Sokenzan Bruiser MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 5 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Ogre Warrior |
| Abilities | Mountainwalk |
| Released | 2004-10-01 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Champions of Kamigawa |
| Set code | CHK |
| Power | 3 |
| Toughness | 3 |
| Number | 188 |
| Frame | 2003 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Paolo Parente |
Text of card
Mountainwalk
"We camped near the Sokenzan Mountains. Though I know its inhabitants are sparse, I hear cries coming from the highest peaks every night, as if the mountains themselves bellow for vengeance." —Lost Battalion, message to General Takeno
Cards like Sokenzan Bruiser
Sokenzan Bruiser finds its place in the realm of aggressive red creatures in Magic: The Gathering. It bears similarities with creatures like Frenzied Goblin, known for requiring additional mana to disable blockers. Sokenzan Bruiser, though, offers an innate ‘menace’ ability, ensuring it can only be blocked by two or more creatures, which tactically puts the opponent at a disadvantage without ongoing mana investment. This makes it a formidable attacker right from the start.
Another comparable creature is Valley Dasher, which shares the Haste attribute, allowing it to swing into battle the moment it hits the battlefield. However, Valley Dasher doesn’t have the ‘menace’ ability, nor the added resilience that Sokenzan Bruiser’s four toughness provides. This additional bulk helps the Bruiser survive engagements where Valley Dasher may not. Conversely, Goblin Heelcutter also disrupts the opponent’s defense but through an ability triggered when it attacks, temporarily neutralizing a potential blocker. While both cards offer strategic advantages in combat, Sokenzan Bruiser stands out for its intrinsic evasion and durability.
Evaluating these options, Sokenzan Bruiser notably carves a niche for itself among red combat-oriented creatures, successfully combining haste and menace for immediate board presence and favorable engagement terms. Its characteristics make it uniquely appealing for players who favor aggressive strategies.
Cards similar to Sokenzan Bruiser by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sokenzan Bruiser is designed to provide a steady advantage. Each time you initiate an attack with it, you have the possibility of putting a samurai or Warrior card from your hand onto the battlefield tapped and attacking. This increases your battlefield presence without sacrificing additional cards from your hand, keeping your options open.
Resource Acceleration: This crucial feature of the Sokenzan Bruiser plays a significant role in advancing your resources. As you place more creatures onto the battlefield, you bolster your forces and apply pressure, all without spending extra mana for that turn. This acceleration can be the difference between a standard play and an overwhelming advantage.
Instant Speed: Although the Sokenzan Bruiser itself is not an instant, it compliments instant-speed spells well. By adding more warriors to the battlefield, you can potentially benefit from synergies with cards that can be played at instant speed, thus improving your reactions and plays during the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sokenzan Bruiser’s ability necessitates discarding a card, which could deplete your hand and leave you in a precarious position if you’re low on options.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires a specific combination of mana to cast, including red, which may not align with all deck strategies and can reduce its applicability across various types of decks.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: The mana cost for bringing Sokenzan Bruiser into play is somewhat elevated when weighed against other cards with similar attack power, which could lead to inefficiencies in mana management throughout the game.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sokenzan Bruiser bolsters decks that thrive on aggressive strategies and becomes a reliable player in red aggro builds. It adapts to various game phases, making it a handy card throughout your match.
Combo Potential: Harnessing the power of channel abilities, this card synergizes with decks that capitalize on instant-speed effects. Additionally, its interactions with cards that trigger on discarding or drawing can define game-changing moments.
Meta-Relevance: Given the current landscape that favors quick, decisive plays, Sokenzan Bruiser slots seamlessly into the meta. Its ability to operate as both a creature and a source of tempo gain ensures it maintains relevance against various common deck types.
How to Beat Sokenzan Bruiser
Sokenzan Bruiser can be a powerful aggressor on the battlefield due to its built-in menace, making it troublesome to block in one-on-one combat. Facing down this creature requires strategic blocking, as you’ll need at least two creatures to intercept it. This makes chump blocking with expendable creatures an effective tactic. Creating token creatures or having creatures with afterlife can supply the necessary numbers to mount a defense without eroding your essential forces.
Another effective strategy against Sokenzan Bruiser is removal spells that bypass its menace ability. Efficient removal like Fatal Push or Path to Exile can get rid of the Bruiser before it becomes a major threat. And for decks that can’t handle it in combat, enchantment-based removal such as Pacifism or Lignify can neutralize the Bruiser without having to engage it directly.
Finally, playing around the card involves understanding the timing of when it’s cast. As it’s a creature that thrives in the red zone, countering it upon casting or having instant-speed interaction can prevent it from ever posing a threat. Adapting your play to manage threats like Sokenzan Bruiser is key for maintaining control of the game.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sokenzan Bruiser MTG card by a specific set like Champions 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 Sokenzan Bruiser and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sokenzan Bruiser has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |