Ambush Krotiq MTG Card
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 6 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Insect |
| Abilities | Trample |
| Released | 2015-01-23 |
| Set symbol | |
| Set name | Fate Reforged |
| Set code | FRF |
| Power | 5 |
| Toughness | 5 |
| Number | 122 |
| Frame | 2015 |
| Layout | Normal |
| Border | Black |
| Illustred by | Filip Burburan |
Text of card
Trample When Ambush Krotiq enters the battlefield, return another creature you control to its owner's hand.
The Abzan merchants soon discovered why this route was clear of dragons.
Cards like Ambush Krotiq
Ambush Krotiq may not be the first creature you think of when building your deck, but its unique abilities resonate with certain MTG strategies. It shares the battlefield with other formidable creatures like Roaring Primadox, which also manipulates the board by returning a creature to its owner’s hand each turn. While Roaring Primadox can be a little more predictable in its return mechanic, Ambush Krotiq’s trigger only occurs when it enters the battlefield, which can be both an advantage and a limitation depending on the situation.
Another creature that echoes Ambush Krotiq’s return-to-hand mechanic is Stampeding Wildebeests. It offers a repetitive opportunity to reuse enters-the-battlefield effects each turn. However, Ambush Krotiq’s massiveness provides a significant upside with its massive body capable of changing the board state upon arrival. The one-time trigger can be both a blessing and a complication, offering a powerful effect without the mandatory return of a creature each turn, as is the case with Stampeding Wildebeests.
Considering these parallels and distinctions, Ambush Krotiq holds a unique position. It may not be a staple in every deck, but its ability to turn the tide of a game with a single entrance — reusing potent enter-the-battlefield effects — can be a clever inclusion in decks crafted to leverage such synergies.
Cards similar to Ambush Krotiq by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: When Ambush Krotiq enters the battlefield, it allows you to return another creature you control to your hand. This works well with creatures that have enter-the-battlefield effects, enabling you to repeatedly take advantage of those beneficial triggers and potentially creating significant card advantage over the course of a game.
Resource Acceleration: Although Ambush Krotiq itself doesn’t directly provide resource acceleration, its ability to bounce creatures back to your hand can be synergistic with permanents that produce mana or generate additional value when casting creatures. This can help ramp up your resources indirectly as you redeploy your creatures for more benefits.
Instant Speed: As a creature, Ambush Krotiq cannot be played at instant speed. However, it can still be a surprise blocker when combined with effects that put creatures onto the battlefield during your opponent’s turn or combat phase. Additionally, playing creatures with flash before your turn and then following up with Ambush Krotiq can have an unexpected impact on the board and disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Ambush Krotiq necessitates the player to sacrifice another creature as its casting requirement. This can be disadvantageous during gameplay, especially when your board presence is key to maintaining leverage over your opponent.
Specific Mana Cost: This creature demands a precise mana alignment of four generic and two green, thereby restricting flexibility. Players running multicolor decks might find it challenging to meet this specific demand consistently throughout the game.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a total casting cost of six mana, Ambush Krotiq’s battlefield impact is debated when measured against other creatures within the same mana range. The card’s abilities may not always justify its mana investment, particularly when you’re aiming for cost-efficient board presence.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Ambush Krotiq can seamlessly adapt to various deck strategies, often finding a place in green-based creature or ramp decks. Its ability to morph ensures you can play it face down and reveal it at the right time for a surprise effect.
Combo Potential: This creature’s enter-the-battlefield ability, which lets you return another creature you control to your hand, allows for the reuse of powerful enter-the-battlefield triggers, adding depth to your combo plays.
Meta-Relevance: In a game state dominated by creature-heavy decks, Ambush Krotiq becomes a relevant inclusion. Its substantial power and toughness make it a formidable threat that can alter the course of the game upon entry.
How to beat
The Ambush Krotiq can be a tough creature to handle on the battlefield. With its formidable power and ability to trample over blockers, it poses a significant threat in MTG games. To overcome this beast, it’s essential to manage it before it can leverage its full potential. Control decks could use counter spells to prevent it from hitting the field at all. For those playing midrange or aggressive decks, removal spells like Murder or Path to Exile could take the Ambush Krotiq out of the equation.
Additionally, for those in green, cards like Prey Upon offer a chance to use your creatures to fight and possibly eliminate the Krotiq before it becomes a problem. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Krotiq’s heavy mana cost – keeping pressure on your opponent and managing the board early makes it difficult for them to ever cast it. And of course, having blockers with high toughness can dull the impact of its trample ability, minimizing the damage it can deal even if it does smash through.
In essence, a mix of foresight, board control, and removal is key to keeping the Ambush Krotiq from overrunning your game, allowing strategic players to maintain the upper hand despite its raw power.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Ambush Krotiq MTG card by a specific set like Fate Reforged, 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 Ambush Krotiq and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
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Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Ambush Krotiq has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Ambush Krotiq card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2014-11-24 | If you control no other creatures as Ambush Krotiq’s triggered ability resolves, nothing happens. Ambush Krotiq remains on the battlefield. |
| 2014-11-24 | The triggered ability doesn’t target any permanent. You choose which one to return as the ability resolves. No player can respond to this choice once the ability starts resolving. |