Nagao, Bound by Honor MTG Card

Nagao, Bound by Honor - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)

Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
2004-10-01 - Number 36

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number CHK-36

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	4
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Legendary Creature — Human Samurai
Abilities	Bushido
Power	3
Toughness	3

Key Takeaways

Offers consistent battlefield advantage through synergistic cost reduction for equipping Samurai or Warrior creatures.
Demands specific deck builds and white mana bases to optimize its full potential in gameplay.
Maintains competitive relevance with its balance of combat readiness and resource acceleration.

Text of card

Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) Whenever Nagao, Bound by Honor attacks, Samurai you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Nagao, Bound by Honor shines in decks that feature Samurai or Warrior creatures, enabling you to consistently enhance your battlefield presence. Coupled with its ability to equip at a reduced cost, this card ensures a sustained advantage, keeping your hand filled with options.

Resource Acceleration: This honorable warrior offers a unique form of resource acceleration by reducing the equip costs for other Samurai or warriors you control. This synergistic effect can be significantly impactful, allowing you to allocate mana resources to develop your board and activate abilities more efficiently.

Instant Speed: While Nagao itself isn’t an instant, its ability to rapidly equip your incoming creatures at instant speed grants incredible flexibility. React to shifting battle conditions by reinforcing your troops on the fly, ensuring that you’re always wielding the upper hand.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Nagao, Bound by Honor requires a dedicated build-around in deck construction due to its synergy with other Samurai or Warrior creatures. Without such integration, this card’s potential dwindles significantly.

Specific Mana Cost: The mana alignment for Nagao, Bound by Honor is a blend of one white and two generic mana, demanding a commitment to white mana sources. Players who do not prioritize a white mana base may find it challenging to consistently cast this card on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, there are alternative creatures in the three-mana slot that provide immediate impact or stronger standalone benefits. This cost factor places Nagao in a competitive bracket where each mana point must be justified by equivalent value on the battlefield.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Nagao, Bound by Honor offers a flexibile role in a variety of decks, particularly those that capitalize on its strong warrior synergy and human tribal themes. Its low mana cost also allows it to be slotted easily into aggressive strategies.

Combo Potential: This card aligns well with other cards that trigger off of samurai or warrior presence, such as cards that benefit from creatures entering the battlefield, thus it can act as a key piece in setting off powerful interactions.

Meta-Relevance: Given the card’s solid stats and ability to pressure the battlefield, it remains a competent choice in numerous game scenarios. In metas where tempo and combat tricks are essential, Nagao, Bound by Honor holds its ground effectively.

How to beat

Nagao, Bound by Honor stands as a formidable adversary when encountered on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its prowess in boosting fellow Samurai warriors, along with its bushido ability, makes it a noteworthy card to face. However, there are strategic moves you can employ to outmaneuver this card. Effective removal spells that can bypass its bushido-triggering challenges are key in this matchup.

Spot removals like Swords to Plowshares or Path to Exile provide a clean and mana-efficient answer, extracting Nagao from the game without having to engage in combat. Another practical approach is to leverage board wipes such as Wrath of God or Damnation, which can clear multiple threats including Nagao, without respect to the size or abilities of the creatures on the board.

To counter Nagao’s support to Samurai kin, countering creature spells or using stalling tactics with cards like Frost Breath can buy you time to establish a stronger board presence. Ultimately, weaving a web of control through selective removal and timing your spells will tilt the battle in your favor against Nagao, Bound by Honor.

Cards like Nagao, Bound by Honor

Nagao, Bound by Honor stands out among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering, offering a blend of offense and defense. In terms of creatures that share its vigilant nature, there’s the aptly named Vigilant Samurai – a card that also remains untapped after attacking. Yet, Nagao distinguishes itself with superior stats and a lower mana cost.

Comparatively, the card Taranika, Akroan Veteran taps another creature to make it indestructible during combat, underscoring similar themes of readiness and resilience. Although Taranika can be more impactful in building an unyielding battlefield presence, Nagao is more cost-efficient and consistent in its defensive utility. Another creature to consider is Avacynian Missionaries, which, upon transformation, offers equipment-based removal. While this brings a situational advantage, Nagao’s year-round vigilance without needing to meet transformation conditions holds steadfast appeal.

Ultimately, Nagao, Bound by Honor excels for its reliable combat presence, providing both a steady offense and an unwavering defense. Its balance between cost and effect makes it a compelling choice for decks focused on vigilant domination.

Taranika, Akroan Veteran - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Nagao, Bound by Honor by color, type and mana cost

Coalition Honor Guard - MTG Card versions

Mangara, the Diplomat - MTG Card versions

Lightkeeper of Emeria - MTG Card versions

Cho-Manno, Revolutionary - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Nagao, Bound by Honor MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa 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 Nagao, Bound by Honor and other MTG cards:

Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Nagao, Bound by Honor Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by Dave Dorman.