Isao, Enlightened Bushi
Legendary Creature — Human Samurai
This spell can't be countered.
Bushido 2 (Whenever this creature blocks or becomes blocked, it gets +2/+2 until end of turn.)
: Regenerate target Samurai.
- CMC
- 3
- Mana cost
- Color identity
- G
- Rarity
- rare
- Set
- Betrayers of Kamigawa
- Price
- $0.81
- EDHREC rank
- #21902
Isao, Enlightened Bushi is a two-mana 2/1 Samurai who can't be countered and regenerates itself for a single green mana — a permanent that slides under interaction and laughs at removal. The cost is that its ceiling is low: it attacks, it survives, and that's about it.
Format Analysis
Where it lives, where it can’t
| Format | Verdict |
|---|---|
| commander | legal |
| legacy | legal |
| modern | legal |
| pioneer | not legal |
| standard | not legal |
| vintage | legal |
| pauper | not legal |
| oathbreaker | legal |
In Commander, Isao, Enlightened Bushi fits narrowest in Samurai tribal builds where the creature type matters — think Isshin, Two Heavens as One or Myojin of Bushido helming a go-wide attackers deck. Outside tribal, the statline is too small to justify the slot; a 2/1 regenerator doesn't close games at 40 life. In Legacy and Vintage, the uncounterable clause is genuinely relevant, but Isao asks too much to be a real threat in formats defined by turn-one interaction. Modern has enough cheap green creatures with higher ceilings that Isao won't see play there either.
Key Combos
Combo lines featuring this card
Price Context
Current price
$0.81 bulk tier
At $0.81, Isao, Enlightened Bushi is bulk — you're paying almost nothing for what is a narrow tribal piece. It won't hold or gain value, but if you need it for a Samurai build, the price is no obstacle.
Explore
Sources
Mentioned
Updated . Data from Scryfall, EDHREC, and Commander Spellbook.