Sunspear Shikari MTG Card
2010-10-01 - Number 23
2015-05-22 - Number 35
2017-08-25 - Number 75
2023-08-04 - Number 62
2023-08-04 - Number 4
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Cat Soldier |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 2 |
Text of card
As long as Sunspear Shikari is equipped, it has first strike and lifelink.
Left without their leader Raksha, the leonin split into two prides: one side supported the regent kha, while the other rebelled in fury.
Cards like Sunspear Shikari
Sunspear Shikari stands out in the realm of creature enhancement within Magic: The Gathering. As a creature that gains lifelink and first strike when equipped, it shares similarities with cards that synergize with equipment. A notable comparison is with Kor Duelist, which gains double strike when equipped—significantly increasing its damage potential. While Sunspear Shikari offers a defensive advantage with lifelink and first strike, Kor Duelist leans towards aggressive play with its damage output.
Leonin Den-Guard is another creature that interacts well with equipment, as it gains +1/+1 when equipped. Though it doesn’t offer as straightforward a combat advantage as lifelink or first strike, the scaling power and toughness can be substantial in a deck focused on equipping creatures. The difference in mana cost and potential size scaling makes Leonin Den-Guard an interesting alternative within the same strategy.
Analyzing the synergy these creatures have with equipment, Sunspear Shikari uses its abilities to provide a significant edge during combat, showcasing its unique strengths in an equipment-themed deck. It’s the balance between defense and offense that gives Sunspear Shikari a valued spot in MTG as a versatile creature.
Cards similar to Sunspear Shikari by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: The Sunspear Shikari is a boon for players seeking card advantage, especially in equipment-themed decks. Once properly equipped, this creature becomes a significant threat by drawing you a card each time it deals combat damage, thanks to its in-built mechanics or synergy with equipment like Sword of Fire and Ice.
Resource Acceleration: This card shines by enabling quick resource acceleration. Equipping the Sunspear Shikari often leads to a speedier board presence that can be further amplified with cards like Puresteel Paladin, allowing you to lay down multiple pieces of equipment at virtually no cost.
Instant Speed: While the Sunspear Shikari itself isn’t an instant, it pairs superbly with equipment that has flash or can be attached at instant speed. This synergy allows you to react during your opponent’s turn, suddenly turning a benign creature into a formidable foe. Additionally, equipping at instant speed can catch an opponent off guard, leading to advantageous combat scenarios.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sunspear Shikari itself doesn’t have a discard requirement, but in order to tap into its full potential, you often need equipment cards. This can be taxing on your hand, as you might have to let go of other valuable cards to keep the gear needed to empower your Shikari.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature requires white mana, which means its inclusion is predominantly in white or multicolored decks. Those running a single color or different color combinations may find it challenging to integrate Sunspear Shikari into their strategy.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, Sunspear Shikari isn’t the most expensive creature, but it doesn’t offer immediate value upon being played without equipment. In a fast-paced game, allocating additional mana to equip the Shikari can put you behind your opponents who are possibly using their mana more efficiently on other creatures or spells.
Reasons to Include Sunspear Shikari in Your Collection
Versatility: Sunspear Shikari stands out with its flexibility in deck building. As a card that rewards equipment strategies, it can be a solid addition to both aggressive and mid-range decks, enhancing their board presence significantly when equipped.
Combo Potential: This creature thrives on synergy, particularly with decks that are heavy on equipment. When equipped, it gains both lifelink and first strike, making it an excellent combo with equipment that boosts power or offers additional abilities, thereby increasing its threat on the battlefield.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta that favors creature-based combat, Sunspear Shikari can become a valuable asset. Its ability to become a formidable lifelink and first strike combatant makes it particularly relevant in games where maintaining life total while controlling the board is crucial.
How to beat
Sunspear Shikari is a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, especially powerful within artifact-rich decks. This Leonin warrior gains considerable benefits when equipped with an artifact, transforming from a basic creature to a potent threat with both lifelink and first strike capabilities. While it might seem challenging to tackle, there are strategies to outmaneuver this card.
One effective tactic is removing the Shikari’s support system by targeting the artifacts it relies on. Artifact removal spells can swiftly dismantle the enhancements provided by equipment, rendering the Shikari far less threatening. Cards like Naturalize or Abrade that destroy artifacts are excellent counters. In addition, utilizing combat tricks to handle the Shikari before it becomes equipped, or employing removal spells such as Doom Blade or Path to Exile, can efficiently deal with it directly, even when armed.
Furthermore, since Sunspear Shikari thrives in a deck with plentiful artifacts, strategies that interfere with a player’s ability to deploy equipment, like land destruction or imposing additional costs on artifact spells, can stifle the synergy that the Shikari relies upon, reducing its impact on the battlefield. Therefore, with the right approach, overcoming the strength of Sunspear Shikari becomes a manageable feat.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sunspear Shikari MTG card by a specific set like Scars of Mirrodin and Modern Masters 2015, 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 Sunspear Shikari and other MTG cards:
BUY NOW BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
- 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
Printings
The Sunspear Shikari Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2010-10-01 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010-10-01 | Scars of Mirrodin | SOM | 23 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 2 | 2015-05-22 | Modern Masters 2015 | MM2 | 35 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 3 | 2017-08-25 | Commander 2017 | C17 | 75 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Allen Williams | |
| 4 | 2023-08-04 | Commander Masters | CMM | 62 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Samuel Perin | |
| 5 | Commander Masters Art Series | ACMM | 4 | 2015 | Art series | Borderless | Samuel Perin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sunspear Shikari has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Sunspear Shikari card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2011-01-01 | If all Equipment attached to Sunspear Shikari somehow becomes unequipped after it deals combat damage in the first combat damage step, it won’t assign combat damage in the second combat damage step. |