Crimson Kobolds MTG Card
1994-06-01 - Number 139
2009-09-07 - Number 93
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Creature — Kobold |
| Power | 0 |
| Toughness | 1 |
Cards like Crimson Kobolds
Crimson Kobolds is an intriguing piece in the panorama of zero-cost creatures within Magic: The Gathering. This tiny red creature stands alongside its counterparts, such as the Memnite, which also boasts a zero mana cost. However, unlike the artifact-based Memnite, Crimson Kobolds rides the advantage of benefiting from red spells and effects that care about creature types, such as Goblin Grenade or Kobolds of Kher Keep, which share the Kobold creature type and can be equally played without spending any mana.
Assessing another perspective, we can compare it to Ornithopter, also a free creature but with the added utility of flying. Ornithopter can be a subtle game-changer as it’s able to block creatures with evasion or contribute to an aerial offense. While Crimson Kobolds may lack this aerial prowess, it makes up for it in tribal synergies within red strategies.
At a closer look, each zero-cost creature comes with its unique strategic integrations – Memnite as a versatile artifact, Ornithopter as a deft sky blocker, and Crimson Kobolds with a more focused role in red decks with tribal interactions. Crimson Kobolds holds its ground in MTG, fitting into decks that prize its specific creature type or simply needing a creature that costs nothing to cast.
Cards similar to Crimson Kobolds by color, type and mana cost
Decks using this card
MTG decks using Crimson Kobolds. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.
| # | Name | Format | Archetype | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | WUBRG | Vintage | Vintage Challenge 32 2024-04-12 | |
 | The Epic Storm | Legacy | Charlotte Legacy League Season 1 Week 12 | |
 | Naya Combo | Legacy | 2023 NA Legacy Champs |
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Crimson Kobolds may not directly offer card draw, but its zero mana cost effectively adds another creature to your hand without spending resources, which can indirectly lead to card advantage through synergies with various draw mechanics.
Resource Acceleration: As a zero-cost creature, Crimson Kobolds facilitate early and efficient deployment of creatures on the board. This can be especially powerful for strategies looking to ramp up quickly, unlocking the potential of cards that benefit from having a high creature count.
Instant Speed: While the Crimson Kobolds card itself does not have instant speed, its free casting cost blends well with decks that operate at instant speed. This capability allows players to keep mana open for responsive plays and simultaneously extend their board presence without sacrificing timing advantages.
Card Cons
Specific Mana Cost: Crimson Kobolds requires red mana to play, which may not seamlessly fit into any deck configuration, particularly those not based around red mana or multicolor synergies.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Despite being a zero-cost creature, the potential for gameplay with Crimson Kobolds can be overshadowed in a format with a plethora of efficient one-mana creatures that offer greater advantages or versatility.
Discard Requirement: While there is no direct discard requirement tied to playing Crimson Kobolds, the card could contribute to a faster depletion of your hand, leaving you with fewer options as the game progresses. This can be detrimental if you are unable to utilize the card to its full potential or recover the lost card advantage.
Reasons to Include Crimson Kobolds in Your Collection
Versatility: Crimson Kobolds may not make an immediate impact on the board due to their 0/1 stats, but their strength comes from being a no-cost creature, which can easily fit into decks that capitalize on casting numerous spells or benefit from having creatures on the field without spending mana.
Combo Potential: With the ability to play Crimson Kobolds for free, they can act as a catalyst for storm strategies, pair well with cards that require sacrificing creatures for greater effects, or simply serve to increase your creature count for effects that trigger upon summoning.
Meta-Relevance: In formats where speed and efficiency are key, such as Legacy or Commander, the inclusion of zero-cost creatures like Crimson Kobolds can make a substantial difference. When the meta shifts towards a combo-centric approach or relies heavily on casting sequences, they become particularly valuable.
How to beat
Dealing with Crimson Kobolds in Magic: The Gathering requires a nuanced approach due to its unique characteristics. As a zero-cost creature card, it poses an interesting challenge. Cards like Gut Shot or Massacre Wurm can be quite effective against it. The former allows you to take it out for free if you pay the Phyrexian mana cost, circumventing the need to spend mana on your turn. The latter punishes your opponent for playing creatures with low toughness, potentially clearing multiple Kobolds off the board in one fell swoop.
In addition, since Crimson Kobolds are part of combos with cards like Cloudstone Curio or Grapeshot, disrupting these synergies is crucial. Instant speed removals or stifle effects can hinder your opponent’s plans. Cards like Sudden Shock, which can’t be responded to, or artifact removal spells targeting combo pieces, ensure that the Kobolds’ impact stays minimal. Incorporating these strategies into your deck will help maintain control over the battlefield and restrain the rapid advantage Crimson Kobolds seek to provide.
In summary, the key to overpowering the Crimson Kobolds card lies in preemptive removal strategies, targeting combo pieces, and capitalizing on the element of surprise with instant speed interactions.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Crimson Kobolds MTG card by a specific set like Legends and Masters Edition III, 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 Crimson Kobolds 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
See MTG Products
Printings
The Crimson Kobolds Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-06-01 and 2009-09-07. Illustrated by Anson Maddocks.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-06-01 | Legends | LEG | 139 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks | |
| 2 | 2009-09-07 | Masters Edition III | ME3 | 93 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Anson Maddocks |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Crimson Kobolds has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Crimson Kobolds card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2013-06-07 | Although originally printed with a characteristic-defining ability that defined its color, this card now has a color indicator. This color indicator can’t be affected by text-changing effects (such as the one created by Crystal Spray), although color-changing effects can still overwrite it. |