Skyfire Kirin MTG Card

Kirin provides card advantage by utilizing opponent’s creatures during Spirit or Arcane spell casts. Its instant speed ability offers unpredictability and flexible responses to opponent’s moves. Despite certain deck restrictions, Kirin’s unique control mechanism can be a game-changer.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Kirin Spirit
Abilities	Flying
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Power	3
Toughness	3
Number	113
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Tsutomu Kawade

Text of card

Flying Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, you may gain control of target creature with that spell's converted mana cost until end of turn.

Its fiery visitation burns away the fog of war and dissipates the ties of loyalty.

Cards like Skyfire Kirin

Within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Skyfire Kirin emerges as an intriguing choice for deck builders looking to exploit the synergy between creature abilities and the arcane or spirit spell mechanic. Its kinship with cards such as Ghostly Prison is evident, both demanding your opponent to fork over extra mana to push through with attacks. While Skyfire Kirin can hijack opposing creatures when you cast spirit or arcane spells, Ghostly Prison lacks this dynamic interaction but compensates by having a consistent defensive posture.

Glaring at Iname as One, we observe another relative in this arcane interaction. Unlike Skyfire Kirin, this legendary creature offers a dual natured benefit, allowing the retrieval of spirits from the graveyard to your hand or casting them directly into play. It misses the on-cast trigger but exerts a strong late-game presence. Next to them is the Kodama of the South Tree, which while does not provide control effects, it boosts your creatures whenever you cast spirits or arcane spells, fostering a powerful offensive strategy compared to Skyfire Kirin’s control-focused utility.

Comparing these options shows Skyfire Kirin’s unique position in MTG decks that favor both temporary control of the battlefield and sneak attacks, marking its spot as a card that balances strategy and surprise in gameplay.

Kodama of the South Tree - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Skyfire Kirin by color, type and mana cost

Krark-Clan Engineers - MTG Card versions

Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Skyfire Kirin brings a unique form of card advantage to the battlefield. By taking control of your opponent’s creatures whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, it disrupts their board and can potentially turn their resources against them. This dynamic offers more than just card removal—it effectively borrows opposing threats for your gain.

Resource Acceleration: This versatile card can lead you toward resource acceleration by freeing up your mana. Each time you harness an opponent’s creature, you may not need to cast your own creatures to establish a presence on the board, allowing you to save mana for other pivotal plays or spells that could further your game strategy.

Instant Speed: The ability of Skyfire Kirin activates at instant speed, meaning you have the flexibility to respond to your opponent’s plays during their turn. This not only catches opponents off guard but also maximizes the potential of your Spirits and Arcane spells, turning them into surprise control mechanisms that could shift the tide of the game in your favor.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Skyfire Kirin requires that you have a Spirit or Arcane card to discard in order to capitalize on its ability. This can be a significant setback if your hand doesn’t support this condition or if you’re running low on these particular card types.

Specific Mana Cost: This card necessitates a precise allocation of three red mana and one of any color. This particular mana requirement can potentially restrict deck-building options, particularly in multicolored decks where mana fixing is crucial.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a four mana cost for its 2/2 body and triggered ability, Skyfire Kirin might be considered mana-intensive when measured against other creatures and spells that provide similar or superior effects for less investment. In fast-paced games, this could be a limiting factor in its playability and effectiveness.

Reasons to Include Skyfire Kirin in Your Collection

Versatility: Skyfire Kirin brings unique flexibility to decks that utilize Spirit or Arcane spells, as it can capitalize on these spells to control your opponent’s board by taking temporary command of their creatures.

Combo Potential: With Skyfire Kirin, you can to design combos around its ability to hijack creatures. This can result in unexpected board swings, particularly when combining with cards that benefit from stealing or sacrificing creatures.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment heavy with creature-based strategies, Skyfire Kirin’s control changing ability can disrupt your opponent’s plans. It acts as a temporary removal plus a potential blocker or attacker in your favor.

How to beat Skyfire Kirin

Skyfire Kirin brings a unique ability to the battlefield in MTG, harnessing the power of Spirits to temporarily control your opponent’s creatures. Its specific mechanic activates when you play a Spirit or arcane spell, allowing you to gain control of a creature with converted mana cost equal to that spell’s cost. To counter this, consider minimizing the number of targets available. Keep your creature’s converted mana costs varied to reduce the Kirin’s potential impact.

Removal spells are your best friend against Skyfire Kirin. Direct damage spells or those that allow you to destroy or exile creatures at instant speed give you a chance to respond before the Kirin’s ability triggers. Moreover, playing around with countermagic ensures that the Kirin never makes it to the battlefield or that key arcane or Spirit spells don’t resolve. By keeping the board clear or by protecting your key assets with counterspells, countering Skyfire Kirin’s temporary theft becomes a manageable task for any seasoned player.

Ultimately, Skyfire Kirin can be a formidable opponent if left unchecked. Always be prepared with instant speed interaction or a diverse set of creatures to limit its control over the game, and you’ll be well-equipped to keep your MTG matches in your favor.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Skyfire Kirin 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 Skyfire Kirin and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Skyfire Kirin has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Modern	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal
Penny	Legal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Skyfire Kirin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date	Text
2005-06-01	If the Spirit or Arcane spell has in the mana cost, then you use the value of on the stack. For example, Shining Shoal costs . If you choose X = 2, then Shining Shoal’s converted mana cost is 4. Shining Shoal also has an ability that says “You may exile a white card with converted mana cost X from your hand rather than pay Shining Shoal’s mana cost”; if you choose to pay the alternative cost and exile a card with converted mana cost 2, then X is 2 while Shining Shoal is on the stack and its converted mana cost is 4.