Kraken of the Straits MTG Card


Kraken of the Straits - Born of the Gods
Mana cost
Converted mana cost7
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kraken
Released2014-02-07
Set symbol
Set nameBorn of the Gods
Set codeBNG
Power 6
Toughness 6
Number42
Frame2003
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byRichard Wright

Key Takeaways

  1. Capitalizes on card advantage and battlefield presence to control the game’s pace and protect assets.
  2. Requires significant blue mana investment, and may struggle in multicolor decks or late-game scenarios.
  3. Stands out with its unblockability, providing strategic depth to blue-centric builds in MTG.

Text of card

Creatures with power less than the number of Islands you control can't block Kraken of the Straits.

Thassa felt no need to punish the sailors for their folly in crossing the straits. The kraken would do it for her.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kraken of the Straits can be a treasure trove for those looking to build formidable defenses while keeping their hand flush with options. Its ability to potentially dissuade smaller creatures from attacking can preserve the cards on your battlefield, effectively contributing to your overall card advantage.

Resource Acceleration: This colossal sea monster may not generate additional mana or treasures directly, but its sheer presence can accelerate your game plan by applying pressure and demanding responses from your opponent that could lead to advantageous trades and resource conservation on your part.

Instant Speed: Despite not being an instant itself, Kraken of the Straits can synergize well with instant speed spells. It stands as a solid contingency, requiring your adversary to think twice before attacking, thus giving you the leeway to respond with instants that can further tilt the battlefield in your favor without the fear of immediate retribution.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Kraken of the Straits demands a steady supply of cards in hand to fully leverage its abilities. For players who may not have card draw mechanisms in place, meeting this requirement can sometimes become a challenge, especially in the later stages of a game when resources are critical.

Specific Mana Cost: The card’s casting cost necessitates a significant commitment to blue mana. This makes it less flexible in multicolor decks that can’t reliably produce the required blue mana symbols, potentially leading to delays or an inability to play the card when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With a casting cost that sits at the higher end of the spectrum, Kraken of the Straits can be a late-game play, possibly giving faster, more aggressive decks an opportunity to take control of the game before you can capitalize on your sea monster’s power.


Reasons to Include Kraken of the Straits in Your Collection

Versatility: Kraken of the Straits offers a unique flexibility in blue-based decks. Its ability to let your creatures be unblockable by smaller ones gives it a tactical edge in various game situations.

Combo Potential: This sea monster thrives in synergies with cards that manipulate the number of islands you control, boosting its unblockable trait. Its seven toughness also makes it a resilient target for bouncing or cloning effects.

Meta-Relevance: In a game landscape where ground stalls are common, Kraken of the Straits can be a game-changer. It’s particularly effective in environments where evasive creatures can turn the tide of battle.


How to Beat Kraken of the Straits

Kraken of the Straits offers an interesting challenge on the battlefield due to its notable ability to prevent creatures with lower power from blocking it. This blue behemoth can quickly become an unstoppable force if not addressed with the right strategy. Looking at similar cards, Illusionary Obstacles creates conditions that restrict attackers unless a certain mana cost is paid. However, Kraken of the Straits bypasses such limitations with sheer power.

In dealing with this leviathan, control decks that can exile, bounce, or otherwise neutralize creatures without having to block are essential. For instance, setting sail on the seas of removal with spells like Rapid Hybridization can transform this monstrous Kraken into a more manageable entity. Furthermore, enchantments like Pacifism, which sidesteps the high power issue by preventing the creature from attacking or blocking altogether, are prime candidates to incorporate in your arsenal against such titanic threats.

To sum up, countering Kraken of the Straits demands a combination of preemptive control measures and strategic use of spot removal or creature altering effects. This powerful sea creature may dominate the depths, but with careful planning and the right tools, it can be bested on the matrix of MTG gameplay.


BurnMana Recommendations

For MTG enthusiasts looking to navigate the treacherous waters of deck-building with the mighty Kraken of the Straits, insight is key. This unique blue card provides strategic depth and defense capabilities that can shape the tides of your matches. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses is crucial for harnessing its full potential. If you’re eager to discover the vast possibilities this card offers and want to tweak your deck to harness the power of the deep, dive deeper into our resources. Learn the maneuvers that can turn this tide-turning creature into a linchpin of your blue-centric deck.


Cards like Kraken of the Straits

Kraken of the Straits is a behemoth in blue, a color renowned for powerful sea creatures in Magic: The Gathering. The Kraken aligns with other sea giants like Lorthos, the Tidemaker, which also boasts a considerable presence on the battlefield. While both command a high cost, Lorthos brings an immense control ability to the board, allowing you to tap up to eight target permanents, a power the Straits Kraken doesn’t possess.

Another nautical nemesis in this discussion is Shipbreaker Kraken. Though it shares the thematic lineage and imposing stats, it also allows players to lock down the board by tapping nonland permanents, which can be a game-changer. However, Kraken of the Straits stands out with its passive ability that permits unblockability under certain conditions, an advantageous strategic enticement for many deck builders that’s absent in the Shipbreaker.

Evaluating the towering titans of the deep, each card offers unique advantages, yet the Kraken of the Straits provides a distinct tactical edge in its capability to become unblockable, carving its own niche in MTG’s colossal blue creature lineup.

Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Shipbreaker Kraken - MTG Card versions
Lorthos, the Tidemaker - MTG Card versions
Shipbreaker Kraken - MTG Card versions

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Island Fish Jasconius - MTG Card versions
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Amugaba - MTG Card versions
Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant - MTG Card versions
Tromokratis - MTG Card versions
Hullbreaker Horror - MTG Card versions
Colossal Whale - MTG Card versions
Mistform Skyreaver - MTG Card versions
Slipstream Eel - MTG Card versions
Weaver of Lies - MTG Card versions
Quicksilver Behemoth - MTG Card versions
Vizzerdrix - MTG Card versions
Rimefeather Owl - MTG Card versions
Cyclone Summoner - MTG Card versions
Isleback Spawn - MTG Card versions
Marjhan - MTG Card versions
Goliath Sphinx - MTG Card versions
Scrapdiver Serpent - MTG Card versions
Chancellor of the Spires - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kraken of the Straits MTG card by a specific set like Born of the Gods, 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 Kraken of the Straits and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kraken of the Straits has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PioneerLegal
PennyLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2014-02-01 The number of Islands you control is counted as blockers are declared. Creatures with power less than that number at that time can’t block Kraken of the Straits. Once blockers have been declared, the power of the blocking creatures and the number of Islands you control don’t matter.

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