Ronin Cavekeeper MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	6
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities	Bushido
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Power	4
Toughness	3
Number	111
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Paolo Parente

Key Takeaways

Card advantage gained from Ronin Cavekeeper can sustain your hand, providing sustained board pressure.
Resource acceleration through saved mana, allowing strategic reallocation instead of removal costs.
Instant speed interactions or abilities enhance tactical depth and game plan unpredictability.

Text of card

Bushido 2 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.)

The akki were surprised to encounter a human who could fight in the caves as well as they.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ronin Cavekeeper can potentially create a scenario where you’re leveraging your cards to apply pressure while maintaining a robust hand. By enabling you to draw into your deck every time it deals combat damage, the card ensures that your resources aren’t easily depleted, giving you a significant upper hand as the game progresses.

Resource Acceleration: This card might not produce Treasure tokens or mana directly, but it can offer resource acceleration in a roundabout way. By controlling opponents’ creatures through its various abilities, you’re effectively saving mana that would otherwise be spent on removal spells, allowing you to allocate those resources elsewhere.

Instant Speed: If Ronin Cavekeeper has any abilities that can be activated at instant speed—or interacts with instant speed mechanics—it becomes a versatile tool in your arsenal. The capability to respond to threats or opportunities during your opponent’s turn provides strategic depth and unpredictability, which can throw off your adversary’s game plan.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One limiting factor is the requirement to discard a card for an additional ability, which could be disruptive to your hand, especially when options are thinning.

Specific Mana Cost: Ronin Cavekeeper comes with a precise mana cost that incorporates red mana. This makes it less flexible as it fits primarily in red-themed decks or those that can accommodate a red splash.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its mana cost on the higher side, it’s essential to weigh the on-field impact of Ronin Cavekeeper against other options available within the same mana range, as there may be creatures or effects that provide greater value or synergy.

Reasons to Include Ronin Cavekeeper in Your Collection

Versatility: Ronin Cavekeeper is a flexible option for decks that require a sturdy defender early on and can become an aggressive force later in the game.

Combo Potential: With its capability to switch between defense and offense, this card is excellent for strategies that pivot based on the board state, interacting well with cards that capitalize on creature abilities.

Meta-Relevance: Given the creature-heavy compositions frequently seen in play, Ronin Cavekeeper’s dual role ensures relevance in various matchups, allowing for tactical adaptability.

How to beat

Ronin Cavekeeper is a card that demands a specific approach to overcome its strengths on the battlefield. This card, recognized for its prowess in combat, can be a real nuisance due to its ability to become stronger with certain mechanics or game states. To effectively neutralize Ronin Cavekeeper, it’s crucial to employ strategies that either bypass its combat abilities or remove it before it becomes too much of a threat.

One strategy is to use removal spells that can target Ronin Cavekeeper directly, such as Path to Exile or Murder, before it gets buffed or its abilities become relevant. Alternatively, controlling the game state through counterspells and board wipes can prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s also effective to deploy creatures with flying or other evasion abilities, as they are commonly overlooked when building a defense against ground-based threats like Ronin Cavekeeper.

By considering these tactics and maintaining control over the board, you can prevent Ronin Cavekeeper from becoming an insurmountable obstacle. Understanding the intricacies of how Ronin Cavekeeper interacts with other cards is key to forming a strategy that keeps this powerful creature in check.

Cards like Ronin Cavekeeper

Ronin Cavekeeper marks its territory within Magic: The Gathering’s realm of red creature cards. It shares some common ground with cards like Rakdos Shred-Freak, as both creatures boast haste, allowing them to attack the moment they enter the battlefield. However, Ronin Cavekeeper benefits from having a higher power, which can make a significant difference in battle.

Delving into cards like Viashino Runner presents an interesting comparison. While Viashino Runner has a larger body and lacks haste, it compensates with its ability to sneak past defenders, presenting a different kind of tactical advantage on the field. On the contrary, Ronin Cavekeeper’s haste feature and cost make it a formidable choice for a fast-paced, aggressive strategy.

In essence, Ronin Cavekeeper can be a valuable asset in decks that aim to deal quick damage and pressure opponents early in the game. In the diverse world of creatures in Magic: The Gathering, it finds itself in a competitive slot where speed and power converge to shape the dynamics of the match from the onset.

Cards similar to Ronin Cavekeeper by color, type and mana cost

Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions

Lu Bu, Master-at-Arms - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ronin Cavekeeper 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 Ronin Cavekeeper and other MTG cards: