Kokusho, the Evening Star MTG Card


Kokusho’s death trigger can result in a major shift in life points, greatly impacting the game’s outcome. Demands specific mana investment, which may be challenging in multicolored decks or require a heavier focus on black mana. Works well with reanimation strategies and synergizes with graveyard-focused decks, enhancing combo potential.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Dragon Spirit
Abilities Flying
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Flying When Kokusho, the Evening Star is put into a graveyard from play, each opponent loses 5 life. You gain life equal to the life lost this way.


Cards like Kokusho, the Evening Star

Kokusho, the Evening Star holds a revered place in Magic: The Gathering for its life-altering death trigger effect. Yet, there are other dragons like Yosei, the Morning Star which impacts the game board differently. When Yosei dies, it freezes an opponent’s game, locking down five of their permanents and not allowing them to untap during the next untap phase. This freezing effect can shift game dynamics, much like Kokusho’s ability to shift life totals.

Another dragon to consider is Keiga, the Tide Star which, upon death, allows you to gain control of a target creature. While not impacting life totals directly, controlling an opponent’s creature can be a significant tactical advantage. Comparatively, Ryusei, the Falling Star’s death results in a 5 damage blast to each creature without flying, serving as a board wipe in certain scenarios – a stark contrast to Kokusho’s life exchange strategy.

Though these dragons share the star motif and similar costs, each offers unique advantages. Kokusho’s ability to effect life totals of all players makes it a potent force in multiplayer games, often turning the tide of battle. This versatility, alongside its significant impact on the game’s outcome, solidifies Kokusho’s esteemed position within the pantheon of MTG cards.

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 Kokusho, the Evening Star by color, type and mana cost

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Nightmare - MTG Card versions
Demonic Hordes - MTG Card versions
Ihsan's Shade - MTG Card versions
Necrosavant - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Lancer - MTG Card versions
Face of Fear - MTG Card versions
Wire Surgeons - MTG Card versions
Grave Titan - MTG Card versions
Chittering Harvester - MTG Card versions
Crossway Troublemakers - MTG Card versions
Anurid Murkdiver - MTG Card versions
Gempalm Polluter - MTG Card versions
Nefashu - MTG Card versions
Twisted Abomination - MTG Card versions
Iname, Death Aspect - MTG Card versions
Deathcurse Ogre - MTG Card versions
Yawgmoth Demon - MTG Card versions
Ascendant Evincar - MTG Card versions
Bog Hoodlums - MTG Card versions
Helldozer - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Unfurls its wings in the late game whereby Kokusho the Evening Star’s death trigger can shift the tides, offering a substantial life point swing. Controlling the board and regaining a significant resource balance makes it a formidable presence, tipping the scales in your favor.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct accelerator, Kokusho’s existence on the board accelerates your win condition. Upon departing the battlefield, it can often create a life gap that’s hard for opponents to recover from, bringing you closer to victory in an accelerated pace.

Instant Speed: Kokusho the Evening Star may not operate at instant speed, but its impact upon entering or leaving the battlefield is sudden and profound, comparable to the immediate effects of an instant. It demands immediate answers, contributing to the pressure and psychological advantage over the opponent, shaping their play to your benefit.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In some gameplay situations, having Kokusho, the Evening Star in your hand can be a burden, especially if a card effect or an opponent’s strategy forces you to discard without reaping the benefits of its powerful death trigger.

Specific Mana Cost: Kokusho’s casting cost requires three black mana, which can be challenging in multicolored decks or formats where mana flexibility is crucial. Balancing the mana base to consistently cast Kokusho on curve might require more commitment to black mana sources than some strategies can afford.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Kokusho’s six total mana cost means it’s a later game play. In games where tempo is critical, or against decks that aim to win quickly, the mana investment in Kokusho might not pay off as it could be too slow to influence the game’s outcome effectively.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kokusho the Evening Star offers a broad range of utility across various deck types. As a flying creature, it fits perfectly into decks focusing on aerial superiority, and its life exchange ability is a game-changer in matches that demand stabilization.

Combo Potential: This card’s death trigger, where opponents lose 5 life and you gain that life, has immense synergies. It can set off a chain of reactions in graveyard-focused decks or work with reanimation strategies, making it a formidable tool for combo enthusiasts.

Meta-Relevance: In meta-games where board wipes and creature removal are prevalent, Kokusho the Evening Star becomes a resilient threat. Its impact on life totals upon leaving the battlefield can shift the momentum in your favor, making it especially effective against decks that lack instant speed interaction.


How to beat

Kokusho, the Evening Star is a card that can tip the scales in Commander games, with its power lying in its ability to drain life from opponents upon death. To effectively counter this formidable card, players must deploy strategic removal. While direct destruction spells like Path to Exile or Swords to Plowshares can send Kokusho to the graveyard, savvy players will prepare graveyard exile effects to prevent recurring the effect through reanimation.

Countermagic is also a reliable tool against Kokusho, the Evening Star. Denying its casting with a Counterspell means its ability never triggers. Additionally, if Kokusho does hit the field, managing the timing of removal becomes paramount to minimize impact. Hitting it during your turn prevents the opponent from using the death trigger on their own turn to regain the upper hand. Utilizing instant-speed graveyard exile such as Tormod’s Crypt after removal, or running exile-based removal like Anguished Unmaking, can also directly counter the threat without triggering Kokusho’s life-drain ability.

In essence, successfully countering Kokusho involves a blend of removal and graveyard interaction, either through countering it directly or ensuring its ability has a reduced effect. This smart resource management is a key strategy for maintaining the upper hand against a backdrop of this powerful card’s potential game-changing presence.


BurnMana Recommendations

Kokusho the Evening Star possesses attributes that can invigorate your gameplay, becoming a linchpin in decks that capitalize on life total manipulation. As you hone your MTG strategies, consider how this iconic card could enhance your gaming arsenal. Its transformative ability to alter life totals accentuates its role in turning the tide of multiplayer games, marking it as a key competitor that rivals may struggle to counter. If mastering the delicate balance of power and timing is your quest, Kokusho might just be the ally you need. Learn more with us, and bring a new level of depth to your MTG engagements.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kokusho, the Evening Star MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa and From the Vault: Dragons, 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 Kokusho, the Evening Star and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kokusho, the Evening Star Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2004-10-01 and 2017-11-17. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12004-10-01Champions of KamigawaCHK 1222003NormalBlackTsutomu Kawade
22008-08-29From the Vault: DragonsDRB 92003NormalBlackTsutomu Kawade
32013-06-07Modern MastersMMA 892003NormalBlackTsutomu Kawade
42017-11-17Iconic MastersIMA 952015NormalBlackSlawomir Maniak

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kokusho, the Evening Star has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal