Yomiji, Who Bars the Way MTG Card

Yomiji excels in recurring legendary creatures, giving players a sustainable hand presence and card advantage. Resource acceleration is possible through legendary permanents’ entry and death triggers, thanks to Yomiji. In decks focused on legendary cards, Yomiji is pivotal, offering both combo potential and meta relevance.

Yomiji, Who Bars the Way - Betrayers of Kamigawa

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	7
Rarity	Rare
Type	Legendary Creature — Spirit
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	4
Toughness	4
Number	30
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Hideaki Takamura

Text of card

Whenever a legendary permanent other than Yomiji, Who Bars the Way is put into a graveyard from play, return that card to its owner's hand.

"As I died, I rejoiced. I would see my family again. But then I woke up back on the battlefield. Back in Kamigawa. Back in hell." —Kenzo the Hardhearted

Cards like Yomiji, Who Bars the Way

Yomiji, Who Bars the Way is quite unique within the realm of Magic: The Gathering, offering a distinct approach to creature recursion. It draws a parallel to cards like Reya Dawnbringer which also allows players to return creatures from the graveyard to play. However, Yomiji has a broader scope, affecting all legendary creatures, but it does so to the hand instead of the battlefield and only when they die, different from Reya’s targeted upkeep trigger.

In the spectrum of similar mechanics, we encounter Marshal’s Anthem, which provides a semblance of recursion with its multikicker ability allowing the return of multiple creatures upon casting. Unlike Yomiji, the Anthem revives creatures directly onto the battlefield but requires additional mana investment with each kick. Another akin card is Palace Jailer, offering an exiling effect coupled with becoming the monarch. This differs from Yomiji’s persistent passive ability that doesn’t depend on other game states for its recursion effect.

Examining these comparisons, Yomiji, Who Bars the Way holds a niche but powerful position among MTG’s creature recovery options, especially for decks that are heavy on legendary creatures where it can repeatedly prove its value without additional costs or conditions.

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Card Pros

Card advantage: Yomiji, Who Bars the Way has a unique ability to return legendary creatures to your hand from the graveyard, which can potentially yield a significant card advantage. You can continuously reuse valuable legendary creatures, maintaining a strong hand presence throughout the game.

Resource acceleration: Its ability can be utilized with legendary permanents that tap for mana or produce extra effects when they enter the battlefield or die. These interactions can be harnessed to accelerate your access to resources by reusing these effects every time a legendary permanent is returned to your hand.

Instant speed: While Yomiji itself does not operate at instant speed, it synergizes well with legendary cards that do. This combination allows you to get the most out of instant-speed legendaries by bringing them back to your hand when they’re put into the graveyard, ready to be cast again and keeping your opponents always on their toes.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The absence of a discard requirement can sometimes hinder leveraging graveyard synergies, which some decks might rely on for optimizing gameplay.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that strictly requires white, Yomiji, Who Bars the Way demands heavy investment in white mana sources, potentially restricting deck versatility and multi-color deck options.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: At seven mana, this legendary creature comes at a high cost compared to other cards that could provide similar or better effects earlier in the game, which could slow down your overall strategy.

Reasons to Include Yomiji, Who Bars the Way in Your Collection

Versatility: Yomiji, Who Bars the Way holds a unique place in decks that revolve around legendary permanents, allowing you to play an enduring game by returning these high-value cards back to your hand upon their destruction.

Combo Potential: For those who enjoy intricate gameplay, this card opens up avenues for various combinations, particularly with cards that benefit from being cast multiple times or that trigger abilities upon entering or leaving the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment rich with legendary creatures and planeswalkers, Yomiji can be a game-changer, countering widespread removal spells and offering sustained value, tipping the scales in your favor over the course of a match.

How to beat Yomiji, Who Bars the Way

Yomiji, Who Bars the Way presents a unique challenge on the battlefield. This legendary creature has the ability to return other legendary creatures to their owner’s hand instead of putting them into the graveyard. This effect can be both an advantage and a hurdle depending on which side of the field you’re on. To effectively beat Yomiji, Who Bars the Way, consider using non-destructive removal spells that can exile it or return it to its owner’s library, sidestepping its triggered ability.

Additionally, applying pressure with fast-paced aggro decks can outpace an opponent’s ability to utilize Yomiji’s ability effectively. Cards that prevent abilities from triggering, such as Torpor Orb, can also neutralize Yomiji’s influence, allowing you to deal with legendary creatures in a traditional manner. Lastly, leveraging graveyard manipulation spells like Bojuka Bog can ensure that even if Yomiji’s ability triggers, your opponent won’t be able to reuse their legendary creatures.

Ultimately, having the right tools and strategies in place can turn Yomiji, Who Bars the Way from a formidable adversary into an obstacle that’s easily overcome, allowing for smooth gameplay and a path to victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Yomiji, Who Bars the Way 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 Yomiji, Who Bars the Way and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Yomiji, Who Bars the Way has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2005-02-01	Yomiji’s ability triggers even if Yomiji is going to the graveyard at the same time as the other legendary permanent.
2005-02-01	Yomiji’s ability triggers whenever any legendary permanent is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, not just legendary creatures.