Sunblade Samurai MTG Card


Gain card advantage and strengthen defenses with Sunblade Samurai’s renown and vigilance abilities. Despite specific mana needs and potential card disadvantage, the card’s strengths often outweigh its weaknesses. Brings versatility and meta-relevance, fitting well into multiple deck themes and strategies.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityCommon
TypeEnchantment Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities Channel, Vigilance
Power 4
Toughness 4

Text of card

Vigilance Channel — , Discard Sunblade Samurai: Search your library for a basic Plains card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle. You gain 2 life.


Cards like Sunblade Samurai

The Sunblade Samurai is a unique creature card that finds its place in the expansive world of Magic: The Gathering. When considering its comparison to other cards, its vigilance and special ability to become equipped as you cast an Equipment spell without paying the equip cost makes it stand out. Compared to cards like Kor Duelist, which also leverages equipment synergies by gaining double strike, Sunblade Samurai offers a more straightforward value in speeding up the equipment process.

Another similar card worth mentioning is Armory Automaton. Although the Automaton also interacts with equipment by attaching any number of Equipment cards to it when it enters the battlefield or attacks, it necessitates already having those artifacts in play, unlike Sunblade Samurai, which applies to casting. This distinction can significantly influence the pace and strategy of your gameplay, offering immediate utility with the Samurai.

In review of different cards with Equipment-related abilities, Sunblade Samurai presents a novel utility by removing the usual cost of arming creatures, allowing players to allocate mana elsewhere and streamline their battle tactics, enhancing its value in MTG decks focused on Equipment strategies.

Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Armory Automaton - MTG Card versions
Kor Duelist - MTG Card versions
Armory Automaton - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Sunblade Samurai by color, type and mana cost

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Call for Unity - MTG Card versions
Safeguard - MTG Card versions
Noble Stand - MTG Card versions
Righteous Cause - MTG Card versions
Noble Purpose - MTG Card versions
Lucent Liminid - MTG Card versions
Angelic Chorus - MTG Card versions
Boon Reflection - MTG Card versions
Mammoth Umbra - MTG Card versions
Commander's Authority - MTG Card versions
Cathars' Crusade - MTG Card versions
Sigil of the Empty Throne - MTG Card versions
Debtor's Pulpit - MTG Card versions
Celestial Archon - MTG Card versions
Mystic Barrier - MTG Card versions
Dictate of Heliod - MTG Card versions
Skybind - MTG Card versions
Spectra Ward - MTG Card versions
Knightly Valor - MTG Card versions
Consulate Crackdown - MTG Card versions
Call for Unity - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Sunblade Samurai. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free form79#CS

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Sunblade Samurai lets you bolster your hand by potentially drawing additional cards through its renown mechanic, granting you an edge in resource management.

Resource Acceleration: This card synergizes well with ramp strategies, as its vigilance allows for a robust defense while still committing to an offensive board presence.

Instant Speed: Although the Sunblade Samurai itself doesn’t operate at instant speed, it pairs effectively with instant-speed spells and abilities that can modify combat outcomes favourably, allowing it to make an immediate impact on the game state.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: To fully utilize Sunblade Samurai’s abilities, you may need to discard other valuable cards, which can leave you at a card disadvantage and unable to respond to threats effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: Sunblade Samurai’s casting cost demands a specific combination of colored mana, making it a somewhat clunky fit in multicolored decks that may not always have the right mana available when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a cost that might be seen as steep for its stats and abilities, Sunblade Samurai competes with other cards in the same mana range which may offer immediate impact or more powerful effects on the game board.


Reasons to Include Sunblade Samurai in Your Collection

Versatility: The Sunblade Samurai flexes well into a variety of deck themes, particularly those that appreciate a sturdy presence on the battlefield that can serve as both an offensive and defensive asset.

Combo Potential: This card shows promise in combos, considering its potential to synergize with abilities that get triggered when creatures with a certain power enter the field, or its interaction with equipment and aura spells.

Meta-Relevance: Given the current trend towards creature-based strategies, Sunblade Samurai’s solid stats and abilities could provide an essential edge, making it a practical choice against numerous opposing decks.


How to beat

The Sunblade Samurai is an exciting warrior to wield in your MTG deck, particularly for its vigilance and the potential to boost its power with each equipped or enchanted card. To outmaneuver this vigilant protector, consider deploying removal spells that can bypass its potential for power accumulation. Targeted cards such as Doom Blade for non-black creatures or Declaration in Stone for mass removal can efficiently deal with the Samurai before it becomes a formidable threat.

Another effective approach is to use board control strategies. Sweepers like Day of Judgement or Wrath of God can reset the battlefield, removing the Sunblade Samurai regardless of how many enhancements it has garnered. For those who prefer to outlast their opponents, enchantments that reduce power, such as Pacifism or Frogify, can neutralize the Samurai, rendering it an ineffective blocker and attacker without the need for outright removal.

In essence, overcoming the challenge of the Sunblade Samurai hinges on pre-emptive control or removal. Implementing these strategies can ensure that this powerful warrior doesn’t cut through your defenses and lead to your downfall in the game.


BurnMana Recommendations

The Sunblade Samurai emerges as a contender for your MTG collection, offering distinct advantages in deck strategies valuing vigilance, and card draw. Thriving in the nuanced battlefield of MTG, this samurai can sharpen your deck’s edge, providing utility whether you’re advancing your board state or bolstering defenses. If you’re aiming to enhance your play with clever synergy and resource acceleration, delve deeper into the strategic implementations this card offers. Curate your deck with cards that not only support your game plan but evolve with the meta. Discover more insights and optimize your arsenal for your next victory with us.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Sunblade Samurai MTG card by a specific set like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, 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 Sunblade Samurai and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Sunblade Samurai Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 392015NormalBlackAaron Miller
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3152015NormalBlackShirai Hidemi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Sunblade Samurai has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-02-18 Discarding the card is part of the cost to activate a channel ability.
2022-02-18 If a channel ability requires a target, you may not activate it without a target just to discard the card.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.