Kiora's Dambreaker MTG Card


Dambreaker enhances resources via +1/+1 counters, broadening strategic play and field advantage. The mana cost demands strategic deck-building for seamless incorporation and utility. Its power to proliferate makes it a valuable asset in long-game strategies and combo setups.
Card setsReleased in 4 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Leviathan
Abilities Proliferate
Power 5
Toughness 6

Text of card

When Kiora's Dambreaker enters the battlefield, proliferate. (Choose any number of permanents and/or players, then give each another counter of each kind already there.)

"When your enemy flees, send the sea to pursue them." —Kiora


Cards like Kiora's Dambreaker

In the vast seas of Magic: The Gathering, Kiora’s Dambreaker presents a wave of possibilities with its ability to proliferate on entry. This feature makes it an intriguing comparison with cards such as Merfolk Skydiver. Skydiver enters the battlefield at a much lower mana cost and can also proliferate, albeit with an activated ability. Although smaller in size, the flexibility and repeated use of Skydiver’s skill make it a potent option for decks focused on counters.

Dive deeper and we encounter the Roalesk, Apex Hybrid, another creature that proliferates but only upon death. Roalesk comes with a higher power level and impacts the board immediately with two +1/+1 counters spread among other creatures. The dambreaker, while more modest in its initial impact, does offer a sizable 5/6 body that can play both offense and defense in longer matches.

Lastly, there’s the vast Kraken of the Straits. Though it lacks the proliferate ability, this leviathan restricts the number of creatures able to block it, making a clear path to victory. Kiora’s Dambreaker shines in its simplicity and synergizes with counter-heavy strategies, embodying a balance between impactful play and reliable creature strength.

Merfolk Skydiver - MTG Card versions
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions
Merfolk Skydiver - MTG Card versions
Roalesk, Apex Hybrid - MTG Card versions
Kraken of the Straits - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kiora's Dambreaker by color, type and mana cost

Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
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Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
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Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions
Sea Serpent - MTG Card versions
Sibilant Spirit - MTG Card versions
Drifting Djinn - MTG Card versions
King Crab - MTG Card versions
Sea Monster - MTG Card versions
Sun Quan, Lord of Wu - MTG Card versions
Sliptide Serpent - MTG Card versions
Mahamoti Djinn - MTG Card versions
Deepfathom Skulker - MTG Card versions
Sakashima's Protege - MTG Card versions
Shoreline Ranger - MTG Card versions
Vedalken Dismisser - MTG Card versions
Novijen Sages - MTG Card versions
Storm Elemental - MTG Card versions
Draining Whelk - MTG Card versions
Arcanis the Omnipotent - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Dragon - MTG Card versions
Frost Titan - MTG Card versions
Deadeye Navigator - MTG Card versions
Havengul Skaab - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kiora’s Dambreaker offers the opportunity to draw a card if you control another creature or planeswalker that has a +1/+1 counter on it when it enters the battlefield, potentially providing a valuable lead in resources.

Resource Acceleration: While it’s not a direct form of acceleration, the card’s ability to amass resources revolves around utilizing +1/+1 counters effectively. This can lead to board state advantages that could accelerate your progress in the game.

Instant Speed: Although Kiora’s Dambreaker doesn’t function at instant speed, it compensates with a powerful triggered ability on entering the battlefield. This allows for strategic timing, particularly with cards that add +1/+1 counters in the same turn or just before casting the Dambreaker.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Although Kiora’s Dambreaker does not inherently require a discard upon casting, incorporating this card in a deck often necessitates additional resources that could result in discarding other critical cards to maintain a balanced hand.

Specific Mana Cost: Kiora’s Dambreaker demands a specific mana configuration, including both blue and generic mana, potentially limiting the card’s flexibility and requiring a deck built around accommodating its mana needs.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: The six total mana required to summon Kiora’s Dambreaker, which includes one blue, can be considered steep for its abilities, especially when comparing it to other creatures in the same mana range that might provide either immediate board impact or more valuable abilities.


Reasons to Include Kiora’s Dambreaker in Your Collection

Versatility: Kiora’s Dambreaker is a flexible addition to your blue-themed decks. Its ability to proliferate can enhance a wide array of strategies, especially those involving +1/+1 counters or bolstering loyalty counters on planeswalkers.

Combo Potential: This leviathan’s synergies shine when paired with cards that capitalize on entering the battlefield effects or the aforementioned proliferate mechanic, offering potential to magnify combo effects across the board.

Meta-Relevance: Given its potential to scale threats quickly, Kiora’s Dambreaker can hold its own in a meta that skews towards longer games where it can dominate the late game through its sheer size and interaction with key mechanics.


How to beat

Kiora’s Dambreaker presents an interesting challenge on the battlefield of Magic: The Gathering. This creature offers significant benefits when it comes to its mana value and the splash it makes upon entering the game. With its ability to untap another permanent, a player wielding this card can gain a vital edge by reusing lands or powerful artifacts and thus maintaining tempo.

However, to counter Kiora’s Dambreaker, one must strategize effectively. Removal spells like Murder and Path to Exile can exile or destroy it before the player can capitalize on its advantages. Additionally, counterspells such as Cancel or Mana Leak can prevent it from hitting the board in the first place. It’s crucial to manage resources and keep up mana for those decisive moments when your opponent casts this Leviathan. Similarly, board wipes like Wrath of God leave no room for Kiora’s Dambreaker to establish its presence.

Ultimately, while Kiora’s Dambreaker can be a formidable force, it is manageable. A well-prepared deck with the right removals and counters can keep this sea giant at bay, maintaining balance and control throughout the match.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kiora's Dambreaker MTG card by a specific set like War of the Spark and Mystery Booster, 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 Kiora's Dambreaker and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kiora's Dambreaker Magic the Gathering card was released in 4 different sets between 2019-05-03 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Mathias Kollros.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12019-05-03War of the SparkWAR 582015NormalBlackMathias Kollros
22019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 4132015NormalBlackMathias Kollros
32020-09-26The ListPLST WAR-582015NormalBlackMathias Kollros
42024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 482015NormalBlackMathias Kollros

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kiora's Dambreaker has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kiora's Dambreaker card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2021-03-19 If a permanent has +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters on it, they’re removed in pairs as a state-based action so that the permanent has only one of those kinds of counters on it.
2021-03-19 Players can respond to a spell or ability whose effect includes proliferating. Once that spell or ability starts to resolve, however, and its controller chooses which permanents and players will get new counters, it’s too late for anyone to respond.
2021-03-19 To proliferate, you can choose any permanent that has a counter, including ones controlled by opponents. You can’t choose cards in any zone other than the battlefield, even if they have counters on them.
2021-03-19 You don’t have to choose every permanent or player that has a counter, only the ones you want to add another counter to. Since “any number” includes zero, you don’t have to choose any permanents at all, and you don’t have to choose any players at all.