Seshiro the Anointed MTG Card


Seshiro provides significant advantage by strengthening snakes and offering card draw on combat damage. It requires a snake-focused strategy and has a specific mana cost that may limit deck versatility. As a tribal leader, Seshiro rivals other creature buffs, uniquely benefiting snake-based mechanics.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Snake Monk
Power 3
Toughness 4

Text of card

Other Snakes you control get +2/+2. Whenever a Snake you control deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card.

His family was the first to reach out to the human monks. He soon knew as many koans as he did blade strikes.


Cards like Seshiro the Anointed

In the realm of Commander decks for MTG, Seshiro the Anointed stands tall as a powerful leader for snake tribal strategies. Its closest counterpart is its sibling, Shisato, Whispering Hunter, who also boosts snake creatures by allowing them to deal damage without being blocked. However, Seshiro’s ability to grant snake creatures +2/+2 and the additional card draw whenever a snake deals combat damage ensures your hand remains full, giving it an edge in maintaining pressure on the battlefield.

Another serpent-style leader is Kaseto, Orochi Archmage, which lets you turn any creature into a sneaky reptile and make it unblockable for a strike – though it lacks the tribal synergistic element and the stat increase provided by Seshiro. The Anointed One also exhibits a resemblance to the Lords of other tribes, such as Elenda, the Dusk Rose for vampires or Ezuri, Renegade Leader for elves, offering similar global buffs but tailored to their respective tribes. Nevertheless, Seshiro is unique as it helps snake aficionados to slither their way to victory through card advantage and an inclusive anthem effect.

Ultimately, while there are numerous tribal leaders in MTG, Seshiro the Anointed maintains a unique position, especially in green-centric decks that thrive on creature synergy and card draw for an overwhelming board presence.

Shisato, Whispering Hunter - MTG Card versions
Kaseto, Orochi Archmage - MTG Card versions
Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Ezuri, Renegade Leader - MTG Card versions
Shisato, Whispering Hunter - MTG Card versions
Kaseto, Orochi Archmage - MTG Card versions
Elenda, the Dusk Rose - MTG Card versions
Ezuri, Renegade Leader - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Seshiro the Anointed by color, type and mana cost

Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
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Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions
Craw Wurm - MTG Card versions
Gaea's Liege - MTG Card versions
Wiitigo - MTG Card versions
Autumn Willow - MTG Card versions
Ancient Silverback - MTG Card versions
Sulam Djinn - MTG Card versions
Verdeloth the Ancient - MTG Card versions
Nemata, Grove Guardian - MTG Card versions
Gang of Elk - MTG Card versions
Kavu Howler - MTG Card versions
Crashing Centaur - MTG Card versions
Giant Warthog - MTG Card versions
Rhox - MTG Card versions
Kodama of the East Tree - MTG Card versions
Terra Stomper - MTG Card versions
Feral Throwback - MTG Card versions
Brontotherium - MTG Card versions
Elvish Aberration - MTG Card versions
Force of Nature - MTG Card versions
Fangren Pathcutter - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Seshiro the Anointed provides you with a substantial edge as it empowers each Snake you control, adding +2/+2 to their stats. When you control a deck that consistently produces Snake tokens or features Snake creatures, Seshiro not only bolsters your army but also encourages a more aggressive gameplay. Each Snake that hits the battlefield becomes an immediate threat, potentially overwhelming opponents with a surge in board presence.

Resource Acceleration: Seshiro the Anointed can significantly speed up your game plan. Whenever a Snake you control deals combat damage to a player, you may draw a card. This mechanism not only boosts your hand with additional resources but can also create a snowball effect, propelling you toward victory as you maintain pressure and card flow, thus extending your reach over the game’s resources.

Instant Speed: While Seshiro the Anointed itself does not operate at instant speed, the card advantage it offers allows for greater flexibility, giving you more options to respond to your opponent’s moves. With more cards in hand, you can better prepare to cast those crucial instant-speed spells at the right moment, effectively using Seshiro’s ability to sustain a hand capable of interacting or disrupting opponent strategies on their turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Seshiro the Anointed provides powerful benefits to snake creatures, it demands a commanding presence on the field, which may require you to discard other potential plays to maintain its dominance. Keeping your hand full can become challenging.

Specific Mana Cost: Seshiro the Anointed’s cost is not just steep but also specific, calling for two green mana. This restricts its integration to mainly green decks or those with a mana base tailored to accommodate such requirements, potentially limiting its versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of six mana, Seshiro the Anointed can be considered a late-game drop. Players may find that investing in this card early on could lead to a slower start compared to other decks that offer lower cost creatures with immediate board impact.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Seshiro the Anointed offers a broad scope of utility in commander decks centered around snakes. It’s a powerhouse in tribal strategies, exponentially increasing the threat of each snake creature on the battlefield with its static ability.

Combo Potential: With Seshiro on the field, snake-themed cards become more than just creatures. They form a synergistic force, offering card draw for each snake that deals combat damage, potentially leading to explosive turns and overwhelming board states.

Meta-Relevance: In metas where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Seshiro the Anointed can ensure your creatures not only grow in power but also replenish your hand, keeping you competitive and capable of reacting to various scenarios.


How to Beat

Seshiro the Anointed is a powerful commander in MTG that bolsters snake creatures, granting them an anthem effect and card draw ability. Dealing with this Legendary Creature requires a calculated approach. Control strategies can be pivotal, utilizing cards like Wrath of God to clear the board before Seshiro’s benefits become overwhelming. Spot removals such as Path to Exile can remove Seshiro directly, stifling the synergy he provides to his slithery companions.

For those preferring a more subtle strategy, cards like Meekstone can limit the effectiveness of the creature buffs by keeping the potentially larger, buffed snakes from attacking. Counterspells also play a key role in stopping Seshiro from hitting the battlefield in the first place, with options like Counterspell or Mana Leak at your disposal. If he’s already in play, remember that enchantments like Darksteel Mutation can neutralize him without sending him back to the command zone, impairing your opponent’s game plan further.

Ultimately, beating Seshiro the Anointed involves disrupting the board state and preventing or mitigating the synergistic advantages he provides. Proper timing and choice of intervention can put you one step ahead, maintaining the control of the game flow against this formidable MTG card.


BurnMana Recommendations

As an MTG enthusiast diving into the intricate world of tribal decks, the appeal of Seshiro the Anointed is unmistakable. This legendary creature has the potential to be the linchpin of a formidable snake-themed strategy, bringing together the synergy of card advantage and significant power boosts. If your collection is craving a card that merges strength with a consistently full hand, Seshiro is undoubtedly a prime candidate. Join us in exploring the depths of this snake commander’s capabilities and discover the optimal ways to enhance your green-centric deck for that ultimate match-winning slither. Dive deeper with us to elevate your MTG collection and strategies.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Seshiro the Anointed MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Seshiro the Anointed and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Seshiro the Anointed Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2019-12-02. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 2412003NormalBlackDaren Bader
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 12242015NormalBorderlessNIARK1
32020-09-26The ListPLST CHK-2412003NormalBlackDaren Bader

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Seshiro the Anointed has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal