Stormsurge Kraken MTG Card


Drawing two cards when targeted, the Kraken significantly boosts card advantage in your game. Its Lieutenant ability enhances your board presence and demands strategic opponent responses. Being a receptive target for instant-speed buffs, it showcases remarkable adaptability in matches.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost5
RarityRare
TypeCreature — Kraken
Abilities Hexproof,Lieutenant
Power 5
Toughness 5

Text of card

Hexproof Lieutenant — As long as you control your commander, Stormsurge Kraken gets +2/+2 and has "Whenever Stormsurge Kraken becomes blocked, you may draw two cards."

Most see krakens as wantonly violent, failing to notice their meticulous attention to detail when dismantling a vessel.


Cards like Stormsurge Kraken

Stormsurge Kraken is a formidable presence in any blue commander deck in Magic: The Gathering. This massive sea monster boasts an ability tying card draw to its lieutenant status, reminiscent of other powerful creatures in the game. A close comparison can be made with Lorthos, the Tidemaker, another leviathan renowned for its ability to control the board by tapping permanents. While Lorthos requires a significant mana commitment to activate its effect, Stormsurge Kraken provides card advantage passively when your commander is in play.

Looking at Inkwell Leviathan, we notice another titanic blue creature. Despite lacking the card draw ability, it compensates with invulnerability to spells, guaranteeing its enduring presence on the battlefield. On the other hand, Stormsurge Kraken’s hexproof ability shields it as long as you have your commander, and the card advantage it provides could be seen as a longer-term strategic benefit.

Comparatively, each of these sea giants offers a distinct advantage, whether it’s board control, resilience, or card draw. Stormsurge Kraken, with its unique lieutenant mechanic, stands out by not only posing a sizable threat but also by contributing to your hand, ensuring you’re never at a shortage of options.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Inkwell Leviathan - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Stormsurge Kraken by color, type and mana cost

Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
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Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
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Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions
Vesuvan Doppelganger - MTG Card versions
Water Elemental - MTG Card versions
Air Elemental - MTG Card versions
Pirate Ship - MTG Card versions
Sandbar Crocodile - MTG Card versions
Segovian Leviathan - MTG Card versions
Sun Ce, Young Conquerer - MTG Card versions
Wu Admiral - MTG Card versions
Mawcor - MTG Card versions
Timin, Youthful Geist - MTG Card versions
Geology Enthusiast - MTG Card versions
Coastal Hornclaw - MTG Card versions
Meloku the Clouded Mirror - MTG Card versions
Azami, Lady of Scrolls - MTG Card versions
Cloudhoof Kirin - MTG Card versions
Drelnoch - MTG Card versions
Adarkar Windform - MTG Card versions
Infiltrator il-Kor - MTG Card versions
Mulldrifter - MTG Card versions
Chasm Drake - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Stormsurge Kraken comes with a sizable trigger that lets you draw two cards when it becomes the target of a spell or ability, ensuring a flow of additional cards to your hand. This can be especially powerful in formats where targeted effects are commonplace, making the Kraken a self-sustaining source of card advantage over time.

Resource Acceleration: With its Lieutenant ability, if the Kraken is powered up in the presence of your commander, resource acceleration is put into motion. It contributes a significant 5/5 creature to your board state which not only exerts pressure on your opponents but also fortifies your defensive line. Although the Kraken itself does not directly produce mana or tokens, its sheer presence can free up resources by demanding answers from your opponents.

Instant Speed: While Stormsurge Kraken itself is not an instant, its sizable stats make it an excellent recipient of instant-speed enhancements and protections. You can respond to removal or blocking situations with instants that can turn the tides, emphasizing the adaptability and the high impact the Kraken has when lightning-fast decisions are crucial during gameplay.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Stormsurge Kraken often involves having the right cards at hand to trigger its abilities. Not having this could lead to inefficient turns and missed opportunities to maximize the game.

