Tatsunari, Toad Rider MTG Card


Tatsunari, Toad Rider offers card advantage through drawing and token generation upon casting Frog spells. It provides instant speed interactions for flexibility and can significantly ramp up resources with tokens. The card’s downside includes a specific mana cost and a requirement to discard for its return ability.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Human Ninja
Power 3
Toughness 3

Text of card

Whenever you cast an enchantment spell, if you don't control a creature named Keimi, create Keimi, a legendary 3/3 black and green Frog creature token with "Whenever you cast an enchantment spell, each opponent loses 1 life and you gain 1 life." {G/U}: Tatsunari, Toad Rider and target Frog you control can't be blocked this turn except by creatures with flying or reach.


Cards like Tatsunari, Toad Rider

Tatsunari, Toad Rider adds a unique twist to creature cards with transformative abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It carries a resemblance to Delver of Secrets, another creature that transforms, although Delver morphs through a specific card reveal at the upkeep phase. Tatsunari, however, relies on casting Frog spells or artifacts to activate its change, giving players a more controlled alter-ego effect.

Another kindred spirit is Huntmaster of the Fells, a card that similarly mutates with a flip, pivoting its role on the battlefield through specific game conditions. While Tatsunari transitions through spell casting, Huntmaster needs the no-spell trigger to transform, giving it a passive shift compared to the active engagement needed for Tatsunari’s metamorphosis.

Examining other members of the transformative kin, we also find Mayor of Avabruck, which flips into a werewolf that benefits other creatures of its kind. While Mayor boosts its brethren, Tatsunari, as a commander, offers tactical advantages to Frog tribal decks, presenting an intriguing leadership role.

In essence, Tatsunari, Toad Rider stands out as a formidable creature among the shape-shifters of Magic: The Gathering for those favoring dynamic strategies and synergistic creature types.

Mayor of Avabruck - MTG Card versions
Mayor of Avabruck - MTG Card versions

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Decks using this card

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

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
UBUB StandardTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 22, 2024
Abzan ComboAbzan Combo GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: EMEA Week 13 2024
Abzan MidrangeAbzan Midrange GladiatorSword and Sandals Showdown: AM Week 08 2024
Golgari ControlGolgari Control GladiatorGladiator Games: We're Back

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Tatsunari, Toad Rider shines by offering the ability to potentially generate extra card advantage. When it triggers its ability upon casting Frog spells, you’re able to draw a card. This capability keeps your hand replenished, which can be crucial during the mid to late game where maintaining card advantage can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Resource Acceleration: Tatsunari, Toad Rider is not just about padding your hand with cards. It’s also adept at ramping up resources. Each Frog spell cast gives you the opportunity to create a token. These tokens are priceless in MTG for their versatility—use them for mana acceleration, to chump block aggressive attackers, or as fodder for various other in-game mechanics.

Instant Speed: The interactions available with Tatsunari, Toad Rider can occur at instant speed, ensuring your game plan remains flexible and reactive. The option to flash in Frog spells during an opponent’s turn before Tatsunari’s ability resolves allows you to retain the element of surprise, disrupt opponent strategies, or simply make optimal use of your mana each turn.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Tatsunari, Toad Rider necessitates the player to discard a card for its return-to-hand ability. This can be a drawback when your hand is depleting, or you’re trying to maintain card advantage against an opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With its green and black mana requirements, this card dictates a committed color pair, which may restrict deck diversity and necessitate a more focused mana base to consistently cast on curve.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Carrying a total converted mana cost of three, including one green and one black, it can be less mana-efficient compared to other creatures offering similar or more impactful abilities at a lower cost, potentially slowing down your early-game strategy.


Reasons to Include Tatsunari, Toad Rider in Your Collection

Versatility: Tatsunari, Toad Rider proves incredibly adaptable, thriving in deck builds that value creature synergies and sacrifice mechanics. Its ability to create and exploit Frog tokens makes it a dynamic option for various strategies.

Combo Potential: With a knack for generating Frog tokens, this card can seamlessly integrate into combos that capitalize on token generation or sacrifice for larger payoffs. Its inherent mechanics open up numerous lines of play to explore.

Meta-Relevance: As the game fluctuates, having a card that works well with and against popular deck archetypes is essential. Tatsunari’s ability to disrupt opponent strategies while advancing your board state ensures its place in a competitive environment.


How to beat

Tatsunari, Toad Rider emerges as an intriguing Commander option for MTG enthusiasts, known for its synergy with Frog creatures and its capability to create and sacrifice tokens for persistent effects. While overcoming such a persistent threat may seem daunting, there are effective strategies to hop over this hurdle. Consider exploiting removal spells that can bypass Tatsunari’s token generation, such as exile or -1/-1 effects, which prevent the comeback mechanic.

In the same swamp, you’ll want to limit the Toad Rider’s board presence. Spells like Crippling Fear or Extinction Event can be leveraged to clear multiple creatures, especially tokens, without the need to target each one individually. A sound tactic is to control the pace, denying the opponent the resources to maximize Tatsunari’s abilities. Counter spells that focus on creatures, like Essence Scatter or Negate for the crucial enchantments, can frustrate Tatsunari’s reign over the battlefield.

Adapting your play around these ideas can turn the tide of the game. In summary, focusing on non-targeted removals, counter strategies, and pace control can effectively put a leash on Tatsunari, Toad Rider, securing your path to victory in your MTG matches.


Where to buy

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

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Printings

The Tatsunari, Toad Rider Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 979572015NormalBlackJustine Cruz
22022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3452015NormalBlackRinco.
32022-02-18Neon Dynasty Art SeriesANEO 602015Art seriesBorderless
42022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 4612015NormalBlackJustine Cruz
52022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 123p2015NormalBlackJustine Cruz
62022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 123s2015NormalBlackJustine Cruz
72022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 1232015NormalBlackJustine Cruz

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Tatsunari, Toad Rider has restrictions

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