This card is a quick, low risk card. But when you look at cards like Nettle Sentinel, which are much better in certain decks, the Hound of Konda looses some of its appeal.
I also love the flavor text of this card.
riotninja
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(8 votes)
This is true but Isamaru can be fielded more reliably in a wider range of deck types. One mana for a 2/2 creature with no complications (other then the legendary thing of course) is pretty sweet.
And you cant forget the cool factor - its a wicked dog that mauls people - and is famous for it.
SavageBrain89
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(14 votes)
A legendary hound thats a 2/2 for one mana with no drawbacks and awesome flavor text? What more could a person ask for?
inmypants22
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(9 votes)
this is best general for EDH, but it is also the best 3 drop in the whole games
One of the best 1-drops, I'd love to get my hands on some.
Buridan
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
usable in every deck that even only slightly touches white
JaxsonBateman
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(7 votes)
Having played against this fella in EDH, I can safely say - he owns. Hard. Especially with some good equipment attached to him. With the right draws, he's capable of winning an EDH game in 4 or 5 turns.
TheTraitorKing
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
Any white deck can run Isamaru. They will be richly rewarded for running him. He also powers up the cards that card about legends, too...
Yes yes, a 1 CMC 2/2 rocks, but still a vanilla legendary seems odd in my book.
allmighty_abacus
★☆☆☆☆ (1.3/5.0)(15 votes)
I'd rather drop elite vanguard. Or any of the other 2/1s for 1 simply because I can have more than one on the field.
That's the whole point of a 1 drop by the way guys. Apparently around 100 of you forgot.
Zetan
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(6 votes)
@Eved
Most of the people idolizing this card are EDH players. Being a Legend is a drawback in every other format, but in EDH, as the general, it's a huge advantage. First, he can be played almost anytime, which means he's on the table first turn 99.99% of the time, and very rarely leaves the table for long. Second, generals deal special damage that can never be healed and kills twice as fast.
That means as an EDH general, this guy is more like a 4/2 that doubles all bonuses to power from enchantments/equipment. Oh, and damage he causes can never be healed (though it does count as half as effective when combined with normal damage). Plus, he bounces from your graveyard to your hand, can never be affected by anything while in your hand, and is guaranteed to start in your hand in addition to your other 7 cards.
If all that were written on the card, you'd call him 5/5 as well.
I agree, he's a solid 4/5 in any other format, but he's an easy 5/5 in EDH.
Eved
★★☆☆☆ (2.7/5.0)(16 votes)
As a white card this is rated higher then Baneslayer Angel. As a one drop this is rated higher then Disciple of the Vault. He's a 2/2 for cmc . That isn't unique. There are 15 other 2/2 one drops. Being a legend is generally a drawback guys. That being said, this card is worth a solid 4 stars.
@Forgeling: Saying what you can play after it doesn't mean anything unless it comboes.
@JaxsonBateman: The credit goes to the equipment in that case.
Edit : @Zetan: First, being a legend, as the general, is not a huge advantage, it's a requirement. Second, a card should not be rated solely on one format. Third everything you said other then it coming out first turn is true of EVERY EDH general. If all that were written on every legend I could play then yes I would rate them higher. But the fact is that they do none of those things unless you are playing a specific format.
shaarlander
★☆☆☆☆ (1.4/5.0)(4 votes)
A very good one mana drop but it is quickly dispatched by something as simple as a shock. There are better 1-mana-drops around the hood
4.5/5
GengilOrbios
★★☆☆☆ (2.0/5.0)(4 votes)
it's difficult to say but this could be the best creature ever O.O
NARFNra
★★★★☆ (4.0/5.0)(5 votes)
@allmighty_abacus
And here I thought the point of a one drop was to drop it on turn one to deal some quick damage/block.
EpicBroccoli
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(13 votes)
Strangely enough, this isn't that over the curve now. @_@
divine_exodus
★★★★☆ (4.8/5.0)(20 votes)
Allow me to improve upon forgeling and dudecow:
Turn 1: Plains, this.
Turn 2: Forest, watchwolf.
Turn 3: Mountain, wooly thoctar.
Turn 4: Swamp, muraganda petroglyphs.
Turn 5: Island, fusion elemental.
Quincy_Robinson
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(13 votes)
Quite possibly the best card of our EDH / Commander lifetimes.
Isamaru has Adonis DNA.
umumwhatshisname
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(7 votes)
I don't see why everyone says he's so good. Traditionally ou can get 1/2 or 2/1 and now things are a bit stronger. Typically legendary is worth about 2 points of power, a little more than 1 colorless. To be inline with its cost it should be 2/2 First Strike or 3/2. At least 2/3
Alsebra
★☆☆☆☆ (1.0/5.0)(3 votes)
@umumwhatshisname - Several things:
Traditionally ou can get 1/2 or 2/1 and now things are a bit stronger.
The largest you can get for one of any color (without a drawback or another requirement) is a 0/4 or a 3/2.
Typically legendary is worth about 2 points of power, a little more than 1 colorless.
80 of the 463 legendary creatures (or creatures with a legendary half) have a power of less than 2...and 17 of these have a CMC of 2 or less.
To be inline with its cost it should be 2/2 First Strike or 3/2. At least 2/3
Wait, what? You believe that a 2/2 First Striker (or either of the others) is in line with cost at ?
Wulfsten
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(10 votes)
Who's a good boy?
TheSwarm
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
@ Savage Brain: A 2/2 Goblin with haste that has a drawback you don't really care about
Mid_Squad
★★★★☆ (4.6/5.0)(20 votes)
Best EDH general right here. Imagine an army being led by a famous dog.
Vampire Lacerator without the drawback ...except you can only have one in play and it's not a tribal. EDIT: Goblin Guide too. Underpowered. AWESOME art though.
SgtSwaggr
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
also known as Honda
cpe007
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(5 votes)
The only "real" drawback is that you can't have more than one or more of these puppies out on the battlefield. But that won't stop you from having 4 in your deck. More power to the person who gets more than two of this guy and has to mulligan because he has too many one-drops.
Clicka
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I would take Nettle Sentinel over this. Take away the legendary status and add pseudo-vigilance. Sign me up.
Great (one drop) card though. 4.5/5
Shadoflaam
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
"BENTON! BENTON! GOD DAMMIT! BENTON! DAMMIT! BENTOOON!"
This Dog Is A Very Nice One Drop.......Too Bad It Dies Too removal.
Arachnos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
There may be other 2/2s for 1 CMC, but ALL of them save this guy have some kind of drawback. The best is probably Glint Hawk - 2/2 flying, but still requires returning an artifact you control to hand.
dlgn
★★★★☆ (4.7/5.0)(3 votes)
Sneezing dog is sneezing.
atemu1234
★☆☆☆☆ (1.8/5.0)(3 votes)
I feel like the flavor text lends to the possibility it could have been "when Isamaru, Hound of Konda attacks, untap all soldier and hound creatures."
WarioMan
★★★★☆ (4.4/5.0)(7 votes)
yes hello this is dog
Diachronos
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Being a 1-drop 2/2 with his only drawback being "Dies to removal" is already enough to make him nasty.
As an EDH General, though, he's MUCH more dangerous than one would expect. For starters, he lets you start swinging for General damage on T2, which very few Legendary creatures are capable of doing. Second, White is probably the biggest Equipment user, and they have quite a few decent Auras to throw onto attackers.
TheWrathofShane
★★★☆☆ (3.5/5.0)(3 votes)
This would make a fun EDH General. You could get 21 commander damage really quick.
psychichobo
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(1 vote)
I like him, but not sure how he'd fare as a Commander. I mean, one death and he's suddenly gone from super cheap to overpriced.
Still, must be fun playing a general turn one. Suck on it, Kaalia! You may have Angels, Demons and Dragons, but we have a DOG!
Anzu-chan
★★★★☆ (4.2/5.0)(5 votes)
So, your creatures are commanded by a little puppy? :'D
Jayquaz
★★★★☆ (4.5/5.0)(4 votes)
I can't find how to rate this 6/5. EDIT: Should have replaced Cao Cao, Lord of Wei in From the Vault: Legends.
Red-White
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Why? O why! I traded two of these for a Trained Orgg back in the day i was a complete starter and looking just on P/T. I'm still sad the moment I remember that sad trade.
shotoku64
★★★★☆ (4.9/5.0)(6 votes)
Needs "{T}: destroy target squirrel"
BrickMouse
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Awesome card. Also, you can make a Hitchhiker's Guide reference that fits with his flavor by shouting "Commmies!" when you play him, since Commie, and Kami are pronounced the same.
Pipikako
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(5 votes)
Judging by edition it was printed, they ate it after....
Lifegainwithbite
★★★☆☆ (3.2/5.0)(5 votes)
@Pipikapo: Wow. How can somebody be so stupid? Kamigawa is based on Japan. The stereotype of CHINA is that they eat dogs. If you're going to be a racist (which is already pretty stupid), at least be one of the cleverer ones and insult the right country. Some Chinese people might eat dogs but at least there are very few who are as dumb as you are.
Fearsomecritter
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Have an EDH in which the whole point is to get as many auras as possible on Isamaru.
I call the deck "Krypto"
Enelysios
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
If you play this as an EDH general you are probably the most boring player alive. (Or FearSomeCritter) He is not a great general for general damage. He may get a few hits in on the first couple turns but once he is killed and you need to pay 3 for him again you will feel silly. He has no other utility, he is just a cheap, white, vanilla.
Outside of EDH (or at least not as a general)? This hound is a powerhouse. don't underestimate what a 2/2 for one can bring you early game.
boltlightning
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.5/5.0)(2 votes)
why the hell does everyone who comments on this immediately think edh? This powerhouse badass puppy obviously wasn't meant to be a general! This is only legendary because it has to be, other wise it would be BROKEN. but of course when somebody sees "legendary creature"...they immediately see EDH EDH EDH EDH!
geez people.........
Continue
★★☆☆☆ (2.8/5.0)(2 votes)
Cry havoc and let slip the dog of war.
@Lifegainwithbite: Actually, that's more Korea than anything.
