K-9, Mark I MTG Card


K-9 Mark I excels in card advantage and can swiftly sift through your deck for strategy essentials. The instant speed ability of K-9 Mark I introduces tactical surprises and flexible in-game responses. Despite its strengths, K-9 Mark I’s mandatory discard and specific mana requirements may limit versatility.
Card setsReleased in 6 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost1
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Artifact Creature — Robot Dog
Abilities Affirmative,Doctor's companion,Negative
Power 1
Toughness 1

Text of card

Negative — As long as K-9, Mark I is untapped, other legendary creatures you control have ward . Affirmative — , : Target legendary creature can't be blocked this turn. Doctor's companion (You can have two commanders if the other is the Doctor.)


Cards like K-9, Mark I

Diving into the innovative world of artifact creatures, K-9 Mark I stands out within its unique niche in Magic: The Gathering. It bears resemblance to other mechanized canines like Bronze Sable, which also provides a low-cost creature slot in your deck. Nevertheless, K-9 Mark I comes with its own set of tactical features – its utility lies not only in its presence on the board but also in its specialized synergies within certain deck types.

Comparatively, we have Myr Retriever, another artifact creature that could be considered in decks oriented around utilizing the graveyard. While K-9 Mark I might be efficient for its cost and abilities, Myr Retriever offers a retrieval mechanic for artifact decks upon its departure from the battlefield. The trade-off becomes evident based on deck strategy and desired interactions.

Assessing the functional similarities and differences, K-9 Mark I accommodates players who favor creatures that can easily align with artifact and dog-themed decks. Its usefulness is amplified in environments where synergistic interactions, rather than standalone performance, are crucial to the deck’s success.

Bronze Sable - MTG Card versions
Myr Retriever - MTG Card versions
Bronze Sable - MTG Card versions
Myr Retriever - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to K-9, Mark I by color, type and mana cost

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The Blackstaff of Waterdeep - MTG Card versions
Aether Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Sphinx's Herald - MTG Card versions
Flight Spellbomb - MTG Card versions
Merchant's Dockhand - MTG Card versions
Blurry Beeble - MTG Card versions
Socketed Sprocketer - MTG Card versions
Mantle of Tides - MTG Card versions
Witching Well - MTG Card versions
Giant's Amulet - MTG Card versions
Trickster's Talisman - MTG Card versions
Silver Raven - MTG Card versions
Secret Door - MTG Card versions
Network Disruptor - MTG Card versions
Moonsnare Prototype - MTG Card versions
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Card Pros

Card Advantage: K-9 Mark I offers a unique mechanism for card advantage, as it can potentially dig through your deck at a faster rate, aiding in finding the key pieces to your strategy.

Resource Acceleration: When themed with certain deck builds, this card facilitates resource acceleration, providing you with additional options each turn that may pressure opponents as you build towards a significant power play.

Instant Speed: The ability to deploy K-9 Mark I, or its associated effects, at instant speed adds an element of surprise to your gameplay, allowing you to flexibly respond to threats or opportunities the moment they arise.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The K-9 Mark I card comes with a discard clause that necessitates removing another card from your hand. This can create a pinch situation during gameplay when your hand count is crucial, making it a hinderance to your strategic reserves.

Specific Mana Cost: With a particular mana cost that demands exact mana types, K-9 Mark I might not be the best fit in a multicolor deck that struggles with mana fixing, potentially reducing the card’s overall versatility across different deck builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: K-9 Mark I’s mana expense is on the higher end when pitted against other creatures with similar power and toughness. While it offers unique abilities, the cost-to-benefit ratio might not always justify its inclusion over more cost-effective options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: K-9 Mark I offers unique interaction capabilities, able to be slotted into various decks that capitalize on artifact synergies or creature-based strategies.

Combo Potential: As an artifact creature, K-9 Mark I opens up avenues for combo plays with cards that trigger upon artifact or creature deployment, enriching both aggressive and control-oriented tactics.

Meta-Relevance: In metagames where artifacts or creatures play a pivotal role, K-9 Mark I could become an unexpected keystone, offering both tactical flexibility and thematic cohesion to your arsenal.


How to beat

The K-9 Mark I presents an intriguing challenge for players due to its unique abilities and its synergy within artifact-focused decks. To effectively outmaneuver this mechanical hound, one must understand its strengths. The K-9 Mark I excels at protecting other artifacts and can quickly become a thorn in your side if you’re unprepared.

To dismantle this canine contraption, artifact removal spells are key. Direct destruction spells that target artifacts, such as Abrade or Shatter, can remove it from the battlefield before it has the chance to fortify its fellow artifacts. Combat tricks or spells that can deal damage regardless of a creature’s toughness, like Shock, can also be effective if used before its defensive abilities are activated. Moreover, countering artifact abilities with cards like Disallow can also derail its protection racket, leaving other artifacts vulnerable.

Remember, staying one step ahead and adapting your strategy to include options that can handle the K-9 Mark I and its artifact allies will be critical. By considering this during deck construction and gameplay, you can prevent the robotic canine from running rampant and maintain control of the board.


BurnMana Recommendations

Enhancing your MTG arsenal means understanding every card’s potential and pitfalls. K-9 Mark I is no exception, offering card advantages and instant-speed play while presenting challenges with its discard requirement and specific mana costs. Whether it adds a formidable edge or demands too high a cost, this artifact creature piques interest for deck builders seeking to boost their game with versatile, combo-enabling cards. If you’re intrigued by the prospects of integrating this mechanized canine into your deck, or if you’re looking to harness the full potential of artifacts and creatures, delve deeper with us. Uncover strategies, expand your collection knowledge, and outsmart opponents with savvy gameplay adjustments.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase K-9, Mark I MTG card by a specific set like Doctor Who and Doctor Who, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the K-9, Mark I and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The K-9, Mark I Magic the Gathering card was released in 1 different sets between 2023-10-13 and 2023-10-13. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 6522015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi
22023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 5372015NormalBorderlessTyler Walpole
32023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 9532015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi
42023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 472015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi
52023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 11282015NormalBorderlessTyler Walpole
62023-10-13Doctor WhoWHO 3622015NormalBlackNarendra Bintara Adi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where K-9, Mark I has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering K-9, Mark I card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2023-10-13 Although Doctor's companion is a new variant of the partner ability, the rules for partner have not otherwise changed. Notably, Time Lord Doctors and cards with Doctor's companion do not interact with cards which have another partner ability.
2023-10-13 An effect that checks whether you control your commander is satisfied if you control one or both of your two commanders.
2023-10-13 Both commanders start in the command zone, and the remaining 98 cards (or 58 cards in a Commander Draft game) of your deck are shuffled to become your library.
2023-10-13 If something refers to your commander while you have two commanders, it refers to one of them of your choice. If you are instructed to perform an action on your commander (e.g. put it from the command zone into your hand due to Command Beacon), you choose one of your commanders at the time the effect happens.
2023-10-13 If your Commander deck has two commanders, you can include only cards whose own color identities are also found in your commanders' combined color identities.
2023-10-13 Once the game begins, your two commanders are tracked separately. If you cast one, you won't have to pay an additional the first time you cast the other. A player loses the game after having been dealt 21 combat damage from any one of them, not from both of them combined.
2023-10-13 The Doctor's companion ability allows you to have two commanders if one has the ability and the other is a legendary creature that is a Time Lord Doctor and has no other creature types. Creatures with the changeling ability, for example, can't be a second commander this way.