Sensei Golden-Tail MTG Card
2004-10-01 - Number 44
2020-09-26 - Number CHK-44
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Legendary Creature — Fox Samurai |
| Abilities | Bushido |
| Power | 2 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Key Takeaways
- Enhances board presence through training counters, turning creatures into bigger threats without extra spells.
- Offers instant speed surprise element and flexibility with Bushido and Samurai offering abilities.
- Demands specific mana and additional resources for activation, which may deter diverse deck strategies.
Text of card
Bushido 1 (When this blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.) , : Put a training counter on target creature. That creature gains bushido 1 and becomes a Samurai in addition to its other creature types. Play this ability only any time you could play a sorcery.
Key Takeaways
- Enhances board presence through training counters, turning creatures into bigger threats without extra spells.
- Offers instant speed surprise element and flexibility with Bushido and Samurai offering abilities.
- Demands specific mana and additional resources for activation, which may deter diverse deck strategies.
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Sensei Golden-Tail offers the ability to upgrade other creatures through his training counters, effectively making every suitable creature a potential threat. This can turn a single card into a more valuable asset on the battlefield, providing a form of card advantage in terms of board presence.
Resource Acceleration: While Sensei Golden-Tail does not directly offer resource acceleration in the traditional sense of providing additional mana, his ability can be seen as a form of resource acceleration by enhancing creatures’ capabilities without the need to cast additional spells.
Instant Speed: Sensei Golden-Tail’s Bushido ability acts immediately whenever he blocks or becomes blocked, providing a swift bonus to his power and toughness. Additionally, his Samurai offering ability allows you to cast him at virtually instant speed, provided you have a Samurai to sacrifice, giving you flexibility and surprise factor against an unsuspecting opponent.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Sensei Golden-Tail doesn’t require a discard, but it does have a specific activation cost to put its training counter to use, necessitating additional resources that could be allocated elsewhere.
Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of Sensei Golden-Tail is color specific which means using it outside of mono-white or a heavily white-influenced deck can be challenging as it may not align with the color scheme of a diverse mana base.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of two mana, one of which is white, Sensei Golden-Tail isn’t the cheapest option. For the same cost, players might seek creatures with immediate board impact or other utility rather than waiting to benefit from its training ability.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Sensei Golden-Tail serves as a flexible option across multiple deck archetypes. As a legendary Samurai, this card can lead a Samurai-themed deck or be included in decks emphasizing creature abilities and combat buffs.
Combo Potential: With its ability to grant other creatures the Samurai subtype and Bushido, Sensei Golden-Tail can significantly enhance combat strategies. It can turn any creature into a more formidable opponent and synergize with cards that benefit from Bushido or honor the Samurai tradition.
Meta-Relevance: In a meta where creature-based strategies are prevalent, Sensei Golden-Tail’s consistent ability to improve creature performance makes it a valuable asset. It can adjust and pivot according to the shifts in creature-based tactics, keeping it relevant in various gameplay scenarios.
How to beat
Sensei Golden-Tail is a revered card among those who admire MTG’s Samurai and Bushido mechanics. Its ability to fortify your creatures with Bushido skill makes it a strategic piece in warrior-themed decks. To effectively counter Sensei Golden-Tail’s influence, focusing on removal spells can be critical. Board wipes, such as Wrath of God or Doomskar, are efficient ways to clear the battlefield, including this honorable sensei.
Alternatively, single-target removal such as Path to Exile or Murderous Rider can be used to eliminate Sensei Golden-Tail before its ability becomes a problem. As it only boasts two toughness, the card falls within reach of most burn spells like Lightning Bolt and Shock. Keeping these spells at the ready ensures you can respond to its presence immediately.
Competing on the battlefield, creatures with “can’t be blocked” abilities or those that provide indirect damage through abilities or flying can circumvent the Bushido advantage Sensei Golden-Tail offers. If your strategy involves attrition or control, patience is key. Wait for the perfect moment to nullify effects or remove key creatures, mitigating the Sensei’s ability to tip the scales.
Cards like Sensei Golden-Tail
Sensei Golden-Tail stands out in the world of MTG as an esteemed creature card with the unique ability to impart the Samurai subtype and bushido trait onto other creatures. This capacity echoes effects found in cards like Oathkeeper, Takeno’s Daisho, which also celebrates the Samurai tradition by resurrecting Samurai creatures. However, Sensei Golden-Tail offers a proactive enhancement rather than a reactive measure from the graveyard.
Other comparable cards include Adaptive Automaton and Brass Herald, both of which boost creatures of a chosen type. While these provide broader support across various creature types, they lack the specific focus on the Samurai archetype and the bushido ability that gives Sensei Golden-Tail its distinctive tactical edge. Consequently, Sensei Golden-Tail’s specialization can be the cornerstone of a Samurai-themed deck, making it a strategic pick for players crafting a focused combat strategy.
In essence, Sensei Golden-Tail holds a valuable niche within MTG, providing a solid combination of creature development and combat enhancement specifically tailored for Samurai-themed decks. Its singular focus on Samurai synergy and the bushido ability demonstrate a commanding presence on the battlefield, distinguishing it notably from other creature support cards.
Cards similar to Sensei Golden-Tail by color, type and mana cost
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Sensei Golden-Tail 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 Sensei Golden-Tail and other MTG cards:
- eBay
- TCG Player
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Sensei Golden-Tail Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2004-10-01. Illustrated by Stephen Tappin.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-10-01 | Champions of Kamigawa | CHK | 44 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephen Tappin | |
| 2 | The List | PLST | CHK-44 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Stephen Tappin |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Sensei Golden-Tail 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 Sensei Golden-Tail card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-12-01 | Note that multiple instances of the bushido ability each trigger separately. |
| 2004-12-01 | The training counter just marks which creatures have been changed; an effect that removes the counter doesn’t change the creature’s types or abilities. |
