Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty MTG Card

Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Human Soldier
Released	2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set name	Betrayers of Kamigawa
Set code	BOK
Power	2
Toughness	2
Number	3
Frame	2003
Layout	flip
Border	black
Illustred by	Mark Zug

Key Takeaways

Card advantage and board presence increase as Faithful Squire transforms without additional card costs.
Untapping all lands upon attacking with Kaiso accelerates mana, enabling advanced play sequences.
Instant and sorcery casting flexibility can trigger Faithful Squire’s transformation at opportune moments.

Text of card

Whenever you play a Spirit or Arcane spell, you may put a ki counter on Faithful Squire. At end of turn, if there are two or more ki counters on Faithful Squire, you may flip it.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: As Faithful Squire transforms into Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty, it offers the benefit of adding a powerful spirit creature to the battlefield without sacrificing an additional card from your hand, effectively increasing your on-board presence and potential to influence the game state.

Resource Acceleration: Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty’s ability to untap all lands you control when it attacks can provide a significant boost in resources. It not only accelerates your mana availability but also opens up opportunities for casting more spells or activating abilities within the same turn, potentially speeding up your strategy’s execution.

Instant Speed: The flip condition of Faithful Squire hinges on casting an instant or sorcery during the previous turn. The flexibility of instant-speed spells compliments this mechanic by allowing strategic timing to transform into Kaiso efficiently, ensuring that you benefit from the transformation when most advantageous.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Faithful Squire requires a specific condition to transform it into Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty. Reaching this condition can sometimes be cumbersome, as you must have seven or more cards in your graveyard which might force you to discard useful cards earlier in the game. This requirement could potentially set you back, especially if your strategy doesn’t naturally stockpile cards in the graveyard efficiently.

Specific Mana Cost: Both sides of this card demand a strict color commitment—white for casting Faithful Squire and blue for Kaiso. This specificity can constrain deck building, making it less flexible for inclusion in multicolored decks and may be challenging to work into a mana base if not planning for heavy color dedication.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a combined mana cost of five to cast the front side and then flip it to the backside, one could argue that the investment may not align with the payoff. Other cards in the game might provide more immediate impact, better board presence, or versatility for that level of mana expenditure, possibly relegating this card to a niche role when deckbuilding.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty offers dynamic gameplay options. As a creature that can flip into an enchantment, it adapts to multiple board states and provides value in both forms.

Combo Potential: This card’s transformation mechanic lends itself well to decks that capitalize on triggered abilities and state changes, potentially enabling powerful synergies and unexpected advantages.

Meta-Relevance: With the ability to be a resilient threat in creature form and an ongoing source of benefits as an enchantment, Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty holds its ground in a shifting meta, granting players tactical flexibility.

How to beat

Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty presents a unique two-stage threat in the world of Magic: The Gathering. Positioned as a versatile creature card, it starts as a humble attendant with the potential to become a formidable flyer. Overcoming this card requires a strategy that addresses both its initial form and its transformed state.

To neutralize Faithful Squire, timing is critical. Engage removal spells before the flip occurs to prevent Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty from taking to the skies. If you’re too late, and Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty soars into play, reach for cards that can either exile or force sacrifice, sidestepping its flying ability. Containment effects like Pacifism also hinder its utility by locking it down without flipping. Additionally, keep an eye on the number of spirits on the field as they dictate the transformation. Disturb your opponent’s spirit count to delay or deny the card’s advancement.

Ultimately, early interaction and understanding of the card’s transformation criteria are vital in mastering the duel against Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty. When you dictate the pace and apply the correct pressure, the duality of this card becomes far less intimidating, ensuring your deck remains unscathed by its loyalty.

Cards like Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty

Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty is a unique transform card in MTG that offers a blend of creature benefits and a twist in gameplay dynamics. It can be set alongside similar transform cards like Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration. Delver of Secrets flips based on library manipulation, delivering a power boost when transformed. While not identical, Faithful Squire mirrors this transformation potential, becoming Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty, which offers a different set of advantages, such as untapping creatures.

Comparing it further, Civilized Scholar // Homicidal Brute provides an insightful contrast. Both these double-sided cards explore untapped potentials and abilities post-transformation. While Civilized Scholar assists in cycling through your deck, Kaiso offers an untap feature upon transforming, this can lead to powerful plays and unexpected turnarounds. The strategic depth these transform cards present by shifting forms is a fascinating aspect for players who enjoy reactive strategies and adaptable playstyles.

Therefore, in the roster of transformative cards within the MTG universe, Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty holds a place for its ability to deliver both offensive and strategic utility, especially in decks that capitalize on the sheer surprise and flexibility of flipping cards.

Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration - MTG Card versions

Civilized Scholar // Homicidal Brute - MTG Card versions

Delver of Secrets // Insectile Aberration - Innistrad (ISD)

Civilized Scholar // Homicidal Brute - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty by color, type and mana cost

Pianna, Nomad Captain - MTG Card versions

Regal Unicorn - Classic Sixth Edition (6ED)

Kitsune Palliator - Betrayers of Kamigawa (BOK)

Zhalfirin Commander - Duel Decks: Knights vs. Dragons (DDG)

Silverblade Paladin - Avacyn Restored (AVR)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty MTG card by a specific set like Betrayers 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 Faithful Squire // Kaiso, Memory of Loyalty and other MTG cards: