Amulet of Kroog MTG Card

Offers ongoing in-game benefits without depleting your hand, indirectly leading to card advantage. Low casting cost aids strategy execution; instant speed activation disrupts opponents effectively. Modest activation cost may outweigh benefits in fast-paced games or against larger threats.
Card setsReleased in 7 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeArtifact

Text of card

: Prevent 1 damage to any target.

Among the first allies Urza gained were the people of Kroog. As a sign of friendship, Urza gave the healers of the city potent amulets; afterwards, thousands journeyed to Kroog in hope of healing, greatly adding to the city's glory.

Cards like Amulet of Kroog

The Amulet of Kroog stands as an artifact piece within the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering relics designed to shield players from harm. It bears a resemblance to other defensive artifacts such as Prismatic Lens and Guardian Idol. While Prismatic Lens doubles as a mana filter, providing color fixing abilities, the Amulet of Kroog focuses purely on damage prevention, offering protection against any form of damage for a modest activation cost.

When it comes to blocking incoming harm, additional comparisons can be drawn to Marble Diamond. Marble Diamond does not provide the damage prevention ability, but it does offer a color-specific mana acceleration. The Amulet of Kroog, in contrast, does not aid in mana generation but provides a consistent line of defense which can be vital for surviving against aggressive strategies.

Determining which artifact offers the most utility in your deck comes down to assessing your strategy’s needs. The Amulet of Kroog excels in protecting life totals and key creatures, making it a reliable choice for defensive strategies in Magic: The Gathering. Its relevance is felt as it deflects the ongoing onslaught of damage that could otherwise lead to a swift defeat.

Prismatic Lens - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions
Marble Diamond - MTG Card versions
Prismatic Lens - MTG Card versions
Guardian Idol - MTG Card versions
Marble Diamond - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Amulet of Kroog may not directly allow you to draw additional cards, but it does offer repeatable utility. This artifact offers persistent effects as long as it remains on the battlefield, potentially providing you with ongoing benefits that can indirectly lead to card advantage by conserving the resources in your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Though the Amulet of Kroog isn’t a source of mana, its low casting cost contributes to resource acceleration by allowing you to deploy other spells more efficiently. Its utility can complement your strategy without impeding your mana curve, ensuring that you’re able to execute your game plan smoothly.

Instant Speed: While not an instant itself, the Amulet of Kroog can be activated at instant speed. This gives you the flexibility to respond to an opponent’s actions during their turn, potentially disrupting their strategies or protecting your interests right when it matters most.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Carrying the Amulet of Kroog in your deck doesn’t come without its compromises. Despite not having an initial discard cost, it can indirectly cause card disadvantage. Sinking mana into an artifact that offers minimal protection might not always outweigh the benefit of having a more impactful card in play. In fast-paced matches, this can be particularly detrimental.

Specific Mana Cost: The casting cost of the Amulet of Kroog might appear modest at first glance, but it requires a specific commitment of two generic mana. This exact amount can compete with more versatile or powerful two-drop plays in a game where mana efficiency is key to victory. For decks looking to optimize every turn, the Amulet may not make the cut.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: On the surface, two mana for a one-point defensive buff might not seem excessive. However, when evaluating its place in a deck, one must consider that the activation cost for the Amulet’s ability is equivalent to many cards’ total casting cost. Each activation is an investment, and when we compare it to other protective or interactive options in the game, the Amulet of Kroog’s cumulative mana demand is substantial. Savvy players may find that their mana is better spent elsewhere, particularly when faced with threats that the Amulet’s modest boost cannot adequately counter.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Amulet of Kroog is incredibly flexible and can be integrated into a multitude of decks. Its ability to potentially alter power dynamics by untapping artifacts adds a layer of strategy to both aggressive and control-oriented decks.

Combo Potential: This unassuming artifact holds potential for combo interactions, particularly in decks that harness the power of untapping mechanisms. The Amulet can become a cog in a larger machine, leading to surprising and powerful effects on the game state.

Meta-Relevance: Given that Amulet of Kroog can influence artifact-centric decks, its relevance can shift with the meta. In environments where artifacts play a key role, having the Amulet in your toolkit ensures that you have a robust answer or enhancer to the prevalent strategies.

How to beat

The Amulet of Kroog might not be the most formidable artifact you’ll come across in a match, but knowing how to dismantle its effects can give you the upper hand. This unassuming artifact primarily offers a defensive boon, potentially reducing the damage of unblocked attackers. While its power to protect may seem minor, unchecked, it can frustrate your offense by preventing lethal damage.

To effectively neutralize the Amulet of Kroog, consider employing artifact removal spells. Cards like Nature’s Claim or Shatter are excellent options to tear through the defenses provided by the Amulet. Alternatively, counterspells prevent it from ever hitting the field, preserving your strategy’s integrity. Bypassing the Amulet’s protection with spells that target the player directly, such as burn spells like Lightning Bolt, can also be effective. Each of these strategies ensures that the Amulet’s mild annoyance doesn’t turn into a game-winning defense.

In summary, while the Amulet of Kroog offers a persistent way to prevent damage, it crumbles before dedicated artifact removal, clever countering, or redirecting your focus to direct damage. Keeping these tactics in mind ensures that this artifact doesn’t become a stumbling block for your victory.

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Amulet of Kroog MTG card by a specific set like Antiquities and Fourth Edition, 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 Amulet of Kroog and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Amulet of Kroog Magic the Gathering card was released in 7 different sets between 1994-03-04 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Margaret Organ-Kean.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11994-03-04AntiquitiesATQ 361993NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean
21995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 2931993NormalWhiteMargaret Organ-Kean
31995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 2931993NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean
41995-08-01RinascimentoRIN 991993NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean
51995-08-01RenaissanceREN 991993NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean
61997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3471997NormalWhiteMargaret Organ-Kean
72011-01-10Masters Edition IVME4 1791997NormalBlackMargaret Organ-Kean

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Amulet of Kroog has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal
PennyLegal