Tetsuo, Imperial Champion MTG Card


Tetsuo provides card advantage and resource acceleration, crucial for overpowering opponents in MTG. Demands high mana and strategic hand management, potentially restricting its playability. A versatile and meta-relevant addition to collections, excelling in various MTG formats.
Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Samurai
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever Tetsuo, Imperial Champion attacks, if it's equipped, choose one — • Tetsuo deals damage equal to the highest mana value among Equipment attached to it to any target. • You may cast an instant or sorcery spell from your hand with mana value less than or equal to the highest mana value among Equipment attached to Tetsuo without paying its mana cost.


Cards like Tetsuo, Imperial Champion

Exploring the dynamic universe of MTG legendary creatures, Tetsuo, Imperial Champion carves out a distinct niche. Akin to other renowned commanders like Kess, Dissident Mage, Tetsuo offers strategic depth to deck building. Kess enables casting of an instant or sorcery from your graveyard during each of your turns, whereas Tetsuo’s strength lies in the potential to directly influence the board by destroying target tapped creatures, showcasing a more aggressive tactical approach.

Comparatively, we also have Satsuki, the Living Lore who boasts a similar ability to cast instants or sorceries from the graveyard. While she focuses on playing with the graveyard’s possibilities, Tetsuo’s aim is clear and present danger elimination. Then there’s Thantis, the Warweaver, who, like Tetsuo, alters combat dynamics but instead forces all creatures to attack each turn if able, contrasting Tetsuo’s precision strikes.

Ultimately, within the realm of MTG, Tetsuo, Imperial Champion’s value is evident in its targeted removal capability and the tactical advantage it provides. Its role as a tool of precise control gives deck builders and players an edge in games where managing formidable threats is key to victory.

Kess, Dissident Mage - MTG Card versions
Satsuki, the Living Lore - MTG Card versions
Thantis, the Warweaver - MTG Card versions
Kess, Dissident Mage - MTG Card versions
Satsuki, the Living Lore - MTG Card versions
Thantis, the Warweaver - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tetsuo, Imperial Champion serves as a potent engine for Card Advantage. It astutely weaves extra cards into your hand, fueling your strategies and options as you outmaneuver opponents.

Resource Acceleration: This legendary figure not only strengthens your battlefield presence but also accelerates your resources. By unleashing additional mana sources, you can swiftly escalate the intensity of your plays, expediting your race to victory.

Instant Speed: Commanding your forces at Instant Speed is a formidable tool in your arsenal. It permits reactive plays that adapt to the shifting tides of battle, unleashing Tetsuo’s power at the most opportune moment.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tetsuo, Imperial Champion may place a player in a precarious position by requiring a card discard in addition to its other costs, demanding a strategic hand management that could backfire against the player if not properly planned.

Specific Mana Cost: With its stringent mana requirements, including both colored and generic mana, Tetsuo, Imperial Champion can put a strain on deck building, limiting its use to decks that can both generate and stabilise such a specific mana base efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When considering the investment needed to summon Tetsuo, Imperial Champion, players may find that the card’s abilities don’t quite justify its cost, particularly when other cards at a lower mana threshold could be deployed more swiftly, impacting the game earlier.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Tetsuo, Imperial Champion slides easily into a variety of decks, offering a skillful blend of aggression and control. With its ability to impact the board immediately upon entering play, it bolsters strategies in both multiplayer and duel formats.

Combo Potential: Known for its synergy with other cards, Tetsuo can be a linchpin for intricate combos, especially in decks that capitalize on dealing damage or exploiting enters-the-battlefield effects.

Meta-Relevance: This card thrives in an environment with creatures key to your opponents’ strategies. Its targeted removal ability disrupts opponent’s plans, maintaining its strong stance in various meta situations. Teaming Tetsuo up with protection spells or recursion tactics ensures it remains a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.


How to beat

Tetsuo, Imperial Champion, is a formidable card in MTG that can dominate the battlefield with its unique abilities. To effectively counter this powerful adversary, understanding its mechanics is critical. One approach is to limit Tetsuo’s ability to become indestructible, which is fundamental to its resilience. Tactics such as imposing sack effects or using cards that specify the removal of a creature regardless of indestructibility could catch your opponent off-guard and eliminate Tetsuo from play.

Moreover, direct damage spells or abilities that can be activated before the player declares the end of their turn could prevent Tetsuo from gaining indestructibility in the first place. Timing these spells accurately ensures that Tetsuo is dealt with before your opponent has an opportunity to fortify their defenses. Control strategies, such as counter spells and hand disruption, can also prevent Tetsuo from impacting the game, ensuring they never have the chance to showcase their capabilities on the battlefield. Implementing these counterstrategies demands precision and foresight, but when executed effectively, it’s possible to neutralize the threat of Tetsuo, Imperial Champion, and maintain control of the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Tetsuo, Imperial Champion MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria United Commander and Dominaria United Commander, 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 Tetsuo, Imperial Champion and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Tetsuo, Imperial Champion Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2022-09-09 and 2022-09-09. Illustrated by Lius Lasahido.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 442015NormalBlackLius Lasahido
22022-09-09Dominaria United CommanderDMC 662015NormalBlackLius Lasahido

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tetsuo, Imperial Champion has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2022-09-09 If Tetsuo isn’t equipped when it’s declared as an attacking creature, the ability won’t trigger. If Tetsuo isn’t equipped when the ability resolves, the ability won’t do anything.