Kazandu Blademaster MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Human Soldier Ally
Abilities First strike, Vigilance
Power 1
Toughness 1

Key Takeaways

  1. Boosts board presence with +1/+1 counters from Ally synergy, enhancing power without extra card use.
  2. Enables accelerated gameplay in Ally decks, making it a cost-effective, scalable force.
  3. Instantly affects the battlefield upon entry, thanks to swift adaptability and Ally-triggered spells.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

First strike, vigilance Whenever Kazandu Blademaster or another Ally enters the battlefield under your control, you may put a +1/+1 counter on Kazandu Blademaster.

"If you hire a sell-sword, you'd better watch your back. Hire me, and I'll watch it for you."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kazandu Blademaster is a powerhouse when it comes to board presence. Although it doesn’t draw cards directly, it comes with a built-in advantage. Thanks to its Ally synergy, every time an Ally enters the battlefield, you benefit from the additional +1/+1 counter, effectively accumulating value and strengthening your position without having to spend extra cards from your hand.

Resource Acceleration: In the right deck, this card acts as a catalyst for rapid development. It isn’t a traditional ramp card, but it accelerates your game plan by being both aggressively costed and having the potential to scale very quickly in power and toughness. The extra counters mean you’re getting more resources in the form of stats every time another Ally joins the fray, allowing for faster and more impactful plays.

Instant Speed: While Kazandu Blademaster itself isn’t an instant, it instantly reinforces your board as soon as it hits the playfield. This allows you to keep your mana open for other plays and then drop the Blademaster as a surprise blocker or attacker, leveraging its immediate impact to change the tide of the game. The instant speed of other Ally-triggering spells further compliments its swift adaptability in matches.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kazandu Blademaster does not have a discard requirement itself, it is worth noting that in a deck where managing hand size is crucial, any card without card advantage can be a potential liability. This is especially true in formats where tempo and card efficiency are paramount.

Specific Mana Cost: Kazandu Blademaster’s casting cost requires both white mana symbols, making it exclusively viable in mono-white or white-based decks. This restrains deck-building flexibility, potentially limiting its inclusion in multi-colored decks where mana consistency is key.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although two mana for a 1/1 creature may seem reasonable, the fact that Kazandu Blademaster needs additional allies to scale effectively means its initial cost can be misleading. Without other allies, you may find yourself investing more mana in the long run to utilize its full potential compared to other cards at similar mana points that offer immediate impact on the board.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kazandu Blademaster is a multi-faceted creature that can be easily slotted into various white or ally-focused decks. Its Ally subtype allows it to synergize with other Ally cards, enhancing its power and toughness whenever another Ally enters the battlefield.

Combo Potential: As a creature with first strike and vigilance that can grow rapidly, Kazandu Blademaster pairs well with equipment and buff spells. It can become a formidable threat, capitalizing on its ever-increasing strength for consistent combat advantage.

Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies prevail, Kazandu Blademaster provides an aggressive early option with scaling power. A board presence that strengthens with each ally played can outpace opponents and seize the momentum in your favor.


How to beat

Kazandu Blademaster is a powerhouse in MTG, known for its strength in ally-centered decks. Being both a Human and a Soldier, this card ramps up quickly by gaining a +1/+1 counter each time another ally enters the battleground under your control. This makes it a formidable presence on the battlefield.

A solid strategy to overcome Kazandu Blademaster involves preventing ally creatures from hitting the field in the first place. Tactics such as countering creature spells or using removal cards to keep the battlefield clear can stymie the Blademaster’s potential. Additionally, since it relies on ally synergy, disrupting this interplay can greatly reduce its effectiveness. Targeted removal spells, board sweeps, and other control strategies can prevent the Blademaster from becoming a major threat. Remember, maintaining control of the board state is key to outmaneuvering your opponent’s Kazandu Blademaster.

In summary, efficient use of control spells and removals can counteract Kazandu Blademaster’s growing threat. Keeping your opponent’s battlefield clear, you can nullify the synergy-based prowess of this aggressive MTG card, turning the tide of the game in your favor.


Cards like Kazandu Blademaster

Kazandu Blademaster holds its ground in Magic: The Gathering as a solid creature in white ally decks. Its comparison with Elite Vanguard is immediate, as both creatures have a 2/1 stat line for one white mana. Yet, Kazandu Blademaster has a distinct advantage with its vigilance ability and the potential to gain +1/+1 counters as you play other allies, surpassing Elite Vanguard in both defense and long-term value.

Another card worth noting is the Champion of the Parish, a card highly revered in human tribal decks. Much like our Blademaster, the Champion grows with every human you cast, comparable in the way it scales in power. However, the Blademaster’s addition of vigilance and first strike gives it an edge in combat, able to strike without tapping and fend off early aggressors more efficiently.

When it comes to creature-based strategies, Kazandu Blademaster earns its place in decks seeking resilient fighters. Its combination of offense and defense capabilities, along with synergies in ally-focused builds, makes it not just a roleplayer, but often a pivotal asset on the battlefield.

Elite Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions
Elite Vanguard - MTG Card versions
Champion of the Parish - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kazandu Blademaster MTG card by a specific set like Zendikar and The List, 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 Kazandu Blademaster and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kazandu Blademaster Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2009-10-02 and 2009-10-02. Illustrated by Michael Komarck.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12009-10-02ZendikarZEN 162003NormalBlackMichael Komarck
22020-09-26The ListPLST ZEN-162003NormalBlackMichael Komarck

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kazandu Blademaster has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2009-10-01 This ability triggers on this creature entering the battlefield, so it will enter the battlefield with its unmodified power and toughness, and then receive a +1/+1 counter a short time later. It does not enter the battlefield with the +1/+1 counter already on it.

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