Krenko, Mob Boss MTG Card


Card setsReleased in 13 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost4
RarityRare
TypeLegendary Creature — Goblin Warrior
Power 3
Toughness 3

Key Takeaways

  1. Krenko excels in creating an overwhelming number of goblins, offering a significant board presence and card advantage.
  2. He synergizes well with instant-speed and untapping effects, enabling surprise token generation beyond your turn.
  3. Despite his strengths, Krenko’s dependency on goblins and higher casting cost can leave him vulnerable to removal strategies.

Text of card

: Put X 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens onto the battlefield, where X is the number of Goblins you control.

"He displays a perverse charisma fueled by avarice. Highly dangerous. Recommend civil sanctions." —Agmand Sarv, Azorius hussar


Card Pros

Card Advantage: Krenko, Mob Boss has an incredible ability to generate multiple creature tokens without the need to expend additional cards from your hand. This can quickly overwhelm opponents with sheer numbers, keeping your hand filled with other strategic plays.

Resource Acceleration: By tapping Krenko, you get a number of 1/1 red Goblin creature tokens equal to the number of Goblins you control, essentially doubling your board presence each turn. This can be utilized for both aggressive strategies and mana abilities should the token creatures you control be enchanted or equipped to tap for mana.

Instant Speed: While not an instant-speed card itself, Krenko synergizes brilliantly with cards that can untap him or create tokens at instant speed. This enables you to further capitalize on his ability, potentially creating tokens not just on your turn, but on your opponents’ as well, catching them off-guard and amassing an army quicker than they can respond.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: While Krenko, Mob Boss doesn’t demand a discard directly, it indirectly leads to card disadvantage as it pushes you towards a goblin-heavy deck, which can suffer if Krenko is removed from the battlefield and you’re left with weaker creatures.

Specific Mana Cost: Krenko’s casting requirements demand red mana, which narrows deck-building options to red or red-centric multicolor combinations, potentially excluding him from a wider variety of strategies.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: Krenko’s cost of four mana can be on the higher side for aggressive goblin strategies aiming for a fast game. This can make him a target for removal before you can leverage his token-generating abilities, compared to cheaper alternatives that can be more swiftly brought into play.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Krenko, Mob Boss proves to be a dynamic choice, seamlessly integrating into various red or goblin-focused decks. Its ability to produce an army of goblin tokens scales swiftly, making it a valuable addition for both aggressive and token-generating strategies.

Combo Potential: When it comes to synergy, Krenko excels. With the right set-up, such as utilizing cards that untap creatures or doubling token output, this mob boss can become the linchpin of a combo that overwhelms opponents with an unstoppable tide of goblins.

Meta-Relevance: Given its enduring presence, Krenko remains a solid threat in multiple formats. Its capacity for quick multiplication of creatures keeps it relevant and feared, especially in metagames that are susceptible to wide, aggressive strategies that can spiral out of control if not answered swiftly.


How to Beat Krenko, Mob Boss

Krenko, Mob Boss is a formidable presence on the battlefield – a true force multiplier that can easily overwhelm an unprepared opponent with a relentless tide of Goblin tokens. The key to nullifying Krenko’s impact lies in disrupting the deck’s rhythm and preventing the exponential growth of Goblins. Stifling Krenko’s ability by using removal spells like Path to Exile or Murderous Rider before the activation of his ability can curb the entire strategy. And since he relies on tapping to create his Goblin army, keeping him tapped with control elements such as Frost Breath or Pacifism can be extremely effective.

Board wipes also prove to be tremendous setbacks for Krenko-led armies. Wrath of God or Damnation cleanses the swarm before it has the chance to snowball out of control. Artifact removal, like Shatter or Naturalize, can rid the field of key accelerators such as Lightning Greaves or Thousand-Year Elixir, which might give Krenko haste or enable the use of his ability multiple times in a turn. Strategic spot removal, board control, and timing are paramount when facing down the Mob Boss.

