Untamed Kavu MTG Card


Untamed Kavu - Dominaria
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeCreature — Kavu
Abilities Kicker,Trample, Vigilance
Released2018-04-27
Set symbol
Set nameDominaria
Set codeDOM
Power 2
Toughness 2
Number186
Frame2015
LayoutNormal
BorderBlack
Illustred byYongjae Choi

Key Takeaways

  1. Untamed Kavu’s kicker cost allows for a potent creature by paying additional mana, enhancing board presence.
  2. Its vigilance trait offers continuous combat readiness, posing a consistent threat to opponents.
  3. While flexible, its kicker demands discarding a card, which can be resource demanding in tight games.
Vigilance card art

Guide to Vigilance card ability

In the strategic universe of Magic: The Gathering (MTG), the vigilance ability stands out as a powerful tool for players. This potent keyword allows creatures to attack without tapping, keeping them ready and alert to defend against incoming threats. It represents a perfect balance between aggression and defense, offering a dynamic approach to gameplay. Lets dive deeper into how vigilance shapes the battlefield.

Text of card

Kicker (You may pay an additional as you cast this spell.) Vigilance, trample If Untamed Kavu was kicked, it enters the battlefield with three +1/+1 counters on it.


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Untamed Kavu comes with a kicker cost that, when paid, lets you put an additional +1/+1 counter on it upon entering the battlefield. This flexibility can lead to gaining card advantage by making it a formidable creature without having to invest in multiple cards.

Resource Acceleration: Given its versatility, Untamed Kavu can serve as a significant threat early in the game. If you’re able to ramp up your mana production, casting it with the kicker option can accelerate your presence on the board, applying pressure much faster.

Instant Speed: While Untamed Kavu itself doesn’t have an instant-speed ability, its vigillance trait allows it to be a constant menace during combat on both your turn and your opponent’s, essentially acting as if it’s ready to engage at instant speed without actually tapping.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Untamed Kavu demands discarding another card to maximize the benefit of its kicker cost, which could be resource-draining under tight gameplay circumstances.

Specific Mana Cost: This creature comes with a green mana symbol in its casting cost, necessitating a deck built around green mana sources and potentially limiting its versatility in multi-color deck strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although Untamed Kavu is versatile, its kicker cost addition can tally up to a five mana investment, which could be hefty compared to other creatures in its size range that offer similar or greater impacts on the battlefield without additional expenses.


Reasons to Include Untamed Kavu in Your Collection

Versatility: Untamed Kavu’s flexibility to be played as an early threat or a sizeable mid-game creature makes it a suitable addition to various deck types, particularly those that adapt to the pace of the game.

Combo Potential: With its kicker ability, this creature synergizes well with strategies that capitalize on +1/+1 counters or entering-the-battlefield triggers, offering diverse combo opportunities.

Meta-Relevance: Given its scalability and efficiency, Untamed Kavu can hold its ground in a multitude of metagame environments, fitting well into aggressive decks that aim to outpace control or mid-range opponents.


How to beat

Untamed Kavu presents itself as a versatile creature card within the MTG realm. Its kicker ability can turn it from a mere 2/2 creature to a formidable 5/5, capable of posing a significant threat relatively early in the game. Players often find themselves considering ways to dismantle such flexibility and power at the right moment.

To tip the scales, consider employing removal spells that don’t rely on the creature’s size like Fatal Push or Path to Exile. These handle the Kavu regardless of whether it’s been kicked. Additionally, countering the creature spell is a direct method to void its potential, hence blue spells like Counterspell are valuable assets in your deck. For those preferring a more proactive solution, early board presence can deter an opponent from investing in the kicker cost, compelling them to deploy the creature as just a 2/2. In this scenario, cards that offer cheap yet efficient creatures or those that can put multiple creatures on the board quickly would outpace the isolated growth of an Untamed Kavu.

Strategy becomes paramount when facing a card with adaptability at its core. Keeping one step ahead by utilizing these techniques can effectively neutralize the Untamed Kavu, ensuring the dominance of your deck on the battlefield.


Cards like Untamed Kavu

Untamed Kavu is a versatile creature within the realm of Magic: The Gathering that finds its strength in its adaptability. It can be compared to the robust saproller, Verdurous Gearhulk, which shares the capability of placing additional +1/+1 counters on creatures. Unlike Untamed Kavu, however, Verdurous Gearhulk distributes counters upon entrance, potentially bolstering other creatures right away.

In the same category, we see Ripjaw Raptor, another creature known for its substantial impact. While Ripjaw Raptor does not have the flexibility of Untamed Kavu’s kicker cost, which allows for a larger presence later in the game, it does come with built-in card draw, a valuable asset that rewards enduring combat. Exemplifying evasiveness as well as power, Vinelasher Kudzu presents another competitor, capable of growing with every additional land drop, albeit without the immediate board presence that a kicked Untamed Kavu would have.

All in all, while each card has its unique strengths, Untamed Kavu’s potential for immediate impact and late-game power makes it a formidable choice for any MTG player seeking versatility on the battlefield.

Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Vinelasher Kudzu - MTG Card versions
Verdurous Gearhulk - MTG Card versions
Ripjaw Raptor - MTG Card versions
Vinelasher Kudzu - MTG Card versions

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Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Untamed Kavu MTG card by a specific set like Dominaria, 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 Untamed Kavu and other MTG cards:

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Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Untamed Kavu has restrictions

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

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