Hankyu MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	1
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Artifact — Equipment
Abilities	Equip
Released	2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set name	Champions of Kamigawa
Set code	CHK
Number	253
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ben Thompson

Key Takeaways

Hankyu’s repeatable card advantage keeps players’ hands full, vital for sustained in-game dominance.
Flexibility at instant speed with Hankyu allows for reactive plays, keeping opponents uncertain.
Despite its benefits, Hankyu’s high mana cost and specific green mana requirement can limit its inclusion.

Text of card

Equipped creature has ": Put an aim counter on Hankyu" and ", Remove all aim counters from Hankyu: This creature deals damage to target creature or player equal to the number of aim counters removed." Equip (: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.)

Card Pros

Card Advantage: One of the remarkable abilities of Hankyu is that it offers repeatable card advantage every turn. By equipping this card to a creature, you can consistently take aim and place aim counters, setting the stage to draw multiple cards over the course of a match. This consistent card draw can be a game-changer, keeping your hand full and options open.

Resource Acceleration: While Hankyu itself doesn’t produce additional mana or treasure, its synergy with other cards can lead to resource acceleration. For instance, by increasing the number of aim counters, you can have a creature deal more damage. Combining Hankyu with cards that trigger effects upon dealing damage can ramp up your mana resources indirectly, enhancing your offensive strategy.

Instant Speed: The utility of Hankyu is further enhanced by its ability to put aim counters at instant speed. This flexibility means players can strategically wait until the end of an opponent’s turn to place the counter if no immediate threat or target presents itself. This keeps the opponent guessing and allows you to make the most informed decisions without sacrificing the pace of your play.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Hankyu means you’ll need to discard a card from your hand, which may deplete your hand and reduce your ability to react to your opponent’s moves.

Specific Mana Cost: With its requirement of green mana, Hankyu might not be the best fit for decks that struggle to produce consistent green mana or multicolored decks where green isn’t a primary color.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Considering its four mana cost for the ability to deal damage divided as you choose among any number of target attacking or blocking creatures, Hankyu could be seen as costly. There are alternatives in the MTG universe that may offer a similar effect or better value for a lower mana investment.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hankyu offers adaptive utility to various deck builds, enabling repeated, albeit gradual, damage amplification. Its ability to steadily increase a creature’s power makes it a welcome addition to decks that thrive on incrementally enhancing board presence.

Combo Potential: While subtle, Hankyu’s strength lies in its synergy with cards that benefit from, or contribute to, +1/+1 counter strategies and those that untap artifacts. This card becomes a piece of a larger puzzle, often initiating or complementing intricate combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where games migrate towards longer, more drawn-out battles, Hankyu can become steadily more potent, rewarding patient strategy and board state management. Its place within the current meta can be niche, but when leveraged correctly, it provides a constant threat that must be addressed by the opponent.

How to beat

The Hankyu card in Magic: The Gathering presents a unique challenge to players with its ability to specialize friendly creatures in the art of archery. Understanding how to neutralize this card can turn the tide of a match in your favor. When facing an opponent who utilizes Hankyu, take into account removal spells that can disrupt the equip process, such as Krosan Grip or Naturalize, thus leaving the associated creature powerless. Enchantment control like Disenchant or Counterspell can also effectively prevent Hankyu from influencing the game.

Moreover, prioritizing the destruction of creatures equipped with Hankyu is crucial. Employing board wipes like Wrath of God or targeted removal like Doom Blade can efficiently manage threats posed by Hankyu-equipped creatures. Another angle to consider is increasing your creatures’ toughness with buffs, increasing resilience against Hankyu’s incremental damage output. It’s about being proactive, using well-timed removal, and adapting your board state to minimize Hankyu’s impact.

Ultimately, maintaining board control and having a toolbox of counters for targeting artifacts or the creatures wielding them is central to outmaneuvering an opponent capitalizing on Hankyu’s ranged capabilities in Magic: The Gathering.

Cards like Hankyu

Hankyu stands as a unique artifact in the realm of Magic: The Gathering, resembling equipment cards that offer tension and incremental advantages. Comparably, Viridian Longbow allows players to ping creatures or opponents directly, much like Hankyu. While Hankyu requires the buildup of aim counters to make its mark, Viridian Longbow delivers immediate albeit smaller impacts without additional setup.

Another parallel can be drawn with the card Wolfhunter’s Quiver, which similarly permits players to deal damage to creatures or players. However, Wolfhunter’s Quiver offers the flexibility to deal extra damage at the cost of more mana. Hankyu’s strategy, on the other hand, leans towards patience and planning, requiring the investment of several turns to unleash a significant attack.

In essence, Hankyu might attract players who enjoy strategic, long-term playstyles within Magic: The Gathering. Although it doesn’t offer the quick strike capability of Viridian Longbow or the higher damage potential of Wolfhunter’s Quiver, Hankyu epitomizes a slow but steady approach to outlasting one’s opponents. Its distinctiveness lies in the ritual of carefully aiming before releasing a volley of arrows, a rewarding experience for players who relish in building up to a powerful strike.

Cards similar to Hankyu by color, type and mana cost

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hankyu MTG card by a specific set like Champions 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 Hankyu and other MTG cards: