Teardrop Kami MTG Card

Provides deck cycling and strategic advantage with instant speed sacrifice ability. Contributes to Spirit tribal synergy and resource acceleration in games. Requires careful play to mitigate hand advantage loss from discard.

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Spirit
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	1
Toughness	1
Number	55
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Michael Sutfin

Text of card

Sacrifice Teardrop Kami: Tap or untap target creature.

"Do not fall into the trap of thinking you understand the kami. Cannot a drop of water be dew on the meadow, a glacier's thaw, or the tear of a child?" —Sensei Hisoka

Cards like Teardrop Kami

Teardrop Kami serves as a unique piece in the pantheon of MTG creatures due to its flexible utility. It bears resemblance to cards like Festering Goblin for its one mana cost and utility upon leaving the battlefield, though Teardrop Kami’s strength lies in its spirit synergies and ability to return to your hand. Unlike other comparable creatures, Teardrop Kami can evade removal spells, providing a recurring nuisance for opponents and proving valuable in decks built around enter-the-battlefield triggers or sacrifice mechanics. Similarly, the Kami echoes the utility of cards like Ember Hauler, which also demands a sacrifice to serve its purpose. However, Ember Hauler deals direct damage instead of offering the nuanced control over combat that Teardrop Kami does.

In spirit-focused decks, especially those leveraging the arcane mechanic, Teardrop Kami can be even more valuable than its counterparts. Its versatility in such builds far exceeds that of creatures like Doomed Traveler which, while providing a different post-sacrifice benefit in token generation, doesn’t offer the same strategic combat interactions or the intuitive synergies with spirit or arcane-themed cards. This makes Teardrop Kami a card with a seemingly simple design that unlocks complex strategies for those who harness its potential.

Cards similar to Teardrop Kami by color, type and mana cost

Merfolk of the Pearl Trident - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Teardrop Kami provides strategic deck cycling, enabling players to sift through their decks more efficiently and access critical resources when most needed. It’s a small but pivotal way to maintain the momentum against your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Teardrop Kami doesn’t produce additional resources directly, its low casting cost and Spirit synergies can contribute to the overall resource acceleration of decks specialized around that tribe. It’s an efficient enabler that facilitates faster and more effective gameplay.

Instant Speed: The spirit’s sacrifice ability works at instant speed, giving players the flexibility to decide the most opportune moment to activate it. This can be especially beneficial during the “untap” step or in response to an opponent’s actions, providing a tactical edge in the match.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Teardrop Kami necessitates discarding a card, which could detract from your hand advantage, especially in decks that don’t leverage graveyard strategies effectively.

Specific Mana Cost: This spirit creature locks you into a specific mana requirement which can challenge deck flexibility, particularly in multi-colored decks where mana consistency is paramount.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Its casting cost may be seen as steep for its abilities when compared to other creatures in its mana range, potentially making it less attractive for players looking for cost-efficient creatures.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Teardrop Kami offers flexibility in gameplay, fitting seamlessly into Spirit tribal decks or other builds that capitalize on tap and untap mechanics. Its low mana cost allows for early-game presence and strategic setting for upcoming plays.

Combo Potential: This card excels in combinations with cards that leverage sacrifice for gain effects or need creatures to tap as a cost, making it a subtle yet powerful player in complex gameplay chains.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where speed and tactical plays reign, Teardrop Kami shines as it adapts to various situations, helps maintain board presence, and can disrupt opponent strategies with its Kami’s ability to control combat engagements.

How to beat

Teardrop Kami offers a unique challenge on the battlegrounds of Magic: The Gathering. This spirit creature may be minimal in size, but its ability to untap a target permanent isn’t to be taken lightly. Often seen in decks that capitalize on tap and untap synergies, Teardrop Kami disrupts opponents’ strategies by providing unexpected activation of abilities multiple times within a single turn.

The key in handling this seemingly innocuous creature lies in preventing its ability from tipping the scales. Countering spells that interact with tapping and untapping mechanisms can effectively neutralize Teardrop Kami’s advantages. Cards with the ability to lock down creatures or those that can strip away activations – such as pithing needle or suppress designate effects – serve as excellent checks to the Kami’s influence.

Moreover, instant-speed removal spells are crucial when facing Teardrop Kami, enabling players to whisk it away before its controller can make use of its untapping ability. By prioritizing the removal of Teardrop Kami in a timely fashion, you can maintain the flow of the game without allowing your opponent to exploit its potential to the fullest.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Teardrop Kami MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers 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 Teardrop Kami and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Teardrop Kami has restrictions

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