Yisan, the Wanderer Bard MTG Card


Yisan provides controlled deck thinning with a consistent card advantage, crucial for favorable board state management. Bringing creatures into play without mana costs, Yisan intricately bypasses conventional casting and excels in acceleration. Utilizing Yisan’s ability during an opponent’s end step can be surprisingly effective, simulating instant speed flexibility.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Rogue Bard
Power 2
Toughness 3

Text of card

, , Put a verse counter on Yisan, the Wanderer Bard: Search your library for a creature card with converted mana cost equal to the number of verse counters on Yisan, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle your library.

Designed by Brian Fargo


Cards like Yisan, the Wanderer Bard

Yisan, the Wanderer Bard is a potent asset found in the assortment of creature tutor strategies in MTG. It shares common ground with cards like Fauna Shaman, which also facilitates creature searching. Yet, Yisan stands out uniquely due to its versatility in sequencing nature, namingly the ability to summon creatures of increasing converted mana costs.

Likewise, Birthing Pod stands chiefly in this category for its similar functionality. The essential difference here lies in the Pod’s one-time sac-and-search ability, whereas Yisan utilizes verse counters to gradually evolve your board presence. We shouldn’t overlook Green Sun’s Zenith, either, which enables instant creature tutoring but lacks the repeatable mechanic that makes Yisan shine brightly.

Finally comes Survival of the Fittest, which offers a broader selection due to its ability to fetch any creature, yet falls short on Yisan’s incremental creature advantage. A careful analysis of these alternatives reflects Yisan, the Wanderer Bard as an integral choice seen among creature tutor spells present in MTG, due to its consistent and progressive board development potential.

Fauna Shaman - MTG Card versions
Birthing Pod - MTG Card versions
Green Sun's Zenith - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions
Fauna Shaman - MTG Card versions
Birthing Pod - MTG Card versions
Green Sun's Zenith - MTG Card versions
Survival of the Fittest - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Yisan, the Wanderer Bard by color, type and mana cost

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Cat Warriors - MTG Card versions
Lurker - MTG Card versions
Rysorian Badger - MTG Card versions
Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Uktabi Orangutan - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Verduran Enchantress - MTG Card versions
Fyndhorn Elder - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Shizuko, Caller of Autumn - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Yisan, the Wanderer Bard allows you to call upon a creature from your deck. This will steadily fill your board while also thinning your deck to increase the odds of drawing useful cards. This effectively gives you a consistent card advantage every turn Yisan isn’t dealt with.

Resource Acceleration: Yisan serves as a resource accelerant too. With each verse counter placed on him, you can summon creatures of higher casting cost directly from your deck without paying their mana cost. This bypasses the traditional resource requirements, accelerating your game plan.

Instant Speed: Although Yisan’s ability isn’t instant speed per se, he still provides flexibility. By activating his ability during the end step of your opponent’s turn, Yisan behaves much like an instant, effectively enabling you to summon creatures right before your turn begins, catching many opponents off-guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Yisan the Wanderer Bard’s ability requires tapping and a variable green mana cost. This can be a downside when you’ve already depleted your resources, limiting your strategic options and forcing unwanted discards.

Specific Mana Cost: Yisan’s activation cost is specifically green, which means it needs a certain deck configuration to be effective. Players with multi-color decks might find it challenging to consistently generate the needed mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At three mana for a 2/3 creature and variable mana for the ability, Yisan surprisingly isn’t the most budget-friendly card. The activation can be slow, especially when compared to other creature tutors or ramp cards within the same cost range.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Yisan, the Wanderer Bard is a versatile card that can tailor your game, as it has the incredible ability to adapt to different board states. As you play a variety of creatures from your deck directly onto the battlefield, you have the power to respond to a series of game cycles, enhancing your deck’s performance.

Combo Potential: Harness the combo potential of Yisan, the Wanderer Bard. With its versatility and unique ability to add verse counters, Yisan can easily trigger combos and fetch creatures that synergize with your strategy and the turn cycle. It’s a deck enabler that ensures you have the right card at the right moment.

Meta-Relevance: Considering meta-relevance, Yisan, the Wanderer Bard is a fundamental tool in numerous deck archetypes, particularly green-based decks. With the current meta revolving around efficient creature utilization, the advantage provided by Yisan could be invaluable, making it a must-add to your MTG collection.


How to beat

Yisan the Wanderer Bard presents intriguing dynamics when it comes to MTG games. This card is notorious for its versatility and unpredictable nature due to its incremental creature fetch ability. Regardless of this, there are several ways to counteract the Wanderer Bard’s potent advantage in the game.

The efficient tactic to beat Yisan the Wanderer Bard is through counterspells or instant removal. Denying your opponent the profound advantage of Yisan’s ability to perform a search on each verse counter can keep the game balanced. Cards like “Doom Blade” or “Go for the Throat” are perfect for eliminating Yisan before it becomes a significant issue on the battlefield.

Another angle to consider is the manipulation of verse counters that Yisan thrives upon. Cards like “Vampire Hexmage” and “Hex Parasite” can remove counters off Yisan, thereby limiting its creature-fetching potential, making it much easier to tackle.

In sum, effectively outmaneuvering Yisan the Wanderer Bard requires a strategic combination of timing, right card choices, and smart gameplay. It proves that the art of counterplay is as significant in MTG as the inherent strength of a card.


BurnMana Recommendations

In conclusion, Yisan the Wanderer Bard offers dynamic strategies for MTG players looking to enhance their gameplay. With his unique ability to fetch creatures directly onto the battlefield, Yisan not only strengthens your board presence but also keeps your opponents guessing. While there are cons, his combo potential and adaptability make him a valuable asset in your MTG arsenal. Whether you’re tweaking a mono-green deck or exploring multi-colored builds, the inclusion of Yisan could provide the edge needed for victory. Dive deeper into the tactical world of MTG with us and discover new dimensions to winning your battles.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Yisan, the Wanderer Bard MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2015 and Secret Lair Drop, 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 Yisan, the Wanderer Bard and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Yisan, the Wanderer Bard Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2014-07-18 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-07-18Magic 2015M15 2092015NormalBlackChase Stone
22019-12-02Secret Lair DropSLD 11962015NormalBorderlessWooden Cyclops
32020-09-26The ListPLST M15-2092015NormalBlackChase Stone
42023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 3342015NormalBlackChase Stone
52023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5772015NormalBlackChase Stone

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Yisan, the Wanderer Bard has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-07-18 If Yisan isn’t on the battlefield when its ability resolves, use the number of verse counters on it when it left the battlefield to determine which creature cards may be put onto the battlefield. This number will include the counter you put on Yisan to activate the ability.