Kadena, Slinking SorcererHow it works & interactions with other cards

Hiding Your Spells for Free

Kadena's first ability applies to the first face-down creature spell you cast each turn. In Magic, casting a creature face-down via the Morph or Disguise mechanics normally costs a flat three mana. Kadena reduces this cost by exactly three mana, meaning your first face-down creature each turn is effectively free. Note that this applies to 'each turn,' including your opponents' turns if you have a way to cast creatures as though they had flash.

Drawing Through Deception

The second ability is a triggered ability that triggers whenever a face-down creature enters the battlefield under your control. This doesn't just apply to spells you cast; if an effect puts a creature onto the battlefield face-down directly, or if a card is 'cloaked' or 'manifested', Kadena will still trigger, allowing you to draw a card. This ensures you never run out of gas while building your hidden army.

Timing and Sequence

The cost reduction applies automatically to the very first face-down creature spell you attempt to cast. You cannot 'save' the discount for a later spell in the same turn. If you cast a creature spell normally (face-up) first, you can still use Kadena's discount on a subsequent face-down creature spell that same turn, because the discount specifically checks for the first 'face-down' spell.

When to Strike

Kadena is best utilized in a deck full of Morph, Megamorph, or Disguise cards. Because the card draw happens when the creature enters, you get the value immediately, regardless of whether the creature ever turns face-up. To maximize Kadena, look for ways to cast spells on your opponents' turns to trigger the three-mana discount multiple times per round of play.

Interaction examples

The Free Face-Down Play

Eternal Witness

If you have a mechanic that allows you to cast Eternal Witness face-down (such as via a card giving it Morph), Kadena, Slinking Sorcerer reduces the {3} cost to {0}. You cast it face-down for free, it enters the battlefield as a 2/2 colorless creature with no name or types, and Kadena's second ability triggers to let you draw a card. Note that Eternal Witness's own 'enters' ability does not trigger because it is face-down.

The Sad Robot Surprise

Solemn Simulacrum

If you cast Solemn Simulacrum face-down using Kadena's discount, it enters as a 2/2 creature. Kadena triggers, and you draw a card. Because the Simulacrum is face-down, it has no text, so you do not search for a land. However, if that face-down creature is later destroyed, it does not trigger the 'When this creature dies' ability of Solemn Simulacrum, as it was a generic 2/2 at the time it left the battlefield.