies for deckbuilding, as its ability to create Samurai creature tokens fits seamlessly into tribal as well as token-based decks.

Combo Potential: With the right setup, Norika can significantly amplify token-generating combos, providing both offensive pressure and a defensive line through her generated creatures.

Meta-Relevance: As the MTG landscape often shifts towards creature-centric playstyles, having a card like Norika Yamazaki the Poet, that can consistently churn out creatures, keeps your deck competitive and adaptive to various matchups.


How to Beat Norika Yamazaki the Poet

Norika Yamazaki the Poet is an intriguing character on the battlefield, stirring the MTG landscape with her poetic prowess. Norika brings a unique mix of abilities that can enhance storytelling and strategizing plays for any deck she graces. With her presence, the traditional dynamics of gameplay find a fresh verse, pushing players to consider new angles and tactics when facing her.

Dealing with Norika requires a tactical approach. One effective method is by disrupting her rhythm through targeted removal spells. Spells like Murder or Doom Blade can take her out before her narrative takes shape. Another strategy is to use counter spells to prevent Norika from entering play, messing up the opponent’s tempo and leaving them a step behind. Since she thrives in a setting where spells are slung back and forth, altering your play style to minimize spellcasting can also diminish her impact, forcing the opponent to rely on plan B.

The key is to stay one move ahead and keep her from weaving her strategic tapestry that could eventually overwhelm you. Diligent players who anticipate and adapt to her lyrical influences can keep her poetic plots from unfolding and maintain control of the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

Mastering MTG means being adaptable and strategic, just like Norika Yamazaki the Poet demands of her players. Her abilities can shift the tides of battle and offer pathways to victory through card advantage and surprise plays. If you’re intrigued by Norika’s potential or seeking to enhance your gameplay with innovative tactics, we’re here to provide in-depth insights and smart strategies. Delve deeper into optimizing her abilities, countering common pitfalls, and integrating her into your existing decks. Embrace the challenge and savor the satisfaction of outsmarting your opponents. Ready for a new chapter in your MTG journey? Let’s explore the possibilities together.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Norika Yamazaki, the Poet MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Norika Yamazaki, the Poet and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Norika Yamazaki, the Poet Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 312015NormalBlackMagali Villeneuve
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3112015NormalBlackXiaji & Yangyang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Norika Yamazaki, the Poet has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-02-18 A creature attacks alone if it's the only creature declared as an attacker during the declare attackers step. For example, Norika Yamazaki's triggered ability won't trigger if you attack with multiple creatures and all but one of them are removed from combat.
2022-02-18 You must still follow all normal timing rules and pay all costs for the enchantment card you cast this way.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.