Cloudsteel Kirin MTG Card


Cloudsteel Kirin offers card advantage by altering draw steps with each Spirit or Arcane spell cast. Its instant-speed ability accelerates resources, but it requires careful hand management due to discard. Despite a higher mana cost and specific color requirement, it has potential in artifact and flying decks.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Equipment Kirin
Abilities Flying,Reconfigure
Power 3
Toughness 2

Text of card

Flying Equipped creature has flying and "You can't lose the game and your opponents can't win the game." Reconfigure (: Attach to target creature you control; or unattach from a creature. Reconfigure only as a sorcery. While attached, this isn't a creature.)


Cards like Cloudsteel Kirin

Cloudsteel Kirin emerges as a unique creature card in Magic: The Gathering, drawing parallels with a few other impressive cards in the flying arsenal. Much like the renowned Stormwing Entity, both cards offer significant aerial prowess. Still, Cloudsteel Kirin presents an exciting angle with its ability to exile up to one target card from a graveyard when you play a historic spell, potentially disrupting your opponent’s game plan.

Approaching the comparison, Reya Dawnbringer stands out with her rejuvenating power, bringing creatures back from the graveyard to the battlefield. While Reya offers a clear advantage in creature recursion, Cloudsteel Kirin focuses more on graveyard control, a subtle but crucial distinction for strategic deck builders. Then, there’s Avacyn, Angel of Hope, bringing stalwart defense with her indestructibility. Though unmatched in defensive strength, Avacyn does miss the nuanced interaction with historic spells that Cloudsteel Kirin offers.

To sum it up, Cloudsteel Kirin certainly carves its niche among flying creatures in MTG. It might not have the persistent presence of Reya Dawnbringer or the solid protection of Avacyn, Angel of Hope, but its nuanced graveyard control coupled with synergy with historic spells gives it a distinctive edge worth considering for deck strategies.

Stormwing Entity - MTG Card versions
Reya Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions
Stormwing Entity - MTG Card versions
Reya Dawnbringer - MTG Card versions
Avacyn, Angel of Hope - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Cloudsteel Kirin by color, type and mana cost

Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
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Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Cloister Gargoyle - MTG Card versions
Idol of Endurance - MTG Card versions
Urza's Sylex - MTG Card versions
Thopter Shop - MTG Card versions
The Book of Exalted Deeds - MTG Card versions
Halo Fountain - MTG Card versions
Maul of the Skyclaves - MTG Card versions
Archaeomancer's Map - MTG Card versions
Pearl Shard - MTG Card versions
Soldier Replica - MTG Card versions
Thunder Totem - MTG Card versions
Marble Chalice - MTG Card versions
Scepter of Dominance - MTG Card versions
Auriok Replica - MTG Card versions
Blinding Souleater - MTG Card versions
Godsend - MTG Card versions
Peacewalker Colossus - MTG Card versions
Knight of the Widget - MTG Card versions
Riveting Rigger - MTG Card versions
Mace of the Valiant - MTG Card versions
Cloister Gargoyle - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Cloudsteel Kirin. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Azorius MidrangeAzorius Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 06 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Cloudsteel Kirin provides a strategic edge by allowing you to potentially gain significant card advantage. Each time you cast a Spirit or Arcane spell, it gives you the option to replace a draw step with that spell’s exponential power, translating into more options and resources at your disposal.

Resource Acceleration: By manipulating draw steps with Cloudsteel Kirin’s ability, you can streamline your deck’s functioning, ensuring that the spells you cast amplify your resource pool and accelerate your in-game progression, thereby enabling larger, more impactful plays sooner in the match.

Instant Speed: Cloudsteel Kirin’s ability can be triggered at instant speed, whenever you cast a qualifying spell. This allows you to fully utilize your mana each turn and can create unexpected advantages by disrupting your opponent’s calculations and strategies during their turn, keeping you one step ahead.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Cloudsteel Kirin necessitates the discard of another card to activate one of its key abilities. This can be a significant downside in games where maintaining card advantage is crucial, potentially leaving you at a deficit when you’re scrambling for options.

Specific Mana Cost: Embodying both white and blue mana in its casting cost, Cloudsteel Kirin might not seamlessly fit into decks that aren’t specifically tailored to support such a color combination, potentially limiting its versatility across various deck types.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that’s on the heftier side, Cloudsteel Kirin may compete with other high-impact cards in your deck’s four-mana slot. Players might find themselves weighing its benefits against other powerhouse cards that could potentially offer more immediate board presence or value.


Reasons to Include Cloudsteel Kirin in Your Collection

Versatility: Cloudsteel Kirin has a flexible role, fitting into artifact-centered or flying-themed decks with ease. Its unique ability to transform noncreature artifacts makes it a valuable addition to various strategies.

Combo Potential: When paired with cards that generate artifact tokens or utilize charge counters, Cloudsteel Kirin can become a powerhouse, converting seemingly innocuous tokens into formidable flying threats.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where flying creatures dominate or artifacts are prevalent, Cloudsteel Kirin’s distinctive ability to disrupt the board and bolster your aerial offense makes it a must-have for staying competitive.


