Kashi-Tribe Elite MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Snake Warrior
Released	2005-06-03
Set symbol
Set name	Saviors of Kamigawa
Set code	SOK
Power	2
Toughness	3
Number	135
Frame	2003
Layout	Normal
Border	Black
Illustred by	Ben Thompson

Key Takeaways

Protects other Snakes from targeting, crucial for maintaining board presence and defending key creatures.
Slots smoothly into green decks, aligns well with instant speed synergies for dynamic play.
May compel discard to regenerate Snakes, less flexible for multi-color decks due to specific mana needs.

Text of card

Legendary Snakes you control can't be the targets of spells or abilities. Whenever Kashi-Tribe Elite deals combat damage to a creature, tap that creature and it doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kashi-Tribe Elite offers a strategic edge in combat with its ability to protect other Snake creatures from being targeted by spells or abilities, potentially safeguarding key pieces on your board and maintaining your card presence.

Resource Acceleration: With a mana value that’s easy to accommodate in green-focused decks, Kashi-Tribe Elite smoothly fits into your curve, ensuring you can deploy threats or bolster your resources without delay.

Instant Speed: While Kashi-Tribe Elite itself is not an Instant, its synergy with many green cards that can be cast at instant speed means you can adapt to the board state dynamically, optimizing the timing of your plays.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Kashi-Tribe Elite doesn’t demand you discard cards, its protection ability can inadvertently force you to discard if you need to regenerate other Snake creatures. In a tight game, opting to keep your snakes alive could lead to a dwindling hand, leaving you vulnerable in future turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Kashi-Tribe Elite requires both green and generic mana, making it less flexible for multi-color decks that might struggle with mana consistency. Particularly, non-green decks or those that utilize mana fixing to accommodate a broader spectrum of spells may find it challenging to play the Elite efficiently.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost of three mana, including two green, players may consider the initial investment steep for a 2/3 creature. Although the ability to protect Snake creatures from being targeted is unique, some may find it limiting compared to other three-mana creatures that offer broader effects or greater power and toughness.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kashi-Tribe Elite stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate into a variety of green-focused strategies, making it a flexible addition to decks that capitalize on creature synergies or need protection for their key creatures.

Combo Potential: This card’s unique ability to shield legendary creatures from targeted spells provides excellent combo potential, offering the perfect support role in decks that rely on legendary creatures to execute win conditions.

Meta-Relevance: Given its protective capabilities, Kashi-Tribe Elite remains relevant in metas dominated by removal-heavy decks. Its presence can deter opponents from wasting removal spells and pave the way for your legendary creatures to thrive on the battlefield.

How to beat

Kashi-Tribe Elite is an intriguing card in the world of Magic: The Gathering, offering unique protection for your other Snake creatures. Key to overcoming this card lies in targeting it directly or dealing with it on a broader scale. One approach is the use of removal spells that don’t target, such as board wipes like Wrath of God or Supreme Verdict. These spells circumvent the protection Kashi-Tribe Elite provides to its kin by not singling out any one creature.

Additionally, employing cards that impose restrictions on the abilities your opponent can activate, such as Cursed Totem or Linvala, Keeper of Silence, will indirectly weaken the Elite’s defensive potential. These strategies require a bit of foresight but can effectively neutralize the advantage Kashi-Tribe Elite offers. Remember to consider the board state and the matchup when determining the optimal method for handling this creature and its slithery comrades.

In essence, while Kashi-Tribe Elite might seem daunting with its capacity to shield other Snakes, there are several strategies available to adept players that can clear the way and turn the tides of battle in their favor.

Cards like Kashi-Tribe Elite

The Kashi-Tribe Elite offers a unique role in Magic: The Gathering as a staple in snake decks. Its ability to provide protection to other snakes makes it akin to cards that prioritize the safeguarding of creature types. For example, cards like Steely Resolve confer a similar type of protection but to all creatures of the chosen type and without the beneficial tap ability of the Elite.

Comparatively, Gaea’s Herald is a creature that protects all of your creature spells from being countered, not just snakes. While this card has a broader effect, it doesn’t shield creatures from other kinds of targeted spells like Elite does. The Elite, costing three mana, strikes a balance in mana efficiency and effectiveness in snake-themed decks.

To sum up, although there are a few cards that emulate aspects of what Kashi-Tribe Elite does, none match its combination of cost-efficiency, and specific tribal protection. This makes it a preferred choice in decks focused on snakes, providing both a defense mechanism and enhancing tribal synergies within the game.

Cards similar to Kashi-Tribe Elite by color, type and mana cost

Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions

Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions

Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kashi-Tribe Elite MTG card by a specific set like Saviors 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 Kashi-Tribe Elite and other MTG cards: