Manriki-Gusari MTG Card


Manriki-Gusari - Saviors of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeArtifact — Equipment
Abilities Equip
Released2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set nameSaviors of Kamigawa
Set codeSOK
Number156
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byThomas Gianni

Key Takeaways

  1. Manriki-Gusari offers card advantage by removing opposing equipment, shifting board control.
  2. Its instant-speed equip feature makes it a flexible and tactical asset during games.
  3. Though potentially resource-heavy, this artifact’s strategic value can justify its cost.

Text of card

Equipped creature gets +1/+2 and has ": Destroy target Equipment." Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)


Card Pros

Card Advantage: When equipped, Manriki-Gusari can effectively dispatch opposing creatures with equipment attachments, potentially stripping opponents of their benefits and tipping the scales in your favor, creating a relative card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: Manriki-Gusari requires little investment with a low equip cost, granting a swift boost to your creature without slowing down your resource deployment, enabling the acceleration of your game plan.

Instant Speed: This artifact can be equipped at instant speed, allowing for tactical adjustments in response to your opponent’s actions, making it a versatile tool for seizing control of the board.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Equipping the Manriki-Gusari requires you to first get it on the battlefield and then spend additional resources to attach it to a creature. This overhead may detract from other strategic plays and can be a setback if your hand or board is already stretched thin.

Specific Mana Cost: The artifact demands a precise mana investment to cast and equip, which can be cumbersome in multicolored or mana-intensive decks. The need for the right mana at the right time to make the most of the Manriki-Gusari can potentially disrupt your gameplay rhythm.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although the equipment’s ability to destroy other equipment is unique, its total cost (casting plus equipping) can be steep compared to other equipment cards in the game. This can slow you down, especially in quicker, more aggressive formats where each mana point and turn counts.


Reasons to Include Manriki-Gusari in Your Collection

Versatility: Manriki-Gusari is not just equipment for creature enhancement; it’s also a key piece that can dismantle an opponent’s strategy. Its ability to detach equipment from creatures makes it adaptable in various match-ups.

Combo Potential: This card synergizes well with creatures that have tap or untap abilities. By equipping Manriki-Gusari, you can repeatedly control the board by stripping adversaries’ creatures of their enhancements, which can turn the tide in a tightly contested game.

Meta-Relevance: Given the prevalence of equipment and aura-based decks, having a tool like Manriki-Gusari can give you an edge. It’s a cost-effective way to manage threats and maintain board presence against decks relying on equipment combos and buffs.


How to beat

The Manriki-Gusari is a unique artifact equipment in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to both boost your creature’s power and untap it, while potentially stripping opponents of their valuable equipment. Overcoming this card requires strategic play and precise timing. One efficient method is to utilize instant-speed removal spells when your opponent tries to equip Manriki-Gusari, thereby disrupting their setup and wasting their mana investment for that turn.

Another tactic is to minimize reliance on equipment in your deck strategy, thus reducing Manriki-Gusari’s impact. Instead, focus on creatures with inherent abilities or spells that generate value without the need to equip. Artifact removal spells like Disenchant or Naturalize are also effective since they can directly target and remove Manriki-Gusari from the battlefield. Efficient counterspells can prevent Manriki-Gusari from ever landing on the field.

Lastly, keeping a watchful eye on the board state and maintaining a hand with answers to potential equipment threats can ensure that manriki-Gusari doesn’t disrupt your path to victory. Adaptability and prediction are key in outmaneuvering decks that rely on Manriki-Gusari’s power-shift potential.


Cards like Manriki-Gusari

Manriki-Gusari is a unique piece of equipment in the world of MTG. Its closest kin on the battlefield are cards like Umezawa’s Jitte and Sword of Fire and Ice. Umezawa’s Jitte offers versatility with its ability counters that can empower creatures or weaken adversaries. Although Manriki-Gusari lacks this flexibility, it compensates by specifically targeting and neutralizing opposing equipment, which can be critical in equipment-heavy match-ups.

Then there’s Sword of Fire and Ice, providing dual benefits with its capability to deal damage and draw cards. While Manriki-Gusari doesn’t impact the board as directly, its lower equip cost makes it more accessible in the early stages of the game. Its ability to unequip opponents creates a level of interaction these other cards don’t offer, giving players the upper hand in terms of strategic equipment control.

Overall, while not as flashy as some alternatives, Manriki-Gusari secures its place among useful utility cards. It presents an unassuming but potent option for players looking to disrupt their opponents’ strategies by targeting the very tools they rely upon. Its low cost and precise effect can be exactly what’s needed to tip the scales in a player’s favor.

Umezawa's Jitte - MTG Card versions
Sword of Fire and Ice - MTG Card versions
Umezawa's Jitte - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)
Sword of Fire and Ice - Darksteel (DST)

Cards similar to Manriki-Gusari by color, type and mana cost

Chaos Orb - MTG Card versions
Winter Orb - MTG Card versions
Ankh of Mishra - MTG Card versions
Amulet of Kroog - MTG Card versions
Nacre Talisman - MTG Card versions
Howling Mine - MTG Card versions
Essence Bottle - MTG Card versions
Emerald Medallion - MTG Card versions
Scrying Glass - MTG Card versions
Cursed Totem - MTG Card versions
Tsabo's Web - MTG Card versions
Millikin - MTG Card versions
Ark of Blight - MTG Card versions
Surestrike Trident - MTG Card versions
Energy Chamber - MTG Card versions
Water Gun Balloon Game - MTG Card versions
Angel's Feather - MTG Card versions
Demon's Horn - MTG Card versions
Elsewhere Flask - MTG Card versions
Dragon's Claw - MTG Card versions
Chaos Orb - Unlimited Edition (2ED)
Winter Orb - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Ankh of Mishra - Collectors' Edition (CED)
Amulet of Kroog - Rinascimento (RIN)
Nacre Talisman - Ice Age (ICE)
Howling Mine - Fifth Edition (5ED)
Essence Bottle - Tempest (TMP)
Emerald Medallion - Commander Anthology (CMA)
Scrying Glass - Urza's Destiny (UDS)
Cursed Totem - World Championship Decks 2000 (WC00)
Tsabo's Web - World Championship Decks 2001 (WC01)
Millikin - Odyssey (ODY)
Ark of Blight - Scourge (SCG)
Surestrike Trident - Darksteel (DST)
Energy Chamber - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Water Gun Balloon Game - Unhinged (UNH)
Angel's Feather - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Demon's Horn - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Elsewhere Flask - Shadowmoor (SHM)
Dragon's Claw - Duels of the Planeswalkers (DPA)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Manriki-Gusari 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 Manriki-Gusari and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Manriki-Gusari has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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