Taoist Hermit MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Mystic
Abilities	Hexproof
Released	1999-05-01
Set symbol
Set name	Portal Three Kingdoms
Set code	PTK
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	150
Frame	1997
Layout	Normal
Border	White
Illustred by	Wang Yuqun

Key Takeaways

The Hermit can untap permanents, granting tactical surprises and mana advantage on the battlefield.
Its demand for a discarded card can challenge players with limited resources or valuable hands.
Despite a higher mana cost, its diverse utility makes it a potent addition to various deck strategies.

Text of card

Whenever your opponent chooses a creature in play, he or she can't choose Taoist Hermit.

Taoists chose to be hermits for many reasons, but all shared one unchanging goal: to follow the Tao.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Taoist Hermit brings a unique edge to the battlefield with its ability to untap another target permanent when it enters play. This feature can become a significant advantage as it effectively serves to bypass summoning sickness for new creatures or reuse an influential land or artifact for additional benefit, keeping your hand well-resourced.

Resource Acceleration: Featuring the aspect of resource acceleration, the Taoist Hermit can synergize with cards that generate mana when tapped. By untapping these cards, the Hermit effectively doubles their usefulness, allowing for a rapid escalation in mana generation which can be pivotal in outpacing your opponent through swift deployment of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Boasting flash, the Hermit can be summoned at instant speed, giving you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s move or end-of-turn scenarios. This strategic advantage helps keep your opponents guessing and enables you to maximize your mana each turn by holding back the Hermit until the moment is just right.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Taoist Hermit requires the player to discard a card to activate its abilities, making it a challenging choice when hand size is already diminished or the quality of held cards is too valuable to lose.

Specific Mana Cost: With a demand for specific mana types, the Taoist Hermit may not seamlessly integrate into multicolored decks, potentially causing delays or even a complete inability to cast it in a timely fashion.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The overall cost to get the Taoist Hermit into play and utilize its full potential can be steep in comparison to other creatures or spells that may provide a similar or greater impact for less of a mana investment.

Reasons to Include Taoist Hermit in Your Collection

Versatility: Taoist Hermit can adapt to varying playstyles, easily finding its place in decks that capitalise on creature synergies or require flexible defenders.

Combo Potential: This card interacts favorably with several mechanics, giving players the opportunity to devise intricate combos that leverage its unique abilities.

Meta-Relevance: In a game where creature-based strategies are prevalent, the Taoist Hermit’s role can be critical, making it a timely addition to decks contending with the ever-shifting competitive landscape.

How to Beat

The Taoist Hermit card from Magic: The Gathering presents a distinctive challenge on the battlefield due to its elusive and defensive nature. This creature is hard to target, which makes direct removal spells ineffective. Overcoming this obstacle requires a strategic approach. Cards that change the rules of engagement, like board wipes or global effects, are key as they do not target specifically and thus bypass the Hermit’s protection. Sweepers such as Wrath of God can effectively remove the Taoist Hermit from the board without having to target it directly.

Another method to beat the Taoist Hermit involves using spells or abilities that force your opponent to sacrifice creatures. Since these do not target individual creatures, the Hermit’s defenses are irrelevant. Additionally, utilizing cards with hexproof or shroud can prevent the Hermit’s controller from targeting their own creature for any beneficial effects. Winning the game may also come down to switching gears from trying to remove the Hermit to overwhelming your opponent with a strategy they can’t easily disrupt, such as ramping up to powerful, game-ending plays.

In essence, adapting your strategy to handle indirect threats is crucial when facing off against the Taoist Hermit card. Employing a broader plan that affects every creature or shifts the focus away from targeting can effectively neutralize the Hermit’s advantage and swing the game in your favor.

Cards like Taoist Hermit

Exploring the strategic depths of MTG, Taoist Hermit emerges as a unique presence in the realm of utility creatures. Its kinship with cards like Sakura-Tribe Elder is evident, as both function as mana accelerators while providing synergy within their respective decks. However, Taoist Hermit extends its utility by evading direct spells and abilities, courtesy of shroud. Unlike the Elder, which offers a one-time land fetching ability, the Hermit can persist as a thorny obstacle for opponents.

Another comparable card is Birds of Paradise, known for its mana-fixing prowess. Both creatures are valuable for the colour diversity they inject into gameplay. Yet, their methodologies differ; Birds of Paradise demands no mana for its ability, while Taoist Hermit compensates for its two-mana activation cost with its defensive shroud trait. Then, considering Silent Arbiter, the emphasis shifts from mana generation to combat control. Though the Hermit does not directly influence combat like the Arbiter, it indirectly affects the board by enabling more plays with its mana acceleration.

In evaluating these parallels, Taoist Hermit stands out as a multifaceted asset in MTG, blending the advantages of mana ramp and self-protection into a single creature. Such attributes make it a noteworthy option for players seeking both stability and resilience within their creature base.

Cards similar to Taoist Hermit by color, type and mana cost

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Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Taoist Hermit MTG card by a specific set like Portal Three Kingdoms, 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 Taoist Hermit and other MTG cards: