Traproot Kami MTG Card


Traproot Kami - Betrayers of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Abilities Defender,Reach
Released2005-02-04
Set symbol
Set nameBetrayers of Kamigawa
Set codeBOK
Power 0
Toughness *
Number147
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byCarl Critchlow

Key Takeaways

  1. Traproot Kami’s blocking abilities strengthen with more forests, providing growing defense as the game advances.
  2. With its low cost and reach, it’s a valuable early-game defender against flying creatures, disrupting opponent attacks.
  3. For decks emphasizing creature toughness and count, Traproot Kami can be an integral component due to its versatility.

Text of card

Defender (This creature can't attack.) Traproot Kami's toughness is equal to the number of Forests in play. Traproot Kami may block as though it had flying.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Traproot Kami’s presence on the battlefield scales well as the game progresses. Its power and toughness increase with the number of forests you control, effectively giving you a creature that can become a substantial blocker without the need for additional cards.

Resource Acceleration: Though not directly providing mana, Traproot Kami’s low casting cost means you can deploy it early. This supports strategies that benefit from having multiple creatures or need defenders while ramping up to more powerful spells and abilities.

Instant Speed: Although Traproot Kami itself isn’t an instant, its reach ability allows it to block flying creatures unexpectedly, operating similarly to having an instant-speed response. This can surprise opponents who might not consider it a threat to their airborne attackers.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Traproot Kami doesn’t necessitate a discard but this aspect points out that any card requiring the player to discard as a cost can lead to a strategic disadvantage, particularly when the player’s hand is already depleted or each card holds significant value to the intended game plan.

Specific Mana Cost: Traproot Kami demands green mana, which might not pose as much of a challenge considering its low cost. However, the limitation to green mana does restrict its seamless integration into multicolored or colorless decks which can affect deck-building strategies and mana base considerations.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Traproot Kami is indeed a low-cost creature, when evaluating cards with any form of mana requirement, it’s critical to assess whether the card’s attributes and abilities justify its place in the mana curve. More powerful or versatile cards could potentially occupy the same slot, leading to tough deck-building decisions depending on the overall strategy.


Reasons to Include Traproot Kami in Your Collection

Versatility: Traproot Kami offers a solid defensive option for green-based decks. Its ability to gain toughness equal to the number of forests you control makes it a flexible blocker that grows alongside your mana base.

Combo Potential: This card works well with abilities that care about creature toughness or the number of creatures you control. Additionally, it’s a great defensive asset in decks that capitalize on tapping and untapping creatures for benefit.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where flyers are prevalent, Traproot Kami serves as a reliable and efficient anti-air unit with its reach ability. Given its very low casting cost, it can be a substantial early-game play that remains useful as the game progresses.


How to Beat Traproot Kami

Traproot Kami brings a unique defensive dimension to green decks in MTG, boasting the ability to scale its toughness with the number of Forests in play. While at first glance, it seems like a formidable blocker, there are several strategies players can employ to circumvent this resilient Kami. One straightforward method is the use of removal spells that don’t rely on damage, for example, exile or bounce effects. Cards like Path to Exile or Unsummon bypass the toughness of Traproot Kami, rendering the number of Forests irrelevant.

Land manipulation is another effective tactic. By using cards that turn lands into other basic land types or remove them altogether, you can weaken Traproot Kami’s toughness. An example is Quicksilver Fountain, which can slowly transform Forests into Islands, thus reducing the Kami’s defensive utility. Finally, consider employing flying creatures as Traproot Kami’s reach is conditional and requires it to be untapped. By forcing it to tap on your terms or during your opponent’s turn, you can clear the skies for your aerial assaults. Adapting these strategies will enhance your game against a deck utilizing Traproot Kami and maintain the momentum in your favor.


Cards like Traproot Kami

Traproot Kami stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a unique defender creature, primarily due to its special ability that scales with the number of forests you control. When looking at counterparts, we can consider cards like Tangle Spider, which also provides defensive utility with reach. Tangle Spider, though, demands a higher mana investment and doesn’t dynamically grow like Traproot Kami.

Another card worth mentioning is Wall of Blossoms. While it doesn’t share the scaling ability of Traproot Kami, Wall of Blossoms offers an immediate benefit by drawing a card upon entering the battlefield. This can be a significant advantage for players needing to maintain card advantage. Unlike Traproot Kami, its power doesn’t evolve, making it a static blocker regardless of the game’s progression.

Looking at these comparisons sharpens our understanding of how Traproot Kami’s unique attributes position it within Magic: The Gathering’s array of defender creatures. Its synergy with forest-rich decks and inexpensive mana cost make it a formidable early game sentinel and a valuable asset in matches that stretch into long battles.

Tangle Spider - MTG Card versions
Wall of Blossoms - MTG Card versions
Tangle Spider - Darksteel (DST)
Wall of Blossoms - Stronghold (STH)

Cards similar to Traproot Kami by color, type and mana cost

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Village Elder - MTG Card versions
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Skyshroud Elite - MTG Card versions
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Scryb Sprites - Limited Edition Alpha (LEA)
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Ghazbán Ogre - Masters Edition (ME1)
Shanodin Dryads - Summer Magic / Edgar (SUM)
Wall of Wood - 30th Anniversary Edition (30A)
Village Elder - Mirage (MIR)
Spike Drone - Tempest (TMP)
Skyshroud Elite - Exodus (EXO)
Elvish Berserker - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Tree Monkey - Ninth Edition (9ED)
Wild Dogs - Dominaria Remastered (DMR)
Elvish Herder - Urza's Saga (USG)
Pouncing Jaguar - Urza's Saga (USG)
Scavenger Folk - Seventh Edition (7ED)
Willow Geist - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Fyndhorn Elves - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Nimble Mongoose - The List (PLST)
Sylvan Safekeeper - World Championship Decks 2002 (WC02)
Elvish Lyrist - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Elvish Pioneer - Eighth Edition (8ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Traproot Kami 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 Traproot Kami and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Traproot Kami has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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