Alpha Kavu MTG Card

Alpha Kavu excels in sifting through decks, offering players a strategic edge in hand composition. As a defensive asset at instant speed, it strengthens control over the game’s tempo and battlefield. The card’s requirements and cost may limit deck integration but offer high synergy potential.

Planeshift (PLS)
2001-02-05 - Number 77

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number PLS-77

Card sets	Released in 2 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Uncommon
Type	Creature — Kavu
Power	2
Toughness	2

Text of card

o1o G: Target Kavu gets -1/+1 until end of turn.

Kavu leaders instinctively protect their herds from harm.

Cards like Alpha Kavu

Alpha Kavu presents a notable presence as a creature card within the Magic: The Gathering realm. It shares the stage with comparable cards like Flametongue Kavu, which is renowned for its enter-the-battlefield ability that deals damage to target creatures. However, Alpha Kavu diverges from Flametongue Kavu with its domain ability, which strengthens based on the types of basic lands the player controls.

Moving into other creatures of its kin, Horned Kavu also makes for an interesting comparison. This card requires a player to return a red or green creature they control to their hand upon entry to the battlefield, thus potentially setting up for future plays. While Alpha Kavu lacks this mechanism, it compensates with flexibility in its colorless domain ability, allowing it to fit into various deck builds without the need for red or green specific plays.

In terms of reliability and adaptability, Alpha Kavu holds its ground among creature cards. Its ability to benefit from the variety of basic lands in a player’s control can make it a dynamic force as the game progresses. Therefore, when examining creature cards with unique mechanisms, Alpha Kavu merits consideration for its potential to grow in power and offer strategic advantages on the board.

Cards similar to Alpha Kavu by color, type and mana cost

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Card Pros

Card Advantage: Alpha Kavu offers a unique filtering mechanism, enabling you to sift through your deck and strategically select the cards that will strengthen your hand.

Resource Acceleration: This card can be pivotal in ramp decks, providing you with a boost in mana resources. While it doesn’t produce mana outright, its cost-effective casting can help you set up your board rapidly.

Instant Speed: Alpha Kavu’s swift power allows for on-the-fly defense during your opponent’s turn. This flexibility provides pivotal control over the battlefield, making it a vital addition to decks that prioritize reaction speed.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: The Alpha Kavu’s abilities might lead to situations where discarding becomes necessary to exploit its potential fully. This requirement can be unfavorable when your hand is already depleted, ultimately putting you at a disadvantage in maintaining card advantage against your opponent.

Specific Mana Cost: With a mana cost that demands both red and green mana to cast, Alpha Kavu’s deployment is restricted to decks that can reliably generate both types of mana. This requirement can make the card a less versatile option in a player’s arsenal, as it may not fit seamlessly into multicolor decks or those that focus on other colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: When assessing the card’s efficiency, Alpha Kavu sits at a higher spectrum of mana cost for its creature type and abilities. In terms of mana economy, players might find that other creatures or spells provide similar or better benefits without the steep mana investment that comes with summoning this creature.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Alpha Kavu flexes its adaptability as a charming piece in multicolored decks, especially those seeking a robust defender. Its power to block multiple creatures makes it a force on your battlefield.

Combo Potential: With its unique color-changing ability, Alpha Kavu can seamlessly blend into various combos and synergies, skillfully dodging color-specific removals and tricks your opponents might have up their sleeves.

Meta-Relevance: Considering the constantly shifting landscape of competitive play, Alpha Kavu’s varied utility ensures it retains a place in the meta, particularly when facing decks that struggle against adaptable creatures that can challenge strategic plays.

How to beat Alpha Kavu

Alpha Kavu is a creature card that poses a unique challenge on the battlefield in Magic: The Gathering. Its domain ability, which allows it to tap another target Kavu, can be disruptive if not tackled early. To counter this creature, consider using removal spells that can bypass its 3/3 stature, such as Fatal Push or Path to Exile. It is also vulnerable to board wipes like Wrath of God, which can clear the field of multiple threats at once.

Control decks could benefit from counterspells, negating Alpha Kavu’s cast before it even hits the board. On the other hand, aggro decks might want to apply pressure quickly, forcing your opponent to defend rather than utilize Alpha Kavu’s abilities. Also, remember that Alpha Kavu thrives in multicolored decks, so cards that punish multicolored spells or creatures, like Harsh Mentor, can be particularly effective.

Ultimately, staying one step ahead of Alpha Kavu means managing the game pace and using your removals or counters at the right time. Keep your answers ready, and this domain-using creature won’t stand long against a well-prepared strategy.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Alpha Kavu MTG card by a specific set like Planeshift and The List, 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 Alpha Kavu and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Alpha Kavu Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 2001-02-05 and 2001-02-05. Illustrated by Matt Cavotta.

#	Released	Name	Code	Symbol	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2001-02-05	Planeshift	PLS		77	1997	Normal	Black	Matt Cavotta
2	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST		PLS-77	1997	Normal	Black	Matt Cavotta

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Alpha Kavu has restrictions

Format	Legality
Commander	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Restricted
Oathbreaker	Legal
Premodern	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Predh	Legal