Overall, a blend of preemptive disruption and reactive control can dismantle a Krenko-centric onslaught, aligning the match in your favor.


BurnMana Recommendations

Krenko, Mob Boss embodies the essence of MTG’s dynamic play, showing the power hidden within the goblin horde. With his token-generating prowess, Krenko can be the masterstroke in your deck that tilts the game in your favor. Understand that dealing with such a force requires strategy and timing, as preemptive disruption coupled with reactive control will protect you against the goblin tide. We invite you to further enhance your understanding and adapt your tactics with our comprehensive guides. Dive deeper into the world of MTG with us, learn the intricacies of deck building, and harness the full potential of your collection to outplay your opponents.


Cards like Krenko, Mob Boss

Within the realm of MTG, Krenko, Mob Boss stands out as a formidable commander for any Goblin tribal deck. When it comes to similar plot-twisting cards, there’s a small army worth mentioning. Take Siege-Gang Commander, which also excels at creating a burst of Goblin tokens when it enters the battlefield. While not a token-generator, Goblin Warchief is another gem that speeds up your Goblin army by reducing the cost of your Goblin spells.

Furthermore, we notice the likes of Goblin Chieftain, offering a boon to all other Goblins with a boost in power and haste, enhancing the immediate impact of your swarming hordes. Although these cards share the tribal synergy, Krenko has a unique ability to exponentially multiply your Goblin count, which in the right deck can be a game-ending maneuver.

By weighing each card’s strengths and capabilities within a Goblin tribal strategy, Krenko, Mob Boss emerges as a pinnacle of resource generation and a threat that can quickly overwhelm opponents if left unchecked, cementing its place as a cornerstone in MTG Goblin decks.

Siege-Gang Commander - MTG Card versions
Goblin Warchief - MTG Card versions
Goblin Chieftain - MTG Card versions
Siege-Gang Commander - Scourge (SCG)
Goblin Warchief - Scourge (SCG)
Goblin Chieftain - Resale Promos (PRES)

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Wildfire Emissary - Mirage (MIR)
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Rathi Dragon - Tempest (TMP)
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Nalathni Dragon - Magic Online Promos (PRM)
Everquill Phoenix - Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths (IKO)
Goblin Goon - Legions (LGN)
Lesser Gargadon - Eighth Edition (8ED)
Krark-Clan Engineers - Fifth Dawn (5DN)
Shimatsu the Bloodcloaked - Champions of Kamigawa (CHK)
Ogre Taskmaster - Ninth Edition (9ED)

Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Krenko, Mob Boss MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Duel Decks: Speed vs. Cunning, 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 Krenko, Mob Boss and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Krenko, Mob Boss Magic the Gathering card was released in 9 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2024-01-12. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleaseNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12012-07-13Magic 2013M13 1382003normalblackKarl Kopinski
22014-09-05Duel Decks: Speed vs. CunningDDN 152015normalblackKarl Kopinski
32017-10-24Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. GoblinsDDT 522015normalblackKarl Kopinski
42019-11-07Mystery BoosterMB1 9962015normalblackKarl Kopinski
52020-07-17JumpstartJMP 3392015normalblackKarl Kopinski
62020-09-26The ListPLST DDT-522015normalblackKarl Kopinski
72022-12-02Jumpstart 2022J22 5642015normalblackKarl Kopinski
82023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 5432015normalblackKarl Kopinski
92023-08-04Commander MastersCMM 2382015normalblackKarl Kopinski
102024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 1142015normalblackKarl Kopinski
112024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 3351997normalblackKarl Kopinski
122024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 335z2015normalblackKarl Kopinski
132024-01-12Ravnica RemasteredRVR 4302015normalborderlessAi Nanahira

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Krenko, Mob Boss has restrictions

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

Rules and information

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

DateText
2012-07-01 The ability counts each Goblin you control, including Krenko itself, not just the tokens it creates.

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