Pious KitsuneHow it works & interactions with other cards

Accumulating Devotion

Pious Kitsune features a triggered ability that occurs at the beginning of your upkeep. Each turn, it automatically gains one devotion counter. After the counter is placed, the ability checks the battlefield for a creature specifically named Eight-and-a-Half-Tails. If that legendary creature is present, you gain life equal to the total number of devotion counters currently on Pious Kitsune. If the legendary Fox is not present, you still get the counter, but you do not gain the automatic life.

Manual Life Gain

Beyond its triggered ability, Pious Kitsune has an activated ability that allows you to tap it and remove a devotion counter to gain 1 life. This is an activated ability, not a triggered one, so it can be used at instant speed—even on your opponent's turn—as long as Pious Kitsune does not have summoning sickness and has at least one counter to pay the cost.

Strategic Timing

You should generally wait to use the activated ability until you absolutely need the life or if Pious Kitsune is about to leave the battlefield. Since the upkeep trigger scales based on the number of counters, keeping counters on the Kitsune maximizes your potential life gain if Eight-and-a-Half-Tails is in play. Removing a counter to gain 1 life now might cost you much more life in later turns.

Interaction examples

The Legendary Duo

Eight-and-a-Half-Tails

With Eight-and-a-Half-Tails on the battlefield, Pious Kitsune's upkeep trigger becomes very powerful. On turn one of the combo, you put a counter on the Kitsune and gain 1 life. On turn two, you put a second counter on it and gain 2 life, for a total of 3 life gained over two turns.

Doubling the Devotion

Roaming Throne

If you control Roaming Throne and chose 'Fox' or 'Cleric' as it entered, Pious Kitsune's upkeep ability triggers twice. You will put a counter on it and check for Eight-and-a-Half-Tails, then put a second counter on it and check again. This allows you to accumulate counters twice as fast.

Blocking and Healing

Solemn Simulacrum

If your opponent attacks with Solemn Simulacrum, you can declare Pious Kitsune as a blocker. Before damage is dealt, you can activate Pious Kitsune's ability to remove a counter and gain 1 life. The Kitsune will still block the incoming damage from the Golem, provided it survives the combat.