Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem MTG Card


Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem - Battle for Zendikar
TypeEmblem — Kiora
Abilities Fight
Released2015-10-02
Set symbol
Set nameBattle for Zendikar
Set codeBFZ
Number14
Frame2015
Layoutemblem
Borderblack
Illustred byJason Chan

Key Takeaways

  1. Provides card advantage and resource acceleration by untapping creatures and lands, enhancing gameplay versatility.
  2. Instant speed interactions with the emblem benefit strategic flexibility, offering more opportunities for control.
  3. Works best in specific deck archetypes, requiring a solid multicolor mana base for optimal use.

Text of card

Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, you may have it fight target creature.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kiora, Master of the Depths emblem’s ability to untap up to one target creature and one target land can sustain your card flow by allowing additional draws or plays when paired with creatures or lands that benefit from being untapped.

Resource Acceleration: This emblem potentially doubles your mana access each turn by untapping a land, facilitating faster execution of high-cost spells and increasing the speed at which you can deploy your threats.

Instant Speed: While the emblem itself isn’t a spell, the effects it enables can synergize beautifully with instant speed interaction by freeing up mana and creatures that might have been committed earlier in the turn, thus bolstering your strategic flexibility.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One major challenge with using the emblem acquired from Kiora, Master of the Depths is that it incentivizes holding onto extra creatures in your hand to make the most of the emblem’s ability. This might lead to situations where you’re forced to discard potentially important cards to ensure you can activate the emblem’s power, which could be a setback if you’re already struggling with card advantage.

Specific Mana Cost: To even consider getting the emblem from Kiora, Master of the Depths, you first need to cast her, which requires both green and blue mana. This specific mana cost necessitates that decks have a solid mana base built to accommodate multicolored cards, potentially limiting the emblem’s feasibility to certain deck archetypes that can reliably produce both types of mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Achieving the emblem from Kiora requires not only a substantial initial investment of four mana to cast her but also additional turns to accumulate the loyalty necessary for her ultimate ability. Given the speed of some MTG formats, the investment to obtain this emblem might be considered high compared to other strategies that can develop your board or impact the game more immediately.


Reasons to Include Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem in Your Collection

Versatility: Players seeking a boost in their sea creature strategies will find Kiora’s emblem grants unprecedented power, allowing their creatures to fight or become huge threats with untapping abilities.

Combo Potential: The emblem from Kiora, Master of the Depths harmonizes with tap/untap mechanics, meaning it can synergize with cards that generate value each time they’re activated, setting the stage for game-winning combos.

Meta-Relevance: In environments heavy on creature-based strategies, the emblem’s ability to consistently untap a significant portion of your land and creatures can give you the upper hand, keeping you one step ahead of opponents.


How to beat

Confronted with the Kiora, Master of the Depths emblem in Magic: The Gathering can be a daunting challenge due to its ability to put an overwhelming number of deep-sea behemoths on the battlefield. The emblem’s power lies in its perpetual ability to summon a Kraken, Leviathan, Octopus, or Serpent creature onto the field whenever a player casts a spell. To navigate these treacherous waters, shrewd strategy is essential.

Key to overcoming this emblem is to disrupt the opponent’s ability to cast spells, thereby nullifying the emblem’s effect. Spell counter strategies can be particularly effective, as they prevent the summoning trigger from occurring. Employing exile effects that can remove the emblem from the game altogether may be the most straightforward solution, however, such opportunities are rare and should be seized when presented. Board wipes are also valuable, removing multiple creatures at once before they can dominate the game. Ultimately, a well-timed play that neutralizes the emblem’s advantage or a focus on controlling the board may very well turn the tides in your favor.

Remember, the key to besting this formidable emblem is through careful planning and smart, reactive gameplay, ensuring that the deep-sea titans never get a chance to make waves.


Cards like Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem

Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem is a unique effect in Magic: The Gathering that stems from the planeswalker card Kiora, Master of the Depths. This emblem grants an ability that doubles the number of creatures and land you control with its activation. When compared to other emblems and effects, the closest parallel is likely the emblem from another powerful planeswalker, such as Garruk Wildspeaker, whose emblem also significantly enhances lands by untapping two of them each turn.

