Sai of the Shinobi MTG Card
2012-06-01 - Number 113
2016-11-25 - Number 113
2018-03-16 - Number 230
| Card sets | Released in 3 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Type | Artifact — Equipment |
| Abilities | Equip |
Text of card
Equipped creature gets +1/+1. Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may attach Sai of the Shinobi to it. Equip
The passing of the sai presages the end of the old clan and the ascent of the new.
Cards like Sai of the Shinobi
Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Sai of the Shinobi is notable for its ability to equip a creature the moment it enters the battlefield. This trait is akin to the mechanics found in equipment cards such as Swiftfoot Boots, which also bestow an immediate benefit, in this case granting both hexproof and haste. But Sai of the Shinobi focuses more on bolstering creature combat prowess, providing a quick power and toughness boost without further mana investment.
Cloak and Dagger resonate with Sai of the Shinobi’s instant impact theme, offering creatures not only a stat bump but also shroud and the rogue equipment synergy. While Sai of the Shinobi does not offer protective attributes, its lowered cost can be pivotal in early game tempo. Leonin Scimitar, another similar equipment, grants a permanent power boost but lacks the immediacy of Sai of the Shinobi’s on-entry effect.
Analyzing these comparisons, Sai of the Shinobi’s strength lies in its immediacy, turning any creature into a more formidable threat the moment they hit the board. This makes Sai of the Shinobi a competitive option for decks that aim to capitalize quickly on fast, aggressive starts.
Cards similar to Sai of the Shinobi by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sai of the Shinobi might not directly allow you to draw cards, but its ability to equip a creature as soon as it enters the battlefield can give you an edge by enhancing your creatures’ capabilities without investing more cards from your hand.
Resource Acceleration: While Sai of the Shinobi doesn’t produce mana or tokens, its low casting and equip costs act as a form of resource acceleration, allowing you to equip it multiple times across different creatures to maximize battlefield presence without a significant mana investment.
Instant Speed: The intrinsic ability of Sai of the Shinobi to automatically attach to a creature when it enters the battlefield can function similarly to an instant speed action, immediately bolstering your creature’s power and toughness and catching an opponent unprepared during the combat phase.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sai of the Shinobi’s abilities do not incur a discard requirement which is advantageous as it allows you to maintain card advantage while equipping your creatures.
Specific Mana Cost: Sai of the Shinobi has a low and generic mana cost, making it easily playable in any deck without the need for specific mana sources. It costs one generic mana, which any deck can afford without stress.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Sai of the Shinobi only costs one generic mana, it can’t be considered to have a high mana cost. In fact, its-affordability is part of what makes it an appealing option in many decks. Its ability to immediately equip to a creature that enters the battlefield at no cost helps to elevate the tempo without imposing a high investment.
Reasons to Include Sai of the Shinobi in Your Collection
Versatility: Sai of the Shinobi excels in flexibility, seamlessly slotting into various deck archetypes. Its ability to give a quick boost to any creature makes it a fine addition for aggressive strategies aimed at fast starts or decks that rely on creature synergies.
Combo Potential: This equipment shines when paired with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects or when used in conjunction with strategies that revolve around voltron-style command damage. Its low-cost equipping feature allows for immediate impact, creating opportunities for powerful interactions on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state where tempo plays a critical role, Sai of the Shinobi can prove to be a highly impactful card. With the ever-shifting MTG meta, having a card that could potentially turn the tides with swift creature enhancements is key for staying competitive.
How to beat
Sai of the Shinobi is a unique equipment card that can catch opponents off guard in Magic: The Gathering (MTG). When you understand its strengths, you can learn to counterplay effectively. This card’s advantage lies in its ability to buff creatures swiftly as they enter the battlefield, giving an immediate impact on the game.
To outplay a deck that uses Sai of the Shinobi, prioritize the removal of creatures. Without a creature to equip, Sai of the Shinobi’s value drops significantly. You can also use instant-speed spells to disrupt the timing of equipping, thereby minimizing the card’s impact. It’s essential to handle creatures as soon as they appear or to negate the equipment’s effect with artifact removal like Disenchant or Abrade. Another approach is to maintain board control; cards with the “Hexproof” ability prevent the opponent from targeting your creatures. This makes it challenging for them to establish a foothold with their Sai of the Shinobi buffs.
By focusing on these strategies, you can diminish the advantage Sai of the Shinobi gives to your opponent and maintain a stronger position in your matches.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sai of the Shinobi MTG card by a specific set like Planechase 2012 and Planechase Anthology, 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 Sai of the Shinobi 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
Printings
The Sai of the Shinobi Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2012-06-01 and 2018-03-16. Illustrated by Brian Snõddy.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-06-01 | Planechase 2012 | PC2 | 113 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 2 | 2016-11-25 | Planechase Anthology | PCA | 113 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy | |
| 3 | 2018-03-16 | Masters 25 | A25 | 230 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Brian Snõddy |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sai of the Shinobi has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sai of the Shinobi card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2018-03-16 | If you choose not to attach Sai of the Shinobi to a creature that enters the battlefield, or if you can’t (most likely because the creature has left the battlefield by the time the triggered ability resolves), Sai of the Shinobi doesn’t move. |