Kairi, the Swirling Sky MTG Card


Generates card advantage and resource acceleration, significantly impacting the game’s tempo and player momentum. Demands careful hand management and blue mana commitment, promoting strategic deck construction and resource planning. Brings versatility to decks, with meta relevance and potential for powerful plays, but requires a five-mana investment.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Creature — Dragon Spirit
Abilities Flying,Mill,Ward
Power 6
Toughness 6

Text of card

Flying, ward When Kairi, the Swirling Sky dies, choose one — • Return any number of target nonland permanents with total mana value 6 or less to their owners' hands. • Mill six cards, then return up to two instant and/or sorcery cards from your graveyard to your hand.


Cards like Kairi, the Swirling Sky

Kairi, the Swirling Sky is a captivating presence in MTG, offering a unique blend of abilities that set it apart from other creatures on the battlefield. This card compares favorably to Yosei, the Morning Star, another dragon that also comes with a power to disrupt the opponent’s game upon dying. Kairi, however, elevates the game with its reincarnation ability, allowing you a chance to bring it back to your hand and re-deploy its potential.

Offering a different but related gameplay twist, we look at Keiga, the Tide Star. Keiga shares the ability to deliver a tactical advantage when it dies by taking control of an opponent’s creature. What Kairi adds to the table is its flexibility, as it can protect your other creatures from being targeted, a safeguard Keiga lacks. Then you have Ryusei, the Falling Star, delivering a board sweep effect upon its death. Whereas Ryusei impacts the board immediately, Kairi’s reincarnation provides persistent value over time, a strategic boon for players.

In summary, while each dragon brings its own strategic merit, Kairi, the Swirling Sky stands out with its reincarnation, making it a powerful card that can influence the game across multiple turns, offering MTG players both protection and potential for repeated value.

Yosei, the Morning Star - MTG Card versions
Keiga, the Tide Star - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions
Yosei, the Morning Star - MTG Card versions
Keiga, the Tide Star - MTG Card versions
Ryusei, the Falling Star - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kairi, the Swirling Sky by color, type and mana cost

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Isperia's Skywatch - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of the Chimes - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Harbor Serpent - MTG Card versions
Skyline Predator - MTG Card versions
Isperia's Skywatch - MTG Card versions
Sphinx of the Chimes - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
Four-color RampFour-color Ramp Standard4c ReanimatorThe Pizza Box Open: Standard
Five-color ReanimatorFive-color Reanimator Standard4c ReanimatorThe Pizza Box Open: Standard

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kairi the Swirling Sky offers a significant edge by allowing players to potentially cast a powerful spirit or arcane spell from their hand without paying its mana cost. This effect can swing the game in your favor by effectively bypassing resource limitations and maintaining card flow.

Resource Acceleration: With Kairi, you can leverage her ability to return a number of nonland permanents to their owners’ hands up to the number of Spirits you control. This can set your opponents back while you develop your board state, ultimately speeding up your gameplay and momentum.

Instant Speed: Kairi’s activated ability can be used at instant speed, which gives you the flexibility to disrupt your opponent’s strategy during their turn, protect your own permanents from removal, or just gain a tactical advantage by waiting for the most opportune moment to act.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: With Kairi the Swirling Sky necessitating the discard of another blue card to achieve certain effects, players may find themselves in a predicament when their hand is depleted of unnecessary cards. This can prove to be particularly challenging during the late game when hand size typically diminishes.

Specific Mana Cost: Kairi’s casting cost demands a rigorous blue mana commitment, which could potentially restrict deck-building flexibility. Decks not heavily invested in blue mana sources might struggle to consistently meet this requirement, especially in the early phases of the game.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The investment of five mana to summon Kairi the Swirling Sky can be steep, particularly given the pace of the current meta. There are alternative creatures and spells that may bring a similar impact to the battlefield at a lower mana cost, increasing their playability and versatility across various scenarios.


Reasons to Include Kairi the Swirling Sky in Your Collection

Versatility: Kairi the Swirling Sky brings adaptability to numerous deck archetypes with its ability to protect other creatures from targeted spells. This defensive mechanism not only complements control strategies but can also be pivotal in creature-focused builds seeking resilience.

Combo Potential: As a legendary creature, Kairi holds the combo potential in commander formats, where its reincarnation effect can be harnessed. This ability allows you to recur key creatures from the graveyard, setting up dynamic plays and recurrent threats that opponents must answer.

Meta-Relevance: With a shifted meta often favoring creature-based tactics, Kairi can prove invaluable. Its presence ensures your high-value creatures have an added layer of protection, and when the meta includes decks that rely heavily on targeted removal, Kairi’s ability to rebuff such strategies makes it a timely addition to any collection.


How to beat Kairi, the Swirling Sky

Kairi, the Swirling Sky presents a unique challenge on the battlefield as a powerful flying creature in Magic: The Gathering. With the capability to counter spells unless opponents pay two additional mana, it demands a strategic approach to overcome. One effective tactic is ramping up mana to outpace the additional cost imposed by Kairi’s ability. Another is to deploy removal spells when Kairi is tapped out, or to ambush it during the casting of another spell when the mana reserve is low. Utilizing instant-speed removal can catch opponents off guard, neutralizing Kairi before their defenses are up.

Additionally, playing around Kairi involves a careful consideration of the board state and spell timing. Employing creatures with abilities that can bypass Kairi’s protections, such as those that can’t be countered, also offers a solid path to claiming victory. Consider leveraging effects that grant your spells uncounterable or that strip away abilities for a direct approach. Ultimately, overcoming this formidable adversary in MTG requires a blend of mana management, precise timing, and leveraging the right spells at opportune moments.


BurnMana Recommendations

Commanding the skies of MTG with a well-crafted deck is a quest many players embark upon, and Kairi the Swirling Sky often emerges as a key piece in this aerial puzzle. Its ability to disrupt opponents, accelerate your game plan, and offer instant speed reactions makes it a formidable choice for any blue-centric deck. As Kairi soars into your strategy, remember to wield its strengths wisely and prepare for the late-game considerations it brings. Enhance your collection and gameplay by incorporating this mystical dragon, and let it guide your way to new heights. Curious about integrating Kairi into your next deck or seeking strategic advantages it can offer? Embark with us on this journey to maximize your deck’s potential and conquer the MTG realms.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kairi, the Swirling Sky MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and Magic Online 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 Kairi, the Swirling Sky and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kairi, the Swirling Sky 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 979432015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
22002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 979412015NormalBlackYoshiya
32022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 4462015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
42022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 60p2015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
52022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 4082015NormalBorderlessYoshiya
62022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 602015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson
72022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 60s2015NormalBlackTyler Jacobson

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kairi, the Swirling Sky has restrictions

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