Wicked Akuba MTG Card


Wicked Akuba - Champions of Kamigawa
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Spirit
Released2004-10-01
Set symbol
Set nameChampions of Kamigawa
Set codeCHK
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number150
Frame2003
Layoutnormal
Borderblack
Illustred byIttoku

Key Takeaways

  1. Wicked Akuba excels in card advantage, especially when achieving threshold in the graveyard.
  2. Its synergy with graveyard-based decks accelerates resources, paving way for powerful plays.
  3. Instant-speed spells complement Wicked Akuba, allowing for reactive deck strategies.

Text of card

: Target player dealt damage by Wicked Akuba this turn loses 1 life.

The sound of children weeping is a song that fills its heart with joy.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Wicked Akuba does a stellar job at granting card advantage, especially in the late game. Once you’re at threshold with seven or more cards in your graveyard, Wicked Akuba has the potential to draw you into more options, keeping your hand filled with resources.

Resource Acceleration: The card’s ability to accelerate resources is not direct but can be substantial. When synergized with decks that utilize graveyard strategies, it can effectively pave the way for powerful plays, allowing for a quicker reach of your strategy’s full potential.

Instant Speed: While Wicked Akuba itself isn’t an instant, it thrives in a deck filled with instant-speed spells. Playing this card in a reactive deck means you can pass the turn with open mana, ready to respond to threats or optimize the timing of your spells and abilities for maximum impact.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Wicked Akuba necessitates the discard of another card as part of its activation cost, potentially depleting your hand and leaving fewer options available for subsequent turns.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires black mana for casting, restricting its play to decks that are built around or can accommodate the black mana base, possibly limiting its versatility across different strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Given that Wicked Akuba demands two mana for a relatively mild effect, it could be considered less mana-efficient compared to other creatures in the same cost bracket, making it a less desirable option for competitive play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Wicked Akuba offers a dynamic play experience, particularly for those who favor black decks or strategies that play around with life loss and gain. Its adaptability to different game situations makes it an asset for many deck types.

Combo Potential: With an ability that can trigger whenever life is lost, Wicked Akuba is ideal for combos in decks designed around life-sapping effects or in conjunction with cards that have similar synergies.

Meta-Relevance: In environments where players often fluctuate their life totals, whether through aggressive tactics or self-damaging spells, Wicked Akuba becomes a potent tool. It aligns well with the shifting landscapes of local and broader meta, able to capitalize on commonplace life-loss in games.


How to beat Wicked Akuba

Wicked Akuba is a stealthy creature that can catch many players off-guard in the game of Magic: The Gathering. Its ability to deal damage directly to a player when you lose life makes it a sneaky threat. To effectively deal with Wicked Akuba, the key is managing your life total meticulously. Utilize life gain strategies or spells that can negate damage to minimize the impact of its ability.

It’s also vital to have removal at the ready. Instant-speed removal spells that can target Wicked Akuba before its ability triggers are particularly useful. Cards like Fatal Push or Path to Exile prove invaluable, as they can handle the threat effectively and efficiently. Moreover, since Wicked Akuba thrives in decks that can force life loss, including countermeasures against such strategies in your deck can also help you stay ahead.

Overall, understanding and disrupting your opponent’s game plan, keeping a close eye on your life total, and having the right spells to counter or remove Wicked Akuba are essential tactics. By employing a solid defense and strategic play, you can neutralize Wicked Akuba and maintain control of the game.


Cards like Wicked Akuba

Wicked Akuba makes an intriguing case in the realm of creatures with death-triggered abilities in Magic: The Gathering. It holds a mirror to cards like Blood Artist, which provides value when creatures die, though Blood Artist offers life drain instead of straight damage. Wicked Akuba also shares a mechanical kinship with Zulaport Cutthroat, but trades group utility for targeted player damage, which can be a tactical advantage in certain decks.

Another comparable card is Falkenrath Noble, who serves a similar role but carries a higher mana cost. The Noble, like Wicked Akuba, damages opponents upon death of a creature but has the added benefit of gaining you life. The playstyle and strategy of your deck might sway your preference towards the inexpensive, targeted efficiency of Wicked Akuba or the broader impact of Falkenrath Noble.

To wrap it up, while considering creature-based strategies, Wicked Akuba may not be the most renowned option, it emerges as a strong contender. Its unique targeted ability adds a subtle but potent edge to any MTG player’s arsenal, particularly in formats that favor aggressive, death-triggered tactics.

Blood Artist - MTG Card versions
Zulaport Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Falkenrath Noble - MTG Card versions
Blood Artist - Avacyn Restored (AVR)
Zulaport Cutthroat - Battle for Zendikar (BFZ)
Falkenrath Noble - Innistrad (ISD)

Cards similar to Wicked Akuba by color, type and mana cost

Drudge Skeletons - MTG Card versions
Erg Raiders - MTG Card versions
Cuombajj Witches - MTG Card versions
Order of the Ebon Hand - MTG Card versions
Bog Imp - MTG Card versions
Wall of Corpses - MTG Card versions
Blighted Shaman - MTG Card versions
Rabid Rats - MTG Card versions
Dakmor Bat - MTG Card versions
Ravenous Rats - MTG Card versions
Flesh Reaver - MTG Card versions
Bloodcurdler - MTG Card versions
Nantuko Shade - MTG Card versions
Piper of the Swarm - MTG Card versions
Undead Augur - MTG Card versions
Shepherd of Rot - MTG Card versions
Swarm of Rats - MTG Card versions
Skullsnatcher - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Cutthroat - MTG Card versions
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - MTG Card versions
Drudge Skeletons - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Erg Raiders - Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border (4BB)
Cuombajj Witches - Chronicles (CHR)
Order of the Ebon Hand - Pro Tour Collector Set (PTC)
Bog Imp - Rivals Quick Start Set (RQS)
Wall of Corpses - Mirage (MIR)
Blighted Shaman - Mirage (MIR)
Rabid Rats - Stronghold (STH)
Dakmor Bat - Portal Second Age (P02)
Ravenous Rats - Invasion (INV)
Flesh Reaver - Urza's Saga (USG)
Bloodcurdler - Odyssey (ODY)
Nantuko Shade - Commander 2014 (C14)
Piper of the Swarm - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Undead Augur - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Shepherd of Rot - Onslaught (ONS)
Swarm of Rats - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Skullsnatcher - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Cutthroat - Salvat 2005 (PSAL)
Nezumi Graverobber // Nighteyes the Desecrator - Commander Anthology Volume II (CM2)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Wicked Akuba MTG card by a specific set like Champions of Kamigawa, 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 Wicked Akuba and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Wicked Akuba has restrictions

FormatLegality
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

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