EGarrett01
★★★★☆ (4.1/5.0)(8 votes)
wow
such p/t
one cost
what value
so amaze
Subtle_Kay
★★★☆☆ (3.9/5.0)(4 votes)
http://i.imgur.com/xGkoucA.jpg
Silver-Paladin
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
boltlightning: Actually, He can be a decent commander. Filling the deck with little more than auras and equipment, he used to be the Spike's go-to commander before the format got hot. He's actually seen a slight resurgance lately, too, for cheap spike decks
T1 Him T2 Swift Foot Boots, swing for 2 commander T3 Equip, Hyena Umbra, Ethereal Armor, swing for 5 commander total 7 T4 Armored Ascension, swing for 9, total 16 commander damage
Sure, today's money decks blow it out of the water, but you could put some serious hurt on the table fast.
Also, chill, its a new format that encourages people to be creative. Of course they'll look at every legendary they can
purplebackpack89
☆☆☆☆☆ (0.0/5.0)
Hi, my name is Isamaru and I like to eat snowballs.
Comments (60)
I also love the flavor text of this card.
This is true but Isamaru can be fielded more reliably in a wider range of deck types. One mana for a 2/2 creature with no complications (other then the legendary thing of course) is pretty sweet.
And you cant forget the cool factor - its a wicked dog that mauls people - and is famous for it.
T2: Lay Forest, Cast Watchwolf
T3: Lay Mountain, Cast Woolly Thoctar
That's the whole point of a 1 drop by the way guys. Apparently around 100 of you forgot.
Most of the people idolizing this card are EDH players. Being a Legend is a drawback in every other format, but in EDH, as the general, it's a huge advantage. First, he can be played almost anytime, which means he's on the table first turn 99.99% of the time, and very rarely leaves the table for long. Second, generals deal special damage that can never be healed and kills twice as fast.
That means as an EDH general, this guy is more like a 4/2 that doubles all bonuses to power from enchantments/equipment. Oh, and damage he causes can never be healed (though it does count as half as effective when combined with normal damage). Plus, he bounces from your graveyard to your hand, can never be affected by anything while in your hand, and is guaranteed to start in your hand in addition to your other 7 cards.
If all that were written on the card, you'd call him 5/5 as well.
I agree, he's a solid 4/5 in any other format, but he's an easy 5/5 in EDH.
As a one drop this is rated higher then Disciple of the Vault.
He's a 2/2 for cmc
There are 15 other 2/2 one drops.
Being a legend is generally a drawback guys.
That being said, this card is worth a solid 4 stars.
@Forgeling:
Saying what you can play after it doesn't mean anything unless it comboes.
@JaxsonBateman:
The credit goes to the equipment in that case.
Edit :
@Zetan:
First, being a legend, as the general, is not a huge advantage, it's a requirement. Second, a card should not be rated solely on one format. Third everything you said other then it coming out first turn is true of EVERY EDH general. If all that were written on every legend I could play then yes I would rate them higher. But the fact is that they do none of those things unless you are playing a specific format.
4.5/5
And here I thought the point of a one drop was to drop it on turn one to deal some quick damage/block.
Turn 1: Plains, this.
Turn 2: Forest, watchwolf.
Turn 3: Mountain, wooly thoctar.
Turn 4: Swamp, muraganda petroglyphs.
Turn 5: Island, fusion elemental.
Isamaru has Adonis DNA.
Traditionally ou can get 1/2 or 2/1 and now things are a bit stronger.
The largest you can get for one of any color (without a drawback or another requirement) is a 0/4 or a 3/2.
Typically legendary is worth about 2 points of power, a little more than 1 colorless.
80 of the 463 legendary creatures (or creatures with a legendary half) have a power of less than 2...and 17 of these have a CMC of 2 or less.
To be inline with its cost it should be 2/2 First Strike or 3/2. At least 2/3
Wait, what? You believe that a 2/2 First Striker (or either of the others) is in line with cost at ?
EDIT: Goblin Guide too. Underpowered.
AWESOME art though.
Great (one drop) card though. 4.5/5
As an EDH General, though, he's MUCH more dangerous than one would expect. For starters, he lets you start swinging for General damage on T2, which very few Legendary creatures are capable of doing. Second, White is probably the biggest Equipment user, and they have quite a few decent Auras to throw onto attackers.
Still, must be fun playing a general turn one. Suck on it, Kaalia! You may have Angels, Demons and Dragons, but we have a DOG!
EDIT: Should have replaced Cao Cao, Lord of Wei in From the Vault: Legends.
I call the deck "Krypto"
Outside of EDH (or at least not as a general)? This hound is a powerhouse. don't underestimate what a 2/2 for one can bring you early game.
geez people.........
@Lifegainwithbite: Actually, that's more Korea than anything.
such p/t
one cost
what value
so amaze
T1 Him
T2 Swift Foot Boots, swing for 2 commander
T3 Equip, Hyena Umbra, Ethereal Armor, swing for 5 commander total 7
T4 Armored Ascension, swing for 9, total 16 commander damage
Sure, today's money decks blow it out of the water, but you could put some serious hurt on the table fast.
Also, chill, its a new format that encourages people to be creative. Of course they'll look at every legendary they can