Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker MTG Card


Ishai’s growth with opponent spells drives a persistent threat, enhancing player strategy and card advantage. The card synergizes with commanders for resource acceleration, using mana efficiently for gameplay tactics. Instant speed ability boost aligns with control decks, allowing strategic board development while keeping mana for counters.
Card setsReleased in 5 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Bird Monk
Abilities Flying,Partner
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Flying Whenever an opponent casts a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker. Partner (You can have two commanders if both have partner.)

"Through me, the Great Teacher's voice will rattle this world."


Cards like Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker

Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker carves a unique niche among creature cards in Magic: The Gathering. As a partner commander, Ishai stands toe-to-toe with renowned creatures like Taigam, Ojutai Master. Both share a Dragon and Monk heritage and benefit from spellslinging strategies, but Ishai excels in multiplayer formats with its ability to grow larger for each spell your opponents cast.

Another card worth comparing is Dragonlord Ojutai. Although lacking Ishai’s partnering ability, Dragonlord Ojutai offers formidable presence with its hexproof ability until it attacks. This makes it a resilient threat, unlike Ishai that relies on the dynamic of the game to increase its power. Dromoka, the Eternal also echoes the growth potential, boosting other creatures with its bolster ability. However, its dependence on combat limits its versatility compared to Ishai’s passive, yet consistent power increment regardless of the phase of the game.

Of course, each card offers distinct advantages in a deck builder’s arsenal. Yet, for those who thrive in a politically charged game environment, Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker presents an ever-growing threat that can swiftly become a powerhouse at the command zone.

Taigam, Ojutai Master - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Ojutai - MTG Card versions
Dromoka, the Eternal - MTG Card versions
Taigam, Ojutai Master - MTG Card versions
Dragonlord Ojutai - MTG Card versions
Dromoka, the Eternal - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker by color, type and mana cost

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Ayesha Tanaka - MTG Card versions
Hazerider Drake - MTG Card versions
Harbor Guardian - MTG Card versions
Kangee, Aerie Keeper - MTG Card versions
Benalish Heralds - MTG Card versions
Glimmering Angel - MTG Card versions
Sawtooth Loon - MTG Card versions
Mirror Wall - MTG Card versions
Brago, King Eternal - MTG Card versions
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV - MTG Card versions
Meddling Kids - MTG Card versions
Thistledown Liege - MTG Card versions
Swans of Bryn Argoll - MTG Card versions
Skymark Roc - MTG Card versions
Hussar Patrol - MTG Card versions
Ascended Lawmage - MTG Card versions
Coastline Chimera - MTG Card versions
Thunderclap Wyvern - MTG Card versions
Taigam, Ojutai Master - MTG Card versions
Aven Wind Guide - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker’s ability to grow larger with each spell your opponents cast provides a commanding presence on the board. This naturally lends itself to card advantage as Ishai can become a formidable threat that requires multiple cards from opponents to handle.

Resource Acceleration: Though Ishai itself does not directly provide resource acceleration, its partnership capability opens the door to pairing with commanders that can. This synergistic potential allows for optimized mana utilization, leading to faster deployment of your strategy.

Instant Speed: Ishai’s passive ability that triggers at instant speed aligns perfectly with a control-based strategy. You can develop your board presence without having to invest mana and time on your own turns, keeping options open to react to the evolving game state with counterspells or instant-speed interactions.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: When you’re looking to maximize every card in hand, Ishai Ojutai Dragonspeaker’s demand for discarding a card to initiate some of its capabilities can put you at a strategic disadvantage. This is especially poignant during tight game moments where each card’s value is at a premium.

Specific Mana Cost: Ishai’s casting cost is quite particular, requiring both white and blue mana, this specificity hinders its inclusion in decks that may not support such a strict color combination or mono-colored decks that would otherwise benefit from the strengths of a powerful creature.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Ishai enters the battlefield with a substantial mana investment. For the same or fewer resources, players might have access to alternatives that can impact the board immediately or offer similar offensive capabilities without the hefty four mana cost that Ishai demands.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker blends well with multiple deck builds as it provides a constant threat that grows each time an opponent casts a spell. Its flying ability makes it an excellent evasive beater suitable for various combat scenarios.

Combo Potential: This card can be a powerhouse in the right combo. Its ability to scale in power with the number of spells played makes Ishai an ideal companion in partnership command, especially with commanders that have partner traits or in decks that can proliferate counters.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment filled with spellslinging adversaries, Ishai can quickly become a dominant force. As players typically cast multiple spells each turn, Ishai will grow larger, forcing your opponents to deal with it or face potentially game-ending damage.


How to beat

Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker is a formidable creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to grow stronger whenever a player casts a spell. To effectively counter this mighty flyer, it’s crucial to adopt a strategy that limits its power growth. Removal spells that can bypass Ishai’s increasing size are the key. Consider cards with unconditional destruction effects or those that exile, such as Path to Exile or Doom Blade, which can dispatch Ishai no matter how large it has grown.

One could also turn to counter-magic, with spells like Counterspell or Negate, to prevent Ishai from entering the battlefield in the first place. Alternatively, reducing the number of spells you cast can slow down Ishai’s growth. Strategies that utilize few key plays or that can operate at instant speed on the opponent’s turn can also minimize Ishai’s ability to become a threatening force. Lastly, remember that while Ishai can become massive, it doesn’t have inherent protection, so capitalizing on that by using targeted removal when its guard is down can swing the game back in your favor.

In realms dominated by dragons and their kin, a well-timed response can ensure that Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker does not soar out of control, keeping the battlefield even and the game within reach.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the tactical depth of MTG is a rewarding endeavor, especially with cards like Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker that offer both raw power and synergistic potential. Balancing your deck to harness Ishai’s strengths, while mitigating its weaknesses, creates a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Whether it’s optimizing your deck’s mana curve, selecting the right partners, or recognizing the perfect moment for game-changing plays, Ishai can be a keystone in your MTG arsenal. Delve deeper into our resources to discover how to best utilize Ishai’s capabilities and integrate this majestic dragon into your winning strategy. Learn with us and transform your game knowledge into sheer magic on the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Commander 2016, 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 Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2016-11-11 and 2020-11-20. Illustrated by Zack Stella.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 861602015NormalBlackZack Stella
22016-11-11Commander 2016C16 332015NormalBlackZack Stella
32016-11-16Treasure ChestPZ2 572015NormalBlackZack Stella
42018-06-08Commander Anthology Volume IICM2 122015NormalBlackZack Stella
52020-11-20Commander LegendsCMR 5202015NormalBlackZack Stella

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Ishai, Ojutai Dragonspeaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2020-11-10 An ability that triggers when a player casts a spell resolves before the spell that caused it to trigger. It resolves even if that spell is countered.
2020-11-10 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2020-11-10 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2020-11-10 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2020-11-10 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can only include cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities. If Falthis and Kediss are your commanders, your deck may contain cards with black and/or red in their color identity, but not cards with green, white, or blue.
2020-11-10 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
2020-11-10 To have two commanders, both must have the partner ability as the game begins. Losing the ability during the game doesn't cause either to cease to be your commander.
2020-11-10 You can choose two commanders with partner that are the same color or colors. In Commander Draft, you can even choose two of the same commander with partner if you drafted them. If you do this, make sure you keep the number of times you've cast each from the command zone clear for "commander tax" purposes.