Kitsune Dawnblade MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	5
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Fox Samurai
Abilities	Bushido
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	16
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Carl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

Offers board control with Samurai tokens, leading to strategic advantage during both attack and defense.
Flash ability allows for surprise plays, increasing Kitsune Dawnblade’s utility in response to opponents.
Mana and discard requirements demand careful deck construction and resource management.

Text of card

Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) When Kitsune Dawnblade comes into play, you may tap target creature.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: By creating and equipping a 1/1 white Samurai creature token with bushido 1 (whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn), Kitsune Dawnblade presents an avenue to maintain board presence. This capability can turn the tides by providing additional blockers or attackers, potentially leading to a positional advantage on the board.

Resource Acceleration: Kitsune Dawnblade’s potential in resource acceleration lies in its synergy with decks that benefit from having a wide array of creatures. Utilizing creatures efficiently can lead to a more substantial mana development, ultimately allowing you to cast more impactful spells sooner than your opponent.

Instant Speed: The majority of MTG cards with token creation abilities operate at sorcery speed, which means they can only be played during your main phases. However, the flash ability of Kitsune Dawnblade allows you to summon it at instant speed, drastically increasing its strategic versatility. You can respond to your opponent’s actions on their turn, potentially surprising them with an unexpected blocker or end-of-turn threat.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To harness the Kitsune Dawnblade’s prowess, players must navigate a discard prerequisite that might strain their hand. This can lead to critical situations where the choice of what to discard becomes a tactical dilemma that could potentially disrupt a well-crafted strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: This nimble fox warrior comes with a mana cost that demands a specific color commitment, making it less flexible in multicolored decks. The necessity for white mana not only predicates a certain deck architecture but also restricts spontaneous additions to decks not aligned with white mana strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a mana value that might be perceived as hefty in fast-paced games, the Kitsune Dawnblade poses deck optimization challenges. While it is true that it brings certain abilities to the table, savvy players will weigh its cost against other alternatives that could potentially provide a swifter or more impactful presence on the battlefield with a lower investment.

Reasons to Include Kitsune Dawnblade in Your Collection

Versatility: Kitsune Dawnblade is a flexible addition to decks looking for an efficient creature that can act both offensively and defensively. This card can easily slot into a variety of white-based strategies, offering solid board presence.

Combo Potential: With its Bushido ability, Kitsune Dawnblade presents an opportunity to synergize with effects that trigger when a creature gets bigger or combat tricks that can be employed to create powerful swings during battle.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where combat is key, Kitsune Dawnblade stands out as a relevant creature capable of swinging battles in your favor. Its defensive capabilities can also be pivotal in matchups against aggressive decks.

How to beat Kitsune Dawnblade

Kitsune Dawnblade presents a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. As a creature with the bushido mechanic, it increases in power and toughness, making it a formidable foe during combat. To counteract this, players must think strategically. One approach is to use spells that bypass the combat phase, such as those that deal direct damage or those that cause target creatures to be exiled or destroyed without engaging in battle.

Another effective strategy is to employ creatures with deathtouch, ensuring Kitsune Dawnblade is destroyed regardless of its bushido bonus. Additionally, using cards that restrict your opponent’s ability to declare attackers or blockers can neutralize the advantage Kitsune Dawnblade offers. Finally, taking control of the creature with spells that change creature allegiances can flip the script, turning your opponent’s asset into your own.

Understanding the dynamics of combat, leveraging removals or control spells, and minimizing engagement with Kitsune Dawnblade are key to maintaining leverage in your matches against this card. With careful planning and the right tools in your deck, you can mitigate the threats posed by Kitsune Dawnblade effectively.

Cards like Kitsune Dawnblade

Kitsune Dawnblade, a new entrant in the pantheon of MTG creatures, offers strategic depth for players favoring combat tricks and creature-based strategies. Among its peers, the comparison shifts towards cards like Leonin Skyhunter and Silver Knight. Just like Kitsune Dawnblade, both are notable for their respective strengths in the aggressive white weenie archetype.

Leonin Skyhunter shares the same mana cost with Kitsune Dawnblade and also boasts flying, providing a consistent airborne threat. However, Kitsune Dawnblade’s bushido ability, which boosts its stats during combat, gives it an edge in power when blocking or attacking alone. Silver Knight, on the other hand, brings protection from red to the table, situating it as a counter to specific threats not addressed by Kitsune Dawnblade’s skill set.

In evaluating the utility of these creatures, Kitsune Dawnblade stands out in scenarios where combat is frequent and buffs are advantageous. Although it might not have the innate abilities of evasion like Leonin Skyhunter or specific color protection like Silver Knight, its bushido advantage is significant in enhancing board presence and tactical flexibility for white-based decks.

Cards similar to Kitsune Dawnblade by color, type and mana cost

Enduring Angel // Angelic Enforcer - MTG Card versions

Celestial Gatekeeper - MTG Card versions

Kiyomaro, First to Stand - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kitsune Dawnblade MTG card by a specific set like Saviors 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 Kitsune Dawnblade and other MTG cards: