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This Space For Rent

Pojo's Magic The Gathering Card of the Day

Betrayers of Kamigawa Shirei, Shizo’s Caretaker
Image from Wizards.com

Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker
Betrayers of Kamigawa


Reviewed May 20, 2005

Constructed: 2.2
Casual: 2.65
Limited: 1.7

Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale
1 being the worst.  3 ... average.  
5 is the highest rating

Click here to see all our 
Card of the Day Reviews 


Jeff Zandi

5 Time Pro Tour
Veteran

Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker

Anytime a card can produce a soft lock in a game more or less all by himself, he has to be considered. In limited formats, Shirei combos perfectly with one toughness creatures that you have already drafted.
Frostling and Bile Urchin leap to mind, as does Sakura-Tribe Elder. It might

also be fun to block with a never ending supply of any flavor of Zubera. In constructed, Shirei probably costs too much to be a big favorite, and the combo features provided by this card may not be powerful enough in constructed environments.

CONSTRUCTED: 2.5
CASUAL: 3.5
LIMITED: 3.5
 


DeQuan
Watson

* Game Store Owner

Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker

This guy seems to be strictly for combos only. The most obvious components would be the Zuberas. Outside of that, I got nothing. This card is HIGHLY overcosted, so outside of combo decks that HAVE to play him, I can't see him making the cut.

Constructed: 1.5
Casual: 2.5
Limited: 1.5
 

Paul Hagan

Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker

I really, truly wish that Shirei cost one or two mana less. As is, there aren't a ton of 1-power creatures that are going to be hanging out and relevant that late in the game. I suppose you could build your deck around attempting to abuse Shirei, but its low power and toughness mean that most opponents can take care of it before it becomes too important. I won't completely rip on Shirei -- it has potential to be scary -- but I'm less than impressed.

In limited play, when you have even fewer good options at 1-power creatures, Shirei becomes a complete waste of space. Just leave it in sideboard.

Constructed Rating: 2.0
Casual Rating: 2.0
Limited Rating: 1.5
 


Christine
Gerhardt

Shirei, Shizo's Caretaker
 
Shireit is seeing a lot of ordering from our Website, and is being used.  If your opponent can't deal with Shirei, then your 1 power creatures (or your Ornithopters, for that matter), get to come back into play.  This makes for a nice blocking/come back scheme.  In casual, you can use that bought time to set up whatever diabolical plan you have in store.
 
For those of you that are interested...the Saviors of Kamigawa spoiler is making the rounds, and we have a full spoiler of the rares available here:  Saviors of Kamigawa!  Wow...some great stuff is about to hit!!  Take a look at the new BLUE Fork...yes, I said Blue!  And what do you think a 12 casting cost creature looks like?  Check the list and find out! =)  And as a bonus ONLY for Pojo.com readers... if you win any Saviors auctions from me, email me and let me know you are a Pojo.com fan and I will throw in a free Bonus Rare with your winnings!  Good luck!
 
Constructed - 3
Casual - 3
Limited - 2.5
 
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