Specific Mana Cost: If you’re looking to dominate the battlefield with Stormsurge Kraken, you’ll need to invest in blue mana. This requirement could strain mana resources or dictate deck-building options, restricting versatility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Summoning the Stormsurge Kraken demands a notable amount of resources—five mana with two being blue. For some players, this cost might steer them towards other creatures or spells providing more immediate board impact or versatility for the same or lower mana investment.


Reasons to Include Stormsurge Kraken in Your Collection

Versatility: Stormsurge Kraken can be a powerful addition to any blue-centered deck, especially those looking for a resilient threat. Its hexproof ability shields it from targeted removal, making it a consistent presence on the board.

Combo Potential: With its Lieutenant ability, Stormsurge Kraken becomes a card-drawing engine once your commander is out. This can fuel various strategies, including those that capitalize on drawing cards or having a large creature on the battlefield.

Meta-Relevance: In a commander game that leans towards longer, drawn-out matches, the Kraken serves as an excellent late-game asset. Its ability to grow and draw cards in longer games can give you the upper hand when facing decks that exhaust their resources too quickly.


How to beat

Confronting a Stormsurge Kraken in MTG can be a daunting experience given its Leviathan strength and the hexproof ability, shielding it from targeted spells. To successfully navigate this challenge, it’s critical to alter your strategy towards using board wipes like Wrath of God or Damnation that can clear the board regardless of hexproof protections. Additionally, edict effects that force a player to sacrifice a creature circumvent the Kraken’s defenses. Cards such as Diabolic Edict or Liliana of the Veil can prove invaluable in this scenario.

Another strategy involves countering the Kraken before it even hits the battlefield. Counterspells are your first line of defense, preventing your opponent from gaining any traction. Should the Stormsurge Kraken make its way onto the board, you can employ strategies that don’t rely on targeting it directly. Engaging the Kraken in combat with creatures that can either overpower it or provide a beneficial trade—like indestructible creatures or ones with death triggers—can also be effective. A thorough understanding of the mechanics and a carefully constructed deck can tip the scale in your favor against the formidable Stormsurge Kraken.


BurnMana Recommendations

Exploring the depths of MTG, especially the vibrant tapestry of blue-centered strategies, is essential for any player looking to make waves at the table. With Stormsurge Kraken offering both a formidable presence and a card advantage, integrating this leviathan into your deck could be the tide that raises all ships. Given the competitive nature of commander games, finding cards that consistently provide value over time, just like the Kraken does with its Lieutenant ability, is key to maintaining an edge. For more insights into maximizing your gameplay, enhancing your collection, and navigating through the seas of strategy, dive into our comprehensive resources. Harness the power of the Kraken and anchor your victory with wisdom from the depths of MTG knowledge.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Stormsurge Kraken MTG card by a specific set like Commander 2014 and Commander Masters, 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 Stormsurge Kraken and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Stormsurge Kraken Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2014-11-07 and 2023-08-04. Illustrated by Svetlin Velinov.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12014-11-07Commander 2014C14 182015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
22023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 1222015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov
32023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 4972015NormalBlackSvetlin Velinov

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Stormsurge Kraken has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-11-07 If a triggered ability granted by a lieutenant ability triggers, and in response to that trigger you lose control of your commander (causing the lieutenant to lose that ability), that triggered ability will still resolve.
2014-11-07 If you gain control of a creature with a lieutenant ability owned by another player, that ability will check to see if you control your commander and will apply if you do. It won’t check whether its owner controls their commander.
2014-11-07 If you lose control of your commander, lieutenant abilities of creatures you control will immediately stop applying. If this causes a creature’s toughness to become less than or equal to the amount of damage marked on it, the creature will be destroyed.
2014-11-07 Lieutenant abilities apply only if your commander is on the battlefield and under your control.
2014-11-07 Lieutenant abilities refer only to whether you control your commander, not any other player’s commander.