How to Beat Cloudsteel Kirin

Cloudsteel Kirin promises to be a game-changer on the battlefield with its evasive maneuvers and lifelink capability, reminiscent of cherished flyers in Magic: The Gathering. But as with any formidable card, there are strategies to outplay it. Efficient removal is key. Consider packing your deck with spells like Doom Blade or Path to Exile, which provide clean, unprejudiced removal options. Another tactic is to outpace your opponent with aggressive creatures that can pressure life totals before Cloudsteel Kirin can impact the game.

Should you find yourself facing a Cloudsteel Kirin, remember that its strength lies in its flying and lifelink—attributes that can be mitigated. Cards that grant reach or those that can bring down flying creatures, such as Plummet, are inexpensive solutions to this aerial threat. Additionally, instant-speed interactive spells could turn the tables, allowing you to remove the Kirin as it attacks or blocks. It’s all about timing and maintaining board control while keeping efficient answers in hand for this new addition to the pantheon of Magic: The Gathering creatures.

Persistent board control coupled with strategic creature removal or debuffs can neutralize the Cloudsteel Kirin’s advantages, ensuring that this formidable orient-inspired spirit doesn’t overshadow your path to victory.


BurnMana Recommendations

Wrapping up, whether it’s capitalizing on card advantage, enhancing resource acceleration, or exploiting instant speed actions, Cloudsteel Kirin can be a linchpin in your MTG deck. While it may require careful planning around its discard requirement, specific mana cost, and position in the mana curve, when wielded wisely, it can be a game-defining asset. Consider its synergy with artifact and flying strategies, and its capacity to counter meta trends. If you’re intrigued by the potential of Cloudsteel Kirin in your collection, join us to expand your knowledge and discover how to integrate this dynamic card into your deck-building strategies for optimal performance in your next MTG challenge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Cloudsteel Kirin MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Promos, 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 Cloudsteel Kirin and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Cloudsteel Kirin Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 978752015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 8s2015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
32022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 8p2015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
42022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 82015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
52022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 4352015NormalBlackJonathan Kuo
62022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3642015NormalBlackMoopic

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Cloudsteel Kirin has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Cloudsteel Kirin card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-02-18 Although it causes an Equipment to become attached to a creature, reconfigure is not an “equip ability” for the purpose of cards like Fighter Class and Leonin Shikari.
2022-02-18 An Equipment creature can never become attached to itself. If an effect tries to do this, nothing happens.
2022-02-18 An Equipment creature with reconfigure can be attached to creatures by effects other than its reconfigure ability, such as the activated ability of Brass Squire.
2022-02-18 An Equipment doesn't become tapped when the permanent it's attached to becomes tapped. For example, if you attack with a creature that is equipped with Acquisition Octopus, then use reconfigure to unattach Acquisition Octopus after combat, the Octopus will be untapped and could be used to block during your opponent's turn.
2022-02-18 As soon as an Equipment creature with reconfigure stops being a creature, any Equipment and Auras with enchant creature abilities become unattached. Auras that can enchant an Equipment that isn't a creature remain attached to it.
2022-02-18 Attaching an Equipment with reconfigure to a creature causes that Equipment to stop being a creature until it becomes unattached. It also loses any creature subtypes it had.
2022-02-18 If a permanent with reconfigure is somehow still a creature after it becomes attached (perhaps due to an effect like that of March of the Machines), it immediately becomes unattached from the equipped creature.
2022-02-18 If an Equipment with reconfigure somehow loses its abilities while it is attached, the effect causing it to not be a creature continues to apply until it becomes unattached.
2022-02-18 If you control a creature equipped with Cloudsteel Kirin in a Two-Headed Giant game, your team can't lose the game and the opposing team can't win the game.
2022-02-18 If you have 0 or less life while Cloudsteel Kirin is equipped to a creature, activating reconfigure to attach Cloudsteel Kirin to another creature you control doesn't cause you to lose the game. You would lose the game if Cloudsteel Kirin becomes unattached or becomes attached to a creature you don't control.
2022-02-18 No game effect can cause you to lose the game or cause any opponent to win the game while you control a creature equipped with Cloudsteel Kirin. It doesn't matter whether you have 0 or less life, you're forced to draw a card while your library is empty, you have ten or more poison counters, you're at the end of your Nine Lives, your opponent is a Triskaidekaphile, or so on. You keep playing.
2022-02-18 Other circumstances can still cause you to lose the game. For example, you will lose a game if you concede or if you're penalized with a Game Loss or a Match Loss during a sanctioned tournament due to a tournament rules infraction.
2022-02-18 Reconfigure represents two activated abilities. Reconfigure
-ost] means “
-ost: Attach this permanent to another target creature you control. Activate only as a sorcery,” and “
-ost: Unattach this permanent. Activate only if this permanent is attached to a creature and only as a sorcery.”
2022-02-18 Similarly, if an Equipment is tapped, its reconfigure abilities may still be activated and it may still become attached to creatures. Becoming attached doesn't untap it. In most cases, an attached Equipment being tapped won't affect gameplay, but it will be relevant if it becomes unattached again before it untaps.