Kaito Shizuki grows up as a Magic: The Gathering Planeswalker through Kaito, Bane of Nightmares in the Duskmourn House of Horrors set, featuring synergy with the Ninja creature type and the Ninjutsu mechanic.
Ninjutsu decks in the MTG Standard format lost significant pieces like Satoru Umezawa, Thousand-Faced Shadow, and Kaito Shizuki Planeswalker through the 2024 rotation. A new version of Ninjutsu builds may become possible, though, with the addition of Kaito, Bane of Nightmares from the Duskmourn House of Horrors set. Here’s how the MTG Planeswalker works and what formats he might impact.
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares Planeswalker abilities
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares is a unique MTG Planeswalker card in that the Mythic Rare is also a creature. This isn’t the first time WotC has designed a Planeswalker this way, with previous results either hitting or missing the mark.
Kaito, Bane of Nightmares
- Mana cost: 2UB
- Type: Legendary Planeswalker—Kaito
- Rarity: Mythic Rare
- Starting Loyalty counters: Four
- Ninjutsu cost: 1UB
- Passive: Kaito is a 3/4 Ninja creature with Hexproof as long as one or more Loyalty counters are on the Planeswalker and it is your turn.
- Plus-one Loyalty ability: Gain an Emblem with “Ninjas you control get +1/+1.”
- No cost Loyalty ability: Surveil Two. Draw a card for each opponent who lost life this turn.
- Minus-two Loyalty ability: Tap a target creature and put two Stun counters on it.
MTG Ninjutsu explained
My first encounter with Ninjutsu was through Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty (NEO), but it was first used through the Betrayers of Kamigawa set.
- Ninjutsu definition: Exclusive to creatures with the Ninja creature type, Ninjutsu is a keyword ability with an activation cost that replaces the creature cast with an unblocked creature on the battlefield.
Ninjutsu is a powerful mechanic that thrives in MTG Ninja Typal decks that typically feature the MTG colors Black and Blue (Dimir). Most creatures with Ninjutsu have a payoff through the use of the mechanic, whether through an entering the battlefield ability or through combat damage.
Are Ninja decks returning to MTG through Kaito, Bane of Nightmares?
At THE time of writing, Kaito, Bane of Nightmares is a powerful Planeswalker card in the MTG Commander format. The Dimir Planeswalker is a solid commander and can slot into various Commander builds like Satoru Umezawa and Yuriko, the Tiger’s Shadow.
I can see the new Duskmourn Planeswalker thriving in the Pioneer format as well, able to use many of the NEO cards that rotated out of the Standard format this year. It’s unlikely Kaito, Bane of Nightmares will have an impact on the Standard meta, but it’s also too early to assume with Kaito, Bane of Nightmares revealed through the first official wave of Duskmourn spoilers.
What makes Kaito, Bane of Nightmares unique in MTG Duskmourn
Planeswalker designs have improved since WotC reduced the number of Legendaries from Standard release sets. Kaito, Bane of Nightmares is a prime example of devs cooking with Planeswalkers, showcasing passive and Loyalty abilities that promote flexible play.
My favorite Kaito, Bane of Nightmares ability is his Ninjutsu Ninja passive that can drop the Planeswalker onto the battlefield for one less mana than his casting cost while being able to bounce back to hand during combat. This allows you to take advantage of a wide variety of situations. Tap and Stun for tempo. Surveil for card advantage while filling the graveyard with reanimation targets. Or pump up the team as a Noble, with the ability to scale each turn.
Ability versatility also opens up multiple ways to play Kaito, Bane of Nightmares. The Legendary has the right tools to become a powerful commander. But it is also a good four-drop Planeswalker to include in a variety of MTG decks.
Test out Kaito, Bane of Nightmares when Duskmourn House of Horrors digitally releases on Sept. 24. A global launch for the MTG set is scheduled to drop on Sept. 27.
