Best Cards for Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow (2025)
Yuriko, the Tiger's Shadow is one of the most feared commanders in EDH. Her unique "commander ninjutsu" ability bypasses commander tax entirely, and her combat damage trigger drains opponents while drawing you cards. A well-tuned Yuriko deck combines evasive creatures, powerful ninjas, and high mana value spells to defeat entire tables in just a few combat steps.
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1. Changeling Outcast
Mana Cost:
Changeling Outcast is arguably the best one-drop enabler for Yuriko. It can't block and can't be blocked, guaranteeing a hit on turn one. Since it's a Changeling, it counts as a Ninja for all your tribal synergies too. Drop this on turn one, attack on turn two, ninjutsu Yuriko in, and you're off to the races.
Why it's great:
- Unblockable for just
- Counts as a Ninja for tribal effects
- The ideal turn one play for Yuriko
2. Ornithopter
Mana Cost:
Free evasive creatures are premium in Yuriko. Ornithopter costs nothing and has flying, making it an excellent ninjutsu enabler. You can deploy it alongside other spells, then bounce it back to your hand when ninjas connect to replay it for free next turn.
Why it's great:
- Zero mana flying creature
- Deploys without using any resources
- Returns to hand after ninjutsu for reuse
3. Ninja of the Deep Hours
Mana Cost:
This classic ninja remains a staple in every Yuriko build. When Ninja of the Deep Hours deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card. Combined with Yuriko's own trigger, you're generating massive card advantage every combat. Its
Why it's great:
- Draws a card on combat damage
- Cheapest ninjutsu cost at
- Stacks beautifully with Yuriko's trigger
4. Ingenious Infiltrator
Mana Cost:
Ingenious Infiltrator takes ninja card draw to another level. Whenever a Ninja you control deals combat damage to a player, you draw a card. This means every ninja connecting, including Yuriko herself, triggers an additional card draw. With multiple ninjas attacking, you'll draw your entire deck.
Why it's great:
- Draws for every ninja that hits
- Creates explosive card advantage
- Makes even small ninjas impactful
5. Fallen Shinobi
Mana Cost:
Fallen Shinobi is one of the most devastating ninjas ever printed. When it deals combat damage, exile the top two cards of that player's library and cast them without paying their mana costs! In a four-player game, you can steal game-winning spells from any opponent's deck.
Why it's great:
- Cast opponents' spells for free
- Exile-based theft bypasses graveyard strategies
- Often a 3-for-1 or better
6. Silver-Fur Master
Mana Cost:
Silver-Fur Master is the ninja lord this deck needed. It reduces the cost of ninjutsu abilities by
Why it's great:
- Makes ninjutsu cheaper
- Buffs your entire ninja team
- Only costs two mana to deploy
7. Higure, the Still Wind
Mana Cost:
Higure provides everything a ninja deck wants: a tutor effect and evasion for your ninjas. When Higure deals combat damage, search your library for a Ninja card and put it into your hand. Additionally, you can pay
Why it's great:
- Tutors a ninja on combat damage
- Grants unblockable to any ninja
- Finds your finishers consistently
8. Tetsuko Umezawa, Fugitive
Mana Cost:
Tetsuko makes all your small creatures unblockable. Since most of your enablers and many ninjas have 1 power or toughness, Tetsuko essentially reads: "Your creatures are unblockable." This guarantees Yuriko triggers every combat, even against boards full of blockers.
Why it's great:
- Grants unblockable to virtually all your creatures
- Cheap at just
- Ensures consistent Yuriko triggers
9. Temporal Trespass
Mana Cost:
Here's where Yuriko's unique strategy shines. Temporal Trespass has a mana value of 11, dealing a whopping 11 damage to each opponent when revealed by Yuriko! But with Delve, you can actually cast it for much cheaper. Extra turn spells are already powerful; revealing them with Yuriko is devastating.
Why it's great:
- Mana value of 11 for Yuriko triggers
- Castable for with Delve
- Extra turns mean extra Yuriko attacks
10. Brainstorm
Mana Cost:
Brainstorm is essential for Yuriko's top-deck manipulation. Draw three cards, put two back on top—setting up perfect Yuriko reveals. If you're holding Temporal Trespass or another high CMC spell, put it on top right before damage. One mana for guaranteed maximum damage.
Why it's great:
- Sets up devastating Yuriko reveals
- One mana instant speed
- Also just an excellent blue cantrip
11. Vampiric Tutor
Mana Cost:
Vampiric Tutor is perfect in Yuriko. Search for any card and put it on top of your library—then reveal it with Yuriko's trigger to deal its mana value in damage while drawing it! Need a high CMC spell to end the game? Find it. Need a counterspell? Tutor it straight to the top.
Why it's great:
- Finds any card in your deck
- Puts it exactly where Yuriko wants it
- One mana instant speed is premium
12. Draco
Mana Cost:
With a mana value of 16, Draco is the ultimate Yuriko payload. Revealing Draco deals 16 damage to each opponent—nearly half their starting life total gone in a single trigger! You'll rarely cast it, but when Yuriko flips it, the table will feel the pain.
Why it's great:
- Highest mana value creature for Yuriko
- Deals 16 to each opponent when revealed
- A fan-favorite finisher for the deck
13. Shadow of Mortality
Mana Cost:
Shadow of Mortality is a newer addition that's quickly become a Yuriko staple. Its printed mana value is 15, dealing massive damage with Yuriko triggers. But here's the trick: if an opponent has more life than you, you can cast it for just
Why it's great:
- Mana value of 15 for Yuriko
- Actually castable most games
- A 7/7 body that can attack alongside ninjas
14. Bolas's Citadel
Mana Cost:
Bolas's Citadel lets you play cards off the top of your library by paying life instead of mana. This synergizes perfectly with Yuriko—you gain information about what's on top and can cast spells at instant speed before Yuriko reveals. It also provides insane card advantage on its own.
Why it's great:
- Play cards off the top with life
- Perfect library manipulation
- Alternative win condition with its activated ability
15. Cyclonic Rift
Mana Cost:
Cyclonic Rift is the best blue spell in Commander, and Yuriko is no exception. When overloaded, it bounces every nonland permanent your opponents control to their hands. This clears all blockers, allowing your ninjas to deliver lethal Yuriko triggers unimpeded. Game over.
Why it's great:
- One-sided board clear
- Removes all blockers
- Instant speed for maximum flexibility
Building Your Yuriko Deck
When building your Yuriko deck, focus on these key principles:
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Maximize evasive one-drops: Pack your deck with unblockable and flying creatures at one mana. Turn two Yuriko is the dream.
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Include library manipulation: Brainstorm, Vampiric Tutor, and Sensei's Divining Top let you set up devastating Yuriko reveals.
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Balance CMC distribution: Include high CMC payoffs like Draco and Temporal Trespass, but enough cheap spells to stay functional.
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Protect your engine: Yuriko dodges commander tax, but she still needs protection. Include counterspells like Force of Will and Fierce Guardianship if budget allows.
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