Hisoka, Minamo Sensei MTG Card


Hisoka, Minamo Sensei - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Wizard
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Power 1
Toughness 3
Number66
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byDonato Giancola

Key Takeaways

  1. Hisoka offers selective spell countering by discarding a card with matching mana value, disrupting opponents effectively.
  2. Summoned at instant speed for flexibility, Hisoka can surprise opponents with defensive or offensive plays.
  3. Hisoka’s versatility in control strategies makes it a valuable asset for spell manipulation within MTG decks.

Text of card

, Discard a card: Counter target spell if it has the same converted mana cost as the discarded card.

"By all rights we should have perished in the Kami War. Our perseverence is a tribute to mortal ingenuity. And perhaps a few forgotten secrets found in the nick of time."


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Hisoka, Minamo Sensei offers a unique advantage by allowing you to selectively discard a card in exchange for countering a spell with the same mana value. This not only disrupts your opponent’s strategy but also fuels your graveyard for other synergies within your deck.

Resource Acceleration: While Hisoka itself doesn’t accelerate resources directly, its ability to protect key spells or creatures can significantly preserve your resources on the board, effectively giving you a tempo advantage. In some interactions, keeping your crucial threats on the table can be more valuable than mere mana acceleration.

Instant Speed: As a creature with flash, Hisoka, Minamo Sensei can be summoned at instant speed, keeping your opponents guessing and allowing for surprise blocks or strategic plays during their turn. This flexibility can compound the card advantage gained by disrupting opponent actions unpredictably and on their own turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Hisoka, Minamo Sensei necessitates you to discard a card to utilize his ability. This can be a double-edged sword as it may deplete your hand, leaving you with fewer options later in the game.

Specific Mana Cost: He requires both blue and colorless mana to cast, making him less flexible in decks that are not predominantly blue. Players may find it challenging to summon him on curve without a mana base heavily skewed towards blue sources.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that includes three blue mana, Hisoka’s activation can be costly in terms of mana efficiency. In an environment where the pace of play is fast, the investment in summoning and using Hisoka’s abilities might lag behind more economically priced alternatives.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Hisoka, Minamo Sensei fits seamlessly into decks that are keen on spell manipulation and control. Its ability to counter opponent’s spells ensures that it has a place in various control strategies.

Combo Potential: This card allows for creative combos, particularly in decks that revolve around instants and sorceries, enabling you to control the flow of the game by deciding which spells resolve and which ones don’t.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment where spell-heavy or combo-oriented decks are prevalent, Hisoka, Minamo Sensei’s presence can be a game-changer, offering a continuous check against opponents’ strategies.


How to beat Hisoka, Minamo Sensei

Hisoka, Minamo Sensei is a unique character in the MTG realm known for its spell countering abilities. Facing off against this card requires strategic planning as Hisoka can be a substantial control piece. When opposing Hisoka, consider the Magic fundamentals: baiting and tempo. Initiate encounters by playing less critical spells to coax out Hisoka’s counter. This tactic clears a path for your more impactful spells to hit the board.

Adept MTG players capitalize on their instant speed interactions, timing their plays when Hisoka’s guard is down. Since Hisoka’s ability hinges on discarding cards, depleting the opponent’s hand size is also an effective strategy. Employing hand disruption spells like Thoughtseize or Inquisition of Kozilek can weaken Hisoka’s countering potential and leave your adversary vulnerable. Lastly, utilizing cards that cannot be countered, such as Supreme Verdict or Cavern of Souls to cast creatures, ensures your game plan unfolds unimpeded by Hisoka’s influence. By cleverly navigating around Hisoka, Minamo Sensei’s abilities, you can maintain the upper hand in your MTG battles.


Cards like Hisoka, Minamo Sensei

Hisoka, Minamo Sensei is touted for its unique ability to counter spells by discarding a card, which mirrors the nuances featured in other MTG cards. It shares a resemblance with Ertai, Wizard Adept, wherein both provide a method to counter spells. While Ertai has a fixed mana cost and doesn’t require discarding a card, Hisoka’s flexibility allows for countering based on matching the discarded card’s mana value with the cast spell.

Another parallel can be drawn with Nihil Spellbomb, which excels at graveyard management. Hisoka, by contrast, offers a proactive defense by directly countering spells, which highlights its versatility in disrupting opponent strategies. Additionally, Patron Wizard presents a similarity, granting all Wizards the ability to counter spells. Despite both using Wizards for control elements, Hisoka stands as an individual deterrent, as opposed to Patron Wizard’s dependency on a collective Wizards’ presence.

Assessing Hisoka, Minamo Sensei in comparison to these cards illuminates its utility in Wizard-themed decks. As control cards go, it manages to strike a balance between strategic discard and spell-countering that could tip the scales in a tightly contested match.

Ertai, Wizard Adept - MTG Card versions
Nihil Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Patron Wizard - MTG Card versions
Ertai, Wizard Adept - MTG Card versions
Nihil Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Patron Wizard - MTG Card versions

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Inga Rune-Eyes - MTG Card versions
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Johnny, Combo Player - MTG Card versions
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Glen Elendra Archmage - MTG Card versions
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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Hisoka, Minamo Sensei 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 Hisoka, Minamo Sensei and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Hisoka, Minamo Sensei has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal

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