Exploring similar ground, we observe Doubling Season, a card that doubles the counters and tokens you produce. While Doubling Season affects a broader range of elements than Kiora’s emblem, it is a permanent that can be removed, unlike an emblem. Conversely, a card like Mirari’s Wake boosts the power of creatures and the mana from lands, but does not replicate them. This demonstrates a shared goal of amplifying board state without the redundancy Kiora’s emblem provides.

When considering the impact on gameplay, Kiora’s emblem’s ability to rapidly escalate the number of available resources makes it a formidable power. It aligns with MTG’s theme of exponential growth and control, securing its position as a remarkable game finisher when compared to other similar cards.

Kiora, Master of the Depths - MTG Card versions
Garruk Wildspeaker - MTG Card versions
Doubling Season - MTG Card versions
Mirari's Wake - MTG Card versions
Kiora, Master of the Depths - Battle for Zendikar Promos (PBFZ)
Garruk Wildspeaker - Lorwyn (LRW)
Doubling Season - Ravnica: City of Guilds (RAV)
Mirari's Wake - Judgment (JUD)

Cards similar to Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem by color, type and mana cost

Venser, the Sojourner Emblem - MTG Card versions
Koth of the Hammer Emblem - MTG Card versions
Liliana of the Dark Realms Emblem - MTG Card versions
Domri Rade Emblem - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Knight-Errant Emblem - MTG Card versions
Garruk, Caller of Beasts Emblem - MTG Card versions
Elspeth, Sun's Champion Emblem - MTG Card versions
Kiora, the Crashing Wave Emblem - MTG Card versions
Dack Fayden Emblem - MTG Card versions
Ajani Steadfast Emblem - MTG Card versions
Garruk, Apex Predator Emblem - MTG Card versions
Sorin, Solemn Visitor Emblem - MTG Card versions
Daretti, Scrap Savant Emblem - MTG Card versions
Teferi, Temporal Archmage Emblem - MTG Card versions
Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath Emblem - MTG Card versions
Chandra, Roaring Flame Emblem - MTG Card versions
Jace, Telepath Unbound Emblem - MTG Card versions
Ob Nixilis Reignited Emblem - MTG Card versions
Jace, Unraveler of Secrets Emblem - MTG Card versions
Arlinn Kord Emblem - MTG Card versions
Venser, the Sojourner Emblem - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Koth of the Hammer Emblem - Duel Decks: Venser vs. Koth (DDI)
Liliana of the Dark Realms Emblem - Magic 2014 (M14)
Domri Rade Emblem - Modern Masters 2017 (MM3)
Elspeth, Knight-Errant Emblem - Mythic Edition (MED)
Garruk, Caller of Beasts Emblem - Magic 2014 (M14)
Elspeth, Sun's Champion Emblem - Commander Masters (CMM)
Kiora, the Crashing Wave Emblem - Born of the Gods (BNG)
Dack Fayden Emblem - Conspiracy (CNS)
Ajani Steadfast Emblem - Commander Masters (CMM)
Garruk, Apex Predator Emblem - Mythic Edition (MED)
Sorin, Solemn Visitor Emblem - Khans of Tarkir (KTK)
Daretti, Scrap Savant Emblem - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)
Teferi, Temporal Archmage Emblem - Commander 2014 (C14)
Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath Emblem - Commander Masters (CMM)
Chandra, Roaring Flame Emblem - Magic Origins (ORI)
Jace, Telepath Unbound Emblem - Magic Origins (ORI)
Ob Nixilis Reignited Emblem - Starter Commander Decks (SCD)
Jace, Unraveler of Secrets Emblem - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)
Arlinn Kord Emblem - Shadows over Innistrad (SOI)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kiora, Master of the Depths Emblem MTG card by a specific set like Battle for Zendikar, 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, Master of the Depths Emblem and other MTG cards:

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