Crocanura MTG Card


Crocanura becomes stronger with each creature played, countering foes without depleting resources. Despite mana restrictions, it’s a defensive asset versus flyers, accelerating gameplay. Effective against flying-heavy decks, it grows in power being meta-relevant.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityCommon
TypeCreature — Crocodile Frog
Abilities Evolve,Reach
Power 1
Toughness 3

Text of card

Reach (This creature can block creatures with flying.) Evolve (Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, if that creature has greater power or toughness than this creature, put a +1/+1 counter on this creature.)


Cards like Crocanura

Crocanura stands out in Magic: The Gathering as a multi-faceted creature that boasts both reach and the evolve mechanic. Comparable creatures such as Drakewing Krasis also share the evolve capability, allowing them to grow in power and toughness. Yet, Drakewing Krasis differs with flying instead of reach, and does not offer the same blocking potential against flying creatures that Crocanura does.

Looking at cards like Battering Krasis, another creature card with evolve, it offers trample but lacks the defensive utility provided by Crocanura’s reach. Skylasher provides a great example of a creature with reach on par with Crocanura, but it lacks the evolve mechanic and cannot increase its size over the course of the game.

When taking stock of Crocanura in comparison to these other creatures, it’s evident that its blend of defensive capabilities with the potential for growth makes it a unique addition to decks that leverage the evolve mechanic within MTG. It serves a dual purpose by being a formidable defender early on and potentially becoming a significant threat as it grows.

Drakewing Krasis - MTG Card versions
Battering Krasis - MTG Card versions
Skylasher - MTG Card versions
Drakewing Krasis - MTG Card versions
Battering Krasis - MTG Card versions
Skylasher - MTG Card versions

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Sabertooth Cobra - MTG Card versions
Quirion Druid - MTG Card versions
Spike Feeder - MTG Card versions
Hungry Hungry Heifer - MTG Card versions
Titania's Chosen - MTG Card versions
Taoist Mystic - MTG Card versions
Femeref Archers - MTG Card versions
Lydari Druid - MTG Card versions
Steel Leaf Champion - MTG Card versions
Realmwalker - MTG Card versions
Topiary Stomper - MTG Card versions
Territorial Scythecat - MTG Card versions
Wirewood Savage - MTG Card versions
Reki, the History of Kamigawa - MTG Card versions
Timberwatch Elf - MTG Card versions
Leatherback Baloth - MTG Card versions
Pincher Beetles - MTG Card versions
Elvish Champion - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Despite Crocanura not directly providing card draw, it offers progressive board advantage that can handicap your opponent’s smaller creatures. With evolve, each new creature you play potentially strengthens Crocanura, maintaining your edge without depleting your hand.

Resource Acceleration: Crocanura itself doesn’t produce mana or treasure tokens. However, its relatively low casting cost allows for a faster board presence, paving the way for bigger threats sooner while holding back opposing flyers with its reach ability as you develop your resources.

Instant Speed: While Crocanura is a creature card and not an instant, its utility lies in its ability to disrupt opponent strategies at crucial moments. Dropping Crocanura at the right time can catch an opponent off guard, especially when it enters the battlefield just in time to block an incoming flyer.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Crocanura does not directly have a discard requirement, however, due to its Evolve ability, it can become less effective if you are not able to play creatures with higher power or toughness, potentially leading to a disadvantageous card state.

Specific Mana Cost: This card requires both green and blue mana, making it not as flexible for deck-building outside of Simic or multi-colored decks, which could limit the card’s broader appeal and utility.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While Crocanura’s mana cost is not excessive, its initial stats of 1/3 for a three mana creature may not present immediate board impact compared to other creatures at similar or lower costs, which may provide more potent abilities or stats upon entry.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Crocanura can adapt to various playstyles and deck archetypes. Its reach ability nicely counters flying threats, making it a solid addition to Green-based decks seeking more defense against aerial opponents.

Combo Potential: This card thrives in decks that capitalize on +1/+1 counters. Crocanura’s evolve mechanic allows it to grow alongside other creatures, playing well in synergistic strategies that emphasize counter manipulation.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where small fliers can dominate, Crocanura serves as a flexible response. Its ability to deter attacks and act as a growing threat makes it particularly useful in matches against popular flyer-heavy decks.


How to Beat

Crocanura from Magic: The Gathering serves as a sturdy blocker among green cards, particularly in limited formats such as Draft or Sealed. Its evolve mechanic allows it to grow larger whenever another creature with greater power or toughness enters the battlefield under your control. To successfully tackle Crocanura, one strategy is to control the creature count on your opponent’s side, therefore limiting opportunities for it to evolve. Using removal spells that can bypass its increasing size, like direct removal or exile effects, also proves effective.

Another approach is to outpace the gradual growth of Crocanura by deploying creatures with abilities such as flying or trample, which allow you to surpass its defenses. Cards that can tap creatures down repeatedly or enchantments that prevent the Crocanura from blocking can also mitigate the advantage Crocanura provides in the defensive line. In essence, when facing a deck leveraging Crocanura’s capabilities, focusing on maintaining aerial dominance or using non-combat strategies for removal provides a solid plan for overcoming this particular MTG card’s resilience.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Crocanura MTG card by a specific set like Gatecrash and Jumpstart: Historic Horizons, 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 Crocanura and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Crocanura Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2013-02-01 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by Jack Wang.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12013-02-01GatecrashGTC 1162003NormalBlackJack Wang
22021-08-26Jumpstart: Historic HorizonsJ21 5572015NormalBlackJack Wang
32024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1352015NormalBlackJack Wang

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Crocanura has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
PauperLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
PennyLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

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

Date Text
2013-04-15 If a creature enters the battlefield with +1/+1 counters on it, consider those counters when determining if evolve will trigger. For example, a 1/1 creature that enters the battlefield with two +1/+1 counters on it will cause the evolve ability of a 2/2 creature to trigger.
2013-04-15 If evolve triggers, the stat comparison will happen again when the ability tries to resolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, the ability will do nothing. If the creature that entered the battlefield leaves the battlefield before evolve tries to resolve, use its last known power and toughness to compare the stats.
2013-04-15 If multiple creatures enter the battlefield at the same time, evolve may trigger multiple times, although the stat comparison will take place each time one of those abilities tries to resolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and two 3/3 creatures enter the battlefield, evolve will trigger twice. The first ability will resolve and put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. When the second ability tries to resolve, neither the power nor the toughness of the new creature is greater than that of the creature with evolve, so that ability does nothing.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats as the evolve ability resolves, it’s possible that the stat that’s greater changes from power to toughness or vice versa. If this happens, the ability will still resolve and you’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve. For example, if you control a 2/2 creature with evolve and a 1/3 creature enters the battlefield under your control, it toughness is greater so evolve will trigger. In response, the 1/3 creature gets +2/-2. When the evolve trigger tries to resolve, its power is greater. You’ll put a +1/+1 counter on the creature with evolve.
2013-04-15 When comparing the stats of the two creatures for evolve, you always compare power to power and toughness to toughness.
2013-04-15 Whenever a creature enters the battlefield under your control, check its power and toughness against the power and toughness of the creature with evolve. If neither stat of the new creature is greater, evolve won’t trigger at all.