Keldon Overseer MTG Card

Dominaria (DOM)
2018-04-27 - Number 134

Mystery Booster (MB1)
2019-11-07 - Number 989

The List (PLST)
2020-09-26 - Number DOM-134

Card sets	Released in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost	3
Rarity	Common
Type	Creature — Human Warrior
Abilities	Haste,Kicker
Power	3
Toughness	1

Key Takeaways

Keldon Overseer offers card advantage and the potential to shift control of the game.
While powerful, it demands strategic hand management and suitable mana investment.
Its unique kicker ability caters to aggressive decks and dynamic play styles.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Haste When Keldon Overseer enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, gain control of target creature until end of turn. Untap that creature. It gains haste until end of turn.

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Keldon Overseer provides a strategic edge with its ability to generate card advantage in the late game. When you kick this card, you take control of an opponent’s creature, essentially removing one of their resources while adding to your own board presence and options for attacking or defending.

Resource Acceleration: Keldon Overseer can serve as a form of resource acceleration. If you’re ahead on lands, deploying this creature’s kick ability means you’re likely to take control of your opponent’s biggest threat, further amplifying your lead and bringing you closer to victory.

Instant Speed: While Keldon Overseer itself is a creature and not an instant, it brings similar strategic flexibility to the table. Its ability to swing the game when you have the right amount of mana available can shift the tides in an almost instant speed manner, giving you the ability to reverse unfavorable situations when your opponent least expects it.

Card Cons

Discard Requirement: In certain situations, the discard effect that comes with Keldon Overseer can work against you, particularly when each card in your hand is crucial for maintaining your strategy.

Specific Mana Cost: With a casting cost that is exclusively red, incorporating Keldon Overseer into multi-color decks can prove challenging, potentially restricting its play to mono-red builds.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Casting Keldon Overseer comes at a substantial mana cost, leaving players to consider whether their mana could be spent on more impactful creatures or spells that offer a greater advantage.

Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Keldon Overseer provides flexibility in red aggressive decks, lending itself well to strategies that hinge on controlling the battlefield with hastened creatures.

Combo Potential: This card’s kicker ability can lead to advantageous swings by commandeering your opponent’s threats, opening the door for unexpected combos and game-ending plays.

Meta-Relevance: In an environment where tempo plays are key, Keldon Overseer’s potential for immediate board impact makes it relevant, particularly when facing decks that rely on sturdy blockers or desirable creatures to hijack.

How to beat

Keldon Overseer presents a unique challenge on the battlefield with its haste and formidable kicker ability to gain control of an opponent’s creature. While it can create a sudden shift in power during a match, defeating this card relies on strategic planning and keen awareness of the board state. Maintaining control and removal spells is vital; having instant removal like Fatal Push or Lightning Strike can mitigate the threat before it becomes a significant problem.

Another efficient method is to hold up counter spells if you’re playing blue. Countering Keldon Overseer before it even hits the board with spells like Counterspell or Essence Scatter can save you from being put in a difficult position. It’s also wise to limit the number of creatures you leave untapped, as the Overseer’s control ability can turn your own creatures against you. If you’re lacking in removal or counters, playing around the kicker cost by keeping the pressure and reducing your opponent’s mana can prevent them from leveraging the Overseer’s full potential.

Overall, ensuring you have the tools to respond to threats swiftly and effectively will help you maintain dominance over cards like Keldon Overseer, allowing you to maneuver through its challenges and towards victory.

Cards like Keldon Overseer

Keldon Overseer brings an aggressive stance to creature-based strategies in Magic: The Gathering, aligning with other creatures that thrive on hasty attacks. For instance, consider Ahn-Crop Crasher, which, like the Overseer, also offers haste to pressure opponents quickly. However, the Overseer includes the unique kicker ability, allowing for control of an opponent’s creature when kicked, an angle of attack that Ahn-Crop Crasher does not possess.

Similarly, Keldon Marauders is known for its immediate board impact and eventual guaranteed damage thanks to its vanishing mechanic. While it doesn’t provide the potential utility of temporary creature control, it’s worth noting for its consistent damage output. On the flip side, Ember Hauler offers a versatile damage dealer, though lacking haste, it can be used as a removal tool with its sacrifice ability, an option the Overseer does not include.

In essence, Keldon Overseer may stand out for players looking for the opportunity to swing the momentum by not only presenting a hasty threat but also potentially turning an opponent’s asset into a short-term advantage, marking its distinct role among aggressive red creatures in MTG.

Cards similar to Keldon Overseer by color, type and mana cost

Hobgoblin Bandit Lord - MTG Card versions

Mannichi, the Fevered Dream - MTG Card versions

Cunning Bandit // Azamuki, Treachery Incarnate - MTG Card versions

Balduvian Barbarians - MTG Card versions

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Keldon Overseer MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria and Mystery Booster, 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 Keldon Overseer and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Keldon Overseer Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2018-04-27 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Jason A. Engle.

#	Released	Name	Code	Number	Frame	Layout	Border	Artist
1	2018-04-27	Dominaria	DOM	134	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle
2	2019-11-07	Mystery Booster	MB1	989	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle
3	~~2020-09-26~~	The List	PLST	DOM-134	2015	Normal	Black	Jason A. Engle

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Keldon Overseer has restrictions

Format	Legality
Historicbrawl	Legal
Historic	Legal
Legacy	Legal
Paupercommander	Legal
Oathbreaker	Legal
Gladiator	Legal
Pioneer	Legal
Commander	Legal
Modern	Legal
Pauper	Legal
Vintage	Legal
Duel	Legal
Explorer	Legal
Penny	Legal
Timeless	Legal

Rules and information

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

Date	Text
2018-04-27	You can target and gain control of an untapped creature with Keldon Overseer’s ability. You can also untap a creature you already control and give it haste.